The maiden's singing had drawn many nearby residents, crowding the square and making it quite noisy. To hear the song more clearly, one had to push toward the center. So Rostam, relying on his martial skill, worked his way through the crowd and finally reached the heart of the square.
There he saw the maiden singing.
The moment he laid eyes on her, Rostam was transfixed. The worry on his face vanished. His furrowed brow relaxed. It was as if fate had ordained it—the instant he saw her, all his troubles melted away, and he fell headlong into love.
Though he did not know her name, nor her identity, it felt as if a flame had ignited the love within his heart.
Just then, the surrounding citizens noticed Rostam and his subordinate in their knightly attire. Especially when they recognized Rostam, murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"It's Deputy Grand Master Rostam—they say he's been terribly busy lately. What brings him here?"
"He must have been drawn by the singing."
"It seems even Deputy Grand Master Rostam cannot resist such a beautiful voice."
"Or perhaps her singing was disturbing his work, so he came to chase her away?"
"Don't be ridiculous. There's no law in Mondstadt that forbids singing in the square."
"Look—the maiden is looking this way."
As the crowd murmured, the maiden finished her song and turned her gaze toward them. As if by destiny, the moment she turned, her eyes met Rostam's.
In that instant, they saw only each other. The world seemed to stop. Rostam saw only the maiden; the maiden saw only him. Though it was their first meeting, their images were already etched into each other's hearts, even taking up residence there. A strange familiarity arose between them.
The next moment, before the eyes of the crowd, Rostam, as if enchanted, began walking toward the maiden. She too, as if under a spell, waited for him to come.
It was as though fate had decreed it—two strangers, at their very first meeting, had miraculously fallen in love.
Seeing this, the citizens of Mondstadt were startled.
"Ah, what is Deputy Grand Master Rostam doing? He's not really going to chase the girl away, is she?"
"She's only singing. She hasn't broken any law. Why drive her off?"
"It doesn't look like he's driving her away."
"Could it be that Deputy Grand Master Rostam and the singer know each other?"
"Ah, now that you mention it, look at their eyes. There's something strange in them. What is it?"
"It's love, you fool."
"What? I don't believe it."
Noticing the strange connection between the two, the crowd was puzzled and began to imagine all sorts of explanations. But they never guessed that Rostam and the maiden truly were meeting for the first time and had fallen for each other at that very moment.
The next moment, under everyone's astonished gaze, Rostam walked up to the maiden and spoke without hesitation.
"Fair lady, your beautiful song has touched my ears and captured my heart, and in an instant I have fallen in love with you. Oh—forgive my rudeness. What I mean to say is, fair lady, may I know your name?"
Not only had the worry vanished from Rostam's face, but a radiant smile had appeared. The only awkward part was that, in his excitement, the Deputy Grand Master seemed to have lost his usual eloquence.
For Rostam, it was an act of his own free will. But for the citizens of Mondstadt, it was utterly bewildering. Was this the newly appointed Deputy Grand Master? So bold? His very first words to her were a declaration of love? Was he mad? Wasn't he afraid of offending the beautiful maiden?
Even the knight following behind Rostam was stunned. He looked at Rostam with admiration—truly, Deputy Grand Master Rostam had courage! He dared to confess to a beautiful maiden right away. When would he himself become as bold as Rostam?
At that moment, the young knight was completely in awe and set Rostam as his role model.
Just then, upon hearing Rostam's stammering words, the maiden burst into laughter.
"Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter. If you don't mind, brave knight, you may call me Rosalyne."
Facing the knight, Rosalyne also wore a smile. As an aristocratic maiden who had studied in Sumeru, possessed of a rare and stunning beauty, she had never lacked suitors. During her time at the Sumeru Akademiya, every young nobleman who met her had fallen for her—her beauty and her voice were irresistible. But none of them had ever stirred her heart.
She had always known that somewhere, there was someone truly meant for her, waiting. And now, when she saw Rostam, she understood at once. This young man in knightly attire was the one she had been waiting for. Fate had finally brought them together.
But at this sight, the crowd grew even more amazed. The Deputy Grand Master had been so forward, and the beautiful maiden had not been angry? She had even smiled at him? Impossible. Unbelievable. It had to be a trick.
Rostam, however, had no time to mind the crowd's gaze. Seeing the maiden smile, he knew his rash approach had not offended her, and his heart soared.
"Rosalyne—what a beautiful name. It's the loveliest name I've ever heard."
Rosalyne smiled in return. "Sir Knight, I've told you my name. Now please tell me yours. That would only be fair."
Hearing this, Rostam suddenly realized his oversight. In his eagerness to learn her name, he had forgotten to introduce himself. How reckless. But thankfully, the fair maiden was not angered.
He quickly replied, "I am Rostam, Deputy Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. People often call me the Young Wolf, or simply Deputy Grand Master. Please, just call me Rostam."
As Rostam and Rosalyne came to know and love each other, the citizens of Mondstadt were dumbfounded. Some were struck by belated regret, wishing they had approached the maiden before Rostam had the chance.
(A/N: Though it may seem sudden, in the original storyline, they did fall in love at first sight. And I wish every reader the same good fortune—may you too meet someone who makes your heart skip a beat.)