Chapter Text
“Every Journey has its final day. Don’t rush.”
His people know everyone has an end. But it doesn’t stop them from grieving.
Their beloved king, Rex Lapis. A man who took control of their falling kingdom and turned it into a bustling successful nation. They did not want him to die and want him to continue his reign over them. They consider him the foundation of their nation and think that Liyue will be shaken upon his death.
But, time waits for no man.
Their King, Rex Lapis, is on death’s door.
--
Zhongli has his eyes closed when he feels the hand of death creeping towards him.
He can hear the cries of the people surrounding his chamber. Their anguish hurts his heart but he knows that his death is inevitable.
He was a young man when he took the crown. He just turned sixteen when he was suddenly rushed to be the King of Liyue. His father, a man he doesn’t remember, died in battle leaving him to be the King of the nation.
On his shoulders lies upon the fate of his nation and people. It was heavy. But he knows what he has to do to ensure the survival of him and his people.
He decided to mature fast and face the burden.
Day by day, he worked hard. Filled paperwork, met with diplomats, strategized movements, and went to wars. He fought and fought. It was an endless cycle of hard work and he knows that once he stops, a weakness will be uncovered and his nation will be doomed.
So he continued.
He gained companions along the way but their lives were taken one by one.
He persevered knowing that his companions will want Liyue to prosper.
And finally, the war ended. Liyue survived and became the nation of commerce.
Zhongli is happy.
Now, he lies on his bed. Reminiscing.
He had regrets in his life but he will always remember them as a means of self-atonement.
Now he takes his final breath and welcomes the arms of death.
Rex Lapis died.
--
When he opened his eyes, it was the sight of a familiar canopy. Silken curtains hung on top of the decorative latticework- which caused a blast of nostalgia for him.
My room? He wondered. He sat up and pushed the silken curtains aside.
It was not the room where he rested as the king or the room where he left Liyue to the hands of his trusted subordinates, it was a room from his much younger days.
It was his room when he was still the crown prince of Liyue.
He sat and blankly stared out. The last time he has his eyes closed, he was on the death’s door.
So, this was not what he had been expecting. For him to be alive.
At first, he thought that his subordinates must have used medicine to prolong his life. But his body feels lighter and his mind clearer.
Contemplating his situation, he stood up and removed the silken blankets covering him. He walked towards a mirror and assessed himself.
“I became young,” he said as he watched his childish reflection repeat his words, he frowned.
It seemed that he returned to when he was fifteen, just a year before he became the King of Liyue.
He did not know what could have happened. For him to be returned to the past. Was magic involved?
He did not know what powers had given him another chance. But what he did know was that there will be a war that will make millions suffer.
“Another chance…” Maybe Zhongli can think of a way for the war to stop. A way so he does not need to be worked to the bone. A way where people do not have to die.
He moved towards a table. Books and papers are seen lying on top. He picked up the newspaper and glanced at the headline Snezhnaya: The out-of-control Prince.
Snezhanaya, the nation that launched an all-out war towards the seven-nation. The reason- the death of the Crown Prince, Tartaglia.
“For me to have a leisure life, I’ll need him to be alive.” He muttered. He picked up another paper, and read the contents.
At this time, Snehnaya gave multiple invitations to the princes of different countries to be included in a study group. But the news of the Snezhnaya prince turning crazy after his reappearance made multiple kingdoms deny the request.
Zhongli can use this opportunity. The study group lasted for a year. Although he is older by two years than the prince, he can apply to be a tutor instead.
He sat down and got a blank piece of paper. He picked up a quill, dipped it into an opened ink, and wrote about his request.
Putting his plan into motion, Zhongli smiled.