Genshin Impact: Frostburn

"Young master, you know that it's not easy to just pack all out things and get back to traveling."

"Tsk, I know I know," I made a disappointed face as I said. "So, how fast can we leave?"

"If we do the same and put back the mora that we withdraw in the Northland Bank, we can expect to leave in at most a week or two, that is if you're not going to say our goodbyes to your friends at the orphanage."

'Ah right, it's not that easy.'

"Fine, I guess Sumeru can wait."

There are a lot of places in Sumeru I want to go to—The Desert, the Akademia, the forest with the god-forsaken Aranara quest... I won't need to do that again here right? Hopefully not.

"Young master, it's almost time for our practice sessions," Polochko said.

"Already? It's not even lunch yet?!" I protested.

"Young master it's already 1 in the afternoon, lunch has long passed and you chose this new schedule yourself."

'Dammit'

"B-but lunch..."

"Let's go, young master,"

****************

At the House of the Heart

Crucabena arrived in her room with her clothes full of blood. She was from a discreet operation to kill some deserters of her faction and had to spend more effort than usual.

"It's about time," She thought as she changed clothes before going out and calling for the closest agent she could find.

"Yes lord harbinger! What is it that you need!"

"Call Clervie for me, I have something to tell her,"

The Fatui agent then turned back and as he was about to leave, Crucabena stopped him.

"No, never mind, I'll go see her myself."

In the corridors and corners of the place echoed the carefree laughter of children mixed with the gentle chirps of the birds as they flew in the air. The wind breeze swept the few puddles of snow with its gentle touch.

Crucabena searched for Clervie among the many children running on and about. Finally, she arrived at a tree where two girls sat together as they slept.

Approaching them she couldn't help but adore them. One is her daughter, while one is her most priced child.

"Clervie, Peruere, it's not good for you if you sleep here with the snow." 

The two soon woke up from their slumber and rubbed their eyes as they stood up.

"Mother, sorry we fell asleep." Clervie apologized.

"No need to be sorry Clervie, I understand that the wind is soothing but remember next time not to sleep outside while the snow is falling, it's not good for you."

As she opened her eyes and realized that Crucabena was the one talking to them, Clervie jolted up and was surprised.

"Ah! Yes, mother!"

"No need to be scared, I'm just here to talk to you,"

Crucabena then looked at Peruere and smiled.

"Peruere, can I borrow Clervie for a moment? I have something to talk to her."

The sudden request made the two cautious. Crucabena would never ask for them herself if not for something important, and during their time here, she only ever called for them for official matters or when she was about to punish them.

Clervie clenched her fists as she followed Crucabena back to her room. In there, she sat on the chair opposite of her as she waited for Crucabena to finish brewing tea.

"Clervie, how have you been?"

"I'm fine Mother, thank you for asking."

Crucabena smiled as she poured tea on both cups.

"The others are not giving you and Peruere a hard time are they?"

"No, they're treating us well Mother."

The way Crucabena acted perplexed Clervie, she was not someone who would give preferential treatment to any kid in the orphanage even if they were her own child.

"How was your training, is it going well?"

"I'm holding out just fine Mother, t-thank you for asking."

Crucabena then held Clervie's hands and looked at her in the eye.

"Clervie, my child, I know you don't like living here, so if you want, I could give you a better life outside of the House of the Heart."

Perplexed and suspicious, Clervie can't help but doubt the words of her Mother, yet deep inside she hoped, hoped that the words of her Mother, the one who gave birth to her were true.

Clervie said with her voice becoming meek. "Mother, I-I'm fine living here, but can we please stop killing each other? Please..."

With a smile, Crucabena stood up and held Clervie in her arms.

"Clervie, you've grown strong. Before you were just a small girl always following behind her mother. I'm proud to see my daughter grow up strong."

Crucabena then kissed Clervie's forehead. and looked at her with motherly love that she had never shown before.

"I will stop doing this, but you have to do something for me in return, is that alright with you?"

"Yes, Mother! Anything!" Clervie beamed in happiness. She has tried to convince her mother many times before but she was only met with scrutiny and beating. Now, that her mother seemed to have changed, she was full of happiness.

"What I want to ask you is very simple, Clervie. I saw you were very close with Leo since he arrived, I remember you took him back with the other kids to fish before." Crucabena caressed Clervie's cheeks as she continued. "Clervie, my daughter, all I ask of you is very simple, I want you to seduce Leo, make him part of our family. If you do that then I promise, I will abolish the old Tradition of the House of the Hearth."

"Bu-but..."

"Clervie, you love your siblings, right? We can give them a better life if we could manage to acquire Leo. I don't ask you to lie to him, all I want is for you to make him ours."

Crucabena then crouched and kneeled while holding Clervie's hand.

"What do you say?"

Clervie was at a crossroads. In her mind, she doesn't want to betray Leo, he has been helping them in the shadows and the environment inside the House of the Hearth has been improving since Pantalone planted a spy inside.

But her determination to stop the unnecessary killing of each other within their faction collides with her intent. With two opposing forces tugging at her conscience, Clervie felt as though she were standing on a tightrope stretched over an abyss.

On one side is the will to not Betray Leo and repay their debt to him, on the other side is her will to stop the brutal cycle of killing.

"Clervie, your answer?"

"Mother, I-I..." Clervie stood still, her head hung low as she hesitantly gave her answer. "I-I will do as you say."

Crucabena beamed and hugged Clervie while saying words of love and encouragement.

"That's my daughter, I'm very proud of you. I love you."

***

Clervie walked the corridors of the orphanage with her head hung low. Inside, she felt disgusted with herself, but within the disgust lies relief and hope that her mother keeps her word.

Her mind was raised with guilt as if she had done the greatest sin of all.

'What have I done..."

Silent tears fell from her eyes as she went back to her room and covered herself with a blanket.