The Knights of Favonius headquarters was as busy as ever when Henry walked in. Knights moved through the halls with purpose, some carrying reports, others mid-conversation as they passed by. A few recognized him and gave a nod, but no one stopped him as he made his way straight toward Jean's office.
He gave a light knock before stepping in. Jean sat behind her desk, posture bent as always, a stack of documents spread neatly in front of her. She looked up the moment he entered, a hint of surprise crossing her face before it settled.
"Henry. I wasn't expecting you."
"Yeah," he said, closing the door behind him. "I'll be leaving tomorrow. Heading to Liyue for a while."
Jean's attention sharpened slightly. "Liyue?"
"Ningguang invited me," he said.
"How long will you be gone?" she asked.
"A few weeks. Maybe more. Depends on how things go."
She nodded once, taking that in. "You should have informed me earlier."
"Yeah, my bad," he replied. "I've been busy managing the shop, and it didn't cross my mind."
Jean looked at him questioningly. "You won't be going alone, I assume?"
"Keqing's coming along."
"That's good. You'll have someone to keep you company," Jean said.
Henry nodded. "Yeah."
"Still," she said, quieter now, "be careful. Liyue has its own share of complications."
"I will."
He glanced briefly at the papers in front of her. "Looks like you've got enough to deal with here. I'll leave you to it then. Bye, Jean."
Jean gave a small nod. "Take care, and safe travels, Henry."
--
The library was quiet, as always. Rows of books stretched out neatly, the air carrying the familiar scent of books.
Lisa was exactly where he expected her to be, seated at her usual spot with one leg crossed over the other, a book resting lightly in her hand. She didn't look up immediately, but the slight curve at the corner of her lips gave her away.
"So you do remember the way here," she said, turning a page before finally glancing up at him. "I was beginning to think you had forgotten me again."
Henry walked over and stopped across from her. "Sorry, I've been busy lately, or I would've come sooner."
"Mm," Lisa hummed, closing the book halfway. "You always say that."
He leaned slightly against the table. "I mean it this time."
That earned him a small, amused look from her.
"I'm leaving tomorrow for Liyue."
Lisa's fingers stilled against the edge of the book. "Leaving?" she repeated, her voice still light, though her attention settled fully on him. "And you're telling me now?"
Lisa closed the book fully this time and set it aside, looking at Henry, who was clearly a bit guilty. For a moment, neither of them spoke before she leaned back slightly in her chair, one hand resting lightly against her cheek.
"And here I thought you were coming to spend some time with me."
Henry met her gaze. "I am."
"Just before you leave?"
"Better some than not at all."
She held his gaze for a second longer, then let out a soft hum. "I suppose I'll allow it."
Silence lingered briefly as Lisa's fingers tapped lightly against the table before stopping.
"Liyue, hm," she said. "Try not to get yourself into trouble while you're there."
"No promises."
A faint smile lingered on her lips, though it didn't quite reach her eyes the same way it usually did, and Henry stayed there with her a while longer as the conversation drifted to lighter things—books Lisa had shared with him recently, small bits of gossip around Mondstadt. It came easily, the way it always did between them, comfortable enough that neither of them felt the need to fill every pause.
After a while, Henry straightened. "I should get going."
Her gaze lingered on him as he turned to leave, and Lisa stood up, which was unusual for her, as if she was about to do something but stopped herself at the last moment, choosing instead to speak in a softer tone than usual. "Henry."
He paused, glancing back.
"…Be careful on the way."
It was simple and direct, not her usual tone, and he gave a small nod. "Yeah," before stepping out of the library.
Lisa standing up like that was uncharacteristic of her, but they had spent months together now, and even she hadn't expected things to reach this point. It didn't escape Henry's notice that she had almost stepped forward, as if to hug him or do something more, but held herself back at the last moment.
Maybe it was because of the curse that had reduced her lifespan, keeping her from letting anyone get too close.
[As your Qi level increased, you would eventually be able to absorb curses, even abyssal energy.]
"That's good news, Orianna. I'll remember that. We have to help Lisa."
Henry made his way through the city, and by the time he reached the construction site, the change was obvious. So much time had passed since the work began that the structure had already risen into what was nearly a full one-storey building, the framework solid and clearly taking shape.
He walked through it on his own, checking the layout as workers moved around, carrying materials and adjusting placements. The wiring path gaps he had planned earlier were already being followed, routes set from the basement and pushed upward through the walls toward where each floor would connect. It wasn't something common here, but they had stuck to his instructions well enough.
He paused near one of the support beams, looking over the structure again. By the time he returned from Liyue, most of this would be finished, and with a bit more work, it would be fully furnished as well. That was enough for now, as there wasn't anything that needed his attention immediately, and the rest could wait until he got back.
---
80 Power Stones for the next chapter
Come on, we can hit that easily 😅
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