Chapter 139: The Mischievous Lumine

Rip—

A sound similar to fabric tearing echoed through the air. Suddenly, the space beside Griseo twisted violently, as if someone had forcibly torn it apart, creating a massive purple rift.

"Tsk, how did you find your way here?" Aether's gaze was wary as he stared at the silver-haired young man stepping out of the spatial rift. His entire body was tense, ready to react at any moment.

However, as Yun Fan emerged from the rift, another figure—one that Aether had longed for day and night—also peeked out from the tear.

"Aether," Lumine said, looking at Aether standing at the forefront of the Abyss Mages and Heralds. Her face showed a hint of indescribable sadness.

This was the brother she had been searching for, but also the Prince of the Abyss Order.

Seeing his sister before him—his dear sister, his only remaining tie to this world—Aether's expression was complicated. After a moment of silence, he sighed. "Lumine, you shouldn't have come."

"Why?! Why shouldn't I have come? Answer me, Aether!" Lumine drew the Sword of Dawn, its blade pointed directly at Aether in the center of the hall. Her eyes were misty, filled with disappointment.

"I..." Aether's lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing. He simply stood there in silence, letting the situation unfold.

However, at this moment, Yun Fan made his move.

"Lumine, a sword is not just a tool for killing; it also symbolizes protection. Remember, never point it at your family," Yun Fan said gently, stroking Lumine's golden hair with one hand while pressing down on the hilt of the Sword of Dawn with the other, lowering its blade.

"You... thank you," Aether said, somewhat surprised that Yun Fan would speak up for him. But he quickly composed himself and offered a quiet word of thanks.

Yun Fan simply shook his head in response. "It's nothing. I just don't want to see you two siblings turn against each other. As an older brother myself, I can sense that you still care deeply for Lumine. It's just that you seem to have some burden preventing you from expressing that affection properly."

"You really do know everything, don't you? Was all of this part of your plan?" Aether asked with a bitter smile, feeling like he had been completely manipulated by the silver-haired young man before him, as if he were a mere puppet on strings.

"Not exactly. My original plan was to stage a fake wedding and wait for you to show up with your subordinates to 'crash the wedding,' then capture you all in one go," Yun Fan explained, pausing for a moment.

"But I didn't expect your brilliant subordinate to bring Griseo to the Abyss. That was a pleasant surprise. Without him, I wouldn't have been able to locate the Abyss's coordinates, let alone come here." At this point, Yun Fan turned to Enjou, who was standing not far away, and smiled. "Thank you, brother."

"Uh... haha..." Enjou forced a smile that looked more painful than crying. In his heart, he was cursing Yun Fan a thousand times over. 'Oh great heavens! Please, stop talking! Can't you see His Highness's face is already as dark as the bottom of a pot? If you keep talking, I might just die here today!'

"Brother, what burden are you carrying?" Lumine had heard every word of their conversation. The anger on her face had gradually faded, replaced by deep concern.

She had a feeling that her brother was planning something monumental.

"Lumine, as I said before, before the Abyss drowns the throne, I have an unfinished war with the Heavenly Principles. This war will be a battle between the beings of Teyvat and outsiders. It is an unavoidable fate, an inescapable karma," Aether said solemnly, though a gentle smile eventually appeared on his face. "Once I resolve all of this, I'll accompany you to find a new home, my sister."

"I want to help you, Aether. I won't let you face danger alone," Lumine said, clenching her fists and staring intently at Aether's face.

"Exactly, we won't let you fight the Heavenly Principles alone, Brother-in-law. That's just too..."

"Shut up!" Aether glared at Yun Fan. This guy really knew how to take advantage of any opportunity. Truly shameless!

"Lumine, listen to me. This matter is of great importance. I can't allow you to get involved."

"I..." Seeing how resolute Aether was, Lumine was at a loss for words. Just then, her eyes caught Yun Fan standing with his arms crossed, and a plan formed in her mind.

"Since you won't agree, I won't force you," Lumine said, lowering her head with a look of disappointment. "But you have to promise to visit me in Liyue often."

"Alright, I promise," Aether said, thumping his chest emphatically. Now that he and Lumine had reunited, there was no need to hide in the shadows and watch her from afar.

After all, the Abyss Order had its Heralds to manage things. He could spare some time to accompany Lumine occasionally.

"Good, that's a relief," Lumine said, a sweet smile spreading across her face, looking genuinely happy. But to Yun Fan, this expression seemed a bit off. He had a feeling Lumine was up to something else.

"In that case, we'll take our leave now," Lumine said, wrapping her arms around one of Yun Fan's and pressing herself close to him, appearing very intimate.

Seeing this, Aether raised an eyebrow, feeling an intense wave of discomfort rising in his heart.

"Oh, by the way, Brother, you'll definitely come to the wedding in three days, right?" Lumine asked, her face filled with longing, like a little girl seeking her parent's approval.

"Wait! Lumine, didn't he say the wedding was fake?" Aether's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly pointed at Yun Fan, who was watching the scene unfold.

"The wedding is indeed fake..."

Hearing Lumine's response, Aether breathed a sigh of relief. But the next moment, he was nearly suffocated by anger.

"But I can turn the fake wedding into a real one. Yun Fan is incredibly powerful, and his status as the Divine Sovereign of Liyue makes him quite a catch. Marrying him wouldn't be a bad deal, would it?" Lumine said, putting on a lovesick expression as she gazed at Yun Fan, causing him to shiver.

This side of Lumine was truly rare...

"Alright, that's enough. We'll see you in three days. Bye, Aether," Lumine said, hugging Yun Fan's arm again. "Yun Fan, Griseo, let's go."

Lumine is so mischievous, but... I like it!

Yun Fan secretly rejoiced in his heart but didn't forget to wave at Aether. "Brother-in-law, we'll take our leave now. Make sure to come for the wedding banquet in three days. Oh, and bring your subordinates too. Don't worry, your brother-in-law has plenty of money. You won't eat us out of house and home."

%$x@?…%:·

Aether was already cursing wildly in his heart. You scoundrel, give me back my sister!

Watching the three figures gradually disappear into the distance, Aether reached out several times, wanting to say something to stop them. Finally, he made up his mind.

"Lumine, I agree!"