Zapolyarny Palace...
Columbina could hardly contain her laughter, her silver-bell-like giggles echoing through the grand hall. Her clear and charming voice gave off a refreshing, spring-like feeling.
Hearing Columbina's laughter, the Tsaritsa seemed to recall something, and the image of a silver-haired young man appeared in her mind.
"Columbina," the Tsaritsa called out softly.
Surprised by the Tsaritsa's sudden call, Columbina's laughter paused for a moment before she stepped forward. "Your Majesty."
"Yes. Do you remember him?" The Tsaritsa waved her hand, and in an instant, Yun Fan's image appeared before everyone's eyes.
"I remember. He's the Divine Sovereign of Liyue," Columbina answered honestly, though she was puzzled as to why the Tsaritsa was showing her this.
After receiving Columbina's answer, the Tsaritsa didn't say anything more. Instead, she rested her chin on her hand, leaning back on her throne in thought. After a long while, she spoke softly, "Columbina, you've been by my side for over a century now. Have you ever considered... marriage?"
Columbina: ???
The Harbingers: ???
Columbina frowned, sensing that something was amiss. Sandrone also noticed and lowered her head, hiding her expression. Dottore, who had been tinkering with his reagents, paused and looked over curiously. Even the usually composed Pierro stroked his chin, deep in thought as he gazed at the Tsaritsa.
"Your Majesty, what do you mean by this?" Columbina's beautiful face had lost its smile, replaced by a frosty expression. Unlike the subordinate relationship of the lower Harbingers, the top Harbingers had a more cooperative relationship with the Tsaritsa.
If the Tsaritsa tried to force something on her that she didn't like, Columbina wouldn't comply.
"The Fatui still has many matters to attend to. All of you may return to your duties," the Tsaritsa dismissed Pierro and the others, then turned to Columbina. "Columbina, you stay."
"Yes," Columbina said nothing more, closing her eyes and standing still, waiting for the other Harbingers to leave.
"What a letdown," Tartaglia muttered under his breath. He had wanted to hear what the Tsaritsa would say next.
After Pierro and the others left, the Tsaritsa walked up to Columbina and gently removed the white veil covering the maiden's face.
Once the veil was removed, Columbina's stunning beauty was fully revealed to the Tsaritsa. Her delicate, doll-like face, cherry-red lips, and flawless, porcelain-like skin...
"Columbina, you truly are the most beautiful woman in Snezhnaya," the Tsaritsa said with admiration as she gently caressed Columbina's cheek.
"Let's skip the pleasantries, Your Majesty. What did you mean earlier? Are you really planning to arrange a marriage for me?" Columbina chuckled lightly, then stared intently into the Tsaritsa's eyes, her tone carrying a hint of displeasure.
"Yes, but not entirely."
The Tsaritsa recalled the scene when she made the contract with Yun Fan. She clearly remembered that when the Divine Sovereign proposed his condition, he had initially wanted to say, 'I want Columbina.'
Although he had suddenly changed his mind and instead asked for her "recognition as a god," which seemed meaningless, she still remembered it clearly.
If Yun Fan were just a powerful god, she might not have cared. But the immense divine power that had emanated from Liyue, as well as the tremors in their contract, constantly reminded her that the silver-haired young man had reached a level comparable to the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles.
If she didn't find a way to strengthen her ties with him, she would be at a significant disadvantage. She didn't believe that a mere contract could truly bind a being of such power.
"You're serious?!" Columbina's cold expression turned to one of shock. She hadn't expected the Divine Sovereign of Liyue to have reached such a level, and it seemed he had some interest in her.
If that's really the case, then it might be worth considering. If he can help us overthrow the Second Throne and free the Seelie from their curse, even if I have to submit to him, so be it. After some thought, Columbina reached out and took back her mesh veil from the Tsaritsa.
"What do you want me to do?"
———
"Achoo!" Yun Fan, still at Heyu Tea House listening to the opera, suddenly sneezed, then rubbed his slightly sore nose.
"Strange, is someone talking about me behind my back?" Muttering to himself, Yun Fan shifted his gaze from the stage to the audience, from Ms. Yun to Zhongli.
"What is it?" Seeing Yun Fan's suspicious look, Zhongli turned to him, puzzled.
"Nothing, just thinking about something," Yun Fan shook his head, deciding it probably wasn't Zhongli. After all, the great Morax wouldn't gossip behind someone's back, right?
"Hmm," Zhongli didn't press further, turning his attention back to the stage as Yun Jin performed The Divine Damsel of Devastation.
The threads of karma, vast and fleeting, vanish like smoke~
As the final line of the opera was sung, the performance came to an end. Yun Jin bowed to the audience, then left the stage with the rest of the troupe.
"By the way, there's something I forgot to tell you," Yun Fan stood up, ready to leave now that the performance was over. Just then, Zhongli called out to him.
"Catch."
Yun Fan felt something flying toward him and instinctively reached out to catch it. Looking down, he saw it was a turquoise-green envelope.