Chapter Text
Gunnhildr.
It was any commoner's dream of living the life of royalty.
Jean had the pleasure to live in a gorgeous palace with her very own bedchamber furnished with everything and more. The room was decorated with high attention to aesthetic detail which created a pure and calming feel. It had fancy nightstands, desks, bookshelves, dressers, and even a walk-in closet that Jean from last night was so sure it was a bathroom.
Every little inch and corner she sees felt like it cost more than her entire life. The walls were adorned with all sorts of impressive paintings but she knew that even the blank spaces of the room still cost heavily because of the material. All of the furniture mentioned seemed to come in a set and she could not imagine how much it cost. Every single one had intricate details carved into expensive wood and metal.
She couldn't help but feel embarrassed by how much she rubbed her bare feet on probably one of the fluffiest things she ever encountered which was the bedroom's large rug. Not to mention, she totally didn't roll on the entire king-sized bed and relished the silk sheets along with its luxurious Valberry scent. Totally not.
The sheer fanciness of everything she saw boggled her mind so much that she almost couldn't believe what was happening. This was only the first day that Jean could experience all of this, so there could be other bizarre things she could witness that royal people see in their normal lives. Only a handful of people could experience the life of luxury so Jean didn't want to take it for granted.
She only just woke up and three people were already rushing to get her to her best comfort even if she didn’t even ask for anything. They ushered her to try comfortable garments that fit her and got her measurements in the process. An assortment of food was offered to her and the amount of it was almost overwhelming. They even asked if she had any other preferences or complaints about how they served her.
She didn't know if she should feel relaxed or uncomfortable. It's not like she dislikes their hospitality, but rather, she isn't used to it. She had never dreamed of experiencing even half of her situation right now.
Either way, life is perfect.
If only her leg wasn't chained to a pillar.
Out of pure frustration, she tugged on the chain in hopes of it just magically snapping in two. However, fairy godmothers only help you get into a fantasy wonderland, not break you out of makeshift jail cells. There will be no magical force that was going to get her out of this. She learned that the hard way.
She almost forgot that there were still two servants in her room and they looked at her when she made the metal noise. They gave her that same frightened look when they first came in.
No, it’s not because she looked like a monster, but she gave herself quite the reputation in the palace.
“U-Um… is there anything else we can do for you?” One of them asked. Jean didn’t mean to scare them, so she put on the most gentle smile she could muster.
“No, I’m fine.” She assured them. They loosened up just a little, but they still kept their distance.
Jean felt bad. She has always been the type to give off an approachable vibe to most people, but she’s the opposite in this place (and the place where she usually works). It’s not like she didn’t mean to, but there’s really no one else she could blame but herself.
She went in expecting that she would finish her mission and go back home to rest on her not-so-beloved bed. Instead, she wasn't able to finish her mission and she ended up resting on a bed that's not hers. She swiped her hand over the smooth sheets which should at least do something to calm her mind. It did, but there really is nothing that can permanently get rid of her frustration.
The only thing that made it worse was that she lost her necklace in the process. The pendant that she held onto for years. The only thing she ever truly cherished was gone in the midst of what happened last night. It was given to her by her mother when she was young. The only memory she has left of not only her, but also her sister.
She couldn't remember any good memories about them since the only thing that comes to mind was what happened years ago. She was still young, and she was already separated from them when unknown forces came to attack their village.
Mondstadt itself never did anything to her. But she couldn't be attached to a nation that she never grew up in. So that's what it all meant to her. A past memory.
She was sure that there was nothing left behind because of the hopeless aftermath. So she thought that there was nothing to come back to. The memory was hazy, if anything, painful. She never returned back to Mondstadt because of this, but here she is, taking in their careful service.
Two knocks on the door were heard before it opened. The servants stepped aside to make way for whoever came in and their attention was raised further when they realized it was their king. Jean, on the other hand, glared at him with obvious distaste. Even if she wanted to hide it, she couldn't stop herself from scowling at the sight of him.
He stood tall and proper, flawlessly presented those sharp facial features, and acted with perfect poise. Anyone can fall for him. Jean can, but she'd be cursing herself for falling for such a huge trap.
The servants welcomed their king and he quietly returned the greeting. After that, he looked straight at Jean with a stone-cold expression which she gladly mirrored.
"I want to speak to her. Alone." He spoke in a calm but stern voice. She remembered hating his tone of speaking last night. It's as if he didn't just get a near-death experience.
"As you wish, your majesty." The servants moved out without another word, and the two were left alone in her room.
He walked over to the dresser and sat down on the chair that was across from her. He sat in a very nonchalant way that showed he doesn't care that her arms are not restrained. One arm on the dresser and one ankle on top of his other thigh. She seethes at his aura.
"Why are you doing this?" She didn't hesitate to ask the question. Since last night, he left her in the dark and didn't bother explaining the motives behind his actions. His… insanely reckless actions.
"Are you not happy that you get to live?" She let out a chuckle at his statement.
"I'm afraid I don't understand why you came up with this ridiculous scheme." She hoped he realized this. However, she couldn't see jest or hesitation in his expression. He's completely serious about what he's deciding to do.
"How is it a ridiculous scheme? You attended the ball and I simply chose you as my queen."
"I attended the ball to kill you, Ragnvindr." She went straight to the point. The grit in her voice finally cracked a reaction from him. A reaction that she definitely didn't want. A small irritating laugh paired with a smug smirk that she oh-so-desperately wants to slap from his face. Who is this guy and why does he find a threat so funny?! He realizes that his kingdom will be doomed if he dies, right?!
It's true that she attended the palace's ball just to find and assassinate Mondstadt's current king, Diluc Ragnvindr. The ball was open for everyone in which the king will choose someone, anyone he pleases, to share the throne.
She read that kind of setup before. It was yet another children's fairytale where a commoner gets chosen by the prince to be their princess, or in this case, the king to be their queen. Oh, how Jean dreams to be like that one day. One day. Not now. Not in this type of situation.
She was tasked with this kind of mission and it wasn't her first. She had multiple jobs where she would assassinate an important person who's also heavily guarded. Mondstadt is definitely not known for its strong army or security. So she thought that this mission would be a piece of cake.
"But you failed. Now you have to face the consequences." This so-called 'king' took his eyes off of her and started organizing the items on the dresser. He's sitting in front of an elite assassin and he doesn't give a single damn.
He really went for her pride. Last night was such a huge disappointment to her.
She was so proud of herself at first. She managed to successfully infiltrate and pose as a regular guest at the party. Not as regular as she first intended since she drew in a lot of eyes towards her. According to the audience, she was the most elegant maiden at the ball. Hence, the king took notice.
She saw the way he looked at her last night. He was interested. Or at least he 'faked romantic interest'.
Motherfucker knew how to act.
She was able to lure him into a courteous dance alone. They were in a secluded place and no one was near them. She was so close to him and he was very vulnerable in her eyes. At least, that's what she thought. She didn't expect him to be a seasoned fighter, and it's as if he already knew what she was going to do.
She remembered being afraid for a moment. She overcame it and accepted defeat. She even readied herself for a well-deserved execution. However, she's here, living her best morning and listening to the reason for her 'punishment'.
"By marrying you?!" She exclaimed. When he proposed the idea last night, she almost lost her shit. This guy almost got his head cut off and the next thing he did was to make his assailant his queen. Jean was sure he lost his mind but he was dead serious. He had ulterior motives.
"I would've accepted death as punishment, your majesty." She grumbled when uttering his title. Death was the sanest thing he could give her. Instead, he got her into this confusing ordeal.
"I'm not giving you punishment as a consequence. You just so happened to come in at a convenient time and killing you would be such a waste." With very little context, she had no idea what he meant by that. Her blood ran cold.
"What?"
"Don't let that terrible thought run through. I'm not that kind of person, Gunnhildr." She froze at the mention of her true name.
"How--" She was about to ask but he cut her off with an answer.
"You work for the Lawrence Clan, don't you?" He looked like he was so sure of what he's saying. The amount of information he knew baffled her.
How much does he even know? How does he know? Her mind went blank for a split second before saying the first things that came to her mind.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." She lied, but he was wrong about her being part of the Lawrence Clan. Her head spun with countless questions that she had no time to think about what she wanted to say next.
"No, wait. You're not part of them." Can he read her mind or something?
"Someone told me that you're a hired assassin."
The affairs of Mondstadt and its people were never her business until the Lawrence Clan reached out and hired her. Clearly, they got nothing out of it. Jean could care less about what they were going to do because she failed. She could care less about anything but this dumb problem.
"Yes, I'm a hired assassin! Now kill me." She tried to spell it out for him but he ignored her.
"Our dispute with the Lawrence Clan is an ongoing issue. Your task is to tell us everything you know about their objectives and how they wish to execute it." He leaned back at the backrest and crossed his arms.
"It's a simple job, but who knows? Maybe I'll assign you more things to do in the future." He shrugged. She genuinely didn't know what other things he wanted her to do for him. Hopefully, it won't be behind a desk.
"The Seneschal wanted a queen for… publicity. But I find it redundant if I were to choose anyone just so they can sit here and look pretty." Jean scoffed. Publicity, huh. Mondstadt really was carefree of a nation.
"So I thought, why not look for someone who can actually help rule the kingdom with me. That's where you come to play." He gestured over to her and she furrowed her eyebrows.
"How do you know I won't just sabotage--"
"I'm not stupid. You may be the queen but you don't get to control anyone. You move when I tell you to move."
"Of course." She sarcastically muttered with an empty chuckle. "I basically still have the same job except I'm on the other side now."
Under the Lawrence Clan, she really was just a pawn who gets ordered around for their benefit. Now, she's a queen who still gets ordered around for the same reason. At the end of the day, she was still a chess piece. It didn't matter what position she had and what she was able to do.
"The only difference is that you have an influential title and you get treated right." He stood up and walked closer to her. He slightly bent down to get in level with her face and slyly glared.
"Only if you behave."
Jean's eyes flashed with anger. "You know I am perfectly able to kill you and escape, right?"
He stood straight and reached into his breast pocket to pull out a dagger. He spun it around repeatedly while carefully inspecting it. Jean was almost hypnotized by how swift and precise he is with how he handled the weapon. His combat skills from last night really were no joke. It wasn't something he did out of luck.
He turned it so he held the blade, and he placed the handle on her palm.
"You're welcome to do it any time." The audacity.
He reached out a hand to her cheek which made her flinch. He tucked a strand of her hair that fell from the left side of her face and his fingers trailed down to her chin. Holding it firmly, he turned her head to look him straight in the eye.
"I just want you to remember every word I said. Do you understand?" He was way closer than she anticipated. At this proximity, she could see the depth in his eyes. She could imagine why he was a leader. People would follow his orders with just one look of his eyes.
She harshly turned her head away to get his hand off of her. She didn't bother to give him a response, and he didn't wait for it. He walked to exit the room.
He has his back turned. He's vulnerable. Even with the strong urge to slit his throat right then and there, Jean gripped the dagger and stayed put. He was already away from her range when he opened the door.
"Oh, I almost forgot something." He paused right as he was about to leave. He looked at her but seemed to be pondering about something else.
…
“Never mind. I’ll give it to you another time.”