He stood up straight, becoming instantly focused. He read the entire text quickly yet carefully, especially the accompanying simple sketch; though the strokes were brief, those unique antennae and tail overlapped with the figure in his memory.
The fleeting glimpse in the stationery store, the little creature diving into the water in fear at the bay, and that weak, petite figure he had supported under the streetlights at night... these all aligned perfectly.
Xingqiu's heart couldn't help but quicken its pace.
It is Miss Luvia! Fontaine is looking for her?
With Fontaine's iudex, Neuvillette, personally writing to find her, it seemed her status in Fontaine was indeed extraordinary. She was not some creature that needed to hide as she had behaved, but a "special being" under official attention and protection.
To have Fontaine's iudex, Neuvillette, personally send a letter, inquiring in such an earnest and implicitly urgent tone, was by no means ordinary.
The descriptions in the letter—"gentle nature," "possibly in a young or weak state," and "needing protection"—further confirmed his previous thoughts.
Xingqiu set down the cloth in his hand, his fingertips lightly tapping the letter as a thoughtful glint flickered in his eyes.
He recalled Lovia's panicked gaze, the way she tightly wrapped herself in her Hood and cloak, her fragile appearance when she was ill, and her clumsy yet sincere manner when she carefully handed him fruit to say thank you... She had been afraid all along—afraid of being exposed, afraid of being treated as an outsider, and afraid of causing trouble.
And now, her "family" was looking for her. The iudex of Fontaine was searching for her whereabouts in such a formal and concerned manner.
If she knew Fontaine was looking for her, how would she react? Would it be a sense of relief, or even greater panic? Would she be willing to go back? Was her stay in Liyue a voluntary wandering, or did she have some unspeakable hardship, or perhaps she just couldn't find a way back?
But even if she were willing to return, he couldn't just go to her directly.
Xingqiu was well aware of Lovia's overly sensitive nature.
If he went to her directly with the letter and told her, "Fontaine is looking for you, you should go back quickly," it would likely only cause her more panic. She might even misunderstand his intentions, thinking he was trying to drive her away or "hand her over."
That was absolutely not his intention.
If he were to reply to Neuvillette immediately through the Commerce Guild's channels, it would certainly be the simplest and most direct way. However, Xingqiu could almost immediately imagine Lovia's reaction upon finding out; she would likely dive into deep waters in an instant, just like last time at the seaside, vanishing without a trace, or perhaps even leaving Liyue entirely for an even more unreachable corner.
This was also not the outcome he wished to see.
Xingqiu pinched the letter, and his eyes, which usually held a hint of a smile, now became completely calm.
His father had informed him of this matter perhaps because he thought Xingqiu would be interested, or perhaps just to share a curious piece of news as usual. But he would never have imagined that his second son, who seemingly only indulged in stories of chivalry and sword arts, had already had several unexpected encounters with the target mentioned in the letter.
After a moment of contemplation, Xingqiu had reached a decision.
He put away the letter, a gentle yet somewhat helpless smile appearing on his face.
Before clarifying Lovia's true thoughts and situation, he decided not to make this matter public for the time being, nor was he in a hurry to officially reply to Neuvillette through the Commerce Guild.
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