(This is a comedic, slice-of-life fanfic set before the Traveler arrives. The Traveler will appear later. The protagonist does not know the game plot. If you don't like it, don't flame.)
Morning light brushed over Mondstadt, and the crisp air carried a mix of tavern-brewed malt and the fresh fragrance of flowers just beginning to bloom.
At the city gate, a tall young man stood quietly—his appearance faintly resembling Sasuke's cold handsomeness. He held a delicate food box and a bouquet of dew-kissed Cecilias close to his chest.
The guards leaned lazily against the worn stone wall, long since accustomed to this sight.
A young knight yawned loudly, nudged his partner with an elbow, and rasped in a teasing tone:
"Hey… you keeping count?
This should be… what, the ninety-ninth time?"
The older guard beside him stroked his beard, casting a pitying and bewildered glance at the youth whose good looks seemed to glow even in the dawn.
"Yichen, lad… not to nag, but with determination like yours, you could succeed at anything! Why get stuck on that…"
He hesitated, searching for the right word, and ultimately used the nickname all of Mondstadt whispered:
"…that 'Lawrence leftover'? Half the young ladies in the city have their hearts tied to you!"
Three years ago, the young man named Yichen drifted into Mondstadt like a refreshing wind.
Youthful spirit mixed with a quiet steadiness, paired with flawless looks that instantly earned him the unofficial title of "Mondstadt's Number One Handsome Man."
If he wanted, the confession letters and longing gazes from Mondstadt's girls could bury him alive.
But instead of any of those bright smiles, his eyes had locked stubbornly onto Mondstadt's loneliest shade of blue—
Eula Lawrence.
From a certain day onward—rain or shine, dawn or dusk—Yichen would appear at the places Eula often passed, carrying homemade lunchboxes or carefully chosen flowers.
Ninety-eight failures.
Today would be the ninety-ninth assault on her heart.
This obsessive pursuit, instead of diminishing his charm, only strengthened his reputation in tavern gossip and maidens' dreamy sighs.
Thus, another title was born:
"Mondstadt's No.1 Devoted Lover."
At that moment, Yichen finally spoke, his voice clear and calm.
"Hmph. How could sparrows understand the ambition of swans?"
His gaze swept past the guard who had just said 'Lawrence leftover.'
Beneath his usual gentle exterior lay a faint but sharp warning.
"And don't call her that. She has a name—Eula Lawrence.
For a Knight to use such insulting wording… isn't that disgraceful?"
He lightly lifted the food box in his hands, his tone mild but threatening:
"If this continues… tomorrow's special sandwiches and morning coffee?
You can get them yourselves."
"Ah—! Don't be like that, brother!"
The young guard panicked instantly, scrambling to pull out his coin pouch with a flattering smile.
Yichen's daily habit of bringing them the most sought-after breakfast in Mondstadt had become a blessing they relied on deeply.
"Yes, yes—Eula! Miss Eula! Definitely!"
He shoved the warm Mora into Yichen's hands earnestly.
"Brother, I really hope you succeed today! When the good news comes, I'll be the first to show up with a fat red envelope!"
Yichen accepted the still-warm Mora.
But his attention was already fixed beyond the guards—
On the familiar figure of icy blue walking slowly toward the gate.
He took a deep breath. The cool air mixed with the scent of Cecilias filling his lungs, and he tightened his hold on the lunchbox and flowers.
Then he stepped forward—toward the ninety-ninth confession.
Morning sunlight softened Mondstadt in a gentle gold hue.
Eula Lawrence's silhouette emerged from the far end of the street. Her steps were steady, but her beautiful eyes flickered—just slightly—when they landed on the familiar figure waiting for her.
As expected…
He's here again.
The thought carried a faint, hidden warmth she refused to acknowledge.
Eula inhaled sharply, forcing down the emotion threatening to crack her icy façade.
Jaw lifted. Expression neutral.
Uniform smooth. No wrinkles.
Silver hair ornament gleaming in the dawn light.
She even tilted her head subtly, letting the breeze confirm that the faint scent she'd chosen—snow pine and frost bloom—still lingered around her.
Every step balanced between Lawrence pride…
and her heart's unsteady rhythm.
Yichen approached with a bright, youthful stride.
Under Mondstadt's morning sun, his smile was dazzling—clean, warm, and impossible to resist.
He offered the dew-kissed Cecilias.
Petals like snow, shimmering faintly like tiny stars.
"I like you, Eula.
Please date me—with marriage as the goal."
Sunlight danced across his lashes and traced his smiling lips, outlining his figure like a sculpture blessed by the gods.
Too bright.
Too warm.
Too much.
Eula's heart seized.
No—don't look!
The disastrous memory of the 91st confession flashed across her mind—
When his gentle gaze met hers, she almost said Yes.
She tore her eyes away, forcing them onto anything else:
Vines on the city wall.
The shine on a guard's shoulder plate.
Anything but him.
Almost flustered, she snatched the flowers from his hand—
but her grip subconsciously tightened around the soft petals and cold morning dew.
A refreshing fragrance slipped through her mask of indifference.
Eula let out a frosty hum, lowering her voice into its coldest register.
"Blocking my patrol route again, disrupting official duties…
This grudge—I'll remember it."