"Alright, I understand. You may leave for now." Aether waved his hand dismissively, signaling the Abyss Mage to withdraw. He needed time to think carefully about how to crash the wedding in three days. He would never acknowledge that guy. Trying to woo my sister? Over my dead body!
"Your Highness, there is one more thing. When Lord Enjou sent his message, he mentioned that the Liyue merchant named Yun Fan also has a sister. Lord Enjou intends to bring her back to the Abyss as leverage against that man."
"That guy has a sister too?" Aether's face darkened, his anger flaring even hotter. You already have a sister, yet you still dare to steal mine?! Hah, hah.
"Enjou has done well. Tell him to bring that little girl to see me once he returns to the Abyss!"
The sun rose and set, the moon and stars shifted across the sky.
Some time later...
"Your Highness, I have fulfilled my mission and successfully brought her back. The one beside me is that man's sister." Enjou bowed respectfully to Aether, then gestured toward Griseo standing next to him.
Hearing Enjou's words, Aether turned his gaze to Griseo—but soon, his brows furrowed.
The little girl before him had hair as pure and flawless as the sky, mesmerizing light purple eyes, and an expression brimming with innocent curiosity.
How does this have anything to do with that shameless bastard? And that guy had silver hair—how could he possibly have a blue-haired sister?
"Enjou, are you certain you didn't make a mistake?"
"Huh?" Seeing Aether's doubtful expression, Enjou quickly assured him, "Your Highness, I have confirmed it! This little girl is indeed the sister of that Liyue merchant named Yun Fan!"
"Good... Wait! What did you say his name was?!" Aether's voice suddenly cut off as if remembering something. His gaze sharpened instantly, and a golden sword—one that had traveled countless worlds with him—materialized in his hand, its tip pointed directly at Griseo in the hall below.
The Liyue merchant who had fought him was named Yun Fan.
The Divine Sovereign of Liyue was named Yun Fan.
The Liyue merchant had held back, yet his strength had matched Aether's.
The Divine Sovereign's power surpassed even Aether's own.
The Liyue merchant wielded lightning.
The Divine Sovereign commanded all thunder.
Therefore...
Merchant Yun Fan = Divine Sovereign Yun Fan!
"Yun Fan." Enjou scratched his head in confusion. It's just an adeptus disciple named Yun Fan, why the big— Wait. Adeptus disciple... Yun Fan...
"My name is Yun Fan, a friend of Morax..."
The proclamation made by the one known as the Divine Sovereign at the end of the Rite of Parting echoed once more in Enjou's mind, sending a chill down his spine.
If that Liyue merchant Yun Fan was the Divine Sovereign Yun Fan... then this little girl named Griseo before him—could she be the "Princess" from Liyue's rumors, the one who had slain the Vortex God Osial with a single strike?!
At this thought, Enjou hastily retreated from Griseo's side using Abyssal energy, peering at her from a distance as if she were not an adorable child but a ferocious beast.
"You idiot!" Aether's face darkened instantly. You're supposed to be the Abyss Order's strategist, my right-hand man—since when did you become such a coward?!
"Ah, heh heh..." Realizing his blunder, Enjou awkwardly scratched the crown on his head. It had just been a reflexive reaction.
"Sigh—I'll deal with you later." Aether took a deep breath, and dark Abyssal energy surged along his golden blade. In the next instant, a slash of sword light shot forth—not at Griseo, but at the floor beneath her feet.
"Bzzzt—"
Griseo did not dodge this probing strike from Aether. Instead, she stretched out a small hand, and in an instant, a violet barrier materialized before her.
The moment the black sword energy met the purple shield, it vanished without a trace—like a stone sinking into the sea, leaving not even a ripple.
"So it's true..." Sensing the familiar energy emanating from the little girl, Aether finally confirmed her connection to Yun Fan. After all, in all of Teyvat, he had only ever seen Yun Fan wield Honkai energy.
"Assassin! Protect His Highness!"
Seeing the confrontation, the Abyss Mages and Heralds standing guard at the sides of the hall could no longer remain idle. They swiftly surrounded Griseo, their gazes locked onto her with unwavering vigilance.
Though His Highness's earlier strike had been a test, it had still been infused with highly concentrated Abyssal energy—a corrosive force that even the gods feared. Yet, it had had no effect on her.
The tension in the hall thickened, the air growing heavy. The seemingly innocent, expressionless little girl before them exuded an overwhelming pressure that weighed upon the entire Abyss Order.
"All of you, stand down!" Just as the Abyss Lectors prepared to strike first, Aether's commanding voice rang out from behind them, freezing them in place.
"Your Highness, we—"
"That's an order!" The Abyss Herald tried to protest but was cut off by Aether's sharp rebuke. Reluctantly, they dispersed the Abyssal energy gathered on their blades.
"Young... uh..." Aether sheathed his sword and took a step forward, intending to negotiate with the little girl. But just as he was about to speak, he realized with dismay that he didn't even know the "Princess's" name.
"Griseo," she replied flatly, her usual paintbrush and palette materializing in her hands as if she were ready to attack at any moment.
"Griseo, let's make a deal. We'll end this matter here and now and return you to Liyue. How about it?" Aether probed cautiously. He had no desire to make an enemy of her. Honkai energy was like a universal solvent—capable of anything. If they fought, the variables would be far too unpredictable.
However, just as Aether awaited Griseo's response, a voice that was both detestable and all too familiar reached the ears of everyone present.
"Hahaha, what's this, Aether? Though you're my future brother-in-law, if you bully my dear Griseo, I won't let this slide so easily."