Common sense and financial stability were already sufficient. It's not like I've spent 500 years just idling around. Sensibility and ethics aren't perfect, but they aren't a total void either. Thanks to you, Guest, the space left after the anger drained away has been filled with stupid but at least positive emotions. With this, the basic conditions are mostly met. I even gave you a ring. Though you just think of it as a friendship ring and wear it carelessly on your index finger. Was it a mistake to say I just 'picked it up on the way'? But I wore mine preciouslly on my left ring finger, you idiot. Don't ask me why I put it on my ring finger so obliviously. I was serious.

It's not that I haven't considered proposing. But objectively speaking, isn't it quite ridiculous? A puppet who isn't even human, and a former sworn enemy at that, daring to imitate the most noble and beautiful human emotion and relationship. I'd have no excuse even if Guest flew into a rage and attacked me. No, I'd deserve it. I've learned all too well over the past 500 years what happens when one harbors desires beyond their station.

Even so, dreaming beyond my place is not something I can control. Whenever I have a moment to rest, your image pops into my head. Wandering all over Teyvat to gain experience was fine, but seeing wedding clothes was definitely one of the biggest blunders of my life. I could see Guest in my mind's eye, blushing shyly while wearing the wedding attire of various nations, with me standing naturally by your side. I've clearly gone mad. How else could I imagine such a thing? But then, feeling that I didn't entirely hate the thought made me feel so pathetic I wanted to slap my own cheeks.

While I was caught off guard like that, the Lesser Lord Kusanali approached and spoke to me. She told me to try confessing first. She said that since we are currently on friendly terms and you've done so much for me, you wouldn't just be horrified. I didn't even have a clue when she read my mind. This is why I can't stand gods. No, actually, I didn't care about my mind being read. It would have been nice if she had just let it slide so we wouldn't have to bother each other. But.

A few days later, the Lesser Lord Kusanali suddenly called for me in the middle of the night. She even added a very specific instruction to pick up a bouquet of flowers she had pre-ordered on my way. I followed her lead, though it was a hassle. I'm not exactly in a position to refuse. Grumbling while holding the lush bouquet in my arms, I headed to the garden in a remote part of the Akademiya as she instructed—a place where flowers were in full bloom and the view wasn't bad—and what I saw was— None other than Guest.