And so it was—under the bewildered gazes of Mondstadt's citizens, Rostam dared to extend an invitation at their very first meeting, and Rosalyne dared to accept it. The crowd was dumbfounded. Just like that? Was it really that simple?
Just then, the knight behind Rostam cautiously reminded him, "Deputy Grand Master, you still have official duties to attend to. Shouldn't you return—"
He hesitated, wanting to urge Rostam back to his paperwork.
But Rostam replied with perfect seriousness, "Arundolyn will be back soon. He can handle whatever's left. Oh, and I'm off to Cat's Tail Tavern. You don't need to follow."
The knight was speechless.
Watching Rostam and Rosalyne walk away together, the knight was utterly baffled. It felt like a dream. The Deputy Grand Master, who had been so burdened with work, had suddenly transformed because of a beautiful maiden? If Grand Master Arundolyn ever found out, he would be even more bewildered.
Still, this new side of the Deputy Grand Master only made the knights admire him more. This was true knightly spirit—a model for all of them to follow!
So the knight obeyed Rostam's orders and returned. And not only that—he immediately spread the legend of Rostam's heroic deed:
"Did you know? Deputy Grand Master Rostam is truly remarkable. The first time he met the beautiful Lady Rosalyne, he—"
"He did what? Tell us!"
"He whisked her off to Cat's Tail Tavern!"
...
While Rostam's exploits spread among the knights and citizens alike, he was already seated with the lovely Rosalyne at Cat's Tail Tavern, drinking to their hearts' content. To Rostam's surprise, Rosalyne, though she appeared a delicate maiden, had a remarkable capacity for wine—a true daughter of Mondstadt. One cup down, and she immediately called for a second, earning Rostam's admiration.
Over wine and desserts, they chatted about everything—from the great Anemo Archon to the people of Mondstadt, from the Knights' battles to the latest news from other nations.
After a few rounds, Rosalyne said slowly, "I've heard that something has happened in the ancient nation of Khaenri'ah. I hope it doesn't reach Mondstadt."
Rostam replied confidently, "Don't worry. The Knights of Favonius will protect Mondstadt—and they will protect Lady Rosalyne as well."
In Rosalyne's presence, Rostam revealed the tenderness he had long kept hidden, along with the sense of duty and responsibility befitting a knight. It was all deeply captivating to Rosalyne. He was the knight she had been waiting for—Rostam.
When both were tipsy, they leaned on each other and made their way to the statue of Barbatos, the Anemo Archon. There, before the statue, they prayed and, under Barbatos's witness, made a vow to be together forever, officially confirming their relationship.
For ordinary people, the speed of their romance was almost unbelievable. But for Rostam and Rosalyne, they trusted their free will and the feelings in their hearts. They had fallen in love.
Just as they made their promise to stay together forever, a bard wearing a green hat and cape, his hair in two small braids, carrying a harp, approached them.
"Would you care to hear a song of freedom in this wonderful moment? For the price of a single jug of wine, you can hear the freest of ballads."
He sniffed the scent of wine on them, glanced at the newly opened Cat's Tail Tavern, and his eyes sparkled with anticipation. Moreover, when he looked at the Deputy Grand Master, he felt a faint sense of familiarity. Strange—they weren't acquainted. Perhaps it was because the Deputy Grand Master had heard his songs a few days ago?
He shrugged off the thought. First, he needed to earn enough Mora for a drink.
Hearing the bard's voice, Rostam, slightly drunk, said, "Ah, it's the bard. Please, play us a song of happiness."
Rosalyne, also a little tipsy but still mindful of her manners, added, "Thank you, bard. Please perform for us."
Hearing their reply, the bard pushed aside his strange feeling and gladly sat down beside them. He played a free melody on his harp and sang a song filled with the spirit of liberty. The only drawback was that the song was rather old—long past its time for modern Mondstadt.
Time passed. After playing song after song, the bard could no longer resist the lure of the wine. He stopped playing.
"Eh heh, Sir Knight, fair lady—that'll be ten thousand Mora. Um, Sir Knight, Miss—don't fall asleep! Wake up! You haven't paid yet! That's terrible!"
The bard looked at the two young people, drunk and leaning against each other, fast asleep. He was dumbfounded. Mora, wine—all gone. How unfair!
But then he sighed. Not wanting them to come to any harm, and out of care for Mondstadt, he notified the Knights and Rosalyne's family to take the two drunken lovers home.
Watching them leave, the bard grumbled, "How terrible—they didn't even pay. I'll have to collect next time."
He watched Rostam and Rosalyne disappear into the distance. But that nagging sense of familiarity when he looked at Rostam still lingered. What was it? Never mind—back to busking. He needed to earn enough Mora for a drink at Cat's Tail Tavern.
Meanwhile, when the knights carefully carried the drunk Deputy Grand Master back to headquarters, they happened to run into Grand Master Arundolyn, who had just returned.
Seeing him, the knights all bowed. "Grand Master, you must have driven off quite a few beasts this time."
But Arundolyn looked urgent. "Where's Rostam? Bring him here at once."
The knights quickly produced the drunken Rostam. "Grand Master, here he is."
Arundolyn: "?????"