When Beidou finished her introduction, Xiangling clasped her small fists in front of her chest, her eyes sparkling like little stars.
"Wow—are you really that peerless Prince of Snezhnaya?!"
For a moment, Xiangling could hardly believe it.
She often heard travelers and merchants who dined at Wanmin Restaurant recount stories about the Prince of Snezhnaya. Though the details varied from tale to tale, they all shared one thing in common—this Prince's talent for governing was unmatched in the world.
Beidou cleared her throat lightly. "Xiangling, behave yourself."
"O–oh!" Xiangling immediately reined in her starry-eyed excitement and bowed respectfully.
"Wanmin Restaurant extends its warmest greetings to Your Highness. Welcome!"
She then took out a menu and handed it to Severin.
"Please feel free to order anything you like, Your Highness! Our Wanmin Restaurant's specialty Liyue cuisine is famous across the entire continent!"
Once the topic shifted to her area of expertise, Xiangling quickly regained her usual confidence.
At that moment, however, Guoba suddenly bumped his head against Severin's leg.
"Guoba, don't bother the guest!" Xiangling scolded.
Though she doted on Guoba in daily life, she was strict when it came to business. If Guoba ruined the Prince of Snezhnaya's dining experience, the responsibility would be far too great.
As she spoke, Xiangling moved to usher Guoba outside.
Severin set down the menu. "Miss Xiangling, wait."
"Your Highness, he'll disturb your meal—"
"Today," Severin said calmly, "Guoba will choose the dishes for me."
Xiangling and Beidou both froze.
What…?
"Your Highness," Xiangling explained carefully, "he's just a mascot. He doesn't have intelligence—he can't order food."
"That's right," Beidou chimed in.
"Just think of Guoba as a pet."
To outsiders, Guoba—silent, clumsy, and adorable—was nothing more than a comforting mascot. Something you played with when bored, or vented to when upset. After all, he couldn't talk back.
"Captain Beidou, Guoba isn't a pet," Xiangling said seriously.
"He's my partner."
She had grown up with Guoba, and their bond ran deep.
Severin pulled over a chair and said meaningfully, "Guoba is indeed not a pet—but he's not your partner either."
"If one wishes to be Guoba's partner, you're still not qualified."
If he told them that Guoba's true companions were Yaksha, ancient gods, and Rex Lapis himself, they would probably faint on the spot.
Severin placed the menu on the table and lifted Guoba onto the chair.
"Guoba, I know you understand me. Since I've come to Liyue, why don't you recommend some local delicacies for me?"
Perched on the chair, Guoba swayed back and forth, wobbling as he tried to climb onto the table. He slipped and fell.
He tried again—and fell again.
Severin didn't rush him. He waited patiently.
In his heart, he couldn't help but sigh.
The Stove God Marchosius, once a deity on par with the Dust God Guizhong, had possessed a unique divine authority. Vast in body, breathing true flame, he had once followed Rex Lapis through the Archon War, fighting countless enemies.
Later, to quell a great calamity, he sacrificed all his power—losing his memories, his wisdom regressing to that of a child.
Marchosius's contribution to Liyue was no less than Kitsune Saiguu's sacrifice for Inazuma.
Yet today, his glorious deeds had long vanished from history. Only the adepti and Rex Lapis still remembered.
A once-legendary god… reduced to a human mascot, even a pet.
After several attempts, Guoba finally climbed onto the table. Sitting in front of Severin, he held the menu with both hands and poked at it with his finger.
Though Xiangling didn't understand Severin's intentions, since the guest had made his wishes clear, she could only stand aside and record the order.
"Stir-fried tofu."
"Grilled gluten."
"Steamed eggplant."
"Tomato soup."
Guoba put down the menu and smiled innocently at the man before him.
"Miss Xiangling," Severin said, "that will be three dishes and one soup."
Xiangling was stunned.
These dishes were far too plain—hardly representative of Liyue cuisine at all.
"Your Highness… would you like to add some meat dishes?"
"No need."
If Guoba had chosen these dishes, there must be a reason.
Severin sipped his tea while Xiangling brought out the four vegetarian dishes.
He tasted each one carefully, savoring them for a long while before finally speaking.
"Wonderful. These are among the most ancient dishes of Liyue. Thousands of years ago, they often appeared on the tables of Liyue's ancestors."
"In times of scarcity, during breaks from farming or pauses amid war, preparing three dishes and one soup—paired with a pot of clear wine—was enough to share brief moments of happiness with friends and family."
"These flavors let me experience the ordinary yet fulfilling lives of ancient Liyue's people."
Beidou skeptically picked up her chopsticks and tried a few bites herself. The more she ate, the more confused she became.
"Your Highness… why can't I taste what you're describing?"
This time, Xiangling answered for Severin.
"Captain Beidou, the Prince's commentary proves that his understanding of cuisine has reached an extraordinary level."
"You're eating food—but His Highness is tasting the weight of time."
As a chef, Xiangling had met many food critics. From that moment on, she firmly categorized Severin as a true gourmet.
Beidou pouted. "I still prefer life at sea—big gulps of wine, big bites of meat. Eating with cultured folks like you makes me uncomfortable… uh, Your Highness, I wasn't talking about you."
Severin laughed. "There's no need to force elegance, Miss Beidou. Let's try the grilled Tiger Fish."
After one bite, Beidou raised her thumb enthusiastically.
"Xiangling! This dish is a success! I've never eaten fish this good in my life!"
Xiangling turned to Severin—she wanted to hear his evaluation.
"The technique and heat are flawless," Severin said calmly, "but it lacks a soul."
Xiangling hurriedly asked, "What is it missing? Please guide me, Your Highness."
"You treated this dish as a task commissioned by Beidou," he replied,
"not as a dish of Wanmin Restaurant, made with genuine care."
Xiangling lowered her head in shame. "I've learned from this, Your Highness."
When developing the grilled Tiger Fish, her mindset had indeed been just as Severin said—completing a task, rather than creating a dish of her own restaurant.
That the Prince of Snezhnaya could taste this so precisely was… astonishing.
"Prince…"
Suddenly, the three of them heard a strange voice.
They all looked down—
Guoba had spoken.
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