---
Chapter 14: The Lady's Misstep and the Fatui's Suspicion
---
The Lady was on the verge of exploding. While the Fatui had never been known for their good deeds, this time they weren't responsible for the fall of Stormterror. Yet here she was, being blamed for it! If it weren't for the need to maintain diplomacy, she would have cursed everyone out.
---
Dawn Winery.
Diluc sipped a grape-flavored drink, watching the Lady's response in the Q&A chat group with disdain.
---
[Diluc: "Miss Mademoiselle, do you even listen to yourself?"]
[Diluc: "Let's get one thing straight. Dvalin is a servant of the Wind God. There's no way he'd betray Barbatos. And yet, as soon as you Fatui show up in Mondstadt, we suddenly have a dragon problem?"]
[Diluc: "Even a three-year-old wouldn't believe that's a coincidence. Only the fools in the Knights could be swayed by your lies!"]
---
[Jean: "Diluc, the Knights are... well, never mind..."]
[Zhongli: "Mr. Diluc's reasoning is sound. It's hard to ignore such a convenient coincidence."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "I agree. It feels like there's an invisible hand orchestrating everything behind the scenes."]
[Xingqiu: "Indeed, this would work well as a plot in a novel, but this is reality!"]
[Tartaglia: "Wait, what? Could we Fatui really be behind this? @Lady, did you hide this from me?"]
---
[Lady: "Tartaglia, you idiot!"]
---
At the Goethe Grand Hotel in Mondstadt, the Lady felt her temper rise as she read Tartaglia's message. How could he be so dense? They were supposed to be on the same side! Instead of helping, he was making her look even guiltier. She swore that once she returned, she'd make sure to visit him in front of the Tsaritsa!
Still, even she began to wonder. Could it be that the Fatui were secretly behind Dvalin's fall? The connections were too suspicious, even for her.
---
[Ding! Congratulations to the Lady for successfully grabbing the chance to answer. Please proceed with your response!]
[Lady: "I choose B. The culprits behind Dvalin's fall into Stormterror are the Fatui!"]
---
A cold gleam flashed in the Lady's eyes as she made her choice. Even though she had her doubts, she couldn't risk anyone else answering correctly and claiming the reward. Better to take a chance and answer first.
Her bold move sent shockwaves through the Q&A chat group.
---
[Kaeya: "So it really was the Fatui?"]
[Diluc: "Hmph. The Fatui have finally shown their true colors."]
[Eula: "This betrayal won't be forgotten!"]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "No wonder everything lined up so perfectly. It turns out the Fatui were pulling the strings all along!"]
[Jean: "Mademoiselle, the Knights will be expecting an explanation for your attack on our dragon."]
[Moment: "So the dragon plague was really orchestrated by the Fatui... Looks like we'll need to be even more cautious with them in Liyue."]
[Ningguang: "I'll arrange for my people to keep an eye out. The Rite of Descension is coming up, and we can't afford any disruptions."]
[Tartaglia: "Hey, hold on! I had nothing to do with this! It was all the Lady's doing! I'm innocent!"]
[Tartaglia: "And you, Lady, you lied to me! You just wanted to hog the chance to answer! @Lady"]
[Lady: "Shut up, Tartaglia!"]
---
The Lady smirked as she read the angry messages from the Knights. She still didn't know exactly when the Fatui had supposedly attacked Stormterror, but based on everyone's reactions, it seemed like she had guessed correctly.
But then, the Q&A system's familiar, cold mechanical voice returned.
---
[The Lady's answer is incorrect! Prepare for punishment!]
---
[Lady: "???"]
[Lady: "How could I be wrong?!"]
---
The Lady was stunned. She had taken a calculated risk based on the analysis of everyone in the chat, hoping to secure a reward. But now, it seemed she had made a fatal misstep.
What kind of nonsense had everyone been spouting?
The Lady wasn't the only one shocked. Everyone in the chat group was equally surprised.
---
[Diluc: "Impossible. Could it really be that the Fatui had nothing to do with Stormterror? Was it all just an accident?"]
[Zhongli: "At first, it seems too coincidental to be random, but upon further reflection, it's not entirely illogical."]
[Xingqiu: "Listening to you is better than reading a novel!"]
[Yae Miko: "Hehe, sometimes reality is stranger than fiction."]
[Fischl: "In the name of the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, this must be destiny!"]
[Oz: "Miss means it's all just a coincidence."]
[Kaeya: "So Stormterror's fall had nothing to do with the Fatui after all. Thank you, Lady, for eliminating a wrong answer for us!"]
[Eula: "Thank you, Lady, for clearing that up. Now we can move on."]
[Xiangling: "Thanks, Lady, for removing one more option!"]
---
[Lady: "Shut up, all of you!"]
---
The Lady's mental state began to crumble as she read the mocking messages in the Q&A chat group. Though the Fatui had their share of ulterior motives, this time they genuinely had nothing to do with Dvalin's fall. Being wrongly accused and punished was more than she could bear.
---
Power stones goal: 1200 for an extra chapter
Read 7 chapters ahead at patreon.com/Kaisen837