The Ice Rose of Snezhnaya

[Didn't expect that, did you!]

[Surprise update qwq]

[The author is here asking all you wonderful readers to follow, keep up with the updates, send gifts, and add the book to your bookshelf qwq. This really means a lot to me.]

An ice-crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, its cold light pouring down in an endless stream like clear, flowing water.

The light intertwined and refracted in the air, forming brilliant, icy rays that made it seem as though the entire room was coated in a layer of crystal-clear ice.

Baichen lay quietly on his back on a bed made from ice silk, specially prepared for Zapolyarny Palace, feeling a trace of coolness seep through the thin mattress into his body.

The ice silk was soft and cool to the touch, a stark contrast to his feverish skin, bringing a different kind of comfort.

Tsaritsa Bronya quietly approached Baichen's side, her footsteps as light and soundless as falling snowflakes.

Today, she had changed into a translucent ice-gauze nightgown. The fabric, thin as a cicada's wing, looked especially transparent in the cold light, with her pale skin almost visible beneath it.

Her blue hair cascaded over Baichen's chest, brushing gently against his skin and bringing a faint chill.

Baichen could feel how soft and smooth her hair was, as though it had been woven from the purest ice and snow.

Tsaritsa Bronya's fingers were as cold as winter snow.

Her fingertips wandered gently over Baichen's neck, producing a subtle sensation that sent a shiver through him even as he lost himself in it.

"Your heart is beating faster," she whispered in Baichen's ear, her cool lips brushing its rim. "Is it because you're cold... or because of me?"

Baichen instinctively clenched the bedsheet. The Raiden Shogun's bite mark on his right ear suddenly stung-a sensation transmitted through the elemental mark by Ei, far away in Inazuma.

Bronya keenly noticed his reaction and gently brushed her fingertips over the fading mark.

"Still thinking about her?" Her voice was dangerously sweet. "How jealous that makes me..."

[System emergency alert]

[Strong emotional fluctuations detected]

[Recommendation: increase Cryo resistance immediately]

Shut up!

Baichen scolded the system in his mind.

Now's not the time!

[The system withdrew, looking aggrieved]

Bronya's fingertips glided gently over Baichen's skin, as if playing a beautiful melody upon it.

The icy touch made him shiver, but it also brought an unusual thrill.

Her fingers gradually approached Baichen's collarbone, one of the most sensitive parts of his body.

As she moved, Cryo condensed in the air, forming tiny frost crystals that drifted as lightly as snowflakes onto Baichen's skin.

As though brought to life, the frost crystals followed Bronya's fingertips, tracing exquisite patterns across Baichen's skin.

The patterns were delicate and intricate, like a mysterious painting that made one want to discover its secrets.

Meanwhile, Baichen noticed that Bronya's breathing was a little quicker than usual.

Her pale eyes were no longer as cold as they usually were, but held a rare trace of warmth.

It was an emotion Baichen had never seen in her eyes before, leaving him somewhat at a loss.

"Do you know how Snezhnayan nobles treat their beloved collectibles?" she suddenly asked, lifting the Heart of Ice and Snow necklace around Baichen's neck with a finger. "We wrap them in layer upon layer of the finest ice crystals... so no one else can see them, and they can't escape."

As she spoke, the temperature in the room plummeted.

Cryo surged in from every direction, forming a crystalline barrier around the bed and completely isolating them from the outside world.

"Y-your Majesty..." Baichen's voice trembled slightly.

"Call me Bronya," she corrected him, her fingers already undoing the first button of his collar. "When it's just the two of us."

Her lips pressed against Baichen's Adam's apple, and the icy touch sent a shiver through his entire body.

Just then, three rhythmic knocks suddenly came from the door.

"Your Majesty." Rosalyne, La Signora, spoke through the ice wall. "The delegation from Liyue has arrived early and is waiting in the Platinum Hall."

Bronya stopped, a flicker of annoyance crossing her eyes. She took a deep breath, and the ice wall instantly melted away. "Tell them I'll be there in ten minutes."

After Rosalyne left, Bronya reluctantly pushed herself upright.

She reached out and smoothed Baichen's rumpled collar with an incredibly gentle touch. "We'll continue tonight." It was not an invitation, but a declaration. "I'll have the kitchen prepare the Liyue dishes you like."

She brushed a fleeting kiss against Baichen's lips, and by the time she rose, her ice-gauze nightgown had transformed into a formal court dress.

"Get some rest." She gave the reddened tip of Baichen's ear a meaningful glance. "You'll need to save your strength."

[Bronya's affection +5%, currently 46%]

[Status gained: Mark of Ice]

[Effect: Cryo affinity temporarily increased by 30%]

After Bronya left, Baichen collapsed on the bed and let out a long breath. The system immediately popped up to make its presence known:

[Host, host! That was so dangerous!]

[You almost triggered an adults-only scene!]

Shut up!

Baichen rubbed his burning face.

Analyze the current situation.

[Current conquest progress:

Bronya: 46% (deeply infatuated)

Raiden Shogun: 52% (continuing to decline)

Other characters: awaiting updates]

[Warning! Raiden Shogun's affection is about to fall below the critical threshold of 50%]

[Recommendation: take remedial measures immediately]

Baichen raked a hand through his hair in frustration.

Ever since he had arrived in Snezhnaya, Ei's affection had been falling every day, while Bronya's advances had grown more and more intense.

Worse still, the Raiden Shogun's bite mark on his right ear had faded until it was almost invisible...

A faint noise came from the balcony.

Baichen turned alertly and saw Columbina, the Damselette, crouching on the railing, playing with an ice-crystal butterfly.

"Hi~" She hopped lightly into the room. "Her Majesty the Tsaritsa finally left?"

Today, Columbina wore her signature black-and-white maid outfit, looking as though she had stepped straight out of a comic.

Unlike usual, however, her skirt was noticeably shorter, revealing glimpses of her long legs wrapped in black stockings and drawing the eye.

Columbina skipped over to the bed like a cheerful little bird, an innocent smile beaming on her face.

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, like a child who had discovered a novel toy.

As she approached Baichen, he could sense her faint fragrance, a fresh, sweet scent that was pleasant and relaxing.

She gently extended a finger and carefully poked Baichen's cheek, seemingly testing his reaction.

"Your face is so red. What did Her Majesty do to you?"

"Nothing." Baichen shrank back a little. "How did you get in?"

"Secret~" As if by magic, she produced a paper box from beneath her skirt. "I brought you something tasty! Almond tofu specially supplied from Liyue!"

Baichen eyed the box warily. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

Columbina tilted her head and thought for a moment. "Because you're cute!

"She suddenly leaned in close, close enough for Baichen to smell the sweet scent of candy on her. "And... watching Her Majesty tease you is super fun~"

[Columbina's affection +3%, currently 13%]

Without giving him a choice, she scooped up a spoonful of almond tofu and brought it to Baichen's mouth. "Say ah-"

Just as Baichen was hesitating over whether to eat it, the door was pushed open again.

Dottore, the Doctor, stood in the doorway holding a strange instrument. He raised an eyebrow at the sight inside:

"Looks like I'm interrupting something?"

Columbina immediately jumped away. "N-no, you're not! I only came to bring him a snack!"

Dottore gave a noncommittal grunt and walked straight up to Baichen. "Hold out your hand. I'm going to measure your elemental flow."

His instrument looked like a huge metal glove, cold and hard, its surface glinting with a chill light.

When he put the glove on, a strange energy seemed to surge within it. Immediately afterward, its surface began to emit an eerie green glow, like flames, especially dazzling in the darkness.

Dottore stood to one side, staring intently at the instrument panel. Behind his thick lenses, his eyes shone with the distinctive light of a mad scientist.

It was a thirst for the unknown, an obsession with knowledge, and a fervor for breaking with convention.

His fingers moved rapidly across the panel, adjusting various parameters as though engaged in a silent conversation with the eerie green light.

"Interesting... Cryo affinity has increased by 12%, but Electro activity has decreased by 15%.

"He suddenly grasped Baichen's chin. "Open your mouth."

"Just as I thought." Dottore withdrew the instrument. "Your saliva contains traces of the Tsaritsa's elemental mark." He gave the rumpled bed a meaningful glance. "Moving along pretty quickly, aren't you?"

[Dottore's affection +1%, currently 9%]

[Purely research interest]

Columbina covered her mouth and giggled to herself.

"Boring." Dottore put away his instrument. "I only came to collect data.

"He turned toward the door, then suddenly looked back. "Oh, right. Her Majesty the Tsaritsa told me to let you know that the dinner has been moved to the Ice Crystal Garden."

After the two left, Baichen finally had a moment of peace. The system eagerly popped out:

[Host! A mild hypnotic ingredient was detected in that almond tofu!]

[Good thing you didn't eat it!]

What?!

Baichen stared at the box of dessert in shock.

What is Columbina trying to do?

[Analyzing...]

[Possibly a personal prank, unrelated to the Fatui's overall plans]

[Recommendation: stay alert, but don't alert the enemy]

Baichen wearily rubbed his temples.

Every day in Zapolyarny Palace was like walking a tightrope. One careless step and...

"Lost in thought?"

Arlecchino, the Knave, suddenly spoke from behind him.

As though struck by electricity, Baichen suddenly felt a chill rise up his spine and spread rapidly through his body.

He whipped around, his gaze sharp as he scanned the room for the source of the chill.

At last, his eyes settled on the curtains by the balcony.

A mysterious figure seemed to be hidden in their shadows.

Baichen looked closely, and sure enough, she was standing there, silently gazing at him like a ghost.

Her figure was shrouded in the curtains' shadows, leaving her features indistinct.

Yet Baichen could feel her eyes beneath the mask staring straight at him through the darkness, as though they could pierce his soul.

That ever-masked face made it impossible to glimpse her true expression.

Was she smiling, or crying? Or was she expressionless? Baichen had no way of knowing. He only felt that the unknown beneath the mask lent her an air of eeriness and mystery.

"Do all you Fatui like appearing out of nowhere?" Baichen couldn't help complaining.

Arlecchino chuckled. "You'll get used to it." She bowed gracefully. "Her Majesty the Tsaritsa sent me to help you change. The dinner begins in an hour."

She snapped her fingers, and several maids immediately filed in carrying magnificent formal clothes.

Arlecchino personally picked up a silver-white coat and held it against Baichen to check the fit:

"Her Majesty had this specially tailored for you." Her fingers brushed the snowflake embroidery on the collar. "It's made from northern ice silkworm silk-warm in winter and cool in summer."

The maids began dressing Baichen, while Arlecchino stood to one side and supervised.

When they tried to remove Baichen's Raiden Shogun amulet, he instinctively covered it.

"That old thing should be replaced," Arlecchino said dispassionately. "Her Majesty has prepared a new accessory for you."

"I want to keep it."

Arlecchino's mask turned toward Baichen. After several seconds of silence, she said, "As you wish. But you'd better not let Her Majesty see it at dinner... she hasn't been in a very good temper lately."

[Arlecchino's affection +2%, currently 17%]

Once he had changed, Baichen stood before the mirror and carefully examined his reflection.

The outfit was practically a work of art. Its silver-white fabric was as soft as moonlight, embroidered with intricate ice-crystal patterns that looked like the handiwork of nature itself.

Every stitch was so exquisite that the ice-crystal patterns shimmered in the light, as clear and sparkling as real ice and snow.

However, when Baichen's gaze fell to his chest, he couldn't help frowning.

Though the Raiden Shogun amulet was also silver, it clashed with the overall style.

Its design was too stark, contrasting sharply with the outfit's elegance and softness and making it seem somewhat out of place.

Arlecchino handed Baichen a brooch. "Use this to cover it."

The brooch was an ice rose, just large enough to cover most of the amulet. Baichen thanked her, but she suddenly leaned close, her mask almost touching his face:

"Did you know? You're the first person who's dared to keep someone else's gift in front of Her Majesty." Her voice held a hint of amusement. "It's dangerous... but interesting, too."

The dinner was carefully arranged in the central pavilion of the Ice Crystal Garden, a place that was practically a fairyland out of a dream.

As night quietly fell, the entire garden seemed to be shrouded in mysterious magic, exuding an enchanting atmosphere.

Countless ice-crystal plants bloomed with a soft blue glow in the darkness, like stars scattered across the night sky, adorning the entire garden and making it look like a fairyland.

The ice-crystal plants swayed gently in the breeze, as though performing a silent dance, blending perfectly with their surroundings.

Bronya wore an ice-blue backless evening gown, like a fairy who had emerged from the ice and snow.

Her gown had a unique design. Its open back not only revealed her fair skin, but also accentuated the elegant contours of her back.

The ice-blue fabric was as clear and sparkling as ice crystals. In the moonlight, it shimmered faintly, complementing the ice-crystal plants around her.

Her long hair had been carefully swept up, revealing the graceful curve of her neck, elegant as a swan's.

A few tiny ice crystals adorned her coiled hair, complementing her gown and adding to her air of an ice queen.

The skirt of her gown flowed like drifting clouds, swaying gently with each step, as though dancing with the crystal plants.

Every step was light and graceful, as if she were walking on clouds. She looked like a fairy from a dream, enchanting anyone who laid eyes on her.

"You're here." She extended a hand to Baichen. "Just in time. Let me introduce our guest from Liyue."

The representative of the Liyue delegation was none other than Ganyu!

She wore the formal uniform of the Liyue Qixing's secretary today, with exquisite gold ornaments on her qilin horns.

Her eyes visibly lit up when she saw Baichen, but she quickly regained her professional expression.

"Mr. Baichen." She gave him a proper bow. "Lady Ningguang asked me to convey her regards."

Bronya wrapped an arm possessively around Baichen's waist. "Miss Ganyu, do you know my honored guest?"

"We met a few times in Inazuma," Ganyu answered cautiously, though her gaze drifted involuntarily to the necklace around Baichen's neck and the ice rose on his chest.

[Ganyu's affection +1%, current: 21%]

[Note: Restrained concern]

The banquet hall was lavishly decorated, brightly lit and filled with melodious music.

Yet beneath the seemingly harmonious atmosphere, an undercurrent was stirring.

Throughout the banquet, Bronya kept Baichen seated right beside her.

Her smile was bright and charming, and from time to time, she personally picked up delicacies and held them to Baichen's lips, as though he were a child who needed special care.

Ganyu, meanwhile, sat quietly nearby, her gaze never leaving Baichen.

Her eyes revealed deep concern, and she seemed uneasy about Bronya's behavior.

Whenever Bronya's fingertips "accidentally" brushed the back of Baichen's neck, Ganyu's gaze grew somewhat urgent, as though she wanted to rush over and protect him at once.

Halfway through the banquet, Bronya suddenly stood up and announced to everyone with a smile, "Next, I'll show you a traditional Snezhnayan dance."

With that, she elegantly extended her hand, gently took Baichen's, and led him to the center of the dance floor.

As Bronya moved, Cryo rapidly condensed beneath her feet, forming a sheet of ice as smooth as a mirror.

The ice shimmered enchantingly in the light, as though it were a stage laid out especially for them.

"Follow my rhythm," she instructed softly, placing one hand on Baichen's shoulder and clasping his hand with the other.

They danced an elegant court dance, and Bronya led with forceful precision.

As the music quickened, her movements grew bolder. During one spin, her lips nearly brushed Baichen's earlobe; a dip brought their bodies tightly together.

"Relax," she chuckled in Baichen's ear. "You're as stiff as a board."

[Bronya's affection +3%, current: 49%]

When the dance ended, the guests applauded politely.

Ganyu took the opportunity to approach, pretending to offer congratulations as she whispered, "Are you all right? The Raiden Shogun is very worried..."

Bronya immediately pulled Baichen back to her side. "Sorry, my dance partner needs to rest."

She gave Ganyu a cold look. "Any official business can wait until tomorrow."

After returning to her seat, Bronya's expression darkened, and her once-bright eyes lost their luster.

She sat there in silence, saying nothing as she drank glass after glass of ice wine, as though trying to drown all her troubles in the cold liquid.

Baichen noticed her fingers clutching the hem of his clothes tightly beneath the table, as though seeking comfort.

Baichen gently reached out and covered her hand with his, trying to convey some warmth and strength. But she did not respond, remaining lost in her own world.

"Your Majesty..." Baichen reminded her quietly, "You've had too much to drink."

"Call me Bronya," she corrected him stubbornly, suddenly leaning closer. "Or... big sister?"

The overly intimate form of address struck Baichen like a bolt of lightning, and his face instantly burned as though it had been held over a fire.

Baichen looked at Bronya, somewhat at a loss. The corners of her lips curved upward in a faint smile, and she was clearly very pleased with his reaction.

She chuckled, casually poured herself another glass of wine, and drained it in one gulp.

The banquet ended in a somewhat delicate atmosphere. As everyone rose to leave, Bronya suddenly stood up and insisted on personally escorting Baichen back to his room.

Baichen hesitated, but he could not overcome her insistence and had no choice but to follow her out of the banquet hall. The corridor was dimly lit, and Bronya's steps had already begun to falter. As though she had lost her balance, she leaned involuntarily against Baichen.

"Tonight..." Her lips brushed Baichen's earlobe. "Will you stay with me?"

Baichen's heart skipped a beat. "Your Majesty, you're drunk..."

"I'm not drunk." She suddenly pushed Baichen against the wall and braced her hands on either side of his head. "I just... don't want to wait anymore."

She pressed her lips to his, carrying the sweet aroma of ice wine.

The kiss was deeper than any before it. Cryo flowed between them, forming exquisite frost flowers on the surrounding walls.

Just as Baichen was about to suffocate, Bronya suddenly pulled away, a flicker of clarity passing through her eyes. "No... it's not time yet." She gently caressed Baichen's cheek. "I want you to belong to me completely... willingly."

After saying those meaningful words, she turned and left, leaving Baichen alone in the frost-covered corridor, his heart pounding like thunder.

[Bronya's affection +4%, current: 53%]

[Warning! Raiden Shogun's affection -5%, current: 47%]

[Below the critical threshold of 50% for the first time!]

The system popped up in a panic:

[Host, host! This is bad!]

[The Raiden Shogun's affection has dropped into the danger zone!]

I know!

Baichen tugged his bow tie loose in frustration.

But what can I do now?

As Baichen struggled with the question, the Electro Archon's talisman on his chest suddenly grew scorching hot.

A faint flash of lightning appeared, forming a few words in the air:

"Wait for me. -Ei"

The unexpected message made Baichen's heart jolt.

Was Ei coming to Snezhnaya herself?

This is bad!