Hmm~ In the end, I was still forced to participate in this activity.
Looking at the paper in her hand, Durandal, with an attitude of playing along, pondered what kind of poem she should write.
During this time, she had read many books containing love poems in the library, so writing a short one was not a problem for her.
But... she didn't want to write like ordinary people. Compared to the very direct love poems in books, Durandal wanted to use the way of speaking from Liyue Harbor.
Many Liyue poems are very stunning; a single sentence can often convey many meanings, and even with few words, very beautiful poems can be written.
After much thought, Durandal came up with a sentence. She looked at Venti, who was checking on others, and wrote the sentence she had in mind on the paper.
Because there wasn't much content, she finished writing quickly.
As soon as she put down the pen, Venti walked over impatiently: "How is it? Do you have inspiration already? If you lack inspiration, you can tell me, and I can offer you help."
Durandal shook her head and handed the paper to Venti. Looking at the sentences on it, Venti was somewhat surprised, not expecting Durandal to be the fastest to finish among all the students.
"So fast! Let me see what you wrote."
Venti looked at the paper in his hand with a grin, and just as he was about to read it aloud, Venti paused. The people around noticed Venti's pupils constricting slightly, his cheeks gradually turning red, and his body beginning to tremble.
This scene made Paimon feel very strange. Why such a big reaction just from reading a sentence? Even if Durandal's love poem might be for you, you don't need to react so strongly.
"Uh~ let me see. 'In the myriad of the mortal world, my love has three: the sun, the moon, and thee.'"
Because it was a relatively difficult way of speaking, many people present had not yet understood the meaning of this sentence. Only a few Scholars and people from Liyue understood the meaning, looking at Durandal in surprise.
This... these were sentences she wrote? A few words, yet so profound in meaning, truly astonishing them.
But Durandal's love poem was not over. Paimon continued to read, "The sun for morn, the moon for eve, and thee for morn and eve."
"Ahhh!!!"
As soon as these words were uttered, a female Scholar among the onlookers couldn't help but let out an excited cry.
There was no helping it; the imagery of this love poem was simply too profound. Even if it wasn't written for her, she was deeply moved.
Many people didn't understand the meaning of these sentences. To help more people grasp the poem's imagery, the Scholars present who understood excitedly explained it to others.
Shenhe didn't quite grasp the meaning, but Lumine understood and explained.
"The general meaning of this poem is: 'In this vast, fluctuating world, I love only three things: the sun, the moon, and you, my beloved. The sun brings us daylight and hope, the moon brings us night and tranquility, and your constant presence, to me, is eternity. You are the love of my life.'"
Lumine took a long breath. She hadn't expected that when it came to writing love poems, she was no match for Durandal either.
With this poem, Lumine believed it wouldn't be long before it was spread by the other Scholars present, and soon it would reach other nations, and more people would know this love poem.
Venti let out a long breath, clutching the paper with the love poem to his chest like a treasure, a brilliant smile on his face.
"How impressive! Even I, as your teacher, cannot write such a love poem. You… you have surpassed me, Durandal. You have truly outdone your teacher."
At this moment, Kaeya, who was observing, led the applause, and others were also swept up by this unique emotion, celebrating the birth of this masterpiece, while also pondering when they could write such a love poem.
Venti carefully put away the paper, came to Durandal with a beaming smile, hugged her arm, and whispered, "Thank you for the poem you gave me. I like it very much."
"...It's not for you. Don't just assume things."
Durandal hadn't expected this poem to cause such a sensation. There were so many people present; wasn't there anyone who wrote better than her?
From what they said, it seemed she had accidentally written the most amazing love poem? What was going on? She merely wanted to use the Liyue Harbor sentence structures she had learned during this time; there was no other meaning.
Shenhe didn't quite understand these things, but from Lumine's reaction, she somewhat grasped the meaning of the poem. Connecting it to the fact that Durandal gave it to Venti, her heart was instantly filled with mixed emotions, and she looked at Venti with envy.
Facing so much applause and the gazes of others, Durandal noticed their tendency to crowd around and felt somewhat unable to adapt for a moment. Although she was no longer the same Durandal who had just entered the city, after facing so many gazes, she couldn't stand it.
Without many words, she pulled Venti off her, turned, and ran towards the stairs, not giving others a chance to surround her.
"It seems everyone's enthusiasm scared our protagonist. Even though she has grown a lot, she still has that shy personality, completely unchanged."
Venti shrugged helplessly. However, Durandal's excellent performance had a very remarkable effect; the enthusiasm of the surrounding students was ignited, giving them more motivation to create love poems.
Now, the amount of Mora Venti earned would also increase, allowing him to join the shopping spree of this Windblume Festival and properly savor the limited-edition fine wines.
However… thinking of the several waves of surprises Durandal had brought him, Venti felt that drinking could wait. The gift he had prepared for Durandal couldn't make her wait too long either.
Durandal, who was originally planning to go straight home, encountered Mona, who had just submitted her manuscript, on her way back, and almost collided with her.
Fortunately, Mona reacted quickly, her body transforming into Hydro Element to dodge the collision, otherwise she would have been thrown against the city wall, leaving her imprint there.
"You… what's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?"
She was about to scold whoever was so inconsiderate as to run so fast on the street, but upon seeing it was Durandal, Mona immediately cowered, not daring to scold loudly, and asked in a low voice.
"...Nothing, nothing at all."
Durandal shook her head. She had been too flustered just now. She could have run to a corner and instantly left using her abilities, but instead, she ran such a long distance.
She had already run this far; those people shouldn't be able to chase her this far, right?
Straightening her clothes, Durandal looked at Mona, and just as she was about to chat about something, she heard a sound from Mona's stomach.
Mona first froze, then covered her stomach, looking at Durandal with a flushed face.
This was the scene a girl least wanted to be seen in. For a boy, it would at most be awkward, but for a girl, it was a social death scene.
Wuwu ┭ ┮ ﹏ ┭ ┮, if only she had known, she would have eaten the salad she prepared for lunch before going out. Otherwise, she wouldn't have made such a fool of herself.
Durandal silently stared at Mona's smooth belly and asked, "Did you spend your manuscript fees on those instruments again, and now you don't have money to eat?"
"...Yes." Mona mumbled softly.
She really wanted the new astrolabe that had just come out. The moment she received her manuscript fee, she couldn't wait to buy the instrument, which resulted in most of her money being spent. Coupled with other things she needed to buy, she would be eating dirt again this month.
"Even if you don't need to worry about rent like before, you can't spend money so recklessly. Aren't you worried Lumine will use this to tease you again next time?"
"Ugh!"
Mona lowered her head. Considering what Lumine might do to her, Mona felt a little scared.
Although there was no crisis of chastity, that person had so many tricks, it was easy to make her completely lose her composure.
"Forget it, that's your problem to worry about, it has nothing to do with me." With that, Durandal turned to leave.
Watching Durandal prepare to leave, Mona, after saying goodbye, also prepared to go back and consider how she should face that guy Lumine next time.
"Hey, where are you going?"
Before Mona could go far, Durandal called out to her.
"Eh? P-please, is there anything else?"
"Aren't you hungry? Then come with me to Nordic Hunt. I also want to eat something, so come with me."
"Eh? You don't have to go to such trouble. I already have… at home."
"Do I need to say it a second time? Or do I have to invite you for you to come with me?"
Durandal looked at the polite Mona with dissatisfaction. Why was this person being so polite with her? She didn't fall for that. This was her invitation, and Mona actually wanted to refuse?
"...Thank you very much."
Weak, pitiful, and helpless, Mona, facing Durandal's assertiveness, could only accept her invitation and obediently followed her to Nordic Hunt for a meal.
Even though Durandal was being kind, Mona felt that Durandal had been wronged elsewhere and was taking her out to eat to vent?
She must be overthinking it; how could an existence like Durandal be wronged?
She didn't need to worry about those things either. She was dirt poor, and Durandal didn't even care for her best skill, astrology. Being able to get a free, delicious meal, she was more than happy.
And so, Mona finally enjoyed a wonderful meal.
While eating at Nordic Hunt, Mona noticed that everyone nearby was discussing the same topic and couldn't help but listen in.
"Did you hear? There's a Bard at the statue of the seven teaching people how to write love poems, and Miss Durandal wrote a really amazing one there."
"Really? A love poem Miss Durandal wrote for someone else? I wonder who she wrote it for; that person is so lucky."
"You're right, to be favored by Miss Durandal. Although Miss Durandal usually seems cold, she is a very gentle person. If one could become her companion and live together in the future, it would surely be very interesting."
"Yes, yes. To avoid showing how much she cares about the other person, she deliberately puts on a cold expression to hide herself. But in some details, her gentle side can be seen. Miss Durandal like that is truly wonderful."
Those chatting people seemed not to notice that Durandal was right beside them, or perhaps they thought their voices were low enough that Durandal couldn't hear.
Mona, who was eavesdropping from the side, grew more and more alarmed the more she listened. She looked at Durandal, whose face had darkened, and began to worry about the situation of those people.
She remembered this grudge, and when she had time in the future, she would retaliate twofold!
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