26 This kind of life isn't so bad... [1/2]

On a wooden table, a woman in her late teenage years was seen scrambling on a notebook.

Her blonde hair was tied with a pencil to keep it from distracting her during her work.

Although she may look young, she was very responsive and works tirelessly.

'Grand Master said that some abyssal monsters such as riftwolves appeared in the bright crown mountains...' The thought with serious eyes. 'I better tell Eula to survey the surrounding area...'

She then looked at another notebook at the table. 'The second is Ezio and the Darknight Hero...'

'Both of them have gone silent for the last three months...' She thought with uncertainty.

Of course, what she didn't know was that the so-called Darknight Hero— Diluc— had already left Mondstadt and is traveling to Snezhnaya to hunt down the Fatui.

As for Albert, other than increasing his fame points by occasional bandit-hunting, he had done nothing but improve his template progress by training and going with Jean to hunt some Hilichurl Camps.

And yes, Albert and Jean would sometimes sneak out of Mondstadt with the former's persuasion to either just hunt monsters or relieve stress by relaxing at the giant tree at Windrise.

Although, because it was the winter season, she and Albert hadn't been able to go out because of the cold winds and snowy weather.

Flipping a page, Jean jotted down some notes and slightly leaned her head down. 'Although Ezio disappeared, traces of him can still be found all over Mondstadt...'

'Just what is he planni—'

Before she could continue her sentence, a hand suddenly patted her back. And with a cheerful voice, someone spoke. "Don't lean down further, or else you'll kiss the table."

Turning her head, Jean saw where the voice and from. Behind her stood a tall man with brown hair and purple eyes.

On his vest hangs a geo vision that was encased to look like a pocket watch.

Suddenly, a bit of stress that Jean had accumulated decreased and she smiled amusingly. "Don't underestimate me, I've done work much worse than this."

"Oh yes, you're very brave." Albert sarcastically said as he rolled his eyes. "Would the brave one care to take a rest and eat this meal?"

He then placed two plates on her table which contained five pieces of Mondstadt Hashbrowns, coupled with some sauce on the side.

Jean chuckled. She then eyes Albert. "Only if the cowering one here shares it with me."

Hearing this, Albert clicked his tongue. "Tch, you already figured it out..."

"You've been hinting at wanting to eat hash browns for days now, I'd be dense as a log if I were to not notice it." Jean amusingly smirked. "Moreover, I've been getting used to your habits, so it was fairly easy to guess."

"Clever girl..." Albert squinted his eyes before sitting down.

Since he was an employee, he can't make his own food under work hours. However, if a customer were to order food for him about an hour before the restaurant closes, then it was possible. Since at that time, there aren't that many customers left since it's nighttime.

And that is what currently is going on. After sitting down, Albert hummed. "Although I was indeed hinting at it, I thought I'll at least be the one to treat it."

"But you already did that last week..." Jean said as she picked up her hash brown. However, when she said that, she started contemplating.

Ever since they had met, Albert had done nothing but support and treat her nicely under the pretense of 'being helpful'.

However, now that she thought about it, he was very suspicious. Their friendship was formed coincidentally and only continued to improve, but this is the first time Jean had felt some kind of suspicion towards Albert... or perhaps another emotion.

She then gently placed her hashbrown and looked at Albert with eyes full of complicated emotions.

"What's wrong?" Noticing her gaze, Albert stopped eating. "Was the food not to your liking? If so, I can remake it— I have Miss Lenny's permission to do it, by the way..."

"No, that's not it." Jeans shook her head. She then placed both of her hands on the table and seriously looked at Albert. "Albert... tell me, why are you so nice to me?"

"Why can't I be nice to you?" Albert scoffed at her question. "You always look like you're too absorbed in your work, and trust me, I can feel the stress radiating off of you..."

"That's not it." Jean raised her voice. "You're unconditionally nice towards me and would even listen to most of my requests without question..."

"In your free time, you would ask one of the knights to send me food with a sticky note to tell me to stay healthy..." She started recounting. "Why... why would you do this for me...?"

"Hey, don't make it sound like I'm doing it involuntarily..." Albert said on the side. "Besides, I have my reasons."

"Tell me." Jean leaned forward. "If you don't tell me... then I'm afraid this will be the last time we'll speak to each other."

"What?!" Albert was surprised. "But— why?"

"I'm sure you've heard." Jean started explaining as she slowly calmed herself down. "Me and the Grand Master have been initiating campaigns..."

"I heard." Albert nodded in agreement.

"Then you should know," Jean said with a stern expression. "With me actively leading the knights to hunt down corrupt officials, I feel that some of them might target those around me."

"My mother is safe as she has an experience of a knight, whereas... my sister is under the protection of the Favonius Church." She said slowly. "But you... I don't know what will happen if they target you."

"I'm afraid of what will happen." She said with a heavy heart. "That's why, before this friendship blooms..."

For a slight moment, she hesitated about what she wanted to say as her face got covered in a red tinge. "Before... our relationship... blooms to something more, I believe that we should not expose that w—"

"I don't care."

Before Jean could react, Albert stood up and leaned his head closer to her.

On the second floor of the Good Hunter restaurant, with only Albert and Jean left in the room, silence descended upon the two.

Soon, Albert slowly retreated and sat back down. He then looked at her with a smirk. "Let them know."

Jean, who was red all over, was not able to utter a word. She was in a state of both fluster and shock.

Truth to be told, after knowing Albert for almost a year, she had to admit that she had also developed feelings towards him.

Like other women in her age, she too dreams of meeting and falling in love with a man one day. But because of her duties as a Gunnhildr, she had never brought such topics up.

The only way she can let those feelings out is by reading romance novels. In fact, half of the bookshelf in her bedroom comprised mostly of romance novels with a few steamy ones.

"I... That... But..." She tried to say something but was interrupted by Albert.

"Oh come on, I already voiced my opinion. I'm fine if they'll know. I can defend myself." He said with a cheeky smile. "But my opinion wasn't stated much by a 'voice' but rather an 'action'."

Jean heard this and the reaction intensified. Her ears turned red as she looked at him with a flustered face. Her shoulders were slightly fidgeting from being embarrassed.

'That's a great reaction.' Seeing her reaction, Albert chuckled. He then continued to tease her. "Oh come on, don't leave me hanging. So, what's your answer to my unusual confessio—"

Before Albert could continue his teasing, his shirt's collar was suddenly grabbed by Jean and the latter leaned forward to send a reply to Albert's 'confession'.

It was a long and enchanting attack from Jean and Albert couldn't help but notice how amateurish she was when doing it. Even so, the way she reached out to him was so provocative, Albert had no choice but to retaliate, but it was to no avail. Even though she had no experience, she knew what she should be doing from reading all those novels...

After a few seconds, she let go of Albert and quickly covered her mouth with her arm. "Y-You better not regret this..."

Albert regained his freedom from the savage monster that was ravaging his tongue and breathed heavily.

He then regained his composure and straightened his posture. He then nodded at her with a smile. "Yes, oh brave one."

"Stop calling me that already." She approached him with the red tinge not leaving her face, although, she still felt angry that Albert kept calling her names. She then placed her hand on his face and caressed it. "Since you decided, you have to be careful from now on. Get stronger to protect yourself."

Albert grabbed her hand and nodded with his eyes closed. "Alright."

The two soon leaned to each other's faces once more for another fight. This time, Albert did not intend to lose to Jean's attack. However, it was a futile struggle.

Soon, snow started to fall down from the sky and it did not take long for them to gather around Mondstadt.

It was also at this time that a couple walked out of a restaurant in the middle of the night and walked to the man's house together.

And so comes a lifeful night inside the man's room.

* * *

A/N: No seggs scene for you

Also

The voters in discord have decided.