"Every action taken by the Dark Knight is absolutely correct!"
Rosalyne lifted her head, her gem-like eyes sparkling with starlight.
"That's good... that's good!"
Nathan shook his head. After all, Rosalyne at this moment was still an innocent maiden, not the decisive and ruthless Harbinger she would become in the future.
The black-robed man had just been reduced to ashes by flames, and Nathan was genuinely worried that it might leave a shadow in the young girl's heart.
"The flames you wielded earlier, Dark Knight, were so beautiful!"
Alright, Nathan realized he had overthought things.
Rosalyne's eyes had now turned into starry eyes, and her words were filled with admiration.
"But, Dark Knight, I have a wish that might trouble you!"
Before Nathan could respond, the girl's request continued.
"What wish?"
"I want... to see your true face!"
"Uh..."
Beneath his mask, Nathan hesitated.
What kind of strange wish was this? Why would she want to see his real face?
"I want to remember your face, Dark Knight, so I can sincerely thank you in my heart!"
Nathan paused. This felt like something straight out of a superhero movie—after saving the girl, she always wants to see what's behind the mask.
"This isn't the place to talk. I'm afraid the Knights of Favonius will arrive soon."
With that, Nathan awkwardly changed the subject.
The commotion from the earlier fight was so loud that even in the dead of night, it would surely attract attention.
"Dark Knight?"
"The situation is urgent. How about I take you home first?"
The girl in his arms tensed, her face showing reluctance.
"No... I don't have a home anymore. Please don't abandon me!"
Under the moonlight, Rosalyne's face was pale and sorrowful.
She seemed like a rootless driftwood. If Nathan refused her, she might vanish with the wind in the next second.
"Well..."
The girl clung tightly to him, and Nathan found himself at a loss.
"Let me stay with you. I can do anything..."
---
Leaving Mondstadt's plaza, Nathan moved swiftly across the rooftops.
In the end, Rosalyne had mustered all her courage to pour out her heart. What more could he say?
Holding the girl in a princess carry, he held her close.
The night wind brushed against her delicate cheeks.
The height didn't scare Rosalyne at all.
Buried in his embrace, breathing in Nathan's scent, a happy smile crept onto her lips.
"Alright, we're here..."
After some time leaping across rooftops, Nathan finally arrived at the home set in his life's scenario.
It was a flower shop on the outskirts of Mondstadt, with no other buildings around.
Pushing the door open and turning on the lights, a row of vibrant orange Windwheel Asters greeted them.
"So beautiful..."
Peeking out from Nathan's arms, Rosalyne sighed in admiration.
The flower shop was spacious, clearly indicating that in this life's scenario, Nathan was from a wealthy merchant family.
"Alright, we should be safe for now."
Nathan took a deep breath. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of Windwheel Asters.
But what he smelled more was the delicate scent coming from Rosalyne.
"Dark Knight..."
The girl in his arms spoke softly, her voice carrying a hint of a coquettish tone.
But after a brief moment of reluctance, Rosalyne chose to stand back on her own feet.
Cute and timid—this was the girl's personality now, a far cry from the cold and haughty Lady she would become in the future.
"You don't have to call me that. Just use my name."
With that, Nathan slowly removed his mask.
The face the girl had been longing to see was now reflected in her eyes.
Sure enough, in less than a second, Rosalyne's eyes were filled with nothing but infatuation.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Nathan. I'm from Liyue, and as you can see, I'm now the owner of this flower shop."
He paused, thinking there was no harm in claiming to be from Liyue.
"Mr. Nathan..."
The girl repeated his name softly.
Her pale cheeks, damp from tears, suddenly flushed red.
"You don't have to call me 'Mr.' Just use my name."
"Nathan!"
Having received his permission, Rosalyne let out a soft hum, her lips curling into a joyful smile.
"My... my name is Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter. You can just call me Rosalyne!"
The name, so characteristic of Mondstadt, was quite a mouthful.
"Rosalyne, pleased to meet you!"
Nathan smiled and extended his right hand to her.
He had quite a fondness for this innocent girl.
"Pleased... to meet you!"
Rosalyne imitated him, her still-damp palm gripping Nathan's hand tightly.
"Is this gesture... a custom from your country?"
After the brief handshake, the girl looked at him with curiosity.
"Yes, it's a Liyue custom."
"Hmm... since you've shown me your country's custom, I should respond with one from Mondstadt!"
Taking a deep breath, Rosalyne's face turned as red as a ripe apple.
"Ahaha, that's really not necessary!"
Nathan interrupted, feeling that if this continued, the girl might faint from embarrassment.
"No... I've never used this custom before. Please don't laugh at me!"
Before Nathan could react, the girl closed her eyes.
She seemed to hold her breath as she leaned toward Nathan.
Her damp body pressed against him once more.
Before Nathan could process what was happening, her soft lips touched his cheek.
"Mwah..."
A cool, soft sensation spread from his cheek throughout his body.
The girl's tenderness enveloped him like water.
"Phew... there. I hope you don't mind..."
After the brief kiss, Rosalyne regained her ability to breathe.
She inhaled deeply, as if trying to suppress the fluttering in her heart.
"Uh... that custom is a bit strange, don't you think?"
After a moment of silence, Nathan finally voiced his thoughts.
"It's fine. From now on, I'll only use it with you, Nathan..."
a/n - Read 60+ Chapters ahead on my patreon
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