*Disclaimer* - I do not own the copyright to Genshin Impact

*A/N* - Well, it's been a while since this story has seen the light. Nevertheless, thanks for stopping by to see it updated as well as celebrating Ningguang's birthday. I've always wished that she had more of a role in the main story quests. Granted, she's busy dealing with Liyue's problems. I hope she shows up sometime in the future within Fontaine. That'll be fun to see. Now, however, this update will be correlating with her birthday letter this year. I hope you'll enjoy the chapter and take care out there.

*P.S* - This chapter correlates to Ningguang's Birthday Letter as of 8/26/23

To some, today could be viewed as just another beautiful and ordinary day. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. On this day, when the air was cool and the wind kept up a slight breeze, Ningguang truly couldn't have asked for much in her peace and mind.

Her life had truly improved greatly over the past year.

Though, while the days of her being as busy as ever maintaining a strong upbringing in Liyue Harbor were still present they were now spotlighted differently. Today would also mark the first anniversary of something new and positive in her life. Something… as she would call…

'A step toward reconciliation and realization. As well as…'

A small bit of laughter escaped her lips as the sound of her cheeriness sweetened the entire Jade Chamber. The reason for her break in character was that her giddiness, which was not quite shown to just anyone, was seemingly starting to break out of her calm and collected persona. This was a characteristic of hers that had gradually become more apparent the closer her birthday arrived.

This was all due in thanks to a certain individual who had meant so much to her not just on a business and professional standing but also on a close and personal level. It was not hard to boast about how this person had become such a ray of light to her in the past few years. So many things had happened which involved the two of them. And the stark realization that more events will most likely happen again in the future.

Therefore, this individual would both personify and occupy themselves to be the lead role in whatever was to come. In the rationality of all, he would take charge and command to not only lend his aid and strength to whatever may come in the future but also his heart in all.

He would take the position of King on the chessboard.

It was safe to say that this individual was known by everyone in the majority of Teyvat now as the last thing she had heard from him was that he was making headway in Fontaine. Suffice it to say, he would have already arrived and been caught up in whatever unexpected triviality he and his traveling companion managed to find themselves in. But like always, they would find a way to make things right and come out on top.

He was truly a rather unique person with quite a history behind him.

In addition, this boy was someone who while they might not think much of themself in the context of everything going on around them. He managed to change the way those around him were living their life. He helped them with problems that in no way affected him and yet, out of the kindness in his heart, he still managed to do so much for them. All while asking for nothing but a simple request when it was all over with.

He wanted only one thing to come from his hard work.

His name, well, it should have been obvious, was Aether. The Traveler, Outlander, Hero, Captain, and many other names are what he went by. But the one title that he claimed to hold close to his heart was that of a brother.

Over time, Ningguang had come to learn more about the blonde-haired boy and got to know a side of him that he didn't exactly show everyone. A side that simply wanted to find his sister in the madness that he managed to get wrapped in. The quiet conversations the two would have whenever he visited Liyue Harbor were honestly some of the best times of peace the Tianquan could have ever asked for.

No amount of Mora, Treasure, Jewelry, or gifts could ever equate to the time that she spent with the Traveler. There were even times when he showed up out of the blue to make her day go from tiring and outright insufferable to enjoyable in a matter of minutes. The discussions about politics and business were something that she found even more endearing about him as the times he came to visit led to her learning about the uniqueness of other nations. Hearing it from a business transaction was one thing, but hearing about it from someone who managed to make your heart beat faster and nerves kick in was a whole other pulsation of excitement.

This was also why she woke up this morning and immediately prepared a quill and paper and set to send Aether another one of her yearly birthday letters. This time, due to her taking notice at her desk and recalling the topic of conversation about Genius Invokation TCG and the relation to chess being ridiculed for being a difficult game. Hence, this caused Ningguang to mention the challenging aspects found within chess and how it showcased an individual's skill with the game.

Cordially, she worded the letter in a way so that if Aether had the time available to visit, they could perhaps enjoy some time together and play a game of chess. She had yet to truly challenge him to a game. However, deep down in her chest, she fully knew that time would not be a problem for him. Over the past year, the two had become quite close with one another and spent a great deal of time together. This served as a groundbreaking positive for her along with the rumors being spread about her and the Traveler having such a relationship.

Granted, she didn't pay the rumors much mind. Alas, every time she managed to hear something thanks to her little helpers who kept her up to date with everything transpiring in the harbor, the white-haired woman couldn't help but be blissfully content in intrigue.

However, before she could wonder about whether or not the Traveler would respond to her letter.

*knock* *knock* *knock*

"Mind if I come in?" a male's voice called out to the Tianquan.

Ningguang couldn't help the bright smile that appeared on her lips.

"Not at all. You're here earlier than I expected."

Coming around the corner and into her area where her desk and paperwork were mostly contained, a certain blonde-haired boy appeared holding what appeared to be a wrapped golden box with a bow on top. The design could be accumulated to be something neatly wrapped while conveying a sense of work put into it. Taking that into account, Ningguang could feel her heart beating faster now.

"Have to keep the unexpected – expected when it comes to you haha. Happy Birthday, Ning!"

"Aether... you didn't have to-"

"But I wanted to" he countered with great emotion in his voice.

Glancing down at the present sitting comfortably in his hands, Ningguang also began to look around the boy and see his usual partner with him. However, she was nowhere to be seen at all.

"Hm? Where's Paimon? I'm surprised that she's not here now" she stated.

Setting the gift in one hand, Aether raised his other hand to scratch the back of his head while letting out a content sigh.

"She's getting your present ready now. There were some... complications she had with her gift that she had to get fixed before she gave it to you. We managed to run into Ganyu on our way here and she happily agreed to help Paimon with her problem" Aether replied while also not bringing up the factor that his floating companion knew the blonde-haired boy had a crush on the Tianquan and figured she could play the wingman role today. That and she really did have a problem with her present.

Hearing this, the white-haired girl couldn't help but let out a sweet and soothing humming noise from her mouth as she was now ever curious about what the young girl could gift her for a present. The build up was evident in how Ningguang's eyes seemed to brighten and have a kind of flair to them. Moreover, her body language and posture were all focused on Aether and her eyes looked right into his with a warm sense of feeling. Such a little detail could tell so much about a person.

With the chess set already prepared and the one person she wanted to see on her birthday, Ningguang couldn't ask for anything else.

Well… at least for now. Were the opportunity to present itself… Ningguang would desire for something else. Something more on the side of… everlasting and fruitful. The Traveler did manage to do one other thing unexpectedly at the time of their first real meeting where they respectfully got to truly learn about one another. Something that no one else would ever be able to manage or achieve...

"Well then, would it be accurate to say that you received my letter?" she asked the Traveler while carefully watching his reaction.

"Of course. Read it first thing this morning. And yeah, I'd be down for a game. Though, don't go easy on me. I've actually been preparing to leave you speechless haha!" Aether happily replied while giving her all his attention.

"I can't wait to see..."

He had managed to capture her heart.

Therefore, she would be sure to let him know that through her own means. Perhaps a game of chess would do the trick of conveying such realizations. Besides, she once heard that expressing one's feelings about something that they love was one way of confessing what their heart was yearning for.

And the Traveler…. Was who her heart desired most of all.