Chapter 2 Family Dinner
Lumine's POV

As I watched Tonia set the table for diner…Teucer suddenly returned with a woman.

"Greetings, traveler", she greeted as she walked up to me. "My son has told me all about you. It's an honour to finally meet you."

"It's an honour to meet you too, ma'am", I greeted.

"My husband also asked me to apologise on his behalf", Childe's mother added. "He wanted to come down to greet you, but he isn't feeling well."

"Oh no", Paimon said in dismay. "Is he okay? Is he sick?"

"It's just a headache", Childe's mother stated, before looking at Tonia. "Tonia dear, the food looks delicious as always."

"I just hope that the traveler and Paimon like it", Tonia said. "After all, this is going to be their first time eating Snezhnayan food. I want to make a good first impression of our motherland's cuisine."

"Well it smells yummy", Paimon pointed out. "So Paimon bets it's gonna taste yummy too! Come on! Let's eat!"

…

As we ate, Childe's family bombarded me with questions of my travels.

"So you've been to every other nation in Teyvat", Anthon asked.

"That's right", Paimon replied.

"That's so cool", Anthon stated with excitement. "What are the other nations like?"

"They're all very different and unique in their own way", Paimon replied. "From how they look, to how the people act, to how all the food tastes!"

"And the people in Liyue really don't eat rocks", Anthon asked.

"Huh", Paimon said in confusion. "What made you think that?"

"Traveller", Tonia started, changing the subject. "When are you and Brother Ajax going to get married?"

After I was asked this…I started coughing on the food I was eating!

"Marriage", Paimon exclaimed in shock. "What gave you that idea?!"

"Brother Ajax talks about you all the time", Tonia revealed. "Plus, he brought you home to meet us just like our older brothers did with their wives!"

"Is that why you brought me here", I asked Childe as I turned to face him. "To marry me?!"

"I guess the jig is up", Childe said. "I guess I can't hide my true feelings for you any longer."

After Childe said this, I looked at him in shock…and I had butterflies in my stomach.

Then, Childe let out a chuckle.

"Relax, girlie", he reassured. "I'm just kidding."

After Childe said this…he leaned in close to me and held onto my chin.

"Unless", he started. "You actually do want to marry me?"

After Childe asked this…my face started turning bright red.

"I…", I started. "I…I have no time to think about marriage! I need to focus on finding my brother!

"You brother", Anthon asked.

"Yes", I replied. "We were separated…a really long time ago. The reason why I've been traveling around all the nations to find information on his whereabouts."

"That's awful", Tonia said. "And, even after traveling through all the other nations, you still don't know where he is?"

"I've found out quite a bit of information on what he's been doing since we were separated", I revealed. "But…I still don't know where he is."

"That's awful", Tonia said. "I hope you're able to find out where he is while you're in Snezhnaya!"

"Thank you, Tonia", I said. "I hope so too."

"Traveller", Childe's mother started. "While you're in Snezhnaya, why don't you stay here with us?"

"What", I said in shock. "Oh no. I wouldn't want to intrude."

"Nonsense", Childe's mother stated. "Some time ago, my eldest daughter got married and moved out of the house. So you can stay in the room she used to share with Tonia."

"Yeah", Tonia agreed excitedly. "It'll be so much fun! We can have sleepovers together like I used to have with my sister!"

"Paimon's never had a sleepover over before", she pointed out. "It sounds like fun!"

After Paimon said this…I started thinking.

"Well", I started. "Alright then, I'll stay."