"..." Akio was momentarily at a loss for words. Keqing, who had tackled him onto the bed, he wrapped his arms around her slender waist.
"My dear, could you be any cuter?" Keqing laughed. "Eating vinegar over something so small, hehe."
"Keqing, let's not talk about it. I admit I'm being a bit unreasonable," Akio said seriously.
"Don't worry, we'll stay by your side forever and ever," Keqing said, rubbing her face against Akio's chest. "No one can come between our feelings..."
"Keqing~"
As Akio exchanged sweet words with Keqing, the door creaked open. Ganyu rushed in, her eyes slightly red with emotion.
"Ganyu?" Akio looked at her with concern, puzzled by her urgency.
"My dear~" Ganyu called out with a hint of grievance before diving into Akio's arms.
"Ganyu..." Akio's expression turned complicated. Holding her close, he could guess that Ningguang must have said something to her.
"I'm sorry... my love, I... I didn't pay attention to your feelings... I... I was wrong..." Ganyu apologized in a flustered rush, terrified that Akio might misunderstand her.
"My dear, Ganyu only holds gratitude and reverence for the Geo Archon, nothing more. The only lover in Ganyu's heart is you," she said earnestly. "If you're upset because of this, punish me as you see fit, but please don't be angry..."
As she spoke, Ganyu took Akio's hand and placed it on her horns. She knew he loved touching them, and if this could make him happy, so be it.
"When have I ever said I don't trust you, sweetheart?" Akio hugged her tightly, gently rubbing her head. "I trust you completely, one hundred percent."
"It's just a tiny bit of selfishness on my part that got in the way of our mood," Akio said, leaning down to kiss Ganyu.
"Mmm~" Seeing that Akio truly wasn't angry, Ganyu responded to his kiss with equal tenderness.
"Aww, see? Everything's fine once you talk things out. Luckily, both you and Ganyu are straightforward and don't like to keep things bottled up. If you hide your discomfort and let it fester, it could create cracks in your relationship over time," Ningguang said with a smile from the side.
"Exactly. A lot of things turn out to be misunderstandings once you voice them. If you don't, you might end up regretting it for a lifetime," Keqing agreed, exchanging a glance with Ningguang.
Her beautiful violet eyes twinkling with amusement, Keqing coughed lightly. "So, who gets to have hubby tonight?"
"Are you saying we can't all share him? Or are you doubting his stamina?" Ningguang teased with a sly smile.
"You're absolutely crazy..." Keqing's cheeks turned slightly red. It looked like tonight was going to be wild~
"Ha, as long as my love is happy, I'm willing to do anything for him," Ningguang said with a smile.
"Same here," Keqing nodded, her gaze soft as water as she looked at Akio.
Perhaps because both Ganyu and Akio felt a tinge of guilt toward each other, the love they shared that night was especially intense. Even the moon hanging high in the sky seemed to shy away, hiding behind layers of clouds.
The next morning, Akio slowly opened his eyes to find Ganyu nestled in his arms, staring at his face with a dreamy look.
"Good morning, my love~" Seeing Akio awake, Ganyu greeted him softly in her sweet, gentle voice.
"Good morning, sweetheart~" Akio pulled Ganyu's head closer.
"Darling, is my sleeping posture bad?" Ganyu asked cautiously.
"Not at all," Akio replied with a tender smile, embracing her and planting a light kiss on her forehead.
"My sweetheart's sleeping posture is perfect~"
...
"Where are Keqing and Ningguang?" After a moment of cuddling, Akio asked curiously.
"They're making breakfast," Ganyu replied.
"Apparently, they're arguing over whose cooking you like better. Neither of them wanted to back down, so they got up early to start cooking."
"They've got that much energy?" Akio said in surprise. After last night's escapades, they could still get up and cook in the morning?
"Darling, I can cook too," the usually serene little qilin declared, refusing to be outdone.
"Oh? What can my darling Ganyu whip up?" Akio asked with a smile.
"I... I'm really good at a signature Liyue dish—Universal Peace," Ganyu said. "It's sweet and delicious."
"Universal Peace," Akio raised an eyebrow. "I've had that dish in Liyue. It's a main course I really enjoy."
"But I heard from Chef Mao that the dish symbolizes peace for the people and harmony among citizens," Akio continued. "If my little Ganyu makes this dish, it'll surely bless Liyue with prosperity and peace."
"How about this, sweetheart? Let's call your version of the dish 'Era of Prosperity and Peace,'" Akio suggested with a smile.
"'Era of Prosperity and Peace'? That's such a wonderful name..." Ganyu murmured, staring at Akio in a daze.
"So, my dear~ when are you going to make an 'Era of Prosperity and Peace' for me?" Akio asked, pinching Ganyu's cheek playfully.
"How about noon, darling? If you want to eat it, I can make it for you anytime," Ganyu replied earnestly.
"Such a good girl~"
Just then, the door swung open.
Keqing and Ningguang walked in, looking at the two who had just woken up. "Darling, Ganyu, come eat! Let's see whose food is better!"
"..." Akio and Ganyu exchanged a glance, sensing the competitive tension in the air. They couldn't help but swallow nervously.
The two sat upright at the table, Ganyu with a vegetable and fruit salad and sweet rice porridge made by Keqing in front of her, while Akio had an additional dish of Mora Meat—a specialty of Ningguang's.
Under the scrutinizing gazes of the two chefs, Akio and Ganyu braced themselves and finished the food before them.
"So? Darling? Ganyu?" Ningguang and Keqing asked in unison.
"Emm..." Akio pondered for a moment. "Ningguang, sweetheart, your Mora Meat has a perfect soft and chewy crust, with evenly balanced lean and fatty meat. The honey-like juices seep out with every bite—a truly rare delicacy."
"Keqing, dear, your salad is wonderfully fresh and sweet, and it's incredibly healthy too."
"So my verdict is—you're both equally amazing. There's no winner or loser here," Akio said with a smile.
"I think the same as darling," Ganyu chimed in with a nod, not daring to invite trouble.
"..." Ningguang and Keqing were left speechless. These two were just dodging the issue with vague compliments.
"Hmph, if we can't settle this now, next time we'll have the other sisters judge," Keqing huffed.
"Bring it on," Ningguang replied, her competitive spirit fired up.
"..." Ganyu and Akio exchanged another look and sighed quietly. These two women, with such high status, were bickering over something so trivial. It was... honestly hilarious!
A/N: Enjoying the story? Read 60+ chapters ahead on Patreon! Your support helps: Patreon.com/nneol