(Extra Long Chapter. I suggest listening to the song above when you arrived in Liyue or at the start of the chapter, you pick!)

2 months passed, and it is time for Lantern Rite Festival that will be held in Liyue in the next 5 days. An annual celebration to welcome a new year on the Harbor.

Before that, Y/N has changed.

Pantalone even notices it.

She barely goes out for adventures, her posture is getting a tiny bit bad, and she walks or moves slowly.

One time she asked if she could get a cane, since she feels heavy nowadays. As much as Pantalone hates to admit it, it was painful. She was truly aging faster.

In the present, Y/N is sitting outside on a bench as she watches the snow falls. Pantalone was in a meeting with the other Harbingers, questioning why La Signora hasn't sent any updates to them.

The girl smiled softly as she gazed the ring sitting on her ring finger, the beautiful jewel shining against the light of the day.

Yes, Pantalone proposed to her a week ago. It was truly romantic.

They went to different places in the capital of Snezhnaya, a very relaxing day indeed. He knew about Y/N's movement getting slower, so he did his best to match her pace.

They visited their old dorms, the Academy where they studies for years, and even greeted the old neighbors of their childhood home.

Visiting also the grave of Y/N's father, giving respect.

Soon they walked through the woods, recalling the memories where Y/N first saw Pantalone getting cold from the snow. The two stayed on the same spot for a couple of hours to watch the night sky twinkle.

Y/N didn't even noticed when Pantalone got down on one knee like he promised. He called out Y/N who softly turned her head towards the man only to find him kneeling.

She was shocked of course, then he spoke.

"My snowflake, I know we had problems a while back. That I became selfish, but still you hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for giving me a chance to court and love you, so now I ask you... Will you be my darling wife?"

Pantalone spoke, as he felt slight tears brimming through his eyes.

Y/N was even more shocked, he is proposing to her. To Y/N, an adventurer who turned into a beast, then recieving a curse, and still... He asked her to marry him.

She couldn't help but let her emotions get the best of her and cried.

"Of course, yes. Yes."

She chanted to him, Pantalone released the biggest smile he made in his entire life before engulfing Y/N into a lovely hug. The two cried together for pure joy.

Kissing her forehead, he softly lifted her left hand up. Sliding the beautiful ring with a gem that has the same color of her eyes into her ring finger.

The man gave her a quick kiss on the lips before whispering.

"You are truly mine. Forever."

Today, Y/N smiled happily recalling the time of his proposal.

The sun started to set, showing that Y/N needs to get back inside before she freezes from the cold.

Holding her black cane using it as a support as she stands up, she slowly maked her way inside the castle with a Fatui following behind her for protection.

Ever since Y/N stopped travelling around Sumeru Arlecchino, The Knave of the Harbingers personally assigned her a Fatui to keep her protected at all times.

She was a truly nice person to Y/N, supporting her at difficult times because of the curse. Even if the Harbinger also has a death stare, she never gave one to Y/N.

Y/N passed by some members of the fatui who greeted her simply with a nod, the girl entered the office of Pantalone. Taking a deep breath noticing she got tired easily.

Her facial features also changed, some bits of wrinkles growing on her face.

"I'm back." Y/N greeted with a slight weakness on her voice.

The man immediately, got up from his sit and make his way to Y/N. His heart pumping wildly at the sight of his wife.

"Welcome back, Darling. How was the snow?" He softly ask, raising the left hand and kissing her ring finger.

She smiled, "Beautiful as always, it was getting cold already."

Pantalone let out a lazy smile as he led her to sit on the couch with him, putting her cane against the table.

"You should be careful, you get sick easily now."

"Yes, I know. You worry a lot. It's cute." She teased, giving him a closed eye smile.

Pantalone blushed lightly at the compliment, "I'm not."

Silence covered the room, as the two held each other as the time passes.

"You really don't want to bave a wedding? I can make it as grand as you want." Pantalone asked once more.

Y/N didn't want to have a wedding

For a bunch of reasons. Not because she is sensitive, but because she can't.

First, she doesn't wanna get attention. She doesn't want the world of teyvat that a Harbinger will get married, and might target both of them as a weakness to each other.

Second, she can't walk down the aisle without her father. Even if Pierro was willing, she really can't.

And third, she wants it simple. She doesn't like grand. She was born on a small town without proper materials, she watched her neighbors get married at an old shabby house, yet they're happy.

"Yes, atleast I'm still your wife. And I think I know how we can celebrate our "honeymoon"". She smiled.

Of course Y/N isn't thinking 'that'. You suspicous readers.

Pantalone tilted his head and question, "And what is it?"

She smiled, "Lantern Rite of Liyue."

"Wow, Liyue is more colorful now!" Y/N exclaimed as she walked down slowly on the path connecting the boat and bridge.

Pantalone beside her holding her cane.

Once settled, Y/N held her cane on her right hand while the other was being held by Pantalone.

"Liyue is bright as ever. But I do have a small meeting at the Jade Chamber, with The Qixing. My darling, will you be okay on your own?" Pantalone asked worriedly, the pure white haired Y/N smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

She nodded, "Of course, because I know he will stay behind me at all times. I hope you heard that Tartaglia."

"Yep!" A voice from afar called.

The Regrator then nodded, before leaving.

Childe promised to stay a good distance from Y/N so she could enjoy it.

"Y/N?!" A loud voice exclaim.

Infront of her is Keqing.

"Oh my Archons! Your here!" She giggled before giving Y/N a hug.

The girl's heart felt warm as the sight of her old friends.

"You look different now... But atleast you're still beautiful." Keqing complimented. Her friends did try their best to help Y/N because of her current health. But it was fine, says Y/N.

She nodded, "Thank you, I want to roam around the Harbor for a while. Will that be fine?"

"Of course!"

Y/N then strolled around the alleyway, there were a lot of Xiao Lanters. Even some small sticks of firecrackers that the kids play around with.

Some people recognize d her and greeted her, soon herself met gazes with familiar amber eyes.

He looks the same as ever, while Y/N aged fast. Her once dark hair is not pure white, her face wrinkled, holding a cane.

He didn't know what happened.

"Y/N?" The retired Archon asked.

She smiled sadly, "Zhongli." Her weak voice called.

The man walked over to her and held her slightly wrinkled hand.

"I don't understand, what happened?" He asked, sadness took over him. Preparing for the big news.

"Well, my vision became a delusion. Causing me to age faster, but don't worry I'm still strong." She assured him.

'I don't want to lose another family... Y/N.'

Zhongli thought before he covered his face with a smile, "Well I hope you stay healthy for the rest if your life. I see you also attended the festival, do you want me to be your escort?"

The girl giggled at his formalities, "For now, yes. I'm actually here with my husband."

His eyes widen, shining brightly. "A Husband you say? He finally proposed?"

Y/N smiled, "Yes, do you wanna meet him?"

The Geo Archon nodded, "Why not. I shall give him, 'The Talk'. I must meet the person who stole the heart of my dear sis- I mean friend."

Her eyebrows raised at his stuttered words but ignored it. But she felt tensed at the phrase 'The Talk'. Oh boy.

"Darling." Pantalone called out as she saw Y/N walking around with Zhongli by her side.

The Regrator narrowed his eyes slightly at the man who was beside her. Y/N must've noticed it so she quickly explained.

"Pantalone, this is Mr. Zhongli. He is my friend and like a brother figure for me."

Pantalone felt his body relaxed at the term brother. He felt jealous all of a sudden, the sight of her with another man he doesn't knos who.

The Geo Archon smiled, "Nice to meet you, the husband of my friend. My name is Zhongli and I work on the funeral parlor here in the Harbor."

'Funeral... Parlor?'

The Harbinger got confused, but shaked it off.

"Nice to meet you, I go by the name Pantalone. I think you already know me as a Harbinger, yes?" He questioned, Zhongli nodded.

The two men excused themselves before Y/N was greeted by her old partner.

"I'm sad I wont ever get to spar you again." Yelan suddenly said as she makes her eay to Y/N.

"Of course, but for sure next time you will beat me Yelan." Y/N challenged.

It was true, Yelan hasn't won against Y/N. Last time it was close, but Y/N managed to defend herself.

Yelan sighed slightly, "I did everything to help you... I'm sorry it wasn't enough to heal you from your aging."

Y/N felt sad at her words, she noticed the slight guilt that Yelan had behind her words.

The girl's wrinkled left hand placed on the shoulder of Yelan, "It's fine, atleast I got to meet you and everybody here in the harbor. I'm fine, Yelan."

The aqua eyed woman just stared at her wrinkled face before smiling.

"Sure then."

It was time, the firework show. After the talk of the boys.

Pantalone was shaken up, Zhongli admitted he is the geo archon, and may or may not have threatened the life out of Pantalone.

Y/N and Pantalone leaned against the wooden railing of the bridge as they watch the Mililith set up the fireworks.

She met the Aether and Paimon, who questioned why she looked older. She explained it to them and they felt sympathy, wishing her good health and some foods from paimon they went to the Jade Chamber to meet up with Keqing.

The sound that Y/N heard, breaking her form her thoughts.

It was so beautiful, words can't describe it. So this is the Lantern Rite of Liyue.

Pantalone watched her with a smile in his face, he felt at ease seeing her eyes shining brightly with joy as she gazed through the sky.

Hugging her from behind, he savoured every single moment with her. Soon it won't happen again.

Just imagining the thought of losing her is so painful...

She wasn't afraid about it.

The dreams that Pantalone wanted... To have a family with ber, a child... Until they became grandparents... Won't happen anymore.

But atleast, they got married. It was enough, but he will make everyday counts as a happy memory.

Wishing the time will move slowly, he still want to stay with her... Just a bit more longer...

Please...