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Responsibilities are of second nature to a prince of a kingdom. It manifests as simple as learning the etiquette, recognizing and providing the needs of his residents, to as wide-ranged as maintaining the peace among its neighboring nations.
Kaeya woke that morning in his quarters, the curtains swaying forth with the cold breeze, the sun nowhere to be seen. Ashen clouds crowded the sky as if it knows that the day would bring news that wouldn’t amuse him.
When his father had called for his presence, he knew it was time to fulfill his duties.
Kaeya was devoid of emotions as the king announced his future marriage to the heir of Mondstadt. Mostly because he had expected it. Khaenri’ah’s relationship with Mondstadt was like walking on a tightrope for decades. For the past years, negotiations aren’t as successful as they wanted to. If the two nations wanted to forge their peace, they needed a more solid contract than what’s held in papers.
He heard it before. A marriage to become a bridge of two different realms, wherein Kaeya would be on one end and a person he never met would be on the other.
Kaeya believed he didn’t mind an arranged marriage. He wasn’t born a romantic. He wasn’t someone who believed that a soulmate would be met throughout his short lifespan. Or perhaps it was just because he was born a royal, wherein the kingdom’s state matters more than his emotions.
He mindlessly listened to the king’s words, taking in how he said that he’ll need to come to Mondstadt as a prince for the next month, secure his place with a marriage that is already being planned, and not bring shame to the royal family like he always had.
Somehow, the words flew out of his head as he thanked the king for his presence, nausea creeping at the back of his throat. He took quick steps out of the throne room, an urge to run away from the responsibilities that chained him down, wanting to be chased.
He walked, not minding the familiar steps the followed him down the long hallways. When he had arrived at his room, he stripped away his lavish clothing, and as he was doing so, the figure who had followed him entered.
“Your highness,” the person greets him, a worried hint to his deep voice. His blonde hair seemed to reflect the gray tones of the room, few strands sticking up in regard to the wind brought by the impending rain.
“Dainsleif,” Kaeya acknowledged his presence, but not turning to look at him as he was busy half-nakedly striding around his room to collect the things he’ll need for his plan.
Dainsleif watched him from a distance as he expertly packed clothes on a bag made of leather, doing it with both ease and panic at the same time as he was used to do.
Dainsleif pursed his lips. “The king wouldn’t be amused.”
Kaeya huffed a breath as he walked across his room to his closet. “Not particularly,” he shrugged, reaching for simpler clothes and put them on his body, only to realize that it was a bit tighter than he was used to. He might have had a growth spurt within a few weeks. “I’m sure he won’t even notice.”
Silence cast its spell upon them with only the whistle of the wind to be heard. Kaeya popped the two upper buttons of his shirt open, afraid to bust it if he kept it closed for so long.
Dainsleif raised one of his brows on him, earning a small smirk from the prince in response. What Kaeya probably looked like was a high-class whore with his luxurious chest exposed, far from the mostly covered-up skin that a prince should be just like how etiquette taught him to be. He huffed with the thought.
Kaeya turned to finally meet Dainsleif's gaze, who looked at him with a commanding gaze, warning him to not do anything rash.
From the first glance of a stranger, Dainsleif would be assumed as the prince between the two. From his noble-like posture, along with his pretty face, surely he wouldn’t be just a flimsy attendant to bring the needs of his prince at bay. Still, ever since their childhood, Dainsleif was already assigned to serve and accompany Kaeya at all costs.
But oh, if only Kaeya could only change the situation that he’s in, he would choose to be a simple resident of a nation, far from the responsibilities that he had to bear ever since he was born.
“It will be just for a few days. Either one or three, I’m undecided.” Kaeya sighed, putting his bag on his back as he walked out of his room. “Besides, I’m not too petty to just run away just because of that. I just want to satiate my curiosity.”
“I’ll prepare the horses.” Dainsleif tailed behind him, voice firm as he spoke in time with their hurried pace when he realized that Kaeya walked the path to the stables.
Kaeya hummed as his hand worked on tying his long blue hair with a lace he found on his pockets. “You don’t have to come this time. I can handle myself.”
“It is my task, your highness,” Dainsleif replied, words coming out like he’d been practicing saying them for years.
Kaeya mostly expected his response, but he still can’t help to feel relieved with how his attendant stayed loyal to his prince.
“And where do you desire to go?” Dainsleif asked.
Kaeya halted on his steps right before they could turn in a corner. His gaze turned to the window, observing the sight outside the castle. He viewed the north mountains that obscured the view of his planned destination. It was also the place where the least clouds gathered.
And with a smile, Kaeya turned to face Dainsleif.
“Mondstadt.”
-
As much as he loved Khaenri’ah as his home, its residents didn’t like him the same amount as they liked the princes aside from him. Mainly, because he was born illegitimately from a commoner, and in Khaenri’ah, social class mattered more than anything. With his dignity tainted before he even had the ability to read, there was an urge to prove them wrong. He tried his best to read, to be able to gain knowledge throughout the years, and was known as the brightest of their siblings in terms of wisdom, but the fact that he wasn’t a pure-blooded royal was plastered to their poisoned minds.
It was also the reason why he avoided staying in Khaenri’ah for long, traveling away every chance that he gets. The king wasn’t pleased with his newfound wanderlust, but since Kaeya did his duties flawlessly, he could only watch in silence, for he had no logical reason to punish him.
The news of his arranged marriage wasn’t something he can’t escape, and some part of him was quite happy that he would be married off away from his hometown. As for the fact that he’ll soon spend the rest of his life with his future spouse, he might as well figure out whom he’ll be stuck with.
They came to Mondstadt within a blink of an eye, at least that’s what Kaeya felt after traveling on a horseback after almost a day. If he were some other noble, he would’ve sat inside a more comfortable carriage with wine and let the kingdom of Mondstadt welcome him with glee. But with moments like this, wherein it was his choice to come because of certain circumstances, he always told himself that he is just another commoner, another tourist that wants to visit. And he can somewhat forget his responsibilities as a prince.
Winds swept back the hood of their cloak just as they stepped into the city’s borders. Kaeya took a deep breath in, remembering how its patron god is the archon of the wind. He noted how the air seemed fresher and lighter than what it felt in Khaenri’ah. He took it as a good sign.
Kaeya hopped off the back of his horse, hair slightly bouncing as he did. Dainsleif also followed, but with much more grace. He looked effortlessly pretty.
Kaeya huffed to himself.
The place bustled with crowds, busy with the transactions made here and there. Several regarded them with a few curious glances, but once they concluded that they’re probably just tourists, the gazes dispersed.
Kaeya was pleased.
“Kaeya,” Dainsleif called his attention, “I’ll go and find a place to stay.”
A small smile wound on Kaeya’s lips, delighted at how he called him by his name and not with his title. Dainsleif never failed to accompany him with every journey, whether it was official diplomacy as a prince or an unplanned journey with anonymity. But rarely did he ever call him with his name no matter how much he asked him to.
Dainsleif seemed to notice his reaction and smiled, knowing how his simple word brightened Kaeya’s mood a bit.
“I’ll find you before the sun sets fully,” Dainsleif said. He then placed his hand on the top of Kaeya’s head and patted it a few times. “And please don’t get yourself in trouble.”
Kaeya can only blink, and before he knew it, Dainsleif was gone before his eyes.
With a wander as much of a child’s, Kaeya strolled through the stalls that stood on the side with people scurrying around. Some, he recognizes, looked like tourists like him for they had the same admiration of the view compared to the locals who fluttered naturally.
It was his first time stepping in Mondstadt, now having the chance to have a reason to visit. Despite that, he had a few ideas on what it was like. The ambiance was surrounded by cold winds, in regards to the blessing on their patron god, which was also the archon of the winds, Barbatos.
Considering the amount of free-hearted soul emanating, living here might not be as bad as he thought.
Kaeya shook his head, attempting to shake off his silly thoughts. He decided that instead of standing idly, he should at least start to subtly ask around.
Just as Kaeya was about to exploit some information from a stall vendor, a small figure slipped beside him. His hands expertly struck the lyre on his hand, a hum of a song coming out his mouth.
When Kaeya turned to see him, the person’s twin braids swayed gently as he winked. The gesture causing Kaeya to raise one of his brows.
With a knowing smile, he spun around Kaeya flawlessly, as he chanted his words with ease. “Eyes as blue as the clear skies, reflect a wander with one’s sight. A pretty face not like another, perhaps a royal one can bother.”
The bard stopped on a nearby stall, pulling an apple on the displayed products. The vendor only looked at the bard, then at Kaeya. It seemed as if it was a normal occurrence.
“You flatter me.” Kaeya chuckled, amused to see an old friend on the streets of Mondstadt.
He took a small bite of the apple and swallowed it in one go. “A truth is never free, so pay up, and I can lend you thee,” he says, gesturing to his ears, and leading him to the stall where he got the apple.
A quick understanding exchanged with one another. Kaeya paid his price with a swift move, then turned to his friend who munched his apple happily.
“Venti,” Kaeya called his name. “What are you doing here?”
Among the history of his previous travels, friends and foes are naturally formed as he moved from city to city. Venti is one of them, a strange bard with a liking for alcohol. And with that simple mutual interest, they became acquaintances.
Apparently, due to Venti’s easy information gathering, he uncovered that Kaeya is a royal within hours of being friends. Kaeya gave enough payment to shut his mouth about it, and much to his liking, he did. Born from their strangeness, Venti became one of Kaeya’s main sources of information.
And rarely do they ever meet, Kaeya was surprised to have found him here.
“Oh? Have I forgotten to tell? I stay here!” Amused by Kaeya’s question, Venti giggled. “I have the vague idea why the winds brought you upon my lands, a curiosity you want to quell.”
Hearing his words, Kaeya sighed in defeat. It wasn’t even long, yet it was already announced? Even if he changed his mind and didn’t like his spouse, he had no chance to deal with it. “So, you’ve heard about the marriage.”
“Surely! The kingdom was enamored, ready to welcome the new part of the royal family,” Venti said in a singsong voice, flailing his apple up in the air and caught it easily on his palm as it fell. He grinned. “Little did they know, one had come before their eyes can see.”
Kaeya scoffed, his head tilting slightly. “Then, I’m certain that you know what I’m here for?”
Venti’s face beamed like he just heard a piece of great news. He cleared his throat and placed the apple in his pocket.
And then he sang, like a playful fae luring a person to give their name. “Face blessed by the divine, intellect when listened, a bard would lose one’s mind. A kindness brought upon the earth, like a wine waiting to be earned.” He winked, with a huge smile on his face. “Well, lucky you, they had gone away from the city, but I’m sure they’ll be back by now. You’d be smitten to lay a sight.”
Confusion flashed within Kaeya’s face. He easily understood that Venti’s words brought a pleasant sound, for they were simple enough to listen once, but not enough to discern their actual meaning. It was as if Venti knew something that he didn’t.
Before Kaeya can ask anything more than he knows he should, Venti swiftly moved out of his sight, not giving him a chance to talk.
Kaeya huffed to himself, playing back Venti’s words onto his mind. A piece of information seemingly innocent may be relevant sooner or later. He kept it on the back of his mind.
He walked aimlessly, deep into thinking, but as he did, he didn’t notice how some children were running towards him. In a blink of an eye, the children accidentally swept him through his feet, the impact causing him to try to dodge. Unfortunately, doing so messed off his balance. His eyes widened. He was sure that he was going to fall until his back hit something solid.
“Ah.”
Kaeya’s eyes widened comically when he realized that it was a man that he inconvenienced upon. Just as he tried to turn around to apologize, he tripped on his other feet. In a blink of an eye, his hand reached to on the other’s muscular arms to support himself.
His action might have become a shock to the stranger because he took a quick wrong step back, and both of their weights crashed down on the pavement as fast as Kaeya can close his eyes before the impact.
Grunts came out of their mouth as both tried to process what happened. Kaeya winced. Even though he crashed on the person beneath him, it didn’t hide the fact that he still crashed.
His eyes shot open, as quickly as he scrambled to remember that he fell onto the top of someone. Kaeya moved his arm to support himself up, but the stranger under him stirred.
“Archons I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” Kaeya asked panic-stricken as both of his arms caged the body of the man.
Kaeya felt his heart jump out of his chest when the person’s crimson eyes stared back at him. For a moment, they blinked at each other, unsure why they’re staring.
He wasn’t sure how many seconds had passed when the stranger spoke. “You can get up now,”
“Oh, right, sorry.” Kaeya stumbled away from him.
As the other tried to bring himself up and fix his bearings, Kaeya took the chance to help him sit up, a better choice than to keep laying on the Mondstadt grounds.
With a hand on his arms, Kaeya profusely apologized. “I deeply apologize! My clumsiness caught you.”
“It’s fine,” he replied, then turned to see Kaeya, whose face is as close as an inch against him.
Kaeya’s breath hitched with the sudden movement, surprised with how much space was crossed in a mere second.
“Uh, hi,” Kaeya said, an attempt to save his grace. His eyes wandered to the man’s face, from his ruby eyes that gazed back as shocked as him, to his hair tousled upon their fall, just to avert his watch from the most ethereal person he had ever seen.
Kaeya caught on the sight of an object on the other’s hair that wasn’t supposed to be there. With a clear of his throat, Kaeya attempted to divert his attention. “You have a leaf on your hair,” he said, backing away as ambiguous as he can.
“Oh,” the other said in a daze, his adam’s apple bobbing gently, probably still processing the situation he was in. He didn’t break their eye contact, which sent the small butterflies to flutter uncontrollably on Kaeya’s stomach.
The man tried to shake off the dirt from his hair with his hand. And when Kaeya saw that his efforts to clean his hair went in vain, a soft chuckle escaped his lips. He promptly reached for it and threw it away. “There, it’s gone now,” he mused.
“Thanks,” the redhead said shortly. “Are you alright?” He asked while he stood up, patting his clothes gently to shake away the dust that clung on its fabric
“I think so,” Kaeya answered as he tried to follow. Before he can fully stand, he felt a sharp pain in his feet. He winced, as fell back on his butt with a small thud.
The other’s brows furrowed, worry evident on his pretty face. He crouched down to see what was wrong and pursed his lips. “You sprained your ankle.”
“Yes I did,” Kaeya sighed. He chuckled dryly. “I might be on an unlucky streak today.”
He ran his hands through his hair in frustration. He knew he looked pathetic in his situation, an unsightly experience indeed. His feet hurt, throbbing with every move he tried to make. His ass hurt after taking in the impact of his fall.
He muttered a couple of curses, unsure of what to do. The amount of pain that it would take for him to walk on the nearest inn would be unbearable and would only worsen his injury.
Then, Kaeya remembered the number of eyes that watched him, curious and unwavering. His throat tightened with the panic seeping through his bone. He wanted to get away from there as soon as he can. He wanted to hide. He wanted to—
“Get on my back.”
Kaeya stilled, thoughts suddenly interrupted with the other person’s words. “What?”
He turned his back on him, still crouching, and gestured for Kaeya to ride on his back. “I’ll bring you to the infirmary. You can’t possibly walk around with that injury.”
Kaeya blinked, a retort at the tip of his tongue, “But—”
“You can’t even stand. Don’t be stubborn now,” he said, a commanding tone on his voice.
Kaeya sighed, defeated with his reason, and watched the other if looking for a feign. He looked trustworthy enough, and Kaeya’s instincts agreed too. He assured himself that it probably would be fine. At least it would be better than just laying on that ground.
The person simply placed both of Kaeya’s hands around his neck and secured his own on holding Kaeya’s thighs around his waist. He stood with ease, which surprised Kaeya. An average person would’ve had difficulty hoisting themselves up, but he did so easily as if Kaeya weighed nothing to his arms.
After moments of silence as they passed through several houses, Kaeya assumed that he’s part of the Mondstadt’s knights. With his neat clothes and undeniable strength, surely he’d be part of it. He walked with confidence, knowing where to turn and where not to.
Kaeya spent his time trying to not jostle on the person’s back too much. He relaxed against his body with his hands fidgeting his own fingers, an old habit that he had when placed with situations where there are parts where he’s incapable of having a choice, or there are things he can’t control.
He brought his attention back to the man underneath him, handsome and unwavering even after the distance he had walked. There was a lone sweat dripping behind his ear, his hair sticking on his skin, and Kaeya prevented himself from touching.
That was when Kaeya remembered that he didn’t know what the person’s name was.
“I’m Kaeya,” he said, disturbing the silence between them. “What should I call you?”
There came a small pause as if he’s considering if he’s going to give his name or not. Kaeya almost regretted his attempt on making a conversation, until he replied.
“Diluc,” he replied shortly.
“Your name is nice.” Contented with his response, Kaeya rested his head softly on his shoulder, too tired to even care about their personal space. When Diluc didn’t look as if he was affected, Kaeya continued to talk. “I’m sorry you got tangled up with my mess.”
Diluc gently adjusted his grip on his thighs. “It’s not your fault, so you shouldn’t apologize,” he assured him.
Kaeya recalled what happened, and winced as he remembered their fall. He scanned Diluc’s head and visible skin, which wasn’t that much, to see if he had any injuries hidden. When he didn’t see anything, Kaeya asked “You’re the one who received the most impact, are you sure you’re okay?”
Diluc shrugged, turning his head to meet his eyes. “Well, I can still carry you.”
Kaeya let an amused chuckle escape his lips. “Gege, so strong,” he mumbled, unaware of its effects on Diluc.
The thick ice that divides them broke, Kaeya rambled on Diluc’s shoulder. He told him about how he wanted to visit Mondstadt for a few days to wander around, but there he was, stuck in the arms of a person he just met, injured. Diluc replied with an insistence that he shouldn’t walk around with his sprained ankle.
Kaeya agreed, knowing how much it did hurt.
On the other hand, Kaeya noticed more things about Diluc as they conversed. Like how he preferred to answer in a straightforward manner, or how his face seemed to be fixed on a frown even though Kaeya can tell that he wasn’t annoyed at all because of how keen he listened to his words.
Once they had arrived at the cathedral, Kaeya didn’t have the chance to admire its structure when the strawberry blonde nurse ushered them to the infirmary. Diluc placed him on the bed and made his way to sit idly on the other bed in the room.
When Sister Barbara arrived, the blonde nurse, treated his injury with care after asking him questions about what had happened. Kaeya answered in detail, but for some reason, he can’t help his eyes wandering to her and back to Diluc who watched them silently.
It was probably a curiosity, Kaeya thinks, that his instinct tells him to try to get to know more Diluc, to give it a shot. There was also that sense of attraction, for he is gorgeous and kind, and an air of peculiarity that Kaeya yearned to decipher.
It was a pull that Kaeya wanted to indulge, even if he’s aware that it would only be considered fruitless at the end of time.
Still, Kaeya’s only human. It’s not too hard to enjoy himself if he knows that Diluc also probably feels the same, basing on how his eyes watched him as if to uncover Kaeya’s deepest secrets and desires.
Once Sister Barbara was done bandaging his feet, she excused herself to get supplies and went outside, leaving the two of them on their own terms.
Diluc made his way on the stool beside Kaeya’s bed and spoke. “I’ll send you to your inn once you’re done,” he said, voice firm yet considerate.
Kaeya grinned. “You’re going to carry me again?” He jokingly asked.
“Yes,” Diluc replied, as if carrying Kaeya was the most obvious thing in the world.
Kaeya was taken aback, a prominent blush appeared on his ears after hearing Diluc’s words. He averted his gaze from looking directly at him and tried his best to not stammer on his words. “I was kidding,” he quickly said, “You don’t you really have to.”
“You still can’t walk,” Diluc stated, “And it’s not like I can just leave you alone like that.”
Kaeya couldn’t help but feel guilty. As much as he wanted to spend more time with him, Diluc probably had better things to do. “But I have bothered you too much, gege.”
Much to Kaeya’s shock, Diluc gave him a reassuring smile. His lips were lifted softly on both of its sides, and Kaeya thought that his heart skipped a beat.
“It’s fine, Kaeya,” he said, soothing him like a lullaby before sleep. It was dangerous, to feel this way to someone he just met, but he listened keenly with the want to remember the way his voice sounded, permeating through his whole. “You don’t mind, do you?”
-
Mondstadt was called the land of wind. The streets were crowded with free spirits even when the sky had already turned into a mixture of colors, waiting for the night to fall. The streetlight emitted a glow still not enough to be noticed, but it appeared to attract flying insects that flew on time with the breeze.
Kaeya found himself being carried on Diluc’s back once again, his hair swaying with every step that Diluc took.
They passed through a closed tavern on their way to the inn, a place that Kaeya was most looking forward to visiting. Not only because of the wine but also because of the generous amount of information he could obtain from the loose-lipped drunks that visit there.
When Kaeya asked Diluc if he wanted wine for payment, he replied that he hated wine and that he shouldn’t drink while injured. “So unromantic,” Kaeya mumbled to himself, knowing that Diluc also heard it because of the scoff he made.
Still, he didn’t know if he preferred to be in a tavern or if he wanted to stay close to Diluc.
Before Kaeya had the answer, the sight of his blonde attendant was enough to tell him that their time together had come to an end. Kaeya nudged him towards Dainsleif, who stood at the entrance of the inn.
Kaeya instructed Diluc to let him down. He stood on his uninjured feet, his hands holding on Diluc’s shoulder for support as they neared.
When Dainsleif finally saw him, a flash of worry came to his face. He rushed to his side, unnecessarily ignoring Diluc as he asked, “Kaeya, are you alright? What happened?”
Kaeya leaned to Dainsleif’s side, his arms slipping away from Diluc’s arms, who stood on the side with silence as he let Kaeya explain his situation whilst adjusting to Dainsleif’s support.
“A small accident, nothing to worry about,” Kaeya replied, which Dainsleif took with an understanding that he’d explain everything once they’re alone.
Once Diluc noticed that Kaeya’s in good hands, he asked, “Then, I’ll leave you to him?”
“Mm.” Kaeya smiled, as genuine as he could.“Thank you so much Diluc. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem at all.”
For a moment, Kaeya marveled if he giving him a kiss on his cheek would be too much. He considered embracing him goodbye, or perhaps a ruffle on his cecilia scented hair would be fine. After rummaging his brain in half, an idea made its way to his mind.
Kaeya shifted in his place, and with a few moves, he took off his earring, the only fancy jewelry he wore which was his favorite. He reached for Diluc’s hand and placed the trinket on his palm.
Diluc stared back at him with wide eyes as he guided his fingers to grasp the sapphire jewel enclosed with gold. Kaeya held his hand around it. “Please take this earing as a sign of my gratitude.”
“There’s no need,” was Diluc’s immediate prompt. He added, “Just get better and that would be fine.”
Kaeya chuckled. “Then just treat it as a memory of someone who knocked you off your feet,” he teased, feeling Diluc’s tenseness under his hold melt. As if on cue, Kaeya gave him a few squeezes and slid his own hands away. He took a deep breath and smiled, “If it's by the wind archon’s will, I’m sure we’ll meet again.”
“I’ll look forward to that.” Diluc nodded in response. The way his lips turned upwards didn’t escape Kaeya’s eyes as they bid their goodbye, both uncertain if they would ever see each other again as equals.
-
There were places that Kaeya, a child of wonder, yearned to stay. The ones that feel like comfort, the ones that feel like the warmth of huddling weighted blankets in the days when the winter surges.
Sometimes, these places are people. Diluc easily made his way to be one of them.
“My prince,” Dainsleif disturbed his thoughts, “I apologize but we can’t stay here with you being injured.”
“I know.” Kaeya pursed his lips, taking one last glance on Diluc’s back and engraving him onto his memory, knowing that he won’t ever have the chance to pursue him once he’s married off to this kingdom.
“I hate being selfish,” Kaeya muttered, “but sometimes I wish I could be.”
-
Responsibilities are of second nature to a prince of a kingdom. It can be as simple as keeping his people happy and contented or as wide-ranged as having a diplomatic wedding to create peace among their neighboring land.
Diluc stared at the papers on his hands, eyes scanning the texts but not entirely retaining the information even if he had been rereading it multiple times. He sighed to himself, deciding to place it down on the table before his frustration can burn them to ashes. He massaged his forehead, an attempt to tone down the headaches and unwelcome thoughts that had been plaguing his mind for weeks.
Diluc had always loved Mondstadt, aware that as a prince, he could sacrifice anything to keep their domain safe and prosperous. It was only a few months ago when his father sought him, a call for his obligations.
“Are you sure it’s okay with you?” his father, the king asked. “I can always find another way if you refuse.”
Diluc nodded. “If it’s for the betterment of Mondstadt, and so be it.”
Up until now, Diluc stood his feat for months, his thoughts unwavering as his father negotiated with the King of Khaenri’ah to create an alliance and bind their families together in a diplomatic marriage.
That was until he laid sight on that starry-eyed man who messed up his mind badly within just hours of being a little too close to him.
Diluc sighed, unconsciously reaching for the caeruleus jewelry, the only thing that served as proof of his memory.
Kaeya was a fish out of water when he first saw him. A traveler, Diluc thought. Without even trying, Kaeya stood out from everyone. Whenever he took a step on the pavement with amusement drawn on his face, people would steal a gaze from him just to simply admire the beauty he simply beholds.
However, Diluc didn’t expect when the accident happened. They both fell, and somehow, because of the small wrong move that he made, Diluc knew that he had it way harder.
When Diluc carried Kaeya to the infirmary, he told himself to leave him there. It was unbecoming of a prince to carry someone, and for sure, he would be the talk of the town the next day.
When Diluc watched his injuries get treated, he scolded himself for staring too much, for taking glances for so long to enjoy his expressions. It didn’t help how Kaeya met his eyes, like a challenge neither of them considered to back down.
When he offered to bring him back to his inn, he admitted to himself, that maybe, he’s a little attracted to him. So he indulged himself, even for a short while until they caught up with time and their ways parted just like how it was before they met.
And it certainly wasn’t his intention when he came back to the inn where they said their goodbyes, only to be disappointed that Kaeya was already gone.
“Is something bothering you, your highness?” Jean, his attendant and the grandmaster of the knights asked him. She across from his desk, busy helping him with filing his never-ending paperwork, when she noticed him spacing out.
Before Diluc can answer, Jean’s girlfriend who tagged along with her, Lisa, cut him off. “Oh, dear,” she said with her usual smooth voice, “I’m sure he’s thinking about that pretty guy he met last time.” Lisa teased, aware of his predicament. “You haven’t been married yet you’re already cheating, your highness?”
Diluc narrowed his eyes on her, hoping that it would shut her up. But she only gave him a knowing smile, something Diluc can’t really escape from because of the guilt that she brought his thoughts into words that he isn’t sure if he wanted to hear.
"Lisa,” Jean called her name with a silent warning whilst her hands were busy writing.
Lisa chuckled, raising both of her hands as if admitting defeat. “No matter what you say, you need to cheer up. Archons, you look so lovesick.” She rolled her eyes. “You’ll finally meet your future wife. At least give them a good first impression.”
When silence came, Jean turned to her girlfriend and gave her a disapproving look.
Diluc’s mouth spoke before he could think clearly. “What if I don’t want to get married.”
“I trust your taste on men, Diluc, but you just met him once,” Jean replied. “Once. Take note of that.”
“I’ve never met my future spouse,” was his response.
“My prince,” she called him with the tone she uses when not amused with Diluc’s decisions. “You can’t possibly cancel this whole diplomatic affair just because of that random tourist you met.”
Diluc pursed his lips, unable to say anything because of the truth that her words brought. He sighed, thumb caressing the diamond-shaped jewel on his hands, thinking if things would be better if he wasn’t a prince.
Sometimes, he wishes that he wasn’t, so he would know.
-
The drops of rain hitting the ground were like eternal white noise ringing. The amount of excitement of the people of Mondstadt bustled with the blessing of the rainfall, mixed with the growing nervousness. When the beat of their heart came after another, no one cared which is which, aside from Diluc.
A good omen, the people talked, that he’d meet his spouse as the grey clouds dispersed water down to the earth.
Diluc stood on the front of the castle, the wait continued as his mind buzzed with the noise. He stood alongside Jean, with the knights on their backs that were keen to welcome the Khaenri’an heir and his people.
“Your highness, the carriages just passed the bridge,” a knight informed him, news that he took in with a swallow.
He visibly stilled, but only Jean dared to look at him with worry. She gave him a reassuring nod, even though both knew that it didn’t better his situation. Diluc took a deep breath and kept his eyes on the corner of the road where the carriages would enter.
Diluc had already thoroughly repeated his plan inside his head. They would be welcomed with the utmost respect, and his spouse would be made known by their own attendant. Diluc would greet them like he is used to do, perhaps give them a kiss on their hand. And once they had the time to themselves, he’d try to propose a desirable arrangement to accommodate their needs to be met throughout their entire marriage.
It was simple, yet entirely possible. Both of them knew for a fact that they never met at least once, and Diluc was certain that they only agreed to this marriage because of the kingdoms that they rule.
After a few moments, a line of royal carriages emerged, sealed with the insignia of the Kingdom of Khaenri’ah made their way. They stopped at the front of the castle, and Diluc let his knights assist their arrival as he stood idly.
He fixated his sight on them as their doors opened.
A woman with wine-colored hair went out, then a blonde guy with the left side of his face covered with a mask followed her on their way out. Both held a serious expression that Diluc couldn’t help but to worry about the impression that he would make. The blonde man gave out orders to their own knights to assemble, as the woman pulled out an azure parasol from the back of their carriage despite the rain slightly drenching their clothes.
They both walked to the unopened carriage, with the woman holding out the parasol in her hand as the blonde pulled open the single door.
As their highness came of their vehicle, there was a sight of blue hair, face concealed with the bodies trying to protect them from the rain. Diluc heard a muffle of voices and a giggle that seemed to calm down the nerves of their company.
When the crowding dispersed, the Khaenri’an’s heir’s figure came out of view, Diluc’s whole body froze as he recognized him. And at the moment that Diluc saw his face, he paled, as if he just laid sight on a ghost. What he saw, however, he wasn’t certain if it isn’t worse.
Jean noticed his reaction and leaned to ask him, “Are you alright your highness?”
Diluc’s eyes darted to her. “He,” Diluc paused, swallowing before speaking, “He was the guy I helped last time.”
The eyebrows on Jean’s forehead furrowed in disbelief, but before she can say anything, they noticed their guest approaching near.
Despite the lavish clothing that embraced his figure, in contrast to the clothes that he wore when Diluc first saw him, Diluc couldn’t be mistaken. Kaeya took delicate steps on the stone floor, his heels void of dirt in contrast to everyone around. Intricate braids outline the strands of his hair that framed his jaw for it to appear sharper. His eyepatch settled nicely on his face, wherein as there was an edge of a smile on his lips as if the giggle he gave to his attendants still threatened to be.
Diluc attempted to not shift on his feet. Kaeya being the prospect changed everything. It shattered every variable that Diluc considered, completely trashing out the plans that he formed.
Diluc couldn’t quite get a hold of his thought, not knowing if he preferred to marry a stranger or marry the one he’d been pining for just for the connection of their nations.
As they neared, Kaeya walked in between two people, which Diluc presumed as his attendants. With a knowing glance, Jean gave him a small warning to get himself together and motioned him to also approach the prince. Diluc can only nod in response as he stood tall. He clasped his hand together behind him, his chest puffing out to fake his confidence like he always did.
Kaeya’s eyes widened slightly when he noticed him, the sudden recognition evident. He parted his lips to say something, but the blonde man turned to him as if giving him a subtle reminder that he was a prince, and to the knights that are watching, it is the first time that they had ever met.
Diluc and Kaeya stood in front of each other, eyes never leaving the contact. Diluc took the chance to admire his grace, his starry eye seemed to sparkle with both confusion and delight with their newly found knowledge. The tenseness on Diluc’s shoulder relaxed, finally realizing the reason why Kaeya came to Mondstadt that day, along with the fact that Kaeya seemed to feel the same as he did.
The Khaenri’an knights gave a courtesy bow, as Kaeya’s attendant announced his presence. “Prince Kaeya Alberich of the Kingdom of Khaenri’ah had arrived.”
“Prince Diluc Ragnvindr of the Kingdom of Mondstadt is here to welcome the Khaenri’an prince as his spouse,” Jean replied, their own knights bowing in response,
Kaeya took a step forward, a relieved smile on his lips. “I am honored to be in your care,” he said as held out his hand.
With an understanding, Diluc reached for him, placing a kiss at the back of his hand. “I am pleased to be granted your presence, my prince.”
As their eyes had met once again, a flash of bare understanding was present. Both knowing that if they got married to each other, they considered that they wouldn’t mind it at all.
"I suppose we'll figure it out?"
"I would be glad to."