"Now be a good girl for me, sweetheart. I know you can handle all of me." Wriothesley said while having me pinned against his desk.

"Your grace, please. I can't wait much longer. It's just so hot." I tried pulling against the cuffs, but they remained clasped against my wrists.

"Don't worry, my sweet little princess. I'll get you where you need to be." He said his icy eyes alight with passion as he pulled closer, his lips nearly grazing my neck.

"Wriothesley, please, your grace." I panted out.

He smirked as I felt a sharp pang in my neck, "You're as sweet as how I like my tea."

"WRIO!" I gasped.

"Hmmm, you need to wake up, little princess." He chuckled as he stood up.

"Silva! Wake up! Silva!" I heard a muddled voice.

"But your grace." I whimpered as the chains faded along with most of the surroundings.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll see you soon." Wriothesley said, fading to black.

I slowly opened my eyes. Sam was standing next to me with a female I at the end of my bed. He offered his hand, and I happily took it. He helped me sit and stand up.

"Thanks Sam, how's the wife and newborn?" I ask, stretching out.

"They are well. My little girl finally has slept through the night. My wife was so happy. She told me to tell you thank you if you pulled through. I'm quite glad you did." He said,"You probably want to shower and change, right? Melissa has been assigned to help you by Sigewinne."

"Well, I more or less actually volunteered Sammy. Hi, I'm Melissa. I'm this doofuses cousin. On behalf of my family, thank you for keeping him safe. Please call me Mel." She smiled.

"It's nice to have pleasant faces around, but I do agree a shower would be nice. Could you guys help me down to the gym? The water gets warmer there." I asked, looking for my toiletries.

"I'll be glad to escort you. That way, Sam can make sure your food is ready by the time you're done." Mel said, smiling.

"Yea, Wolsey has a fresh batch of Fontaine onion soup being made just for you, apparently." Sam chuckled, then looked at me, "His grace put most of your belongings in the crate on the table. You should be able to find your shower kit there."

"Thank you, Sam." I chirpped, quickly grabbing my shower stuff as well as a change of clothes.

Mel led me to the shower rooms in the gym. I quickly washed my body and hair. The pluie lotus scent gently caressed my skin. I had to unwrap the bandages before I stepped in. Old scabbing fell off, revealing scarred but new skin.

"Hey Mel!" I heard a familiar male voice shout.

"Hey Roussimoff, sorry on duty right now. I can't really talk." Melissa said.

"It's alright, Mel. I still have a bit to do. As long as I can change in private, it's fine." I sigh, "Hey Roussimoff, any interesting matches coming up?"

"No, the matches have been pretty dull. I want to schedule you, Silva. How bout it a couple of weeks and have you back in the ring?" He asked, letting out a hearty laugh.

"Given the fact I was dead less that twenty four hours ago, I think my comeback to the ring will need to wait longer than two weeks. But I'll say this when I do return, it'll be a good show." I chuckled as I scrubbed my thighs.

I heard Mel and Rouss continue to chat about mundane things. Weather outside and the lineups for an upcoming tournament. I heard Roussimoff say something interesting. That his grace was participating in the tournament as a wild card finale.

That tournament was in three months. I smiled. I'm sure I'd be at a hundred percent by then. I'm going to join that tournament.

When I finished my shower, I stepped out to find a fresh towel laid out for me. Swiftly drying off and changing into the light outfit I brought with me, I went to find Melissa.

Caddy in hand, I searched the weight room. I couldn't find Melissa anywhere in the gym. Suddenly, I felt a cold hand on my bare shoulder. I felt my body jolt as I turned around.

"Who in the archons fucking hell ....Wriothesley!" I shouted placing my hand over my heart as I saw his grace with the biggest smirk I'd seen on his face.

"For someone who was just dead, you turned around pretty quickly." He chuckled.

I sighed and took a few deep breaths, "Could you wipe that grin off your face? Archons, are you trying to kill me again?"

"My apologies, I was actually looking for you. I was the one who told Melissa and Roussimoff to go to the ring. I need to bring you to the observation ward. Sigewinne sent for a doctor when you didn't wake up the third day of your coma. He arrived a little while ago. He also instructed me to bring this." Wriothesley said, revealing the unopened letter from Zhongli.

"That would mean... She didn't!" I covered my mouth and ran past Wriothesley.

If I had to say so, I moved fast for someone who was dead not too long ago. Getting to the observation ward from the gym normally would take about a ten minute fast walk to the lift alone. But I made it to the lift in nearly six minutes.

Sam was waiting by the lift and sent it up as I stepped on. Once we reached the upper floor, I stepped off, nodding at Sam, and took off once more. A strong medicinal scent lingered in the air. I practically leaped the steps up to the observation ward.

"It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, I've heard nothing but good things about you from Silva." I heard Sigewinnes soft voice say as I dashed up to the observation ward.

"Like wise, and I must thank you, Ms. Sigewinne for being so kind to her. Silva is like a daughter to me. I'm glad she has such a capable doctor nearby." A sweet familiar voice said that brought a smile to my face.

She did.

"You two seem to have company." The shrill voice of the snake said.

"Thank you for noticing me, Changsheng." I smiled as I walked into the ward, "Baizhu, it's great to see you."

He simply let out a chuckle and hugged me. The scent of older medicinal herbs filled my nose. I squeezed tight as my heart shook.

"Now, now Silva, I need to take a look at you." He chuckled, letting me go gesturing to the closest bed.

I nodded and headed towards the bed, taking a seat. Baizhu quickly got to work, and Changsheng slithered around my neck. I simply closed my eyes and let him do his exam.

My mind drifted to my dream. How cold his grace's hands felt on top of mine. I imagined his lips being the same temperature. How he'd wear the smug look he had on earlier when I ask.

"Silva, what's going through that mind of yours?" Changsheng said, "Your pulse sped up significantly."

I felt my cheeks burn red. Baizhu had a light smile and pat my shoulder. His kind eyes were soft.

"I have some good news and a hypothesis for you, Silva. Which would you like first?" Baizhu said, offering his arm out to Changsheng, who remained coiled comfortably around my neck.

"The good news, archons know I could use it." I chuckled as Sigewinne pulled out a notepad.

"To start the dendro energy that resides in your body is finally stabilized. I noticed that when you came in for your check-up before you left, it wasn't at a safe level. It's why I had you take that course of dendrocide potions before you left. While I think it was enough to suppress it while through the dendro rich Chenyu Vale. When your assailant drugged you the first time, they reactivated the dormant energy. The people who attacked you and drugged you the second time, what they did forced enough of that energy out by over activating it." Baizhu explained, "Ms. Sigewinne told me you learned your mother was a dendro elemental. So I'm going to recommend you be taking that dendrocide potion here as well."

I sighed, "She's more than an elemental. I don't know if Monsieur Nuevillette would want me to say anything to his grace, but both of you are my doctors, so I think it's fine telling you guys."

"What do you mean, Ms. Silva?" Sigewinne asked, and Baizhu gave me a curious look.

"I am the daughter of Apep, the dragon sovereign of dendro and a human." I covered my face with my hand only to feel a thunck on my temple.

"Why do you look ashamed?" Changsheng said, wrapping around Baizhus's arm, which was now on my shoulder, "Do you even understand how much this explains!?!"

"If I was to be frank Mr. Zhongli had that theory. Once he saw the dendrocide potions in your bag and the reaction to being stabbed with the drug. He had me create you a special medicine for something. He had a feeling that would happen soon. It was in the parcel I sent. Given that you were in a coma and haven't been taking it, I honestly think in about a weeks time. You should be kept in seclusion." Baizhu said, "In all honesty, I'd rather bring you back to Liyue for observation, but I know I can't. The Iudex made that very clear."

"Is Zhongli's explanation on everything in the letter he sent?" I asked.

"That's my guess." He said, pushing my hair back behind my ear.

"Then, by all means, please take it. You don't have to read aloud." Wriothesley said, slowly walking in letter in hand.

"Dr. Baizhu, this is his grace." Sigewinne said, introducing them.

"It's a pleasure. As I told Ms. Sigewinne, thank you for treating Silva so well." Baizhu smiled.

"You're welcome, and I'd be beating myself if I didn't thank you for coming. In the short amount of time she's been here, I have grown quite fond of Silva." Wriothesley said, handing me the letter.

When our hands brushed, I felt my cheeks heat up. They were cold to the touch, just like in my dreams. I shook my head and flipped open the wax seal on the letter. Zhongli's voice played in my head as I read.

"My dear Silva, I'm glad to have your correspondence. I have done some research in liyue's and even some of Sumeru's libraries. I know who she is. I'm working on a way for you to meet her after you are released, but until then, I'm having our friend Baizhu prepare a medicine I myself am on for you. It'll prevent a very dangerous aspect of what we are. Please stay safe til I see you once more, my treasured friend, Zhongli." His voice ended.

"What does a dangerous aspect even mean?" I ask my green haired friend.

"Your mother being a dendro elemental means certain steps just need to be taken to prevent any harm to you or say someone you care about when you are experiencing your monthly cycle. Although that might be different as well." Baizhu said, sitting next to me and speaking very quietly, "Especially since the elemental you were born from is a dragon."

"I understand, Baizhu." I said, "Did you leave a good stock with Sigewinne?"

"I did. Now, I need to do a full medication work up and make sure everything is in working order for when I leave. Why don't you go with Mr. Wriothesley and get some food. I'll be in the infirmary with Ms. Sigewinne, but don't worry, I will come say goodbye when I'm done." Baizhu said.

I simply nodded and stood up. Baizhu offered his hand to his grace, to which Wriothesley shook it. Our previous conversation crossed my mind.

"Baizhu, what was your hypothesis? About me?" I asked.

He turned to me and smiled, "No need to worry about it, Silva. You'll know soon enough."

"Alright, I'll see you in a bit, Baizhu." I said bowing.

Wriothesley led me away from the observation ward. He walked on my left, his steps falling heavily against the metal floors. His handcuffs sway with each step.

"You're as sweet as I like my tea." Echoed through my mind as I watched him pull his cuffs off his belt,  spinning them on his finger.

I bit my lip as he pulled ahead. He was very much a fine looking man. Even with how many layers he was wearing, I could see how well built his back was. Something was different, though.

"Wriothesley, where's your coat?" I asked, confused.

"I had a guarde bring it to one of Fontaines' best cleaners. There was a pretty big stain on it." He said, looking back at me, "Come on, let's go to my office. I have something for you."

I nodded and followed relatively close behind. I noticed the gaurdes were out in force today. Was the fear of a riot, maybe?

When Wriothesley and I arrived at his office, he locked the doors behind him once we walked through.

"Why did you lock the doors your grace?" I asked as I walked up the stairs.

He sighed and pulled out a red box of tea I had once seen in the Kamisato house.

"Care for a cup?" He asked a bit of hesitation in his voice.

"Of course, I'd love tea with you." I smile.

Wriothesley sat in front of me, and he took my hand. He looked me dead in my eyes. He tried to speak twice, but no words managed to escape his lips.

"Archons, I didn't expect this to be so hard." He managed to wrestle out that much.

I walk up next to him, "it's OK, your grace. No matter what, you can tell me." 

I forced my courage up and took his hand. At the contact, Wriothesley took a deep breath and pressed a kiss on my lips.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have," He said, trying to pull away, but I quickly pressed another kiss on his lips.