Chapter Text
"Greetings, Lesser Lord Kusanali. Why did you call me?"
Nahida laugh over him. "Why so formal, My Grand Sage?"
"Acting Grand Sage." Alhaitam corrected.
Alhaitam had no idea why Nahida call him, but if she ordered it herself, whatever it was would be very important.
The little Archon smiled behind her desk while shifting some files. "I know you've been busy lately, would you like to take a break?"
Alhaitam refused quickly. "The busier I am, the faster everything get done."
"I see." Nahida put her hand in front of her lips, already expected. "Then I have a new task for you."
Alhaitam was silent, waiting the next words from his goddess.
"Acting Grand Sage Alhaitam, Please accompany me to go the Lantern Rite Festival."
"Liyue, Lord?"
"Yes."
It was clearly too much for Alhaitam. The peak of the Lantern Rite is 2 days away, there's still a lot of work to do and--
He looked at Nahida and sighed. "Can I think about it first? I don't mean to refuse, but I have a pile of important files and hundreds of reports from Academic Students that need to be taken care. There are also reports from Mahatama about the bandits activity in Desert."
Nahida nodded, of course she understood and knew it all. "Fine, I'll give you time to think, let me know your decision at tomorrow."
Alhaitam lowered his head and bowed. "Thank you, My Lord."
Alhaitam stay a while in Nahida's room for some other reports before finally returning to his office. he's back to work.
Alhaitam looked at the files on his desk. it's already 2am and he still can't come home. He dropped his head on the table, the only thing he wanted to do now was read a book, relax while eating some sciences. He wondered, when the true Grand Sage would be found. they're really looking for it, right?
Alhaitam didn't remember what happened next, but he was awakened by a shrill scream from a familiar voice.
"What the hell is this big guy doing? Drooling on your works?"
Alhaitam opened his eyes, it was brighter than he remembered. "What are you doing here, Kaveh?"
"You don't come home for a week, just to make sure you're still alive." Kaveh investigates the messy room and his friend. "Gosh, you need to rest, Dude."
"Not now." Alhaitam had risen and straightened his head, he returned to reading the report.
Kaveh cleared his throat. "I heard, Lord Kusanali will attend the Lantern Rite."
Alhaitam didn't respond, waiting for Kaveh to give an explanation. There's no way he's just here to say that.
"You accompany her?"
"No."
"Why?"
"You said yourself I needed to rest."
"But she asked you, right?"
"She did." Alhaitam answered flatly while marking something with his pen.
"What if she asks another?"
Alhaitam raised his eyebrows. "What's wrong with that?"
Kaveh take a breath "it's only about time before she stops making you her favourite."
Alhaitam fell silent. Stop being her favorite?
He looked at Kaveh.
"You reject her in many time, she is a God after all."
"As if I care." yes, he is.
Even though he doesn't show it, Kaveh knows that alhaitam is provoked. that's why he continued. "It's only about time before she stops taking you out to lunch, asking what you think of the Tevyat's riddles, stop showing you around looking for flowers, stop telling you to push her swing, or discussing what kind of blanket you'd like."
Alhaitam's face wrinkled. Disturbed.
"Also... She will stop asking you to speak informally to her. She will let you call her 'Lesser Lord Kusanali' like everyone does."
"If you're just here to make a fuss, get out. I'm busy."
Kaveh shrugged his shoulders. "I also can't stand to see your long face for too long, Ugh... How smelly, you even not showered yet."
Alhaitam glanced at him annoyed, Kaveh ran before any violence happen.
The man continued his work, he marked a few more things until the clock struck 12 noon. even though he works seriously, in fact his mind wanders everywhere. He really shouldn't be listening to Kaveh's shitty mouth.
Alhaitam stood up, intending to leave before finally stopping and turning towards the bathroom. He hastily dried his wet hair and headed for a room that not everyone could enter. Their Archon Room.
Nahida was sitting in her chair with her legs dangling far from the floor. She looked so busy that she didn't notice Alhaitam's arrival even when the man cleared his throat. Alhaitam took a step forward.
"Lesser Lord Kusanali."
"Ah, You are here. Sorry, if there is some files you want to share, you can leave there. I'll check them soon."
This is a rare, where Alhaitam doesn't hear that sweet voice greeting him kindly. She even not bother to looking at him, she must be very busy. Its true Alhaitam came to deliver the files and give the report. But beside that, he also want to tell her about his decision.
He stood longer than he intended, looking at Nahida who was doing her work.
"Lord Kusanali?"
"Oh, right. You are still here. is there anything else?" Nahida looked up.
Alhaitam was silent.
"Is there something wrong?"
He was still silent, he didn't even know what to say.
"Acting Grand Sage?"
"Nahida."
It was then that Nahida tilted her head. Confused. "Yes?"
"Let's go to Liyue."
Nahida's eyes widened, she nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Sure!"