Her Holiness. The creator.

Chapter 9 Encounter

When they went to let you know dinner was ready you gave the attendants your letters asking them if they could to please send them off. They bowed saying it was their honor and took them. They lead you to the feast they made for you. Taking your seat Ningguang proposed a toast for you and once again thanked you for coming. You thank her for her hospitality. The food was quite good and you enjoyed yourself.

"Your grace" Ningguang started. "I hope the food to your liking?"

"Yes it's all very well done. Thank you" you said as she looked pleased. Then after taking a sip from her cup she took a more serious tone.

"I'm certain your aware. Of your most devoted subject Rex Lapis has passed away" she said. "I'm sorry you had to come and are unable to meet him" something of that line seemed to tick you off. So with a calm tone you replied.

"My my. You seem to speak as if he indeed gone." She looked at you as the atmosphere of the banquet got silent. "Just because he passed doesn't mean his traces are gone with him. Liyue in it's entirety is proof and a reminder he once existed and helped create it to what it is today" you gave her a small smile "besides his memory will always stay with me and because of that he will never pass in my heart. So please. Be mindful of your words. One is truly dead when no one remembers of them or have nothing to be reminded of them."

"Apologies your grace I didn't mean to offend you " she said quickly politely.

"No worries, I know you mean no harm but please remember to be mindful" you said as you took a sip of your drink. The rest of the banquet Ningguang made sure to be careful when she spoke. Nor did the topic pop up again.

Once everything was done it was time for you to have a bath then a rest.

"It's ok I can bathe myself" you insisted on your attendants having been repeating yourself for a while. Finally leaving you took your bath. While soaking in the water you thought back to the talk. You must've been convincing seeing how everyone was more in line whenever near you and attending you.

"I bet I looked so silly. Talking like if I knew what happened' you thought. You did decide to act the part and act the part you did. Whether it was good was something else. But the way Ningguang worded it made it sound so.. strange. Or maybe you simply understood wrong and overreacted. 'Welp. Cant undo what's done' you said taking a deep breath. All you can do is push forward.

Finishing your bath you got dressed. They prepared you clothing in Liyue fashion. You brought some from Mondstadt but not wanting to be rude you wore the ones they made you. You laid in bed trying to rest. It was a very eventful day. Closing your eyes you tried to sleep.

'I can't sleep' you sat up from your bed. After tossing and turning for hours you noticed it was almost daybreak. You got up and dressed for the day. Might as well start the day early seeing sleep was not in your reach. The clothes you wore make you look much more like a goddess compared to the ones in Mondstadt. Long and flowy with colors of white and gold. Still despite all the details it was still easy to move in. You can run and not trip you can jump and it wouldn't bother you. You were pleased. Stylish and convenient! Perfect.

You went to the balcony that was attached to your room and looked over it's fencing. You could see Liyue Harbor and all the street lamp still turned on. Not many people were out. Only those who need to be up early we're about. Looking more over you see the mountains forms. You wanted to go explore it. Have a look around. Then you realized..

'Wheres Aether???' you quickly made memory 'lets see.. last I was doing was looking for chests in... Inazuma!' you looked in the direction the islands would be. You wondered would he still be there? You didn't have much time to wonder as a knock on your door was heard. A soft voice was heard saying that it is morning and breakfast is ready. Breakfast already?? Your still full from dinner. You sighed and went to answer the door.

You couldn't eat much breakfast your body still functions on Earth time. Once you finished you left the Jade Chamber with your escorts and new escorts in tow. You went around the City like in Mondstadt you greeted the people and like before people asked for blessings and the such.

"Your grace!! A special deal for you! I'll make you the best coffin" a voice yelled at you. You whipped your head at the source as the escorts were angered. You saw her Hu Tao. The escorts were about to yell something in your defense but you won them.

"Only if you make the coffin with a glass lid and full of flowers!" You yelled back amused as you walked by. Hu Taos eyes widen as her smiled widen. Her Holiness has humor and went along! Excited she raced back to the funeral polar wanting to boast the experience with her employees.

You finished greeting the people and noticed Zhongli nor Childe appeared. On one hand not meeting Childe ment staying out of the Fatui which you wanted it's ideal to not be messed up in that mess. Especially since your posing as the goddess and on the other hand not meeting Zhongli was good too. As the most devoted surely he's the one to see right through you right? You were escorted back to the Jade Chamber. Saying you were tired you asked to be allowed to rest and not be bothered. Not wanting to anger you they quickly agreed. Closing the door to your room you smiled. Resting? Like hell! You were sneaking out! With no Venti to be clinging onto you, you were going to take advantage and explore these lands! You just have to make sure to be back in time.

Going through your clothes you found the simplest cloak and put it on. Leaving through your balcony you snuck out. With a few close calls here and there you made it out. Free at last!! You took off and moved among the crowd happy then froze. There you spotted him at a stand. Zhongli himself. You quickly turned away and booked it only to spot down the road Childe . You turned again and booked it again. You made it out of the city and now we're on the path to the Inn. Walking enjoying the scenery you took your time and own pace.

You kept walking on what you thought it was the path the to the inn.. sun was already about to set and you were still walking in the middle of nowhere. 'Curse my nonexistent sense of direction' you thought to yourself shaking a fist in anger. You were lost once again. You stopped at a near by boulder and sat on it to rest.

"My my. Your Holiness. Fancy meeting you here of all places. Are you lost?" You froze hearing that voice. And what's more he know who you were. You turned to see Childe standing smiling "Please. Let me help you." He said.