Kamisato Ayaka lowered her head, cheeks faintly flushed.
Inviting a man on her own initiative—this was a first in her life.
After witnessing the bearing of the Prince of Snezhnaya, she felt compelled to seize an opportunity to deepen their understanding… and perhaps their feelings as well.
Because she had begun to reconsider the matter of becoming a consort.
Such a chance might come only once in a lifetime. Miss it, and regret would follow forever.
"I'm afraid there won't be time," Severin said gently. "The Empire will depart Inazuma today."
Ayaka was unlike other noble ladies—gentle, sincere, kind at heart. Severin held her in high regard, and refusing her invitation was not something he did lightly.
But his time was no longer his own.
He had to complete his diplomatic mission swiftly and continue strengthening himself.
Ayaka's sword dance was famed across Inazuma. She had once performed it before the Shogun herself, earning rare praise.
Such a performance was reserved only for the Shogun, Yae Miko, and one's closest confidants.
Faced with Ayaka's invitation—so close to a confession—Severin recalled the Tsaritsa's words:
"If the Heavenly Principles yet stand, how can one speak of home?"
"Lady Ayaka… please take care."
He extended his hand.
Some things, he could not yet say aloud.
Celestia was an invisible mountain, pressing down on all who lived beneath it.
One day, as the world changed, Ayaka would understand his choice.
"Please take care, Your Highness."
She took his hand.
Warm. Steady. Reassuring.
For reasons she could not name, it brought her peace.
Naganohara Fireworks
At Naganohara Fireworks, Yoimiya looked exhausted, her usual spark dimmed.
Early that morning, members of the Tenryou Commission had stormed the shop under the pretext of hunting fugitives. Though they hadn't forced her to close this time, their repeated harassment had scared off every customer.
One group left; another arrived. Endless.
Last night's seating incident had offended Kujou Takayuki, and today's retaliation came swiftly.
Just as Yoimiya was at her wit's end, a full-figured woman entered the shop.
Yoimiya recognized her immediately—the Prince's attendant.
"Miss Yoimiya," the Mirror Maiden said, "I'm here on His Highness's orders to discuss a partnership."
Yoimiya sighed. "I doubt Naganohara Fireworks can stay open much longer. The Tenryou Commission keeps escalating things. I was already preparing to shut down."
She guessed the Prince had enjoyed last night's fireworks and might invite her to perform in Snezhnaya.
But with the shop on the brink of closure, even cooperation felt impossible.
"Please review the contract first."
"…Exclusive agency rights for Snezhnayan black powder—in Inazuma?"
Yoimiya's merchant instincts screamed opportunity.
Thousands of open-pit mines were scheduled for extraction by year's end. The old eastern district was slated for demolition.
The Tenryou Commission's own armory desperately lacked black powder.
Demand in Inazuma would be enormous.
Her mind went blank as the scale of potential profit hit her—too vast to calculate.
"Please sign," the Mirror Maiden said. "Once signed, it takes effect immediately. From today onward, Naganohara Fireworks holds the exclusive agency."
The Tenryou officers causing trouble froze on the spot.
They weren't fools. They knew exactly what this meant—and backed off at once.
"Miss Yoimiya, we've confirmed there are no fugitives here. We apologize for disturbing your business."
Bowing repeatedly, they hurried off to report.
"Where are you staying?" Yoimiya asked eagerly. "I want to thank His Highness in person."
The Mirror Maiden relayed Severin's conditions and informed her the delegation was departing.
Yoimiya's eyes shone.
"Please tell His Highness—the fireworks business will never stop. By year's end, we'll open Teyvat's first branch in Snezhnaya. If he's free, I hope he'll come see it."
"I'll convey your words faithfully."
As the Mirror Maiden left, the shop erupted in celebration.
"Boss, did you know the Prince before?"
"Yeah! He even made the Kujou patriarch give up his seat—was that true?"
"You must've won him over with your fireworks, right?"
Yoimiya smiled shyly.
"I didn't know him at all. But somehow… it felt like he knew everything about me. Sitting beside him felt like meeting an old friend. That feeling—it was wonderful."
"One day, I'll ask him properly. Until then, let's make this business thrive. We mustn't disappoint him."
Departure
The Snezhnayan delegation boarded the Empire, preparing to leave Inazuma.
Yet Severin was nowhere in sight.
Only at the final moment did that commanding figure appear.
"Your Highness," the Mirror Maiden said, concerned—not for safety, but for distractions.
Before departure, the Tsaritsa had personally instructed her to watch his private affairs.
"I visited a secret outpost," Severin explained. "Taking you would've drawn attention."
With the official visit concluded, he had paid a final call to the Fatui's hidden network—both to慰问 them on the Tsaritsa's behalf and to learn the whereabouts of Scaramouche.
The Sixth Harbinger had vanished after leaving Snezhnaya, likely tied to Enkanomiya—where secrets of the First and Second Thrones slept.
Time was short. Another day, he would go himself.
"Your Highness," the Mirror Maiden reported, "I've sent word to Her Majesty to mobilize weapons and ammunition. But our next destination remains undecided."
Severin looked toward the horizon.
"The City of Freedom—Mondstadt."
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