Chapter 8 Brighella
Lumine's POV

The Next Day

As I was having breakfast with Childe's family, there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it", Tonia said.

Then, she walked to the front door before opening it.

"It's for you, Brother Ajax and Lumine", she called out.

"For both of us", I asked.

Then, Childe and I went to the front door…where we found a Fatui agent waiting for us.

"Greetings, traveler and Master Childe", they greeted. "I was sent here by the Jester to inform you that he requests your presence at the Zapolyarny Palace."

"Already", Childe asked. "Well then, I guess it's time for you to meet everyone, comrade."

When I heard this…I couldn't help but begin to feel nervous.

"We're going to see all the Fatui Harbingers at once", Paimon pointed out. "Great."

"Don't worry, comrade", Childe reassured me. "If the harbingers try to do anything to you, we'll take them down together!"

For some reason…hearing Childe say this made me feel better.

"Thank you, Childe", I said, before taking a deep breath. "Okay. Let's go."

…

We were now standing inside the Zapolyarny Palace.

"Wow", Paimon said in awe. "This place sure is something!"

"Indeed it is", Childe agreed. "Now then, follow me. I'll lead you to the room we usually all meet up in."

With that, Childe led me to a door.

"This is it", he revealed. "Are you ready, comrade?"

"Um…", Paimon started nervously. "Is it too late for us to turn back?"

"You can wait out here if you're not comfortable, Paimon", I suggested.

Paimon thought about it for a moment, before shaking her head.

"No way", she exclaimed, before flying closer to me. "We're sticking together!"

"Thank you, Paimon", I said.

Then…I took a deep breath before looking at Childe

"I'm ready."

When I said this, Childe gave me a nod. Then…he opened the door.

I walked into the room, and when I did…I came face to face with the remaining Fatui Harbingers.

"Well, well, well", a familiar face started. "We meet again, traveler."

"H…hi, Arlecchino", Paimon greeted nervously.

Then, we both looked up…and were not happy with who we saw.

"Dottore", I greeted coldly.

"Long time no see, traveler", Dottore greeted.

Then, the Jester walked up to me.

"Come, traveler", he started. "There will be time for you to become familiar with your fellow harbingers later. Right now, her majesty the Tsaritsa awaits."

…

We had all arrived at the entrance of what I believed was a throne room.

The doors opened, and all the other harbingers went in before me.

Once they were inside, I turned to look at Paimon, and we both took deep breaths before nodding.

Then, I walked into the room. At the back of it…a figure sat on a throne.

The harbingers all lined the sides of the room. Then, with the Jester next to me, I walked passed them, until I was at the throne.

When I got there, I looked up…and came face to face with none other than the Tsaritsa herself.

"Kneel", the Jester commanded.

I did as told. Then…I looked up, and took a closer look at the Tsaritsa.

Her hair was as white as snow; her extremely pale skin made her look like a ghost; and her icy blue eyes stared coldly at me.

But, behind that cold stare, I also saw…sadness.

The Tsaritsa…looks sad?

Before I could dwell on this thought…the Jester stood in front of me.

"Traveller", he started. "Do you swear to serve her majesty the Tsaritsa? Do you pledge your loyalty to her and her alone?"

I hesitated for a moment, before giving my answer.

"I hereby promise to serve her majesty the Tsaritsa and pledge my loyalty to her and her alone."

This was a lie, and I wondered if the Jester knew it.

"Then", he started. "From this day forth, you shall no longer be known as the traveler, or as Lumine."

"So…", Paimon started. "What name and rank are you going to give her?"

"She is an individual that contains many unique capabilities", the Jester stated, before looking at me. "Therefore, I have chosen a unique seat for you. The existence of these seat is unknown to most, including many of those in the Fatui themselves. From this day forth, you shall be known as…Brighella, no.10 of the Fatui harbingers."

"Brighella", I whispered under my breath.

"Rise", the Jester commanded.

I did as told. Then, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned around, and saw two Fatui agents. They were holding up a coat, which looked the same as the ones all the Fatui harbingers were wearing.

Realising what I was supposed to do, I removed the coat I was wearing. Then, I felt the new one being thrown over my shoulders.

Afterwards, the Jester held up an item.

"Is that…a delusion", Paimon asked.

"Yes", the Jester replied. "Although, your unique skills renders it useless to you. Even so, wear it as a symbol of your loyalty."

With that, the Jester pinned the delusion to my coat.

"And so, you have officially joined our ranks as a Fatui Harbinger."

When I heard these words…a feeling of dread and worry came to me.

"So", Paimon started. "What now?"

"You may relax for the rest of the day", the Jester replied. "Tomorrow, your work begins, Brighella."

With that, the harbingers began leaving the room.

I turned to look up at the Tsaritsa. She didn't say anything, and just continued to stare at me with her cold glare.

"Traveler", Paimon started. "Or…Brighella? Whatever! We should get going."

"Right", I said.

Then, after looking at the Tsaritsa one last time, I turned around and walked out of the room.

When I reached the hallway outside, all of the harbingers were gone, except for one.

"Well, well, well, comrade", he started. "You just became a harbinger, and you're already a rank ahead of me."

"You're not mad, are you", Paimon asked.

"Nope", Childe replied. "It just means that I'm going to have to become stronger so I can surpass you."

For some reason, hearing this brought a smile to my face.

Then, that smile quickly turned into a mischievous gift.

"Good luck with that", I said. "It's going to take a lot of work for you to surpass me."

"Oh", Childe started. "Is that a challenge, comrade? Well then, bring it on!"

Unknown POV

From behind the thrown room door…I watched the traveler and Childe playfully banter with each other.

As I watched them…a feeling I hadn't felt in a long time began to stir in my chest.

However, as soon as I felt this…I quickly turned my gaze away.

I mustn't be swayed by emotions. I must focus on my goal.