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“Navia, please make haste.”
“Alright, alright, I’m almost done,” replied Navia while letting out a small laugh. She fastened the last buttons of her thick coat, a garment she would never find herself wearing back in Fontaine. Once she was finished, she stepped out of her room and was greeted by the sight of Fontaine’s Chief Justice waiting for her, arms crossed and one foot tapping against the wooden floor.
Navia had to stifle a chortle. What an entertaining sight. She couldn’t believe that it had been three years since she lambasted him in his office over his supposed lack of empathy and emotions. Now here they both are, playing the quintessential roles of a couple in a Snezhnayan lodge that they shared.
How quickly things have changed with the passage of time
“Sorry for the wait, Monsieur ,” said Navia with a hint of playfulness. “Though to be fair, you did make me wait the whole day for you so a few minutes shouldn’t hurt.”
Neuvillette sighed. “That was different. I had to return late because of work. You are keeping us late because you changed your mind about your choice of lipstick and eyeshadow palette.”
She blinked innocently at him. “Don’t you want me to look my best for you?”
Neuvillette stared back at her with a look of pure defeat. So puppy-like, she almost felt guilty for teasing him. “You know it does not matter much whether you have on makeup or not. In my eyes, you will look just as beautiful,” said the Iudex.
The earnest manner in which he spoke those words was enough to melt her into a puddle. Navia walked over to him and linked her arms with his. “Rather than losing ourselves in another debate about the benefits of make-up, shall we head to the place you have been so eager to take me to?”
“Yes,” he nodded. He led both of them out the front door. The moment Navia stepped out of the comfort of their cozy lodge, the frigid Snezhnayan air immediately hit her face like sharp little knives. Brutal. Unforgiving.
“How far do we have to go?” asked Navia.
“Not too far,” replied Neuvillette.
“Why can’t we watch them from near the cabin?”
“Because it would be a worthwhile view. And do not worry, we won’t have to travel there on foot. We will be using that.”
A few feet away from their cabin was a Snezhnayan man sitting in a four-seater motor car. Or cars, as the locals would call such vehicles.
Navia thought that Fontaine was the most technologically advanced region out of all the seven nations. But it turned out, the Tsaritsa had sent envoys all across Teyvat not only to do business dealings but to also research the best of each nation’s sciences and incorporate them in Snezhnaya’s technical research and development. As such, Snezhnaya could be seen as the epitome of humanity’s scientific advancement.
The man behind the driver’s seat waved at them as soon as he saw them outside. They both strode through the snow, ankle-deep in thickness. The driver greeted them once they approached the car.
“Evening, Monsieur Neuvillette,” said the man in a thick Snezhnayan drawl.
“Good evening. You are Andrei, correct?”
“Yes. It’s good that you both are out now, any later and you might miss the start.”
“My apologies for being late,” said Neuvillette. He opened the passenger door for Navia, “shall we?”
Navia darted her eyes from Andrei to Neuvillette before she climbed into the car. The Chief Justice followed after her, sitting next to her at the back, and closed the door.
“It’s not a long drive, but it will be a bumpy one so hold on tight to one another,” Andrei told them from the front. Navia could practically hear his chuckle from where she sat. The engine started. Every inch of the car vibrated. There was a loud roar before the entire car lurched forward, heading straight into the snowy woods ahead of them. Navia clung to Neuvillette’s arm, holding on for dear life.
“So, who is he?” she asked in a low whisper.
“Someone sent as a personal guide to us by Zapolyarny Palace. He is taking us to a location with the best view,” replied in equally low volume.
“Fatui?”
“Non-associated with them.”
“Can we trust him?”
“If he harbors any ill intent and tries to act on it, it would be a big mistake on his part. For one, he would sorely jeopardize the diplomatic relations between Fontaine and Snezhnaya. Two, he would be facing the Hydro Sovereign and the President of Spina di Rosula to which he stands no chance.”
She smiled at the same time his lips curled up at her. And if there wasn’t Andrei at the front taking discreet glances at them from the rear-view mirror, Navia would have leaned up and captured Neuvillette’s lips into a kiss. The snug backseat paired with the dark, snowy environment made for a cozy atmosphere and it was almost tempting to lose herself in the vibe. But Navia held herself back and instead chose to merely hold on to Neuvillette for the rest of the ride.
Andrei wasn’t lying. It was a bumpy ride uphill to an unknown location. If Navia was without her Vision and Neuvillette was not by her side, she might find herself anxious about her fate. But this was part of Neuvillette’s plan and she was growing more and more excited. He was hardly the type to plan things for them so when he asked her a few weeks ago if she would be willing to travel with him to Snezhnaya, she could hardly refuse. He had a diplomatic matter to attend to but he wanted her to be in Snezhnaya to visit a ‘special place’ with him after he had finished all of his official affairs.
She wondered what this place was.
They finally reached the end of the seemingly endless woods. The car halted with a small screech. Navia was thankful for the belt that was on her, otherwise, her forehead would have kissed the back of Andrei's chair. Goodness, couldn’t he drive with more elegance?
“We’ve arrived, Monsieur. And right on time as well,” said Andrei.
“Perfect,” remarked Neuvillette. He climbed out of the car and offered his hand to Navia. She placed his hand in his and stepped out of the car.
Navia gasped loudly. They were parked at the edge of a snowy cliff that granted them a vantage point of Snezhnaya’s icy capital by the horizon. The Zapolyarny Palace could be seen at its center.
But that wasn’t the most breathtaking sight.
No. Above them, the dark, night sky was lit by dancing lights. Beautiful shades of navy blue coalesced with neon green. They moved in slow waves, like ocean tides under the pull of the quarter moon. Navia ran closer to the edge of the cliff, pulling Neuvillette along with her. The lack of any form of lighting around them added to the vibrancy of the aurora.
It was quiet. Serene. But Navia’s mind had conjured a tune to the movements of the light. An orchestra of magnificent string instruments playing a slow and romantic waltz.
“Is this what you wanted to show me?” she asked him, her eyes twinkling bright in delight.
A small smile graced his face. “Yes,” Neuvillette replied. He shifted his gaze to the sky. “I have, perhaps, seen this view a long time ago in my previous life, back when dragons ruled over Teyvat. I haven’t returned here ever since I was reborn as a human and I would like nothing more but to share my first sighting of the aurora, as a human, with the one person who means the most to me. I hope this moment will become a fond memory that we both will forever cherish.”
Navia’s breath hitched, her eyes widening at Neuvillette’s words. He turned his attention to her, eyes brimming with tenderness. Navia found her mind a blank space, unable to string together a response. She was in a trance, immobilized by his outpouring affection and thoughtfulness.
Navia knew she loved him. She loved Neuvillette with her whole heart. But right there, standing on great heights below the beauty of Snezhnaya’s aurora, that love she harbored for him dawned upon her so clearly it was almost tangible.
She recalled the folk tales she had read a long time back. About the thread of fate that connects two individuals whose souls were destined to be together. If someone had approached her and told her that they saw a red string connecting her to Neuvillette, she would believe them. That’s how connected she felt to him right now. Spiritually and physically.
“Can I ask you a question?”
Navia blinked at Neuvillette. “Sure.”
“What is your opinion on the notion of soulmates?”
Navia froze, her face contorted into disbelief. After a few seconds, she let out a snort.
Neuvillette’s confusion was imminent. “Have I said something wrong?”
“No, no, you haven’t,” Navia replied with a shake of her head. “It’s funny that you mentioned soulmates because I was literally just thinking about that before you posed your question.”
“Oh,” said Neuvillette, a relieved smile formed on his face. “Well, I am glad that we found ourselves on the same page.”
“Yes, we’ve been pretty good at that lately,” the blonde chuckled.
“So what was on your mind?”
“Well, to answer your question earlier about soulmates, I have always thought that it was something comparable to fairy tales,” answered Navia. “A fantasy that one would place your hope on to lift one’s spirits while knowing that life would not go according to that fantasy. Love, in reality, requires a considerable amount of work and sacrifices instead of the mere belief that two people are fated to be together.”
“Right…”
“But,” Navia continued, “recently I found myself quite partial to the fantasy.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, ever since I've been with you, I've slowly grown to hope that in some cases, two people are meant to be together regardless of their circumstances. I hoped…that could be us.”
Neuvillette’s smile grew. He took hold of her hand and brought it to his lips. The brush of his lips brought tingles that started from the back of her hand and traveled to the rest of her body.
“What about you?” she asked. “What are your thoughts on soulmates?”
His eyes met hers. “You would think that I would be more jaded on such matters having lived for so long but, no. I have been a believer in soulmates since the very beginning.”
“Is that so?” Navia remarked. She found his response slightly unexpected.
“I have lived for thousands of years. Witnessed multiple turns of civilizations. If love was primarily formed and maintained out of effort and sacrifices then surely I would have one, if not, multiple former suitors by now.”
Navia raised an eyebrow at him. “Wow, you must be quite popular, Monsieur .”
“Ah, that was not a self-judgment. It is merely a conclusion I have gathered after being alive for far too long. In each societal turn, despite my best effort to be impartial, there will be individuals who vied for my attention. Some would try harder than others. And yet, not one creature nor person has managed to capture me. Not until you came. I have met millions of souls and only yours felt like an extension of mine.”
He cupped the side of her face, his thumb grazing her cheek. “How cruel of you to make me wait thousands of years for you, my soulmate.”
“Neuvillette…” Navia muttered. She found herself at a loss for words once more. Various emotions welled up within her, many she couldn’t put into words. She felt like flying. She felt like crying. If only the sky above could convey everything that was in her heart.
“Did you know,” said Neuvillette, “that in certain parts of Snezhnaya, it is believed that auroras are the gates of heaven opening so those who have left this world can see the loved ones they have left behind?”
“No, I haven’t heard of that.”
“The sky is full of mysteries, even for me. What if that belief had a semblance of truth to them? What if your family and loved ones are looking at us right now? What would you want them to see and hear?”
Navia swallowed the lump forming at the back of her throat. Neuvillette wasn’t the type to make up empty stories simply to appease her. Right then, she realized he had looked up that urban legend and brought her here for a reason. What was that reason, she wasn’t sure. All she knew was that her heart began to race in her chest.
Neuvillette started to speak once more. “As for me, if all of our deceased loved ones are currently watching us, I would want them to witness this.”
He put his hand in the pocket of a navy blue coat…
…and fished out a small velvet box.
Navia’s hands covered her mouth to hide her gasp as Neuvillette lifted the lid of the box to reveal a golden ring with a round, sapphire gem.
“Navia, you have added colors to what would have been a dull and dreary life of mine, just like the lights above to the night sky. You are my light, Navia, and I dread the thought of going back to my days without you. Will you grant me the honor of becoming your companion…for life?”
She stared at him and then at the ring he was holding out to her.
Ridiculous.
That was her first thought. How ridiculous it is that the Hydro Sovereign who happened to be the Iudex of Fontaine is currently holding out a ring to her, his fate and future depended on her response. Her, a mere human.
Who is he?
That was her second thought. Was this really the impartial and logical Chief Justice that she came to know and love? This man, who had brought her on a trip to a faraway land to witness one of the many wonders of Teyvat just so he could propose to her? Oh, how he had learned so much about humanity and its complexities.
Third and finally…
How can she even live a life without him from now on?
He said she was an extension of his soul and she felt those words so deeply. He is now deeply ingrained within her and to live any other way where Neuvillette was not a permanent feat of her life was unfathomable.
“Yes,” she finally spoke, her voice coming out shaky from the cold and the initial shock of the marriage proposal. “Yes, I will.”
His lips stretched wide at her words, his face brightening. He pulled the ring out of its box and took her hand, placing it around her ring finger. Slowly. Carefully.
“Thank you,” he whispered to her, bringing her hand up to kiss the back of her hand again.
“Silly dragon,” Navia chided, “I should be the one thanking you.”
She tugged at the furry collar of his coat, pulling them close together.
“Thank you, for making me the happiest person alive right now,” she whispered before capturing his lips. They kissed deeply. Passionately. His arms were around her secure and tight, holding her as if she was his lifeline.
They broke apart but remained close together, foreheads leaning against one another.
“If Papa, Mama, Melus, and Silver are watching us right now, I hope they know just how much I love you,” she said.
“I’m sure they will,” said Neuvillette. She gave him one last peck before turning her attention back to the aurora.
Watching the dancing lights with Neuvillette’s arms wrapped around her waist, Navia silently sent a prayer to the sky above.
I don’t know if you’re truly watching me up there right now…
But I want you to know that I’m just fine.
And I know my life will be even better with my soulmate by my side.