"Congratulations!"

The world seemed to shatter in an instant the minute he heard that word.

Congratulations.

It should be a word that brings joy yet seeing the sight before him...made his blood boil. Sucrose's innocent smile made Lumine blush as she accepted the bouquet of Snezhnayan Orchids, the Fatui Harbinger laughed at the expression his partner was making. Paimon snickering at the couple because they have been caught. Albedo bit the inside of his cheek as his right hand balled into a fist. He tasted iron in his mouth but he didn't care. He watched the group silently as they chatted away but just for a moment he saw the Fatui glance his way and smile. If the others weren't present, he would have summoned Festering Desire to slit his throat.

Childe knew he won Lumine's heart.

Albedo watched as Sucrose waved to the group as they left for their next mission yet...he was angry. Very...Very...angry. He didn't notice that Sucrose was looking at him shocked but also seemed to be unsettled.

"Mr. Albedo, are you alright?" She asked and he felt his heart stop for a moment before he shifted to his smile to hide that rage that was boiling inside of him.

Yet, something within him told him that Sucrose did not buy it. Her gaze reminded him of an innocent child yet...it reminded him of Lumine in a way. Lumine's gaze was like the sun and yet dark like the moon when in battle. They held the innocence of a child with curiosity but also the gaze of one who has lived far longer than most. Sucrose's and Lumine's gazes looked at him like a child that could see through the thick fog of darkness. If Lumine was the moon then Sucrose's eyes reminded him of a calm solar wind that needed to be watched before it became a storm.

"How cute." He thought as he spoke, "I'm alright, Sucrose." He looked back to the trio, just for a moment he let the darkness slip again, "We should head back to our labs. We have projects coming up." And with that, he turned to leave.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Sucrose looking at the trio with a concerned look.

That night he heard Sucrose muttering a small prayer to the Anemo Archon Barbatos to protect the trio. The girl usually wasn't one to pray, which is why it caught off Albedo when he heard her. He found it amusing but also a bit unsettling.

Seems he did need to keep his eyes on the little wind.

[—-]

Materials.

He needed to gather materials.

The book he collected from a Mirror Maiden that wandered too close to Dragonspine was beyond fascinating. Sitting on a wooden crate that was near the once occupied Fatui camp, he read through the tome, eating up its contents as if they were desserts. Festering Desire was next to him yet there was a smear of red on its blade. He was silent as he stared at it and then looked down to his boot as he heard the weak sounds of scratching on the leather. A weak hand, covered in blood, the body moved, trying to hurt him.

"T-This...body...belongs to ice...and—-"

Sshhluck!

"How annoying." Not once did he look up from his book as with his other hand he stabbed the sword into the Mirror Maiden, "Still, I ought to thank you Fatui for this. The book is quite fascinating. Runes and spells of the ancients along with locations marked down of the highest quality materials used to create your magic tools." He turned to look down at the body with a smile.

"Oh dear," he closed his eyes, "seems I made a mess. Hmm..." he stood up and pull out Festering Desire.

The sick sound of the sword being pulled out did nothing to him as he watched the once warm body of Mirror Maiden, begin to turn rock hard because of the cold. He knelt, seeing even the woman's blood had become frozen because of the sheer cold. All he did was smile as he snapped the book closed with one hand.

"I can't have people finding you. Still, yes your body belongs to ice and snow. And just like ice and snow..." he place his hand on her head and watched as vein-like markings that glowed gold, appear on her body, "they both shatter away."

The loud sound of glass shattering echoed all around, causing the nearby animals to become startled and run away. He made sure not a speck of dust remained as he turned and walked away. It seemed today brought some progress.

"Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust."

[—]

Researching the materials he has collected seemed to put him onto some sort of ease as he tried his best to ignore Childe talking to Sucrose and Lumine. It didn't help that Paimon was teasing the couple as he kept working. Lumine laughed at a few jokes as well as Sucrose as they were helping the green-haired girl with a project. Yet, he chose to remain silent as they chatted away.

"Oh, reminding me." Childe spoke up, "Hey, Alchemist." Albedo glanced his way, "We're going to head to town to get something to eat at The Good Hunter. Is there anything you want?" He asked.

Albedo refused to accept anything from the Fatui.

"No. I'm alright." Albedo said and returned to his work, "Actually, I have a question for you." Childe raised an eyebrow, "How long do you plan to stay in Mondstadt?" He said.

"Well, a few days. I have been traveling with Lumine for quite some time so as long as she is here, I will be with her." Childe said and the shadows somewhat covered Albedo's eyes.

"I see." Albedo said and continued to work, "I suggest not staying too long. Others might get other ideas." Despite the monotone voice, he spoke with, Childe could hear the silent threat hidden in his words.

The Fatui Harbinger narrowed his eyes before turning back to his lover.

"Oh! I nearly forgot!" Sucrose spoke up as she clapped her hands together, "Childe, are there sweet flowers in Snezhnaya?"

"Well," the man held his chin, "we do have a certain type of flower that that is used by Cinci Mages. Other than and essence, it can be used as sleeping medication." Childe explained, seems that caught Albedo's interest, "Why do you ask?"

"Your sleep hours are a mess, aren't they?" Lumine and the girl shying away confirmed it, "Siighh...Sucrose, you should take care of yourself better." The girl smiled softly as she gently placed her hands on her shoulders, "How about a girls' day with the others? We can go to the spa and have a sleepover!" She grinned.

Albedo's eyes slightly widened as he watched the girls interact along with Childe suggesting a few places. Albedo never noticed how Lumine smiled so similarly to Sucrose.

"Ah, that's right...Sucrose..." Albedo thought as he looked back at the smiling green-haired woman, "She smiles just like Lumine."

Mirror, Mirror on the wall...

Shall I clip their wings onto a wall?

[—]

Rare materials and he found the perfect ones to use for his new project. He had a rare smile on his face as he walked to his office and opened the door. He looked around, seeing it was empty, well not completely. He saw sucrose standing there near the end. He noticed she had dropped some things on the floor but...he felt his heart stop. Sucrose was looking at a sketchbook of his, filled with sketches of Lumine and small little trinkets that he collected over the months. The lilies that she had gifted him for his birthday he had dry to turn into a bookmark. Yet, he noticed how Sucrose was noticing that the majority of the sketches were of Lumine.

Enough of this.

"Sucrose."

Sucrose let an adorable screech as she sent the sketchbook skyrocketing into the air. Because of this, the pages nearly scattered all over the place had he not caught it with ease, " I thought you were cleaning." Albedo frowned and Sucrose fumbled with her fingers.

He really should get a vault to put his personal belongings in. But he doubts Sucrose would be stupid enough to steal something of his. The girl was just too innocent. He narrowed his eyes as Sucrose fumbled with her fingers, glancing at him and then the sketchbook before back to him.

"My apologies, Mr. Albedo. I was cleaning up and accidentally cause a few books to spill. I was a bit curious. I do apologize if I offended you." Sucrose dipped her head and Albedo remained silent for a few seconds before he spoke.

"Do not repeat." He said and put the book away on a high shelf, just out of her reach.

He heard her sigh as he turned back to the door and carefully began to pull in his newest creation. Being extra careful with it, he used his Vision to hang it onto the wall. He removed the cloth and smiled. A beautiful mirror of silver with the sun on the top and the stars at the bottom. Months it took to gather the purest and most powerful materials needed to create it.

"What a beautiful mirror." Sucrose awed as she stood beside him to look at it.

"It is." Albedo smiled as their reflections looked back, "I've been working on this project for a while. I made a smaller version of it." He held up a small pocket mirror version of it, "It's still not complete though. It's still missing a key component to becoming a masterpiece." He said as he gently place his hand on the surface.

"Just a bit more...just a bit more to pin the butterfly..." he thought as Sucrose took a closer look at it.

"What is it missing?" She asked and Albedo turned to her with his usual smile.

"The Moon." He replied before turning back to it.

Gentle...Gentle...shiny like a diamond...

Let the moonlight fall onto you...

Soon to the moonlight cage, you will belong.

[—-]

Albedo frowned at the note that was left on Sucrose's desk. He picked up the little green cat shaped paper and read it.

I will be going out to lunch today with Lumine. Papers are all organized as well as lunch for you is still hot! I used a Pyro stone to keep it warm! Enjoy!

-Sucrose

His hand balled into a fist, crumpling the paper before during it to stone, then crushing it to dust. He watched it fall to the ground before turning away to the door to find her. He left the city, walked through the forest till he reached Windrise, and right when he was about to call her out, he froze. Lumine laughed joyfully as she sat next to Childe and Paimon next to her. Hu Tao was there as well and he was quick to hide when she turned his way. Hu Tao had always unnerved him. She was one of the few who could connect with the other side and see things that others couldn't.

That made her dangerous. The flowered-eyed girl only smiled before turning back to the others to continue chatting. He gritted his teeth as Childe and Lumine held hands together and Sucrose was cheering them on. He kept questioning why he felt like this? Why did he feel the emotions of anger and disdain when he saw Lumine smile at others? He only wanted her to smile for him. Perhaps what he was feeling was jealousy.

He froze.

He covered his mouth as his eyes widened, realization hitting him like a barrel. Was the emotion he was feeling, love? No, no. Human emotions were already difficult to understand and it was becoming increasingly difficult to understand what he was feeling. He was still a homunculus... Albedo narrowed his eyes as he watched Sucrose laugh and suddenly held his breath when she turned his way. She looked around, confused. He bit his lip and decided to wait. He took out his sketchbook, yes...drawing them and then cutting out Childe and Hu Tao would make him feel much better.

[—-]

Months had gone by and he was still adjusting the mechanics of the mirror to make sure it was perfect. Yet, just when things are going perfectly, there was always something unexpected. Albedo pulled out Spindell Cinder from another mutant whooperflower that had taken his form. Subject two, his Master's failed creation had awoken and was causing more problems. He looked up to the mountain where he could sense him watching. He understood why Subject Two would want to get rid of him. If their places were switched, he too would want to take his place, live his life, receive the love, praise, and affection of the people. But what bothered him was how Subject Two wanted to dispose of Lumine.

Oh Lumine, his sweet moon. Far too observant for her own good. It didn't help that the little prank he pulled on her made her now even wary of those around her. From the innocent Traveler, he met a year ago, to now a full-fledge adventure who had seen far too much and knew the beauty and ugly of the world. She continued to push forward, striving for ascending.

Eventually, she would fly beyond.

"No..." he muttered as he reached out to the gray sky and balled his hand into a fist, "Clip her wings. Butterflies are better displayed." He said and looked back to the next incoming wave of whooperflowers.

"Eula would also pose a problem in the future." He thought as he charged at them and spun his body, "She consulted Lumine later in private. That she sensed the one I killed was different." He stabbed the sword into the head then pulled out before slashing at another, "So she has figured that it's not over." He looked around, lost in thought as he kept hacking slashing.

[—-]

Subject Two made his presence disappear, making Subject One believe that he had left. Yet, Subject two watched with void eyes as Subject One kept killing on his creations. Yet Subject Two knew that look, it was a most likely obsession. His creator had the same look when she was creating the Primordial Human Project. Look how things turned out. Yet, Subject Two's mind wandered to the green-haired woman who had an innocent smile.

"Heh." Subject Two chuckled to himself as he turned away as Subject One turned his creations to dust, "Albedo, you best not let your guard down with the green-haired one. The innocent flower is growing thorns. I'm looking forward to speaking to her soon." With that, he left.

[—-]

"Good morning, Albedo!" Lumine grinned as she had come to visit his lab in Dragonspine, "Paimon here at your serves!" Paimon cheered as she flew in.

"Good morning you two." Albedo smiled a bit as he was busy working on a new potion, "This is rare for you both to come here. Especially after what happened." He said and Lumine sighed her smile a bit tried as she closed her eyes.

"I just came to check on you and the others. I'll be going back to Inazuma for a while with Childe, Hu Tao, and Kazuha." She said and Albedo froze.

"Kazuha? Who is that?" He asked, turning her way fully as he slowly put down his work.

"Kazuha is a friend of ours who helped us out in Inazuma!" Paimon said as she was looking at items on Albedo's desk, "He's really cool and can play a leaf-like flute! And, and! Oh! He can fly!" The little fairy giggled, "He's an amazing person who saved us." Lumine couldn't help but chuckle.

Yet, for some reason, the air in the lab felt icier than usual. Albedo frowned as he turned back to his desk to continue his work.

"I see...You must be enjoying being with Kazuha while you have a relationship with Childe." He said as Lumine looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Childe and Kazuha actually get along. Which is honestly scary." Paimon laughed nervously, "Speaking of Kazuha, didn't we say we would help him gather some topaz ore for Yun Jin? Those get along well pretty nicely~" the little fairy laughed mischievously.

"Paimon!" Lumine gave her a playful glare, "But yes, we will help him. Hmm..." The woman thought for a moment as she held her chin, "I wonder what I should get Childe as a gift. He's going to be struggling again with the chopsticks so maybe...training ones?" She muttered.

Both girls jumped when Albedo suddenly stabbed his scaple into the wood of his desk. Inward he bit his lip to keep himself from remarking. He took a deep breath and spoke.

"Did you just come to talk about the people you meet or something else?" He said coldly and Lumine was quick to sense it.

"Sigh, there is." Paimon excused herself and left the two alone, "Albedo, I noticed that...you seem to hold some sort of dislike towards any interactions I make outside of you, Mona, Sucrose, and Klee. Especially towards Childe and Hu Tao." She said as his eyes became half-lidded.

"She noticed." He thought as he turned to her fully with his arms crossed, closing his eyes, "Indeed, your observations are not wrong. I don't particularly like The Fatui and The Director. Childe for obvious reasons and Hu Tao...that woman is far too connected to the other side." He said as Lumine looked at him surprised.

"Childe I understand your reasonings but Hu Tao!? Is it because of the prank she pulled on you when you two first met? I apologize!" Lumine clapped her hands together and bowed.

"No...I just don't like her. I don't...like any of them." Albedo said, Lumine reeled back.

"You...don't like any of my friends? Also, I noticed how quiet you become when I speak to Childe or anyone. " She said slowly and he stared at her for a moment before he spoke.

"Are you enjoying your freedom?" He said and Lumine narrowed her eye at him.

"What is that supposed to mean?" She said and all he did was smile.

"Who knows."

[—-]

He felt anxious. Lumine had refused to come to see him for the following months as well as she only greeted him and quickly left. He must have messed up big time, saying that to her. It was also a matter of time till she head to Sumeru. She was ascending. She was flying away farther and farther. He needed to make his move. He needed to...

"WAAAHHH!"

Albedo let out a groan as he turned towards the door of the lab after hearing the crash but froze when he saw a blonde-haired young man with red like samurai armor and a necklace dog tags he wore.

"Whoa there, Sucrose!" The man chuckled as he had caught her and helped her stand back up, "Clumsy as ever I see." He said as the woman was picking up the amethyst ores she had in a box.

"I'm so sorry for making you carry these, Thoma. And you were on your way to Dawn Winery..." Sucrose muttered as he shook his head.

"It's alright. These were the materials you needed anyway and I was here in town to buy some things for Lady Ayaka. In the meantime, one reminder, be careful with the Crystal Marrow. Those can get a bit hectic sometimes." Thoma said as he took the boxes to her desk.

"Pardon, who are you?" Albedo said and the pair finally noticed him, "No one but the staff is allowed here."

"I apologize!" Thoma did a quick bow, "It's nice to meet you. I'm Thoma. You must be Albedo, I heard a lot about you from Sucrose. Nice to meet you." He grinned and held out a hand to him.

Albedo stared at it before turning away, leaving Thoma hanging. The blonde looked at him stupefied before taking back his hand.

"Um...well? Okay." Thoma chuckled nervously before turning to Sucrose, "I'll see you later then, Sucrose. And thank you again for showing me around. It was good to see Jean and Lisa again." He smiled and Albedo twitched hearing this.

"Of course! And say hi to Ayaka for me!" Sucrose smiled and Thoma saluted her before waving goodbye.

"Sucrose."

The girl flinched as she turned his way, coming face to face with him. His eyes had narrowed at her dangerously. Now that he thought about it...Sucrose wasn't this interactive with so many people before. She had always kept to herself and over time, he has noticed she has become more outgoing.

"Ah...it seems another butterfly is growing its wings." He thought as he looked down at her and let go of a sigh before turning away, "Please do not bring non-staff members to the place."

"Oh...alright." Her ears wilted like flowers as he turned back to his work but now that he had better look at the box of materials she brought...

"Are those... amethyst ores?" He said and the girl perked up quickly and nodded, "Can I...use some of those?" He asked.

"Oh sure!" Sucrose said and grabbed around ten of them and handed them to him, "Here you Mr. Albedo! Also, Thoma will be bringing me a few more next week." She smiled as she turned back to her desk.

Why did her saying that tick him off?

[—-]

"Albedo, we need to talk."

The tone.

The tone the Traveler had made his spine shiver as he turned to her with his usual smile. Paimon was waiting outside yet Albedo was bothered. Lumine took multiple deep breaths before her eyes went sharp, her voice serious.

"Albedo, why do you get so bothered when I speak to others?" She said and Albedo remained silent, clearly enjoying how upset she looked, "You become silent as a shell when I speak to others. I have not missed how bothered you become when anyone else besides me, Mona and Sucrose are present. You have been passive-aggressive, in a silent way towards Hu Tao and Ajax." He cocked his head and did a closed eye smile but it was strained.

"Since when are you and the Harbinger in first name bases?" He said and Lumine gawked before she gritted her teeth.

"It does not matter now." She said, "I want to hear why you despise everyone I come in contact with!" She said and Albedo's hand only balled into a fist.

"I don't know what you are talking about." He said and seems Lumine's patience was low today.

"Alright. Don't say anything." She huffed and turned around, "Have a good day Albedo. I won't be coming back for a long, long, time." She said and right when she was going to take a step, he grabbed her wrist.

"Where do you think you are going?" He said with his closed eye smile but the grip on her wrist spoke a different story, "Why are you leaving? Are you going to that Fatui Harbinger again? Or Hu Tao? Or anyone else?" His grip tightened.

"Unhand me!" She growled but he suddenly grabbed her other wrist and his eyes snapped open, hollow of emotions they were but they were filled with a darkness she had only seen once before.

"You don't understand how you make me feel. I don't understand why I feel this way." His voice almost sounded distorted, "I hate the way you close anyone. I hate the way you speak so softly when you're with the Harbinger. I hate the way you look at him with those eyes." He said and Lumine was too shocked to move.

"Why...Why him...? Why do you keep growing your wings? Why do fly farther and farther ahead? You can just stay. Stay in a place of comfort than suffer. Why?" He growled as she was struggling to free herself.

"I like butterflies when they are pinned."

"PAIMON!" Lumine screamed and finally freed herself from his grasp, "What is wrong with you?!" She yelled and suddenly she felt darkness like it was suffocating her.

The darkness swirled all around Albedo as Festering Desire began vibrating in its sheath. The Poisonous Dragons' power seemed to be shown through his eyes.

Crimson, purple, a hue of pink and slits red.

Yes.

Festering Desire understood.

"What's going on Lumine?!" Paimon screamed and the blonde ran for her life, grabbing her little friend, for dear life.

"We need to go now!" Lumine screamed and ran and ran but Dragonspine was Albedo's domain.

So he let her run. He let escape and then when he finally snapped his eyes open, the ice devoured them like morsels. Their screams brought joy to him because now she will no longer escape and the little one must remain trapped. Festering Desire's power left as he let go a sigh of relief. He dusted himself and looked towards his beloved mirror and smiled as he heard the sound of pounding coming from it.

"Albedo! Albedo! What have you done?!"

Only he could hear her voice. Only he could see her. Her golden eyes filled with rage and tears as she kept slamming her fist onto the glass from the other side. Albedo only stood in front of it as her chest rose up and down from breathing hard.

"I only did what I had to do. So you may never leave." He said and turned around, "Don't worry, you won't die. Paimon is also trapped like you. I must admit…she could be somewhat…annoying." He said and turned back to her holding up a small pocket mirror.

"Let me out! Albedo!" And she threw herself back, to throw a bolt of Electro to the mirrored break it but...

"AHHHH!"

Chains.

Golden chains wrapped around her arms, ankles, wrist, and neck, holding her down to the ground. Albedo only smiled at the sight as he placed his hand on the mirror and spoke.

"I suggest you stop unless you want harm to come to Paimon…and the others." He said and if looks could kill, her look would have killed him over a million times.

"Good night, moon."

- Present time -

"Argh!"

Albedo groaned as he was thrown back by a blast of Anemo but more than that, the one responsible looked at him with tears running down their eyes but refusing to back down. The plants and vine created by wind roared at him with fury. He underrated them. He really should have pinned them as he did to the moon. He chuckled darkly as he looked up to furious honey golden eyes. The power of Anemo and Khemia swirled around her and Subject Two was beside her along with that Fatui and Funeral Director. With a wave of their hand, the power of Anemo became stronger than ever. The tome in her hands glowed so brightly as if it was going to turn him to dust.

Ah, what was that word he saw in a book to describe the will of the earth?

Yes.

Herrscher.

King.

Queen.

Herrscher was a tittle of kings and queens.

How much it suited the person in front of them.

"Sucrose…"