"It's Eula, long time no see~"
Alice smiled faintly.
Their familiar demeanor immediately caught Lin Mo off guard. He instinctively asked, " Huh?
You two know each other? "
Eula looked at Lin Mo and nodded. " During the years I was ostracized by the residents, Lady Alice took good care of me.
"
" Oh? "
Lin Mo's eyes showed interest as he turned to Alice, curious. " I didn't know about this part of your history.
Tell me about it. "
Eula seemed about to speak, but perhaps recalling some unpleasant memories, her eyes dimmed slightly, and she appeared reluctant to continue.
Alice, however, stepped closer to Eula, gently taking her hand. " When I first met Eula, she was... only about fifteen, I think~"
" I remember when I encountered her back then, she looked so wronged, it really tugged at my heartstrings. "
As Alice began her story, Lin Mo's thoughts also drifted back several years, to the time when Alice and Eula first met.
Several years ago, Mondstadt.
" Girl of the Lawrence clan, I won't say it a third time—don't linger by my stall! "
The vendor's disgusted roar echoed down the streets of Mondstadt.
Instantly, all the residents on the street turned their attention toward the stall, their gazes also falling upon the young woman with short, azure-blue hair.
This Eula was not yet the Captain of the Reconnaissance Company. She was merely an ordinary, utterly common Knight of Favonius. Thus, she wore only the standard knight's uniform.
Yet, even that uniform could not conceal Eula's graceful figure.
However...
At this moment, Eula's expression was one of deep distress. Or rather, it was more like hurt.
This was her first week after joining the Knights of Favonius.
She had thought that once the people of Mondstadt learned she had joined the Knights, their impression of her would improve somewhat.
After all, throughout this week, she had diligently carried out numerous tasks for the residents. The number of people she had helped was easily in the double digits.
Eula didn't expect everyone to treat her with the same kindness they showed ordinary people. But she had hoped they would at least sell goods to her.
What Eula hadn't anticipated was that the residents and vendors became even more resistant toward her.
Before she joined the Knights, while vendors also refused to sell to her, they would at least find a polite excuse. They never shouted at her so openly like this.
Being surrounded and stared at by the crowd made Eula feel like a complete fool.
Perhaps also caught off guard by the vendor's attitude, Eula stood frozen in the street, momentarily at a loss.
Among the crowd, Alice, who had just returned Klee home and was out purchasing a new batch of... explosive materials, happened to witness the entire scene.
Seeing Eula's helpless, flustered state, Alice couldn't help but sigh softly.
" Ah~"
Alice then made her way toward the crowd.
The moment people saw it was Alice approaching, they immediately panicked and cleared a path.
The residents' attitude toward Alice was similar to their attitude toward Eula, yet also distinctly different.
Toward Eula, the people of Mondstadt felt disgust and rejection.
Toward Alice, they felt awe, mixed with a hint of fear.
After all, Eula hadn't accomplished any great deeds for Mondstadt. In the minds of Mondstadters, the danger she posed was only potential, hence the disgust and rejection.
But Alice was different. Her exploits, like demolishing the Stormterror's Lair and causing various other damages across Mondstadt, still sent shivers down the spines of its people to this day—she was genuine, tangible terror.
Yet, Alice had also contributed greatly to Mondstadt.
That's why people held these two contradictory feelings toward her: both awe and fear.
Now, Alice walked up to Eula's side.
Glancing at the stall, she saw it was just selling simple pickled vegetables and fruits.
So, Alice tossed down several dozen Mora and said calmly, " Pack up one of each for me. "
" Y-yes, Lady Alice. "
The vendor immediately accepted the Mora respectfully and carefully handed the packaged goods to Alice.
" I've heard of you. Come with me.
"
After taking the package, Alice turned her gaze sideways to Eula and said gently, " You're the new knight of our Knights of Favonius, Eula, right? "
Eula, who had been standing there helplessly, looked up in shock upon hearing these words, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Since she could remember, this was the first time anyone in Mondstadt had spoken to her with such gentleness.
Not only that.
Looking at the goods Alice was holding out to her, Eula could hardly believe her eyes.
" This is... for me? "
Eula pointed at herself.
" Mhm, of course. "
Alice smiled and nodded.
Eula, feeling overwhelmingly honored, fumbled to take out her Mora pouch to pay Alice back.
" Th... thank you. "
This was also the first time in her life Eula had ever said thank you.
" Mhm, come with me. "
As Alice spoke, she warmly linked arms with Eula and led her away from the crowd.
All of this seemed utterly incredible in Eula's eyes.
As they walked, Eula's mind remained completely blank.
Amidst the murmurs and whispers of the onlookers, Alice led Eula out of Mondstadt city, across the bridge, to a tent on the other side.
When they reached the campfire and cooking pot in front of the tent, Alice turned back with a smile and asked, " I heard that before joining the Knights, you often trained in the wilderness. I imagine your cooking skills are quite good.
Could you let me see your handiwork? "
By now, perhaps because she was away from the public eye, Eula had calmed down, her usual cool composure returning.
Yet, one could see in her gaze toward Alice a trace of gratitude, along with a hint of confusion.
" I can. "
Eula nodded, but still voiced her doubt. " But... why?
"
" Hm? Why what?
" Alice asked with a smile.
" Why did you help me? "
" Even though... even though I bear the Lawrence name. "
" The name everyone hates. "
As she said this, Eula's eyes grew downcast. She glanced toward the direction of Mondstadt city and warned, " If you get too close to me, you'll be...
"
" Because, you and I are alike~"
Alice narrowed her eyes, smiling. " Everything you're experiencing now, I experienced it all in Mondstadt back in the day.
"
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T/N:
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