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“Let’s see… Add the fresh Cryo Slime Condensate, Cryo Whopperflower Nectar, along with a few drops of Frosting Essential Oil to the mint-infused water. Next, add the crushed Qingxin and Mist Flower, then wait a few minutes for the mixture to settle.”
Chongyun was following a recipe from Barbara’s recent letter. She had been developing a special “Chillbrew” that would help calm his excessive yang energy. After getting some help from a local bartender in her hometown that specialized in making unique drinks, she sent the instructions on how to make it. After spending the entire day gathering and preparing the ingredients, Chongyun went straight to work.
“Once you’ve allowed the mixture to settle, stir it to incorporate the ingredients. Sprinkle a bit of chopped mint on top to finish. …Okay, looks like it’s done. I wonder what it will taste like?”
Picking up the glass, Chongyun couldn’t help but shiver slightly from how cold the surface was. It was as if he were touching ice.
My hand feels like it’s freezing, but that’s probably because of the Frosting Essential Oil. Barbara put a lot of consideration into the ingredients. I still can’t believe she made a drink just for me… I’ll have to repay her somehow. Hmm… At the moment, I feel pretty calm. To test the effectiveness of the drink, I should think of something that’ll get me worked up. Let’s see…
Chongyun imagined spicy foods being forced into his mouth unwillingly while being at one of Xinyan’s concerts. There was a small reaction, but it wasn’t strong enough. He then thought of Barbara, remembering the soft sensation of her lips when they kissed; the warmth of their hug; and the longing that radiated within her blue eyes. Shortly after, Chongyun’s body felt like it was burning from within. He clenched at his jacket, his breathing heavy.
Looks like that did it. Okay, here goes nothing...!
He chugged the Chillbrew down like it was water, immediately developing a brain freeze. He suddenly wished that he drank the beverage a lot slower. Once it subsided, it was simply a waiting game. As time passed, Chongyun noticed that his body didn’t feel as hot anymore and that his breathing became steady.
It… It worked. My yang energy doesn’t feel as intense as it did earlier. The drink itself tasted extremely bitter at first, but the Whopperflower Nectar gave it a sweet aftertaste. That brain freeze sure was something. Next time, I’ll drink it a lot slower. I can’t wait to tell Barbara about the results.
Dear Chongyun,
I’m so glad to hear that the Chillbrew was a success! Figuring out what ingredients paired well together was difficult. I would’ve made it a lot sweeter, but the primary purpose was to help your condition, just like your popsicles. I know it’s another temporary method, but I hope that this drink will be of use to you!
You said you drank it after you got yourself worked up… Whatever you did; I hope you weren’t in too much pain. Also, you don’t have to worry about repaying me! This was something I decided on my own, so you don’t trouble yourself over me! But… if there was anything that I wanted, it would be to see you again. Waiting can be difficult, but these letters help. I’ve kept every letter that you’ve sent me. I like to reread them when I’m feeling tired from my duties. I love the stories that you’ve told me from the Heyu Tea House. I hope I can hear them in person one day.
Which reminds me…although we had our first kiss, we haven’t gone on our first date yet! Usually, couples kiss after the first date, but I guess my lips couldn’t wait, haha… Maybe when things aren’t too hectic for both of us, we can spend some quality time together. Take a stroll under the night air... I think that would be nice. And…if it wouldn’t cause you too much discomfort, maybe we could try kissing again? N-No pressure, of course! I’m content with just being by your side.
Love,
Barbara
Chongyun’s face immediately flushed red after he finished reading, and he couldn’t help but cover his face with the letter. Despite how embarrassed he felt, Chongyun’s lips couldn’t help but curve into a smile when he recalled Barbara’s words.
I didn’t think my letters were worth keeping, but I’m glad she’s able to find comfort in them. Barbara takes on so many responsibilities and is good at hiding her exhaustion and worries. Maybe I can get her something that will help her relax. ...Girls like perfume and stuff, right? I could try asking that one shop near the blacksmith if they can make something like that. Ah, if I’m going to head out, I better take my parasol.
As Chongyun was about to leave home to head towards the shop, Scent of Spring, his eyes caught another letter that he seemed to have missed.
Seems I missed this one. Strange...there’s no sender or an address, yet it has my name on it. Should I even bother to read it? It could be one of Xingqiu’s pranks. Then again, it could be an anonymous client that needs my help. If there’s even a slight chance of it being related to an evil spirit, I must accept it.
As Chongyun opened the letter to read it, his eyes widened.
Young exorcist, who wields the power of ice,
You have charmed the heart of our beloved idol,
Perhaps you thought your secret would remain safe,
But I will not stand idle,
To win my blessing, I demand a duel,
A battle of words to win the Deaconess’ love,
I have no intent of losing,
But maybe Barbatos will smile upon you from above,
Whether you decide to meet my demands, it’s up to you,
But if it were me, I would not delay,
If you have no interest, that’s fine by me,
Her heart will be mine to sway
Signed,
The Poet Prince
Chongyun wasn’t sure what to make of the poem. On one hand, he figured that this was likely just a prank; however, the writer knew about his relationship with Barbara. Chongyun hadn’t disclosed that the two were dating to anyone and Barbara mentioned nothing about revealing their relationship to the public. Could this person have possibly been a family member or someone close to her? Whatever the case was, Chongyun couldn’t leave out the possibility that there was someone who wanted to take Barbara away. He had no experience with poetry or writing songs, but luckily, he knew someone who did. Wasting no time, Chongyun rushed to find his friend, Xingqiu, to ask for his help.
“Whoever wrote this is certainly no stranger to poetry. I’m a little jealous. Do you think this Poet Prince would notice if I went dressed as you in your stead? Although, I quite like my current hair color. Perhaps you could contribute some of your hair strands to me? I promise to relinquish them as soon as I return,” Xingqiu teased, flashing a mischievous grin.
“This isn’t a game, Xingqiu! Barbara could be in danger! I have to go to Mondstadt right away or…!”
“Relax, my dear Chongyun. I simply jest. By the way, who is this Barbara? The poem did not mention a name, but I’m assuming this is the same girl?”
“She’s…” Chongyun rubbed the back of his neck, a red tint on his cheeks. “Remember when I asked you for advice about writing letters? This is the girl I was talking about. We’re...Well, I don’t know if it’s official or not, but she has been very kind to me and I feel comfortable around her, and-”
He felt Xingqiu rest a hand on his shoulder, flashing him a fond smile.
“You need not say more. I was curious what it was you were reading so intensely in secret. I never imagined you found yourself a lover. You’ve come to the right person! I’ll be happy to assist you in your upcoming duel, but on one condition: you must introduce me to this Barbara someday. I feel it is only natural as your best friend. Surely, you were not planning to wait until marriage to introduce me to her.”
“M-Marriage is a bit... Also, I wouldn’t say that we’re… A-Anyway, I don’t have time to lose! Please, teach me anything you can about poetry, Xingqiu. I’ll be counting on you.”
Under Xingqiu’s guidance and encouragement, Chongyun worked hard to create a poem for the challenge. He struggled in the beginning, but after focusing more on his feelings towards Barbara, the poem essentially wrote itself in no time. After having it reviewed by Xingqiu and getting his approval, Chongyun set out for Mondstadt without delay. However, he nearly forgot to stock up for his trip and had to turn back around upon remembering what happened last time.
If Chongyun had the option, he would’ve headed straight to Mondstadt without so much as pacing himself, but he didn’t want to end up so exhausted to the point of collapsing again. The thought of his second reunion with Barbara being her worrying over him didn’t sit right, so despite his eagerness to get there, Chongyun rested along the way.
After much walking, he could see the City of Freedom coming into view as he walked down the dirt path near Springvale. Coming up to the fork in the road, he remembered the oak tree that Barbara mentioned in one of her letters.
I think it’s this path...
As Chongyun walked down the dirt path leading to Windrise, he couldn’t help but notice how refreshing the breeze felt. Although the sunlight was intense, Chongyun closed his parasol. The temperature was a little warm, but it didn’t feel too unbearable at the moment, so he figured it would be fine. He took in the vast greenery that surrounded him until his eyes noticed the large tree in the distance. Chongyun couldn’t help but marvel at its size and figured it would be a good place to take a small rest before he ventured back towards the city. As Chongyun got closer to the tree, he saw something white near the statue of the Anemo Archon. Once he got close enough, he paused, his chest suddenly growing warm. There Barbara was, standing underneath the tree, praying.
“To the wind that guides me, give me the strength to push forward when I feel exhausted and the courage to fight back when I feel afraid. Please continue to watch over and protect those around me. The people of Mondstadt, my family, my dear friends, and…,” she paused, “Chongyun too. Being in love is still very new to me, and not knowing what the future holds can be scary, but… I know in my heart that I care for him deeply. He is such a kind soul. Even though we haven’t seen each other that much, I feel as if he could be my other half...”
Barbara…
”I hope his dreams come true. I’m always going to be rooting for him, so I hope you do too! May your winds continue to lead.”
As Barbara turned around, preparing to leave, the breeze suddenly picked up, causing her to let out a small yelp of surprise as she held onto her hat. Once it died down, Chongyun saw her open her eyes, which immediately widened once she took notice of him.
“C-Chongyun?! What… what are you doing here?”
“H-Hey…” he nervously replied, lightly scratching his cheek with his index finger. “It’s good to see you, Barbara.”
She walked over to him. “I wasn’t expecting you to come to Mondstadt when I wrote my last letter. You must’ve had quite the journey getting here. Are you injured? Do you feel any fatigue?”
Chongyun felt his face grow hot when Barbara touched him and he moved back, desperately trying to keep himself relaxed.
“I-I’m fine. I stopped along the way so I wouldn’t tire myself out.”
“I see…” Barbara twiddled with her hands as she averted her gaze from him. “...W-Were you listening?”
“Listening?”
“My prayer… Did you hear it?”
“Umm…” Chongyun blushed, debating whether to tell her the truth. “I did, but I wasn’t intending to eavesdrop on you or anything, I promise! Honestly, I wasn’t expecting you to be here. I originally just wanted to see what the tree looked like, and then I saw you were here, and…” He took a slow, deep breath to relax. “…hearing your prayer made me happy.”
“Chongyun…”
“You’re the first girl I’ve gone out with. I don’t know the first thing about being a boyfriend or dating, but I’m not in any rush to progress things. We’re still getting to know each other after all. I...I want you to rely on me. N-Not that you have to! But umm... even though I’m still working on becoming a better exorcist, if you ever need me, I’ll do whatever I can to protect you, and-”
“That should be my line,” Barbara said, angrily puffing out her cheeks in a cute manner.
“S-Sorry?”
He heard her giggle as she gently took hold of his hands, allowing their fingers to entwine.
“I guess that makes us rivals. I don’t plan on losing, you know.”
As the wind picked up again, the two embraced underneath the giant oak tree. It took everything for Chongyun to not pass out from the immense happiness he felt at that moment.
Chongyun sat on one of the nearby stone pillars next to Barbara, his parasol leaning against it on the grass. He explained the reason for his sudden arrival and showed her the poem that was sent to him.
“This is strange… Why would someone do this? It’s even scarier that there’s no name of the sender.”
“Is there anyone in Mondstadt that refers to themselves as The Poet Prince?”
“Not that I know of. From what I can gather, they want you to go to Angel’s Share. I have a feeling that this person is a bard. I’m just speculating, of course. Many of the bards in the city like to go there for a drink. Maybe we’ll find some information about The Poet Prince if we ask around there!”
“This almost feels like we’re gathering clues to track down an evil spirit.” A sudden realization then hit Chongyun. “Wait, won’t it be bad if we’re seen together?”
“What do you mean?”
“...I think we should split up for our investigation. The Poet Prince is the only one that knows of our relationship. Plus, I’m worried about how your fans will react to seeing us together. There’s a chance that things may get out of hand.”
“...I didn’t think about that. You’re right. My presence would only create unwanted attention. In that case, I’ll ask around the city and leave the tavern to you! Let’s do our best!”
Although Barbara appeared cheerful, Chongyun could tell she felt guilty about the situation. He took hold of her hands, earning a surprised look from her.
“Chongyun?”
“It doesn’t bother me.”
“Huh?”
“Actually, that’s a lie. You should be able to walk around freely. It isn’t anyone’s business who you’re with or what you’re doing. Of course, I’m not from Mondstadt, and I don’t know what every day is like for you, so it’s not my place to tell you these things. I’m not in a hurry to progress things between us. I understand if certain things need to be kept secret. I...I don’t want to bring any unnecessary burden on you.”
“Chongyun…” Barbara flashed him a gentle smile. “When this is over, I want to make it up to you. Are you able to stay in Mondstadt for a little longer?”
“Well, I’ll need to restock on supplies again for the trip back. If I’m going to stay overnight, though, I’ll need to look for somewhere to stay in the meantime. The only problem is, I don’t have enough Mora that would allow me to find proper lodging.”
“In that case, you can stay at the cathedral! I’ll make all the preparations, so just leave it to me. I’ll take care of everything!” Barbara confidently replied, resting a hand against her chest.
“O-Okay, if you’re sure. Umm...is that your way of making it up to me?”
Barbara’s gaze shifted, a faint blush staining her cheeks. “I want to keep it a surprise. Is that okay?”
“Y-Yeah, that’s fine. Whatever it is, I’m looking forward to it.”
As they jumped down from the stone pillar, the pair began making their way towards Mondstadt. Now and then, Chongyun would notice Barbara gazing in his direction as if she wanted something. Whenever she realized that his attention was on her, Barbara would timidly look away. He didn’t understand why she was so nervous until he realized she wasn’t looking at him rather, but his right hand, which was holding his parasol. He switched hands and then, when Barbara wasn’t paying attention, gently took hold of her left hand, trying to stay calm and collected as he did so. Hearing a small gasp escape her lips, Chongyun glanced towards Barbara, wondering if he made her uncomfortable, but all he saw was her trying to hide the big smile she had on her face.
Upon approaching the bridge, the two immediately stopped holding hands. There was a small pang of sadness in Chongyun’s heart when he felt the warmth of Barbara’s hand leave his own, but they had more important matters to attend to. Barbara showed him the way to Angel’s Share and told him to look for someone named Diluc, who occasionally helps at the tavern. Chongyun felt a little intimidated after learning that Diluc was not only the richest man in Mondstadt but the owner of Dawn Winery and Angel’s Share. It took him a while to muster up the courage to step inside, but he knew information about The Poet Prince wasn’t just going to drop in his lap, so after taking a good, deep breath, Chongyun stepped inside.
The sound of music playing and people chattering greeted his ears as he looked around the tavern. He saw a tall man at the counter cleaning out a beer mug. He had long red hair that matched his eyes. Judging from his outfit, Chongyun assumed that this man must be the person who Barbara mentioned, as there was no one else that stood out in terms of status. He walked up to the counter, immediately gaining Diluc’s attention.
“Welcome to Angel’s Share. Based on your attire, I’m guessing you’re not from Mondstadt.”
“H-How did you know?”
“The design of the Vision that you wear on your belt is unique and not of the one Vision bearers in Mondstadt have. Plus, it’s not every day an exorcist visits our city.”
“I guess I stick out like a sore thumb…” Chongyun replied, rubbing the back of his neck.
“What can I get you?” Diluc asked, placing a clean glass on the counter. “If it’s alcohol, I’m afraid I can’t serve you that. We have a variety of non-alcoholic drinks if you’re interested. I recommend trying our Apple Cider.”
“Before that, are you Master Diluc?”
“...I am. I don’t believe I introduced myself. Someone must have told you my name.”
“Barbara told me about you. She said you could help us.”
“Us?”
Chongyun froze, realizing he slipped up. “I-I mean, me. Do you know anyone in Mondstadt who refers to themselves as The Poet Prince?”
If Chongyun had looked over to his left, he would’ve seen a certain bard, who was about to take a sip from his mug, gaze over in his direction, a smirk spreading across his lips.
“The Poet Prince?” Diluc brought a hand to his chin. “Can’t say I’ve heard of or met anyone, who refers to themselves by that name.”
“I see…”
“Do you have any other information I could go on regarding this so-called Poet Prince? Any details regarding their physical appearance?”
“Unfortunately, that’s all I have. I received a poem from them telling me to come here, but I have no clue who this person is or how they even knew who I was,” Chongyun explained.
As Chongyun was about to hand Diluc the poem for him to look over, someone suddenly snatched it out of his hand. Surprised, Chongyun turned around to see a bard, who appeared to be around his age, reading the poem in one hand and taking a sip from his mug in the other.
“H-Hey, give that back!”
Chongyun tried to take the letter back, but the bard moved quickly, dodging his advances effortlessly as if he were a leaf casually floating in the wind. Playful giggles escaped his lips when he noticed Chongyun was getting fed up with him. The bard downed his mug of wine, letting out a satisfied breath as he placed it down on the counter.
“Thanks for the delicious wine as always, Master Diluc! Catch you later!”
The bard stuck out his tongue playfully at Chongyun then bolted out of the tavern before either two could say anything.
“That bard…” A tired sigh escaped Diluc’s lips. “He never bothers to pay, but is happy to take whatever scraps he can get.”
“Excuse me, do you know him?” Chongyun asked.
“His name is Venti. He has a habit of causing trouble and is always looking for handouts whenever he can get them. I don’t have the slightest clue why he took your poem. Are you acquainted with him?”
“No. I’ve never met him before in my life.”
“Well, whatever the case may be, you should probably get it back from him. I don’t know what the poem details, but judging from your reaction, I’d assume you wouldn’t want it to fall into the wrong hands.”
“Yeah… Do you have any idea where he could’ve gone?”
“If it’s not a tavern, you’ll probably find him somewhere around the city. Maybe try the statue near the cathedral.”
“Thanks, I’ll try looking around.”
As Chongyun exited the tavern, he bumped into Barbara, who was just about to enter.
“Ah, Chongyun! How did it go? Were you able to find anything out from Master Diluc?”
“Sadly, no. What about you?”
“Same here… Before I could even ask anything regarding The Poet Prince, most would just ask me for an autograph or get overly excited by the fact I was talking to them.” Barbara left out a defeated sigh. “A few were kind enough to answer my questions, but no one knew anything about The Poet Prince.”
“I see…” Chongyun then remembered the situation with Venti. “Ah, I almost forgot! I need to catch him before it’s too late!”
“Catch who?”
“I was trying to show Master Diluc the poem to see if that would help in our search, but this bard took it and darted off. I don’t know what interest he could have in it. Unless… Could he know something about The Poet Prince? Maybe he’s working together with him. If that’s the case, then I need to hurry and find him!”
“I’ll come with you! Ah, wait… I promised Sister Victoria I would be back by now. I could try asking for an extended leave, but I’m the only Deaconess and-”
“It’s okay, Barbara. Your duties at the church are more important. Don’t worry about me. Once I get the poem back, I’ll meet up with you.”
“Okay, please be careful.”
Chongyun nodded and headed down the left street that led back to the main gate. Upon approaching the flower shop and some nearby stands, he stopped to ask the people around if they had seen a bard come down this way. No one had seen Venti, much to Chongyun’s disappointment. He debated whether to turn around and head down the other path, but he suddenly heard laughter coming from above and turned his attention towards the rooftops of the nearby buildings. There Venti was, casually waving the poem in his hand. How the bard got onto the roofs was a mystery to Chongyun.
“There you are! Could you please give me my poem back? It’s really important.”
“Why don’t you come up here and take it?”
“W-What? Why would I… You shouldn’t be running around on rooftops. You could get hurt.”
“You’re concerned about me? Although I stole your poem, you’re a nice guy!” Venti took a couple of steps back before getting a running start and jumping off the roof. An azure Wind Glider outstretched from his back, resembling the wings of a bird. “Anyone from Mondstadt knows rooftops are great when you want to fly.”
As Venti glided away, Chongyun followed, trying not to lose sight of him. However, the bard used the tall buildings to his advantage, landing on the nearby roofs and climbing up to slip away. When Chongyun turned the corner past The Cat’s Tail and headed up the stairs, he saw no sign of Venti. There was a windmill next to a small area that was near the Mondstadt’s Adventurers’ Guild. Chongyun was about to head towards the building and ask around until a pair of hands covered his eyes, startling him. He was about to struggle until he heard Venti whisper close to his ear.
“Come along nicely and do not fight, for if you do I shall bring everything to light.”
“To light…?”
“You want to keep your relationship with the Deaconess a secret, right? I’m sure you know that she’s quite the icon of our city. Once her fans get word of this, let’s just say, things won’t look so pretty.”
“Okay, I understand. I’ll come with you.”
“I knew you were a smart fellow!”
Chongyun felt Venti remove his hands. Not a moment later, a blindfold covered his eyes. Chongyun was about to try removing it until he felt Venti tying his hands behind his back.
“H-Hey! What’s the meaning of this?”
“Don’t worry, this is only temporary. It’s to protect The Poet Prince’s identity.”
“You know who he is?”
“You could say that. All right, start walking.”
Since Chongyun couldn’t see, he hesitated at first, unsure of where to go, but Venti guided him, acting as his eyes. He had no clue where they were going and could only hear grass crunching underneath his slippers.
“Okay, you can stop here. The Poet Prince will be here shortly.”
“O-Okay…”
Chongyun waited, feeling slight discomfort in his wrists. All he could hear was the sound of the wind passing through the trees and people chatting and walking nearby. He wondered how no one noticed the fact that someone had kidnapped him against his will. Chongyun figured Venti took him to a hidden area, otherwise, someone would’ve likely found him by now.
As minutes passed, Chongyun heard no further word from Venti or the sound of someone coming. He waited longer, thinking that maybe The Poet Prince was running late, but it got hot and Chongyun became hungry. It had been a while since his last meal and his legs felt like they were about to give out at any moment. Just as he was about to call out for Venti, a male voice whispered in his ear.
“I’ve brought some provisions to keep your hunger at bay, but do not remove the blindfold. I won’t have any foul play.”
Chongyun’s wrists got freed. Before he could stretch them out, a cold glass pressed against his cheek, which made him jump at the contact.
“Take this glass of milk and loaf of bread, it’ll keep you energized for the battle ahead.”
“T-Thank you…” Chongyun replied, awkwardly reaching out to grab the items. “Are you The Poet Prince?”
“Take a seat. We can converse after you eat.”
His voice sounds familiar… Chongyun thought. Could the Poet Prince be…? Maybe it’s just a coincidence. I’m sure there are plenty of people whose voices sound alike. Plus, it would be ironic to have discovered his identity before actually meeting him.
“It’s rude to let good food go to waste. To relieve your doubts, would you rather I have a taste?”
“Sorry, I was just thinking about something. I’ll start eating now.”
Chongyun slowly squatted down onto the grass, his bottom connecting with the soft ground below. He carefully set the glass of milk down in front of him and took a small bite out of the loaf of bread. Although it wasn’t anything substantial, Chongyun was fine with whatever, as long as it wasn’t spicy or too hot. He drank some of the milk to help wash and down and felt his energy coming back to him.
“See, that wasn’t so hard. Although my methods may seem unusual, I can be quite the nice bard.”
So, he’s also a bard. Why did he bother to give me food if I’m supposed to be his enemy? This makes little sense… Perhaps he’s trying to lead me into a false sense of security to get me to lower my guard. Or maybe… Could this be a bribe to get me to back down from the battle? I won’t let anything happen to Barbara.
Once Chongyun finished eating, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before speaking to The Poet Prince.
“Thank you for the food. I don’t fully understand why you bothered to help me, but this kind gesture must mean that you aren’t a bad person. How did you know that Barbara and I are…” Chongyun hesitated on saying “together,” as he was still unsure and not fully confident about their relationship. “...that we’re close?”
“You could say I get around. Even the smallest wind currents can pick up the most discrete of sounds.”
Wind currents…? I don’t understand what he’s saying, but maybe he means he can move between places quickly? That, or maybe he just has good ears.
“I’ve come to Mondstadt as you asked, but I want to make one thing clear: I’m not planning on handing Barbara over to you. Wait, let me rephrase that. Barbara should have the freedom to be with whoever she chooses. No one should make that decision for her, whether they’re her family, a fan, or a close friend.”
“You’re quite the passionate one. But I still cannot see how the Deaconess could fall for just anyone. You don’t look like much at first glance. Perhaps she just wanted to take a chance? Our Deaconess is gentle and kind. I’m sure your words must have clouded her mind.”
“...What are you getting at?”
“You pretend to care about the Deaconess deeply, but you’re just with her because she looked easy.”
Chongyun felt upset at The Poet Prince’s implications. He could feel his body’s temperature rise rapidly, like a furnace. He immediately stood up, his hands clenched so tight to where he could feel his nails digging into his palms.
“I would never do something like that! Barbara has been nothing but kind to me. As someone who doesn’t have many friends because of my condition, she took the time to understand me and helped me. I thought my condition was the worst thing anyone could have in the world, but Barbara devotes all of her time to her duties and faith. She cares so much about everyone. Keeping up a smile every day, making others happy… I can’t even imagine what worries she keeps locked away. How much she bears alone. You may think you know her, but you don’t know how we feel about each other. Barbara is precious to me, and I won’t let anything or anyone bring her harm!”
Upon stripping the blindfold from his face, Chongyun saw that there was no one there. He was standing in the small open area near the windmill that was closest to the Adventurers’ Guild main building. He scanned the area, trying to see if there was anyone that looked like they were running away, but there was no one.
“I can’t believe I didn’t think to take off the blindfold until now. Then again, he probably would have slipped away at any moment. Venti isn’t here either. Did he run off with The Poet Prince? Just what is going on today?” Chongyun let out a defeated sigh as he tried to calm down after getting worked up from The Poet Prince’s accusations about his feelings towards Barbara. “I don’t understand… First, he gives me food, and then he makes these claims about my relationship with Barbara. I’m still not sure whether he’s just one of her fans or a close friend. Barbara never mentioned having a brother, and her father is away on an expedition. If only I saw his face. He sounded a lot like Venti, but it wouldn’t make sense for him to put a blindfold on me when I’ve already seen his face. Hmm? There’s something here.”
Chongyun glanced towards the ground as he was thinking and saw a piece of paper with some writing on it. He picked it up and looked it over. It was another poem from The Poet Prince.
Sorry for leaving without saying goodbye,
Your feelings for the Deaconess are genuine, that I cannot deny,
Our ballads will be the true test,
Let’s see which one Barbara likes the best,
Just so you know, I don’t plan to lose,
Can’t wait to see who it is she’ll choose
“Looks like the battle is still on. I’m at a tremendous disadvantage given I’m not a bard, but I’ve already come too far to quit now. I should start getting ready.”
Once evening came, Chongyun headed to Angel’s Share and waited upstairs until it was time for the performance to start. Not wanting to disturb the patrons on the second floor, Chongyun went out to the balcony to rehearse. Although he wanted to remain hopeful that Barbara’s feelings wouldn’t change, he couldn’t help but feel extremely anxious, which made him forget what he had written despite the many times he reread his poem and practiced out loud. He couldn’t calm himself down and had to stop to take a breather.
“I can’t do this. I’ve performed nothing like this in my life.”
“Chongyun?”
“If I slip up even the slightest, everyone’s going to laugh at me. ...What if Barbara laughs at me, too? She’ll probably think I’m lame.”
“I wouldn’t think that at all! I think it’s very brave that you’re even doing this! It takes a lot of courage to do something you’ve never tried before.”
“Sure, she may think that now, but it’s obvious who the winner will be. But even knowing that, is it okay for me to give up like this? It took a lot for me to create this poem. I could see Barbara again thanks to The Poet Prince. Should I really let all of that go to waste? I want Barbara to know how I feel about her. A letter can only do so much. While I’m here, I should tell her properly.”
“Chongyun… “ Barbara sniffed. ”Oh dear, how embarrassing. I need to wipe my face.”
Chongyun finally noticed Barbara’s voice and turned around to see her using her hands to wipe the tears from her eyes. When she noticed he was looking at her, Barbara turned her back towards him.
“Barbara? What are you doing here?”
Once the idol regained her composure, she faced him, greeting him with a smile. “Why wouldn’t I be here? I’m the one who has to decide the winner, right? Besides, I wanted to see how you were doing. I was calling your name, but you were so caught up in your thoughts that you didn’t hear me…”
“S-Sorry…” Chongyun apologized, rubbing the back of his neck. “It wasn’t on purpose, I promise.”
Barbara giggled, “I know. I think I have something that’ll help those nerves of yours.” He saw her walk over to the wall and pick up something. When she came back, he saw a frosty drink in her hands that looked familiar. “My hands were freezing, so I had to set it down. I made you some Chillbrew! I was in a bit of a rush, so I had to make it rather quickly. Hopefully, it doesn’t taste bad…”
“Barbara…” Chongyun took the drink from her, feeling touched by the kind gesture. “You did this for me?”
“Of course!” Barbara held her hands behind her back, a tender smile on her lips. “Heehee, I said it before, didn’t I? I’ll always be rooting for you, Chongyun. You should believe in yourself, too.” She rested a hand on her chest. “I get nervous all the time before a performance. Sometimes I end up second-guessing myself. But when I think about everyone’s smiling faces...how happy my singing makes them...It gives me the confidence boost I need. Don’t think about the people in the tavern. Just imagine that I’m the only one in front of you. Actually, that might make you even more nervous... Umm… J-Just pretend I’m a giant popsicle or a scary ghost! Although, what if that makes you hungry or terrified?”
Chongyun couldn’t help but laugh, to which Barbara pouted.
“W-Why are you laughing? It’s not as if I said to imagine everyone as a bunch of Slimes in their underwear! …Not that Slimes have underwear, but that’s beside the point!”
“Thank you, Barbara.”
“Eh?”
“I understood what you were trying to say. I don’t think I’ll have to imagine anything. The fact that you came to cheer me up means a lot. I don’t feel as nervous anymore.”
“Chongyun…” Barbara blushed, turning her head away. “...I like your laugh. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before.”
Chongyun’s face flushed red from the unexpected compliment. “Oh? T-Thanks.” He lightly scratched his cheek with his index finger. “I think your laugh is beautiful, too. N-No, wait! That came out wrong.”
“...So, you don’t think it’s beautiful? I see...” A sad sigh escaped Barbara’s lips, a glint of disappointment in her blue eyes.
“N-No, I do! I just…” He let out a defeated sigh. “I wish I was better at putting my thoughts into words. I wasn’t sure if I was being too forward, that’s why I hesitated. But I really meant it, Barbara. Not just your laugh, but your smile...how dedicated you are to your duties… Everything about you is amazing.”
He saw Barbara’s eyes widened in surprise; her face turning as red as a tomato. She held her arm, timidly dropping her gaze to the floor.
“T-That’s… I’m not that amazing. Many people have helped me throughout my life, so I’m just returning the favor by giving my best each day! Compared to my big sister, I’m just…”
Chongyun walked over to Barbara, immediately earning her attention as he approached her.
“Chongyun?”
“‘I believe in you, so you should, too.’” He smiled tenderly at her. “Right?”
Barbara gasped lightly, realizing that he had used one of her phrases. She giggled, smiling at him warmly.
“Right!”
Not a moment later, someone had come to the balcony to inform Chongyun it was time for the show to begin. If his nerves weren’t bad enough, he noticed the patrons were staring at him. He understood that his clothing made him stand out, but their gazes felt intense like a giant spotlight was shining on him. Chongyun tried his best to ignore it, taking frequent sips of Barbara’s Chillbrew and focusing on keeping his breathing steady.
“Sorry for the wait! A show should never start late,” said a familiar voice.
Chongyun turned around and saw Venti entering the tavern, carrying a lyre under one arm.
“Venti…? What are you doing here? Where’s The Poet Prince?”
“Whoa, one question at a time. Unfortunately, The Poet Prince couldn’t make it, so he asked me to challenge you in his stead. He apologizes for the inconvenience. But worry not! I’m quite the talented bard myself. I assure you I’m just as worthy of an opponent as him.”
“If you say so…”
Chongyun couldn’t help but wonder why The Poet Prince went through all this trouble if he was just going to have Venti take his place. It kind of defeated the purpose of having him come all the way here. Still, Chongyun couldn’t help but feel that he was missing something.
“Hey Venti, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you. I don’t have enough evidence to support my claim, but are you-”
Before Chongyun could finish his sentence, Diluc spoke.
“All right everyone, your attention, please. Tonight we have a special performance. These two young men will each perform their ballad for the Deaconess. Barbara will then pick a winner. Whoever wins this competition will receive a special prize from her.”
The tavern suddenly grew loud with commotion as the patrons talked amongst themselves.
“Barbara is judging herself?”
“I wish I knew about this competition earlier. I would’ve loved to receive a prize from Barbara-sama!”
“Was there even a sign-up for this competition? This is the first time I’ve heard about it.”
“Yeah, same here. If it was only for Mondstadt, how did a kid from Liyue know about it?”
“Maybe Liyue has heard of her?”
“I’m not surprised. Barbara is quite popular in our city. Her singing never fails to lift my spirits.”
“Even her smile is to die for!”
“All right, everyone, please settle down. The competition will begin shortly. Be respectful towards our contestants and only applaud when they have finished.” Once Diluc finished explaining, he turned his attention towards Chongyun and Venti. “You can decide between yourselves who will go first. The floor is yours when you are ready.”
“Chongyun was it? Do you mind if I go first? That way, you won’t be as nervous. Plus, it might be a learning opportunity for you, seeing a professional in action.” Venti rested a hand against his chest, a confident look on his face. “Not to brag, but I have won the title of “Most Popular Bard of Mondstadt” three times in a row. So, what do you say?”
“Sure, I don’t mind.”
“Great! May the best bard win.”
Chongyun saw Venti extend his hand out for a handshake. He didn’t understand at first, but figured this was the bard’s way of showing that there were no hard feelings, so he accepted his hand, giving it a firm shake. Venti grinned in response and walked towards the center of the tavern, carrying his lyre. Once the tavern became quiet, he played his lyre and spoke.
There’s nothing more satisfying than a cool glass of wine,
Dandelion wine for me is simply the best,
I can never get enough of its sweet taste,
But where are my manners? I haven’t even mentioned our guest!
A thank you to our darling Deaconess for coming today,
Her kindness never comes at a price,
She’ll ease all your pain and soothe your worries,
Yet no one knows how much she has to sacrifice,
We are grateful to have you in our city,
May the Wind Archon keep protecting you from above,
You always do so much for our sake,
May your days always be showered with love
The people in the tavern applauded, to which Venti bowed in response. Chongyun had to admit that Venti knew his craft. However, it only added more pressure on Chongyun to perform well.
As Venti returned to the counter, Chongyun headed over. However, he stopped upon feeling Venti’s hand on his shoulder. Turning his head, Chongyun saw Venti flash him a wink and give him a thumbs up in support. Chongyun awkwardly returned the thumbs up before taking his place in the center of the tavern. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to relax. He looked over at Barbara, who was watching from the second floor. She smiled his way, giving him a nod of encouragement. Chongyun smiled back and turned his attention back towards the patron, ready to perform.
I am an exorcist from Liyue,
My presence alone makes most ghosts flee,
Aside from that, I’m not interesting,
When the heat is overwhelming, I like to rest under a giant tree,
I don’t handle spicy food very well,
Chilled meals keep me energized,
Cold noodles are my go-to for every season,
I won’t blame you if you are surprised,
The way we met happened by chance,
A gift of ice cream that looked like noodles was certainly unexpected,
Despite our differences, we’re quite similar,
Maybe that’s why we connected,
Although the circumstances that brought me here were unusual,
I’m glad I got to see you again and hear your voice,
I hope our letters will continue,
But whatever you decide, I will respect your choice,
This is where my ballad ends,
I know it isn’t perfect,
But my feelings are still the same as it was on that day,
Chongyun paused and looked up towards Barbara, his eyes locking with hers. He rested a hand against his chest, a serious yet determined resolve shining in his eyes.
No matter the distance, you’re someone I want to protect
“Chongyun…” Barbara became teary-eyed and had to turn away to hide her face. She cleared her throat and turned back around once she regained her composure. “I have decided on a winner! You boys both performed extremely well. Chongyun, despite this being your first time performing a ballad, I thought it was beautiful. I can tell you put a lot of thought into your words.” Her cheeks turned rosy. “The person you wrote about in your ballad...I can tell she’s someone you really cherish. Your feelings moved my heart, and with that said, I announce you as the winner of the competition!”
“Ah...” Chongyun’s mouth couldn’t help but fall agape in shock. Suddenly, he felt Venti take hold of his wrist, raising his arm high.
“Let’s hear it for the exorcist from Liyue!” Venti cheered.
The tavern erupted in applause and cheers. A wave of emotions was hitting Chongyun all at once. He was still trying to process the fact that he won, and the sudden praise and attention he was getting from the tavern goers was overwhelming for him, but he felt immensely happy. Chongyun didn’t know whether to hold back from smiling or bursting into tears.
“Master Diluc, I think this calls for a round of drinks to celebrate!” said Venti.
“Nice try, but until I see some Mora from you, you’re not getting a single glass of wine tonight,” Diluc replied, crossing his arms against his chest. “For the winner, however, I would be happy to serve you one of our non-alcoholic beverages.”
“Aww, man… Well, looks like I’ll have to stop by the good old wine cellar again. You know, for a novice, you didn’t do too bad! Did you pick up some tricks from someone in Liyue?”
“My friend helped me. He’s well-versed in literature, so I had him give me some advice.”
“A friend, huh? Maybe I should’ve sent a mysterious letter to him too!”
“...A mysterious letter?” A realization then hit Chongyun. “Then, you’re actually...”
“Whoops, guess I let the cat out of the bag. Oh, would you look at the time? Better make haste to Dawn Winery while Master Diluc is busy. See you later!”
Venti blotted out the door before Chongyun said anything else. As he let out a long, tired sigh, he heard Barbara walk up to him.
“Ah, Barbara.”
“The tavern has gotten lively, hasn’t it?” She clasped her hands together, timidly averting her gaze. “I have your prize waiting for you at the cathedral. Will you come with me?”
“O-Of course!”
He immediately blushed, realizing his tone sounded a lot more eager than he intended. Barbara giggled at his reaction and exited the tavern. Chongyun was about to follow behind her until he heard Master Diluc call him.
“So, you’re involved with the Deaconess it seems.”
Chongyun gulped, trying to think of a good lie. “Umm…”
“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I just thought I should give you a little warning. Her sister is Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. If a day comes where you have to break her heart, let’s just say, she won’t be pleased. For you, I hope that day never comes.”
“I-I see… Thanks for the advice.”
“Chongyun, are you coming?” Barbara asks from the tavern door.
“I’ll be right there!”
When Chongyun entered the cathedral with Barbara, she asked him to keep his eyes closed until it was okay to open them. After that, he felt Barbara guide him by the hand to somewhere. Chongyun was clueless where Barbara was taking him until he smelled a delicious aroma. Having only eaten a small loaf of bread and a glass of milk, a homemade meal sounded tempting right about now.
“Okay, you can open your eyes!”
When Chongyun opened his eyes, he saw a variety of Mondstadt dishes all spread out across a table. There was Satisfying Salad; Cream Stew; Crab, Ham & Veggie Bake; and Sweet Madame. He felt his mouth water at the sight.
“I wanted to try making some Liyue dishes for you, but I don’t think I would’ve had enough time, so I cooked some of Mondstadt’s fare. I hope that’s okay. This is my prize to you for winning the competition! Not just that, but also to celebrate us being together again. I know it’s not anything fancy, but I gave everything plenty of time to cool down and-”
Chongyun wrapped his arms delicately around Barbara, pulling her close to him. The sudden action surprised her.
“…Chongyun?”
“Sorry, I’m just…happy right now. I’m trying to keep my emotions under control, but it feels like they’re overflowing. I don’t care that it’s not fancy. For me, it’s perfect. I love you, Barbara.”
“E-Eh?!”
He immediately released Barbara, waving his arms frantically as he tried to explain himself. “I-It! I meant it! The dinner, not you. No, wait… If I say that, then you’ll think that I don’t love you. But if I admit I meant it, it might seem too forward.” He buried his face in his hands. “Ugh, why am I so bad at this?”
Babara giggled as she removed his hands from his face. “Let’s eat, okay? If the food gets any colder, it would be a waste.”
“R-Right…”
Chongyun pulled out Barbara’s chair for her before he sat down. There were four chairs at the table, and although it didn’t register in his mind to sit next to Barbara, Chongyun sat on the other side of the table across from her. He was about to dig in until he noticed the way Barbara was looking at him with her cheeks puffed out.
“Umm… Is something the matter, Barbara?”
“Don’t you want to sit closer?”
“…Are we not sitting together?”
“I mean, there’s an empty chair right next to me. Didn’t you notice it?”
“I did, but wouldn’t I be in your way if I sat there?”
“Oh… You’re probably right. Sorry for ruining the mood. Umm…please eat as much as you like!”
Although Barbara pretended everything was fine, Chongyun knew that something was bothering her.
...I messed up again, didn’t I? Chongyun sighed. I know Barbara’s just being polite, but I can tell something is wrong. Why does she want me to sit next to her? Will it make the food taste better somehow? No...that’s not it. There has to be another reason. Come on, Chongyun.
As Chongyun racked his brain, he remembered when they were walking in Windrise and how Barbara kept making side glances at him. It didn’t register in his mind what she wanted at first until he realized she wanted to hold hands. After he did that, Barbara was happy.
Does she just want to be close to me? Why not tell me directly? Is she worried about how I would react? ...Though to be fair, given the current atmosphere, if I said something like that out loud, I’d probably die from embarrassment. Chongyun couldn’t help but smile to himself, happy to know he wasn’t the only one that was shy. She’s so cute.
He saw Barbara look over at him, curious why he was staring at her. “Is there something wrong with the food? Don’t worry, I made sure not to add any spices in.”
“I was just thinking the food might taste even better if I changed seats,” Chongyun replied, getting up.
“Changed seats? Ah...”
He got into the chair next to Barbara’s, desperately trying to appear cool and collected as he dug into the food she made. Even though Chongyun was trying hard not to make eye contact, he could feel Barbara staring at him, probably still processing the fact that he came over and sat next to her. If the circumstances were different, Chongyun would’ve never been so bold.
“T-The Cream Stew is good.”
“T-Thank you... I normally add a lot of spice when I make it, but I had to make some adjustments. Not that I mind! You’ve traveled such a long way, and tonight is special, so you deserve a nice, homemade meal!”
“Barbara…”
“Besides...you’re my boyfriend. It’s only natural I would want to do this for you.” She turned slightly towards him, taking hold of his hand. “I-It may be too early for me to say, but I love you too, Chongyun. So, please, don’t doubt yourself anymore. Getting easily flustered, not knowing what to say, standing behind your feelings… All of those things are what I love about you. No one is perfect. I know you think of me as this amazing person, but I’m just a normal girl, who tries to put her best foot forward every day. I think you’re more amazing for doing something you’ve never done before.”
The way Barbara’s eyes were radiating with love stirred up something within Chongyun. He leaned forward, giving her a gentle peck on the lips. He almost apologized, until Barbara returned the kiss. The two stared at each other for a brief moment before joining their lips once more. Everything in Chongyun was screaming for him to pass out, but he endured as he held Barbara’s hand. The two parted once they needed oxygen. Soft pants filled the room as they tried to catch their breath, both their faces red from embarrassment.
“H-How do you feel?” Barbara asked.
“Amazing,” Chongyun replied, his mouth once again moving faster than his brain.
Barbara giggled. “I was talking about your yang energy, silly.”
“O-Oh! Umm...it’s really strong at the moment. I’m trying to hold it back, but I don’t think I’ll be able to for much longer.”
“Don’t.”
“Huh?”
“...You don’t have to hold back. I trust you.”
“But what if-”
Barbara put a finger to his lips, silencing him. “Nothing will happen. Even if something does, I know you won’t hurt me.” She smiled. “I’m the Deaconess here, after all. Leave everything to me!”
“But…” Chongyun sighed heavily, knowing he could not change her mind. “All right, but at least let me give you something to knock me out in case I do something crazy.”
“I’m not knocking you out!”
The next afternoon, Chongyun walked towards the main gate with Barbara. They had spent the morning stocking up on supplies for his trip back to Liyue. He wanted to delay his inevitable return to his hometown as much as possible, but Barbara still had her duties to attend to after all.
Chongyun couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. When he woke up this morning, he had Barbara in his arms. He almost let out a scream of panic, but relaxed once he saw that everything was fine. Barbara never explained how she ended up in his room, but he figured something must’ve happened as when they exited the cathedral, Barbara had held his hand out in public, gaining everyone’s attention. When people ask out of curiosity, Barbara, without the slightest hesitation, admitted that they were dating. Chongyun prepared himself to be banished from the city, but to his surprise, everyone congratulated them and wished them well. There were a few die-hard fans of Barbara that were heartbroken by the news, but they respected Barbara’s wishes to give them privacy.
“Barbara, are you sure you’re okay with everyone knowing about us?”
“I am,” she replied.
“What made you change your mind? I would’ve been okay if you wanted to keep it a secret a little longer.”
“I-I don’t know… I did a lot of thinking last night and decided that I was okay with it. Mondstadt is the City of Freedom after all!”
“I suppose that’s true…” Chongyun had to admit he was a little happy, and a bit relieved he didn’t have to pretend anymore. “...Barbara, be honest with me. Something happened last night, didn’t it?”
“N-Nothing happened!”
“I can’t think of another explanation of why you were in bed with me this morning unless we-” Chongyun blushed, shielding the lower half of his face with his face. “A-A girl doesn’t just willingly sleep in the same bed with a guy.” He took a deep breath to relax. “Please, Barbara. I want to know what happened. If I... If I accidentally hurt you, I could never live with myself.”
“Chongyun…” Barbara clutched her chest, her gaze dropping to the ground. “After we said goodnight to each other, I headed to my room. I wasn’t sure how hot the room I had prepared for you would get overnight, so I made some extra Chillbrew for you. When I stopped by your room to deliver it, you looked as if you were in pain. Your breathing was very heavy and your forehead felt extremely hot. My mind instantly thought you were developing a fever, so I was going to head to the kitchen to prepare some medicine, but you suddenly wrapped your arms around me and begged me to stay. Your grip was a little strong, so I had no choice but to agree. Ah, but you didn’t hurt me! I really wanted to make that medicine for you, but I also didn’t want to leave your side so I… I-I drank some of the Chillbrew and administered it mouth-to-mouth.” Barbara immediately covered her face with her hands, trying to hide her embarrassment. “T-Thankfully, your body temperature seemed to go down, and you eventually went to sleep. But that’s the reason I was with you this morning.” Barbara slowly peeked up from her hands. “...I-If it makes you feel any better, you’re a good kisser!”
“D-Don’t say something like that out loud!” Chongyun exclaimed, his face already burning hot from embarrassment. He brought a hand to his temple, letting out a long, tired sigh. “I’m so sorry, Barbara. I didn’t know any of that happened. You’ve done nothing but worry over me. I promise I’ll make it up to you. I’ll do anything you want.”
“...Anything?”
Chongyun nodded. “Anything. As long as it’s reasonable, of course.”
“Then...will you promise to visit again? I’d like for you to stay longer next time. But if it’s too much trouble…!”
“Of course I’ll come to visit you again. I can’t say when I’ll have time, but I’ll speak with my family and let you know in my next letter when I’ll be able to revisit Mondstadt.” He flashed her a tender smile, delicately holding her hands in his own. “I also want to spend more time together.”
The sound of the water flowing underneath the stone bridge and the gentle wind passing through the trees filled that air as the two gazed into each other’s eyes. Slowly, they leaned forward, closing any space that was between them as their lips met in a delicate kiss. Kissing was still something that made Chongyun’s soul feel as if it was about to ascend to Celestia, but he was slowly getting used to it. Although his yang energy was something he had yet to gain control over, Barbara always seemed to be the perfect remedy to cool him down.