like the wind that flows through your hair

𝙸. 𝙰𝚂 𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝚁𝙴𝙰𝚃𝙷𝙴𝙳, 𝙷𝙴 𝙼𝙾𝚅𝙴𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝚅𝙴𝙽𝚂

"Milady! There is a letter for you."

Thoma, the diligent and enthusiastic housekeeper of the Kamisato Clan waved to capture the attention of a dignified young lady through the window of her study.

A letter? Who could it be from?

After thanking Thoma, Kamisato Ayaka accepted the letter before returning to her room. The cerulean blue-eyed woman was the sole daughter of the Yashiro Commission's Kamisato Clan. Along with her brother Ayato, she managed the internal and external Clan affairs. Beautiful, elegant, and gentle, she earned the endearing title Shirasagi Himegimi—or, "White Heron Princess"—from the Inazuman people. As someone who carried the responsibilities of the Yashiro Commission and primarily ensured the wellbeing of her people, she rarely received personal correspondence. Settling down at her desk and resting her steaming matcha tea aside, Ayaka lifted the gold Liyue seal gingerly. She caught an earthy whiff of sandalwood. The cologne was familiar, and her heart fluttered without warning.

Lady Kamisato,

As I sit now by Liyue Harbor watching the lanterns' reflections on the sea, I am reminded of the vibrant Inazuma festival where I last saw you. You are not simply the White Heron Princess who loves and is loved by her people. In all the years I have walked the earth, few carry themselves with a grace and compassion like yours. My lady, you are a breath of fresh air. It is my hope that our paths will cross again soon.

— Zhongli

Zhongli. A mysterious man of many names and identities. The former Geo Archon, Rex Lapis. The God of Contracts. Morax. Presently, Zhongli, a mortal consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Although currently retired and pursuing a mortal life, he is far from an ordinary man. Zhongli had amber eyes that could make beasts cower with one look, yet when they were gentle, you felt like you could tell them your deepest secrets. Countless scars marred his back and chest - reminiscent of the devastating Archon Wars and the gods that had fallen at his feet - now hidden underneath his immaculate blazer. Extremely knowledgeable and composed, Zhongli carried a presence that demanded attention and exuded a silent power with every stride.

And as he breathed, he moved the heavens, and the earth sighed in awe.

He was irresistible to every mortal - and Ayaka was no exception. He captured her in the same way that the vastness of the ocean did when she gazed into its waves. A perpetual mystery that was so beautiful not even the horizon can contain it. When she first saw him on the streets of Inazuma City, he hardly seemed real. Foreign, yet he moved at ease, conversing effortlessly with the shop owners. Every step was a ripple of grace. She had followed him silently, hoping to catch another glimpse of him yet being too shy to approach him. How can a being so utterly perfect in every way possibly notice her?

The first time they spoke, he had found her crying in a secluded corner of the beach. It was the most embarrassing moment of her life. Devastated by the Vision Hunt Decree and anxious for her nation's future, she had finally broken down from the pressure in private. No one was supposed to see her like that; least of all, him. However, he didn't faze and instead only listened. They spoke for hours, and the knot in her chest slowly unraveled. She never had many friends, and her duties were her life. The higher status you were, the lonelier it gets. She didn't know then that he was the person who understood it the best.

Since that day, they have spent more and more time together. Zhongli would occasionally visit Inazuma, which she always looked forward to. He never crossed the line or even touched her, but they shared a connection more intimate than anything she had ever known. Were they dating? It felt far too profound to be captured by such a word.

With a sweet smile gracing her lips at the last thought, Ayaka picked up her fountain pen and began composing a new letter.