"As of Liyue law, there must be proof of an affair or clear direction of a cheating spouse, unfortunately, the letters you brought to me and the statements made by Hu Tao, Zhongli and even the adepti Xiao for your case isn't enough," Yanfei explained as she folded her hands over the table. Her gaze was still on [M/N], and a smile came up, "Luckily, you will be able to have some compensation from all of this. So! Since you have land and ownership on a shop, not to mention provide some economic funds to Liyue's banks, you will get 75% of his Mora. His leader had authorized it."

"So..I'm kinda rich." [M/N] said as he pushed some hair behind his ear. He had settled his divorce and needed Ajax to sign the papers. He also wanted his last name back from Ajax, it was only fair. "And my shop?"

"The Fauti had promised to fix it with their funds and even add additional connections throughout your homeland, with proper people of course," Yanfei said as she closed the book. "Now, all you need to do is have him sign the papers and then Lady Ningguang and myself will put the signature on the paper. Then your marriage will officially be over." She said as she gently slides the papers to him and [M/N] looked at it. Everything looked so hard to read and fancy looking but now, he had to get the courage to see Ajax.

It's been days now, since he put his wedding ring in Ajax's dish since Teucer had left and was almost moved out of the home. 

"[M/N] I would suggest waiting a few days but the news had come up with some connections that he's-"

---

[M/N] watched Ajax packed his bag of clothes, he leans against the archway of the bedroom door. He looks to be getting ready to leave for another mission, somewhere farther away than the Harbor. 

"Where are you going?" [M/N] asked as Ajax stops and looked at him, his face was blank and his dull eyes didn't show an ounce of emotion. "Don't have to tell me, but I need you to sign something."

"Fine." Ajax said as he placed his bag down and [M/N] hands the papers over with a pencil to sign. His blue eyes stared down at the writing and his eyebrows furrowed as he looked to [M/N]. "[M/N].."

"Don't, I'm tired of this between us, whatever it was..I'm tired of being in pain..tired of letting you destroy me like this. You're breaking me Ajax...and I'm so close to shattering...but isn't that what you wanted? To see how long I can take your abuse? Like a fight...you just want to see how long I can stand in the ring with you." [M/N] hugged himself a bit and sniffed a bit, "I just want to live my life...without."

Ajax listened and his heart did hurt, but it was for the best. [M/N] knew of everything now, how his past actions had hurt him and how he had stopped feeling something for [M/N], the second he met Lumine, everything started to make sense. Lumine and he were the same. More common ground that they shared, something [M/N] would never understand. "I'm sorry.."

"No you're not, I'm sorry...sorry for myself and falling for everything you told me."

"[M/N]..I did love you at some point..but...missions happened and Lumine."

"It's not her fault, it's yours...you're the one who ruined me after all."

Sweetie and Kuai watched from the bed, as they laid there and didn't flinch as [M/N] gathered them into his arms. He looked to Ajax and saw his stare, "...Be safe in Inazuma..heard they were taking visions.."

"You can pawn the rings if you want." Ajax offered, they were expensive after all.

"No. I want nothing from you, you'll just find a way to worm back into my life." [M/N] said as he walked out and Ajax followed with his bag. [M/N] looked at his home, the one he built with the sweet lies that Ajax told him and the fake pleasure he was brought in. "Just burn it to the ground. After all, you always burned things down with your horrible touch."

Ajax went to reach out but stops as [M/N] began walking away, he watched his back as the pit in his stomach made him feel bad. Like gas or something, something horrible. Once [M/N] was out of sight, he shakes his head as he began making his way towards the harbor where Captain Beidou would be waiting for them. He and Lumine's own group.

[M/N] began walking to Hu Tao's, but before he could enter the home of the Funeral Director the door opens. He nearly crashes into Zhongli who looked startled but his gloved hands grasped [M/N]'s arms. "Sorry."

"It's no problem, but is it true?"

"Me leaving after today? Yes, there is no reason for me to stay here anymore."

"..I see..would..it be so much as to join me for a walk?" 

"I-"

"It's no problem bestie!" Hu Tao shouts as she walked through the door, her hands on her hips with a large grin. "I can take care of your animals in the meantime, Mr.Zhongli would like to talk to you about something!" She added, snatching the Hydro slime and Kuai, they let out whimpers and she smiles. "Have fun, crazy kids~"

She slams the door and [M/N] flinched a bit before looking at Zhongli, the man smiles back softly and he sighs. "Okay...it would be fitting for me to spend time with my friend here before I head off.."

Zhongli smiles and offers his hand and [M/N], hesitantly and shyly placed his hands into his. Zhongli gently kissed the top of it and [M/N] flinched, and everything around him swirls around into nothing. Not the busy streets of Liyue Harbor, not the shouting of people who advertised their services. Instead, it was a piece of land, floating around with golden bridges coming down and connecting to the floating lands. [M/N]'s eyes gasped a bit as he saw all of this in amazement. 

He moved his hands through the cloud that was close enough, so fluffy and watery. [M/N] pulled back his hand and saw water drops on his palm. "So cool!"

"isn't it?" Zhongli said, but his tone was deeper than before. [M/N] turns to see Zhongli, or was it? He still wore the same clothes, his hair was the same color and his pretty golden eyes were still there. But instead, there were horns coming from his head, out of the temples to be exact. There was another detail of the man, his eyes widen a bit as he saw a long tail that curled a bit with the golden tips and some scales.

"What-"

"I'm a Prime Adept, Morax." Zhongli started as he looked at the other, the shock and surprise in his eyes. There was no disgust or horror in his face, or even bowing down to him either, "and the late Archon Rex Lapis."

"Oh..." [M/N] whispered as he looked at the tail and it slowly wagged it seemed before moving closer to him. [M/N] flinched back a bit, but Zhongli smiles. "May I?" He asked softly as he moved his hand out.

"Of course." [M/N] moved his hand on the tail, his fingertips feeling the tough exterior and moving upwards, touching the orange part of the tail. it felt a bit fluffy but still as rough as the rest of the tail. It curls around [M/N]'s wrist and going up a bit, [M/N] looked to Zhongli and smiled. "You're..amazing-wait...did you fake your death?"

"Ah, yes, well I felt that Liyue was done with the era of having an Archon as they could defend themselves."

"Still, very dramatic." [M/N] said as Zhongli chuckles a bit as he removed his tail and nods his head. "You're right."

"So..why am I here and now seeing my friend is an adepti."

"A Prime Adepti, but..I have heard that you wanted to leave Liyue and go home." Zhongli said as he clears his throat a bit before looking at the mortal who avoided his gaze. "[M/N]...do you want to go back to the Tsaritsa's homeland of snow and ice? Alone?"

"..I don't have any other choice." [M/N] whispered a bit as he toyed with his shirt a bit. "I don't want to, I have to, I brought the danger here...some people died because of Ajax. I...I don't want to be imprisoned here either by Lady Ningguang."

"She isn't, she argued with the diplomats and they granted more mora to fixing everything and most connections will be driven out," Zhongli said as [M/N] still refused to look up, he moved a step closer and tilts [M/N]'s chin up. "You did nothing, you were the naive spouse that brought Tartagila here."

"Still..I had a hand in their deaths, I can go home broken but it's safer. People won't remember me but the one who brought the monster here." [M/N] said as Zhongli frowns and nods his head, [M/N] felt guilty for the ones that had died, the poor ones, and the Jade chamber as well. It had been on his shoulders.  "I shouldn't be here."

"No, you should. You had been the one who built connections with all over the place, in fashion but still made more connections through Liyue than Ningguang could ever do. You're more easy-going and charming when you need to, polite and that's what people like from you." Zhongli said as he placed his hands on [M/N]'s shoulders. 

"Zhongli..please.."

"Stay here, with everyone that actually appreciates you..that loves you here.." Zhongli said as he moved his hands and gently cupped [M/N]'s cheeks, caressing them softly. [M/N] leans into it, not realizing how much he missed affectionate touches like these. "I want you to be here with me..." [M/N] felt his cheeks turn hot a bit at the way he said it. 

"I just got out of my Marriage..I don't want to seem like a manwhore." Zhongli laughs softly as his tail curls around [M/N]'s waist. It felt so natural for it there, and he nods a bit. "I waited, I suppose I can wait a few more..years."

"Don't be silly, just..let me mourn my marriage and my heart...then you may have it." Zhongli gives a tiny laugh and this time, [M/N] liked the sound of it. So deep and warm. "Do you have any questions?"

"Just a bit, I don't want to pry."

"I'm open for you."

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There is one chapter left, and you might like or hate the ending, but just so you all know, this won't be the end of the series~