With Klee's words landing, an eerie silence came from the other end of the lamp.
Daddy?
Klee's daddy?
Alice had thought it might be someone from the Knights of Favonius with Klee, or other Mondstadters... even that elusive Anemo Archon Barbatos, whimsically bringing Klee to the floating island.
But she never imagined it would be... Klee's daddy?!
Even the well-traveled Alice's hands shook, dropping what she held with a clatter.
Though Klee didn't know the specifics of her daddy, as the old mother, Alice knew it crystal clear.
That man was her fated match, but after that night's entanglement, she hadn't had further contact with him. They were separated by a world barrier, familiar strangers.
Even though they created Klee together, even though she'd thought of bringing Klee to meet him someday, it wasn't now. Alice never expected to connect with him like this.
In an instant, many doubts arose in Alice's heart.
How was he on Teyvat? Even bringing Klee to the floating island?
Her good daughter hadn't been tricked, right?
What on earth is going on... Alice, who could face even the most dangerous situations calmly, suddenly had her mentality collapse.
"Mommy, why aren't you talking?"
Just as Alice's mind stormed, Klee's cute voice came again.
Clearly a rare chance to talk to Mommy, but why was Mommy silent?
Little Klee scratched her hair, a bit distressed.
"Baby... I..."
Alice's voice trembled, various guesses rising in her heart... but in front of her precious daughter, she hadn't figured out how to say many things.
As Alice was distraught, a strange yet familiar voice reached her ears: "Alice, long time no see."
Clang—
With Ken's voice landing, another heavy object fell from the lamp's side.
Alice almost frantically picked up the accidentally knocked-over cup.
She... she she heard what?
This familiar yet strange voice instantly took Alice back to that night.
Even after so much time, Alice still clearly remembered this voice like a curse in her ears, dominating her into a series of positions.
Her earlier unreliable guesses vanished... she absolutely wouldn't misremember; this voice was indeed that man from that night, her fated match.
Since it was really that man, no need to worry about him tricking her daughter. But the key issue was... how was he with Klee?
What about Teyvat's world barrier?
She could break the world barrier, but that didn't mean Ken could!
When she followed the Intertwined Fate to find Ken, she'd been puzzled for a moment because Ken seemed like an utterly ordinary person, at most with an unbelievably handsome face.
But what's the use of being handsome? He couldn't break the world barrier with that face, right?
Alice was completely numb.
"Mommy, why silent again?"
"Is it wondering how Daddy is with Klee? Hehe... Klee will tell Mommy! Daddy used a door to invite Klee to Blue Star as a guest, and Klee recognized Daddy right away. Isn't Klee smart?"
Hearing the silence from the lamp again, little Klee gestured excitedly.
Thinking of how cleverly she recognized Daddy back then, the little cutie still felt proud!
"Ah... Klee is indeed smart, worthy of being my baby..."
Alice subconsciously supported her waist, her voice trembling a bit. This awkward atmosphere—even for a witch who'd lived so long—was something she didn't know how to handle properly.
What to do when encountering the father of your child from a one-night stand?
"Where are you now?"
Sensing the witch's embarrassment, Ken took the initiative to ask.
After a brief silence, Alice subconsciously said: "...I'm in a pretty remote place now. Because it involves the expedition, it has to be secret, um... can't say yet."
Good grief... Ken's brows twitched wildly; Alice's reply was unexpected.
"Then roughly when can you come back?" Ken asked again.
Little Klee really wanted a family reunion, and Ken wanted to see Alice too.
Back then, not knowing Klee and Alice's identities, Ken had treated it as a fling and not dwelled on it, since Alice left without contact info. Even if he wanted to take responsibility, he had no chance.
But now things were clear, with Klee here, some relationships needed face-to-face reevaluation.
Hearing this question, Ken's big eyes lit up.
Separated from her parents at a young age, little Klee deeply longed for a family reunion.
Though Daddy was with her now...
But Mommy was far away, which was a regret for ger.
"Not sure yet..." Alice's tone subconsciously weakened.
Not that the witch was gentle; purely, Alice had never imagined connecting with Ken like this. This caught her off guard, and with little Klee present.
"Klee misses Mommy so much..." Klee's eyes dimmed a bit, gaining some regret, but that regret turned back to light; she was a very strong little girl.
Alice's voice involuntarily carried gentleness: "Mommy misses baby too, but right now Mommy is doing something more important. Once Mommy finishes, I'll hurry back."
Before, Alice had wanted to return but not so urgently.
Now knowing Ken was with Klee, she really wanted to figure out what was going on in person.
Though Ken was Klee's dad, she didn't know him well and wasn't sure if he could care for Klee properly. This was a potential worry for Alice.
Thinking of this.
Alice added: "Baby, don't worry. Mommy will hurry back, aiming for before this year's Lantern Rite."
"Okay..." Though disappointed, at least there was hope. Little Klee nodded obediently, hugging Dodoco and murmuring: "Me and Dodoco both miss Mommy."
The atmosphere grew sentimental. Ken didn't interrupt, quietly listening to Alice and Klee's exchange.
Alice on the other end also noticed Klee's disappointment and quickly changed the topic: "Baby, are you getting along happily with Daddy? Does Daddy visit baby often?"
Hearing this.
Ken subconsciously raised a brow; Alice's probing words were too obvious.
Clearly afraid he couldn't care for Klee well.
"Daddy's great, and treats Klee well too. He makes lots of food for Klee, buys lots of toys, and accompanies Klee to bomb fish..."
Talking about her daddy's good points, little Klee snapped out of her gloom.
Like all little girls in the world, she gestured excitedly about the hero in her heart.
Alice, listening to Klee's account, slightly relaxed.
Though she didn't know how Ken found Klee or what that door was, since the man was good to her daughter... she didn't need to worry so much.
"Um... thanks for the trouble."
Alice stiffly thanked Ken, still unsure how to interact with this strange yet familiar "husband."
"No trouble; Klee is my daughter after all." Ken smiled faintly.
But this faint smiling tone sounded a bit gritted-teeth to Alice, making her feel guilty.
After all.
After giving birth to Klee, she hadn't told Ken, choosing to hide it.
If Ken never knew, fine.
But he did know.
And found out himself.
Alice was full of black lines, taking off her witch hat, her golden hair shimmering. She paced back and forth to calm her complex feelings.
Her mentality really collapsed...
Other adventurer colleagues, seeing Alice pacing, showed surprised expressions.
To know, someone as excellent as Alice was always composed even in the most dangerous places.
She'd even find time to create surprises, showing her unique explosive performance art.
When had they seen Lady Alice like this?
As if facing an unsolvable problem.
Noticing her colleagues' inquiring gazes, Alice quickly reverted to her usual enigmatic witch image. But even well-disguised, her heart was still embarrassed.
Gonna die... As one of the world's most beautiful and clever witches, how did she end up in such an awkward situation?
Just as Alice was extremely embarrassed, her daughter's voice came again: "Yes yes! Klee's not trouble with Daddy, just sometimes a bit bored~ If Klee had a little sister to play with, that would be great."
"Sister?!" Alice almost exclaimed.
Klee seriously said: "Mm mm! Klee will take good care of sister, give her the best Dodoco, and lend Dodoco to her. So... when will Mommy and Daddy give Klee a little sister?"
What a filial daughter; don't you know your dear mommy is very embarrassed right now... Alice was full of black lines.
"No rush; once your mommy comes back, we can put it on the agenda." Ken said unhurriedly.
Though he couldn't see the witch's expression, from her voice, he could tell her mood was definitely very complex.
Regret not seeing Alice's expression in person.
Ken thought it must be very entertaining.
"Ah yes..." Alice forced herself to agree: "Baby, go play with Daddy. Mommy has some things here. Won't talk more; when we meet, I'll properly kiss and hug my baby."
"Mm! Klee will wait for Mommy!" Klee said loudly.
Ken drawled: "Take care of yourself."
Alice: "..."
Take care... Clearly a caring phrase, but from Ken's mouth, it felt weird to Alice.
After all, they were discussing giving Klee a sister just a minute ago.
This "take care" appearing now felt off no matter what.
Alice's mind involuntarily recalled Ken from that night.
Like a beast.
Now, having gained some opportunity to easily break the world barrier, his physical fitness must have greatly improved.
Alice felt... she really needed to take care.
Otherwise, she might not hold up in the future.
Thinking this, Alice patted her cheeks and almost fled as she hung up.
Today's events were too absurd; even for her, who'd lived over a thousand years, she needed to calm down... and think how to face Ken, this familiar stranger.
After all, he was her fated match.
After all, Klee liked this daddy a lot.
Her previous ideas wouldn't work... Now the world barrier issue was solved; once back in Mondstadt, she'd inevitably interact with Ken. But dating a man was something she wasn't skilled at.
Alice decided to ask other witches when she had time...
Gotta learn more experience; can't let the man get the upper hand.
The clever and smart Lady Alice still wanted face.
...
Floating Island.
After the golden lamp slowly dimmed, signaling the call's end, little Klee sat on the chair, hands on cheeks, eyes full of longing.
"What are you thinking?"
Since today was Children's Day on Blue Star, Ken decided to spend the whole day with Klee.
Seeing the sparkle in his daughter's big eyes, Ken asked with a smile.
Having such a cute elf daughter was really nice.
"Klee's thinking what name the little sister will have when born. Daddy, don't forget; once Mommy's back, immediately give Klee a little sister, so Klee won't be bored."
Though she liked bombing fish, often it was out of boredom that little Klee went out to do it.
But if she had a sister...
Klee thought her life would be very happy.
"Mm, then Daddy and Mommy will work hard. Does Klee have anywhere else she wants to go?"
Ken patted her head and asked softly.
Klee shook her head: "No, Klee wants to stay here with Daddy for a day, live in Mommy's house, like Mommy's here too."
"Okay." Ken didn't refuse.
The floating island's air and scenery were excellent, with lush grass and flowers, plenty of fat fish in the lake—not only for picnic fun but also overlooking Mondstadt's beauty.
Staying here a day was very relaxing.
Mainly, accompanying his daughter; this leisurely immortal life wasn't something everyone could experience.
After all, not everyone had a cute little Klee as a daughter.
...