In the distance, the bells of Favonius Cathedral rang twice; it was two in the afternoon.
At this moment, a guest room in Favonius Cathedral had been converted into the residence of the White Tsar.
The cathedral was originally a place for believers to pray to the Anemo Archon, so it was neither reasonable nor proper for it to be used as the bedchamber for another honored guest.
But since the Anemo Archon himself had spoken, the pious bishop had no choice but to obey.
Morgan and Barbatos were in the room, going over a musical score and discussing the modulation of a melody.
“I think it should be raised by a semitone here,” Barbatos plucked the strings.
Morgan listened, then shook his head, “Lowering it by a semitone adds more depth.”
“Raising it by a semitone creates more tension.”
“Lowering it by a semitone.”
“Raising it by a semitone.”
The two argued like two childish brats, as if whoever was louder would win.
Their musical attainments were evenly matched; when they got along, they wished they could see each other as soulmates, practically sworn brothers.
But when they argued, neither would concede to the other.
Barbatos blinked, “How about we have a fight?
Whoever wins, we listen to them?”
Morgan fell silent, “Are you serious?
I’ve beaten up every Archon in the North.”
“Just kidding,” Barbatos waved his hands repeatedly, “But if you’re willing, I don’t mind—”
Before he could finish, the door was pushed open violently.
Bang!
Morgan and Barbatos turned their heads at the same time.
Standing at the doorway was Anastasia.
Her chest heaved, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes burned with some indescribable emotion.
Morgan was taken aback, “Anastasia?
Why are you—”
“Your Majesty,” Anastasia interrupted him, “I have something to ask you.”
Barbatos looked at Anastasia, then at Morgan.
Then, he quietly put away his harp, “Um…
should I step out for a moment?”
“No need,” Anastasia said, her gaze locked firmly on Morgan, “Lord Barbatos, it’s good that you’re here too.”
Barbatos: “?” Why does this have anything to do with me?
Don’t drag me into some strange love triangle!
Anastasia took a deep breath.
“Your Majesty,” she said, “what did you and Lord Barbatos talk about in the carriage today?”
Morgan’s eyebrows raised slightly, “What did we talk about?
We talked about the repertoire for the banquet.”
“Just the repertoire?”
“Just the repertoire.
Is there any other problem?”
Anastasia stared at him, but Morgan remained calm.
He truly didn’t know what there was about this matter that was worth his daughter getting so furious about.
Barbatos added quietly from the side, “And mixing drinks…”
His voice grew quieter and quieter, because Anastasia’s gaze had turned to him.
“Lord Barbatos,” Anastasia said, “did you say something like ‘a secret tryst’ or ‘don’t close the window’?”
Barbatos was stunned, and he turned to look at Morgan.
Morgan was also stunned, and the two looked at each other.
Then, Barbatos raised his hands in the Fontaine gesture of surrender.
“I swear, I was just joking.”
Anastasia took a deep breath.
“Your Majesty, the entire honor guard is now spreading rumors that you and Lord Barbatos…
are having a secret tryst.”
Barbatos: “…”
Silence reigned.
Morgan raised his hand to rub his brow.
“Barbatos.”
“Hmm?”
“That joke of yours, the entire Court of the Pale Star knows about it now.”
Barbatos blinked.
“Uh…”
“My dear daughter rushed back to question me.”
“…I’m sorry?”
Morgan lowered his hand and looked at Anastasia, “Anastasia, that was a misunderstanding.”
Anastasia looked at him, “I know.”
Morgan was taken aback.
You know?
Then why did you rush over so furiously?
“I know,” Anastasia repeated, “but the other fairies don’t know.”
“Since Philins knows, then the entire honor guard knows.”
Anastasia didn’t believe that Philins had “secretly” overheard anything; he must have heard the gossip from other fairies and specifically came to warn her.
He just didn’t want to reveal the name of the source, not wanting to offend anyone, so he said it that way.
But Anastasia was certain that some sharp-eared Anemo Sprite must have overheard a few words, eventually causing rumors to fly everywhere.
Anemo Sprites were not only fast, but their ability to spread rumors and gossip was top-tier.
Barbatos asked quietly, “Does that matter?”
Anastasia: “Of course it does!
If two Archons were to really enter a marriage alliance, it would have other impacts on the diplomatic relations between Snezhnaya and Mondstadt.
Even if it just releases an ambiguous signal.”
Barbatos quietly took a step back, “Um…
I suddenly remembered I have something to do at the cathedral…”
“Stop right there.” Morgan grabbed Barbatos’s cloak.
“It’s all because of the joke you made,”
Barbatos gave an awkward smile, “Hahaha, how about…” he said, “I help you clarify it?”
“Clarify?
Why clarify!
This is such a good opportunity!”
Anastasia grabbed Morgan’s hands, her whole face flushed with excitement.
“Even if it’s fake—no, it could become real—I can use this to lower the transaction costs with the Mondstadt authorities.
The land of Snezhnaya is too barren.
If we want to satisfy the appetites of the fairies, only a major agricultural exporter like Mondstadt can satisfy us.
Hasn’t Father also been wanting to bring humans under the protection of the Court recently?
You want to move the capital and also consider the hunger problems of your human subjects.
These problems can all be solved, and we will be able to obtain sufficient benefits from it.”
Anastasia, the famous Grand Duchess of the Court of the Pale Star, was already lost in her own fantasies, unable to extricate herself.
“Hey, hey, I’m still here.
Is it really okay to say that to my face?” Barbatos poked his head out, surprised.
“Lord Barbatos, this also has sufficient benefits for you; you would have a powerful ally like Snezhnaya.
Whether it’s Father or the fairies, they are all warriors who have been baptized by cruel wars.
You will gain the friendship of the Court of the Pale Star, and you will also have a high-quality partner like my father.”
Anastasia’s eyes, bright as laser beams, swept over, making Barbatos get goosebumps.
Morgan and I are just pure musical friends.”
“Forget it?
No, no, no.
Look, my father is handsome and beautiful, and he is the King of the Fairies.
Whether in appearance, status, or the clearance of a ruling Archon, he is a match for you.
My father has never been married, but he is a loyal man when it comes to feelings.
The two of you also have the shared hobby of music, so you definitely won’t lack topics!”
Anastasia dragged her old father over, turning him left and right like an object to show off to Barbatos, wishing the two Archons would get married on the spot.
“If you care about the place of residence, Father can marry into Mondstadt, and we will provide double the dowry.
Mondstadt must grant tax exemptions to Snezhnaya and lower export prices, but we in Snezhnaya will also provide discounts and returns.
And look, whether for reputation, politics, or other things, it is beneficial to the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
And, and…”
Anastasia’s little mouth kept chattering away, and her expectant gaze gave Barbatos the chills.
Barbatos looked at Morgan for help.
Morgan was silent; he had originally thought that Anastasia was afraid of him finding a stepmother, which was why she was so resistant to the idea of him having a partner, but he hadn’t expected…
“Sob, Anastasia, you really are a good Crown Princess who always thinks of Snezhnaya; I didn’t misjudge you.
You will definitely become an excellent Empress in the future.”
Morgan took out a small handkerchief and wiped away non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes, wearing a proud expression of “my daughter has finally grown up.”
Is, is this right?
This isn’t right, is it?
Barbatos looked like he couldn’t bear to watch.
These two father and daughter from Snezhnaya were truly heaven-defying; did no one really care about his feelings?
“Sob, Father, go in peace, leave Snezhnaya to me.”
“Sob, my dear daughter, I cannot bear to part with you and the fairies.”
The two of them wailed and hugged in a fake manner, as if Barbatos were some villain deliberately trying to separate the father and daughter.
Barbatos:…
( ⩌ – ⩌ )
Seeing their eyes frequently glancing his way, Barbatos was certain that these two were just drama queens specifically there to prank him.
What happened to the fairies being a cold and aloof race?
Hmm?
Why are they pranking me like I’m an Inazuman?
“So?
You two?”
“This was just a small joke.
Surely the magnanimous Lord Barbatos will forgive my presumption, right.”
Anastasia resumed her elegant posture and performed a curtsy to Barbatos.
“You really gave me a fright; this kind of joke cannot be made.”
After such a commotion, Barbatos lost the desire to continue composing.
“Morgan, then I’m leaving.
See you later at the top of Starsnatch Cliff, bye~” ( ¯ ▽ ¯ ) ゞ
Barbatos pushed open the window, spread his wings, and flew away.
Anastasia:…
“Isn’t this his cathedral?
Why is he sneaking in and out?”
“According to Barbatos himself, because he is too popular with the Mondstadters, as long as he appears in the cathedral, it will trigger a fanatical pursuit.”
“Then he is too doting on the humans of Mondstadt.
In the Court under your rule, the fairies never bring about disorderly chaos.”
“Because what Barbatos pursues is [freedom]; he is the guide of Mondstadt.
The Mondstadters are companions who overthrew Decarabian’s rule together, not subjects ruled by majesty.”
“And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!”