#milkawrites

With your remaining strength, you desperately reached out your bloodied hand towards the man before you.

His gaze was lacking of warmth, his face displaying an unyielding expression as he held your fading body.

The icy pierce in his eyes is enough to shatter your heart into countless fragments.

Zhongli, the man you had loved with all your heart, had made the unimaginable choice. He had chosen his nation over you, over your love.

With each labored breath, he managed to whisper, "My nation is very dear to me." His grip on you tightened.

Your voice laced with regret as you replied, "Dearer than I?"

The pain in his eyes matched the ache in your voice as he mustered the strength to reply, "I'm afraid dearer than you."

Tears cascaded down your cheeks, mixing with the blood that stained your trembling hands.

"I love you," you choked out, the words weighted with both heartbreak and understanding. "But I cannot bear witness to this. To the sacrifice you're willing to make."

Zhongli's grip loosened slightly, his face etched with a mixture of anguish. "Please understand, my love," he pleaded. "The burden I bear is not one I choose, but one that destiny has placed upon me."

Knowing that his duty demanded a sacrifice shattered the illusion of a future you had once envisioned together. In that moment, love and sorrow fought a battle within you, tearing at the fabric of your soul.

With the last of your strength fading away, you reached up to gently cup Zhongli's face, tracing the lines etched by the weight of his responsibility.

"I understand" you whispered, your voice barely audible.

Zhongli's eyes, filled with anguish, locked with yours. "I never wanted to hurt you," he murmured, his voice heavy with regret.

"I know," you replied, your voice filled with a mix of sadness and acceptance. "But you have made your choice, Zhongli. And I have made mine."

With your final breath, you whispered words you hoped would find solace in his wounded heart. "May your sacrifices bring prosperity and peace to Liyue. Farewell, my love."

As your life slipped away, the weight of your sacrifice settled heavily upon Zhongli's chest. He cradled your lifeless body in his arms, the weight of his decision consuming him. The cold winds that swept through the landscape echoed the void left by your absence, leaving behind a somber reminder of the price paid for the sake of a nation.

. . .

Votes and feedback are welcome!

Till next time! ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

It was a party that brought you and Scaramouche together.

The night was filled with laughter, flirting, and champagne, blurring the lines between what was real and not.

Amidst the chaos of the ballroom, you found yourself in bed with a man you just met. Leaving you feeling intoxicated with desire and burdened with regret.

Terrified of facing rejection, you decided to keep the pregnancy hidden, not wanting to burden Scaramouche with a responsibility he never asked for.

Weeks passed, and the consequences of that fateful night became clear. You discovered you were pregnant with his child.

It was just a one night stand, no strings attached.

You sought comfort in your own world, preparing for the baby's arrival while keeping the truth concealed from everyone, including Scaramouche.

As the months went by, the weight of the secret became almost unbearable for you to carry.

You yearned for Scaramouche's love, but deep down, you knew it was an impossible wish.

You had willingly fallen for a man who thrived in shadows, a man who never had any intention of staying.

The baby finally arrived, a beautiful and innocent reminder of that night of passion.

Your heart swelled with love for the tiny life you held in your arms, but it also ached with the knowledge that the baby's father would never be a part of your lives.

One day, fate played its cruel hand, bringing Scaramouche back into your life unexpectedly.

He had come to the same city on a mission, and by sheer chance, he crossed paths with you. You couldn't hide the truth any longer, not when the evidence was right in front of him.

Scaramouche's eyes widened as he looked at the baby in your arms, connecting the dots in his mind.

He felt a mix of shock and confusion, realizing the gravity of the situation he had unknowingly become a part of. But Scaramouche was not the type to be tied down by responsibilities or emotions.

"I can't be a father," Scaramouche said coldly, avoiding your pleading gaze. "I never signed up for this. It was a one-night stand, nothing more."

Your heart shattered into a million pieces, your worst fears confirmed. The man you had fallen for was not the knight in shining armor you had envisioned, but a callous figure who only cared for his own desires.

"I never asked you to be," You replied, your voice breaking. "But this baby deserves to know their father."

Scaramouche shook his head dismissively. "My life is not meant for family and commitment. I live a dangerous life, and I won't let a child be a burden to it."

With that, Scaramouche turned and walked away, leaving you standing there, holding your child, feeling utterly abandoned and heartbroken.

. . .

Votes and feedback are welcome!

At the break of dawn, you were awoken and the maids immediately came to prepare you for an important journey to the royal palace. She explained that you were to be married to Alhaitham, the sole heir to the throne.

The reason behind this arranged marriage was that the present king insisted Alhaitham could only ascend to the throne after getting married.

Although he had two more years before taking on the responsibilities of rulership, the king struck a deal with your parents.

Due to your family's unwavering loyalty to the royal family for generations and their status as the strongest noble family in the kingdom, they readily agreed to this arrangement without hesitation.

This decision was made even though your parents had little regard for you, their youngest daughter, as you didn't possess the same talents as your older sister.

Despite that, you were sent off to the palace with no possessions, expected to bring nothing but yourself for this union.

Upon meeting Alhaitham, it became evident that he embodied qualities of duty, honor, and responsibility. He had earned high praise for his leading skills, making him the ideal candidate to ascend to the throne.

Due to the demands of his royal responsibilities, Alhaitham often had to leave you behind in your luxurious yet isolated residence, leaving you little time to truly get to know each other.

From the very day of their wedding, Alhaitham showed no regard for you. Viewing your marriage as a mere political alliance, he paid you little attention, if any at all.

Understanding the situation, you yourself recognized that your marriage was a legal union rather than one rooted in love. You knew better not to expect anything more from him.

After all, you were nothing but the despised daughter of your family, sent away to wed the heir without your will.

. . .

But despite's Alhaitham's cold and harsh demeanor, you refused to give up on your marriage. You spent your days learning about your husband's interests, hoping to find some common ground that would connect you. You tried to be the perfect wife, preparing his favorite meals, and making sure the palace was a welcoming place for him to return to.

Yet, every time Alhaitham returned from his official duties, he would greet you with a cold nod, barely acknowledging your efforts. It was clear that his heart was elsewhere.

Alhaitham's friend, Kaveh, who was also his trusted advisor, noticed the growing rift between the couple.

He could see the pain in your eyes, hidden behind a forced smile, and the emotional detachment in Alhaitham's actions.

Kaveh confronted Alhaitham, urging him to give their marriage a chance, reminding him that you were a worthy partner who deserved love and respect.

However, Alhaitham remained unwavered, shutting himself off from his emotions. He could not bring himself to love you, and he didn't wish to deceive you with false affection.

He believed that fulfilling his duty as future king was enough, even if it meant living a marriage devoid of love.

He told himself that he must get divorced once he settles down on the throne. But for the meantime, he'll have to hold on for the remaining 2 years.

As the months turned into years, your spirit slowly faded. You continued to put on a facade of happiness for the sake of the kingdom and Alhaitham's reputation, but inside, your heart was breaking.

The once lively and spirited woman was now a shadow of her former self, worn down by the unrequited love and loneliness.

One fateful evening, Alhaitham returned home with a heavy heart. Kaveh had advised him to reconsider his stance, but Alhaitham remained firm.

As he stepped into the palace, he noticed you sitting by the window, tears streaming down your cheeks. The sight pierced his heart, but he couldn't bring himself to console you.

"I'm sorry." Alhaitham whispered as he walked past you without a word, retreating to his study.

You knew that nothing would change; your hopes of gaining his favor and trust were shattered.

---

You glanced nervously at your watch, your fingers trembling slightly as you stood in the dim alleyway, hidden beneath the shadows of a sleeping city. The silence stretched on, broken only by the distant hum of lanterns and the slow, deliberate rhythm of your heartbeat.

You were waiting—again—for him.

For Ayato.

For the man who shouldn't love you, but did. The man who had carved a place for you in a world that had no space for your kind.

For months now, you had been living on borrowed time—sneaking around, stealing fragmented moments stitched together by desperation and desire. Your love had bloomed in the shadows, fragile and forbidden, a flame caught between two opposing winds.

He was Kamisato Ayato—the heir to a powerful political dynasty. You? Just a name without weight. An ordinary civilian with no titles, no legacy. No place beside someone like him.

But none of it mattered when you were with him. In those secret hours between dusk and dawn, he wasn't the face of power or prestige—he was yours. All yours. You had lived for those stolen glances, those whispered promises laced with trembling hope. Every secret meeting brought you closer… and yet, the danger never left. It grew, heavy like a storm cloud, waiting to break.

And tonight, it did.

From the corner of your eye, you saw movement. Ayato emerged from the shadows, his usual poised demeanor replaced by something unfamiliar—something that made your heart stumble in your chest. He looked tired. Haunted.

He approached with hesitant steps, his eyes unreadable, and for the first time in a long time… he didn’t smile.

"Y/N," he said softly, your name on his lips like a prayer and a farewell all at once. His voice cracked slightly, betraying the war waging within him. "We need to talk."

Your breath hitched. You didn’t need to hear the rest—you already knew. But you nodded, blinking rapidly, trying to stop the tears from coming too soon.

You moved to a secluded spot, where only the moon bore witness. The city's noise faded, replaced by a suffocating silence. Every heartbeat between you echoed like a drumbeat of something ending.

"I can't do this anymore," Ayato whispered, his voice trembling beneath the weight of regret. "I've made the decision."

Your lips parted, your voice barely audible. "What… decision?"

He looked away, unable to meet your gaze. He inhaled shakily. "I'm going to marry someone else."

The words struck you like a physical blow. You felt your knees weaken, your breath stolen from your lungs.

"For the sake of my clan, for the greater good, I have to let you go."

You stared at him, disbelief rippling through every fiber of your being. The words echoed, over and over, until they were carved into your bones.

"No," you whispered, shaking your head. "No… Ayato, we love each other." Your voice cracked, and the tears finally broke free. "Can’t we fight for this? Can't we find a way—"

"Y/N." His voice faltered, his jaw tight. He finally looked at you, and it almost hurt more than the words. Because he meant it. Because he hated himself for it. "You don’t understand. This isn’t just about us. The expectations… the duty I was born into—it’s not something I can run from. Marrying her means alliances, peace, stability for the clan. It’s not just love I’m giving up… it’s you. And I hate that I have to choose."

You were crying now—quiet, broken sobs you couldn’t hold back. You had always known this love came with risk, but this? This was ruin.

"But we were real," you whispered. "Weren’t we?"

Ayato’s eyes glistened. "You were the most real thing in my life."

And with that, he turned.

No final kiss. No last touch.

Just the sound of his footsteps retreating into the night, each one dragging a piece of your heart with him.

You stood there long after he disappeared, cold and hollow. The world didn’t pause for your heartbreak. It never did.

Your love—bright and reckless—had been swallowed by duty.

And you… you were left to mourn a future that would never be.

---

You and Kazuha had been inseparable for as long as you could remember. From toddling around in diapers to sneaking out for late-night walks, he had always been the one constant in your life. The world shifted, people came and went, but Kazuha? He stayed.

He was the only one who had ever seen the real you—the parts you kept hidden from everyone else. The dark, twisted corners of your heart, the ugly sobs you let out when things fell apart. And he never flinched. He never judged.

Your parents adored him. Trusted him more than anyone else in your life.

Going out? Only if Kazuha's with you.

Sleepovers? As long as it's at our place.

Swimming? Sure. But be safe. Kazuha, take care of her.

Even parties. Your parents’ only condition had always been his name.

But somewhere along the way—between shared laughs and secret glances—you fell in love with him.

You didn’t realize it until middle school. You were crying in the locker room after being bullied for something stupid—your hair, your voice, your silence, whatever it was that day. And there he was. Kneeling beside you, wiping your tears away with the sleeve of his jacket, holding you like his arms were the safest place on Earth.

That was the moment.

The moment your heart betrayed you.

He was always there for you.

When you couldn’t breathe from crying—he’d make you laugh until your stomach hurt.

When the world felt like it was caving in—he reminded you that you were still standing.

He always made it better.

And you always thought your love would remain a secret. Harmless.

Until she showed up.

The new girl. Pretty, confident, and full of light.

You saw it in his eyes the moment he looked at her—

That look he never gave you.

"What’s with that face, Zuha?" you asked, trying to sound playful.

"Oh, it’s nothing... There’s just this one girl I’ve been thinking about lately," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

His eyes softened. Lit up.

You smiled, but your chest ached.

"Hmm, let me guess. The new girl? I forgot her name..."

His face flushed red. He didn’t even deny it.

"I—Ugh, fine! Yes, it’s her. Just... don’t tell anyone, okay?!"

You winked and forced a chuckle.

"Your secret's safe with me."

"Thanks, Y/N. You’re the best friend ever."

Right.

Just a friend.

Days turned into weeks. Weeks into months.

And you watched—helpless—as he chased after her.

He started sitting beside her at lunch. You were left alone, picking at your food in silence.

During class, his attention never once flickered in your direction.

The jokes, the inside references, the whispered conversations—you missed them all.

You told yourself you were being ridiculous.

But you couldn’t stop the ache in your chest.

You couldn’t ignore the fact that every time you laughed now, it felt empty.

And then... the petals came.

At first, it was just a strange cough.

Then came the stomach aches. The dizziness.

And then one morning, you woke up, ran to the bathroom, and vomited blood. And petals.

You stared at them, horrified.

You knew what this was.

Hanahaki Disease.

You were in love—with someone who didn’t love you back.

And now your own body was trying to destroy itself.

You began avoiding Kazuha.

At school, you walked the other way when you saw him.

You pretended to be asleep when he called late at night.

You even skipped dinner when his family visited—too afraid he’d see the paleness in your cheeks, the fatigue in your eyes, the petals hidden in your pocket.

You thought you could outrun it.

But one day, he cornered you in the classroom.

And there was no escape.

"Y/N. We need to talk."

You clutched your bag, stepping back.

"I’m sorry, Kazuha. I really need to go—"

"Enough with the excuses." His voice cracked.

"Why are you avoiding me? What happened to us?"

You froze.

He noticed.

The coughs. The dark circles. The weight you’d lost.

He saw it all.

"Y/N... please, talk to me. I’m worried about you."

The silence was suffocating.

Heavy. Cold.

Finally, you spoke.

Your voice was quiet, trembling, but sharp.

"There’s nothing to talk about, Kazuha."

"Don't lie to me." He stepped closer.

"I’ve always been there for you, haven’t I? Please—don’t shut me out like this."

And that broke you.

Tears flooded your eyes. You couldn’t hold them back anymore.

"I’m in love with you, okay?!"

His eyes widened in disbelief.

"And I know I’m just a friend to you. I know you love her. So it doesn’t matter anymore—"

But your knees buckled before you could finish.

Your body collapsed to the floor.

Your chest burned.

You couldn’t breathe.

You coughed—and petals mixed with blood spilled from your mouth, staining the classroom tiles.

"Y/N!"

He dropped to the ground, catching you in his arms.

His voice trembled as he looked down at you.

His fingers gripped your shoulders like he was afraid you'd disappear.

"No. No, no, no—Y/N, please. Please stay with me."

His tears fell freely now.

You blinked, your vision blurring.

All you could hear was his voice—breaking, begging.

"I didn’t know... I didn’t know..."

The last thing you felt was his embrace—warm, desperate, and full of pain.

The last thing you heard was his voice, whispering your name like a prayer he was too late to say.

And then—

Everything went still.

---

@wondermilka2025

You and Kaeya had always been that couple—the kind people admired from afar. Effortlessly in sync, always laughing, always so deeply in love. His charm was magnetic, his smile disarming, and his heart, you believed, belonged to you entirely.

Kaeya was your light, your lover, your home.

You had grown used to his nights at the tavern. It was part of who he was. After long days of work, he'd loosen his tie, step into Angel’s Share, and drink away the stress. You trusted him—completely. He had always come back to you. Sometimes drunk, sometimes late, but always yours.

Until one night, he came home later than usual.

His boots clumsily hit the floorboards, keys dropping with a loud clang. You rushed to him like always, catching his weight as he stumbled forward, eyes glazed, breath laced with alcohol and something you couldn’t name.

You helped him into bed, brushing the hair from his face.

But something caught your eye.

There—on the collar of his shirt. A faint smear of lipstick. Red. You don't wear red lipstick.

You hesitated.

For a moment, your heart paused. But then you pushed the thought away. No. You told yourself. It means nothing. You trust him. He would never—

Would he?

You decided not to ask. You let it go.

Until the next morning.

You were out running errands when you crossed paths with Diluc outside the tavern. His face, as always, was unreadable, but there was something in the way he looked at you that made your stomach twist.

“Has Kaeya told you about the girl?” he asked suddenly, voice low.

You blinked. “What girl?”

He was silent for a moment, as if weighing whether to speak.

“I didn’t want to be the one to say it. But they’ve been seeing a lot of each other at the tavern. Talking, laughing. It’s… obvious.” His tone was firm. Not cruel, just honest. “He told me it was nothing at first. But it never looked that way.”

You felt the air leave your lungs. The world tilted.

Diluc continued, “You didn’t hear it from me.”

But you already had.

You walked home with trembling hands and a heavy heart. The image of the lipstick on his collar returned, now etched into your memory like a scar. You wanted to scream. To cry. To beg for it to be a lie.

But your heart already knew the truth.

That night, when Kaeya returned home, you were waiting.

He walked in like nothing had changed. Like the world wasn’t shattering around you.

You stood up slowly. Your voice was quiet, shaking. “Do you love her?”

Kaeya froze.

“What?” he asked, his voice low, guarded.

“The girl at the tavern,” you said, tears welling up in your eyes. “Do you love her?”

He didn’t answer.

And silence, you realized, could be more devastating than words.

“I trusted you,” you whispered, voice cracking. “You were all I had.”

Kaeya swallowed hard. He couldn’t meet your eyes. “I didn’t mean for it to happen,” he admitted, and it was then you saw it—the guilt. The pain. But not regret strong enough to make him stop before it was too late. “It wasn’t supposed to mean anything. I got caught up… the drinks, the talking. She was—comfort. A distraction.”

A distraction from what? Me?

Tears streamed down your cheeks.

“Do you even understand what you’ve done?” you sobbed, voice shaking with pain and rage. “You’ve ruined everything. I gave you everything.”

Kaeya stepped forward, reaching for you, but you stepped back like his touch would burn you.

“I never stopped loving you,” he whispered, more broken than you’d ever seen him.

“But you stopped choosing me,” you said. “And that’s what matters.”

There was nothing left to say.

No apology could mend what had shattered between you. No explanation could rewind time and erase what he had done.

Kaeya looked like a man unraveling, like he was trying to memorize you one last time.

“I’m sorry,” he said, barely audible.

“I know,” you replied, turning away. “But sorry doesn’t fix anything.”

You packed your things that night. Quietly. Without ceremony. There was no yelling. No begging. Just the sound of broken hearts trying not to collapse under the weight of goodbye.

And when you left, you didn’t look back.

---

You knew better that dating General Mahamatra came with its dangers and risks.

However, you still chose to continue dating him, even though you were well aware of how dangerous his job can be.

For instance, if his enemies were to find out about you, they might be bold enough to break into your house at night, especially knowing that Cyno is busy and won't be there to protect you.

Yet, you loved Cyno and were willing to endure all the dangers just to continue loving him.

He was a man worth loving, even if he was initially reserved. All it required was patience, and he would eventually warm up to you.

However, you couldn't deny how much you hated his job. It took away all the time you could spend with him.

When was the last time he came home to check up on you, saying he missed you? It felt like months had passed, and you missed his warmth.

You also stopped receiving letters from him, with the last one arriving three months ago. It felt like an eternity since then.

You heard that a friend of his, Tighnari, had been receiving letters from him, but when you visited Tighnari and asked about them, he refused to disclose any information.

This made you feel restless and worried.

"When is he coming back?" you questioned the fennec fox, whose long ears perked up upon hearing your question.

"Time will tell," he bluntly replied.

You sighed. "What about that letter he..."

"[Name], we've had this conversation several times, and as I've already told you, I cannot disclose any information."

"But why not? He's my lover, isn't he?" you said, feeling annoyed and anxious at the same time.

He was about to say something, but when he looked up to address you, you had already left.

That night, you cried yourself to sleep. Was he cheating? You didn't want to believe it, but it might be true.

Especially since he chose to send letters to Tighnari instead of you, his lover.

You had been waiting for months, your patience firm until now. You grew tired of waiting for him, feeling completely exhausted.

As far as you knew, all you could do was hope that he was happy, even if it meant you weren't by his side.