𝐀𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞 | Genshin Impact

ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏʏ ᴀɴᴅ ʜɪꜱ ᴅᴏᴠᴇ

TWENTY NINE

IT MUST'VE BEEN a month or so before (Y/n) escaped that she had asked her fiancé to spend an afternoon together. The two sat in the bed of his room, trickles of sunlight sneaking in through the large windows.

"The boy set his little dove free, watching it stretch its wings before taking flight," He read. "No longer was it bound to its golden cage, but instead, free to roam wherever it pleased."

He had these dark, violet eyes that turned rich in the sunlight. Like a heavy gemstone basking on a pedestal, they glinted a somber shine. They glanced towards (Y/n), fixed to her face as she tilted her head to the side.

"I've read this to you so many times, you must know it by heart," He began. "So why insist I read it you again? Isn't it a bore by now?"

(Y/n) shook her head as she yawned. "...Never," She managed to get the word out. "It'll always be my favorite next to you."

He was a young man of fawn hair, with a few lighter strands that'd sprout here and there. He had this beauty mark just below his left eye, near the corner but not so close to the bridge of his nose.

Her fiancé merely glanced down. "I'm honored," He laughed. Then, he looked back up at her. "Was it a harsh day today? I couldn't help but notice how tired you look."

She nodded her head. "The instructor couldn't make it today to the chateau. So my mother stood in instead."

His expression turned disgruntled. "...For the whole hour?" He asked.

(Y/n) again nodded her head. And with a deep sigh said, "I wish my father were still here. He was always the better teacher."

Her fiancé couldn't help but sympathize. "He was a good man," He said. "I will always be grateful to him for taking me in as his student."

(Y/n)'s eyes softened. "It was after their separation, right?" She asked. "I can't remember. It was so long ago."

The young man opted to change the sad topic. "...Let's not dwell on the past," He said. "Remember, we said we'd try to keep our heads up high. No matter what happens."

She nodded along. "I know, I know," A smile formed on her face.

It was when her eyes glanced off to the side that she spotted the medical journal used to keep note of his condition. It lay there, nearly touching the corner of his nightstand. 

(Y/n) leaned towards it, snatching it into her grasp with her fingertips. "You know," She began as she relaxed in her spot. "I really wish you wouldn't leave me in the dark about these things."

Her fiancé immediately set down the book he held on his lap, gently removing the thin journal from her hands. "It's really nothing," He assured her. "I don't want to worry you either."

"Henri." That was his name. "I can take any sort of news. Believe me."

The young man smiled. "It's not that I don't think you're strong, (Y/n)," He said. "Trust me. I know you." His attention was then cast down to the journal in his hands. "But this. This is something I don't want you obsessing over."

(Y/n) merely averted her gaze.

Without lifting his head, he caught glimpse of her from the corner of his eyes. "You know, someone out there is holding their breath waiting for you," He said, wanting to uplift her with the idea of possibly meeting someone better than him.