Chapter 24 Lantern Rite Part 1
Lumine's POV

"Morning, everyone", Paimon greeted as we walked into the kitchen.

"Morning, Paimon. Morning, Comrade", Childe greeted us as I sat down by the dining table. "Now that you're here, I have an announcement to make!"

"An announcement", Paimon asked in confusion. "What is it?"

"I wanted to let you guys know that I'm heading to Liyue Harbour for work", Childe revealed.

"Liyue Harbour", Paimon said in shock. "What work related things do you need to do there?"

"The higher-ups want me to check-up on some things at the Northland Bank's Liyue branch", Childe replied, before letting out an annoyed sigh. "They're always making me do the boring stuff. But hey, at least I'll get to be in Liyue for Lantern Rite."

"Lantern Rite", Paimon repeated, before realising something. "Oh right! It is that time of year already! Time sure does fly by, huh?"

"What's Lantern Rite", Teucer asked.

"It's a celebration the people of Liyue put on to bring in the new year", Childe revealed.

"During Lantern Rite, Liyue is decorated with a whole bunch of lanterns and decorations. It always looks so pretty during this time of year!"

After she said this, Paimon let out a sad sigh.

"What's wrong, Paimon", Tonia asked her in concern.

"It's just…Paimon's kinda sad that we're not in Liyue for Lantern Rite this year", she replied.

"Yeah", I replied sadly.

"Well, I'm already going to Liyue Harbour", Childe reminded us. "Why don't you come with me?"

"Huh? Can we", Paimon asked. "I mean, will the Jester allow us to go?"

"Unless he has work for you that requires you to be anywhere else, then I don't think there should be any problem", Childe replied.

"Well, okay then", Paimon said. "Let's go to the Jester and ask him if he'll let us go to Liyue Harbour for Lantern Rite!"

We were now standing in front of the Jester, and we had just asked him if we could go to Liyue Harbour for Lantern Rite.

"Yes", was his reply.

"Wait, really", Paimon asked in shock. "We can go?"

"If I am not mistaken, since you have arrived in Teyvat, you have always gone to Liyue for Lantern Rite", the Jester pointed out. "If you do not attend this year, your acquaintances from Liyue may become suspicious."

"That's actually a pretty good point", Paimon said. "So, we can go to Liyue for Lantern Rite?"

"Yes, you can go", the Jester replied.

"Hooray", Paimon exclaimed, before remembering who was with us. "I mean…thank you very much for letting us go to Liyue Harbour, Jester."

The Next Day

Childe and I were getting ready to head to Liyue Harbour, and we were saying goodbye to his family.

"Do you really have to go, Big Brother", Teucer asked Childe sadly.

"Yeah buddy. I have to go", Childe replied as he patted his brother's head. "But don't worry, I'll make sure to bring you plenty of gifts from Liyue!"

"Can you bring back some snacks", Anton asked excitedly. "The ones you got us last time you were there were really good!"

"And can you bring back some pretty accessories too", Tonia added.

"You've got it, guys", Childe said, before patting his other siblings' heads.

"Have a safe trip, dear", Childe's mother said, before giving him a hug. "And please try to stay out of trouble."

"Yeah, Yeah. I will", Childe reassured his mother. "You guys all stay safe too. And remind the old man not to overdo it, okay?"

"I will", Childe's mother reassured him, before looking at me. "Traveler, keep an eye on my son for me, okay?"

"You're talking like I'm a child, Mom", Childe whined, which got a giggle out of me.

"I'll keep an eye on him", I reassured Childe's mother.

"Anyway", Childe started, before looking at me. "We should head to the harbour, Comrade."

With this, we began walking away from the house.

"Bye, everyone", Paimon called out to Childe's family as we waved to them. "Stay safe! We'll be back soon!"

We had arrived at the harbour, where we found two familiar faces waiting for us.

"Greetings, Master Childe and Master Brighella", one of them greeted us.

"Hey, it's Nadia and Vlad", Paimon said when she recognised them. "Are you two coming with us to Liyue Harbour?"

"That's right", Vlad replied.

"That's great", Paimon said happily. "Okay then! What are we waiting for! Let's hop on a ship and head to Liyue for Lantern Rite!"