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Aether can feel the servants buzzing with excitement as they prepare him for the day. He’s had his final scrubbing in a scented bath, a floral scent with a hint of a citrus wafting off of him. His skin, buffed and polished, hair braided with small ornaments in the shape of flowers, and the faintest hint of makeup, he’s perfectly done up. If only there wasn’t bickering about what outfit he’d be wearing.
There’s a knock on his door, and Aether nods as his dress shirt buttons are slotted in place. One of the bickering maids silences herself, and hurries to open the door to Aether’s room. Kaeya enters, adorned in blue and silver, looking the part of his status for once.
“Kaeya.” It’s the only word Aether utters, but from the exhausted tone in his voice, Kaeya quickly catches on, raising an eyebrow at Aether’s lack of proper clothes.
“Shouldn’t you be dressed by now?” He asks Aether, folding his arms, medals jingling as he does so. Aether’s shoulder’s fall in defeat. Even with a duke’s arrival, the maids continue their arguing over the two outfits.
“They won’t listen to me.” Aether groans, his words practically bouncing off of them with how much they listened. He could probably have them fired for contempt of royalty, but it really didn’t feel worth it if the situation could be resolved.
“About…?”
“My outfit. Between the original silver embellishments or one with gold embellishments.” Kaeya let’s out an understanding “ahh.”
“I see.” He holds a hand to his chin as he thinks.
Gold and white are very much a symbol of the Khaenri’an royalty, especially when they’re together. But more concerning is the fact that the heir to the throne is typically dressed in white with gold detailing for formal events. So far Aether was the one wearing the symbol of the crown heir, but it was to be his first event after he formally stepped down. However some of Aether’s faction, including his servants, were unsatisfied with that, leading to their present situation.
“Prince Aether, you’ve been far too kind about this, when it could bring about such dire consequences.” Kaeya laughs, before clearing his throat. “If you don’t stop arguing about this and dress His Highness as planned, I’ll be taking it as an act of rebellion against the current Crown Princess, and act accordingly.” This shuts the maids up immediately, and Aether can see about half of them visibly wilt. He can understand, serving the spare just doesn’t sound as appealing.
“But Prince Aether is kinder and gentler…” Aether hears one mumble under her breath. Kaeya taps the sword at his hip.
“Watch yourself, you wouldn’t want the wrong people hearing you.” He wears that same casually threatening smile that he gets when he’s suggesting something bad, and it sends shivers up Aether’s spine. Kaeya’s really not someone he wants to be on the bad side of.
The maids begin to hurry again, although perhaps partially to get away from Kaeya’s presence. The white double breasted coat slides on easily, tailored for Aether’s figure. He lifts one leg, and one black boot dotted with silver is slid on, and then the other, the buttons snapping in place almost all the way up to his knees.
“Quite the dashing figure, Your Highness.” Kaeya claps his hands. “You are behind schedule though. So I’m here to bring you to the ballroom.” Aether groans. Albedo probably sent Kaeya to bring him to the party, so that he couldn’t run away. Even he wouldn’t run away from his own birthday party, though. Probably.
Aether nods, shrugging away the maids picking at him. “Thank you all for your hard work. I’ll be off.” The heels of his boots click against the marble floor as he follows Kaeya out.
Sunlight streams through the tall windows of the hall, streaking the white floors in gold. It isn’t too far, but in the silence it feels like an eternity before he sees Lumine, standing before a great oar of double doors. She’s also dressed up, a white ball gown covered in golden lace and embroidery.
“You look beautiful.” Aether smiles and bows, holding out a hand. She looks less tired than she has been recently, she must have been forced to sleep earlier than usual to prepare for today. She also smiles.
“You look wonderful too, Aether.” Lumine takes his hand. Kaeya waves to the both of them.
“Well, I need to get going then, be good both of you. Don’t go causing trouble.” And he runs off quite quickly.
“Do you think he’s trying to make sure no one hits on Albedo?” Aether mumbles to Lumine, who stifles a chuckle.
“Not so crass, Aether. You might get away with it usually, but at least behave properly today. I know you did fine in etiquette class.”
Aether sighs and nods, straightening his back up as he hears their introductions. The wide double doors swing open, and the two of them step through. The ballroom is positively glittering, adorned with gold and glittering crystals. Colorful dresses and suits create a palette along the floor, and Aether can’t help but search out his little friend as he makes his way down the steps with Lumine. He can feel a jab in his side.
“Focus, stop looking around.” Lumine whispers, and Aether can’t help but roll his eyes, earning him another jab.
As they reach the final step, Aether let’s go of Lumine’s hand, and they separate. He moves off to the side a little as Lumine occupies the center, beginning her speech.
“Thank you all for coming to our birthday celebration, both to those from nearby as well as those that traveled far.” Aether’s focus on her speech fades as he scans the ballroom. He can pick out Paimon by the buffet, already stuffing herself. No wonder she ditched him so early in the morning. But he can’t seem to find Xiao. He can spot most of the other ambassador’s from Liyue, including the Tianquan, Ningguang. But he can’t seem to spot the Adepti he had met in the forest.
As Lumine’s speech finishes, he finally spots him over by the corner. He’s dressed handsomely in white and jade robes, cutting a regal figure. He does look a little uncomfortable though, perhaps he’s not used to functions like these. They’re eyes meet, and Aether smiles at the slightly flustered look on Xiao’s face.
Lumine clearing her throat by his side brings him back to his surroundings, and Aether fumbles out his own thanks for everyone’s participation. In an instant after his words end, Aether is practically mobbed by young women and men, and Lumine is as well. They’re both with no fiancées, so they’re prime targets for the young and unmarried, as well as any ambitious parents. But Aether is used to the empty words and flattery, and just smiles and nods, not really listening. There’s no major problem if he needs to break a promise or two, after all the major power is kept near the royal family.
Finally escaping from the horde, Aether tries to make his way to the corner where he saw Xiao, but is stopped by what looks like a Liyue merchant.
“Why, Your Highness, do you have a moment to talk?” Just as Aether is about to say no, he can feel a pair of eyes boring into his back. Turning his head, Aether spots Albedo glaring at him from across the room. Giving a guilty smile, Aether returns his attention to the man before him.
“Of course I do.” Aether holds back a grimace. It’s always annoying dealing with merchants and the like, and he couldn’t help but be grateful that Lumine generally handles them herself. But on the occasions Aether has needed to deal with them himself, it’s been rather unpleasant.
“This is such a lovely party…” his false flattery drones on, and Aether only nods occasionally. The man wasn’t getting to his point and it was incredibly frustrating.
“Is that all?” Aether interrupts, a false smile plastered on his own face. “I have many guests I need to greet.”
“Why yes, I wanted to talk about the trade tariffs—“ And there it is.
“I have no authority over that, if you have concerns you want to talk about, speaking with Lumine, or perhaps more appropriately your representatives may be a better idea.” Aether practically bowls him over with his words, not letting him speak even as the merchant tries to stammer out a response.
“Well, as you might know, the head of our delegation as well as the Crown Princess are women, and they just wouldn’t understand a man’s perspective, you know?” The merchant clasps his hands together. “I thought we could speak together, man to man.”
Aether clicks his tongue, any facade of pleasantries long gone. “No, you can’t understand apparently, if you think that women in a higher position than you might not understand how business and governing works.”
“Surely you understand, women cannot work in a man’s field—“ He shuts up when Aether grabs him by the collar, a strangled shriek coming from him as Aether hoists him a few inches off the floor. By now the room is silent, all eyes on the as Aether glares angrily at the merchant. He’s spouting the same nonsense the old men of the court try to justify themselves with. Even with Albedo rushing through the crowd towards him, Aether doesn’t let the man down.
“Now listen here, I won’t have you slandering the Crown Princess right to my face. If you were a citizen of our country, you’d be thrown in jail by now.” Aether drops the man, who stumbles and staggers to his feet, an indignant but fearful expression plastered on his face. “Now please leave, and don’t come back.”
“Your Highness!” Albedo hisses into Aether’s ear, grabbing him by the arm. “What are you doing?”
“You crazy man! Even if you’re a prince you can’t go around assaulting people!” The merchant sputters out.
“Now, please stand down. Our prince has certainly wronged you, but please refrain from insulting our royalty.” Albedo stands before Aether.
“You say I wronged him, but he had the audacity to insult my sister at our own birthday celebration.” Aether grumbles, but Albedo quickly shushes him.
“You!”
“What is all this commotion about?” Through the silence of the room, the sound of heels clicking against the floor is deafening as a tall woman approaches, followed by Lumine.
“Ningguang, Tianquan of the Qixing.” Albedo bows his head shallowly. Aether nods his head in their direction.
“What seems to be the problem?” She folds her arms below her chest, eyes narrowing slightly.
“It seems this man was speaking ill of our princess.” Albedo says coolly. “Our prince was rebuking him.”
“I see…” Ningguang taps an ornamented finger against her lip. “I apologize for the blunder of my countryman. I can assure you we’ll take proper care of this issue.” She turns to the man, who’s now cowering away. “Please leave for now.” He nods, running off faster than Aether would have expected.
Now turning to Lumine, Ningguang seems to hold back a heavy sigh. “I apologize for the disturbance of your party.” Lumine shakes her head.
“No, I’m only glad this was handled peacefully.” She shoots a discreet look at Aether, who shrugs his shoulders, before turning to the rest of the guests. “Please, go back to enjoying yourselves for the evening.” Slowly but surely the murmur of conversation starts up again. Lumine turns to Aether.
“You can’t go one day without causing problems, can you.”
“Hey, I couldn’t just let him badmouth you.” Aether smiles. “I didn’t hit him or anything.”
Lumine returns the smile. “Well, thank you for the help, even if I didn’t ask for it. Now go make yourself scarce, don’t cause anymore problems.” Aether rolls his eyes at her words. He spots Paimon floating around anxiously at the edge of the room, and Aether heads towards her, avoiding the people trying to strike up a conversation with him.
“Oi! What do you think you’re doing!” Her usually loud and shrill voice is much quieter now, probably to not cause another scene. She stamps her foot in mid air, as if to highlight her pint sized fury.
“You caused quite the scene over there.” A now familiarly smooth voice speaks from behind, and Aether turns to see Xiao.
“Ah, I did, didn’t I.” Aether laughs lightly. A pouting Paimon flies around him, gently giving him kicks of annoyance, and Xiao’s expression seems to soften just a bit, eased by Aether’s lighthearted behavior. It’s a comfortable atmosphere, one Aether wants to last forever. He really doesn’t have many friends, so he truly wants to cherish the ones he does have.
“I hope you’ve been enjoying the evening.” Aether leans against the cool stone wall.
“I’m not used to these sorts of events.” Aether nods. They’re hard to get used to. Even he still isn’t used to the sickly sweet perfumes and the stiflingly fake niceties.
“Being at the training grounds and just outside in general puts me a lot more at ease than any of these parties ever could.” Aether shrugs his shoulders. “I’m not meant for these sorts of things. As you could probably tell.” The corners of Xiao’s lips almost turn up.
“Yes, you suit the sword much better than you would a pen.”
“I have to agree.” Aether lets out a small laugh. His swordsmanship classes could be almost fun if he pretended they were practice for adventuring. But there was little escapism he could do while studying politics.
Paimon flits off somewhere, presumably to go eat even more, and Xiao and Aether stand there in comfortable silence as music begins to play. Aether watches as Lumine and Dainsleif move to the center of the room that begins to clear of people, beginning the first dance. They move gracefully, in perfect sync as they move across the floor. It’s mesmerizing to watch.
“Do you not need to be out there?” Xiao nods to the center of the room. Aether shakes his head. People got used to seeing Dainsleif take Aether’s place for the first dance, after the many times he’s skipped out on events.
Slowly more couples join them, and Aether watches a tipsy Kaeya half drag Albedo out, who begrudgingly accepts his overly dramatic request for a dance. Aether smiles. It’s good for Kaeya to make Albedo enjoy himself every once in a while.
The evening crawls on, eventually turning to night, and guests start to leave. The pleasantly slow conversation that Aether is having with Xiaocomes to a close, and it’s time for them to part.
“I enjoyed the evening.” Aether thanks Xiao, who nods.
“I also did. I don’t usually have the chance to just talk with people.” Xiao bows his head and turns to leave, but stops. “I almost forgot. I was told this is how to respectfully say good bye to someone here.” Xiao takes Aether’s hand, lifting it and pressing the knuckles to his lips. “Thank you for the wonderful evening.”
Aether’s cheeks dust with pink. “Who told you this! No one does this anymore.” Xiao’s brows knit, his own cheeks turning red, before he grimaces.
“That… my master is the one who told me, but some of his knowledge might have been outdated. I apologize.” Xiao turns quickly, but Aether can still see the tips of his ears turning red. “Thank you again for a pleasant evening.” And he quickly hurried off.
Aether holds his hand, mouth slightly agape as he watches Xiao leave. His face is surely flushed, but Aether works to regain his composure. Watching Xiao’s back leave through the door, Aether straightens his back out, then moves to go help Lumine say goodbye to the remaining guests, cheeks still dusted pink.