Paimon: "You're really planning to sleep with these?"
Eula looked down at her hands.
She had completely forgotten she was still wearing them.
Eula: "..."
Then she replied calmly.
Eula: "They're souvenirs from dinner."
Paimon whispered to Aether:
Paimon: "Souvenirs worth 24,000 Mora..."
Aether sighed softly.
Shenhe, however, hadn't moved.
She was simply watching Aether.
Silently.
Aether finally noticed her gaze.
Aether: "Shenhe?"
She replied calmly.
Shenhe: "Where are you sleeping?"
Aether blinked.
Aether: "Here."
He pointed to the inn behind him.
Shenhe observed the entrance for a few seconds.
Shenhe: "Hm."
She thought for a moment.
Shenhe: "In that case, I'll sleep nearby."
Paimon tilted his head.
Paimon: "Nearby?"
Shenhe answered casually.
Shenhe: "On the roof."
Silence.
Paimon: "ON THE ROOF?!"
Aether sighed softly.
Aether: "Shenhe... you know you can also take a room."
Shenhe shook her head slightly.
Shenhe: "It's not necessary."
She calmly placed a hand on her chest.
Shenhe: "I prefer to stay outside."
Then she added, with utmost simplicity:
Shenhe: "That way, I can react immediately if anyone tries to attack you."
Paimon turned to Aether.
Paimon: "She's serious..."
Aether smiled faintly.
Aether: "Yes... I think so."
Eula observed the scene with a neutral expression.
But inwardly...
Eula: "Is she really planning to stand guard all night?"
A faint vein throbbed in her temple.
Eula: "Ridiculous."
Ganyu, for her part, seemed used to this kind of behavior.
Ganyu: "Shenhe has always been... very determined."
Shenhe looked at Aether one last time.
Shenhe: "Get some rest."
Aether nodded.
Aether: "You too."
Paimon raised his hand.
Paimon: "Good night, everyone!"
Aether smiled.
Aether: "Good night."
Ganyu inclined his head slightly.
Ganyu: "Good night."
Eula looked away slightly.
Eula: "Hm... good night."
Shenhe said nothing.
She simply watched Aether enter the inn.
The door closed softly.
Inside, Aether stretched.
Paimon yawned immediately.
Paimon: "Paimon will be sleeping for... at least ten hours."
Aether chuckled softly.
Aether: "Good luck with that."
They slowly climbed the inn's stairs.
Meanwhile, outside:
Shenhe looked up at the roof.
Then, with a light, silent leap,
Tap
She jumped.
Her body gracefully slid through the air before landing on the roof tiles.
She sat calmly, crossing her legs.
Her gaze fell upon the window of Aether's room.
The night breeze gently stirred her white hair.
Out in the street, Eula watched Shenhe's silhouette on the rooftop.
Eula: "I see."
She lightly squeezed the two bottles.
Eula: "Very well."
A small, determined smile appeared on her lips.
Eula: "Tomorrow…"
I'll make sure he comes to Mondstadt.
Not far from her, Ganyu silently watched the scene.
Ganyu: "Tomorrow might be… an interesting day."
Author's Note: If only Ganyu knew how right she was.
Inside the inn:
Night had fallen on Liyue. Lanterns hanging from the buildings gently illuminated the cobblestone streets as the last merchants packed up their stalls.
The air was cool, and a light breeze made the bells hanging from the eaves jingle.
Aether and Paimon had just entered the inn.
Paimon stretched, floating in the air.
Paimon: "Paimon is exhausted… this day has been far too long."
Aether nodded with a faint, tired smile.
Aether: "Good night."
Paimon: "Good night."
They both went up to their room, leaving the almost empty reception area behind.
Meanwhile, outside the inn:
Eula stood on the entrance steps, holding two bottles of liquor. She gazed at the night sky for a moment.
Eula: "When I return to Mondstadt… I'll remember to pay him back the 24,000 mora…"
She sighed softly.
She knew she'd overstepped her bounds.
But on the other hand…
Eula: "It was good."
She was about to enter.
Then suddenly.
CCCCCCRRRRRRRRREEEEEEE
A strange noise.
A spectral scraping.
Eula froze instantly.
Her gaze turned cold.
In a fraction of a second, the Mondstadt knight placed the bottles against her hip and drew her great two-handed sword.
SCHING
She assumed a perfect fighting stance.
Her eyes scanned the darkness.
Eula: "Show yourself."
A figure floated behind her.
A spirit.
A spirit talisman.
It floated silently in the air, its presence emitting a Cryo energy very familiar.
Eula narrowed her eyes slightly.
Talisman Spirit: "..... "
The spirit didn't speak.
It simply raised an arm.
Then it pointed at something.
The roof of the inn.
Eula slowly followed the direction of the finger.
She raised her head.
Then, when she turned back to the spirit,
it had vanished.
CCCCccrrrrrrrreeeeee
Silence.
Eula remained motionless for a few seconds.
Then she sighed softly.
Eula: "Shenhe…"
She understood now.
The Cryo presence, the talisman and the message.
Eula: "She wants to talk to me."
She looked at the two bottles.
Then she grasped them with one hand.
She slipped them between her fingers with surprising skill.
Eula twirled her greatsword in her hand before sheathing it. back.
Eula: "Very well."
She stepped back slightly.
Then
CLACK
She planted herself on the ground.
And leaped.
Her silhouette rose into the air with surprising agility.
She placed one foot on the inn wall.
Then another.
And another.
TAP TAP TAP
She literally ran along the wall before spinning in mid-air.
FLIP
And
BAM
She landed on the roof.
Her boots hit the tiles with a dull thud.
The wind was blowing lightly.
And there.
Standing in the center of the roof.
Shenhe was waiting for her.
Shenhe: " ...."
Her long white hair floated in the night breeze.
Beside her floated the spirit talisman.
And in her hand.
Her spear.
She stood perfectly Right.
Silent.
Calm.
But the air around her was heavy.
Eula slowly straightened up.
The two women looked at each other.
Neither spoke.
Their weapons were ready.
The wind was blowing.
For several seconds, there was complete silence.
Two warriors.
Two Cryo users.
Two women with icy stares.
Then Shenhe spoke.
Her voice was calm.
But extremely direct.
Shenhe: "Are you a threat to my relationship?"
Eula blinked slightly.
The question was blunt.
But she didn't seem surprised.
She let out a small, quiet laugh.
Eula: "You're rather direct."
She placed the two bottles beside her.
Then she crossed her arms.
Eula: "I suppose you're talking about Aether."
Shenhe didn't answer.
But his gaze never left Eula.
The spear was still ready.
Eula smiled slightly.
Eula: "So that's it..."
She took a few steps onto the roof.
The tiles creaked softly under her boots.
Eula: "I was wondering when you'd finally come and talk to me."
Shenhe replied calmly.
Shenhe: "I've been watching you."
Eula raised an eyebrow.
Eula: "Oh?"
Shenhe continued.
Shenhe: "Ever since you arrived in Liyue."
Eula sighed softly.
Eula: "So you thought I was going to attack Aether?"
Shenhe: "No."
Shenhe shook his head.
Shenhe: "But you're in love with him."
Silence.
Eula remained Motionless.
Then a smile appeared.
Eula: "You're very observant."
Shenhe replied immediately.
Shenhe: "I can sense people's intentions."
She placed the tip of her spear on the ground.
CLACK
Shenhe: "And yours are clear."
Eula crossed her arms.
Eula: "And yours too."
The two women looked at each other.
FFFFFFffffffffff
The wind passed between them.
Eula continued.
Eula: "So... you want to know if I'm a threat to your relationship with him?"
Shenhe nodded.
Shenhe: "Yes."
Eula thought for a moment, then answered calmly.
Eula: "I'm not a threat to him."
She placed a hand on her hip.
Shenhe: "But as for your relationship..."
She smiled slightly.
Eula: "That will depend on him."
Shenhe's gaze hardened slightly as Eula continued speaking.
Eula: "I won't lie."
She looked up at the sky.
Eula: "Aether is exceptional, brave, and honest."
"And incredibly kind."
She looked down at Shenhe.
Eula: "Anyone could fall in love with him."
Shenhe remained silent.
Eula continued.
Eula: "But I don't intend to hurt him."
"Never."
She spoke sincerely, and a silence fell.
Then Shenhe spoke.
Shenhe: "Me neither."
Her voice was calm.
But extremely serious.
Shenhe: "If he suffers..."
She slowly raised her spear.
SCHWING
And pointed it at Eula.
The gleaming tip stopped a few centimeters from her chest.
Shenhe: "The person responsible will regret it."
The wind blew.
The two women's hair floated, then Eula looked at the spear.
Then she smiled.
Eula: "Interesting."
She placed a hand on the cold metal of the spear.
And gently pushed it away.
Eula: "Same warning from me."
Shenhe narrowed her eyes slightly.
Eula continued.
Eula: "If anyone hurts him..."
Her eyes turned icy.
Eula: "I'll take care of it personally."
The two women remained motionless.
Then Shenhe nodded slowly.
As if a kind of understanding had just emerged.
Shenhe: "So we agree."
Eula replied calmly.
Eula: "Yes."
Shenhe swung her spear.
SCHWING
Then she placed it on his shoulder.
Shenhe: "Be careful."
Eula raised an eyebrow.
Eula: "Be careful of what?"
Shenhe replied simply.
Shenhe: "Not to hurt his heart."
As she spoke, a white form made of cryo elemental energy formed around her.
The spirit talisman glowed.
CCCCccrrrrrrrreeeeee
FFFFFFFFfffffffffff
The wind rose, and Shenhe vanished.
She leaped from the roof with supernatural agility.
A few seconds later:
She was already at Aether's bedroom window.
Tap
She landed silently on the sill as Aether slept soundly inside.
Paimon lay beside him on the bed, snoring softly.
Shenhe: "....."
Shenhe watched the scene.
Then she sat down by the window.
But that same woman was calm and silent.
Like a guardian.
Meanwhile, on the rooftop:
Eula stared at the spot where Shenhe had disappeared.
Then she sighed.
Eula: "What a strange woman..."
She retrieved the two bottles.
Observed them for a moment.
Then smiled slightly.
Eula: "But interesting."
She looked up at the window where Aether was sleeping.
Then she murmured.
Eula: "You really are surrounded by dangerous people... Aether."
"But at least, these same people appreciate you."
She took a sip of alcohol.
Then she jumped off the roof as Liyue's night continued.
The next day:
The morning light filtered softly through the curtains of the small inn room.
The first rays of sunlight illuminated the wooden furniture and made fine particles of dust dance in the air.
Aether slowly opened his eyes.
For a few seconds, he remained motionless, staring at the ceiling.
The previous day's fatigue still weighed slightly on his body, but his mind was already awakening.
He took a deep breath.
Then he sat up a little in bed.
Yesterday's events gradually came back to him:
- The walk by the lake with Shenhe.
- The fishing.
- Dinner at the restaurant.
- The nighttime stroll through the streets of Liyue.
And also…
- The letter.
Aether frowned slightly.
This was the reason he had come to Liyue.
A letter sent by Ganyu.
He closed his eyes for a moment to remember the exact words, then he sighed softly.
Author's Note: "I was too lazy to rewrite the paragraph, so if you want the content of the letter, it's in chapter 3 or 4."
He put a hand behind his head and lay back on the bed.
Aether: "Is Shenhe really sick…"
His voice was low, almost a whisper.
He slowly turned his head to the right.
Beside the bed, Paimon was still floating in the air… fast asleep.
Her small arms were outstretched as if she were swimming in a dream.
From time to time, she stirred slightly, muttering something incomprehensible.
Aether watched her for a few seconds.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Then he became thoughtful again.
Aether was lost in his memories of the previous day.
He tried to remember if Shenhe had acted strangely.
But the more he thought about it, the more normal everything seemed:
She had been calm, quiet, and protective.
But… it was exactly as usual.
Aether frowned.
Aether: "She carried me in her arms…"
He remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he shrugged slightly.
Aether: "But Shenhe often does things that are a little… unusual."
He also thought back to their time at the lake.
She had hugged him, but again…
It wasn't necessarily strange for someone who had never really lived among humans.
Aether sighed.
Aether: "Is Ganyu worrying for nothing?"
He sat up a little more on the bed.
His feet touched the floor.
The room was quiet.
In the distance, the sounds of the city's morning could be heard: the merchants setting up their stalls, the voices of the locals starting their day.
Aether rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward slightly.
He was thinking seriously.
Aether: "Yesterday…"
He recalled each moment:
- The meeting with Ganyu.
- Dinner.
- The walk.
- The conversations.
But none of the memories gave him the impression that Shenhe was unwell.
On the contrary.
She seemed rather… happy.
Aether looked up.
Aether: "Maybe Ganyu is just worrying too much."
He knew Ganyu well.
She tended to worry a great deal about others.
Especially Shenhe.
After all, they were practically family.
Aether ran a hand through her hair.
Aether: "But if she sent me a letter... she must have had a good reason."
He couldn't ignore it.
He looked again at Paimon, who was still fast asleep.
She let out a soft snore.
Aether smiled slightly.
Then he finally got out of bed.
He walked to the window and opened it gently.
The fresh morning air entered the room.
The view overlooked the already bustling streets of Liyue.
Aether rested his arms on the windowsill.
Aether: "Well..."
He remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he made a decision.
Aether: "I guess I'll have to extend our stay in Liyue for another day."
He wanted to be sure.
Even though Shenhe seemed fine.
Even though he hadn't noticed anything unusual.
He wanted to understand why Ganyu was so worried.
Aether looked up at the sky above Liyue. Then he murmured to himself:
Aether: "Today, I'm going to try to understand what's really going on."
Behind him, Paimon stirred in her sleep.
And muttered:
Paimon: "...more shrimp..."
Aether looked at her and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
A few moments later:
The morning sun bathed the peaceful gardens of Liyue in a golden light.
The leaves of the trees stirred gently in the breeze, and birds sang in the branches. The place was calm, almost timeless.
Not far from a small stone pavilion, an old woman was quietly preparing tea.
It was Madame Ping.
Seated at her small round table, she handled the utensils with elegant precision, as if each gesture were part of an ancient ritual. Steam rose gently from the teapot, releasing a subtle fragrance into the air.
A few meters away, four people were talking.
Aether, Paimon, Shenhe, and Eula.
They had just met up again.
Paimon floated beside Aether, who was still a little sleepy but already attentive to everything happening around her.
Shenhe stood straight and calm, her spear resting on her back, her face as serene as the day before.
Eula, for her part, had her arms crossed and silently observed the situation.
After a few seconds of silence, Shenhe asked in a quiet voice:
Shenhe: "So, what do you want to do today?"
Aether lightly rubbed the back of his neck.
He had been thinking since he woke up.
He finally decided to be honest.
Aether: "I'm going to try to use this day to figure out what's wrong with you."
Chapter 15: Threatening for love
The End