Beidou had spent her whole life pretending to be strong, never letting anyone see the fragile parts of her.
She fought to hold back the tears burning in her eyes, biting her lip so hard it had turned pale.
Kael saw the strain in her expression. He stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.
"If you want to cry, then cry. You don't have to act tough with me."
The moment he whispered those words, her tears finally broke free.
She buried her face against his chest, refusing to let him see her cry.
His embrace was warm, but her stubborn pride wouldn't let her stay there for long. After a short while, she wiped her tears away on her own.
Beidou gently pushed him back.
Thinking about how she'd just lost control, her face flushed bright red.
"Well… I… I don't know why I suddenly started crying… You're not allowed to tell anyone about this!"
Her voice shifted into a growl as she continued.
"If I hear even a rumor, you're dead."
Ah. Threatening him already. Looked like she was recovering.
Kael raised both hands in surrender, half amused.
"Alright. Not a word."
Only then did the redness in her cheeks begin to fade.
She suddenly narrowed her eyes at him, as if something had come to mind.
"Hey. I've got my eye on you. How about sticking around and adventuring with the Alcor?"
Beidou was as straightforward as ever.
She never hesitated once she wanted something. She chased it, fought for it, grabbed it with both hands.
Otherwise, there was no way an orphan like her would climb all the way to where she stood now.
Something inside her told her she needed to say this now — before she regretted it.
Traveling with the Alcor… it actually sounded pretty fun.
Kael felt a pull in his chest.
But he didn't live freely like he once had. He couldn't just leave everything behind.
He had things in Liyue he still needed to settle.
"I still have unfinished business in Liyue. Maybe when.."
"You can't bear to leave the woman in your room, is that it?"
Beidou cut him off sharply.
She stood, stepping in close.
Beidou was over one-seventy tall — shorter than Kael, but towering for a woman in Teyvat.
Once she stood up, her presence hit him like a wave.
She closed the distance between them until her body nearly brushed his chest.
"You like her type? You don't think I'm more womanly than she is?"
As she spoke, she leaned in, her upper body pressing lightly against him.
"I'm the Captain of the Alcor. Whatever you want, I can hunt it down for you."
Kael blinked.
Why did that sound familiar…?
Oh. Ningguang had said something similar before.
Why did these women keep trying to sponsor him?
Her pressure kept increasing, and her earlier words lingered in the air.
She wasn't just using her body. She was using her heart to corner him, too.
Despite the confidence she showed, her uncovered ears were bright red, and her body trembled ever so slightly.
Kael let out a quiet laugh.
So bold on the outside, yet so inexperienced underneath.
It was… adorable.
He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her even closer.
"I don't need any of that to want to stay with you."
"Really?!"
The tough façade shattered instantly.
Beidou's eyes lit up like fireworks.
"You mean you'll come with me?"
"I can't stay on the Alcor forever, but after I finish what I need to do, I can sail with you for a while."
"Deal!"
[Beidou Pain Value -20, current Pain Value 80.]
Beidou had already prepared herself to be rejected.
She hadn't expected him to agree at all.
It wasn't quite the answer she'd dreamed of, but the promise itself was enough — it meant she had a place in his heart.
That alone made her happy.
A brilliant smile spread across her face. She caught his chin between her fingers and pulled his head down…
Their breaths overlapped, hearts racing.
Kael reached for her, ready to close the distance, when Beidou suddenly slipped out of his arms with practiced ease.
She flashed him a teasing smile.
"Think of that as a down payment. You'll get the rest when you come sail with me."
Beidou's mind was far sharper than the carefree attitude she usually showed.
Years of surviving across Teyvat had taught her more than simple bravery.
She understood people well. Too well.
Anything won too easily wouldn't be cherished.
But something earned after waiting… that left a deeper mark.
This was her strategy.
With that promise, Kael would come to the Alcor.
And when he did, she'd give him the most precious thing she had.
---
Next Target 650PS :)