Next morning, Childe wakes up at dawn and decides to go for a jog through the garden to keep himself fit. The cool morning air is refreshing, and the soft light of dawn begins to illuminate the path ahead. He moves at a steady pace, his breath forming small clouds in the crisp air. As he runs, he takes in the serene beauty of the garden—the vibrant flowers starting to open, the birds beginning their morning songs, and the gentle rustling of the leaves in the breeze.
In the kitchen, the young maids gathered around the table, preparing for the day's work. As they chopped vegetables and kneaded dough, their attention was repeatedly drawn to the window overlooking the garden.
"Have you seen the young master Tartaglia this morning?" one of the maids, a petite girl with freckles, asked in a hushed tone.
Another maid, in her twenties with a mischievous glint in her eye, nodded eagerly. "Oh, yes! He's out there stretching and exercising again. He wakes up so early every day! He looks so handsome as usual!"
"I totally agree with you," remarked a third maid, her cheeks pink as she glanced out the window. "It's admirable. I can't imagine getting up at dawn just to jog."
The first maid giggled softly. "He looks so focused, though. It's like he's in his own world."
The older maid leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "And have you noticed how the morning light makes his hair look even more golden? It's almost like he's glowing."
The other maids giggled, stealing glances at Childe through the window as he stretched and continued his routine. "He's so handsome. I wish he would date me, to be honest," one of them murmured, a hint of admiration in her voice. Then, all of them squealed in agreement.
Their whispered conversation was interrupted by the head housekeeper, who walked into the kitchen with a stern look. "Back to work, ladies. The young master won't appreciate a cold breakfast."
The maids quickly returned to their tasks, but the whispers and giggles about Childe's morning routine lingered in the air, adding a touch of light-heartedness to their busy morning.
At 9 in the morning, Childe had breakfast with the Fatui members as usual. The table was eerily quiet. He couldn't help but remember how cheerful and vibrant the atmosphere had been back at the Kamisato Estate. The lively environment there felt like a stark contrast to the sombre mood here. Arlecchino noticed how small the portions Childe was taking were. "You're not eating much," Arlecchino broke the silence. All the Fatui members stopped eating and turned their eyes toward Arlecchino. "Sorry, I'm talking to Childe," Arlecchino clarified.
Childe, taken aback, quickly responded, "Oh, my, why would you even say that? I'm just taking my time to eat, that's all," he smiled.
"Or do you miss your boyfriend's cooking? Just asking, not trying to make a scene," Scaramouche remarked with a sly grin.
"Boyfriend? Isn't it Mr. Zhongli? I never recalled that Mr. Zhongli is good at cooking," Columbina asked, curious.
"It's a new boyfriend," Scaramouche interjected.
"Have you met him?" Columbina asked Scaramouche, eyes narrowing slightly.
Childe stopped eating, anxiously waiting for Scaramouche's answer.
"No," Scaramouche finally said, continuing to eat.
Childe felt a sudden wave of relief wash over him.
"But I know where he works," Scaramouche added, causing Childe to grow even more anxious.
Childe's heart skipped a beat, his mind racing as he tried to maintain his composure. He forced a smile, but his hands clenched tightly around his utensils. The other Fatui members exchanged curious glances, sensing the tension in the air.
