In the distance, the bells of Favonius Cathedral chimed twice—it was two o’clock in the afternoon.
Inside Favonius Cathedral at this moment, a certain reception room had been renovated into the residence for the Tsar of White Sands.
The cathedral was originally a place for believers to offer prayers to the Anemo Archon; by all rights and reason, it should not have been used as a sleeping quarter for another distinguished guest.
But since the Anemo Archon himself had spoken, the devout bishop could only obey.
Moh and Barbatos were currently in the room going over sheet music, discussing a modulation in a melody.
“I think this part should be raised a sharp,” Barbatos said, plucking his harp strings.
Moh shook his head after listening.
“A flat gives it far more depth.”
“A sharp gives it more tension.”
“A flat.”
“A sharp.”
The two began arguing like childish brats, as if whoever spoke louder would win.
Their musical attainments were evenly matched; when getting along, they regarded each other as soulmates and patrons, practically on the verge of swearing brotherhood.
Naturally, when a dispute arose, neither would yield an inch.
Barbatos blinked.
“How about we fight it out? Whoever wins gets their way.”
Moh went silent.
“Are you serious? I beat up every single god in the northern realm.”
“Just kidding,” Barbatos waved his hands hurriedly.
“Though if you’re willing, I wouldn’t mind—”
Before he could finish, the door was slammed open.
*BANG!*
Moh and Barbatos turned at the same time.
Anastasia stood in the doorway.
Her chest was heaving, her cheeks flushed red, and an indescribable emotion burned in her eyes.
Moh was stunned.
“Anna? Why are you—”
“Your Majesty,” Anna interrupted.
“I have something to ask you.”
Barbatos looked at Anna, then at Moh.
He silently stowed away his lyre.
“Uh… should I excuse myself?”
“No need,” Anna said, her eyes firmly locked on Moh.
“Lord Anemo Archon, it is just as well that you are here.”
Barbatos: “?” *Wait, what does this have to do with me?
Don’t drag me into some weird drama field!*
Anastasia took a deep breath.
“Your Majesty,” she said, “what did you and the Anemo Archon discuss in the carriage today?”
Moh’s eyebrows rose slightly.
“What did we talk about? The setlist for the banquet.”
“Just the setlist?”
“Just the setlist. Is there a problem?”
Anna stared at him; Moh remained calm and unruffled.
He truly had no idea what could have caused his daughter to fly into such a rage.
His voice grew smaller and smaller as Anna’s gaze shifted to him.
“Lord Anemo Archon,” Anna said.
“Did you not say something about a ‘tryst’ and ‘leaving the window open’?”
Barbatos froze and turned to look at Moh.
Moh froze as well, and the two exchanged a look.
Then, Barbatos raised his hands in a classic Fontainian salute of surrender.
“I swear, I was only joking!”
Anastasia exhaled deeply.
“Your Majesty, right now the entire honor guard is spreading rumors that you and the Anemo Archon… are having a rendezvous.”
Moh: “…” Barbatos: “…”
Silence reigned.
Moh raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.
“Barbatos.”
“Hmm?”
“Your little joke is now known to the entire Fairy Court.”
Barbatos blinked.
“Uh…”
“My beloved daughter rushed back just to interrogate me.”
“…I’m sorry?”
Moh lowered his hand and looked at Anna.
“Anna, it’s a misunderstanding.”
Anna looked at him.
“I know.”
Moh was taken aback.
*You know?
Then why did you charge in here so furiously?*
“I know,” Anastasia repeated.
“But the other fairies don’t.”
“If Filins knows, then the entire honor guard knows.”
Anna didn’t buy for a second that Filins had “overheard” it by chance.
He had definitely caught wind of the rumors among the other fairies and came specifically to warn her, using that story merely to avoid naming his sources and offending people.
But Anna was certain that some sharp-eared wind fairy must have overheard a fragment of conversation, causing rumors to fly wild.
Wind fairies were not only fast; their ability to spread gossip was top-tier.
Barbatos asked softly, “Does it really matter?”
Anna retorted, “Of course it matters! If two gods were truly to form a political marriage, it would profoundly impact the diplomatic ties between Snezhnaya and Mondstadt—even if it’s just broadcasting an ambiguous signal!”
Barbatos quietly took a step back.
“Uh… I just remembered I have something to attend to at the cathedral…”
“Hold on.” Moh grabbed Barbatos by his cloak.
“This is all because of your reckless joking.”
Barbatos offered an awkward chuckle.
“Hahaha, how about…” he offered, “I help you clarify?”
“Clarify? Why clarify! This is a golden opportunity!” This story is hosted at g.com.
Anastasia grabbed both of Moh’s hands, her entire face glowing with excitement.
“Even if it’s fake—no, we can make it real! I can leverage this to slash trading costs with the Mondstadt government. Snezhnaya’s soil is too barren; if we want to satisfy the culinary appetites of our fairy population, only a major agricultural exporter like Mondstadt can fulfill that need. Didn’t you also want to bring humans under the Court’s protection recently, Father? You’ve been thinking about moving the capital and considering how to feed human subjects. All these issues can be solved, and we will reap immense benefits!”
Anastasia, the renowned Grand Duchess of the Pale Star Court, was completely lost in her own scheming fantasy.
“Hey, hey, I’m still right here! Is it really okay to plot this right in front of me?” Barbatos poked his head in, startled.
“Lord Anemo Archon, this yields ample benefits for you as well—you gain a powerful ally in Snezhnaya. Whether my father or the fairies, we are all battle-hardened warriors forged in brutal warfare. You will gain the friendship of the Pale Star Court, as well as a prime partner like my father!”
Anastasia’s eyes flared like spotlights as she swept her gaze over Barbatos, giving him goosebumps.
“L-Let’s not! Monomakh and I are just purely musical friends!”
“Forget it? No, no, no! Look, my father is handsome and elegant, and he is the king of the fairies. In terms of looks, status, and authority as a presiding Archon, he is a perfect match for you. My father has never been married, but in matters of the heart, he is a deeply loyal man. Furthermore, you two share music as a common passion—you will never run out of things to talk about!”
Anastasia hauled her old father over, spinning him left and right like a display item for Barbatos, practically eager for the two gods to get married on the spot.
“If you care about jurisdiction, my father can be married off to Mondstadt! We will provide double the dowry. Mondstadt will grant Snezhnaya tax-free status and lower export prices, but Snezhnaya will offer generous terms and rewards in return. And look, whether for reputation, political leverage, or mutual prosperity, it benefits both nations immensely! Furthermore…”
Anastasia’s mouth jabbered away, her expectant gaze giving Barbatos a severe chill down his spine.
Barbatos shot a helpless look at Moh.
Moh fell silent.
He had originally thought Anastasia was throwing a tantrum because she feared he’d get her a stepmother, but it turned out…
“Sob… Anna, you truly are a wonderful heir who always puts Snezhnaya first. I wasn’t mistaken in you. You will surely become a grand Tsaritsa in the future.”
Moh whipped out a small handkerchief and dabbed at nonexistent tears at the corners of his eyes, wearing the proud expression of a father seeing his daughter grow up.
*Wait, is this right?
This isn’t right at all!*
Barbatos looked away, utterly speechless.
Snezhnaya’s father and daughter were completely ridiculous—did nobody care about his feelings at all?!
“Sob… Father, depart with peace of mind! Leave Snezhnaya to me!”
“Sob… My dear daughter, I can’t bear to leave you and the fairies!”
The two held each other in fake tears, acting as though Barbatos were some villain tearing father and daughter apart.
Barbatos: …
( ⩌ – ⩌ )
Seeing their eyes darting toward him every few seconds, Barbatos was certain these two drama queens were just pulling his leg.
*Whatever happened to fairies being an aloof and cold race?
Huh?
Why are they treating me like an Inazuman joke?*
“So? You two?”
“It was merely a small joke. Surely the noble Anemo Archon will forgive my presumption, yes?”
Anastasia restored her elegant posture and curtsied gracefully to Barbatos.
“You gave me quite a fright! You can’t just make jokes like that!”
After all that nonsense, Barbatos lost his mood to compose music.
“Monomakh, I’m heading out then. See you at the top of Starsnatch Cliff later! Bye~”
(¯▽¯)ゞ
Barbatos pushed open the window, spread his wings, and flew off.
Anastasia: “…”
“Isn’t this his cathedral? Why is he sneaking in and out like that?”
“In Barbatos’s own words, because he is far too popular with the people of Mondstadt, appearing in the cathedral would spark frantic fanaticism.”
“Then he dotes on Mondstadt’s humans far too much. Under your rule in the Court, the fairies never cause chaotic disruptions.”
“Because Barbatos pursues ‘Freedom.’ He is Mondstadt’s guide. The people of Mondstadt are companions who overthrew Decarabian’s rule together, not subjects to be governed through fear and majesty.”