Thinking of the memories he had shared with his sister, Aether couldn't help but smile softly.
The Abyss Mages and Heralds below the throne exchanged glances. This was the first time they had seen their prince show such an expression. What had made him so happy?
However, Aether's smile didn't last long. Soon, his face darkened as he remembered the shameless man who had the audacity to call him "brother-in-law." Just thinking about Yun Fan made Aether's teeth itch with frustration.
Though he hated Yun Fan, there was nothing he could do about him. Not only did Yun Fan wield that calamity-inducing Honkai energy, which was even more powerful than Abyssal energy, but his strength was also unfathomable, making Aether wary.
"Enjou, I have a task for you," Aether said coldly to the Pyro Abyss Lector standing beside him.
"Your Highness, please speak."
"Keep a close eye on that man named Yun Fan. Gather as much information about him as possible. It will be of great use to me in the future," Aether's icy voice echoed through the Abyss hall, sending shivers down everyone's spines.
"Miss Eula, did you call me to the tavern for something specific? If you don't say anything soon, I'm leaving," Yun Fan said, somewhat exasperated, as he watched Eula across the table, downing glass after glass of wine. He had thought she invited him to Angel's Share to discuss her potential transfer to his side.
But now, it seemed there was more to it. This strong-willed girl seemed to be facing a difficult decision or problem.
"Hmph, you're such a stingy man," Eula grumbled, pouring herself another glass. Her slender fingers, calloused from years of wielding a sword but still delicate, lifted the glass toward Yun Fan. Reluctantly, he clinked his glass with hers.
Gulp. Both of them downed their drinks in one go. Yun Fan set his glass down and didn't pour another. "Now, can you tell me what's going on?"
"Hmm." Eula fell silent for a moment, as if considering how to phrase her words. Finally, she asked, "What do you think of the Lawrence Clan?"
"Me? I don't have any particular thoughts," Yun Fan shook his head, smiling lightly.
"No thoughts?" Eula looked at Yun Fan, her large amethyst eyes filled with confusion, as if asking why.
"I'm only interested in people or things that have value. As for things that are meaningless, I don't even bother giving them a second glance."
"Is that so? Heh." Eula let out a self-deprecating laugh. So this was Yun Fan's view of the Lawrence Clan. And she, too, bore the Lawrence name.
Yun Fan wasn't a fool. He could see what Eula was thinking. Clearing his throat, he continued, "While the Lawrence Clan holds no value in my eyes, you, Eula, are different."
"Do you really mean that?" Eula's eyes, which had been downcast, now sparkled with a glimmer of hope.
"Of course. Your contributions to Mondstadt are clear to me, and not just to me—Acting Grand Master Jean, Amber, Lisa, Kaeya, even Barbatos knows of them." Seeing Eula remain silent, Yun Fan pressed on. "The people of Mondstadt dislike you and refuse to accept you because they're foolish. After all, the wise are few, and the world is full of fools. If you live every day under the shadow of others, are you truly living? What meaning does such a life hold?"
"So you don't need to worry or try to please anyone. All you need to do is be your truest self and live for yourself. Believe me, time will prove everything." Having said this, Yun Fan fell silent, simply watching her.
After a long while, Eula finally spoke.
"Hmm… You're quite the talker, aren't you?" She picked up the wine bottle, not bothering with a glass, and took a big swig.
"Thank you for your advice. But I'm afraid I'll have to decline your previous proposal," Eula said with some regret.
"That's fine. I expected as much." Yun Fan hadn't held much hope for poaching someone from the Knights of Favonius. He knew Eula's character and principles well—she wasn't the type to abandon Mondstadt for her own gain.
"Haha, you really are a benevolent god, Divine General," Eula smiled, a genuine smile that few had ever seen. The Spindrift Knight's heartfelt smile was pure and captivating.
"Well, I'll take my leave now. I have matters to attend to with the Lawrence Clan. Just put this round on my tab," Eula stood up from her seat. Despite having consumed enough wine to knock out a grown man, her Cryo Vision kept her unaffected.
She planned to gather forces from the Knights and return to her clan to deal with those who had conspired with the Fatui to overthrow Mondstadt. They would be thrown into prison to reflect on their actions for the rest of their lives.
"Did something happen?" Yun Fan asked, though he already had an idea.
"Yes. This morning, an informant reported that my uncle, Schubert, has been colluding with the Fatui in an attempt to overthrow Mondstadt," Eula didn't hide the truth from Yun Fan. After all, he was Mondstadt's benefactor and someone she could trust completely.
"I thought as much." Schubert's collusion with the Fatui had been mentioned in the original story, but Yun Fan hadn't expected the Fatui to still be active after La Signora's defeat.
"Be careful in your dealings," Yun Fan said, not planning to get involved. Even without Lumine's help, Eula and Jean were more than capable of handling this.
"I understand," Eula nodded.
"Then, I wish you a triumphant return."