Yes, Furina-sama! [Genshin Impact]

"She looked very sad?" Richard's heart stirred at Klee's words, and he couldn't help but ask, "Why do you think that, Klee?"

"Klee doesn't know either… It's just… it felt like Big Sister Furina was smiling, but it was like she was crying at the same time… Maybe… that's what Captain Jean said… about adults… and worries…" Klee let out a huge yawn, her last words trailing off into a sleepy mumble.

As soon as she finished, Klee fell fast asleep in Richard's arms, like a peaceful little princess.

Perhaps only when she was asleep did Klee look this innocent and adorable.

But Richard firmly remembered her words. After all, children are very sensitive to emotions; they often sense things that adults overlook.

And what Klee said made Richard recall that scene back in the office, Furina, smiling through tears.

At the time, he'd been fooled by her flawless acting and the abundant Hydro energy she'd used. But now, recalling it through Klee's innocent words, he couldn't help but feel an unsettling chill. 'How much pain must someone be in to smile while crying?'

Richard didn't know. He set the thought aside for now and naturally pulled out the house key for Jean's place. He unlocked the door and carried the sleeping Klee toward her little bed.

Just then, the room's light flicked on. Out of a guest room stepped a beautiful young girl with light blonde hair in her pajamas. She leaned against the doorframe, rubbing her sleepy eyes with one hand.

Half-asleep, she mumbled, "Sis… you're back?"

"Jean still has things to handle at the Knights of Favonius. She asked me to bring Klee home first." Richard softly replied.

"Oh… huh?" Barbara answered on instinct, then realized something was off.

'Wait, why did that sound like a man's voice?!'

Barbara shivered awake in an instant. She quickly looked over and, seeing it was Richard, let out a sigh of relief.

"Ah… Sir Richard, you're back?" She almost squealed, but when she saw Richard gesture to the sleeping Klee clinging to his collar, she quickly lowered her voice.

"Mm. I came back with the Fontaine delegation this time. I'll probably be staying in Mondstadt for about five days."

As Richard spoke softly, he gently laid Klee onto her little bed, tucked her in, and placed her plush Dodoco in her arms. Once he made sure everything was just right, he tiptoed back out of the room.

His entire process was textbook perfect, not disturbing Klee's sleep at all.

Watching it all, Barbara couldn't help but say, "Sir Richard, you really are such a gentle person."

"Not really. I only treat the people I care about this way. I don't have the heart to save the whole world." Richard shook his head.

"But being able to do so much for the people you care about is already amazing! And Sir Richard always speaks kindly to everyone, always acts so gentlemanly, and never makes anyone feel awkward. In my heart, you've always been a gentle and dependable senior!" Barbara said seriously, balling her small hands into fists.

Thinking of Furina repeatedly getting flustered in front of him, Richard let out a helpless laugh. "I didn't know that's how you see me. But Barbara, you really trust me too much, at least button up properly."

Richard pointed lightly at his own chest, signaling to Barbara that her pajama buttons were undone, revealing her delicate collarbone. He could even see the color of her camisole underneath, pure white, which suited her perfectly.

"Ah!" Barbara's face flushed bright red as she hurried to button up every single button.

She was clearly flustered: she messed up several times, buttoning the wrong hole, then quickly undoing it to fix it. All this back and forth gave Richard plenty of unintentional eye candy.

By the time she was done, Barbara's ears were completely red.

In a tiny voice, she muttered, "Sir Richard can be so mean sometimes…"

She had obviously realized that while she'd been fumbling with her buttons, someone had been watching very intently.

"I just think a flustered, pretty girl is such a beautiful sight, it'd be a shame to miss it." Richard answered honestly.

Barbara looked at Richard's clear, sincere eyes and didn't know what to say.

She wanted to scold him for being a pervert, but his eyes were so clear, with no hint of indecency, as if he truly admired her with an artist's gaze.

But then again, how could he not be a little pervy? He'd watched her so intently, not even blinking!

"Y-You don't need to say that!" Barbara had no choice but to change the subject.

"Sir Richard, did you come back this time with the Fontaine delegation?"

"Yes."

"I heard that Her Excellency Furina is here too. Is that true?"

"It's true. Lady Furina is my direct superior; She was just discussing matters with your sister Jean at the banquet."

"Then… could you maybe ask her for me… how to become more popular? And maybe… if it's not too much, could you ask for an autograph too? Ah, sorry, that's probably too much to ask…" Barbara shyly made her request, but worried she was asking too much, she quickly apologized.

At that moment, Richard remembered, thanks to his dear aunt, this lovely young sister before him was determined to become an "idol."

And Furina, the superstar beloved all across Fontaine and Teyvat, was obviously the perfect role model for her to learn from.

"No problem at all. But wouldn't it be even better for you to ask her yourself?" Richard said with a smile.

"Sir Richard, do you mean…?" Barbara's eyes widened, clearly not expecting that answer.

"I'm sure Lady Furina would be delighted to talk with you about singing techniques, stage presence, and other performance tips. How about tomorrow morning?"

"She'll be visiting the Cathedral of Favonius then, I can introduce you to her myself." Richard smiled warmly.

"Really?!" Barbara nearly fainted from the surprise and joy.

She'd come by tonight hoping to see her sister and maybe, just maybe, get a chance to meet the Hydro Archon, or at least ask Jean to get an autograph for her.

She never imagined she'd run into Richard, who was dropping Klee off, and that he'd actually offer to introduce her to the superstar Furina in person. It was simply too lucky!

Her joy was written all over her face as she happily walked Richard to the door, she even turned down his offer to leave Jean's house key with her, insisting he keep it instead.

She explained that her sister was so busy every day that she'd probably need Richard to keep bringing Klee home to sleep for the next few days, so it'd be more convenient for him to keep the key.

In Barbara's eyes, Richard was trustworthy, if Jean was willing to hand over the house key to a man, that already said enough.

As her little sister, it was better not to interfere.