Wandering Hearts (Aether x Ningguang) Genshin Impact

The Jade Princess

They stepped down on the Jade Chamber, greeted by guards who bowed before her. "Lady Ningguang. Welcome home." As they greeted, her secretary Baiwen hovered beside her, ready to take orders. She looked at her. "Baiwen, dear, get the suite prepared for our guest here and ask chef Zhao to prepare something special. I trust his talents." She turned to him. " Please go and get freshened up and get some rest while dinner is prepared. You needn't worry about anything. If you need anything at all, please let Baiwen know and she will look into it". Aether nodded. "I...yes...wow. Well, this is a pleasure." Ningguang chuckled and walked towards the door "I'll see you later, Aether". Aether walked in, slowly down the opulent stairs while all he could do was think of her beautiful smile and the way her gaze left him weqk. Finally, he walked up to his suite that lay ready for him. He closed the door and stood there, amazed. This was the most beautiful room he had ever been in and even the best rooms at Wangshu Inn paled in comparison to the jade walls and the fine wood that adorned the walls and the furniture. He took off his clothes and lay down his sword by the bed and walked into the bath, easing himself slowly into the warm water as it soothed his battle weary body and a look of relief crossed his face. As he returned from the bath, his clothes were mysteriously washed and repaired.Once he was ready and decked, he stepped out and noticed that the Jade Chamber was unusually empty. He walked up the stairs and meet Baiwen. "Hey Baiwen. Where are the rest of the people?" She shrugged and looked at Aether. "Lady Ningguang prefers to stay alone in the nights at the Jade Chamber and you are the only exception. Anyway, I must get going. Please don't try anything indecent as the consequences will not be good". Aether gulped and walked down the stairs towards his suite when he heard a small cry. Alarmed, he ran towards the master suite, which was Ningguang's room. He stood outside. "Lady Ningguang. Are you alright? Is everything okay?" No response. He drew his sword and pushed the door, entering the room. The room was littered with tissues and discarded blades. There she was, on the floor, dressed in a pale gown while she lay on the floor, a knife in her hand and a series of small bruises across her wrists. He ran towards her and sat down beside her. "Ningguang! What's going on? What are you doing?" She did not raise her head and instead, spoke slowly. "I...I thought...you were...still in...the bath. Forget you ever saw this, Aether or it will be...very bad for you". He stood there, shocked. "Ningguang, listen to me. Hurting yourself is not a solution. Talk to me. Tell me what is going on?" His face was motionless, his words soft. "Why? Why are you hurting yourself? You can talk to me, you know?" She laughed cruelly. "Talk to you? The Hero who has nothing to worry about!? What would you know of my pain?" He looked up at her and all he did was smile sadly, unrolling his wrist to show a series of scars as he turned towards her.