A life spent in loneliness, a half-life tormented by curses.
To have someone to rely on in the second half of life — that was, without doubt, a great blessing.
Of course, if only Ryen could keep his hands under control while telling the story, it would have been even better. After all, Lisa was already at an age where her desires were just as strong as her intellect, and she had her own needs as well.
No one knew how much time had passed before Ryen finally finished telling the fairy tale in a quiet voice.
"In the end, the prince and Snow White lived happily together, while the wicked queen received the punishment she deserved."
Lisa curled her lips.
"That's such a predictable story… the ending could be seen from a mile away."
"Too cliché? Well, Klee and the others still love it."
Ryen chuckled, not at all bothered by Lisa's teasing.
Lisa blinked, then feigned irritation.
"So, you're treating me like Klee and the children you're coaxing with bedtime stories?"
"Is that a problem?"
Ryen laughed, rubbing his forehead against hers.
"No matter how old you are, in my heart you'll always be my baby girl…"
Lisa's heart trembled, and after a brief pause, she answered softly:
"Now that sounds far nicer than the fairy tale you just told… You really are a hopeless charmer."
"It's too late for regrets now," Ryen countered with a faint smile.
Lisa shook her head gently.
"If I regretted it, would I still be here now? Remember, the most important trait of a witch is rationality."
"If I weren't sure that you were the one person I could rely on for the rest of my life, I would never have let you come this close to me."
Ryen laughed quietly, then brushed a kiss against her ear, whispering:
"Any insights from that?"
Lisa tilted her head back, staring at the ceiling as though ignoring his mischief, and replied softly:
"Snow White, the wicked queen, the kind-hearted huntsman, the seven dwarves, the prince on a white horse…"
"As things stand, the only parts that really match that story are Snow White and the dwarves."
"Also, may I complain about something?"
"The huntsman saved Snow White, the dwarves sheltered her, but in the end, just because of one kiss, the princess followed the prince away."
"Should I say… that every world is ruled by looks?"
Ryen raised his head and teased with a mischievous smile:
"If you want to twist it even further, then you could say…"
"Snow White spent too much time tangled up with the seven dwarves, something went wrong, and in the end she found a gullible prince to clean up the mess."
Lisa instantly frowned and muttered in disgust:
"Ugh, when you put it that way, it suddenly sounds revolting."
"Didn't you want a less proper version of the story?"
Ryen looked at her with mock innocence.
Lisa rolled her eyes.
"I was about to say you were my prince on a white horse…"
"And now?"
"Now…"
Lisa smiled meaningfully.
"You're still my prince on a white horse, but I refuse to be Snow White."
Ryen paused for a moment, then chuckled:
"Then you'd rather be the wicked queen?"
"No!"
Lisa shook her head firmly, her voice carrying deeper meaning:
"I am your white horse…"
Those words instantly ignited Ryen's blood. He couldn't hold back any longer.
The quilt was tossed aside, and he set off at a gallop.
Lisa frowned tightly but wrapped her arms around Ryen.
It didn't take long before, under Ryen's guidance, she became familiar with all the theories she once only knew on paper.
Lisa had read countless forbidden tomes — she was a master of theory.
Now, with someone to accompany her in practice, she quickly turned that knowledge into skill.
She let herself go, and that made Ryen happy.
Her vast store of knowledge transformed into experience one by one, and combined with her own strengths, it gave Ryen a happiness unlike any other.
Lisa finally understood what Ganyu once said. At first, she truly struggled to accept it.
But afterwards, Ryen was indeed gentle.
What she feared most — that terrifying power Ryen had once used to split the skies of Teyvat — never surfaced.
All she felt was his devotion and tenderness toward her.
Love surged in her heart like wildfire, burning away the last traces of reason.
The witch's rationality, in the end, could not overcome human instinct.
Lisa gave in.
The night passed beneath the quiet, star-strewn sky.
Until the break of dawn, when sunlight spilled over the land.
Exhaling softly, she lay against Ryen's chest.
Her hazy eyes took a long while to focus before she murmured:
"As expected, no matter how detailed the books are, they can't describe even a fraction of it."
"Judging by your expression, you're quite satisfied," Ryen teased with a laugh.
Lisa didn't shy away, but calmly nodded.
"Indeed. If I had just a little less rationality left, I wouldn't have let you go today."
"And you feel the same, don't you?"
Lisa lowered her head with a sly smile. She knew how irresistible she was to him — though even her own imagination had its limits.
From beginning to end, throughout the night, Ryen could not get enough of her.
Even when she reached to touch herself, Ryen wouldn't allow it.
To him, she had become his most precious treasure.
Lisa, however, was more than satisfied.
At the very least, this was her ultimate trump card.
Ryen chuckled, picked up the book by the bedside, and said softly:
"Rest for a while. Later, we'll prepare to set out."
"And also…"
"I can't read the script of Teyvat. Just what exactly is written here?"
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