Asking the Prince of Snezhnaya to serve as an endorser was something Xiangling had never even dared to imagine.
Among the Seven Nations, the Prince of Snezhnaya was a top-tier figure—an absolute superstar. Excluding the Seven Gods themselves, he was the most talked-about and most legendary individual to emerge in recent decades.
That obscure Tiger Fish from a nameless fishing village had become popular entirely thanks to the Prince's influence.
His admirers and followers were spread across all seven nations. Every word he spoke, every action he took, drew intense attention from the world.
But Wanmin Restaurant simply could not afford such an endorsement.
As far as Xiangling knew, the Prince of Snezhnaya had never endorsed any product or business before. His endorsement fee would surely be astronomical—far beyond what Wanmin Restaurant could bear.
Still, with such an opportunity placed right before her, she couldn't help but ask.
"Your Highness… your endorsement fee… must be very expensive, right?"
"Free."
When Severin spoke those two words, Xiangling almost thought she had misheard.
"I have only one condition," Severin continued calmly.
"You must deposit money into the Northland Bank. Whoever deposits the most will receive my free endorsement—or my personal advice to resolve any difficulty."
He made his terms clear.
His goal was not to earn endorsement fees, but to help the Northland Bank absorb deposits from merchants.
Absorbing deposits and reducing the amount of Mora circulating in Liyue's market—this was the first and most crucial step of his commercial campaign.
"Miss Xiangling," Severin added,
"once this news spreads, many businesses will compete with you. I suggest you find partners."
Xiangling nodded confidently.
"Thank you for the advice, Your Highness. Wanmin Restaurant has many friends across the land. I know several wealthy merchants—we'll join forces and compete for your exclusive endorsement."
"Count me in," Beidou said without hesitation.
"My fleet has been sailing the seas for years—we've accumulated quite a fortune. If we secure the Prince's endorsement together, it'll be a guaranteed win."
All they needed to do was deposit money—no expenditure, no risk—yet they might obtain the Prince of Snezhnaya's endorsement.
Any merchant would be tempted.
An endorsement from the Prince meant immense profit.
More importantly, it meant establishing a close relationship with him—an invaluable connection.
It was easy to foresee that a wave of merchants rushing to deposit money at the Northland Bank would soon sweep through Liyue.
Guoba enjoyed staying close to Severin.
After finishing the meal, Severin remained for a while longer.
To Xiangling's astonishment, Guoba climbed onto a chair and fell asleep.
She had never seen Guoba sleep—not once in all these years.
"Your Highness…"
"Shh."
Severin gestured for silence.
Only after Guoba began snoring softly, slipping into deep sleep, did Severin ask,
"Miss Xiangling, what was it you wanted to ask earlier?"
"Your Highness… do you know a way to make Guoba sleep? Could you teach me?"
"He's simply exhausted," Severin replied. "He hasn't rested in a very long time."
Xiangling frowned.
"But Guoba never sleeps. Ever."
Sometimes, when she woke up at night, she would find Guoba standing by her bed—eyes never closed.
"Guoba sensed that I have the ability to protect Liyue. My presence puts him at ease—that's why he could finally sleep."
The peace of Liyue was something Guoba had almost paid for with his life.
Ever since awakening in the temple, he had never dared to close his eyes again. That vigilance was a habit forged through countless battles against darkness. Even after losing his memories, his instincts remained.
In the unseen shadows, in the years Xiangling never knew, the adepti and ancient gods had always been protecting her.
"Oh…" Xiangling giggled.
"No wonder. I feel strangely at ease around you too, Your Highness. Makes me want to nap."
"You just want to slack off," Beidou said bluntly.
Xiangling stuck out her tongue.
"Hmph. Not at all."
Time passed until the moon rose outside the window.
Only then did Severin stand, preparing to leave.
The moment he rose, Guoba's snoring stopped. He woke almost instantly.
Xiangling's eyes widened.
So it really was because the Prince was there.
The moment Severin prepared to leave, Guoba woke up.
"This brief rest means little in Guoba's long life," Severin said softly,
"but he will remember it forever. Miss Xiangling, Miss Beidou—thank you for your hospitality."
Xiangling hurriedly replied,
"Anytime you want Wanmin Restaurant's stir-fried dishes, just come! If it's inconvenient for you, I'll have Beidou deliver them."
"That will do."
Severin returned to the delegation's residence.
To avoid alerting the patrols outside, he teleported directly into his room.
The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom.
Someone was bathing?
"Your Highness, you're back," the Mirror Maiden appeared, taking Severin's coat. She glanced toward the bathroom.
"It's Lady Sandrone. She said—"
Severin raised a hand.
"I know. You may leave."
Among the Harbingers, Sandrone, known as The Marionette, did not have a pleasant temperament.
She devoted herself entirely to automaton research and cared little for politics or power struggles. To her, machinery was everything.
In the Fatui's nest of schemes and intrigue, her ability to remain pure and focused was something even Il Dottore openly admired.
Because of this, both the Tsaritsa and Severin favored her greatly.
The Tsaritsa admired her unparalleled craftsmanship.
Severin appreciated her purity.
The Tsaritsa once said that even if the world were to end, Sandrone would still be in her oil-scented workshop, buried in machine parts, researching autonomous constructs.
Severin mostly agreed.
With one exception.
If he summoned her, Sandrone would abandon even her most critical research without hesitation and appear before him immediately.
Still, indulgence had its limits.
On the very first day the delegation arrived in Liyue, Sandrone had ignored protocol and slipped away to explore ancient ruins. Now she had returned unannounced and was bathing in his room.
Childish quirks were endearing—but unchecked freedom could become displeasing.
The Mirror Maiden withdrew.
Severin sat down, waiting for Sandrone to emerge.
Exhausted from days at sea and nonstop strategic planning, he dozed off.
One arm propped his head as sleep overtook him.
In his dreams, he felt warmth and moisture around his feet.
He opened his eyes.
His feet were submerged in a basin of hot water.
Before him stood a towering autonomous automaton of Khaenri'ahn design.
Seated upon its massive palm was Sandrone's small, doll-like form, bending down as she washed his feet.
"Your Highness… I'm sorry."
The automaton knelt on one knee.
Severin's gaze shifted toward a curtain nearby.
"Sandrone," he said calmly,
"using a puppet to wash my feet—is that how you apologize?"
From behind the curtain stepped a tall, graceful young woman with brown hair and blue eyes.
Her appearance was identical to the small doll—except her height was that of a normal human.
She bowed respectfully.
This was Sandrone's greatest secret.
The automaton and the doll were merely avatars—puppets.
Her true body had always remained hidden behind the stage curtains.
Only the Tsaritsa and the Prince knew the truth.
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