Tonight, the Goethe Hotel was decorated with unusual extravagance.
Fresh flowers, balloons, elegantly dressed women, a choir, a symphony orchestra, and skilled bartenders filled the grand hall. The atmosphere resembled a lavish celebration rather than a covert meeting.
This display, however, was not the Fatui's idea.
It was funded entirely by Mondstadt's fallen nobility—the Lawrence Clan—as a show of sincerity for their secret audience with the Prince of Snezhnaya.
That very morning, when the Snezhnayan delegation entered Mondstadt in full procession, the Lawrence Clan had personally gone outside the city to welcome them.
Once one of Mondstadt's three great ruling families, the Lawrences had governed the city until Vennessa overthrew their corrupt rule and established the Knights of Favonius.
During that revolution, the clan's main branches were wiped out in blood.
The patriarchs of that generation were sent to the guillotine, their corpses paraded through the streets as a warning.
Today, the one who presided over this declining noble house was Eula's uncle—
The man known as Schubert Lawrence.
If there were anyone in Mondstadt who most eagerly welcomed the Snezhnayan delegation, it was undoubtedly him.
The thirst to reclaim a throne never truly fades.
Even when time erodes power, the obsession with dominion remains—
like dry weeds on a barren plain, appearing dead, yet ready to erupt the moment rain arrives.
To restore the Lawrence Clan's former glory.
To reclaim the awe of the common folk.
To stand once more atop Mondstadt's seat of power.
This had been Schubert's lifelong obsession.
And now—
this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity had finally arrived.
The Fatui had approached the Lawrence Clan first, promising assistance in their restoration.
Tonight's meeting with the Prince of Snezhnaya was to finalize the terms.
The only regret was that the Prince insisted on meeting on Fatui territory, rather than at the Lawrence estate—otherwise, they would have hosted him with even greater ceremony.
At last, the long-awaited guest arrived.
"Your Highness," Schubert said, bowing at a perfect forty-five degrees.
"Your presence honors us beyond measure."
He wore ceremonial attire of the old nobility, emblazoned on the chest with the Seal of Everfrost—the exclusive insignia once reserved for Mondstadt's royal rulers.
Schubert had never dared to wear it publicly before.
He knew it would invite scorn and abuse from Mondstadt's citizens.
But tonight was different.
Tonight, it symbolized the Lawrence Clan's unwavering determination to return.
"Your Highness."
The orchestra halted instantly.
Fatui agents, Lawrence clan members, and all others present dropped to one knee, bowing toward the young man standing at the entrance—tall, composed, and commanding.
"So this is your understanding of the words 'secret meeting'," Severin said calmly, his gaze sweeping across the hall.
"You certainly invited an impressive audience."
Schubert hurriedly explained,
"My clansmen merely wished to witness this historic moment. Their loyalty—to the Lawrence Clan and to Your Highness—is absolute."
"Loyalty," Severin replied coldly,
"is the most extravagant illusion in the world."
"When disaster strikes, spouses flee, comrades turn blades on one another, and brothers become enemies."
"The 'loyalty' you speak of is nothing but fragile pretense—easily shattered."
"My personal presence here already proves the Fatui keep their word. Spare me these petty theatrics."
Severin turned and took a seat by the tea table, closing his eyes as if to rest.
The Mirror Maiden immediately stepped forward.
"Schubert. Only core members may remain. Everyone else—leave."
The Lawrence Clan members had attended precisely because they distrusted the Fatui's promises. They wanted to witness the negotiation firsthand.
With an irritated wave, Schubert dismissed them one by one.
In the end, only six people remained.
"Your Highness," Schubert began carefully,
"we have reviewed the cooperation terms in detail. There is one clause we find… inappropriate."
"After reclaiming Mondstadt's authority, the Lawrence Clan is to follow Fatui command. We request a revision."
"Speak," Severin said calmly.
"Once power is seized, Mondstadt should be governed jointly by both sides."
Schubert watched Severin's expression with nervous intensity.
"The Lawrence Clan reclaiming Mondstadt is an internal matter," Severin replied evenly.
"The moment the Fatui are exposed as participants, it becomes a Snezhnayan invasion."
"You stand in the open. We remain in the shadows."
"Only this ensures neither side's interests are damaged."
He left the unspoken truth unsaid—
The Lawrence Clan would bear all public hatred and resistance.
The Fatui would not share that burden.
Schubert did not insist further.
They were the weaker party.
The one who decided everything was the Prince of Snezhnaya.
The negotiations continued.
They discussed the division of the Knights of Favonius' assets, Mondstadt's taxation rights, and foreign trade profits—
all matters of wealth.
Schubert's mind overflowed with visions of plunder:
how to carve up Mondstadt's riches, how to funnel profit back into the Lawrence Clan.
To all such matters, Severin offered a single response:
The Fatui will not participate in asset division. Not a single coin will be taken from Mondstadt.
Even with mental preparation, Severin was still struck by the old nobles' unchanging greed.
Time had passed.
Dynasties had fallen.
Yet the stench of avarice remained.
Still—
Greed made them easier to control.
"Your Highness is forthright," Schubert said, smiling broadly.
"Then on behalf of the Lawrence Clan, I vow that we will honor this contract faithfully."
"For the friendship between Mondstadt and Snezhnaya, we will strive without hesitation—
till death do us part."
Schubert and the remaining clan elders were visibly pleased.
His declaration spoke for them all.
"Very good," Severin said softly.
"Those four words—till death do us part—please me greatly."
Only now, at the end of the negotiations, had Severin heard what he truly wanted.
They were puppets.
Striving was unnecessary.
All they needed was the resolve to die when the time came.
Using the old nobility to seize Mondstadt's rule was the core of Severin's plan to obtain the Anemo Gnosis.
With Dvalin and Andrius neutralized, the so-called Four Winds were reduced to a single force—
The Knights of Favonius.
Isolated. Cornered.
Once defeated by the Fatui-backed Lawrence Clan, Severin refused to believe—
That Barbatos would continue hiding.
Everything he had done in Mondstadt revolved around one goal:
Forcing Barbatos to reveal himself.
If he merely wished to crush Mondstadt, Severin alone could suppress the Knights of Favonius.
He could already picture it—
Barbatos, wearing the guise of Venti, hiding in some remote village, drinking wine and enjoying carefree days.
The moment he heard Mondstadt had fallen…
that the Lawrence Clan had returned…
That feeling would surely be delightful.
And once Barbatos emerged, Severin had ways to obtain the Anemo Gnosis.
The Lawrence Clan were nothing more than bargaining chips—
pieces to be discarded at any time.
"Your Highness," Schubert asked carefully,
"there is one final matter we must clarify."
The final question—always the most important.
Severin spread his hands slightly, inviting him to continue.
"To seize Mondstadt's authority, conflict with the Knights of Favonius is unavoidable."
"How many troops… will the Fatui provide?"
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