Chapter Text
The Knights of Favonius held a ball once a month to commemorate the month’s accomplishments with the people of Mondstadt. It brought together the richest and poorest of the city, to eat sweet foods and partake in the richest wines Mondstadt had to offer, all in the name of unity and freedom.
It wasn’t mandatory for the Knights to attend, save for the Grand Master herself of course, but Jean had felt it imperative that Eula participate, saying that were she to avoid the spotlight the people would only lean more heavily into their suspicions. She could see the logic to it, but Eula didn’t think she fully understood what the spotlight meant for her. If she did, she doubted Jean would make her attendance mandatory.
“How the Knights could allow her kind to walk free, I’ll never understand.”
“Using her family's money to win their favor no doubt.”
“Disgraceful.”
Eula had learned to keep to herself, like a wallflower she hid away from the people, yet it didn’t stop the disparaging eyes and impertinent whispers. The ballroom was a flurry of dancing bodies and loud music, yet her trained ear couldn’t help but catch her name amongst the crowd. They insulted, degraded, and minimized, all while casting hateful looks when they were sure she wasn’t looking. Eula was used to the disdain and she was long past letting the thoughts of the masses affect her, yet she felt she couldn’t be blamed for hating these balls regardless. They simply existed as a reminder of how hated she was by the very people she worked to protect.
“Lawrence scum.”
“I’ll cherish the day she shows her true colors.”
“Agreed. Let the Knights lock her away like the rest.”
Oftentimes, Amber was a welcome distraction. She talked to Eula, ate with her, and even acted as her dance partner on occasion. She’d gotten quite good at it too, even if her clumsiness oft led to a crushed toe or two. But tonight, Amber had yet to return from her scouting mission in the depths of the Stormbearer Mountains, and as such, Eula was left alone.
“What a sanctimonious woman.”
“And vacuous no doubt.”
“Like the lot of them.”
With a sigh, Eula pushed off the wall she’d been leaning against and set off toward the refreshments. People intentionally cleared a path for fear of what the villainous Eula Lawrence might do to them. Enslavement, no doubt.
As she approached, she noticed a woman she didn’t recognize. She was tall, a good head or so more than herself, with long auburn hair and sleek, alabaster skin. Her suit was a dark burgundy, filled out by broad shoulders and wide hips. Her bowtie was undone, the wild nature of it matching well with her eyepatch, and all together giving her a dangerous edge. Despite herself, Eula felt a blush touch her cheeks. It was rare she allowed herself to feel such things, especially in so public a setting, but she couldn’t deny how attractive the woman was.
As Eula approached, the woman’s crimson gaze turned to her, moving down the length of her body before slowly roaming back up again. Eula knew what she was seeing; an azure sheath dress, with an asymmetrical length and a halter neckline. It fell longer over her right leg, nearly touching the floor, while the left was cut high, showing off long expanses of pale thigh. It was something Lisa had recommended, ensuring her that anyone would be smitten upon seeing her, to which Eula had simply rolled her eyes. But from how the mysterious woman was staring, she was beginning to think Lisa may have been correct.
The woman was standing beside the refreshments, a glass of wine in hand and a grin on her lips, but as Eula reached the table, she turned to look back into the crowd, acting as if she hadn’t just been staring. She didn’t know how to feel about it all, but rather than dwell, Eula simply turned to the older man serving drinks for the night. He was a volunteer, one which she recognized for how often he pushed himself into the Knights of Favonius’ events, and she couldn’t help but frown internally at the sight of him.
“Lowly worker, I wish to partake in a glass of wolfhook juice. I expect it to be brought to me, post haste!” Eula spoke with the same cadence she was known — and hated — for, meeting the man’s eyes with a cool yet stern stare. Predictably, he frowned, his disapproval evident on his face.
“We’ve run out of wolfhook juice tonight.”
Eula glanced at the barrel to his left, knowing full well what it contained, having stocked the table herself just hours ago. “What form of trickery is this? I can clearly see the barrel just behind you.”
The man shrugged, the briefest of smirks coming to his lips. “You’re mistaken, Lawrence. There is no wolfhook juice here.”
Eula allowed herself to scowl, this particular man had always seemed to take personal pleasure in obstructing her. When Amber was at her side his tune changed, perhaps out of a desire to remain in good graces with the Knights of Favonius, or simply because Amber was too beloved to bear witness to such things. But regardless of the reason, it seemed to disappear all the same with Amber’s absence.
She considered arguing with him, perhaps even proclaiming her desire for vengeance for this clear injustice, but thought against it. Jean would not be pleased if she made a scene at such an event, and though she did not fear the acting Grand Master’s ire, she did have enough respect for the woman to not act so brazenly. So it was with a frustrated scowl that Eula turned to leave the table.
“Then go get some more.” The woman in burgundy spoke up suddenly, halting Eula in her tracks. She turned her head but the brunette was looking at the man behind the table, an easy smile on her plush, pink lips. “The lady wants her drink, surely the Knights of Favonius have another barrel stocked somewhere in the back?”
The woman took a sip of her wine, waiting for a moment before raising a brow at the man who had yet to move. He stared back firmly, crossing one arm over the other, and held his ground. “My apologies ma’am, but I’m to serve drinks for the Knights tonight and I can’t simply leave my post to fulfill one measly request.”
The woman nodded in understanding, lifting her glass to her lips once again to finish off her wine. Eula watched her place it back on the table, sliding it casually back across it, interest piqued. “And what about two measly requests? I seem to have run dry on wine and have a sudden urge for wolfhook juice.”
“I’m afraid not, ma’am. Now if that’s all, I really must ask you to step aside. I’ve plenty of other guests to attend to.” The man’s stubborn expression had yet to leave his face as he stared down the burgundy clad woman. Yet, despite it, she maintained the same easy grin, as if she had complete control of the situation.
“That’s a shame, I was under the impression the Knights of Favonius would do everything in their power to please a representative of the Liyue Qixing. Given the trade negotiations currently taking place, of course.” The casualness by which the woman spoke belied the weight of her words, but their server clearly felt it regardless. His entire face turned a sickly white as a sudden, and seemingly world-ending, realization dawned upon him.
“I suppose I’ll have to run this by the Grand Master herself then… What was your name again?” The woman pointed an accusatory finger at the man and he froze, looking as if he was about to wet himself. Eula would admit; it was cathartic to watch.
“Th-that won’t be necessary, Miss Beidou. I simply didn’t realize who I had the pleasure of- ah, never mind it. Allow me to-” The man turned quickly, reaching for the barrel behind him. Beidou’s voice stopped him however, both mid-action and mid-sentence.
“No worries, we’ll gladly wait here while you find that spare barrel. Seeing as there isn’t any wolfhook juice here and all.”
Despite the fear which had clearly gripped him, the man understood exactly what Beidou was implying. He eyed the barrel before him almost desperately, “y-yes, well…”
With a defeated sigh, the man turned back to them, head held low in a half bow. “Thank you, Miss Beidou. I’ll be back shortly.” And without another word he left, in a no doubt hopeless search for a new barrel of wolfhook juice.
Once the man had disappeared through the ballroom doors, Beidou hopped the table to take the place he’d just been. She reached for a pair of mugs and filled them with wolfhook juice. When she turned back to Eula, a sly grin had found its way onto her lips and she winked as she handed her one. Eula took it and years of proper etiquette training kicked in, causing a whispered “thank you” to leave her, even though she was still stunned by what had just transpired. She didn’t drink from her mug initially, too transfixed on the stranger who had come to her defense, something only a handful of people had ever done. Beidou however, held no such reservations, and simply took a swig of her juice.
“Don’t mention it. Though, I do wonder if calling him a ‘lowly worker’ was really necessary. I mean, he seemed like an ass, sure, but that couldn’t have helped.” Beidou took another drink, meeting Eula’s eyes for the first time since she’d arrived at the table. There was no spite, nor frustration in her stare. Instead, Eula found only thinly veiled interest.
“Perhaps not, but to do so is only natural for an aristocrat such as myself.” Eula fell into character easily enough, watching Beidou closely to see how she’d react. The upturn of her lips was a surprise, the chuckle that followed even more so.
“An aristocrat huh? I can’t say I’ve met too many of those in Mondstadt.” Beidou leaned into the table, placing half her weight against it as she offered Eula a hand. “My name is Beidou by the way.”
“Much of the aristocracy has faded with time, only a select few clans have managed to survive to this day.” Eula stared at the offered hand for a moment, before reaching out with her own. “You stand before a member of one said clan, the illustrious house of Lawrence, but you may refer to me as Eula.” Before she could find her next words, Beidou cupped Eula’s hand in her larger one, pulling gently until she could lay a kiss upon it. Once again, she found herself blushing for the woman before her.
“I’m honored, your highness.” Beidou complimented her words with a roguish smile and Eula was reminded all at once why she’d found the woman so attractive just minutes prior. Her smile highlighted the fullness of her lips and the definition of her cheekbones, Eula wasn’t used to noticing such things, but now that she had she couldn’t not notice them.
“W-well, your highness really ought to be reserved for a member of the royal family… but I appreciate the honor.” Eula cleared her throat, looking away for a moment as she struggled to smother her embarrassment. She hid the action with a sip of her drink, the bitter taste helping to calm her down.
But not well enough evidently, if the grin on Beidou’s lips was anything to go by. “Just Eula then. I’m fine with that, it’s a beautiful name.”
Such trivial actions and honeyed words wouldn't normally have fazed her, Eula considered herself a hard woman to please after all, yet there was something in how Beidou complimented that left her feeling flushed. Perhaps it was the authenticity, Beidou did not seem the type to speak disingenuously, quite the opposite in fact, the woman wore her desires on her sleeve. But more likely, Eula knew it was because of how unused to the treatment she was; there were few who would praise her in the way she had, and fewer still who would compliment her based on her lineage.
“So tell me Eula, why is a woman of such high standings being treated like this by the people of Mondstadt.” Beidou waved a hand dismissively to the crowd, as she brought her mug to her lips and finished off its contents.
Eula took a moment to look around the room and saw nothing out of the ordinary, there were spiteful looks and whispered insults aplenty, but nothing more than she was used to. Upon turning back to Beidou however, she found herself once again surprised by her. No one had ever noticed the small transgressions which the masses had taken to inflicting on her, even Jean, who Eula would consider one of the Knights most astute, hadn’t.
“You’re rather perceptive, for a woman who couldn’t be bothered to tie her own bow tie.” Eula glanced into her mug, swirling the juice within as a small smile graced her lips.
Beidou laughed, “I, for one, think it makes me look dashing.” She pushed off the counter and as Eula glanced up, she moved in closer until the space between them was almost non-existent. Her smirk had yet to leave her lips, the look in her eye almost daring Eula to pull away. But she didn’t, a smirk of her own finding itself on her lips.
“Really? That’s quite sad, but I suppose it's unsurprising for a common woman such as yourself.” Eula turned just as the words left her lips, bringing her mug to them to bury her laugh.
“I promise you, there ain’t nothing common about me, your highness .” Despite the mocking tone, Eula still felt a flush come to her cheeks at the royal moniker. She pushed past it however, glancing over her shoulder with a raised brow.
“Is that so? Prove it then.” Eula placed her mug down and turned to offer Beidou a hand. She caught the message quickly enough and hopped the table to accept her invitation. With another turn, Eula pulled Beidou along toward the dance floor. Once again the masses made way for her, but this time she almost appreciated it.
As they reached the center, Eula released her hold of Beidou’s hand and spun into position. Her feet slipped into third position naturally, her arms rising above her head and eyes drifting shut. “Dance of Sacrifice, Act 4, Glacial Illumination.” Her feet began to move in time with her own rhythm, carrying her around Beidou in a flurry of careful steps and elegant turns. When her eyes fluttered open she found Beidou watching her, traces of fascination in her stare but no hesitation. She offered a hand and Eula took it, allowing herself to be spun into Beidou’s arms and dipped low.
“You’re good.” The words were whispered for only her to hear and they brought a smile to her lips. Beidou lifted her out of the dip carefully, her hands moving along her body until one had found the small of her back and the other her hand. “But don’t count me out yet.”
The confidence in Beidou’s voice was not ill placed, for as she took the lead her body turned with elegant grace. Their feet were in sync, moving to and fro with the music they’d created in their minds. Every step Eula took Beidou matched, every turn she complimented with her own, until they began floating along the dancefloor. It had been years since Eula had danced with someone who knew her family's dance, not since she learned it herself as a child and practiced with her mother.
“You know the Dance of Sacrifice.” Eula waited until Beidou pulled her close to speak, whispering the words into her ear.
“You pick a lot up when you travel as much as I do.” Beidou responded, leading her into a twirl. Eula slipped out of her arms as she continued the motion, momentum carrying her spin until Beidou moved in to catch her.
“Then you must know how the act ends.” Eula slipped an arm behind Beidou’s neck, a smile nearly splitting her face as the brunette mirrored the motion on her waist. Sparkling lilac met brilliant crimson as they bent down into a plié. Eula pushed off, trusting Beidou to begin the pike as her leg straightened to a point. The room around them disappeared in that moment, fading into bright lights and flowing colors, as Beidou spun them around with careful grace, her free hand slipping under Eula to catch her and complete the dance.
Labored breaths were shared between them, eyes focused on only each other as Eula sat in Beidou’s arms. With how close she was, Eula couldn’t help but enjoy the heat of her body, so used to the cold of her own, she nearly forgot how good warmth felt.
“So, have I proven myself yet?”
The words brought Eula back to reality and she nearly burst into a fit of laughter, having forgotten why they’d begun the dance in the first place. Beidou let her down but Eula stayed close, arms slipping back around her neck and pulling her into another dance. Slower this time, closer.
“Not yet.”
Beidou’s hands found her waist as Eula placed her head upon her chest. So caught up in the moment, she almost didn’t hear the reactions of those around them.
“Do you see who she’s dancing with? A representative from Liyue?”
“Does the covetous Lawrence clan know no bounds?”
“Truly reprehensible!”
However, as Beidou’s chin rested atop her head and her fingers gripped firmly at her hips, they faded once again, replaced by the steady orchestra of two beating hearts.
“But the night is still young, lowly commoner.”