Genshin Impact: A Fool

An: About age.

Heins: 10.

Arlecchino: 20.

Lyney, Lynette and Freminet: 7

Keqing: 8

Ningguang: 14

Some I made younger, some I made older, while some.. remained the same. Oh, and this is 10 years before the Traveler wake up and met Paimon.

Unfortunately, the little princess is too willful. Instead, his suggestion seems to make the matter worse. Keqing jumped up and down in excitement as she declared,

"I understand! Indeed, I was too hasty! You could not just take me with you, you also have to include me in all of your cool missions!"

Heins looked at the guards helplessly, asking for their help. However, all he could see was a bunch of irresponsible guards, looking away from his gaze as they whistled and talked among themselves. They have the same thing in their mind, as it was clearly plastered in their behaviour and eyes.

"Your business boy. The princess's yours."

Heins mouth twitched, but as he looked at the brimming princess, whose eyes shined as she looked at him, he had no choice but to kindly remind her about the grimm reality.

"Princess Keqing, my path... Is fraught with dangers. I am not like you. You are the precious gem treasured by Liyue Qixing. You are your father's gem. You don't want them to be sick with worry, do you?"

Keqing paused mid-bounce, her violet eyes widening as the weight of Heins's words sank in. The excitement on her face dimmed, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty and a hint of guilt.

It was clear that the thought of causing her father distress had never occurred to her before, so caught up was she in her admiration for the mysterious stranger.

The guards seemed to take Heins's words as their cue, finally stepping forward to flank the princess on either side. They exchanged a look with Heins, a silent acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation and the responsibility they all shared in keeping the princess safe. Although he was suspicious, he tried to make an amendment. In the guards' eyes, he is quite a responsible boy.

One of the guards, a stern-looking woman with a scar running down her cheek, knelt down to Keqing's level and took the princess's small hand in her own.

"Your Highness," she said, her voice gentle but firm, "The boy speaks the truth. Your father and all of Liyue rely on you, now more than ever. We cannot allow anything to happen to you, do you understand?"

Keqing's lower lip trembled slightly as she nodded, her earlier bravado evaporating in the face of her guardian's words.

She looked up at Heins, her eyes shining with unshed tears and a newfound appreciation for the gravity of her position.

Heins felt a pang of sympathy for the princess, understanding the difficult position she found herself in.

With a helpless smile, he looked at her beautiful eyes with his crimson ones and said, "Maybe one day, my little Princess. A day when you realized your responsibility. The day when you realized just how... Interesting this world is. Learn more about this world and train yourself to be a worthy warrior before you make your decision. And, about my things, you wouldn't mind keeping it a little secret, do you?"

Then, with a movement as fast as lighting, his Electro Vision cackled as he swiftly knocked the guards out. Keqing, instead of being worried, turned excited as her eyes shone with adoration and admiration.

Heins smiled as he continued, "This will be our little secret, alright? Remember, I am Fool, a throughout fool with a fool's antic and a foolish dream. As for what you saw, that stayed between you and me, and no one else."

Heins placed a strand of her hair behind her ears, earning him a fierce blush. He smiled, "Understand, my little Princess? And, when you realized all the things I said, I'm sure with your cunning, smart little mind, you will understand the gravity of the situation on your own. At that time, judge it yourself whether it was worth it transversing the world with me or not."

"Also, can you do me a favor and make the guards forget about me when they wake up?"

Keqing was too entranced by him that she merely nodded. It was to the point that the perpetrator, Heins himself, became worried. But he needs to do everything in his power to keep his mission a secret while ensuring that this princess was fine, so he had no choice. He truly was.

With a sigh of relief, Heins stood straight and looked up, "Well then, it seems like I have to go. Bye, my little Princess."

With crackling currents surrounding his body, Heins flashed a handsome smile towards the trancing Keqing, and with a salute, he disappeared.

As Heins vanished in a crackle of Electro energy, Keqing stood rooted to the spot, her mind reeling from the whirlwind of events.

The touch of his hand on her hair, the intensity of his crimson gaze, and the secrecy of their shared moment played on repeat in her thoughts. A fierce blush still stained her cheeks as she tried to process the gravity of their exchange and the weight of the promise she had just made.

The guards slowly regained consciousness, blinking in confusion as they took in the scene before them. Keqing turned to them, her expression shifting seamlessly to one of innocent mischief. "I had a dream," she announced, her voice ringing with a newfound conviction.

"A dream about Liyue and my destiny. I realized that I have a long way to go before I can truly take on the responsibilities that come with my title."

The guards exchanged wary glances, sensing the subtle shift in their princess's demeanor. The scarred guard from before stepped forward, her brow furrowed in concern. "A dream, Your Highness? And what of the stranger? Did he not affect you in some way?"

Keqing waved a dismissive hand, her violet eyes sparkling with a secret mirth. "Oh, him? He was just a foolish wanderer, spouting nonsense and playing tricks. Truly, a Fool. Nothing for you to worry about."

She paused, a sly smile playing on her lips. "In fact, I think it's best we forget we ever saw him. Don't you agree?"

The guards nodded slowly, their memories of the encounter already starting to fade under the princess's gentle suggestion. Keqing turned back to the Jade Chamber, her mind already racing with thoughts of her newfound purpose and the mysterious, intriguing stranger who had set her on this path.

As she ascended to the Jade Chamber, Keqing couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of a grand adventure.

And though the road ahead was shrouded in uncertainty, she knew that one day, she would be ready to face whatever challenges lay in store, with the memories of her encounter with Fool as a guiding light.

For now, though, she would bide her time, honing her skills and her mind, until the day she could prove herself worthy of the world she so desperately wanted to explore.

In the splendorous Jade Chamber, as Keqing daydreamed about the handsome, sharp, striking, cool, strong boy named Fool, she came across a girl with a serious expression.

Keqing quickly shook her head to get rid of her personal thoughts and greeted her, "Hello, Ningguang!"

Ningguang is a girl with fair skin, red eyes. She has long straight hair, half of it being tied into a wide bun resembling a bow and the rest is left to flow into two individual divided sections. Her hair is white and reaches her knees, where it fades into an ashy color.

The girl, who was seriously studying about the ways of commerce and business, looked up from her book and smiled, "Ah, isn't it our willful little princess, Keqing?"

Keqing smiled sweetly, "You know it!"

Ningguang showed a surprised look, "What got you so... Excited and energetic?"

Keqing once again remembered that handsome boy, and her face turned slightly red. However, as a princess, she has been trained to especially control her emotions, thus she quickly coughed to veil her thoughts and replied, "I am just rather excited today. Ningguang, let's play!"

Ningguang is the heiress of the Feiyun Commercial Guild. She is very smart, and her father even entrusted her with several responsibilities regarding the Feiyun Guild at the tender age of 14.

Ningguang smiled and closed the book, "Fine."

Thus, the two most resplendent princesses of Liyue walked together and enjoyed their day.

Meanwhile, the Fool Princess Keqing kept thinking about was currently watching as Arlecchino's trusted agents torture the two merchants, trying to force the perpetrators of their audacious business out of their mouth. Heins coldly watched, his face donned by a mask granted by Miss Arlecchino.

Currently, Miss Arlecchino was still discussing about diplomatic relations within the grand hall of Liyue.

As of now, the Fatui agents were trying to force the names out of these merchants. Perhaps it could be a lead to figure out the true perpetrators who audaciously tried to amend the laws of Liyue that could possibly create a series of reactions within Teyvat, threatening the authority of the esteemed Archons.

After all, who dared to smuggled in illegal goods under the watchful eyes of two major guilds other than the higher ups within?

Heins stood impassively as the Fatui agents went about their grim work, his expression hidden beneath the mask granted by Arlecchino.

The crimson eyes behind the mask watched the merchants writhe and scream, their pleas falling on deaf ears. Heins had long ago learned to compartmentalize such sights, to separate the actions he had to take from the person he knew himself to be.

As the agents continued their relentless questioning, Heins's mind drifted to the events of that morning, to the princess's wide violet eyes and her fervent admiration.

A flicker of unease passed through him as he wondered if his words had planted a seed that would one day grow into a dangerous obsession.

But he pushed the thought aside, knowing that he had to focus on the task at hand.

Suddenly, the grand doors of the hall burst open, and a flurry of guards rushed in, led by a stern-faced woman with a scar running down her cheek.

Heins recognized her as one of the guards from the Jade Chamber, the one who was tasked to protect Keqing. The woman's eyes scanned the room, lingering on the tortured merchants before coming to rest on group leader.

She stepped forward, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword as she spoke, her voice ringing out in the sudden silence. "Release them," she commanded, her tone brooking no argument. "Release them now, or face the consequences."

The head of the group stepped forward, a cold smile playing on his lips as he met the guard's gaze. He held up his hands in a mockery of surrender, the mask glinting in the torchlight. "I'm afraid I can't do that," he said, his voice a low murmur.

"These men have information that is crucial to the Fatui's investigation. We cannot simply let them go."

The guard's eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on her sword. "You do not have the authority to make that decision," she spat.

"The laws of Liyue are clear - no torture, no matter the reason. You will release them, or I will be forced to take action."

The group leader's smile widened, a cruel edge to his lips. "And what action would that be?" he taunted.

"You think you can take me on, with your meager amount, in this room full of Fatui agents? I would not test my luck, if I were you."

The female guard was somewhat shocked. Within the agents, there was a boy donned with a mask that was clearly young. Perhaps he was merely a year or two older than Princess Keqing.

Yet he was so cruel and decisive, capable of standing amongst the agents of Fatui. Even the Fatui agents seem to consider him their own as they gradually surrounded the woman. One of them decisively closed the door and locked it.

The Fatui group leader, under his blank mask, coldly said, "Now what would you do?"

Inside, however, he was cursing. Which one of the agents had left a trail? Without a trail, there's no way this guard could discover their place.

A mistake is a mistake, and it already happened, however. The agents also understood this. Thus, they quickly carried the two merchants and left through the backdoor, fearing that the female guard brought reinforcements. leaving a couple agents, including the group leader himself, to block the woman.

As the female guard was still stunned by the revelation before her, the group leader swiftly appeared behind her as the swirls of Anemo rushed, and with a tap to her neck with his sword's handle, she passed out. The rest of the guards didn't stand a chance against the Fatui agents brought personally by Arlecchino.

He then said flatly, "Let's go. And don't forget to erase any of our traces."

The remaining agents nodded grimly at the group leader's orders, their faces set with determination. They quickly set about erasing any signs of their presence, wiping down surfaces and righting any overturned furniture.

The merchants' anguished cries faded into silence as they were dragged away, leaving only a faint metallic tang and the acrid scent of fear lingering in the air.

The female guard remained slumped on the floor, unconscious and unaware of the hasty retreat, along with her group. The group leader stood over her for a moment, considering their prone form with a cold, appraising gaze.

A flicker of unease passed through him as he wondered if she had somehow tracked them here, or if there was a leak within the Fatui's ranks. But he quickly dismissed the thought, knowing that such concerns were pointless until he had more information.

With a final, sharp gesture, the group leader turned on his heel and strode out of the hall, his cape billowing behind him.

The remaining agents fell in line behind him, their footsteps echoing in the sudden silence. As they emerged into the cool night air, Heins, rushing amid the ranks of Fatui agents, took a deep breath, the mask hiding any outward sign of the unease that gripped him.

He knew they would have to be more careful in the future, more vigilant for any signs of pursuit or discovery.

The guard's appearance was a stark reminder that their actions did not go unnoticed, and that there were those in Liyue who would stop at nothing to see them brought to justice.

But for now, the night was theirs, and the merchants held the key to unraveling the web of corruption that threatened to consume the nation and shake the authority of the Archons. This mission was a precious experience.

Finally, after a few ruthless torture straits from the agents, one of the merchants finally wailed, "I-It's a higher up from Feiyun Guild! T-They ordered us to smuggled the goods to scheme against the Geo Archon, wanting to initiate mass protests towards him, when the next Rite of Descension o-occur. He wanted to u-use it as a leverage so the Archon's authority slowly but surely diminished in the world of commerce. I-I am just a mere goon! Please spare me!"

The merchant doesn't even care about his companion. The agents looked at each other and nodded before they swiftly killed them.

Then, a Pyro Vision user quickly turned their body to ash while a Hydro Vision user devoured any trace, making it like it was a wet spot among the wilderness.

The leader of the operation of their group commanded, "Requip your civilians outfit and integrate with the people. We received a precious information, one that could determine which audacious party dares to shake the delicate balance of power between the people and the Archons."

Heins and the agents nodded, and as quickly as they appeared, they scattered and went about to do their duties. Some appeared from the outskirts and entered naturally, while some came out of the public bathroom with satisfied sighs.

Heins, knowing that the experienced, adult agents would take care of the rest, spent his time on enjoying the atmosphere of Liyue.

He found himself wandering the bustling streets of Liyue, his mask tucked away and his demeanor shifted to that of a carefree, grinning fool.

He marveled at the vibrant sights and sounds that surrounded him, the air filled with the tantalizing aroma of exotic spices and the lively chatter of the people.

Heins made his way to a nearby food stall, drawn by the sizzling scent of the dishes being prepared. The vendor, a jovial man with a round belly and a wide smile, greeted him warmly.

"Ah, welcome, welcome! Looking for a taste of Liyue's finest cuisine? You've come to the right place, young master!"

Heins grinned broadly, rubbing his hands together in exaggerated anticipation. "Oh, what a lucky find indeed! I'm simply starving, and I hear the most wondrous things about Liyue's culinary arts. Pray tell, what do you recommend?"

He leaned in, as if conspiratorially, and stage-whispered, "I want something that will make my taste buds dance and sing!"

The vendor chuckled heartily, clearly amused by the young man's antics.

"Aha, a boy after my own heart! I think you'll find our braised pork belly and spicy tofu stew to be just the ticket. Cooked with the finest Sumeru spices and a touch of Liyue's signature heat, it's a dish that's sure to please even the most discerning palate."

Heins rubbed his hands together gleefully, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"My, my, spicy tofu stew, you say? It sounds absolutely divine! I simply must try it, and a hearty serving of that succulent pork belly, of course. I'm a growing boy, after all!" He punctuated his words with a hearty laugh, playing up the role of the foolish, hungry youth.

As for money, Miss Arlecchino gave him plenty of Moras, enough to enjoy the rest of his days here.

As the vendor set about preparing his meal, Heins wandered further into the market, his grin never fading.

He marveled at the colorful silks and intricate embroidery adorning the stalls, picking up a particularly fine scarf and draping it around his neck, much to the delight of the merchant. Thought it was torn apart ruthlessly by a bunch of wild cats.

Not every cat is a Keqing... Er, that sounds wrong.

Throughout the day, Heins continued to explore, to taste, and to interact with the people of Liyue, always maintaining the guise of the foolish, carefree boy.

And as the sun began to set over the city, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets, Heins couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging, a connection to the vibrant tapestry of life in Liyue.

But beneath the grin and the laughter lurked a keen, calculating mind, already formulating plans and strategies based on the information gleaned from the merchants.

And as he looked out over the glittering lights of the city, Heins couldn't shake the feeling that his fate, and the fate of Liyue, was intricately tied to the willful princess he had met below the grandeur of the Jade Chamber.

The seeds of destiny, it seemed, had already been sown, and he looked forward to the day when they would bloom into a bond that would change the course of history. Willful he may be, but he is, after all, a fool.

Finally, after a few days, Heins was notified to gather in the outskirts of Liyue Harbor. Of course, he gathered not as a civilian, but as a Fatui agent.

Before the grandeur gates of Liyue Harbor, Arlecchino, donned in her mask and her cloak, stood in front of her trusted agents.

Heins, running out of the forest as a way to cover his tracks, joined the ranks. He was an outliner, however, since the rest of the Fatui agents were tall and graceful, while here here he was, a mere boy.

Arlecchino was exchanging greetings and pleasantries with apparently, the representation of Liyue this time around.

He was an old man, but he was still vigorous and straight-backed. Heins remembered from his lessons that this unassuming old man was actually the policymaker of the Liyue Qixing, the very same place Princess Keqing came from, and was hailed as Tianshu. His nickname is Tian, while his real name remained unknown to the outsiders.

"Miss Fourth Seat, I apologize for the inconvenience you must endure. I feel thankful that your agents managed to track down the faction that threaten to shake the delicate balance of power between the Geo Archon and his people. You receive my biggest gratitude," Tian said as he sighed deeply, clearly exhausted by these issues.

Arlecchino, as always, indifferently addressed the matter, "It was my duty to cleanse the unrest that threaten Her Majesty the Tsaritsa. And anything that shake the authority of the Archon is a direct insult to Her Majesty. You do not have to thank me, Mister Tian."

Behind Tian, there are other representatives of Liyue's dominant chambers and guilds. It was clear that the issue was taken very seriously by them, and the fact that Arlecchino helped them nubbed the bud was a big favor.

Arlecchino, however, redirected the attention to Heins, who stood among the ranks unassumingly,

"One of my... Proteges you could say, was the one who found the lead. It was only because of his contribution that we managed to track down those audacious troublemakers."

Behind his mask, the boy was dumbfounded. I was so unassuming, so perfectly concealed, why do you have to brought me to light, Miss?

Mister Tian was surprised, "So young? Then Miss Arlecchino, I congratulate you for finding such a prodigious young man. It was worth celebrating."

Behind Mister Tian, the fathers of Keqing and Ningguang, the current Yuheng and Tianquan, chided them, their tone filled with tenderness and playfulness, "Look at that boy, my Princess. I am confident that you could be as impressive as he was. After all, you are my Princess!"

While Ningguang was looking at the boy donned with black tights and a blank mask with intrigue, Princess Keqing secretly widened her eyes. Her heart was racing. She has keen eyes, and she understood immediately who the boy was.

"M-Mr... Fool?"

"Hm?"

The Yuheng, hearing his daughter's murmur, looked at Keqing, puzzled. But Keqing shook her head and replied coquettishly, "Nothing~"

Thus, Arlecchino and her agents left Liyue Harbor with pleasantries of gratitude accompanying their homecoming. Keqing looked as the Fatui left, her little fists clenched.

"Mr. Fool... I-I will definitely meet you again! I will be stronger, smarter, better! I will definitely be someone worthy of be your promise!"

As the Fatui agents marched away from the grand gates of Liyue Harbor, Heins found himself falling into step beside Arlecchino, his mind reeling from the unexpected acknowledgment.

He had always known that his actions had not gone unnoticed Miss Arlecchino, but to be singled out in such a public manner was a new experience entirely.

Arlecchino glanced down at him, her red eyes glinting beneath the mask as she sensed his unease. "Something troubles you, my dear Fool?" she asked, her voice a low murmur meant only for his ears. "You need not look so perturbed. Consider it an honor, a mark of my favor."

Heins swallowed hard, his gloved hands clenching at his sides as he struggled to maintain his composure. "I... I am merely surprised, Miss Arlecchino," he said, his voice carefully neutral. "I did not expect to be singled out in such a manner. I am but one of your many agents, unworthy of such praise."

Arlecchino let out a soft, humorless laugh, a sound that sent a chill down Heins's spine. "Unworthy? Hardly," she replied, her tone sharp and biting.

"You have proven yourself to be a valuable asset to the Fatui, and to me. And as such, you will be treated as such."

As they walked, the other agents kept a respectful distance, casting curious glances in Heins's direction.

He could see the respect and admiration in their eyes, and it made him feel a confusing mix of pride and unease.

He had never sought out such attention, had always preferred to blend into the background, observing and learning from the shadows.

But as they reached the outskirts of the city and the dense forest came into view, Heins's thoughts turned to the princess and her fierce determination.

He couldn't shake the image of her clenched fists and the fire in her eyes as she had vowed to grow stronger, to be someone worthy of his companionship.

A wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth beneath the mask. It seemed his path was destined to cross with the princess's once more, and he found himself looking forward to the day when they would meet again, to see the woman she would become.

For now, though, he had a duty to uphold, and he would continue to serve the Fatui and the Tsaritsa with unwavering loyalty and dedication.

And perhaps, in time, he would earn the right to stand beside the princess as an equal, as a partner in the grand tapestry of their shared destiny. Or it could be vice-versa.

In the end, overwhelmed by his thoughts, Heins could only shrugged, "Who cares? I am Fool, why think so much?"