Children of the Future

Chapter 33

Howdy! Sen here once more with another chapter for everyone. For now, we wrap up Lumine's introduction for now and will soon move back into Aether's plan to spend time with Liyue's fine ladies.

Kinda a miracle for me since this makes 4 back to back updates. I wouldn't expect this to be a regular thing. Idk I've just been on a roll this week.

Well, here's the chapter.

As time passed, Lumine sobs faded and she quietly sniffled in Aether's arms. She wiped her tears before looking into his eyes.

"Thanks, bro. I'll be fine now," she assured him.

"Are you sure?" 

Lumine nodded and the two made their way back down. Upon arriving, they were surprised by three new arrivals in the living room. Those being Yanfei, Keqing and Ganyu. 

"Yanfei, Keqing and Ganyu? What are you three doing here? Not that I'm complaining, it's good to see you guys," he watched his wording.

"We came to see if you were doing ok. We heard about what happened to you last night," Keqing informed him of their reasoning for the surprise visit.

"Ah, sorry to worry you guys," Aether sheepishly apologized.

"Well, as long as you're alright," Yanfei sighed in relief with Ganyu nodding along with her.

"D-Don't make assumptions! I wasn't worried! I knew you'd be just fine!" Keqing blushed.

Yanfei shot her down right away and had a smug grin on her face, "Don't believe her. She barged into my house the moment she heard what happened to you."

Keqing blushed harder and lightly hit Yanfei with her fists while the lawyer laughed at her friend's embarrassment. 

"So Aether, are you two done?" Ei asked him about his "interrogation."

"Yeah, we're done," Aether nodded.

"What do you have to share with us then?" Sara inquired.

Aether looked to Lumine who shrugged. Their eyes had a conversation saying that he had beaten her fair and square and that he had full reign on what he could tell them.

The blonde, however, decided to keep some things private as they were not his to share so freely. Still, he had to give everyone something to help bail Lumine a little.

"I can't tell you the whole story but I hope what I can will be enough to convince you all," they said nothing and allowed him to continue. "It more or less has to deal with revenge."

"Really? I didn't expect it do be so... for lack of better word, petty," Yae admitted.

"I get that it sounds like that but after hearing it from her, I can't exactly blame her for what she's done. I don't think I'd be so forgiving if I went through the same thing. Losing all those people so unfairly, I'd be furious too," Aether shared her feelings.

Ei closed her eyes and agreed, "So she's one of them too. Acting out due to loss of those important to us. I suppose I shouldn't entirely blame her, though, her actions are still inexcusable."

"But your Excellency, what about all the things the Abyss has done?! Surely you can't be so lenient!" Sara opposed her.

"I am no better. I enforced the same of Inazuma after my sister's passing. I know how heavy loss can be and what it can make us. We've all done horrible things but it's important to understand why. I trust Aether speaks the truth so I can let her have that much."

"But..." Sara still had doubts.

"I for one will place my trust in Aether and Ei. You wouldn't doubt your Shogun, would you?" Yae tested her.