Signora's Saviour- Chapter 4.

[Liu's POV]

The time must be at least 2am by now and Signora, in her drunken state, is leaning on me for support. She's barely able to hold her glass properly, yet is still trying to drink.

"Okay, I think you've had enough, Signora." I take her glass from her.

"Whatsh are you shtalking aboutsch?" She says, slurred. "We were jusht getting shtarted..."

"Yeah right." I gently guide her to bed and pull the covers over her. "Just rest now. Else you'll feel terrible tomorrow."

"I-I don't need to resht..." She tries to get back up but I hold her down.

"Believe me, you do." I tell her. "Trust me on this, Signora."

"Shtay with..." She passed out mid-sentence.

I sigh. Finally, she fell asleep. A drunk Signora is hard work, even if it doesn't happen often.

"And she left the drinks out..."

I begin packing the alcohol away and reflecting on my time in Signora's squadron.

[6 Months Earlier...]

The snow's coming down heavy, like every night in Snezhnaya. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the weather of Liyue.

"Leo, are you in?" La Signora's voice rings out from behind my door.

"Yeah, I'm here." I reply walking up and opening the door. "What brings you here, Lady Signora?"

"Something I should tell you inside." She says before pushing past me into my room.

I close the door and turn to her.

"So-"

"I've seen your performances recently." She cuts me off as she sits on my bed. "Absolutely superlative, as expected of my Lieutenant."

"You're too kind..." I brush off her compliment.

"Whatever you make of my praises, I'm here to give you the most honourable promotion." Signora smiles.

"Really? I didn't think I could go any higher..." I mutter.

"Starting tomorrow, you will be my right hand man." Signora announces. "This means you will always fight by my side, be my advisor and, as a special privilege, you may simply call me Signora. No titles necessary."

I struggle to formulate an immediate response.

"Of course, right hand man also means bodyguard." She stands. "I expect you to be willing to lay down your life to defend me."

"Y-yes, of course, Signora." This is sudden.

"Good." She walks back over to the exit of my room. "Continue to excel my expectations, Leo. It's a fleeting feeling."

With that, she's gone. Well, only to the next room over...

Right hand man, huh? I'm not sure I'm cut out for that, especially for someone of Signora's caliber. I guess I'll just have to see how it goes.

[Present day...]

"Heh..."

That was the night we started our bond. Periodically, drinking and talking the night away.

There's no point in getting sentimental now. I just need to focus on the present, now that I'm back in Signora's life. I should make the most of this second chance she's given me as opposed to kicking my ass for tricking her.

Right, time to sleep. I have a feeling that Signora's going to work me hard, even though I'm not officially re-enlisted.

[Morning...]

I awake to the sound of Signora groaning. Opening my eyes, I see she's sat up and holding her head. Guess putting her to bed when I did wasn't early enough after all.

"Morning..." I mutter.

She looks at me, her eyes reflecting the discomfort she must be in.

"How could you let me do that, Leo?" She asks, but there's no aggression in her voice. "I'm going to be feeling shit for all of today..."

"I tried to stop you as early as I could..." I sit up. "Sorry, Signora."

"No it's... it's not your fault." She sighs. "I sometimes feel like I need to cut down on my drinking. This is one of those times."

"Whatever makes you happy..." I reply while shifting out of bed. "Did you want something light for breakfast? It might help."

"Yes, I...feel like that might be nice." She continues resting her head in her hand. "Oh, and some water as well."

"Alright, I'll be right back." I say and leave the room.

[Signora's POV]

Why do I do this to myself? This is just one of many times Leo has seen me like this and I've still kept him in the dark of the actual reason why I know my alcohol well.

Perhaps, it's time to open up a bit more...

What's the worst that can happen? He's always been understanding and accepting with me. Well, his faked death wasn't very understanding of my feelings, but I'll overlook that for now.

[Liu's POV]

"Food is ready!" I announce as I arrive back in Signora's temporary room.

She manages to smile as she looks over to me.

"Thank you again, Leo." Signora says as I give her the Fisherman's Toast and a cup of water. "A Mondstadt dish?"

"It's all I could come up with in such short notice." I notice she's frowning. "I'm sorry. It-"

She suddenly chuckles softly. "I don't mind."

"You can be cruel sometimes, Signora." I reply.

"Yet you came back to me." She smirks as she takes a bite.

"Of course, it's part of who you are, Signora."

She pauses to finish her mouthful.

"It's Rosalyne." She replies.

"Huh?"

"My real name is Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter." She confesses. "You...may call me Rosalyne when we're alone from now on. You've earned that much, Leo."

Wow...that's the first piece of her personal info she's ever given to me.

"Very well, I-"

"Hahahaha..." We hear laughing and clapping coming from the door.

Both me and Signora turn to the source.

"So, Signora's dog has returned from the dead..." It's Scaramouche. "I thought you had been put down for good."

Signora's expression sours. "Not now, brat. I don't have the energy for you."

"Not now? Then, have you figured it out?" I've always disliked Scaramouche.

"You deceived me." Signora says with venom. "You tried to get me killed!"

So it was him...

[3rd person POV]

"That's a pretty extreme accusation." Scaramouche shrugs. "I just needed leverage. Had you died, it would've been purely incidental."

Signora gathers the strength to stand and approach Scaramouche.

"And I would've, had Leo not shown up when he did."

"It matters not." Scarmouche smiles. "We still obtained what we came for. The Head Priestess of Narukami Shrine handed over the Electro Gnosis."

Signora glares at him before throwing the water in her glass onto his face. "That was MY job, brat."

Scaramouche's expression quickly darkens and he wordlessly charges up an attack.

Seeing this, Liu immediately pushed Signora back onto her bed at the cost of being electrocuted and knocked back into the wall.

"Leo!" Signora yells before tending to him, pausing only nurse her headache.

"Once a dog, always a dog, huh..." Scaramouche turns away. "No matter. I have no need to kill him."

With that, he leaves.

"Leo..." Signora raises one of Liu's arms and inspects his Vision. "Thank the Tsaritsa, it's not fading."

Liu coughs out a small amount of blood, before looking at Signora.

"So...what's this about a Gnosis?" He weakly says.

"Do you really think you're in a position to be asking that now?" Signora asks, her voice squeaking and her eyes teary.

"Sorry..." Liu grimaces. "It hurts. I'll be fine though."

"Just shut up." Signora snaps. "Never do that again."

Liu hesitates for a moment.

"But, back in Snezhnaya, you said I must be willing to lay down my life to protect you."

"That's just a contractual thing, Leo." Signora helps him stand. "What I really meant, is that we'll look out for each other. In my eyes, you are worthy of being a Harbinger. That's why I say that the postition of right hand is equal."

Liu wobbles a bit as he stands, but can eventually manage on his own.

"I see. Well, I'll be more careful from now on, Rosalyne."

Signora hesitates, but a bright smile blooms forth.

"Please do." She says. "I don't want to see you hurt..."