May this promise last a lifetime

Chapter 44 - Cutely ruined operation

 And... it's gone.

 But I'm pretty sure he wasn't proposing. Not with how closely Neuvillette was examining the ring with a frown on his face.

 He turned to say something to Zhongli who waved his hand in return.

 Whatever they said prompted Neuvillette to take a picture of the ring and-

 Suddenly my phone buzzed.

 Making sure no one was paying attention to me I slipped it out of my pocket to take a look and it's good that I did.

 The secret of their exchange was revealed.

 In front of me was a picture of the ring sent into the little group chat with Sigewinne in it, coupled with a message.

Annoying ice cube

 -Sigewinne, if you have time during your break, could you do me a favor and give us a third opinion on this ring? The owner is having second thoughts now that he has to use it to propose.

 I glanced up at the time.

 Sigewinne's next break...

 That should be-

My little princess

 -Hey, mister! I'm on break now! Let me see!

 There she is.

 Sigewinne is predictably enough on her phone.

My little princess

 -WOW! It's very pretty! Who is it for, mister?

Annoying ice cube

 -Should I send you a picture?

My little princess

 -Yes! That would make it easier for me to create an opinion! 

 Neuvillette didn't write back for a while and I couldn't help but glance up at the now silent screen to find out what he was doing.

 He was pointing at something on his phone while Zhongli shook his head and pointed at something else.

 Are they arguing about the picture?

 Not long after the picture eventually arrived and I finally found out who the mystery fiance was.

 What the hell?

 Well, this certainly explained the Fatui's big movements.

 Childe or Tartaglia. Eleventh of the Fatui Harbingers.

 No matter how innocent he looked in this picture he was easily recognizable.

 I also realized why Neuvillette said that this engagement needed him, as Zhongli's lawyer, present and why it would be a transaction no matter what.

 A higher-up of the biggest gang or organization or whatever it is that the Fatui call themselves these days, is getting engaged to the richest man in the country, who is also not all that far away from crime himself.

 Ugh...

 This is a mess.

 This spells tons of overtime for me no matter how I look at it.

 And Sigewinne...

My little princess

 -He's cute! The ring will definitely fit him! Tell the owner not to worry!

 I wanted to tell her that Childe is most definitely not cute, but how could I?

My little princess

 -Oh, btw mister. Do you know what my dad is up to? I want to tell him that he has to pick me up from school two hours early because our music teacher is sick, but I don't want to bother him if he's in a meeting.

 I wanted to respond but Neuvillette was a tad quicker.

 And what he wrote...

Annoying ice cube

 -Your father is watching TV

 It sent shivers down my spine.

 He knows.

 He definitely knows.

 How?

 The camera is one thing but how does he know who's watching on the other end?

My little princess

 -That's not fair! I want to watch TV too! He's at work! Why is he slacking off?!

Annoying ice cube

 -To be fair he's watching without sound so it's no fun.

 Yeah.

 He definitely knows.

My little princess

 -Still not fair! 

 I glanced up to the screen for a split second only to see Neuvillette's lips curve into an almost mischievous smile.

 Oh oh.

 That doesn't seem good.

 He started typing something and I fixed my gaze on my phone once more

Annoying ice cube

 -Shall I turn it off?

 Oh my god!

 He knows where the camera is too!

My little princess

 -You can do that, mister? If you can, please do! He shouldn't be slacking off at work.

 Sigewinne my dearest, I'm currently working!

 I wanted to cry.

 My daughter was unknowingly sabotaging an undercover operation!

Annoying ice cube

 -Your wish is my command, Your Highness.

 -Oh, and Wriothesley

 What now?

 What about me?

 Can you not acknowledge my presence?

 It makes it so much more awkward!

Annoying ice cube

 -As compensation please feel free to share the nature of my meeting with Zhongli with Chief Louis before he combusts from anger when you lose visual.

 As soon as that last message came in I saw Neuvillette on the screen lift his hands and snap his fingers.

 The next second a familiar figure appeared in front of the camera.

 Alhaitham.

 The camera didn't have any audio but his words were clear as day.

 Get the hell out of here before I make you.

 And just like that, we lost visual.