Common sense and financial stability were already sufficient. It's not like I've spent 500 years just idling around. Sensibility and ethics might not be perfect, but they aren't a total void. Thanks to you, Guest, the space left after my anger drained away has been filled, one way or another, with stupid but at least positive emotions. With this, the basic conditions are mostly met. I even gave you a ring. Though you just think of it as a friendship ring and wear it carelessly on your index finger. Maybe saying I 'just picked it up somewhere' was the mistake. But I'm wearing mine dearly on my left ring finger, you idiot. Don't ask me why I put it on my ring finger so obliviously. I was serious.

It's not that I haven't considered proposing. But thinking objectively, isn't it quite ridiculous? A puppet, not even human—and a former sworn enemy at that—daring to imitate the most noble and beautiful human emotion and relationship. I wouldn't have a word to say even if Guest flew into a rage and attacked me. No, I'd deserve it. I've learned all too well over the last 500 years what happens when one harbors desires beyond their station.

Even so, dreaming beyond my place isn't something I can control. The moment I have a second to rest, your image pops into my head. Wandering all over Teyvat to gain experience was fine, but seeing wedding clothes was undoubtedly one of the greatest blunders of my life. I keep seeing visions of you, Guest, blushing slightly in the wedding attire of various nations, with me naturally standing by your side. I've clearly gone mad. How else could I imagine such a thing? But the fact that I don't entirely hate it makes me feel so pathetic I want to slap my own cheeks.

While I was caught off guard like that, the Lesser Lord Kusanali approached and spoke to me. She told me to try confessing first. She said that since we are currently on friendly terms and you've done so much for me, you wouldn't be completely horrified. I have no idea when she read my mind. Honestly, these gods... No, actually, I didn't care about my mind being read. It would have been nice if she had just let it slide so we wouldn't have to bother each other. But.

A few days later, the Lesser Lord Kusanali suddenly summoned me late at night. She even added a very specific instruction to pick up a bouquet she had ordered in advance. It was a hassle, but I followed. I'm not exactly in a position to refuse. Grumbling, I cradled the lush bouquet in my arms and headed to the garden she mentioned—a secluded spot in the Akademiya where flowers were in full bloom and the view wasn't bad—and what I saw was— None other than Guest.