"Drink only sweet dew, eat only fine grain."
This saying describes the qilin—beasts that drink the morning's pure dew and eat only grains, untouched by worldly indulgence. Among all adeptal beasts, the qilin are the gentlest and most elegant.
Ganyu, who carries half the blood of a qilin, embodies this perfectly. Beyond her adeptal traits, she has a calm, graceful composure that never wavers.
The "Xiao Hai" she spoke of was Tian Shu, often fishing by the sea and fond of calling her "big sister." Thus, she teasingly nicknamed him "Little Hai."
Mistaking the footsteps in the corridor for him, Ganyu continued working without looking up.
"Xiao Hai, Huixin was reassigned by Lady Ningguang to help prepare the banquet, so I'll have to trouble you tonight. There's a lot of paperwork left from the day—we'll be working late."
She spoke softly while her brush flew across the documents, her adeptal blood allowing her to work and chat at the same time.
She chatted on, mentioning how she had gone to welcome the Snezhnayan delegation that morning, how the Severin was rumored to be extraordinary—praised by the Tsaritsa herself as a "once-in-an-age genius."
"From afar, he looked so refined and gentle… I wish I could have met him up close. It's a pity I missed the banquet."
Severin, silently playing the role of "Xiao Hai," answered in Tian Shu's voice and followed her requests—grinding ink, watering the Qingxin flowers on the balcony, even cleaning the office.
The Qingxin had nearly withered from heat and neglect. With a hint of divine power and water, Severin revived them instantly, their fragrance blooming in return. The same light Qingxin scent lingered faintly around Ganyu herself—proof of her fondness for the plant, even in her meals.
By midnight, the office was quiet except for cicadas and the soft rustle of brush on paper.
Then Ganyu added another task.
"Please help me sort that large box of documents. They're… love letters. Written to Lady Ningguang and Lady Keqing."
She sounded puzzled rather than amused.
"I don't understand men. They know there's no chance, yet they keep writing. And those two actually read them regularly, saying they find joy in it. I really don't get it."
After a pause, Severin asked, still in Tian Shu's voice,
"Ganyu, have you ever received a confession letter?"
"I… no. I'm always working, rarely appear in public. Most people only know of me by name. I don't think I need such things anyway."
Her words were calm, but Severin heard the faint, unspoken curiosity beneath them.
By dawn, the sorting was finished. Love letters from all seven nations filled the box—proof that Ningguang and Keqing were admired across Teyvat.
Then Severin spoke softly.
"Ganyu, there's one letter here… addressed to you."
"That must be a mistake," she replied quickly. "It's probably meant for Lady Keqing, like before."
"The envelope is very clear," Severin said with a smile. "To Ganyu of Yuehai Pavilion."
This letter, of course, was one he had created himself.
"…Then bring it here."
Trying to appear indifferent, Ganyu opened the letter—hands trembling slightly.
'To witness the changes of the world and the cycles of humanity, yet never reconcile with loneliness…
Your contract with the Lord of Geo should not be your cage.
Open your heart and embrace the world. You will find a Liyue worth protecting—not merely for a contract.'
The signature read simply: "Liyue."
It wasn't romance so much as understanding—precise, gentle, and devastatingly accurate.
For over a thousand years, her devotion had been driven by contract. Yet loneliness had always followed her. This letter told her, quietly, to live for more than duty.
"Xiao Hai," she murmured, suddenly suspicious, "the ink isn't dry. Did you write this… to comfort me?"
Exhausted from the long night, Ganyu finally turned around—
—and froze.
Purple eyes widened. A hand flew to her lips.
"Y-you… you're the Snezhnayan Prince?!"
...
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