Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

After the group finished their tour of the Golden Forest's throne hall, Dan Heng approached Nahida, his expression neutral but his thoughts clearly preoccupied.

Although Nahida's youthful appearance seemed to make her less of a concern compared to Stelle, Dan Heng couldn't shake the feeling that the real danger lay in what seemed harmless. After all, a hunter sometimes takes the guise of its prey.

As a member of the Astral Express, it felt like his responsibility to intervene—especially with Mr. Yang and Himeko absent. If something were to go awry, they couldn't risk returning to Jarilo-VI with the entire group and risk upsetting people like Bronya or Seele.

Dan Heng glanced at Nahida, deciding it was best to clear up any ambiguities. Though she seemed reliable now, her free-spirited nature and tendency to act on whims meant she could easily find herself in a questionable situation.

Maintaining his composed demeanor, he broached the topic casually.

"I heard… you want to sleep with Stelle?"

"?"

Nahida blinked her flower-like eyes in confusion, pouting slightly.

"Hey, just because I look young doesn't mean you should treat me like a kid. If I'm tired, I'll take care of myself and rest—"

"No, that's not what I meant." Dan Heng coughed, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his otherwise calm face. "I meant… is it true you asked Stelle to sleep with you?"

"Oh, that?" Nahida tilted her head innocently. "Did Stelle tell you that? Honestly, I thought it was going to stay a little secret between us."

Her nonchalant admission made Dan Heng falter for a moment, his face stiffening.

"Wait… do you mean you're okay with this?"

"Why not?" Nahida asked, a mischievous smile creeping onto her face. "What's the big deal? Or… are you worried about something?"

Dan Heng hesitated before responding, trying to tread lightly. "I just… think it might be inappropriate, ethically or morally."

"Ethically? Morally? You're making it sound so serious." Nahida giggled. "You're overthinking it. I've done the same with March 7 before."

"...What?"

Dan Heng froze, his expression as rigid as a statue.

"You heard me. March and I shared a dream once, back when she went on a rescue mission," Nahida explained, puffing out her chest with pride. "I even used this form when I met her. You should've seen her—she cried her heart out and told me all kinds of things about you and the rest of the group."

"That's—!"

An unexpected surge of anger bubbled up within Dan Heng.

Despite Nahida's angelic appearance, her words were shockingly audacious. To manipulate a vulnerable teammate during a moment of emotional weakness and then act so casual about it…

"Now you understand," Nahida teased, her tone playful as her sly smile widened. "You're free to admire me—I've done so much good work behind the scenes."

Her smug attitude, coupled with the mischievous glint in her eyes, made her look like a troublemaker reveling in her antics.

Dan Heng's carefully maintained composure was slipping. He couldn't believe that the Nahida he thought he could trust had been capable of such deceitful behavior.

But before he could confront her, Nahida leaned closer, lightly nudging his side with her elbow. "What's wrong? Are you curious? Want to try it yourself?"

"...What are you talking about?"

"No need to be shy!" Nahida grinned. "I can tell you've got plenty of secrets bottled up. If you ever need someone to confide in—painful past, unresolved problems, anything—I'm here for you."

In any other context, her offer would've been deeply moving. But now, with her tone dripping with mischief, it sounded like a ploy to tempt him into her schemes.

Dan Heng's resolve hardened. I need to contact Mr. Yang and Himeko as soon as possible. This is beyond my ability to handle.

As Dan Heng struggled with his mounting frustration, Nahida clasped her hands together, forming a playful "X" in front of her face.

"Relax," she said, her tone teasing. "I only said what I did to encourage Stelle. Don't take it the wrong way, okay? It's not like I have a thing for guys. You should be grateful for that."

"...I have no idea what you're even talking about anymore."

"It's about sharing a bed, obviously," she said, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Dan Heng felt his temper rise again. What kind of casual attitude is this?!

Wait… could it be that she really means it literally?

His expression shifted multiple times as he struggled to comprehend her meaning. Maintaining his steady voice, he asked cautiously, "When you say 'sharing a bed,' you do mean actual sleeping… right?"

"Of course. Don't all living beings need to sleep? Or does the Xianzhou call it something else?"

Nahida's innocent yet slightly sarcastic tone made Dan Heng feel like his ears were burning.

In the end, it had been his misunderstanding. Nahida had meant nothing more than normal, innocent sleep—something akin to an older sibling watching over a younger one.

However, one question lingered in his mind: If that was all it was, then why had she said she wanted to "teach Stelle to be an adult"?

Could it mean…?

Realizing the misunderstanding, Nahida's face flushed as a faint red hue appeared on her cheeks. She stumbled back a step, a mix of shock and exasperation in her voice.

"Unbelievable! Dan Heng, I thought you were a proper and serious person. Turns out you're the kind of creep who talks about adult topics with little girls?!"

"Wait, that's not what I meant!"

His protest came too late; the misunderstanding had already spiraled.

It was as if he'd been wearing tinted glasses, seeing everything through a biased lens, only to be blindsided when others interpreted his actions differently. And now that Nahida, with her occasionally mischievous streak, had caught on…

"Ah, but I understand! I totally get it now!" Nahida said, her voice tinged with feigned empathy. "Sure, Stelle and March 7 might not always seem like typical girls, but when they're quiet, they're both gorgeous in their own way. Of course, it'd make your heart flutter, and you'd want to come to me to talk about it!"

Before Dan Heng could form a response, Nahida's vivid imagination had already conjured her own version of events. She pouted, her crystalline lips pressed together, while her eyes sparkled with a teasing glint.

"But still, this isn't something you should discuss in public, especially while I'm in this form. What, Dan Heng, were you hoping to—"

"Ahem! I wasn't feeling great after the teleportation earlier. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave and rest now."

Without waiting for her reply, Dan Heng turned on his heel and strode away quickly, his composure barely intact.

Dan Heng's pace quickened as he put as much distance as possible between himself and Nahida's teasing. He couldn't shake the fear that a passing forestfolk might overhear and spread an outrageous rumor.

The idea of becoming infamous on this planet for something so absurd was unbearable. With the forestfolk's long lifespans, even centuries from now, they'd recount his supposed "indiscretions" as though they happened yesterday.

Worse, if March 7 caught wind of this, she'd bring it up relentlessly. His reputation on the Astral Express—and beyond—would be tarnished forever.

I came here with good intentions, and this is the result?! Dan Heng thought grimly. I should've known better than to involve myself in something like this.

In his haste to escape, Dan Heng's frustration almost tempted him to draw on the power of his Vidyadhara form, just to vanish from sight.

Meanwhile, Nahida watched his retreating figure, struggling to contain her laughter.

Her antics might have been a bit unkind, but after being suspected of such absurd behavior, she felt justified in having some fun at his expense.

Left to herself, Nahida mulled over the situation. The conversation with Stelle had, in fact, been entirely philosophical. She had only wanted to discuss growth—mental, emotional, and spiritual.

After all, the journey's purpose was to help Stelle catch the attention of the Aeons or gain some form of personal growth to prepare for the challenges ahead. Nahida hadn't anticipated how easily her words would be misinterpreted.

Do I really come across as someone who'd be so fickle or impulsive about feelings? Nahida frowned slightly at the thought.

Resolving to dismiss the matter, she hummed a light tune and wandered away, her playful energy restored.

Behind her, Mimiya peeked out from a corner, her mischievous gaze following Nahida. Like a curious shadow, she began to tail her.

"Where's she going now?" Mimiya whispered, trying not to lose sight of Nahida.

However, before she could follow for long, a familiar voice interrupted her.

"Ah-ha! Found you again! You just can't sit still, can you?"

Mimiya froze as her older sister, the scribe, appeared from around the corner, adjusting her round wooden-framed glasses.

"Why are you always sneaking off? This is the palace, you know!"

"Why are you always the one finding me?!" Mimiya retorted, only to yelp as her sister yanked her ear.

"It's the wind, dear sister. Pay attention to the air currents, and you're easy to track," the scribe teased. "But that's beside the point. You're coming with me to reflect on your behavior."

"Wait, wait! I'm the princess's friend and her guard. You can't just—ahhh!"

"Guard or not, I'm still your sister. Now, behave yourself!"

Dragged off by her sister, Mimiya could only hope that Nahida wouldn't forget about her and might come to "rescue" her later.

---

As the day wound down, Mimiya found herself muttering in a secluded corner of the palace.

"Why hasn't Nahida come to find me yet? Did she forget about me?"

"Show some respect!" her sister scolded, flicking her forehead. "That's our future queen you're talking about."

Rubbing her head, Mimiya groaned in frustration. "But yesterday, the commotion at the throne hall was huge! Do you think she received the World Tree's blessing?"

Her sister adjusted her glasses, her tone contemplative. "Most likely. Such an extraordinary phenomenon—it was visible to anyone who looked up."

For some reason, Mimiya began to giggle.

"What are you laughing about?" her sister asked, eyeing her with suspicion.

"Oh, nothing. Just thought of something funny."

The scribe gave her a look of patient exasperation, as though indulging a particularly foolish sibling. "Are you finally embracing your inner fool?"

"That's so mean! I'll tell big sis on you!"

"Go ahead," the scribe replied with a wry smile. "She'll probably agree with me."

Their conversation was interrupted by a wave of cheers echoing from outside.

"Is the ceremony starting already?" the scribe mused, immediately rushing off with her record book in hand.

"Wait for me!" Mimiya called after her, scrambling to keep up.

"Keep up!" her sister's voice rang back, quickly fading as the distance grew.

As Mimiya chased after her sister, she couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of the Golden Forest. Compared to her unremarkable talents, the elites who served here—like Cernia, the guard captain—seemed impossibly skilled and graceful.

When Mimiya finally caught up, she saw Nahida seated on an elaborate flower carriage, the centerpiece of the grand ceremony.

Petals rained from above as children trailed after the carriage, gathering blossoms and laughing merrily.

The procession stopped in a circular garden, where the townsfolk linked hands and danced around the carriage, celebrating their princess's rebirth.

---

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