Hold over Myriad of Worlds

-"Explain to me step by step how it suddenly turned into marriage talk."

-"Put yourself in the boots of an average person. The idea of restructuring Hold doesn't mean anything."

-"I understand that."

-"But changing the narrative into the story about four powerful women of status in their worlds falling in love with their companion, who is strong and wise, but alone and unknown."-Loki started wildly gesturing as if performing a play.-"They unite in their feelings and want him to be recognized for all his efforts. Creating the idea of empire so he never again is looked down upon."

-"Isn't it a little naive? That story also jumps a few sharks, creating an empire to not be looked down upon?"

-"Bah! Yue, what classical love story makes sense? Two lovers instantly killing themself to prove their feelings?"

-"Now that I think about it..."

-"You can believe this Goddess of Mischief and Schemes. I'll spin a tale that would put Ragnarök to shame."

-"It's not for me to decide. Girls are the ones harmed by this plan. For me, it would be an honor to marry such women."

I looked at the girls, wanting to know their decision.

-"I agree with that. My age made me already consider marriage for some time, and you are the closest man to me. While we aren't in love with each other yet, I think of you as more than a friend."-Said Ninggunag with a slightly red face.

-"I lived my whole life on the battlefield. Being a wife never crossed my mind, as most men I know are not exactly pleasant to be around."-Sounded the voice of Nobunaga.-"While I have a slight preference for women, with your beauty, it's hard not to have good feelings about you."

-"I also like Yue!"-Elysia's face was as red as it could get, but she still spoke.-"You're my prince on a white horse."

Now, everyone was looking at Astraea. She sighed lightly and started speaking.

-"Yue, do you love me?"

-"..."

-"I also feel the same. I can't say that I love you. I also don't want to say that I don't."-Astraea looked at me with a seriousness she never showed before.-"I want to try loving someone. Don't let me down."

-"I won't."-I promised all of them.

-"Then congratulations on your engagement."-Loki ruined the atmosphere.

-"You better explain what your plan is moving forward."-Astrea looked at Loki with a displeased look.

-"From now on, you will spend more time together. Show people that your relationship is close. Let gossip do its job."

-"Rumors are a double-edged sword. We can't let them be unchecked."-Warned Ningguang.

-"Yes, but we can guide them. Eden can write some songs about love transcending the world, and Yae could organize some festivities for Hold."

-"Then Loki, I'll leave my reputation in your hand."

-"Worry not, Yue. I'll make you into a true romantic."

-"Sigh. Don't go overboard."-I turned my attention to my deputy.-"Hephaestus, would you mind teaching me some tailoring?"

-"I don't mind, but why?"

-"Secret."

-"Let's continue the main subject. We have to redefine certain existing positions and names in Hold."

-"What exactly?"

-"Many places around the Hold lack official names. There are also some names used to call many different things. Knight, for example can mean soldier or member of Duty. We need to correct those."

-"We have four knighthoods in the Hold. Cloud, Lapis, Ember, under the Domination, and Knighthood of Hold, under Duty."-Counted Yelan.

-"How about instead of a knight, we call members of duty as Champions?"-Nobunaga suggested.

-"That is quite fitting. Astraea, what is your opinion?"

-"I don't mind, Yue. I can change the name of the vow without trouble."

-"Another overused term is Hold itself. Sometimes, it refers to this building, and sometimes, to the whole organization."

-"While officially we are called [Roundtable Hold], using full name feels awkward."-Elysia spoke her mind.

-"I agree with keeping Hold as the unofficial name for the organization. We have to name this building them."-Agreed Ningguang.

-"Why don't we simply call it Palace, and later Imperial Palace?"-Ayaka raised her hand.

-"Simple and direct. I think that is a good idea."

-"I think the same as Nobunaga."-I also agreed with Ayala's idea.

-"Continuing the naming spree, Palace Plaza can be used for the plaza in front of the Palace."

-"I second Keqing's opinion. Everything inside walls can be called High Grounds."-Spoken Ganyu.-"City around is already known as Hold City. I think there is no need to change that."

-"That's true. Anything more to name?"

-"Nothing comes to my mind right now, so I believe it's all."

-"The last major thing is rearranging the inside of the Palace and creating imperial regalia."-Loki moved to the next subject.-"Can you manipulate the layout of rooms here?"

-"We never tried. I'll go and check quickly."

I stood up and teleported before the sealed doors leading to [Hearth of Hold]. After unsealing them, I entered and touched the crystal floating there.

Using my identity as [Progress], I mobilized power inside, trying to influence the Palace. Feeling that it was possible, I left the room, sealed the doors again, and returned to the meeting.

-"It's possible. While we can't remove important rooms, we can change the layout and add rooms. It requires some resources, but we should have everything needed on the [Vault]."

-"Perfect. Hephaestus, can you be responsible for making this place fit the role of Royal Palace?"-Asked Loki.

-"I'll take care of Regalia. As for Palace, Hestia agreed to descend. Let the Goddess of Architecture do her best."

-"Hestia is? Then let's leave Palace to her. She would make it homely and practical."-Said Astraea.

After that, we started discussing laws and regulations that would be needed as a Monarchy. We decided on constitutional monarchy, with me as emperor whose power is limited only by a majority vote of Principles.

That would make me almost an absolute monarch but with Principles still being the highest authority of Hold.

More details still needed addressing, but that was left for the future. Now we decided to end our meeting as it was already late in the evening.

I entered the workshop for the first time in a while and started working on some things. I continued until morning.

Now that we had become engaged, we decided to eat breakfast together. I moved to the kitchen and prepared some light meals for us.

Not long after, five of us sat together and started eating.

-"Being able to eat your food every day is blessing."

-"Don't be so exaggerated, Elysia."

-"You don't understand! Before joining Hold, I would often live on military rations. Those were awful!"

-"She's right. I also mostly eat soldier food, and after testing your food, it's hard to eat rations again."

-"Then I'll take that as a complement. Thank you, Elysia, Nobunaga."

-"Yue, what are your plans for today?"

-"I plan to meet Aether's sister. Want to come with me, Astraea?"

-"I'm free, so why not."

-"What about the rest of you?"

-"Sadly, I have agreed to help clear some Honkai monsters."

-"I'm also busy with that Chaldea group."

-"I'll tag along."

-"Nice. I have something for you."

I took out four small boxes. Inside each of them was a ring I prepared earlier.

-"While we promised to marry each other in strange circumstances, I wish to uphold tradition."-I said while pushing rings to the girls.

They were surprised by my gesture but soon smiled and put rings on their hands. Elysia stood up and came to my side.

-"Thank you, Yue."-Elysia kissed my cheek and hugged me.

The rest of the girls also decided to hug me. Sadly, no more kisses. We continued our meal after that with an even better atmosphere.

After the meal, Astraea, Ningguang, and I teleported to Teyvat and started walking around where we were supposed to meet Aether.

-"Yue, invite Jingliu, Sakura, and Fu Xuan to join our meals from tomorrow onward."

-"Astraea is right. Those girls were devastated to the point of sleeplessness when you disappeared. Take care of them."-Added Ningguang.

-"Good, I'll bring them tomorrow. I plan to talk to them after we are done here in Teyvat."

-"Then I won't meddle. Where is Aether? Shouldn't he be here already?"

-"I can feel him just around the corner. He just ran into unexpected guests."

-"Let's go then."

We entered a cave where we could hear Aether talking to someone angrily. After approaching, we saw four people. Aside from Aether, there was his sister and two fatui we met in Inazuma.

-"We won't work with you! Leave us alone!"

-"From what we know, Tainli is one who confined you to this world. Why don't you want to deal with her?"

-"Well, I'm interested."

-"Sister!"

-"Sorry Aether, but I have anymity with her.

-"Foolish."-I entered their view.-"One called Tianli is not someone you should target. Even if you defeat her, it would only bring destruction to Teyvat."

-"How can you even know that? You are just like those other gods, fearful and decadent."-Said a person with a large hat.

-"Heh, he is not someone you can question easily, puppet. I wonder what two Fatui are trying to do on Liyue territory. I remember that you were banished for your activities sometime before."

-"Lady Ningguang, long time no see. We are just passing by. Please don't mind us."

-"Tartaglia was it? The last time I found Fatui passing by, he ended up executed as a spy. Does this ring any bells?"

-"Yue, Lady Ninggunag, Lady Astraea."

-"Hello, Aether. Sorry for leaving last time, but something important came up."

-"Don't worry. Let me introduce you. This is my sister Lumine. Lumine, this is Yue. As for his companions, you are aware of Ninggunag. The other person is Goddess Astraea."

-"Goddess? Don't fall into those schemes. She is too weak to be a goddess."

-"Now that she said this, I started to wonder. Astraea, are your powers sealed here too? Without a seal over the world, you should be able to use some of your power."

-"Let me try."-Astraea extended her hand forward and tried to gather some of her power, and soon, a small sphere of blinding light appeared.-"I can use some power, but only a fraction. Enough for self-defense."

I shielded Ningguang from the aura of that light. As for the four bystanders, they had a harder time.

-"Good to hear that, but still leave defending you to me."

-"I will."

-"Now, what were you talking about?"-I looked at now exhausted Fatui and siblings.-"Let me give you a helping hand first."

I used the power of Abundance to recover their stamina. When they felt energy returning to them, they were surprised. Especialy Lumine.

-"That power. It's really similar to teacher's."

-"You mean this."-I manifested Path of Trailblaze.

-"Yes! It is exactly what the teacher taught us." 

-"I also know Akivili. I met THEM before THEY traveled into Chaos and met you two."

-"Maybe you truly know what you speak. You warned me about the Abyss. Why?"

-"First look into this memory crystal."-I threw her the memory crystal of her futures I divined where she was absorbed by Abyss.-"Those are some possible endings you may meet. What do you think about them?"

-"This is the future?"-She furrowed her brows.

-"Around half of all possible futures led to a similar end."

-"This is troubling."

-"I suggest you go to your organization and show them this. After you decide, find Aether to call me."

-"Yes, this is important. Allow me to leave now."-Lumine manifested the portal and soon disappeared from our view.

All eyes now fell on Fatui.

-"Can we also leave?"-Asked Tartaglia.

-"Yes, but before you go, here, pass this to your Tsarica."-I gave Tartaglia another memory crystal, this one showing Tianli and what is her purpose and nature.

-"Thank you. I'll be sure to deliver it."

-"Good, go now."

We now found ourselves in a group of four.

-"What do you plan to do now, Aether?"

-"I plan to return to Mondstadt, where Paimon is waiting for me."

-"Hmm... Girls, how about we sightsee a certain windy city?"

-"Nice idea, I never had a chance to visit it."

-"I'm also interested."

-"Let's go then."

We teleported to Mondstadt city and started walking the streets. Buildings here looked somewhat similar to Orario. The biggest difference was the excessive use of windmills all over the city.

-"This city has a somewhat lazy feel to it."-Spoke Ningguang, who was walking while linking arms with me.

-"Yes, I saw more bars and restaurants here than workshops and other workplaces."-Said Astraea, who taken my other side.

-"It is said that every capital city of regions in Teyvat represents Archons watching over them. Barbatos is a famous drunk who never worked a day in his life after all."

-"Heh, this city truly has Venti's aura."

We sat in a nice-looking restaurant and ordered some local dishes. We talked some more, trying to become more familiar with each other, but suddenly, a cheerful voice interrupted us.

-"Wow! Big Brother has the same ears as Klee! Are you the same as me? Is your mama also Mama Alica?"

Behind me stood a child in red. She emanated energy the same way Elysia does when she finds something interesting.

-"Little Klee, right? I do have similar ears as you, but I don't know your mama."

-"Hmm, is that so? But can you still be my Big Brother?"

-"You shouldn't approach strangers like that little Klee. What if I was a bad person?"

-"Big Brother isn't a bad person! Klee can feel it!"

-"Sigh. Yes, yes, but you still should be careful."

-"Klee will! If badie comes, Klee will boom him!"

-"Just be safe."

-"Can Klee sit here with Big Brother and sisters?"

-"We don't mind. It's kinda amusing to see Yue act fatherly."

-"I couldn't agree more with Astraea."

-"Thank you, sisters!"

We talked a little with Klee. She told us some stories about the city and Favonius's Knight ruling it. Soon, our table was full of drawings depicting Klee's adventures.

-"And then brother Albedo helped Klee build Big-big Bomb, and we blasted the big fishie!"

-"What happened later, little Klee?"

-"Master Jean caught Klee and locked me in solitary confinement." 

-"Jean also has it rough, huh."

-"Klee! Where are you? Klee!"

-"Oh! Sister Amber! Klee is here!"

-"Klee! I have been looking for you for so long. Master Jean has been waiting for you, but you never returned. She is so worried."

-"Ahh! Klee forgot!"

-"Sigh. Little Klee better go quickly and apologize."

-"Yes, Big Brother! Klee will find you after she is done."

Klee jumped and started running toward Kinght's headquarters. Amber, who was looking for her, bowed to us and rushed to catch up.

-"What a ball of energy."-Sighed Astraea.

-"I feel as if I aged some years hearing those stories."

-"At least I learned that you would make a good father, Yue."

-"I can only hope that my future children will be better behaved than Klee."-I Shook my head.-"So, do you want to see anything more here?"

-"I think we should see the famous cathedral when we are already here."

-"I agree with Ningguang. It would be a waste to miss it."

we paid for our meal and started walking toward the highest point in the city.