Chapter 4 The Jester
Lumine's POV

"Wakey wakey, traveler", I heard someone say. "Rise and shine."

With this, I opened my eyes, and saw Paimon.

"Good morning", she greeted.

"Morning Paimon", I greeted before sitting up and stretching.

Then…I noticed that something was different about Paimon.

"Paimon", I started. "Are you wearing a coat?"

"Ta da", Paimon said before doing a twirl in the air. "What do you think? Does it look good on Paimon?"

"It looks great", I replied. "But where did you get it? I don't think they sell Paimon sized coats."

"Tonia made it for me", Paimon revealed "And she made one for you too!"

With that, Paimon pointed to the foot of my bed…where I spotted a coat.

…

Once I was done getting ready for the day, I put on the coat and headed downstairs.

"Good morning, traveler", Childe's mother greeted.

"Wow", Tonia said in awe when she saw me. "The coat looks so pretty on you!"

"Thank you so much making it for me, Tonia", I said. "I can't believe that you were able to make it so quickly. How did you even get my measurements?"

"I took them from your dress while I was washing it", Tonia revealed. "And I made the costs quickly so you too could go outside."

"Thank you so much, Tonia", Paimon said. "Now Paimon can stay warm and fuzzy even when she goes outside!"

After Paimon said this, Childe walked downstairs.

"Morning, girlie", he greeted. "I see my sister made you a coat. It looks good on you."

"Thank you, Childe", I said.

Then, there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it", Tonia said.

Then, she walked to the front door and opened it before speaking to whoever was there.

"It's for you, Brother Ajax", she revealed.

"For me", he asked. "Well alright then. I'll be right back, girlie."

With that, Childe went to the door to speak to whoever was there.

A moment later, he came back to me…with a look of concern on his face.

"Are you okay, Childe", I asked.

"Yeah", Paimon added. "You have a worried look on your face. Who was at the door anyway?"

After Paimon asked this, Childe took a look at his siblings. Then, he motioned for us to stand in a corner of the room away from them.

"One of my subordinates was at the door", he revealed quietly. "They came to tell me… that the Jester wants to meet you, comrade."

When Childe said this…I looked at him in shock.

"Th…the Jester", I breathed out.

"The leader of the Fatui", Paimon exclaimed. "Why does he want to see meet the traveler? How did he even know that we had arrived in Snezhnaya?"

"The Fatui have been suspecting that you'd be arriving in Snezhnaya for some time now", Childe revealed. "This is how I knew you had arrived yesterday."

"So that's why you seemed to appear at just the right moment", I said in realisation. "Because you knew I had arrived."

"You know", Paimon started. "You could've given us a head up that the Fatui know that we're here."

"I didn't think there was a need to", Childe revealed. "After all, by bringing you to my home, I saved you from being cornered by a group of Fatui agents."

"I guess you have a point", Paimon said. "But how did they know that we were staying with your family?"

"Since the Fatui have been keeping an eye out for you, they probably saw me bringing you here", Childe replied.

"That makes sense", Paimon said. "But, if they knew we were here, how come they didn't to drag us to the Jester?"

"He probably believes that I would eventually bring you to him myself", Childe replied. "I won't force you to see him, comrade, but I do suggest that you do so. After all, it's going to be pretty much impossible to hide from the Fatui when you're in their homeland."

After Childe said this, I began thinking.

Wanderer told me that the Jester used to be a royal mage of Khaenri'ah, and…that he used to live with my brother. Perhaps…he can give me some answers.

"That's okay", I said. "Actually…I want to see the Jester."

When I said this, Childe looked at me in shock.

"You…want the see the Jester", he asked. "Why?"

"I…have some questions I want to ask him", I revealed.

"What questions", Childe asked.

But I didn't answer.

"Are you not going to tell me", Childe asked. "Do you not trust me? I thought we were comrades?"

For some reason, I actually felt a bit bad when Childe asked this.

However, he quickly smiled afterwards.

"That's okay", he started. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

After Childe said this, I smiled at him.

"Thanks Childe", I said.

"You're welcome, comrade", Childe said. "Now then, if you want to see the Jester, I can take you to him."

After Childe said this, he walked up to his siblings.

"Everyone, the traveler and I have something we need to go do", he revealed.

"What", Teucer said in shock before rushing up to us. "But…I wanted to play with Ms Nice Lady!"

"I know, Teucer", Childe said. "But remember, she didn't come to Snezhnaya to play."

After Childe said this, Teucer looked down sadly. Then, I kneeled down besides him and placed my hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay, Teucer", I reassured. "I'll try to play with you as soon as I can."

"Pinky promise", Teucer asked as he held up his pinky.

"Pinky promise", I replied before linking my pinky with his.

Then, I stood up before looking at Childe.

"Ready to go, comrade", he asked.

"I'm ready", I replied. "Let's go."