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The cecilias are in full bloom along with the dandelions that his twin loved. He sighed as he remembered the tear-stricken face of Lumine. He was in the garden to relax and to give his sister some space to cool her head. It was the very first big fight they had.
The cause? He kept a secret from her, he will be marrying the Prince of Liyue. Her anger was understandable, if he will marry the prince then he will leave their kingdom. And for that, he will be separated from her.
The royal twins of Mondstadt have been inseparable since birth. Every citizen and the neighboring kingdoms knew this. Wherever Lumine is then he will be there. Even their swordsmanship compliments each other.
Lumine was the bright sun that guided and protects Monstadt while Aether was the gentle sky that comforts its people whilst representing freedom.
They both knew that they would be apart sooner or later, of course, like their parents have taught them, things change with time. But for Lumine, this was sooner than she expected, and the fact that Aether knew this first and never told her until today when the royal family of Liyue arrived, hurts her more than anything.
But that’s not all, Lumine was probably crying because of that reason.
Aether sighed once again, he must apologize tonight. A bouquet of these flowers would not suffice but at least it will ease her mind. He walked aimlessly in the garden until he noticed a person near the bed of flowers he personally tended.
Amber eyes meet his golden pair. They stood right there, unmoving, enthralled by each other’s appearances. It’s been a year since they last met.
Black hair with a teal hue, shining amber eyes, pale skin, tattoos that colored his skin, a familiar outfit, and a noticeable black mark on his wrist. Aether wouldn’t forget his face even if he tried.
“Pardon my behavior, I greet the Sky of Mondstadt.” The boy bowed according to the Kingdom’s culture.
“I greet the Wings of Liyue in return.” Aether bowed in return, “May I ask how the Prince stumbled upon this garden?”
Aether knew the prince of Liyue was not supposed to be in this garden. They arrived hours ago and after a simple greeting left them to rest. The banquet that will be held at dinner just a few hours from now will serve as the formal meeting with them.
“Where are your guards? I know you don’t need one but you are in another country, you should be more careful, Prince Alatus .” The said prince exhaled as if not pleased to hear that name.
“I thought we are already past that point of calling each other by our real names. Prince Sora .”
Aether couldn’t help but smile but hid it right away. He was the same as ever, that snobby attitude won’t go away huh.
“You know you’re not supposed to be here.” He walked a little closer and he caught the scent of the Qingxin flowers that the other was viewing.
“I was checking on them.” He pointed at the white flowers, “I’m a bit surprised they grew in this garden.”
“Who do you think takes care of them?” That made the other smirk at him. “I already said that I will make sure that it will grow healthy here. A prince never goes back to his words.”
There was a moment of silence between. It was almost a year ago when the prince of Liyue gave the seedlings of Qingxin to him. The flowers only grew at the mountain tops with harsh winds, but as gratitude, Aether promised to make it grow in their garden. And so he did.
“Well, can you tell me the truth now, Xiao?” Xiao’s eyes wavered as he brings a hand to the back of his neck.
“I was looking for you.” Aether raises an eyebrow at him, not believing the Prince and he huffed,
“Fine, can’t I just long for my betrothed ?”
The prince of Mondstadt cheeks turned pink but composed himself immediately.
“If you don’t have anything else to say I’m leaving.” He turns to his back ready to leave but not before Xiao muttered something,
“Won’t you regret it? ” Aether stopped at the sound of Xiao’s voice. There was a hint of bitterness and desperation laced in his voice.
“Regret what? Marrying you?” Aether sighed, “I won’t be doing this if I will regret it in the future.”
He did not get any response.
“I won’t be choosing you if didn’t want you, Xiao.”
The two looked at each other, “How about you?”
Aether watched in silence as the other prince hesitated to answer, face showing uncertainty.
“I—”
“Prince Sora! There you are, we have to prepare you for the banquet!” A servant suddenly appeared at the entrance calling for him.
“I’ll be right there.” He looked at his fiance and smiled, “You don’t have to answer that, go back now before the others see you in here and cause a commotion.”
He walked away without waiting for a response, leaving Xiao alone.
~~
“Aether! Please.”
“I’m not having this conversation again Lumine. We can’t back down on this and you know that.” Aether’s voice came as a stern warning to Lumine.
“Prince Alatus is a good man, he won’t hurt your brother Lumine.” The Queen said, “Emperor Zhongli and Empress Guizhong will also take care of him, so you needn’t worry.”
The twins knew Xiao since they were kids. The three were childhood friends, meeting Alatus when they were only 8 years of age. Although Xiao was older, they developed a bond with him and so does the relationship of the two nations. When another country sends a delegation to the other, they would join them just to meet.
And so, when his parents suggested the marriage, Aether agreed without any hesitation.
“I know that! But Aether, if you are only doing this for me then please stop. Not only will you be separated from me but he is not your soulmate! ” Lumine was close to crying, “You were the one who dreamt of marrying your soulmate so why does it have to be like this?”
That's right, soulmate. Your fated one, and the person you'll fall in love with. It was common hundreds of years ago to find one's soulmate before the age of 18. However, something changed 500 years ago that cause difficulty for people to find their fated one.
Most of the people of this time do not know nor meet their soulmates. It was rare that in the history of Mond, those who have met their fated ones are the royals or those who are direct descendants of the natives of the country. Even across Teyvat, meeting a soulmate was close to impossible.
Lumine’s eyes reflect sadness and pity. It was unfair, she already met Dainsleif on their 18th birthday. Why can’t her brother meet his own too?
Aether was the one who was always babbling about finding a soulmate. His destined one. He had wished for it since they were children. He desired a love similar to that of his parents, who were also soulmates. Despite the fact that it is already a rare occurrence these days, he hoped for it.
But, as he grew older, his hopes and dreams faded into a silly childhood fantasy. He faced the reality of not meeting his own, despite the fact that he is a prince, and focused his efforts on assisting Lumine in becoming the next queen.
He’d be lying if he said he was not hurt when Dainsleif showed up with Lumine. Both right wrists glowing with the golden mark, the mark of meeting and finding your soulmate. She was glowing with happiness, and he tried his best not to show his real feelings in front of his twin. He moved on a week after that, reminding himself that the Light of their kingdom’s happiness comes first.
“We’re almost 21 Lumine, I’m past the point of a fated meeting.” He approached his twin, placing his hand on her head. “We already waited enough, Lumine. I already accepted that fact, of not meeting anyone.”
It wasn’t that noticeable but Lumine caught the pained expression of his brother.
“Besides aren’t we a perfect pair already?”
It was true, they are a perfect pair.
With a five-year age gap, Alatus is both mature and responsible. As a warrior and a prince, he led his country and guided Mondstadt through the war, and ended it in favor of his side. Partnered with Aether’s gentleness, scholars have stated that they would rule Liyue with prosperity.
What more is that their marriage will benefit Mondstadt the most. With the conflict between them and Snezhnaya, the country needed the military assistance of Liyue. It will secure Mond’s and Lumine’s future when she sits on the throne.
But those aren't the only reasons why the prince of Mondstadt and Liyue are a perfect match. It was due to the fact that they both don’t have soulmates.
One who did not meet his soulmate and the other who lost his. Almost six years ago at the end of the war with some rebels, the Prince of Liyue lost his soulmate on the battlefield. Xiao’s fated partner died and sacrificed their life to make sure he would survive and be victorious at the very end.
The very mark on Xiao’s wrist is proof of their death. A mark that signifies he lost them. Unlike the golden mark that will appear when finding a soulmate, his was pitch black. And it reminded him, every single day of the lover that he lost.
“I won't have a chance to meet my soulmate now that we're both of marriageable age. I promised you that I would assist you in creating a prosperous future for our kingdom, Lumine. We can do it with Liyue's assistance.” Aether hugged her sobbing twin, in the hope of comforting her.
~~
The Emperor and Empress, as well as the Prince who traveled all the way from Liyue to Mondstadt, were welcomed by the royal family, who then declared the two princes' engagement.
Praises and congratulations poured in at the two princes' table. As usual, it was Aether who greeted them, leaving Xiao to sit and watch his own fiance smile at other nobles. It seems that the blessing they were given is making the Mond prince glow more. Xiao huffs it’s unfair that he’s this pretty.
“Congratulations, Xiao, brother. I wish for your happiness.” Lumine bowed, “May the winds and the mountains, bless you.”
“Thank you, crown princess,” Xiao replied timidly.
Their parents also came to their table, a warm smile and look cast upon them. “Take care of my son, Prince Sora. May the winds and the mountains, bless you.”
Aether gave them a sweet smile, “I will do not worry.”
The banquet ended swiftly after announcing the date of their wedding - 3 days from this day. Xiao took the initiative to ask the prince to walk with him. Fresh air would be nice for both of them. Both not speaking as they walk.
They passed the library, Aether’s favorite place. It was full of wonders and secrets, the Prince won’t notice the time if he’s inside. His favorite spot was one near the window, the garden in the distance was a great view for him. And Xiao gladly accompanies him there whenever he visits Mond. Those peaceful moments inside were the most memorable for him.
Xiao remembers the time he visited the country for the first time in a few years after he lost his lover. He cooped himself inside his room, sometimes not eating. His head was filled with guilt and sorrow. But a day later, the twins barged in. Lumine’s face was painted with sadness while Aether hides behind her.
They dragged him outside, a basket in their hands until they reached the library. They seated him in Aether’s spot, an awkward hug comes next before the two ran away, leaving him. He immediately thought that the two wanted to comfort him, especially with the basket full of Mond delicacies that he enjoyed.
Minutes after Aether came back, unsure and still awkward. His hands hiding something behind him.
“Aether?” He called, his voice was still weak.
“Please don’t lock yourself in your room, it won’t be good for you. Mother said we don’t need to talk if you don’t want to. But Lumine and I will be here with you. ”
The teen came a little closer to him. After a few moments, revealed the flower crown in his hand and placed it on top of Xiao’s head.
“When we were young, you used to comfort us with these. I hope, you’ll feel better soon, Gēgē.” The teen’s voice was filled with sincerity. And for the first time since the war, his heart was filled with warmth once again.
Without another word, Aether sat next to him, picking up a book. They spent the whole day in comfortable silence in that spot. The prince of Mond was smiling as he reads and for the first time in a while, he learned to smile again.
“I will also not regret it.” Aether jumped at Xiao’s firm voice. “ Never .”
“Xiao?” The two stopped as they both faced each other.
“I will marry you because I want to.” Aether didn’t speak as he observed his fiance’s face.
“You don’t need to force yourself.” The prince’s voice has a hint of coldness yet a glaze of being hurt on it and Xiao can only feel a pang of pain in his heart.
For Aether, it is a marriage of convenience, as he does not want to force himself to the prince of Liyue. He already knows that he won’t be loved, especially with his fiance’s experience. A dead soulmate can never be replaced, and Aether won’t be able to fill that gap that they left. So, he steeled himself and did not expect anything but a harmonious companionship.
“I won’t expect anything, and I won’t push myself to you. That’s why you shouldn’t force yourself.”
Once a person lost a soulmate, it is said that they won’t forget him or her. Those who are left will either live alone from that on or will immediately follow their soulmates, claiming that they will never be able to live without them.
Aether knew the pain Xiao went through after that day. And he’s not that shameless to wish for his love. He was about to leave when he heard him sigh.
“I… This may be a political marriage for you but not for me .” The prince of Mond stood there in shock, “I know, you wanted to find your soulmate so I waited, and asked that question before.”
“It’s not—”
“Listen, Aether. I was the one who thought of this marriage. I was the one who asked mine and your parents for this.”
“You did what?”
Even though it’s already night, the moon helped Aether to see his fiance’s blushing yet stern face. And for that, he was confused for the first time in his life.
“I asked the King and Queen for your hand last year. They agreed on the condition that they’ll be the one asking and only before your 21st birthday. We...” He looked away, “I made sure that I’ll never get in your way if you would... really meet your own.”
“Xiao, I don’t need your—”
“It’s not out of pity, Aether!” He huffed, “Can you not understand what am I saying?”
“But your destined partner…” Aether burrowed his brows, “ I won’t be able to, I’m not”
“I know. It was confusing at first, I never understood why and it took me a few years before I accepted it.”
For a few minutes, they stared at each other, until Aether's eyes became teary.
“I’m not saying you have to replace them. You’re you, Aether, and I loved you because of that.” He placed Aether’s hand on his chest.
“You gave me a new sky to fly on. Sora .”
~~~
“With the pledges to the Heavens and your parents as your witnesses. I now pronounce the two princes as the crown princes of Liyue and partners for life! Prince Sora, Prince Alatus, you may seal your promises with a kiss.” The priest smiled,
A nervous Aether fidget at the touch of Xiao which made the latter chuckle. How could he not be? The events from three nights ago are still fresh on the prince of Mond’s mind. And he never would think that this would really happen.
For 3 days he thought that it was all a dream. But day after day before the wedding, Alatus proved that it was true. And the man even told him he does need to reciprocate his feeling right away and take small steps with him.
Aether faced Xiao who was smiling, waiting for him. This man truly loves me. He thought as they hold hands. Slowly, Xiao closed the space between them, and magic happened.
Along with the dandelions falling from the sky, a golden glow shone between them, a mark on their wrists formed.