The morning sun, gradually scorching.
It seems today is also a day of harmony and friendship.
Meanwhile.
In a quiet room, spotless.
A graceful figure stood by the mirror, grooming herself.
Warm sunlight streamed through the window, draping her in a soft, ethereal veil, beautiful and stunning.
Suddenly, a knock echoed from outside the door.
"Come in."
"Your Majesty, good morning."
The elegant and serene woman gently pushed open the door and bowed to the Cryo Archon.
"Good morning, Columbina."
"Where is that child, Sandrone?"
A clear, cool voice sounded, carrying a hint of morning laziness and tranquility.
The Archon picked up exquisite jewelry from the dressing table, holding them up to the mirror.
"She went to prepare for experiments early this morning."
Columbina offered a small excuse for Sandrone's absence, a well-worn tactic.
"Mm."
The Archon nodded gently, asking no further questions.
She was still focused on her grooming.
"..."
Columbina closed the door and glided silently to the Archon's side.
Gazing at the stunning figure in the mirror.
A refined face, with skin as white as jade and flawless.
Her soft, silvery-grey hair shimmered with a gentle radiance under the sunlight.
Pure and noble as ice and snow, enough to eclipse all other beauty.
Even Columbina couldn't help but marvel at the Cryo Archon's charm.
"How do you think this piece of jewelry looks on me?"
Before the full-length mirror, as tall as a person, the Archon looked at herself and asked softly.
"All the beauty in the world will linger where Your Majesty resides."
Columbina smiled.
Her gaze inadvertently fell upon the various pieces of jewelry on the table.
All of them had been casually discarded by the Archon after she deemed them unsatisfactory.
Columbina pursed her lips.
Even for someone as placid as herself, doubt began to surface.
The noble deity she remembered would not bother herself with such trivial matters as dressing up.
Could the words of the Hydro Archon, Furina, be true?
"Still not right."
Finally, the Archon sighed softly and let go of her hand.
The jewelry was once again abandoned.
But as she reached for the next piece, her hand found nothing.
She had tried them all.
"..."
The air grew still.
"Your Majesty seems quite fond of this ring,"
Columbina murmured suddenly.
The subtle probing had begun.
Where did this ring come from?
"A trinket that caught my eye, I wear it casually."
The Archon's expression remained unchanged, as if she paid little mind to the small ring on her middle finger.
This was a lie.
Yet, it was precisely Columbina's words that brought the Archon a new understanding.
When one possessed something truly cherished, one naturally looked down upon other things.
And the ring that Qin Yu had personally given her was indeed precious.
Recalling the scene of him kneeling before her, solemnly placing the ring on her finger,
The Archon gazed out at the chirping birds and fragrant flowers outside the window, a gentle curve appearing on her lips.
Spring had arrived.
"Today is the day Qin Yu's solitary confinement ends, isn't it?"
After a moment of tenderness, she resumed her cold, divine demeanor.
"Yes."
"Let's go, let's go see him."
...
Exiting the courtyard, they walked along a path through the woods.
The Archon was dressed in an elegant, pure white gown, her slender figure alluringly encased within its folds.
Beneath the hem, her fair calves were glimpsed, her feet clad in crystal-clear high heels.
Along the way, the two women began to chat.
"Does Your Majesty like these flowers?"
Columbina walked beside the Archon, asking softly.
It was evident that their goddess was in good spirits today.
"They are merely flowers for display, I cannot say I 'like' them."
The Archon retracted her gaze, her response indifferent.
The ice-blue flowers swayed in the breeze, pure and beautiful.
Much like...
"I heard these flowers were planted specifically for you by Qin Yu."
Columbina's lips curved slightly.
This remote route was chosen specifically to test the Archon.
Of course, there were also exclusive flower fields nearby that Qin Yu had prepared for other girls.
But if the Cryo Archon also had one, wouldn't that be strange?
Unless... there was something going on.
"..."
The Archon's beautiful eyes narrowed.
She vaguely sensed something was amiss.
Columbina seemed to be intentionally, or unintentionally...
Linking her and Qin Yu together.
Was it her imagination?
The Cryo Archon, who had recently led the charge in prohibiting romantically involved Fatui Harbingers, became cautiously vigilant.
Just as she was about to say something.
"Stop—!"
The sounds of girls arguing drifted from afar.
"Columbina, what's going on?"
The Archon frowned slightly.
That voice... it was familiar.
"This... Sandrone should just be..."
Columbina wore a helpless expression, unsure how to explain.
My foolish sister.
Sister just told Her Majesty that you were diligently conducting experiments.
And now you've gone and exposed yourself.
"It seems it's time to test the results of Sandrone's 'experiment',"
The Archon stated calmly, exuding an aura of a powerful CEO.
"..."
Columbina silently offered a prayer for Sandrone, then hurried to catch up with the Archon.
The voices from afar grew clearer.
The moment the Archon and Columbina emerged from the forest path,
Sploosh—!
From around the corner, a spray of water shot out, heading directly for the Archon.
Simultaneously, Qin Yu and the two women, Sandrone and Eula, who were in the midst of a playful fight, appeared.
"My partner, where will you be able to hide next...?!"
Sandrone, holding a water gun, was about to fire again.
Then she met a pair of icy eyes.
"Cryo... Cryo...!"
The previously aggressive doll-like young lady froze in place.
"Qin Yu, look behind you!"
Eula blinked, lowering her water gun.
However, before she could continue speaking.
Sploosh—!
The Knight was splashed across the face by Qin Yu.
"Qin Yu!"
Under the sunlight, their already drenched, form-fitting clothes revealed a rubbery sheen.
Like two jelly slimes.
In contrast, Sandrone was rather pitiable.
Completely lacking any resemblance to a slime.
"Is that all? I won't fall for the same trick again."
Qin Yu, with his back to the Archon whose eyes flickered with coldness, smirked smugly.
When it came to playing games, he had never lost to anyone!
He raised his water gun, aiming at the drenched Sandrone and Eula.
Being splashed was unavoidable during their mutual water fight.
Now, who should he choose?
"My partner, stop playing for a moment."
Sandrone quickly signaled to Qin Yu, hiding the water gun behind her back.
"Trying to trick me into turning around again?"
Qin Yu pouted, utterly unconvinced.
Who else could he possibly encounter so early in the morning?
However, the next moment, his smile vanished.
"Is this your experiment, Sandrone?"
A cold voice, like a piercing winter wind, sent a shiver down his spine.
Qin Yu's eyes widened.
That voice... could it be?!
"Goo...good morning."
Turning stiffly, he forced a smile and offered a greeting.
But his gaze quickly froze.
Qin Yu stared at the Archon's silvery-grey hair, now wet from a stray water shot, and his body trembled.
It's over, I've messed up again!
"You'd best give me an explanation."
The Cryo Archon glanced at Qin Yu with utter coldness.
If he couldn't convince her...
Then he would be cultivating potatoes in the frozen wasteland of Snezhnaya!