It didn't take long for the God to wait before an attendant returned carrying a cloak.
"Since we're heading out, you should wear this." Aether shook out the cloak and draped it over Baimeng, smoothing the folds, pulling up the hood, and carefully tucking in her soft, silvery-white hair. Finally, he pinned a red butterfly brooch at the collar, and his work was complete.
Seeing that he still had another cloak draped over his arm, Baimeng asked in surprise, "Are you coming too?"
"Naturally. How could I possibly feel at ease with Your Highness going out alone? Besides, what monarch ever leaves home without an escort?" Aether's tone carried a hint of grievance. He stared unhappily into Baimeng's eyes until she felt a growing urge to yield.
"I'll be fine on my own," Baimeng muttered half-heartedly. "Since when does the esteemed Prince of the Abyss require an escort just to step outside?"
"Always. Even for clandestine operations, at least one personal guard must accompany you," Aether replied with a nod, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Therefore, Your Highness should take me—or a squad of guards. Though, personally, I feel taking me is the better choice."
He was much faster at getting himself ready. In the blink of an eye, he was fully dressed, casually undoing his braided hair to let his golden locks tumble loose and be tucked away inside his hood, as though he feared being left behind by the God for even a moment.
"All right, all right. Once we're outside, stop calling me Your Highness." Baimeng stroked the smooth, supple fabric. She had no idea what material the cloak was made of; it looked understated yet elegant, felt weightless when worn, and, most importantly, despite appearing paper-thin, it offered remarkable warmth.
"Then how should I address you?"
Aether curved his lips into a smile. The hood shadowed the upper half of his face, making the sharp line of his jaw all the more prominent. When he smiled, it cast a hazy, deeply alluring mystery over him, making one want to lift his veil and gaze upon his true face.
"…Just Baimeng," she said.
"As you wish, Lady Baimeng."
Instead of walking at a leisurely pace out of the Abyss, the two chose to travel via the Ley Lines. In the blink of an eye, master and servant arrived at a cave opening.
Baimeng stepped out first, lifting her chin as a blinding flash of white light instantly flooded her vision. A wave of dizziness washed over her, and she swayed slightly. Before she could even feel the warmth of the sun, a hand covered her eyes, shutting out the dazzling glare, while another hand considerately steadied her back, supporting her weight.
"Thanks."
Without refusing the boy's kindness, Baimeng stood quietly in place, waiting for her vision to clear.
Sensing she was mostly recovered, Baimeng lightly tapped Aether's hand to signal that he could lower it.
At that exact moment, the instant the God's fingers extended from beneath the cloak and brushed against the sunlight, a sharp, searing agony flared up as if she had been touched by a blazing flame. Baimeng couldn't help but gasp.
"Hiss—"
"What's wrong?" Aether reacted with alarm, catching her hand and cupping both of his to inspect it closely.
"It's nothing," Baimeng said, pulling her hand back and tucking it beneath the cloak once more.
"How could that be nothing?!"
Aether had seen it clearly: her originally fair fingertips looked as though they had been scorched by fire, horribly marred. Wisps of pitch-black abyss energy drifted like smoke from the wound.
"It's just a bit of rejection."
The God brushed it off lightly, once again extending her uninjured hand to wave it in front of Aether. This time, she made sure to keep it carefully out of the direct sunlight.
"See? I'm fine, aren't I?"
Aether sighed with heartache, carefully readjusting the cloak around Baimeng to ensure not a single inch of skin remained exposed.
"Let's walk in the shade."
"Alright."
This time, Aether didn't walk behind Baimeng; instead, he walked half a step ahead to her side, positioning his body so it blocked the rays of sunlight leaking through the gaps in the leaves.
Baimeng lowered her head to step on Aether's shadow, her mood inexplicably lifting.
"Where are we actually going, Lady Baimeng?" Though walking slightly ahead, Aether kept a constant watch on Baimeng, matching his pace to hers.
"You followed me here without even knowing where we're headed?" From Baimeng's angle, she had a clear view of the boy's profile, glowing softly beneath the dappled sunlight.
"Is there a problem?" Aether turned to her in bewilderment, looking as though he couldn't understand why she was so surprised.
"Pfft. No." Baimeng fought desperately to hold back her laughter. Seen from behind, the God's shoulders were trembling slightly.
For some reason, she was just happy.
"Ahem. We're heading to Dragonspine. I heard there's an alchemist there who might be able to fix the problem with my body." Seeing that the question on Aether's face was about to solidify into confusion, and not wanting to laugh too openly, Baimeng hastily changed the subject.
"I see," Aether nodded, then continued, "But the direction we're walking isn't Dragonspine, is it?"
"Ah, sorry, out of habit I just…" Baimeng instantly froze. Yet the foot she had lifted to change direction hung in the air, refusing to come down. Her body seemed to have a will of its own, utterly disobedient.
"Do you want to go to Liyue?" Aether stopped as well, asking softly.
Silence. Baimeng lowered her head, staring at a line of ants crawling past her shoes.
"Is there someone you want to see?"
Still silence. Baimeng turned her head away, watching the sparrows chatter in the trees.
"Do you know where they are?"
Silence. Silence hung heavy in the air.
Her throat felt rusted shut, making it impossible to easily say even a simple "yes" or "no."
Baimeng's gaze darted back and forth, searching desperately for an excuse, yet unwilling to lie to him, leaving her too cowardly to meet Aether's eyes.
*Speak up,* a voice whispered, sorrowful and tender. *Say you have someone you want to see. Say you want to go to Liyue, that you want to see him, that you want to hear his voice, even if you can't get close, even if it's just from afar.*
*Shut up!* another voice mocked, laughing recklessly. *You want to die too? If you're discovered, you won't be the only one facing a crisis—are you satisfied dragging Aether down to die with you? Besides, do you think he wants to be seen by the likes of you? He'd only find it disgusting to be spied on by someone like you.*
Caught between the two voices, Baimeng kept her head down, fleeing from the choice.
"Your Highness."
Aether dropped to one knee, looking up into Baimeng's tear-filled eyes.
"No matter what you want to do, no matter where you want to go, I will accompany you."
"Even if there might be danger?" Baimeng's voice was hoarse.
"Of course." The boy smiled with absolute confidence. "I'm very strong, after all. Please trust me."
With that, the bright-eyed boy wiped the tears from the corners of the girl's eyes, smoothing away her unease with his smile.
"I swear, I will stay by your side no matter what. I will protect you."
"Definitely?"
"Definitely."
Baimeng sniffled, trying to salvage some of her dignity with a clumsy remark.
"Just worry about protecting yourself. I certainly don't have any spare strength to look after you right now."
"As you wish," the boy smiled gently.