The Key

Aleksandra (alias "Sapphire") is the newest member of the Harbingers, the executive officers of the Fatui, which is a delegation of diplomats ruled by the Tsaritsa, the cryo archon. With no memory of her past, main protagonist Sapphire lacks a sense of self and belonging. After the Millileth, the region of Liyue's military force, carried out a sneak attack on a Fatui base in Schneznaya, Sapphire was captured singlehandedly by the geo archon himself, Rex Lapis (alias "Zhongli").

Taken back to Liyue, Sapphire is kept in close proximity with Zhongli, her target, her enemy. He has something that the Tsaritsa needs, so Sapphire must retrieve it and escape back to Schneznaya. This mission is deemed quite difficult when everything Sapphire knows falls apart. Unforeseen truths about her past and who she is unravel themselves piece by piece--information that Zhongli withheld from her. Coincidentally, the closer she gets to Zhongli, the more things start to make sense. How far will Sapphire go to fulfill her own personal desires? Will she go as far as to betray her queen--her comrades?

[POSTED ON AO3 AS WELL, SAME USERNAME]