Regret (Aether's Story)

Chapter 12: The Unlikely Connection

Childe—Tartaglia, the Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui—had seen many battles in his life. He was a man shaped by his experiences, forged by the icy lands of Snezhnaya and tempered by the dark secrets of the Abyss. Behind the confident smirk and mischievous blue eyes, there was a young man who carried the weight of his dual lives: a ruthless Fatui Harbinger and a loving older brother to his family back in Snezhnaya.

His relationship with Lumine had started like many others—with the clash of weapons. Their fateful encounter in the Golden House had set the stage for a rivalry that soon evolved into something far more complicated. Despite their opposing roles, he couldn’t help but be drawn to her strength, her determination, and the kindness that shone through even in the midst of battle.

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For Childe, every fight with Lumine was exhilarating. She was a worthy opponent, and their clashes became something he looked forward to more than he wanted to admit. It wasn’t just the thrill of combat that kept him coming back—it was her.

“She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met,” he found himself thinking as he observed her during one of their many “battle dates” outside Liyue Harbor.

The term “battle date” was Paimon’s doing, of course, and the tiny fairy loved teasing both of them about it. Childe had no complaints. If anything, he found the whole situation amusing, especially since Lumine’s reactions were priceless.

“You’re not getting soft on me, are you?” Childe teased, dodging one of Lumine’s elemental attacks.

She narrowed her eyes, her voice sharp. “In your dreams.”

Despite their banter, Lumine always won their battles. Childe didn’t mind—if anything, it gave him more reasons to challenge her again. Every clash felt like an intricate dance, and though she might not have realized it, he looked forward to their time together more than he cared to admit.

Unconsciously, he had started treating Lumine differently. He found himself offering to pay for meals whenever they visited Xiangling’s Wanmin Restaurant, much to Paimon’s delight. He also started subtly adjusting his schedule to ensure he could stay in Liyue longer than his Fatui duties required. It was a delicate balancing act—maintaining his Harbinger responsibilities while indulging in these unexpected moments of happiness.

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One afternoon, as Lumine and Paimon strolled through the streets of Liyue, they bumped into Keqing, one of the city’s esteemed Qixing.

“Ah, Traveler,” Keqing greeted, her tone formal but polite. “And Paimon, of course.”

Lumine smiled. “Hello, Keqing. How’s everything in Liyue?”

Keqing raised an eyebrow, her gaze flickering between Lumine and Paimon. “Busy, as always. But I must say, there’s been an interesting rumor going around about you.”

Lumine tilted her head, curious. “Rumor?”

Keqing nodded. “Some of the townspeople have been talking about how you’re often seen with Tartaglia. They think you might be… dating.”

Lumine’s face flushed instantly. “W-What? That’s not true! We just… fight a lot!”

Paimon couldn’t contain her laughter. “Fight a lot? Isn’t that what couples do?”

Lumine shot her an exasperated look. “Paimon, you’re not helping!”

Keqing chuckled softly. “Well, I thought you should know. The people of Liyue have active imaginations. And considering Tartaglia’s reputation…”