❝𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄❞

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙧

chapter twenty-four: “the captured orchid.”

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     “YES, MY DEAR. I'LL FOLLOW YOU AS SOON AS I FINISH THIS URGENT MATTER.”

SHE told the blonde-haired woman, patting her head to assure her she'll be back. Even though the presence was faint and fast to disappear, someone was following them. She knew whoever they are, their focus was mainly her...

     Lumine tilted her head, "What's wrong, Tsunotaro? Is there something bothering you?" She questioned, wondering why her companion was acting weird. "Are you perhaps—"

     "Ah, dear me, you need to go now before the Liyue Qixing gets to tell their versions of the event to the adepti. Run along now," (Name) interrupted while pushing her to the path of Jueyen Krast. She waved at them, "Take care."

She smiled at their retreating figure, but once they were out of sight her kind smile turned into a serious expression. She continued her path—the path to Dihua Marsh to enter Qingce Village. The presence was near, probably getting ready to attack her...

     She counted, her heels tapping against the bridge's wooden ground, "One... Two... Three..." She whispered, the presence approaching her from behind. "Four... Five... Six..."

     She hasn't even reached ten, but the person responsible for stalking her grabbed her shoulder, "I guess you were too slow from counting..." They whispered, their wrist glowing to entangle their prey. "Greetings, Ms. Dragon. You didn't see that coming did you?" Yelan asked.

     (Name) turned her head, looking from her shoulder, "It was supposed to be that way. You should've waited until ten," she uttered before an arrow brushed against Yelan's ear. The latter turned her head to see who almost killed her, but she was too late to notice the captured prey, "Oh my. Never leave your eyes on the prize."

The next scene was too fast to catch up—a cage of thorns trapped Yelan, her bow was stolen, and another person came to the side of (Name). He has blonde bob-cut hair, under a leathered hat. His gaze was alluring, but there was a hint of sinister behind it...

     "Forgive my tardiness, Reine De Dragon~! I was caught up with something. Roi De Poisons needs a new set of makeup, so I need to return to Liyue Harbor to buy the new set," he apologized and bowed at her. "I'm glad I wasn't too late to save you from this attack from Mademoiselle Orchis. Magnifique!" He praised.

     (Name) nodded, "I understand. Thank you for your assistance, my dear hunter," she thanked her retainer while patting his head. "Our little friend here must have a reason why they're following me. Isn't that right, darling~?" She asked, touching the thorns to stare at the glaring Yelan.