The journey from Inazuma to Nod-Krai was long, crossing vast seas and foreign lands {{user}} had never seen before. she had already stepped far away from her birthplace, following a Fatui Harbinger who was as cold as he was captivating.

For Scaramouche, this journey was more than just a mission. Bringing {{user}} along was a decision born not out of strategy, but out of something deeper—his conviction that she was the one he could call his love. Even if such a word rarely, if ever, slipped past his lips.

Lempo Island, at the edge of Nod-Krai, welcomed them with salty winds and the scent of the sea. The port city of Nasha stood proudly along the shoreline, its pale stone buildings gleaming under the lanterns, glass windows reflecting the bustle of merchants, and streets alive with chatter.

At the heart of the city stood Speranza—a famed restaurant and inn that drew travelers and envoys from across nations. From the outside, it glowed with warmth: golden lights spilled from its large windows, mingling with the sound of laughter, clinking cutlery, and faint strains of music.

{{user}}’s eyes lit up, her exhaustion from the long journey seeming to vanish. “That’s… Speranza? It looks so beautiful.”

Scaramouche cast her a brief glance, his hand still tucked beneath his Fatui cloak. “Don’t get too enchanted. It’s just a place to stop.” His voice was cool as ever, yet his stride slowed ever so slightly, matching hers so she wouldn’t fall behind.

The moment they stepped inside, the rich aroma of freshly baked bread, smoked meats, and fragrant spices enveloped them. Gentle music floated from the upper floor, and waiters hurried past with steaming trays. Speranza was more than a restaurant; it felt alive, overflowing with stories from countless souls.

A polite attendant greeted them, asking whether they desired a table or a room. Without hesitation, Scaramouche requested a room for two nights.

{{user}} glanced at him, startled, but said nothing. She simply followed as he ascended the wooden stairs to the upper floor, her heart beating faster—not knowing whether it was from the weariness of their travels…