Chapter Text
Kaeya didn’t necessarily dislike being royalty. Don’t get him wrong, it came with its perks, pros and cons, but the one thing that infinitely bothered him was the fact that he was lonely. Outside the walls of what he called his castle, were numerous children his age roaming around doing what they wanted without the stress of royalty breathing down their necks.
While they explored down there, he was ‘locked’ away in his tower. Yes, he was dramatic, but who could blame him? All he socialized with were adults who came and went for meetings and formal events, and his castle’s staff.
The chefs in the kitchen were Kaeya’s favorite people, mainly because they sneakily gave him desserts before dinner time and an extra snack after breakfast. The maids were awfully nice as well, making sure Kaeya was safe and clean.
He supposed he liked the seamstress as well. She was unbelievably kind but Kaeya hated standing in front a mirror for long periods of time as she took his measurements. He always needed measurements, he was growing after all.
But the guards that patrolled around the hallways of the castle, the gardens, and the entrance made Kaeya nervous and tense. The guards were stiff as hay and all too serious.
Despite being constantly surrounded by people, Kaeya felt lonely. He wanted someone to laugh and joke with. Someone his age, not someone older or younger. He wanted a friend.
Kaeya usually spent his days in his room. He studied more than anything. He found interest in astronomy and botany, as well as mathematics. His windows were always open to overlook the world beneath him and the garden. As he gazed into the vastness of the outside world, he sighed longingly. He yearned to leave his room and explore the outdoors; his legs practically itched with the idea. But he knew he had to give up on that dream.
There was a knock on his door that shook him out of his fantasies.
“You may come in!” Kaeya answered aloud. The door opened to reveal his father in all his pristine glory.
His father was a kind man to an extent. He could be aggressive and demanding, but to Kaeya, he was kind. He was tall and buff and dark skinned like Kaeya. His eyes, however, were the most fascinating part of him. One of his eyes was permanently sealed with a scar as he lost it in an unfortunate accident and his other eye was a glimmering gold.
Kaeya’s own eyes were different colors, one being blue like his mothers and one being gold like his fathers. It freaked some people out, but Kaeya took pride in it.
“There is someone I would like you to meet,” he said then stepped aside. Another boy, around Kaeya’s age, maybe a couple months older, came into view. He was blonde with blue eyes and pale skin. His face was decorated with various freckles and moles and his arms were no different. He was tall, taller than Kaeya. A boyish grin was plastered onto his face.
“Pleasure to finally meet you,” he bowed. “I am Dainsleif. I’m sure you know my father and mother; knight and maid, respectively.”
Kaeya’s father nodded, “Indeed. You know Alexandra and Myron.”
Kaeya did know them. Alexandra was a maid who cared for Kaeya since he was a baby. She was kind and educated Kaeya about the various types of flowers and Myron was fiercely loyal to his father and all of Khaenri’ah. Now that he knew that, he figured that Dainsleif did in fact look like his parents.
“I do. Pleasure to meet you, Dainsleif,” Kaeya said with his best smile and rose from his desk then made his way to his father and the boy.
“Kaeya, you’ll be tasked to teach Dainsleif the roles and mechanics of everything around here as he aspires to become a royal guard like his father. Next year, he begins training,” His father said with a hand on Dainsleif’s shoulder.
“Of course, father,” Kaeya agreed then finally met Dainsleif’s eyes. They were much bluer up close and his cheeks were slightly pink.
His father bid them both a farewell then left, leaving Kaeya and Dainsleif alone together in Kaeya’s room.
“I presume you’ll also start residing here with your parents, correct?”
The staff within the castle had their very own quarters, which made emergencies and tasks easier to resolve. Kaeya’s never been to the servants’ quarters, but from what he’s heard, sometimes they’d hold parties and eat grand feasts. He’s heard nothing but positive things, which was great.
Dainsleif nodded, “Yes. I’ll be homeschooled as well, most likely with you.”
Kaeya involuntarily grinned from ear to ear. He was excited about finally having a classmate. “Let’s do our best then! But anyways, let’s walk around, I’m tired of being in here.”
He grabbed Dainsleif’s hand and led him out his bedroom and dragged him down many hallways until they eventually reached the kitchen.
“Are you sure we can be in here?” Dainsleif questioned timidly, fear brewing in his eyes.
Kaeya laughed softly and nodded, “of course. Now, aren’t you hungry?”
Kaeya led the way inside with Dainsleif following closely behind. There were numerous greetings coming from all sorts of directions directed at Kaeya. They all grinned down at him and patted his head.
The prince made his way to a certain chef and asked for something but Dainsleif couldn’t hear what.
“Okay, now we wait. He’ll be bringing us something to eat,” Kaeya told him then stood against the wall where he’s out of every chef’s way. Dainsleif followed his lead and waited.
Soon enough, a plate of fruits and nuts were placed on Kaeya’s awaiting hands. He thanked the chef and walked out the kitchen. Kaeya continued walking until he reached the gardens and under a tree.
They sat together eating what the chef had prepared for them, listening to birds chirping and the wind blowing.
“You came from outside, right?” Kaeya asked as he brought a banana to his mouth.
Dainsleif nodded with a handful of walnuts in his mouth. Kaeya grinned and looked thoughtfully up at the sky. He inhaled deeply then exhaled.
“I’ve always wanted to go out there,” he started. “I’ve never gone. My father says it’s too dangerous and he couldn’t risk losing me out there, or worse, risk having me killed…Anyways, what’s it like? Out there I mean.”
Dainsleif dusted off his hands and thought about what he was going to say.
“Well, the people are kind and lively. The streets are lined with restaurants and stores. But if you go beyond the city’s walls, there’s a whole world out there where the grass is greener and the trees are taller,” Dainsleif said, voice soft.
Kaeya listened quietly, his eyes focused on the walls surrounding them. They suddenly felt more suffocating.
“In the daytime, they’re extremely hardworking and diligent. But in the night, they’re carefree and full of life. The streets come alive with beautiful lights and music, and the people…they’re amazing. They dance like nobody’s watching.”
Kaeya’s heard the music and the singing. He’s seen glimpses of people dancing and felt the tingling in his legs as he resisted the urge to jump out his window and climb the walls to join them. He knew his father would disapprove and he knew the guards would hunt him down and catch him like predator to prey.
”Sounds magnificent,” Kaeya murmured as he played with a blueberry between his fingers. “Maybe one day I can explore the outside world.”
Dainsleif agreed and popped a raspberry into his mouth. “You know what? I’ll be the greatest royal guard ever. I’ll be your royal guard and protect you as you wander the streets outside. I promise you.”
Kaeya’s heart pounded in his chest underneath his blue and gold silk clothing. He felt hot underneath his clothing and his eyes were moist with tears. Tears that formed out of sheer happiness, not sadness. He turned to Dainsleif to find the other boy already looking at him with an honest to god smile.
”Thank you,” Kaeya whispered.
“Of course,” Dainsleif grinned. “Let’s get back inside. You have much to teach me. Now onwards, my prince.”