"N-no, it's nothing."
"You're… dressed now."
Istaroth ducked her head, too embarrassed to meet Rowan's eyes, afraid he'd notice how flustered she'd been a moment ago.
Rowan blinked, puzzled. He glanced down at himself. "I'm dressed, yeah. Why are you staring at the floor?"
"Oh."
Only then did Istaroth dare lift her gaze.
Rowan now wore the silver-white light armor that symbolized King Arthur, a blue cape draped behind him. Mondstadt's weather was springlike year-round, so he'd ditched the over-the-top blue quilt from before—no need to be mistaken for a fool—and swapped it for a soft blue cloak. It really did recreate King Arthur's classic look.
A flicker of awe crossed Istaroth's face. She didn't know why, but seeing him like this, only one phrase echoed in her mind: "born for this." It was as if Rowan was meant to dress exactly this way.
"Well? Handsome?"
"Mhm. Very handsome!"
The words slipped out before she could stop them. Realizing what she'd said, she flushed scarlet and lowered her head again. It was the first time she'd praised anyone outside the other Three Shadows—she felt strangely like a traitor.
Watching Istaroth get shy at the drop of a hat, Rowan couldn't help laughing. So the Four Shadows of Celestia were all this adorable? Never mind Naberius and Asmoday for now—just from the way Nonava behaved in Natlan's latest events, you could tell she was a classic tsundere. And now Istaroth was this cute too. He chuckled without thinking.
Hearing his laugh only deepened Istaroth's blush. She wanted to curl her toes through the floor and dig herself a three-bedroom apartment.
At the same time, she scolded herself over and over in her heart.
Istaroth, Istaroth—knowing the Descender was a man, you still barged in? And now you've seen… everything. No wonder you're this flustered! Normally, you're the poised Ruler of Time. Since when were you this awkward? Even facing your three colleagues, you've never been like this. If they heard about it, who knows how they'd tease you…
Istaroth felt utterly vexed. As one of the Four Shadows, wasn't she supposed to be above such feelings? So why, the moment she saw Rowan, did her heart refuse to behave? What was this supposed to be?
"What's wrong with you?" Rowan asked. "You didn't come here just to sit around, did you? If that's it, I can't keep you company. I've got a morning assembly."
Today was the first day of Mondstadt's new era. He had a lot to announce—especially appointments for the Knights of Favonius and the Church of Favonius.
"Um… can I come watch?"
Just as Rowan, a little impatient, was about to leave, Istaroth mustered some mysterious courage and caught his hand, pleading with wide, misty eyes.
"Huh?"
Had he heard that right? The Ruler of Time, one of the Four Shadows, asking to sit in on his meeting? Was she not thinking straight, or were his ears playing tricks on him?
"Please? Pretty please?"
Seeing his doubtful look and thinking he meant to refuse, Istaroth began to shake his arm, finishing with a soft, sugary voice that was pure spoiled-child. It was obvious she was acting cute.
It threw Rowan completely off balance. If little Klee did this, he'd probably nosebleed from the moe overload. Coming from Istaroth… sure, it was… stirring. But she was one of the Four Shadows—the one who governed time itself, the foundation of Teyvat's laws.
Having the Ruler of Time act spoiled with you—what was he supposed to feel?
"Alright, alright. I'll bring you. But one condition—don't butt in."
He finally surrendered to those shining, soft, pleading eyes.
Istaroth bounced with joy, then stuck out her tongue, suddenly shy again. Rowan tapped her lightly, and she straightened up, falling properly in step behind him toward the great hall.
Honestly, silver-white attire and long white hair—she really did match him surprisingly well.
To hide her identity, Istaroth dismissed the golden halo that marked her office. Without the circlet, she looked less like a sovereign and more like a lavishly dressed little princess.
A short while later—
Rowan led Istaroth into the great hall.
The floor below was already packed. On the left stood the Knights of Favonius. At their head was the current acting Grand Master, Jean. Behind her stood a taller, more mature Jean—her mother, Frederica, current head of the Gunnhildr family.
On the right were priests and sisters of the Church of Favonius, led by a man and a woman. The man shared Barbara's features—more masculine, steady, composed. Barbara's father: Seamus. The young woman beside him was his daughter, Mondstadt's idol, Barbara.
At the back of the Church's ranks stood several faces very familiar to Rowan: Diluc, lord of Dawn Winery and scion of one of Mondstadt's Three Great Houses; Albedo, the Chief Alchemist—the "Chalk Prince"—and Rhinedottir's greatest creation. Behind Albedo waited his students, Sucrose and Timaeus.
They were here at Rowan's special request.
And a particularly "special" observer sat to Rowan's right: the Anemo Archon, Barbatos—better known as Venti. It wouldn't do for the wind god to skip the dawn of a new age.
Only, when he saw Istaroth trailing in after Rowan, he froze.
"…What the—!"
"!!!!"
(End of Chapter)
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