[Genshin Impact] A world where only travelers are alone.

Chapter 53 Badminton Festival

Buck was speechless at her words, his face flushed with anger, but he still remembered his status and was unwilling to lose face in front of Wendy, a lowly commoner. He only said coldly, "Suit yourself, but you better not give me any leverage."

Cecilia stepped in front of Wendy, her expression equally unpleasant: "Don't worry, you won't have that chance."

Buck snorted and stopped talking, then shoved her aside and led a large group of people toward Mr. Lawrence's study.

After he left, Cecilia could no longer suppress the disgust in her eyes. Wendy even felt that if it weren't so inappropriate, she might have wanted to make this confrontation more than just talk, and would have been more willing to teach this guy a lesson herself.

As a young lady of the Lawrence family, her education naturally included swordsmanship.

Wendy couldn't help but wonder why Cecilia hated Buck. After all, they were siblings, so how could their relationship have become so hostile without any reason?

His curiosity was practically written all over his face, and Cecilia immediately understood his ulterior motives, but since they were still outside, it wasn't the right time to talk about it.

She could only lead him back to her room before explaining, "Although Buck is my brother, he is extravagant and dissolute, and has completely failed to inherit the virtues of the Lawrence family. He is not worthy of my respect."

Cecilia cannot accept calling such a person her brother, despite the blood relation, but she will resist in her own way.

"I see..." Wendy said, her voice drawn out as she propped her chin on her hand, her words ambiguous. "I thought Cecilia would be someone who values ​​family a lot."

Cecilia lowered her head and took a sip of tea, using it to conceal the bitter smile on her lips: "Teacher Wendy, as you know, the Lawrence family has many rules, my mother died early, and my father, as the patriarch, is very busy and rarely comes to see me. I really can't understand why you would think that someone who grew up in such an environment should be someone who values ​​family."

She did have family ties in her heart, but what mattered even more was responsibility. Everything she did was simply because it was what a young lady of the Lawrence family should do.

Wendy smiled, her emerald eyes crinkling: "That's wonderful."

He seemed to have suddenly thought of something and asked, "Cecilia, do you think that when a group of people do very, very bad things, they should all be wiped out?"

Cecilia blinked in confusion, not understanding why he would suddenly bring this up, but she still gave her answer: "If these people are all bad, of course they should be killed, but if there are good people among them, of course they should be spared."

"Sigh, if only everyone in the world were as open-minded as you—" Wendy sighed and slumped onto the table.

The soft flesh on his cheeks bulged out from the movement, making him look even more childish.

Cecilia couldn't help but rub her fingers together, thinking rather rebelliously, "If only I could pinch them..."

Wendy, oblivious to her burning gaze, was still pondering the hypothetical scenario she had just mentioned: "It's a pity there aren't that many enlightened people in the world. Besides, as victims, who can speak for them and offer forgiveness? Those who were let off the hook may not have really done anything heinous, but they also enjoyed the benefits brought to them by those wicked people, so they naturally have to bear the corresponding price, even if it's being ostracized and driven away."

"Cecilia, can you understand?"

Cecilia felt there was something else behind his words, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't figure it out.

Seeing her frowning and deep in thought, Wendy chuckled and tapped her forehead. "Don't take it so seriously. I just heard a story from someone yesterday and it made me think about it. Today is your rare day off, don't waste it thinking about this."

Although that's what she said, Cecilia's intuition told her that this answer was important and she had to give it.

Her heart began to beat faster without her noticing; she only felt as if the air around her had solidified, making it almost impossible to breathe.

As Wendy was about to take his leave, she finally had her answer and grabbed his hand urgently: "Teacher Wendy! Wait!"

"Hmm?" Wendy turned around.

"I'm sorry!" Cecilia exclaimed in surprise, quickly letting go. "I just think I have my answer now."

Wendy sat back down, adopting an attentive posture.

“If it were me—if I were the sinner, I would accept this arrangement without question. Just as you said, even if I haven’t done anything heinous, I still benefited from the protection of others and need to pay the price.” Cecilia looked at him calmly. “But if I were the victim, I might also feel resentful. However, justice doesn’t change because of individuals. They have already received their due punishment, and even the gods would arrange things this way.”

Wendy paused for a moment, then smiled knowingly: "You're right. Even Barbatos would agree that this is right. Gods will always give those who want to do good a choice. That's freedom."

With his approval, Cecilia was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief, and her heart calmed down.

"Oh, right, the badminton festival ends in two days, and there'll be a shuttlecock-throwing event. I heard the first person to catch it will receive the wind god's blessing for a whole year. Do you want to go check it out with me?"

Seemingly eager for her to accompany them, Wendy even excitedly assured her, "Don't worry, even though it's daytime, there will be a lot of people that day. Even if you run into someone from the Lawrence family, as long as you're discreet and simply disguise yourself, you definitely won't be recognized!"

Cecilia was intrigued by his words, and even though she knew it was extremely risky, she couldn't help but agree.

"Then it's a date!" Wendy smiled brightly. "But this time we can't fly in so conspicuously like last time; we have to do it quietly!"

Cecilia suddenly had a bad feeling.

*

On the last day of the badminton festival, the Lawrence family mansion was in stark contrast to the lively atmosphere outside. Instead, it was unusually chaotic because their mistress, poor Miss Cecilia, had fallen ill on this beautiful day.

The butler was furious. Even through the soundproof door, Cecilia could hear him sternly reprimanding his servant for failing to take good care of her.

She couldn't listen anymore and pushed the door open.

As soon as she came out, the butler rushed over to help her, saying, "Miss Cecilia, you're not feeling well; you should be resting in bed right now!"

Cecilia's face was pale, and her deliberately lowered voice was a little hoarse: "You're too noisy, I can hear you even in the room."

The housekeeper, reprimanded like this for the first time, looked embarrassed: "But...but they're the ones who made you sick..."

"It has nothing to do with them. I just forgot to close the window last night. If you have time to scold the servants, why don't you take some people to clean this place properly? I want to rest and don't bother me." Cecilia calmly helped them out of the predicament and sent them away.

Although the housekeeper was reluctant, what she said made perfect sense, and he had no reason to stay, so he could only slink away.

Cecilia finally got some peace and quiet.

She closed the door, but the first thing she did after returning to her room was not to lie down and rest. Instead, she wiped off the thick layer of white powder she had used to feign illness from her face, changed into the clothes and cloak that Wendy had prepared for her, and peered out the window. Sure enough, Wendy was already waiting for her downstairs.

Seeing that she seemed ready, Wendy opened her arms and mouthed, "Jump, I'll catch you."

The Lawrence family mansion was built with extravagance in mind, so it naturally occupies a huge area. Therefore, they never considered how tall the house should be. Although Cecilia's room is on the top floor, it is actually only on the third floor. Although this height is not very high, such behavior is still somewhat dangerous.

But when she met the poet's eyes, she suddenly didn't want to think about anything else.

He will continue with his own.

Cecilia was willing to believe him unconditionally, so she jumped.

The wind whistled in my ears, but the sound was gentle, like being surrounded and lifted by light feathers, and then falling into an even gentler, warm embrace.

The poet embraced her and whispered in her ear with a smile, "You're very brave, Cecilia. Brave children deserve praise. Today it's my treat; would you like to try some freshly baked apple pie before the event?"

Although he would prefer Cecilia to try the new cider with him, considering that she might never have tasted alcohol before, he decided to play it safe and opt for the milder apple pie.

Cecilia, still feeling somewhat disoriented, buried her face in his neck and whispered, "Thank you, Wendy..."

Wendy patted her head, then, without lingering, led her away via a route they had already planned.

Cecilia had already sent the nearby servants away under some pretext, and after easily avoiding the guards on their regular patrols, Wendy and she successfully arrived on the streets of Mondstadt.

There were so many people around, Cecilia couldn't help but tug at Wendy's clothes, afraid of getting separated from him.

Wendy seemed to sense her unease, turning around and first considerately straightening her cloak before taking her hand in his.

"That way we won't get separated!" The poet exclaimed happily, shaking their tightly clasped hands.

Cecilia felt as if her face was burning up, so she quickly lowered her head and simply replied with a soft "okay".

"Hehe~" Wendy didn't know whether he saw it or not, but he didn't say anything. He just pulled her into the crowd to buy his favorite apple pie.

The sweet apple pie was really delicious, but the guy who said he would treat everyone suddenly remembered that he had spent all his money from being a vocal coach on alcohol last night. He could only cry and be kept by the apple pie vendor to sing to pay off his debt.

Cecilia sat on a wooden box next to the stall, taking small bites of a freshly baked apple pie, while a poet sang a gentle melody accompanied by the sound of a piano.

Very nice.

she thinks.

If only time could stand still at this moment.

(End of this chapter)

The author says: *crying* Yesterday's chapter didn't get a single comment! So frustrating! (Ｔ▽Ｔ)