When Severin woke up, daylight had already flooded the room.
Warm morning sunlight streamed through the window, spilling across the bedding with a comforting heat.
The Mirror Maiden was nowhere to be seen—no one knew when she had left—but a faint scent of sakura still lingered in the air.
Thirsty, Severin lifted the blanket to pour himself some water—only to catch sight of a dark crimson stain on the bedsheets.
He waved a hand, divine power surging quietly as the traces vanished without a sound.
This was the Kamisato estate, after all. If word spread that the Prince of Snezhnaya had spent the night indulging in passion here, it would only invite unnecessary trouble.
"Your Highness, you're awake."
The door opened as the Mirror Maiden entered.
"This subordinate has failed in her duties. I only just finished signing the trade agreement with the Kanjou Commission. Miss Hiiragi Chisato is quite difficult—negotiations took far longer than expected."
She continued smoothly,
"Oh, and Your Highness—the Kanjou Commission hopes to introduce Snezhnaya's black powder for engineering uses, such as mining and controlled blasting. I was thinking of granting the agency rights to the owner of Naganohara Fireworks—the Miss Yoimiya we met last night. Would that be acceptable?"
"…Your Highness?"
Seeing no response, she hesitated. "Are you still not fully sober? I'll brew some tea."
"Wait."
Severin stopped her.
"You were outside all night negotiating with the Inazuman officials. You never came back here in the middle, did you?"
"No."
Her answer was immediate and unwavering.
She was loyal to the bone—there was no chance she was lying.
A meaningful smile slowly curved Severin's lips.
So that was it.
The woman who had spent the night entwined with him had never been a possessed Mirror Maiden at all—
It had been Yae Miko herself.
Or rather, Yae Miko had taken on the Mirror Maiden's appearance and shared that night with him.
The reasons were not hard to guess.
After seeing Kitsune Saiguu, then meeting Mikoshi Chiyo, emotions she had suppressed for five centuries finally demanded release.
No matter how high one stands, a woman still has moments of vulnerability.
Add to that her belief in Severin's "compensation plan," her acceptance that Snezhnaya truly intended to defy Celestia, and that night became both encouragement and a declaration of support.
And with alcohol involved, an isolated room, a man and a woman—sparks were inevitable.
Thus, last night's fragrant indulgence was born of many converging factors.
The only thing that truly surprised Severin was this—
The infamous, scandal-ridden Grand Shrine Maiden of Inazuma… had been untouched.
Still, he felt no sense of debt.
That sly fox had chosen not to appear in her true form, instead disguising herself—clearly leaving herself an escape route.
If he confronted her directly today, she would deny everything without batting an eye, claiming to remember nothing at all.
Any talk of "true love" would be laughable.
Stripped of titles—the Prince of Snezhnaya and the Grand Shrine Maiden—it had been nothing more than a consensual one-night affair between two young adults.
Both of them would understand the need for silence.
Sleeping with Inazuma's Grand Shrine Maiden was the sort of secret best kept to oneself.
If exposed, it would become a dangerous lever for others to pull.
"About what you said earlier," Severin finally spoke, "you want to give Yoimiya the agency rights for black powder in Inazuma?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Then make it exclusive agency rights."
The Mirror Maiden sucked in a quiet breath.
Agency rights and exclusive agency rights were worlds apart.
In other nations, Snezhnaya licensed black powder to numerous agents—eighteen in Mondstadt, twenty-six in Liyue.
But in Inazuma, Severin was granting sole control to Naganohara Fireworks.
That meant a complete monopoly.
Anyone wishing to purchase black powder in Inazuma would have no choice but to go through Yoimiya.
All profits would flow directly into her hands.
Black powder was a high-margin industry. With Inazuma's demand, Naganohara Fireworks could rise in an astonishingly short time to become the nation's most powerful foreign-trade enterprise—
And Yoimiya herself might very well become Inazuma's new richest woman.
"Your Highness's favoritism toward Miss Yoimiya makes even me jealous," the Mirror Maiden said frankly.
"I have one condition. Convey it to her."
"Tell her that even if she enters the black powder business, she must never abandon fireworks."
"And every year, during Snezhnaya's major festivals, I want to see Naganohara Fireworks performing from the balconies of the Zapolyarny Palace. As for quality—at the very least, it must not fall below last night's."
"Understood!"
The Mirror Maiden smiled brightly. "Miss Yoimiya's fireworks are passionate, romantic, and full of imagination. Her Majesty will certainly love them."
Kamisato Ayato sent his sister to see Severin off.
Along the way, Kamisato Ayaka took the chance to introduce Inazuma's customs and scenery.
It was rare for the Prince of Snezhnaya to visit. She wanted him to leave with fond memories of her homeland.
Though Severin already knew every detail, he listened attentively.
After all—who would ever tire of having the Shirasagi Himegimi as their guide?
"Time flows like water," Ayaka said softly as they reached the delegation's residence, "but Your Highness's presence… I will remember always."
"At Tenshukaku, you told the Shogun that 'divine mandate is a fallacy.' Last night, you said 'we merely fulfill different roles—there is no inherent hierarchy.'"
"Those words were thunderous. My brother and I have learned much from them."
"Lady Ayaka values the people and stands with the common folk," Severin replied calmly. "It would be stranger if you hadn't understood."
Receiving his affirmation, Ayaka smiled—gentle and radiant.
"Your Highness… there is something I must confess."
"Please."
She pressed her lips together, then spoke softly with resolve.
"Several months ago, a senior official from the Fatui came to me personally. He claimed to speak on behalf of the Tsaritsa, asking whether I would be willing to go to Snezhnaya to enjoy wealth and honor."
Severin frowned slightly. "I was unaware. Did he explain why?"
"As expected—you didn't know."
Ayaka sighed. "He said Her Majesty wished to select a consort for the Prince of Snezhnaya… and that I was one of the candidates. Such a political marriage would strengthen relations between our nations."
Severin felt a rare flicker of embarrassment.
The Tsaritsa truly spared no effort when it came to his marriage.
"Her Majesty is straightforward by nature—she acts the moment an idea occurs to her. If this caused offense, please allow me to apologize on her behalf."
Ayaka shook her head lightly.
"Then I should be the one apologizing. When I declined, I said—'If the Prince of Snezhnaya truly wants me as his consort, let him come to Inazuma and marry in.'"
"You were already being generous," Severin laughed. "If it were me, I might have thrown him out outright."
They both laughed together.
"Speaking such things aloud… I feel much lighter now," Ayaka said softly. "Your Highness—when do you depart?"
"Is there something else?"
"This farewell… I don't know when we'll meet again."
She took a steadying breath. "I wish to perform Kamisato-ryuu Sword Art for you alone. Would you grant me that honor?"
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