Work Text:
“And that’s the last of the cecilias.”
Sucrose wiped the sweat off her brow, content that her greenhouse project had been progressing smoothly.
She and Albedo had acquired a plot of land in Stormterror’s Lair for alchemical purposes. The Knights of Favonius Headquarters didn’t have the capacity for a greenhouse, so the duo had to improvise.
Albedo asked Jean for advice, and she suggested that the two look into Stormterror’s Lair. No sane human would ever settle in a dragon’s lair, but the alchemists are an exception. Since the Traveler and Venti purified Dvalin and calmed his territory: all issues of danger have been solved. Well, minus a few hilichurls here and there.
So the two settled on an area near the west teleport point.
Once one plunges themselves into the ravine below, they are met with a beautiful tree surrounded by a pond filled with golden bass and frogs. It’s quite similar to Starfell lake, but smaller and surrounded by cliffs.
There is a cryo whopper flower that likes to make camp there, but it’s deathly afraid of Sucrose. It heard through the grapevine what this bio-alchemist liked to do with sweet flowers. Sucrose had lovingly named it Shivers, unaware of its overwhelming fear.
The best part of this little chunk of land isn’t the actual viability of the soil, it’s the butterflies, fireflies, and windwheel asters that flow in the wind: adding a sense of wonder to the air. The picturesque scenery rivals none in Mondstat, so much so that Albedo started a dedicated sketchbook for it.
With its ethereal atmosphere, the greenhouse project has been tentatively named:
“The Alchemists’ Wonderland”
“Good work Sucrose.”
Albedo glides in from the nearby teleport waypoint, carrying some more materials from Dragonspine. Once grounded, he drops his load and surprises Sucrose with a hug.
“How has your work been, Love?”
Sucrose wiggles out of the embrace, whining about her clothes.
“Albedo! I’m covered in dirt. You can’t just hug me out of nowhere.”
Albedo simply pulls her back in, making sure to pat her head for emphasis.
“I don’t care if you’re covered in dirt, you’re still my Sucrose regardless.”
Sucrose pouts.
“I guess… this isn’t so bad.”
Albedo releases the anemo user.
“Besides, with what experiments you do, dirt is the least of my worries.”
Albedo presents his haul to Sucrose.
“I’ve brought you the frost materials from Dragonspine. I had Kaeya apply cryo on them on the way here.”
Sucrose dusts herself off.
“Oh perfect! Those will go nicely with the glaze lilies.”
She sets off to put the items in the storage shed which doubles as a workshop. Albedo stays behind, simply watching the alchemist scurry off.
‘ Watching her run off like that never gets old’
Albedo places his hand in the pocket of his jacket and pulls out a small, ornate box.
“I wonder when I should give her this…”
He opens the box to reveal a ring, specifically: Sucrose’s engagement ring.
The ring is modeled after an anemo hypostasis when it’s in its butterfly form since Sucrose’s elemental abilities were inspired by it. The only difficulty Albedo had was maintaining the cube’s offensive butterfly form long enough for him to sketch. Yes, he could have sketched it by memory, but he wanted exact measurements for Sucrose’s sake. He had commissioned the Traveler to distract the boss while he meticulously sketched. Traveler refused payment despite Albedo’s persistence, citing that they only needed the artifacts and jade drops for their time. Though Paimon made requests for an all-you-can-eat buffet at the eventual wedding.
Majorie had the ring delivered that morning and Albedo had been toying with it since. Normally, he’d tinker with alchemy to produce something for Sucrose. But even Albedo realized that his creations don’t last very long. So, he commissioned a jeweler from Liyue for the task.
While he was admiring the ring, Sucrose was fast approaching.
“Albedo, can I get the rest of those materials now?”
Snapped out of his trance, Albedo panics. He fumbles with the box, desperately trying to close it before Sucrose notices.
Unfortunately, the ring falls out of the box and lands in the crate of frosted materials. Albedo wonders if Bennett is nearby before silently cursing.
‘ Barbatos you betray me’
“Albedo, are you alright there?”
Sucrose examines him with concern.
“Yes, yes, Sucrose. Just touched some cryo items without thinking about frostburn.”
Albedo lied as naturally as he breathed. Sucrose doesn’t suspect a thing.
“Frostburn? Albedo! Let me get you some qingxin ointment from the shed.”
She bends down to pick up the crate at her feet.
“Right after I take this in…”
Albedo swiftly picks up the crate first, winging his story as he goes.
“Let me get that, I should have helped you carry this earlier.”
He smiles gently at her, hoping his charm would give him time to search for the ring.
“But your frostbite! Give me that.”
It didn’t work.
Sucrose wrestles the crate from the chalk prince’s grip. Ever since they’ve started a romantic relationship, Sucrose was much bolder with her actions.
“You can follow me to the shed and get an ointment. No if, ands, or buts.”
She huffs and walks towards the shed. Albedo watches as months of research and planning fades away. He has entered panic mode but is determined not to let his demeanor change.
“Ok, sweet flower.”
He follows her reluctantly, hoping she doesn’t notice the ring in the crate she carries. Sucrose wouldn’t hesitate in testing such a peculiar object. Especially if she thinks it’s a monster drop.
Inside their cavern shed, Sucrose sets the crate on the table and turns her attention to the shelf of materials.
“Qingxin, Qingxin… Where did I put that cream?”
While she’s distracted, Albedo dives into the crate, frantically searching for the small piece of jewelry. He rummages through the crate, actually inflicting cryo on his hands. But with a little determination, he finds the crystal ring amidst the mess of materials.
“There you are.”
Right as he was about to place the ring back in its box, Sucrose pipes up.
“What do you have there, Albedo? And why are you making your frostbite worse?”
Albedo was faced with a difficult decision: to propose to the love of his life while she’s angry or to lose his engagement ring to the elements, literally. And so the genius of Takwin, the great Kreideprinz of Mondstat, chose the latter.
“It’s a rare drop, from a cryo crystal fly.”
Albedo cursed himself internally.
‘I am an idiot.’
Sucrose’s eyes light up at the prospect of a new experiment.
“Really? Let me see.”
Albedo gently places the ring in Sucrose’s hand, sealing his fate.
She takes the ring and examines its construction. The crystal fly sitting on top of the ring was made of jade, while the band was a silver alloy.
“Albedo it’s absolutely beautiful.”
“I know.”
‘I designed it myself’
Albedo was at peace, knowing that she likes it. But then Sucrose continues.
“I can’t wait to start experiments.”
Ah there goes that peace. Albedo sends a prayer for his doomed jewelry. Sucrose glomps Albedo in the middle of his silent prayer.
“Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.”
For what it’s worth, the hug was worth half the cost of the ring. Albedo returns the gesture.
“You’re welcome, Sucrose.”
He pecks her forehead with a kiss, producing a flustered result. She sings his name.
“Al~ be~ do~”
He could never get tired of hearing his name without honorifics from Sucrose. But right now, he had much, much bigger issues.
After saying their goodbyes, Albedo heads back to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters. Sucrose was going to spend the night in Wonderland. He’d normally stay with her, but he needed serious help.
Albedo rushes into Lisa’s library, hoping to catch her before her shift ends.
“LISA! ARE YOU HERE?!”
Lisa shouts back from her desk, annoyed at the prospect of working overtime.
“ALBEDO YOU’RE IN A LIBRARY! SHUT UP!”
He rushes over to her desk, hopping over bookshelves and summoning geo blossoms as he ran. He’s out of breath by the time he reached her.
“Li..sa...I.. me...ss...ed up.”
Albedo leaned on a bookshelf, looking as pale as a ghost. Lisa replied with slight concern.
“Albedo, did someone die?”
Albedo calmed his breathing as he steadied himself.
“Oh no no no, not that I know of. But uhm, Sucrose has the engagement ring.”
Lisa responded with some confusion.
“Congratulations? Unless… Oh, did she say no? There’s no way on Teyvat that would happen though.”
Albedo shook his head.
“I dropped the ring into a box of materials and she thought it was part of it. Now she’s experimenting on the poor thing.”
Lisa sighed, then placed her hand on her temple.
“You young folk are so complicated. So, why do you need my help?”
Albedo began to explain his makeshift plan to Lisa.
“So, Sucrose is currently at the Stormterror site. And, knowing her, she’d experiment on an item like that in a heartbeat. I need you to distract her tomorrow. Send word that you need her expertise on a potion. Anything will do.”
Lisa nodded then motioned for Albedo to continue.
“And?”
Albedo finished explaining in a flash.
“While she’s back here in Mondstat, I’ll go to the greenhouse and take the ring back and make a cast of it in geo. Worst case scenario is that the ring is dissolved in potion and best case is she hasn’t started experiments yet. Then I’ll ask Majorie for another one tomorrow.”
Lisa hums and nods her head in agreement, but then ponders.
“Why didn’t you just tell her it was an engagement ring and propose?”
Albedo retaliated.
“It took me long enough to court Sucrose, I can’t just propose out of the blue. Also she was kinda annoyed with me.”
Lisa let out a final sigh.
“Alright chalk prince, I’ll help you. But it’s only because Sucrose deserves that fairytale proposal you have planned.”
Albedo breathed a sigh of relief.
“Oh thank you Lisa-”
Lisa continued.
“But.”
The shift in Lisa’s tone sent a shiver down Albedo’s spine.
“But, What?”
“You’re not getting a second copy of that ring. Look, she thinks it’s a mob drop. Imagine what would if she found out she boiled her engagement ring in acid? Poor girl is gonna have a panic attack.”
Albedo, realizing the scenario he set up, granted Lisa free reign to revise his plan.
“Now listen up pretty boy. You’re going to forge your own ring out of geo, Alright. Don’t you make everyone out of chalk anyways?”
“Yes but, most of my creations aren’t built to last.”
“Eh, that’s fine. Engagement rings aren’t supposed to last that long anyways. And I predict that it won’t be long till the wedding~”
As Lisa reclined back in her chair, Albedo pegged a curious question.
“You seem very experienced in this department. Perhaps you’ve been proposed to?”
Lisa shot a menacing glare at Albedo as she replied.
“There are some things you shouldn’t ask a lady, Albedo. Curiosity can kill a cat.”
Albedo sheepishly withdrew.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Lisa continued her plan.
“Anyways, you can manage a bit of tinkering. Let me know when your ring is done and I’ll keep Sucrose occupied in the library. Send some sort of signal and I’ll walk her over-”
She then points at Albedo’s chest.
“After you make preparations for your proposal in Wonderland.”
Albedo gulped and wished he had never dropped that ring in the first place. Lisa is a force to be reckoned with.
“Do I make myself clear, Albedo.”
He paused for a second, then replied slowly.
“Yes, Lisa. I understand.”
She giggled to herself, imagining all kinds of shenanigans that would occur at a wedding, especially with these socially awkward alchemists.
“All you owe me is a wedding invitation. Good luck.”
And with that, Albedo prepares for his proposal to Sucrose.
A few days have passed since Albedo and Lisa’s conversation. Albedo sketched out multiple designs for a new ring while keeping in mind that he himself was the designer and jeweler. He decided to keep it simple, but elegant and bold for Sucrose. Lisa had informed him that the engagement ring was meant to be beautiful, but impractical. Wedding bands are much more important and are worn on a daily basis.
The design he ended up choosing, with the approval of Lisa, was inspired by his elemental skill: Solar Isotoma. The four-petaled flower would be carved out of cor lapis and sit on top of a geo-crystal band. The isotoma would be surrounded by mint-colored leaves inspired by Sucrose’s fluffy hair.
Albedo nearly spent a whole day carving cor lapis. Even with his geo vision, cor lapis tends to split irregularly, making intricate work difficult. He went through at least 50,000 mora’s worth of cor lapis before finishing the flower. Fortunately, the rest of the project went smoothly.
Now, all Albedo had to do was prepare for the actual proposal.
Albedo enters Lisa’s library the next morning, excited to inform her of his success.
“Lisa, I’ve finished the ring!”
Lisa tiredly replies from her desk.
“Once again Albedo, you’re in my library .”
Albedo responds with an empty promise as he walks to her desk.
“Apologies, I won’t do it again.”
Lisa stops him within a few paces of her desk.
“I had a feeling that you’d see me today, so I enlisted some help.”
Lisa points toward a reading nook, where Klee, Diona, and the Traveler were hiding. Klee dashes toward her older brother.
“Albedo! Albedo! Lisa told me everything. Is Sucrose going to be my big sister now?”
Klee attacks Albedo with a hug energetic enough to topple him over.
“Wait a minute...Sucrose is already my big sister. What does marriage exactly mean again Albedo?”
Albedo flushes, his ears turning a vibrant shade of red.
“Ah uhm… it means that uh-”
Diona intervenes.
“It means you get to see them at a wedding acting all lovey dovey. And now Sucrose is legally your older sister.”
Klee chirps up.
“Ohh…”
Diona continues.
“You can also become a flower girl for them.”
Klee exclaims in glee. Albedo sends Diona a look of gratitude before addressing the Traveler.
“Good evening Traveler, thank you for coming.”
They amicably respond.
“I figured the anemo hypostasis commission had more meaning to it, then I received a call from Lisa about your proposal. Congratulations Albedo.”
They jab him the arm.
“Make her even happier than she already is.”
Albedo takes the comment to heart before asking everyone for details.
“What are you all doing here?”
Klee: “We’re here to help you!”
Diona: “With the proposal decorations.”
Traveler: “Wasn’t that obvious?”
Albedo, stunned by the support of his friends, chuckles into a grin.
“You know, if it wasn’t for Sucrose, I don’t know if I could have cultivated such strong relationships with all of you. I really can’t thank her enough…”
The grin turns into something much more… smug.
“But it seems that we have work to do, don’t we?”
Lisa sends the crew off to StormTerror’s Lair, with the next step of plan in motion.
“Sucrose should still be in Windrise, I’m heading off to see her now. We’ll be in position at sundown.”
Lisa spots the anemo alchemist at the Statue of Seven in Windrise. Lisa gave Sucrose the task of analyzing the windwheel asters at the foot of the great tree. Sucrose accepted without questions since it was an excuse to study her favorite flowers. Lisa greets her favorite alchemist.
“Good morning darling, I see you’ve done quite a bit of work already.”
Sucrose turns her head and waves at Favonius Librarian.
“Oh! Good morning Ms. Lisa. The asters are quite robust today.”
Lisa banters with Sucrose.
“I see, what makes you think so?”
Sucrose begins her report.
“Well… well… where to begin.... Oh! Mondstat has had quite good weather this past month. There’s been sunshine nearly every day.”
She points at the nearby river.
“The flowers in this region of Mondstat needn’t worry about rainfall due to the network of groundwater originating from the river. Additionally, the tree grants shade during the harshest moments of sunshine at noon. Windrise may be an ideal location to start a farm for Mondstat’s residents.”
Satisfied with her results, Sucrose asks Lisa for her input.
“What do you make of this revelation Lisa?”
A devious smile forms on Lisa’s usually reserved face.
“Well, We don’t have a point of reference, do we. Who’s to say that these windwheel asters are any different from the ones at Dawn Winery? Or the one’s at Stormterror’s Lair? ”
Sucrose responds with unhindered curiosity.
“You’re right Lisa, how could I make such an oversight? Could we visit those locations today?”
Lisa hums to herself, knowing that her plan is working.
“Let's go then, shall we? Would you like to walk there with me then? I don’t have anything else planned today.”
Sucrose accepts her invitation.
“Of course Ms. Lisa. I have windwheel asters at the greenhouse site we could examine.”
And with that the two set off on their day trip through Mondstat.
Meanwhile, there is chaos over at wonderland.
Albedo: “Klee! Leave the whopper flower alone, you don’t want it to start attacking the plants.”
Klee: “But Mr. Shivers is so fun to play with! He manages to keep dodging my bombs.”
Diona: “Klee you shouldn’t be throwing your bombs in the first place. You brought your non-explosive jumpy dumptys right?”
Klee: “Yeah I did, but they look just like the normal ones though…”
Traveler: “As long as you hang them up high, they shouldn’t explode right?”
Klee nods her head.
“Yep! Perfectly safe.”
The quartet began preparations as soon as they left Mondstat. The plan was to decorate Wonderland with elemental powers. Albedo and Traveler were in charge of geostructures, Diona cryo crystals, and Klee jumpy dumptys. It was controlled chaos led by Albedo who was trying to distract himself from his nerves.
Traveler: “Should I put more geo crystals at the entrance?”
Albedo: “Yes, yes, wherever you see fit.”
Traveler peers down at Albedos feet, where geo petals were forming.
Traveler: “You alright there, Albedo?”
Albedo chuckles nervously, clearly looking not okay.
“I’m fine. Well, I think I’m fine. I don’t even know if this is how I’m supposed to feel before… proposing…”
Albedo’s ears flare up at his own thoughts. The Traveler motions for him to follow.
“Come with me for a bit.”
Albedo nods and the two leave Diona and Klee to continue decorations.
Traveler: “We’ll be back in a moment, I trust you two to make this place sparkling.”
Diona & Klee: “Ok, leave it to us!”
Albedo and Traveler teleport to the waypoint in Stormterror’s Domain so that they are uninterrupted.
Traveler: “So… are you nervous?”
Albedo: “I mean yes? I can usually make calculations and deduce outcomes based on available data. But…”
Traveler: “But you never know what goes on in Sucrose’s mind?”
Albedo exclaims: “Yes! Exactly. She’s always so unpredictable.”
He places his face in his palm.
Albedo: “But that’s what makes her so… interesting to study. Along the way I guess my feelings spiraled out of control.”
Traveler: “You know when we first met, you were basically a robot. All of your mannerisms were calculated as if you didn’t have an innate knowledge of human nature.”
Traveler leans back against the domain walls.
Traveler: “But when I saw you interact with Sucrose for the first time, I think that was the first time I saw you actually smile.”
Albedo, but smug: “What do you mean, I smile quite often.”
Traveler: “That smug expression of yours doesn’t count.”
Albedo takes a seat next to Traveler, taking a moment to feel the ever-present wind in the air.
Traveler: “You smiled without any ill intent. It wasn’t a planned reaction to a new discovery or whatever kind of alchemical mischief you get lost in.”
Traveler places a hand on Albedo’s shoulder.
Traveler: “You were smiling because you enjoyed her presence, her personality. You didn’t plan on smiling. It was a natural reflex. And after all these years with Sucrose, you became as vibrant as the colors you paint.”
The Traveler smiles gently at the chalk prince.
Traveler: “And I can safely say, that you changed her for the better as well.”
Dumbfounded and a bit awestruck, Albedo is at a loss for words.
Albedo: “Did we really transform over the years… Like we’re lifelong experiments.”
Traveler: “I’m concerned about your wording… but essentially yes. You and Sucrose are inseparable at this point.”
Albedo contemplates the situation, thanking Traveler for this therapy session.
Albedo: “Thank you, Traveler. You know.. I used to think that relationships weren’t really worth the effort. They’re taxing and a huge time investment. The effort in starting one usually isn’t rewarded at the end. But Sucrose is... different. I would trade all the research I’ve ever done for what we’ve built. She’s as essential to my life as chalk is to all life. There’s a myriad of emotions I feel whenever I form a memory with her. It’s one of the few incessant aspects of my life.”
Albedo stands up before continuing his speech.
Albedo: “And I guess being a nervous wreck was one of those emotions I’d only ever feel with Sucrose. Thank you.”
Traveler: “With pleasure.”
They also stand up and dust off their clothes.
Traveler: “Now let’s head back, shall we?”
Albedo and Traveler teleport back to Wonderland, therapy session over.
Sucrose and Lisa arrive at the entrance of Stormterror’s Lair after studying the windwheel asters along the route. The two enjoyed their stroll especially Lisa, who was counting down the minutes till the proposal.
Sucrose: “Ms. Lisa, I had no idea that the asters differed so drastically across Mondstat. You’d think I of all people would know that.”
Lisa: “Well cutie, you barely ever leave that lab of yours. Working overtime isn’t healthy, you know.
Sucrose: “Oh but but, I’ve been working at the greenhouse recently. There’s plenty of sunshine and fresh air. It’s been quite a rewarding experience.”
Lisa thinks to herself.
‘Hopefully, she finds her relationship with Albedo just as rewarding.’
Lisa: “I can’t wait to see the project’s progress. We are heading over there now, correct?”
Sucrose nods vigorously.
“Yes! Of course. Should we teleport over now?”
Lisa crosses her arms.
“Little old me isn’t that worn out Sucrose. A few more minutes of walking is nothing.”
‘Hopefully, Albedo and company aren’t scrambling things together last minute.’
Sucrose stammers.
“Oh my apologies Ms. Lisa. Let's continue on foot then.”
The two are mere minutes away from Wonderland, where preparations have just finished.
Klee: “Everything is so sparkly!”
Diona: “For a few hours of work, I’m actually surprised it’s not a trainwreck.”
Traveler: “Oh c’mon, we have Albedo guiding us.”
The greenhouse was completely transformed by this team of misfits. The small creek was topped with a myriad of different flowers and petals. Lotus heads, Cecilias, Windwheel Asters, and calla lilies peppered the pond. Lanterns were placed on Diona’s ice platters, illuminating the area as well as reflecting an amber glow off of the water’s surface.
The tree was bombarded with jumpy dumptys of all different sizes and colors. These smaller jumpy dumptys looked like sprinkles on a tree-sized cupcake. Klee made them non-explosive at the request of Albedo, who was rightly concerned about starting a fire. The jumpy dumptys are instead filled with colored chalk. A small spark of pyro should pop them like balloons when necessary.
As for the land decor, Traveler and Albedo created geo crystal structures that double as practical equipment. A table there, a bench here, a fence for livestock. But more importantly, there was a crystal gazebo in the center of the area. The gazebo where Albedo would, hopefully, propose to Sucrose.
The gazebo’s crystals were created from elemental infusions. The crystals’ colors would shift at different angles of light producing a kaleidoscope effect. It was an ever-changing spectacle. Albedo spent a better part of the day perfecting the structure, meticulously tinkering away.
Albedo: “This really is perfect everyone. I don’t think I can thank you all enough.”
Traveler: “Don’t worry about it, just focus on Sucrose for now.”
Klee: “Yeah, don’t thank us till she says yes.”
Diona: “I mean I can’t see her saying no anyways.”
The team disbands. Klee, Diona, and Traveler hide in the shed while Albedo waits at the entrance of the greenhouse. With renovations done, the greenhouse can be officially called Wonderland. Now our heroes wait for the guest of honor to arrive.
Lisa: “Is that Albedo I see.?”
Sucrose: “Oh! What is he doing out here?”
Albedo greets them at the entrance.
Albedo: “Hello Lisa, thank you for keeping her occupied.”
Lisa: “With pleasure.”
Sucrose: “Huh huh? What’s going on?”
Albedo: “Just a little redecorating Sweetie.”
Albedo pulls Sucrose into a surprise hug, making sure to plant a kiss on her forehead.
Sucrose, but flustered: “Al-Albedo! What are you up to now?”
Albedo: “Just greeting my lovely girlfriend, nothing new.”
While Albedo occupies Sucrose, Lisa notices Klee waving her down from the shed and mouthing.
“Over Here! Lisa!”
Lisa hums to herself and quietly slips away to hide with the rest of the misfits.
Albedo: “Come Sucrose, I made some much-needed modifications to the greenhouse.”
Sucrose, still flustered: “Alright I’m coming, I’m coming.”
Right as Sucrose begins walking, Albedo stops her.
Albedo: “Now just a moment, You need to wear this first.”
Albedo pulls out a blindfold from his pocket.
Sucrose: “A blindfold? Now I’m really confused… and somewhat concerned.”
Albedo: “There’s something really special in the center and I want to make that a surprise. So.. pretty please?”
Albedo makes a pouty face, channeling that “prince” aesthetic unlike his deviously smug expression
Sucrose: “Fine~ Only cause I’m very curious, and you’re quite adorable right now.”
Albedo thanks Sucrose before wrapping the blindfold around her eyes.
Albedo: “I’ll lead you in carefully, ok Love?”
Sucrose: “I don’t have much of a choice, but thanks Albedo.”
Albedo guides Sucrose over the bridge and past the large tree: arriving at the footsteps of the Gazebo.
Albedo: “Ok Sweetie, we’re here.”
Sucrose: “Based on how long it took to walk here, I’m assuming we’re in the center of the wonderland.”
Albedo: “That you are correct, but there have been a few upgrades. I need you to keep your eyes closed while I unwrap you ok?”
Sucrose nods while Albedo slips the blindfold off.
Albedo: “After I turn you around, open your eyes on the count of three.”
Sucrose: “Ok.”
Albedo: “One.”
The crew emerges from the shed quietly, prepping for the reveal.
Albedo: “Two.”
Albedo gets down on one knee. Sucrose is facing the opposite direction.
Albedo: “Three.”
Sucrose opens her eyes, taken aback by the miraculous scenery before her.
Sucrose: “It’s Amazing!”
Klee, popping out from behind the tree, replies.
Klee: “It’s about to get better! Now!”
Klee and company use their abilities to ignite the chalk-filled jumpy dumptys, producing an explosion of shimmering rainbows. This, without a doubt, strikes Sucrose with awe.
“Oh my archons, when… when did yall get here?”
Sucrose pauses and ponders a second.
“Wait, Why are you all here?”
Klee giggles to herself then responds with great anticipation.
Klee: “Turn around, don’t keep big brother Albedo waiting.”
Sucrose: “Huh?”
Sucrose whips around and sees the crystal gazebo, then gazes down at Albedo, who’s been down on one knee for at least a minute now.
Albedo: “Ahem… Sucrose. May I make a request of you? Perhaps a project proposal?”
Sucrose freezes, letting the gears in her head turn as she processes the situation.
Sucrose: “S-sure?”
Albedo steadies himself and pulls out the engagement box from his pocket.
“We’ve been together for 4 years now, but I’ve had you as a dear friend for much longer. Perhaps the first person I’ve ever held so dear. And for me, it was quite a daunting task.”
“I’ve always thought of relationships as a hassle. The effort you put in doesn’t always produce fruitful results, sometimes the effort even backfires on you. So, I never bothered with fostering them.”
Albedo gently smiles.
“However, you were quite an anomaly Sucrose. Whatever resources I invested into our relationship accumulated and transformed into a whole much greater than the sum of its parts. You changed me for the better and you’re one thing in this world I could never create and never replace. I guess what I’m trying to say is that you’re worth more than the riches of the world to me: worth more than all my achievements combined.”
Sucrose begins to tear up slightly, finally comprehending the situation in front of her.
“Albedo… I-”
Albedo interjects with a flustered expression.
“I’m sorry for interrupting, but I have to say this before I crumple from my nerves.”
Sucrose nods, holding back some tears.
“I love all of you Sucrose, and I feel like I’m ready to commit to the next part of the experiment that we call our lives. So I’ve prepared a catalyst for this moment.”
Albedo grasps the engagement box with both hands and pops it open to reveal the Solar Isotoma ring.
With the ring in hand, knee on the ground, and the illuminating the gazebo behind him, Albedo asks the most important question.
“Sucrose, would you like to spend the rest of our lives together? Will you marry me?”
A very much flustered, confused, and delighted Sucrose replies before bursting out in tears of joy.
“Yes. Of course my chalk prince.”
Sucrose crumbles and Albedo catches her in his arms, both of them falling to the ground like hopeless romantics.
Albedo: “Sucrose are you alright, you’re crying so much… did I do something wrong?”
Sucrose, through tears: “No no.. sniff , I’m just very very emotional right now.”
Albedo, wiping her tears away while some form in the corners of his eyes.
Albedo: “I’ll take your word for it, sweetie…”
Sucrose: “Wh-when did you put all of this together… it’s almost like my imagination came to life.”
Albedo: “I had quite a bit of help.”
Albedo motions to the audience walking towards them: some tearing up and some smiling and some both.
Lisa: “Now that was quite a show Albedo, Lisa approved.”
Diona: “Of course she would say yes.”
Traveler: “Congrats you two, See you at the wedding.”
Klee: “Since Albedo is big brother, Can I call you big sister Sucrose too?”
Sucrose pauses and takes a deep breath before speaking.
Sucrose: “Yes Klee, and thank you, everyone, for making this dreamlike reality.”
Sucrose turns back to Albedo.
Sucrose: “Especially you Albedo.”
Albedo: “Of course, swee-”
Before the chalk prince could finish his thought, Sucrose sneaks a kiss on his lips. She retracts before blushing while Albedo kind of malfunctions. He thinks.
‘She always tastes so sweet.’
Albedo: “Ah oh ahem, uhm. I should put this on your finger…”
Sucrose: “Oh right right.”
Albedo slips the engagement ring onto Sucrose’s ring finger: a perfect fit.
Sucrose: “It’s beautiful…”
Albedo, observing the spectacle that is his now fiance, responds.
“Most of its beauty comes from the wearer, Sucrose.”
While the two love birds banter, the rest of the company begin to converse.
Traveler: “Lisa, when do you think the wedding will happen? I’m still unfamiliar with this aspect of Teyvat’s culture.”
Lisa: “Usually we plan for at least 3 months, but I have a feeling the wedding is going to happen much sooner.”
She pauses then entertains an idea.
“It could happen as soon as Windblume.”