Chapter Text
THE SOLE DANCE OF PARALUMAN
CHAPTER I.
“My Prince,” one of the maidens in Liyue’s palace bowed down to him an indication of respect, “The Highness wants to see you.”
Of course, he knew it all too well. He’s going to rule the Liyue once he stepped foot on the throne. He was much likely expecting this to happen.
Xiao has very thin patience, he slammed his fist on the table while he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Just tell him I’ll come down in a minute.” The maiden nodded on his command, but before she go, he commanded her one more time, “Before you leave, call Aether.”
“Yes, my Prince,” she bowed to him once more before she hurriedly left Xiao’s room.
Aether has been Xiao’s personal maid ever since. They seem to be closer together, especially when they are behind closed doors. But that is not the case. He was amused at how Aether did all his requests so easily. Like cleaning his room or folding his clothes. It appears that he’s pretty much an expert in doing such things.
Another knock coming from his door is once heard again. Xiao perked up to see who it was once he commanded to come in. There, he saw the golden hair with a pair of almond-shaped eyes that played with light the way honey teases an unsuspecting sunbeam. He looks undeniably beautiful. Perhaps, the word ‘beautiful’ is not the perfect word for him, it’s more than that.
He stood right in front of Xiao’s table, where he was sitting there, he bowed down his head before he dares to ask him a question, “What can I do for you, my prince?”
“Prepare my clothes. I’m going to meet with my Family.”
“Your wish is my command, my prince” but before he’s going to turn his back on him, Xiao grabs him on the elbow to prevent him from leaving.
“Also, change your clothes, the one that I gave to you. I want you there assisting me while I’m having dinner with them.”
“Yes, my prince” he bowed down to his request once more before he can finally leave the room.
Xiao sighed. The scent of the warm sunshine that hugs the whole room is inhaled by the prince. Aether was pleasantly exquisite. He looks like a ray of walking sunshine, the sun was shining on everyone’s face, even the prince cannot deny that. The sun, that son of the sky, once again took him a rightful place on the horizon. Xiao let Aether’s rays cascade onto his world, bringing the scene into full view, adjusting the brightness and contrast. Only in the light of the sun can our most vivid hues sing so loud.
—
When Aether had prepared the expensive clothes for the prince, he plopped down on his bed and lied down for a bit. He even helped his sister- who is also a maiden, prepare all the foods that will present for the Highness.
He turned his body sideways and stared at his open cabinet. The hanging clothes that Xiao had given him looked different from the maids' dresses.
He will definitely get people's attention from his appearance once he stepped foot out of his room.
Aether almost jumped in shock when the door to his room suddenly opened, he immediately frowned when he saw his smirking sister. “Do you not know how to knock?” He said with all the frustration he had.
“Sorry,” she giggled. She closed the door behind her and sat beside his brother who is laying on the bed. “I heard that the Prince asked you to have dinner with him? Am I correct?” He can’t see his sister’s face because he was facing on the other side, but the smug tone in her voice can definitely tell that she was teasing him about it.
He sat up and faced her, “No! You’re wrong about that. He was telling me to assist him with his family dinner. That’s all.” Lumine knew that his brother has been admiring the prince for so long, so that is why she doesn’t stop nagging him about that.
There is a difference between admiring or liking a person, perhaps that’s what Aether thinks. Despite the harshness or aggressiveness that Xiao has, he has incredible strength. Him, only breathing makes everyone in the palace bow down to him.
“Let’s give you a make-over,” Aether was surprised and before he could protest, he saw his sister standing right in front of the bed while pulling his brother and pushing him on a seat in front of the vanity to give him a make-over.
Lumine took out the fine clothes that Xiao gave. He can tell that someone gave it to him because it looks so elegant even though it’s just a plain ruffle bandage long sleeve with some black pants on.
The make-over wasn’t that much, it was just simple. Even if Aether’s lips don’t get dry that much, Lumine decided to put a lip balm to it.
With some finishing touches, they both smiled on the mirror. Their smiles are very similar to each other, of course, they are twins. But in some cases, Aether has the kind of smile that warmed his eyes that touched the corners of his mouth, like a gentle touch and the honesty that is purity. While Lumine has a faint smile that her eyes twinkled that even the sunshine and the birdsong, it is the silencing of the clocks, it is both the cage and the ever-open door.
“You look great, brother. Mother would love to see this,” she smiled in the mirror while he was caressing the top of his hair. She is aware that Aether can braid his own hair but she always loves to do this.
Aether remembered that Lumine asked him if she can cut his hair, which he denies the request and made Lumine confused about it. When he told her that their mother likes it long, she stopped nagging about it and let it grow longer.
“You’re definitely going to catch everyone’s attention.”
“I am aware of that, sister. I don’t even look like one of the maids. I look like I was casually going for a stroll,” he said as he tugs his shirts down, “I don’t know why Prince Xiao wanted this.”
Lumine eyed him on the side while she cleaned up her stuff on the table, listening to her brother’s interrogations.
—
Xiao was sitting at the table as he waits for his parent’s arrival. There was no one inside the room since he was the one who commands them to let Aether be the one to serve them.
Obviously, Xiao is more in favor of Aether, they can't blame him either because he's the fastest to serve of them all. Especially since marriage will be their issue at their family dinner, Xiao also doesn't want his life to gossip about it and he trusts Aether more than all of them. He knew that whenever this was discussed, it was easy to spread the news even if Xiao was not in favor.
Besides, he is aware that his parents will give him options and opinions about his marriage. That is why Zhongli- his Father, and the ruler of Liyue, want to discuss this matter with his son.
“God fucking damn it,” he slammed his head on the table. But he suddenly sat up straight when he heard the door open. When he turned around he saw Aether and the dress he had given to him.
Aether bowed at him and went straight to the kitchen to prepare all the servings for the family. The prince watched his every move until his parents came in.
“What a pleasant evening we have, Xiao!- and oh, hello there, Aether!” It was Venti who speak in a lively tone. The prince rolled his eyes as his two fathers sat on the table. “Now, what do we have today, Aether?”
“For today’s serving, we have Adeptus Temptation, Apple Cider for the drinks, Braised Meat, Butter Crab, Cold Cut Platter, Fullmoon Egg, and for the prince’s specialty we have Almond Tofu.”
“Very well, you may serve the foods while we are discussing some matters here.” It was Zhongli who ordered, Aether let out a soft ‘yes, your highness’ to him before he serves the food on the table.
They are aware that Aether was listening while they are discussing the matter of Xiao’s marriage. Although, the prince wasn’t that much listening to his parents since he was too focused on the maid serving their food on the table.
“Ever since your father and I got married, the Liyue and Mondstadt merged together and became one, thus it expanded your Father’s ruling over the land,” Venti spoke as he pinched down his fork on the food. “And since you are the only child, oblige to rule the two nations once you are married. Your bridesmaid or your grooms must be from Mondstadt or Liyue so that you two must have an interest within.”
“I have no interest” the prince coldly said. Although, he can hear them groaning a little bit in frustration, which made Aether jump a little since he was standing beside the Prince. He’s done serving them and there’s nothing that he can do other than the fact that he still needs to assist them when they have requested.
Zhongli and Venti shared glances before the Highness sighed. He knows how stubborn their son is, and sometimes and regrets that he spoils him because sometimes he doesn’t give respect to anyone. Not even them.
Venti has long noticed that since Xiao found out he needed to get married, this has changed. He rebelled even more but no matter what they do, they could not change the fact that he still needs to get married, with or without his consent. Especially Zhongli wants to give up his throne and pass it down on to his only son.
“We know that—”
Xiao slammed his hands on the table and stood up to his parents, “If you knew about it, then why are you still forcing me?!” He yelled at them. He got no reaction from his parents, this is the reason why Xiao trusted Aether most because if other’s sees this, it appears that his parents don’t give a damn about him but in reality, they do, even the prince knew that.
He just knew that Aether wouldn’t judge that easily and wouldn’t spread false information to everyone. One of the reasons why Xiao doesn’t entertain other guests inside the Liyue’s palace.
Even if he rebels, even if he doesn't want his parents to force him, even if sometimes they don't get along, even if he doesn't want their name to be tarnished. He still cares about their reputation, which Xiao failed to protect that, ever since the war started long ago.
“Aether, you may go out as you please—” as soon as Zhongli asked him to leave, he hurriedly left the room but he was prevented to do that. A strong hand that is gripping on his wrist stopped him in his tracks,
“No, he’s staying here,” he then switched his glance to him with dull eyes. “He can also eat the foods that he served to us. It is my command and I have the right to do that.”
Aether gulped from the prince’s aggressiveness, even if it is not towards him. He is sometimes scared that he’s abusing his power, commanding everything to satisfy his needs. He has no complaints because what he does as a maid is simple, to be submissive to the orders of the higher-ups.
Because Aether is a kind person, or perhaps that’s what everyone sees in him, he sometimes didn’t like how the prince's act toward the others especially he was friends with the other maids and he saw how he would treat others. Which made him despise him a little.
He looked at Venti as if asking for help. But the Highness only nodded at him so he decided to plop down on his seat beside the prince. This is the first time that he’s eating with them.
“Why not just pass the crown to others you trust? Why are you giving me the responsibility? Is it because I am your only child?” Xiao protests as he gave a glare to his parents.
As much as Aether wants to calm down the prince, he couldn’t. He could not even lift his spoon to serve the food in his mouth. The intensity of the room was too much.
He understood both sides. He understood that Xiao doesn’t like being forced, nobody does, but at the same time he is the only child and he must oblige to rule over their nation since he has the royal blood.
“Are you perhaps telling me that you are not a responsible person? I did not raise you to be like that, Alatus.”