Teyvat, Human Realm.
Mondstadt – Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
Jean Gunnhildr, the Knights of Favonius' Acting Grand Master – also known as the Dandelion Knight – sat at her desk, buried in paperwork, when a soft knock broke her focus.
"You may enter."
A bespectacled young man in official knightly armor stepped inside and saluted with practiced precision.
"Acting Grand Master Jean. A traveler is requesting an audience. He says it's important."
Jean's brows drew together. "Shouldn't he go through the proper procedure? Why are you reporting directly to me?"
The young knight scratched the back of his head, awkward. "Well… he claims to be Klee's father. And he said he knows you personally. I didn't feel right turning him away, so I came to you."
"Klee's father…?"
Jean's expression eased as a familiar figure came to mind. She nodded once. "Then let him in. And, Wood—please ask Noelle to prepare tea and snacks."
"Understood."
Wood saluted again and left. Jean opened a desk drawer, retrieved a small pocket mirror, and quickly fixed her hair and collar. After a final check, she tucked the mirror away and moved to the small tea table meant for receiving guests.
A few minutes later, another knock came—then the door opened.
A man stepped inside.
Colossal was the only word for him. Nearly eight feet tall, broad-shouldered, built like someone carved from iron. His short, fiery red hair only sharpened the impression. And yet, contrary to his intimidating physique, his face was calm—almost warm, like steady sunlight.
Jean rose and offered her hand.
"Welcome back to Mondstadt, Mr. Elios. It's good to see you again."
Elios Luxveritas took her hand in a firm, polite handshake. "Indeed. It's been a while, young Jean."
(A/N: Think of it like All Might calling his students "shōnen/shōjo." I play with JP voice in mind.)
Jean's cheeks tinted, and she almost pouted.
"Just 'Jean,' Mr. Elios. I'm not a young girl anymore."
Elios chuckled. "Sorry, sorry. You look exactly the same as always. I couldn't help it."
With a familiar sigh, Jean gestured toward the tea table. "Please, sit. The tea should be ready in a few minutes."
Elios took a seat easily, as if he belonged there. "I heard Varka took a large portion of the Knights and embarked on an expedition to Nod-Krai. I hope he didn't leave you with more than you can handle."
"This is never a burden," Jean said at once, posture straight. "It's an honor. Grand Master Varka entrusted me with this position, and I'm not planning to betray that trust."
Elios studied her for a moment, then sighed. "Still as rigid as ever, young Jean. Honestly, you should learn a thing or two from Varka. The man goes chasing adventure like Mondstadt's freedom is his personal creed."
Jean opened her mouth, but Elios raised a hand, continuing smoothly.
"It's not my place to lecture you. But I'll say this anyway—make time to rest. The moment I walked in, I could see it. You're exhausted. Sleep-deprived."
Jean's shoulders tensed. "…Was it that obvious?"
"It was."
She scratched her cheek sheepishly. "I'm sorry. It's just… There's been too much lately. There hasn't been a moment to breathe."
"Then delegate," Elios said, blunt but not unkind. "Appoint an aide. Let someone else take part of the load while you recover. If you collapse, you lose your health—and Mondstadt loses your efficiency. Balance matters."
He paused, and the warmth in his expression thinned into something more serious.
"Besides… one of the reasons I'm here is to remove a few of those problems from your shoulders."
Before he could elaborate, a knock came from outside, followed by a clear young voice.
"Acting Grand Master Jean. The tea and snacks are ready."
"Come in, Noelle."
Noelle entered, balancing a tray with practiced grace. She set everything down neatly, then turned to Elios and offered a flawless maid's bow.
"So it's you, Mr. Elios. Long time no see."
"It has been a while, young Noelle," Elios said. "How have you been? And… thank you for always looking after Klee."
Noelle's eyes widened. "N-no— I enjoy taking care of Klee! She causes trouble sometimes, but she never does anything out of malice. Please don't worry!"
Elios smiled faintly. "Is that so? Then I'll be relying on you again. It may take Alice and me some time before we can return properly and settle down. I'll trouble you for a few more years."
Jean cleared her throat. "Speaking of Klee… are you here to visit her? If so, Noelle can go and call her. She should be in… ah… her room."
Internally, Jean broke into a cold sweat.
Ugh… I can't tell him I put her in solitary confinement. Not after what Noelle just said.
Elios sipped his tea. "If it's little Klee – on my way here, I saw her at Starfell Lake. Blasting fish, as usual. She looked happy, so I didn't interrupt."
His gaze lifted to meet Jean's.
"Besides, I'll be staying in Mondstadt for a few days. I'll have time to spoil my daughter properly."
Noelle, sensing the shift in tone, excused herself with a small bow. "Then… I'll take my leave. See you later, Mr. Elios. Acting Grand Master Jean."
When the door closed, Jean straightened, taking it as her cue to move to the real topic.
"So… your visit this time. Is it because of the Stormterror incident?"
There's no way he'd allow anything dangerous to linger if it might threaten Klee.
A chill ran through her as she remembered an incident from years ago—when she first learned just how terrifying a "kind" man could be when his family was involved.
Elios narrowed his eyes over the rim of his teacup. "Are you thinking something rude, young Jean?"
Jean jolted upright. "N-no! Of course not. I was only thinking about Stormterror."
She coughed lightly, forcing herself back into a professional tone.
"It's become a headache recently. It's affecting our economy, and the Knights' reputation. There haven't been casualties yet, but we can't afford to keep delaying."
Elios set his cup down and leaned back, waving a hand as if brushing dust from the air.
"That is one of my objectives, yes. Don't worry. It will be handled as soon as Barbatos contacts me—which should be soon."
He popped a snack into his mouth, unbothered.
"But the reason I came to see you today is simple. In a few days, a blonde traveler will arrive in Mondstadt, looking for their missing sibling."
Jean's attention sharpened.
"When that happens, I want you to notify me—and arrange a meeting."
He smiled, faint and confident. "In exchange, you may stop worrying about Stormterror. Barbatos and I have already reached an agreement. This will end soon."
Jean exhaled, relief loosening something tight in her chest… only for worry to creep back in a heartbeat later.
If Lord Barbatos arranged it, then it truly can be resolved. But…
I can also imagine how Elios resolves problems.
"Ahem. Mr. Elios." Jean chose her words carefully. "Thank you, on behalf of the Knights. But… if I may ask—please be lenient."
Elios blinked once.
"Stormterror may be… Dvalin," Jean continued, voice lowering. "One of Mondstadt's Four Winds. He only recently woke from a long slumber. Something about his state feels wrong, as though he's being influenced. Please don't—"
"Ouch!"
Jean flinched, clutching her forehead. Elios had flicked her—lightly, but with perfect accuracy. He looked at her with helpless disbelief.
"I swear, little girl," he said, "do you really think I'm some brute who only understands slaughter?"
"I—I didn't mean it like that," Jean protested quickly. "I only wanted to make sure you were informed—"
"I'm informed," Elios cut in, calm again. "More than you are. I know Dvalin's situation, and I know the origin of the problem."
Jean fell silent.
"As I said," Elios continued, tone final, "consider it resolved. Don't waste your strength worrying about what you can't control."
He finished his tea, set the cup down, and stood.
"Thank you for the hospitality, young Jean. Klee is on her way here—so we'll continue this later."
A hint of warmth returned to his expression.
"Now, I have a surprise for my adorable daughter."