The carriage appeared on the horizon shortly after dawn. The banners of the Knights of Favonius fluttered above the caravans as Mondstadt celebrated the return of their Grand Master.

After months of expedition, Varka was finally coming home.

He smiled, imagining his wife waiting for him. Perhaps she would run to him, and he would lift her from the ground, as he always did. He even carried a small gift he had found during his journey, a trinket that reminded him of her.

For months, whenever he found something beautiful, he thought: She would like this.

And then he would write her a letter.

At first, the replies arrived regularly, filled with little stories and words that were only theirs.

I miss you

Come back soon

I love you

But the letters began to space out until they stopped altogether. Varka ended up writing to Jean, who assured him that his wife was fine and that they could talk when he returned.

He had trusted her.

Now, at last, he was home.

“First, I want to see my wife!” he announced as he stepped out of the carriage.

However, the glances the knights exchanged were enough to wipe the smile off his face.

“Where is she, Jean?”

The Acting Grand Master appeared shortly after, unable to meet his gaze.

“Your wife was in an accident two months ago.”

Varka froze.

“Is she alive?”

“Yes. But… she’s lost some of her memories.”

His hand closed slowly.

“Does she remember me?”

Jean took too long to answer.

“She remembers you as the Grand Master. She knows who you are, but she doesn’t remember that you’re her husband.”

For months, Varka had imagined their reunion. Now he understood that the woman he loved might no longer remember having loved him.

“I want to see her.”

Jean nodded.

“She’s at home.”

Varka walked the path with a heavy heart. Everything was the same, except for what he most longed to find.

He knocked on the door.

Once. Twice.

And there she was.

Varka searched her eyes for some sign of recognition, a spark, anything that would tell him there was still a place for him in her memories.

But she only offered him a polite smile.

"Grand Master."

He felt his heart break.

No, my love. Not my husband

Just Grand Master Varka.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

Varka swallowed and forced a tired, trembling smile.

"You don't have to call me that."