❝𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄❞

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣

chapter thirty-seven: “my daughter, the qilin.”

(n/a: the grandmother killed baal, right?)

— (FLASHBACK)

     “O ALMIGHTY REX LAPIS, YOU NEED TO BE FED.”

     “I WANT MY WIFE.”

THE GEO ARCHON stubbornly told his other handmaiden, swatting their hands away from him. Since his wife was currently being searched by his other followers, he has to endure the pain of having other women touch and take care of him instead...

     "O almighty Rex Lapis, your wife is here," one of the followers said with (Name) and little Ganyu behind them. She was carrying the small child, who was eating a Qingxin flower, "Is that all you need?"

     "Yes, you can leave," Morax told them before shoving the other women trying their best to cling to him. They all bowed and left the room, leaving the couple and their child alone, "Hm... I knew I'd been trying to summon you to my side. Why aren't you heeding my call?" He questioned, seeing the rapid glowing of the Geo mark visible on (Name)'s chest.

     "Ah, forgive me. Ganyu and I were trying to find a Qingxin flower," (Name) apologized while showing the small child to her husband. "I'm glad we found one, but it seems it's the last among the ones I've planted last week. And your followers found me buying some seeds needed for the Qingxin flowers," she explained.

     He looked at the munching Ganyu before returning his gaze to (Name), "Is that so?" He hummed, crossing his arms. His wife flinched from his sudden change of tone, "You should've asked for my help in a search for Qingxin flowers. I could always order someone to do so other than you."

     "That isn't necessary, Morax dear," (Name) declined. "I may be your spouse, but I still hold a low hierarchy here. It's not that hard to find flowers and I could plant another batch for young Ganyu. It's my responsibility to take care of them after all," she brushed him off.

     He sighed, "You're so stubborn." He chided before using his hand to wipe off the visible sweat on her forehead. "Always using your handmaiden uniform even though I told you to stop working under me." He continued, earning a wry smile from her.

     "I know, I know. Maybe it's just a habit," she said.

     "Mama, I want more Qingxin flowers..." Ganyu told her, her little hands tugging her veil. The couple looked at the small child who seems to be eyeing her mother, "I want more Qingxin flowers... Please? I'm still hungry," she added.

     "It takes a long time to plant those, Ganyu," Morax told the little child. "You need to wait for it."

     Ganyu looked sad and placed her head on (Name)'s chest, small sniffles were heard, "I'll take care of this..." The (h/c)-haired woman said, patting the back of her child. Morax was gonna follow her until, "Tut. Tut. You stay here and eat something for lunch. I don't want you starving yourself because I'm not the one feeding you," she stopped him.

     He scoffed, "Let me assist you."

     (Name) placed Ganyu in his arms, "There. Assist me by taking care of Ganyu while I search for flowers, alright?" She kissed his cheek before waving goodbye.

THE NEXT DAY was supposed to be normal, until (Name) brought her children and husband to a field full of Qingxin flowers. A small table was placed in the middle with the children's food and some tea for the couple. It was a mystery how the renowned mother of Liyue managed to find this place...

     "How did you...?" Morax questioned, looking at his wife.

     She only chuckled, "There's nothing to worry about. I don't think you also need to know how I found this place," she told him.

     "THANK YOU, MAMA!" Ganyu exclaimed, hugging her leg, and ran to the field to eat all of the flowers.

     "AH, GANYU! BE CAREFUL!"

— (END)

In the end, the mystery was solved. She was an Archon born in Celestia, a ruler's descendant. Ganyu looked at the painting with the face of (Name)—wearing a veil that hid her features and a white gown with the baby Qilin on her lap, munching a flower...

     "I finally found you!" A voice exclaimed behind Ganyu. There a woman wearing a suit appeared, "Ehem... Was I interrupting something?" (Name) questioned, smiling softly at the Qilin.

      Ganyu immediately shook her head, "No... Um, not at all," she replied. "Aren't you the one Lady Ningguang theorized to be the daughter of my Mama?" She asked, pointing at (Name).

     (Name) chuckled, "Are you sure I'm just a descendant of your Mama?" She tilted her head, amused by the theory. They were in the same field she brought them that's filled with Qingxin, "Have you ever thought how she found a field filled with Qingxin flowers?" She questioned once more, going towards the Qilin.

     Ganyu widened her eyes, "I... How did you...?"

     The Thorn Archon placed a finger above the Qilin's lips, "Did you forget your Mama is an Archon? I'm immortal, my dear Ganyu," she said. "I cursed this field to always have Qingxin that'll grow within a day. It's irregular to see a field full of flowers getting replaced if someone plucks it," she added.

That very day was still clear in the blue-headed woman. She was the one who first approved (Name) as her mother, enamored by her aura that led her to run to her arms. She wants to return to the time when she and Morax are still together—the family she was once in that is now gone in time...

     "Mama?"

     "Hm?" (Name) opened her arms, provoking Ganyu to hug her. "I missed you, my dear."

Ganyu did return the hug, completely not minding the fact her horns almost hit (Name)'s chin. MEANWHILE, WITH GUIZHONG AND HU TAO, they were trying to find the Thorn Archon. The soul of the late Archon was itching to talk to the woman she adores, while the human helping her is sighing...

     "Time freeze," the Director said while touching the trunk of a nearby tree. "We've been walking for ages... I don't think the gates of the Land of Thorns will open up for us," she told the ghost of Guizhong.

     "You never know—Wait, shut your mouth for a second," the gray-haired woman covered Hu Tao's mouth (it only goes through the face of the latter). She peeked her head to see a small man with two children beside him, "... He looks familiar..." She whispered, racking her non-existent brain.

    "Who's familiar?" Hu Tao whispered behind Guizhong.

    "Me~. Greetings, everyone~!"

~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~

マレウス