Mona looked at the little blond elf girl. Too young. Though elves matured differently from humans, Mona hesitated to compete against her.
"Is this big sister one of mommy's friends? But… mommy went very far away…"
Klee scratched her head, voice soft. She hadn't seen Alice in a long time.
"Klee, do you know mysticism?" Mona asked.
"Don't really understand. Mommy only taught me how to make Jumpy Dumpties," Klee shook her head.
"Lady Alice was a genius versed in many arcane fields…" Mona covered her face helplessly. Klee wasn't lying. There was no point in competing.
"Then how about a bomb contest?" Koji grinned.
"That's too dangerous," Jean said firmly. Klee's eyes dimmed.
"Forget it. Klee only inherited Alice's bloodline, not her knowledge. No need for a match," Mona shrugged.
"Klee, before Lady Alice left, did she ever mention a chest?"
"I know. Wait, let me find it."
From her Vision space, Klee pulled out a pile of random items—books, bomb parts, trinkets…
"Found it. This is mommy's chest."
"A diary?"
Mona flipped it open. After a few pages, her face went pale.
Oh no. The old lady's black history.
"Sister, what's wrong? Did Klee not keep it safe?" Klee asked innocently.
"Wretched! The old hag said not to read it. I couldn't resist. Aah, I'm dead. She'll chop me to pieces."
Mona's eyes went lifeless. Why did she have to open it? With her master's astrology, she surely already knew.
"Uh…" Jean was speechless. Diaries were sacred. Letting anyone else read was social death. Even if she didn't kill Mona, the punishment would be brutal.
"If you don't tell her, she won't know?" Paimon offered.
"Impossible. With her astrology, she knows already." Mona's face was mournful. For once she hated astrology—too unfair.
"Rest in peace, Mona. We'll remember you," Koji said solemnly, hand to chest.
"Yes. If you really die, we'll bring flowers to your grave… and maybe take a photo," Lumine said shamelessly.
"Hell no! If I go back now, I'll wish I were dead." Mona shivered. She even suspected her master foresaw this and waited for her to open the diary just to punish her.
Yet she had no Mora. How could she survive in Mondstadt?
"Koji… could you lend me some money?" Mona asked shyly.
She still refused to use astrology for money.
"How much?" Koji asked directly. He was wealthy now. Worst case, he'd just sell another jar of wine to Diluc.
Venti: ?! Spending my peanuts!
"If possible… five hundred thousand Mora." Mona calculated. Next month's royalties should cover it.
"No problem," Koji agreed.
"If she can't pay, a contract of servitude works too," he thought.
"Master Jean, did Klee do something wrong?" Klee whispered.
"It's not your fault," Jean shook her head. Anyone would peek into a forbidden diary.
"Oh, and sister—before leaving, mommy gave me a letter to pass to you," Klee handed it over.
"Hm?"
Mona opened it. Alice had left her a message.
[Ahem—
Mona, eh? Barbeloth's disciple. If you're reading this, you must have peeked into my old friend's diary…]
Mona nodded. Right on the mark. Irresistible.
[Hahaha, just thinking of it makes me laugh. My old friend's black history being seen by her disciple—that's hilarious.]
Mona's face darkened. Truly a mischief-maker.
[Don't worry. Your master is busy and very satisfied with you. At most she'll punish you a little…]
The Hexenzirkel were busy maintaining Teyvat's borders. No wonder Alice hadn't returned for so long.
"Lady Alice's astrology must be extraordinary," Mona said with admiration.
"Mona, if you encounter trouble, come to me," Jean offered.
"I understand. Thank you, Master Jean." Mona nodded. She had planned to return right away. But if she did, the old lady would destroy her. She'd have to live in Mondstadt for now. What a mess.
"How did you meet?" Jean asked, suppressing laughter as she watched Mona leave in despair.
"Mona's our new neighbor. We just went to say hi," Koji explained.
Clearly Mona had come only to fetch the chest. Buying a house was never the plan. And even if it were, she had no money. If she sold her collection, she'd be rich—but she'd never do that.
Hydro Vision holders usually weren't poor. Mona was no exception, just unable to produce cash.
"Do astrologers lack money?" Jean wondered. Good ones always had wealthy clients.
"Mona's different. She studies astrology out of passion, not profit," Koji explained. "She has other income. Don't be fooled by her empty pockets. One of her books sells for nearly a million Mora."
"What?"
"Mona's that rich?" Paimon gasped.
To pay nearly a million for one book—that was the height of luxury.
"I see. She spends all her wealth on high-grade items," Jean nodded. For such people, that wasn't expensive at all.
(End of Chapter)
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