C20 About the First Meeting with the Travelers
Early the next morning, Mu Jin eyed the overly intricate dress in her hands and the beaming head maid beside her, her head cocking in puzzlement.
"What's this about? Where are my clothes?"
"Don't worry, we'll assist you with dressing, Miss Mu."
Mu Jin's mind whirled in confusion. "It's not that I don't know how to dress myself..."
"Oh, right. Your clothes were sent for washing, so we've brought you a dress from Miss Eula that she hasn't worn yet."
"Miss Mu, please remove your nightgown."
Mu Jin's cheeks flamed red, and she hastily shook her head.
"No, no! I'll manage on my own!"
Had my Valkyrja armor really been washed? Is that even possible?
(The maid pondered the Valkyrja armor, which seemed impervious to water, and eventually decided to wash Mu Jin's coat.)
(The maid thought: The girl our lady brought home has a clothing taste that rivals her own... It's quirky... She's cute too... But she sure can eat a lot...)
In the end, Mu Jin didn't stand a chance against the head maid and was forcibly dressed in the small skirt.
She was completely primped and preened against her will.
The head maid admired Mu Jin, her hair tousled and eyes closed in surrender to the grooming, and a glint of astonishment sparkled in her eyes.
In stark contrast to the usual riff-raff, Mu Jin and the young lady truly resembled genuine aristocracy.
Noble and graceful.
"Very nice, Miss Mu. You may open your eyes now."
Mu Jin's eyes fluttered open, and she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, taken aback.
"Oh my... Is that really me?"
The head maid, momentarily captivated by Mu Jin's appearance, was quickly snapped back to reality by her exclamation.
She wished Mu Jin would remain silent, but as a guest, all she could do was suppress the urge to correct her.
She had always known Kaslana to be stunning, but seeing Kiana's reflection with her own eyes was unexpectedly breathtaking.
"Alright, Miss Mu, it's time for us to head to Mondstadt City to shop for groceries."
"Ah, sure."
Mu Jin, feeling remorseful for having devoured someone else's provisions, consented.
It was a fortunate coincidence that she, too, needed to make a trip to Mondstadt City to seek out Xiangling.
"But this outfit..."
"The Miss said you could wear whatever you like, and it wouldn't matter if it got ruined since it's too small anyway."
I was thankful, but it felt like a tiny stab to the heart...
"By the way, where's Eula?"
"The young miss left with the knights on a mission before the crack of dawn."
Geez, the West Wind Knights start their day that early? Hope they're not working themselves to death.
After several hours of travel, Mu Jin and the head maid finally made it to Mondstadt City.
The head maid, looking regretful, said to Mu Jin, "Um, Miss Mu, the folks here in Mondstadt City aren't too fond of the Lawrence name, so... could you wait here for me? I'll be back shortly..."
It was for Miss Mu's sake, really. She was a visitor from afar, and it wouldn't do to have her witness any animosity towards her young miss from the locals.
Mu Jin had an inkling of what the head maid implied, but it didn't bother her.
She dismissed it with a casual wave of her hand, "The Lawrence name doesn't bother me. Besides, if Eula hadn't taken me in, I might've starved in some unknown place."
"Miss Mu..." If she truly became friends with the Miss, perhaps she wouldn't feel so alone anymore.
But in the next moment, Mu Jin reverted to her true self.
"Ah, enough of that. I'm dying to try the local delicacies here! I've been longing for Mondstadt's specialties for ages!"
Maybe she'd even catch a glimpse of Xiangling near the restaurant.
Mu Jin's previously unspoken elegance and aloofness had crumbled in the head maid's mind.
Yet, this version of Miss Mu seemed even more fitting as a confidante for the Miss.
Thinking back to how the young miss had bashfully asked him to bring Mu Jin to Mondstadt City before departing, it was clear she cared.
Ah, the joys of youth.
"Wuwaa... still no luck... Mu Jin... where could she be... We were supposed to meet up in Mondstadt City..."
Xiangling slumped into a wooden chair, the missing person notice clutched in her arms, looking as forlorn as the rice crust beside her.
Everything had been fine just moments ago... Those cursed Treasure Hoarders!
He had searched the spot where he and Mu Jin had parted ways, but there was no sign of her anywhere.
Having just arrived in Mondstadt City, Xiangling had no other option but to head to the Adventurers' Guild and post a commission.
It wasn't long before a girl with short golden hair and a white dress, accompanied by a small creature floating beside her, eagerly accepted the task. One was named Ying, and the other, Paimon.
They were quite friendly, so surely Mu Jin would hit it off with them, right? They might even become fast friends.
*Sigh*... Time to keep looking...
It was so frustrating to have come all this way and then lose someone!
"Come on, Guoba! We've got more searching to do!"
"Grrr!"
"Xiangling! We've got a lead!"
Ying's voice rang out just as she finished speaking, and there she was, scaling the city wall. Xiangling was used to this by now, and it seemed the people of Mondstadt had grown accustomed to their new Honorary Knight's penchant for wall-climbing.
"News about Mu Jin?"
Paimon nodded vigorously. "Yes, exactly! The girl named Mu Jin was spotted near the Cat Tail Tavern."
"Let's go!"
Xiangling wouldn't miss this chance. She grabbed Ying and dashed toward the tavern.
Meanwhile, Mu Jin was contentedly petting a sunbathing cat, placed there by the head maid who feared she might wander off.
"Ah, so adorable..."
She was so absorbed in her feline friend that she didn't notice the rapid footsteps approaching.
Out of breath, Xiangling caught sight of the familiar figure and, fearing she might disappear again, called out loudly, "Mu Jin!"
At the sound of the familiar voice, Mu Jin turned around, her puzzled expression instantly transforming into one of sheer joy.
But then her eyes fell on the figure trailing behind Xiangling, and her face turned to horror.
Oh no, help!!!
