The storm inside seemed to calm for a moment, and her racing heart gradually found its rhythm again. However, this sudden acceptance left Lovia feeling a bit at a loss.
"antennae! Wings!" Xiangling repeated, the excitement on his face growing even more intense. "I knew it! I always felt like the flavors you described were so accurate and magical! So that's why! You must be able to sense many things that we can't, right?"
"Um... y-yes," Lovia answered softly. Her antennae curled slightly due to nervousness. She observed Xiangling's expression; his eyes seemed filled only with friendliness and excitement, without any of the bad things or even a hint of strangeness.
Xiangling's mind jumped quickly, immediately linking Lovia's special taste Talents with the non-human form she was currently displaying.
"So, you like Slime dishes and those special ingredients because...?" Xiangling followed up curiously, his body unconsciously leaning closer as if he wanted to see more clearly.
Facing Xiangling's malice-free gaze, Lovia's original tension and unease gradually Melted away like ice and snow under the sun.
It was a very unfamiliar feeling, warm and comfortable, slowly dispelling the chill that had taken hold of her heart.
Lovia nodded gently and admitted, "Um... my sense of taste might... be a bit different from yours. Those foods, to me, are very delicious."
"That's amazing!" Xiangling clapped his hands, a bright smile Blooming on his face as if he had solved a long-standing puzzle. "No wonder! No wonder you could always give me those great ideas! Lovia, you were practically born to explore new cuisines!"
"I know! You were actually the one who wrote that book, right? Lovia, are you actually a Melusine culinary consultant from Fontaine?"
Lovia: "?"
Xiangling's guess carried no malice. Lovia's antennae, which had been slightly curled from nervousness, now twitched gently.
Was it that obvious...?
"I..." Lovia looked at Xiangling and nodded gently, her voice very soft. "Yes, I wrote it."
"Wow! I knew it!" Xiangling was so happy he almost jumped. "I was wondering how someone could have ideas so similar to mine. If it's Little Lovia, then it all makes sense!"
Lovia nodded without speaking.
Seeing Lovia still hugging her knees somewhat cautiously, with her wings slightly tucked in, Xiangling seemed to realize something. His tone became soft and sincere: "So, is that why you've been wearing a cloak and a Hood all this time? Because you're afraid of being seen?"
Lovia gave a soft "mm" and lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously picking at the grass on the ground. A corner of her heart felt slightly sour yet relieved. Having her reason for the disguise seen through at a glance didn't make her feel embarrassed; instead, she felt a sense of relief from being understood.
Xiangling suddenly understood, then patted his chest and gave a bright, reassuring smile. "Oh, there's absolutely no need to be afraid around me! It's fine! I think it looks very pretty! Super special!"
"Besides, Liyue Harbor has all kinds of people. There are Adepti, half-Adepti, and... well, anyway, even though it's my first time seeing someone like you, it'll definitely be fine!" Xiangling laughed heartily. He reached out to pat Lovia's shoulder but stopped mid-air for fear of startling her, finally letting his hand rest gently on Lovia's arm.
Guoba also leaned in closer and let out a "rua" sound, sniffing the tip of Lovia's tail that was trailing on the grass. A friendly expression (?) appeared on his furry face.
"Really! You're... you're cuter than most people in Liyue Harbor! And this is so helpful for researching new dishes!"
Xiangling's acceptance and enthusiasm were so intense that Lovia looked up, meeting Xiangling's eyes which held only sincerity and excitement. Her cheeks heated up slightly.
Under such warm affirmation, the worries in her heart dissipated quite a bit.
"Thank you... Big Sister Xiangling," she whispered, her lips curling upward unconsciously into a shy smile. The wings on her back also fluttered gently along with her mood.
"What are you thanking me for!" Xiangling sat down beside her with a grin, setting the medicinal herbs to his side. "If you ever want to get some fresh air, you can come to the backyard of Wanmin Restaurant to find me anytime. Usually, no one goes there. Or you can come here; I'll keep watch for you."
As he spoke, he looked curiously at the white Hooded cloak Lovia had placed to the side. "But if you feel more comfortable this way, it's fine not to wear that. I think you look super pretty anyway!"
"The way you were before, and the way you're hiding now, it's as if you're the only person in this world. That would be so lonely."
"But it's not like that. You aren't alone, Little Lovia."
"...Not alone?" Lovia repeated the words subconsciously, her voice as soft as if she were asking herself.
Loneliness—yes, she had long since grown accustomed to that ever-present loneliness. It was like a second skin, like that white cloak she never took off. She had never thought someone would see through it so easily and tell her so certainly—it's not like that.
Xiangling nodded vigorously, his voice exceptionally firm. "Of course not! You have me, and Guoba! Oh, and Shenhe! We're all your friends! In the future, you'll have even more friends!"
"Could it be... that Little Lovia doesn't consider us friends? If that's the case, I'll be really sad!"
This playful questioning from Xiangling made Lovia snap her head up. Her antennae straightened slightly with urgency as she hurriedly denied it. "No! That's not it! I... I just..."
The words caught in her throat. She looked at Xiangling's smiling eyes, which held no suspicion, only warm encouragement. Lovia took a deep breath and finally spoke the words that had been circling in her heart but she had never dared to say: "I just... I can't believe it. I can't believe I can actually have... friends."
The moment she finished speaking, a certain invisible hard shell that had always enveloped her made a faint cracking sound, finally splitting open a tiny gap.
"What's there to not believe!" Xiangling laughed even more heartily, reaching out to gently squeeze Lovia's slightly cold fingers. The touch was real and warm. "Friends—it's as simple as that! If you're happy, I'm happy, and Guoba is happy, then that's it!"
Guoba let out a timely "wulu" and rubbed his furry head against Lovia's arm, as if stamping his approval.
A sour and burning heat welled up in Lovia's nose and eyes. She quickly lowered her head, not wanting the other to see the tears that were about to burst forth. But her slightly trembling shoulders and the pair of soft wings drooping behind her betrayed her intense emotions.
"...Mm." Lovia nodded vigorously, her voice thick with a sob.
Xiangling considerately didn't point it out. He just excitedly picked up the white cloak and shook it. "Then, can we wear this a bit less from now on? It's so uncomfortable to be cooped up all the time."
Lovia looked at the cloak that had accompanied her for so long and also confined her for so long. She hesitated for a moment, then reached out to gently stroke the soft fabric. This time, her movements were no longer entirely filled with dependence and unease, but carried a hint of relief.
"Maybe... I still need a little time," Lovia sniffled and said softly. "I need it when I'm outside... but when I'm here, or when I'm with Big Sister Xiangling... I don't have to wear it."
Even so, this was already a huge step forward—a brave little step toward the world.
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