Genshin Impact: A Guide to the Unofficial History of Teyvat — Chapter 97

Chapter 97: The Reply (Part 2)

Xingqiu straightened his posture, his previous casual demeanor evaporating into sharp focus. He scanned the parchment rapidly yet carefully, his gaze lingering on the accompanying sketch. Though the ink strokes were minimalist, the distinct curvature of the antennae and the shape of the tail overlapped flawlessly with the elusive figure etched into his memory.

The fleeting glimpse inside the stationery store, the tiny creature diving frantically into the bay waters, and the petite, trembling silhouette he had supported beneath the dim streetlights… every fragmented encounter aligned into a singular truth.

His heart quickened its rhythm against his ribs.

‘It is Miss Lovia. Fontaine is looking for her?’

To have the Iudex of Fontaine, Monsieur Neuvillette, personally draft a missive to locate her meant her status was extraordinary. She was no ordinary creature forced to hide in the shadows, but a special entity under the direct attention and protection of the highest authority. The tone of the letter was earnest, carrying an undercurrent of urgency that could not be ignored.

The descriptions provided—gentle nature, possibly in a young or weak state, and in dire need of protection—only cemented his deductions.

Xingqiu lowered the cloth he had been holding, his fingertips lightly tapping against the edge of the letter. A thoughtful gleam surfaced in his amber eyes.

He recalled Lovia’s panicked, darting gaze, the desperate way she had bundled herself up in her oversized hood and cloak. He remembered her fragile state when illness had taken hold of her, and the clumsy, endearing sincerity she showed when carefully offering him a piece of fruit as thanks. She had been terrified this entire time. Terrified of exposure, terrified of being treated as an alien outcast, and terrified of becoming a burden.

And now, her family was searching for her. The Chief Justice of Fontaine was tracking her whereabouts with formal, heavy concern.

If she learned of this, how would she react? Would she breathe a sigh of relief, or would she spiral into even greater panic? Was her presence in Liyue the result of a voluntary wandering, or was she running from some unspeakable hardship? Perhaps she simply lacked the means to return home.

Even if she wished to return, Xingqiu knew he could not simply confront her with the truth.

He was acutely aware of Lovia’s overly sensitive disposition. If he marched up to her with the letter and announced that Fontaine was demanding her return, it would undoubtedly trigger her flight response. She might misinterpret his intentions entirely, assuming he was trying to drive her out of Liyue or hand her over to the authorities like a captured fugitive.

That was the absolute last thing he wanted.

Replying to Neuvillette immediately through the established channels of the Feiyun Commerce Guild would be the simplest, most efficient route. Yet, Xingqiu could vividly picture Lovia’s reaction. She would likely plunge into the deepest waters the moment she caught wind of it, vanishing without a trace just as she had at the seaside, or perhaps fleeing Liyue entirely for some unreachable corner of Teyvat.

This was not the outcome he wished to see.

Xingqiu pinched the corner of the letter. His eyes, which typically danced with a perpetual hint of a smile, settled into a deep calm.

His father had passed this document to him, likely assuming his son would find the oddity amusing, or perhaps just to share a peculiar piece of international news. The guild master could never have guessed that his second son, who supposedly cared for nothing but martial arts and chivalric novels, had already crossed paths with the very target of the Iudex’s search.

After a long moment of quiet contemplation, Xingqiu made his decision.

He folded the parchment away, a gentle, somewhat helpless smile touching his lips.

Until he could ascertain Lovia’s true circumstances and desires, he would not make this matter public. Nor would he rush to send an official reply to Neuvillette through the Commerce Guild. He needed to verify her feelings personally and deliver the news in a manner that would not send her running for the hills.

Ultimately, the choice of whether to return to Fontaine—and when to do so—belonged entirely to her.

Until she gave him a clear answer, he would guard this secret with his life. This was his respect for their unexpected, fragile friendship. It was his own brand of chivalry.

However, the question of how to broach the subject remained a nearly unsolvable puzzle.

They were not close friends. They were barely even acquaintances. Their sparse interactions were built on coincidence and her sheer panic. Though he had offered his aid and the ice between them had thawed slightly, they lacked the foundation for such heavy conversations.

He had no standing to suddenly approach her and casually ask if she wanted to return to the Iudex of Fontaine. Doing so would be bizarre and dangerous, practically guaranteeing the destruction of the tiny thread connecting them.

Xingqiu released a soft sigh. He tucked the folded letter securely into the inner pocket of his robes and strolled toward the courtyard pond, watching the ornamental koi leisurely swish their vibrant tails through the clear water.

‘Oh well. I shall let nature take its course.’

Xingqiu had absolutely no idea that the panicked, fragile little Melusine he was so deeply worried about was currently wearing a maniacal grin, hunched over her desk and writing with the fury of a storm.

Deep inside Lovia’s cozy little nest.

In stark contrast to the delicate image of a maiden in need of protection that Xingqiu had conjured in his mind, Lovia was perched cross-legged on her chair. A massive stack of manuscript paper was spread out across the wooden surface before her. A thrilling, excited smile—one that completely shattered her innocent, adorable facade—tugged at the corners of her mouth.

It was a practically ferocious expression.

Her tail wagged in rapid, happy little arcs behind her back. The tip of her pen scratched rhythmically against the parchment as she punctuated the final, perfect sentence with a heavy period.

“Finished!” She exhaled a long, triumphant breath and scooped up the thick stack of papers, her eyes scanning the ink to carefully check for typos. “The story of Alan and A-He… it is an absolute masterpiece. I have to get this to Shopkeeper Sun immediately!”

She remained blissfully unaware that the highest echelons of Fontaine—specifically a certain towering Iudex—were already turning the world upside down to find her.

A few days later, a new novel titled ‘For Whom the Love Trap is Set’ quietly appeared on the shelves of the Sanyu Bookstore in Liyue Harbor, arriving as softly as a fine spring rain. At the author’s strict request, it was tucked away in a rather inconspicuous corner.

This was the debut work of the mysterious author known only as ‘Hanabi’. It was entirely expected for a new release to experience a lukewarm reception, but Shopkeeper Sun was practically pulling his hair out over the cold sales. He paced anxiously, scratching his head, yet he was bound by his promise and could not move the controversial manuscript to the center of the shop.

Time trickled by.

Initially, the book gathered dust. But eventually, a regular patron browsing the obscure shelves purchased a copy on a whim. Drawn in by the excruciatingly delicate emotional prose, the deeply familiar Liyue setting, and the suspiciously recognizable character archetypes, word of mouth began to spread like wildfire.

“Have you heard the rumors? There is a new novel circulating. It appears to be a romance between a Qixing subordinate and an Adeptus disciple.”

“Oh? Is the prose any good?”

“It is exquisite! The way the author captures the agonizing internal thoughts of the characters… it simply does not read like the work of a mortal!”

Gradually, hushed discussions rippled through exclusive reading circles.

Consequently, the regular customers at Sanyu Bookstore began approaching the counter with conspiratorial whispers. “Shopkeeper, I heard there is a new book about an Adeptus disciple and a mortal called ‘For Whom the Love Trap is Set’. Where might I find it?”

Whenever this occurred, Shopkeeper Sun would eagerly scurry to the hidden corner of the bookshelf. As he handed the precious volume over, he never failed to offer his highest praises. “You have an exceptional eye, my friend! The writing is incredibly delicate, and the plot flows with absolute grace. Though the author ‘Hanabi’ is a newcomer, their skill is nothing short of extraordinary. It is a masterpiece well worth your time!”

Slowly but surely, the fervent discussions spilled out of the bookstore. They drifted through the bustling streets of Chihu Rock, mingled with the tea steam at Iron Tongue Tian’s storytelling stall, and eventually seeped into the backstage dressing rooms of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe.

“A-Li, have you read that new book, ‘For Whom the Love Trap is Set’?” a troupe member whispered to her companion while applying stage makeup.

“I have, I have!” The woman named A-Li replied, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. “The portrayal of that Adeptus disciple, Perfected Lord He… it is simply stunning. Oh, reading it made my heart physically ache!”

“I just wonder who this ‘Hanabi’ person is. To actually possess the sheer audacity to write a tragic love story between an Adeptus and a Qixing subordinate…”

“What is there to be afraid of? It is merely a work of fiction, after all.”

Similar speculations and breathless debates circulated quietly in private corners all across the harbor. The novel was overflowing with raw, delicate emotions that mirrored real life. This lingering, agonizing tale of destiny and forbidden romance struck a massive chord with the readers of Liyue, and its popularity exploded far and wide.

And inevitably, the rumors finally reached the ears of the actual people involved.