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Do you believe in fate? The idea that everyone’s destinies and stories are predetermined for them at birth, woven together by a mysterious deity or powerful force. Their gains and their losses, their joy and their sorrow were all planned out for them. The idea that every wind blows with reason, that every bruise on one’s skin or soul is not without its purpose. For some it is a concept of comfort, for others it’s of fear.
Your fate? Well, you were the princess of a glorious nation, Khaenri’ah. But right now, you were knelt on the floor, gently transferring each flower from their pot into the soil. One by one. You watered each one with care and made sure to be careful with the roots, just like Frida had asked you to. The petals were of a lovely array of colours, a beautiful song of colours. You stood up, taking off your gloves and dusting off your clothes.
“Your Highness, thank you so much for the help.” An older, plump woman with tied back black hair beamed, her voice startling you out of your inner thoughts. Frida was the owner of the orphanage you volunteered at. She was a sweet lady with a heart of gold. She told you that she was an orphan herself and that is why she decided to open own orphanage, to take care of children who were just like her.
You smiled, tucking a loose strand of your hair behind your ear, “it is my pleasure, Miss Frida. This place is already looking so much more vibrant. Perhaps I could import some flowers for you next time? There’s a beautiful purple flower that only blooms in Sumeru.”
Frida’s eyes widened, a humble smile breaking out on her face, “oh please, Your Highness, truly there is no need. You’ve already done so much.”
“Look, look! It’s Princess Y/N!” You heard a child cry out. You turned around, noticing two small girls run up to you, holding a book in their hands. You made a mental note to ask your servants to order some roses from Sumeru later when you returned to your palace.
“Your Highness Y/N! Please read this to us!" One of the two girls thrust the book into your hands, practically vibrating with energy.
"Oh, what a lovely book! I loved this story as a little girl," you praised, looking at the cover with a smile as you took the small book from the two girls. It was a lesser known fairy-tale, one that was practically only read about in Khaenri’ah.
"Fairy tales are stupid,” you heard a boy mutter under his breath to the two girls, causing them to slump their shoulders sadly.
“Now then, you shouldn’t be mean to them for liking something you don’t,” you scolded lightly, frowning at the small boy in disappointment.
"Sorry, Miss Y/N" he apologised, hanging his head down in shame. "Sorry, girls...”
You smiled, patting the boy’s head, “It is quite alright, as long as you do not repeat the same error twice.”
The boy nodded, a small blush forming at his cheeks and the rest of the kids began to crowd around you to listen to you read. You opened the book, clearing your throat before beginning to read.
"Once upon a time, lived a beautiful princess,” you spoke slowly, “this princess had eyes like gems and a heart of gold. Her presence would make unhappy faces smile and wilted flowers bloom.”
“One day, she met a courageous knight who carried a mighty sword and who had sharp eyes that were like flames,” you continued. “He was once kind and caring, but a witch’s spell turned his gentle heart into pure ice, cursing him to become bitter and emotionless.”
“The two formed a close companionship. The princess slowly began to fall in love with the knight, yet the knight’s heart was as always, encased in ice. One terribly stormy day, the princess got attacked by the evil witch and the courageous knight jumped in to protect her! His sword reflected the witch’s spell, defeating her but he suffered a terrible injury in the process.”
“Oh no!” One of the children winced.
“The princess, devastated, fell to her knees and held him close. With tears in her eyes, she kissed her one true love and suddenly, the knight found his wounds healed and the ice around his heart melted. With a warm heart, he could finally feel love and he felt all the love imaginable for the beautiful and kind princess. Her strict family opposed their relationship, but once they found out about how he had saved her, they relented.”
“Under a beautiful sky of stars, they married and lived happily ever after,” you concluded, snapping the book shut with a smile. You looked up to see the children smiling, seemingly very invested in this story.
“I liked that story!” A little boy grinned.
"Miss Y/N! Miss Y/N! Read this, read this!" children crowded around you, trying to get you to read you their favourite stories.
“Now now, do not worry, I shall read all of your stories,” you laughed affectionately, reaching for the next book that was being presented to you. It was a well-known fairy tale about a poor girl who was almost like a slave to her stepfamily after her mother died, but who ended up becoming a princess when she met her true love. You pronounced each word slowly and clearly, making sure to pause and explain a word someone didn’t know.
After you were done, the door to the house swung open and Frida peaked out.
“Come on kids! Her Highness must leave soon,” the woman urged.
“Aw! But Miss Y/N is so nice and so fun to play with!” several of the children whined. Your face flushed with heat from the compliment, a smile breaking out on your features.
“Do not worry my children, I will be back here tomorrow,” you reassured them softly. The children sighed but all quickly ushered inside once Frida told them she had prepared food.
“Thank you for helping out, Your Highness,” Frida said earnestly, a bright and warm smile on her face.
“It was no problem, Miss Frida, I shall see you tomorrow,” you told her your goodbyes before meeting the guard escorting you back. You were slightly startled to realise that the same dull and uninterested guard who’s been accompanying for months was gone, now replaced with a much taller (and in your opinion, much prettier) guard instead.
“I hadn’t been informed of a guard change.” You comment, hoping your words did not come across as rude.
“His Majesty requested that a stronger knight accompany you from this day forth,” the knight bows before you. “I am Dainsleif, Captain of the Royal Guard. I swear by my sword that I will protect you wherever you may go.”
You couldn’t say you expected this turn of events. Not that you are particularly complaining. Captain Dainsleif, you had to admit, was quite a sight for sore eyes. His features seemed to be sculpted by an artist, his eyes painted a lovely shade of blue. He spoke his words slowly and clearly; every syllable being pronounced with care. Despite this, you couldn’t help but be slightly intimidated. He wore no smile, only sharp eyes with a piercing gaze aimed to search for any danger.
“It truly is an honour to meet you, Captain Dainsleif,” a small, gracious smile formed on your lips as you bowed your head politely. “I have heard a great many good things about you.”
Dainsleif merely nodded, expression unchanging, “You flatter me, Your Highness.”
“I was merely being honest,” you felt a bit shy, hands itching to fidget with each other. “Well then, shall we depart?”
Did you believe in fate? Perhaps. For you, it was something you feared and admired. Maybe fate was what led you to meet Dainsleif that day. You would never know.
“Why couldn’t you spend your time on more useful deeds, Y/N?” Your mother shook her head slowly, her words laced with an unrelenting, cold disappointment. “Honestly, running around these orphanages and schools… Shouldn’t you be finding yourself a suitor instead? You have come of age, but you have yet to marry.”
You purse your lips, your hands subconsciously curling into fists, fingernails denting into the palm of your hand. “Your Majesty, I am merely doing my part to benefit the people we are destined to rule.”
Your mother clicked her tongue, “Fine. I suppose I will allow it.” Then she added under her breath, “At least your brother is still the perfect heir.”
You quickly excused yourself and left the throne room, a heavy feeling weighing on your heart. It latched onto you, squeezing your chest and restricting your lungs. You would never be as ‘perfect’ as your older siblings, you knew that. And yet, it still pained you to be seen as a disappointment by your family. What was it that was wrong with you? Did you not act ladylike enough? Were you not as pretty? Not as smart? You tried your best for the people your family was born to rule. You tried your best, why couldn’t they see that?
These palace walls, beautiful yet cold and empty, felt suffocating. The high ceiling felt too low, the wide walls too tight. Before you could think twice, you slipped out into the palace garden. You walked slow steps amongst the rows of beautifully placed flowers from many different regions. You loved these flowers, yet there was something prettier about the ones Frida had grown herself back at the orphanage. How odd. What was it about Frida’s flowers that appealed to you more than the ones in the palace garden? The palace flowers are wonderful, the best flowers of every kind and with the most vibrant of colours. And yet, Frida’s are just more lovely. They were grown from love and care, from someone you respected.
At the end of the garden, was a large evergreen tree. Its leaves reached high in the sky, and the trunk was abnormally wide. This tree was undoubtedly old. You wondered, if someone were to sit behind it, facing away from the palace... would they be secluded from any guards or onlookers? Sitting down on the soft grass, you breathed in the breeze and the fragrance of flowers it carried with it. Glancing up at the clear autumn sky, your breath was stolen by the sea of twinkling stars that greeted you prettily that night. What a wonder, the night sky is. You could spend centuries counting the stars and you would never count them all. They twinkle so purposefully, as if they were shining only for you.
You breathed deeply, cool air pouring in and out of your lungs, and yet the crawling weight, the lurking dread, refused to leave you be.
Dainsleif had noticed the princess slipping out of the halls of the palace and into the garden. He couldn’t help but be a tad bit concerned. Why didn’t you inform him first?
Upon quietly stepping out into the garden, Dainsleif was greeted with the cool night air on the few exposed parts of his skin. It was a silent night, with only a few guards out patrolling at that time. Oddly enough, it didn’t look like you were here. You were nowhere in sight. He then noticed the large tree.
Approaching it, he saw you. You were seated on the evergreen grass below, looking up at the sky quietly. Your eyebrows were furrowed in deep thought, a look of longing painting your features.
“Your Highness?” The princess had flinched, Dainsleif’s voice pulling you out of your deep thoughts.
“Captain Dainsleif? What are you doing out here?” You voiced, glancing up at him. You didn’t meet his eyes, your face flushed pink ever so slightly. Dainsleif wondered if you hadn’t heard him approaching.
“I had noticed your absence from the palace,” he explained simply. A silence befell the garden, it seemed that the princess didn’t know how to respond to that. Dainsleif felt the tiniest bit guilty. Perhaps all you wanted was some time alone. But it’s not like Dainsleif can just abandon you. It is his duty to stay by your side. In that regard, he supposed he felt a tiny bit sorry for you.
“I have a request for you,” you begin, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. You fidget with the hem of your sleeve. Dainsleif quirked an eyebrow, his curiosity piquing. You rarely requested anything from him. If she could obtain it herself, she will. He only inquired about it once, and she said she didn’t want to ‘inconvenience’ him with her requests.
“Will you sit and chat with me?” Dainsleif’s eyes widened. That was the princess’s request? You could ask for anything and it would be yours. The finest dress, the most vibrant rose, the rarest gem… and yet all you request for is a companion? He supposed everyone gets lonely, even the princess.
“Of course, Your Highness.” He says as he sits down beside you. He was hesitant and he was careful not to brush up against you as he sat next to you. Almost instantly, your eyes light up as a grin spreads across your face. Dainsleif’s breath hitches in his throat. He’d seen you smile, of course he has. Little, elegant and gentle smiles you would flash to everyone who looked your way. He admired your effort in that regard, but he wouldn’t admit it aloud. This smile, however, was unlike any smile he’s seen you wear before. It was a wide smile, and it made your eyes crinkle into crescent moons. It was genuine and real.
“Um…” the princess stutters, clearly nervous. Dainsleif almost found it endearing, but he thought that he much preferred it when you smiled. “Do you enjoy being a captain?”
“I do,” he answered seriously. “It’s fulfilling.”
“But it must be a lot of responsibility, is it not?” You inquire, a little more comfortably this time. He relaxed as well, glad to know that you were warming up to his unexpected presence.
“It is, but I would not have it any other way.” Dainsleif confessed. “I suppose protecting others gives one a sort of purpose, if you will.”
“A purpose.” You echoed thoughtfully. “I understand. So, your reasons are entirely selfless? That is quite noble of you. I think a lot of knights are only doing it for either the pay or the fights… I admire your reasoning.”
You relax, leaning back against the trunk of the large oak tree. The sky was beautiful, a gorgeous sea of navy blue, speckled with burning white stars. “Do you happen to know any constellations, Captain Dainsleif?”
He nods slowly. “I do. Do you wish for me to point some out for you?”
“Would you?” You smile at him hopefully. “I had always been interested in the stars.”
Dainsleif was never one to care about such superficial things like appearance. And yet, as you look at him endearingly with the stars reflected in your eyes and streams of silver moonlight showering your features, how could he think of you as anything less than beautiful?
“Anything for you, Your Highness.”
You sat on the mahogany chair, your skirt slightly draping over on the sides. Looking around, there were a couple of wonderful paintings hung up on the brightly painted walls. On the porcelain table draped in a silk tablecloth, laid two plates and an array of silver utensils.
The prince across from you smiled, “the paintings are quite lovely, aren’t they?”
You nodded as a servant came along and placed two porcelain teacups for you and the princess, “indeed.”
The servant poured tea into both of your cups, and you quietly thanked them. You dropped a couple of sugar cubes into your tea, stirring it around with the silver spoon. You and the princess from another royal clan engage in small talk. You disliked these meetings your mother scheduled more than anything. You could never understand her persistence in getting you to choose a suitor to marry. Not that you were against marriage or anything like that, but you never clicked with any of the princes who sought your hand in marriage.
“Do you have any plans for the future, Y/N?” the prince asked. He was from another royale clan in Khaenri’ah.
“Well... it would be nice to travel around Teyvat.” you reply.
The prince laughs, “oh, Your Highness, but why would you ever want to? You have everything you need in this wonderful nation.”
Your heart sinks, “that’s true, but... it’s always been my dream...”
“Ah, but that’s just a dream.” his lips curve into a strained smile. “Right, you should focus on reality... not on dreams.”
Your heart pangs. You don’t respond. Was it really wrong for you to dream? You simply wanted to see everything the world had to offer. You only had one shot at life, why waste it away in one place? Was that so wrong?
“Well, in any case--”
The rest of the tea party went by uneventfully, but his words struck you. So, you found yourself returning to the secluded spot under the oak tree again that night. A cool breeze rushed past you. During the day, the summer hours were warm and hot, but the night-time was cool.
Looking up at the stars, they greeted you with their twinkling gaze. You told yourself you didn’t care about what he said. You told yourself that his words didn’t wound you. But deep down, you knew that was a lie. His words did wound you.
“I thought I would find you here, Your Highness,” you smiled as you heard a familiar low voice. You couldn’t deny that a part of you secretly hoped you would see him again. Last time you spent the night with him, you felt incredibly comforted in his presence, though you didn’t say anything about your troubles. You said nothing, merely patting the ground next to you and Dainsleif took the hint and sat beside you, still slightly hesitant and still careful not to touch you.
“Do you ever wonder what life would have been like if fate had dealt you different cards?” You thought aloud, your voice rupturing the silence.
The knight beside you hums in thought, “everyone dwells on the what if’s, don’t we? It’s human nature.”
“Really?” You spoke. “I think about it a lot. I wonder… what life would be like if I was born into a different family instead.”
You let those words hang in the air. What would life be like if you weren’t a princess? Maybe you would have been born into a happier family. You wouldn’t wear fine silks or stroll around a garden full of beautiful flowers but… did it even matter? The freedom you could have had is something your brain cannot even fully process. You could have been free to do as you please, without the shackles of expectations weighing you down.
“And what do you wonder about? What do you imagine?”
“I imagine… freedom.” You reply, your honest words tumbling out before you could stop them. “Running through fields, splashing in the river… simply, not caring. I would travel around Teyvat, see everything the world has to offer. Visit all the nations. No one would be able to stop me. I would live how I wish to live.”
“I imagine falling in love. Not just with another person, but with life. ” You sigh before frowning, the prince’s earlier words coming back to you. “But I know this is all just a silly dream.”
You’re surprised you’re opening up so easily to him, every emotion and thought flowing out as naturally as water. But it felt right. You felt like you could trust him.
“Do not put yourself down like that, Your Highness,” Dainsleif quickly interjects. “Would you shame Miss Frida for dreaming?”
Your eyes widened, “I would never!”
“So why should you shame yourself?” His voice is monotone, but his words spark so many emotions in you.
You tuck a strand of her behind your ear, “A lot of people told me that dreaming of such things was silly.”
“Well, why listen to them?” he glances at you, his expression is cold, but his words are warm, warmer than you could have ever expected from him. “It’s your life to live. Not theirs.”
It was another peacefully slow night, out in the garden. You had gotten used to Captain Dainsleif’s company every day. He would point out constellations in the stars as you both lay in the soft grass of the secluded garden. Sometimes, one of you would spill about your troubles, and the other would listen. There was an allure to him, one that had you craving for his presence. You’d always loved the night, but the night-time had become your favourite time of the day. Simply because you loved to be with him.
But today, the blonde knight seemed to be running late. You didn’t mind. You would just wait a little longer before going back inside. Wandering around, you wondered what went beyond the woods that surround the garden…? The darkness from the forest seemed to be creeping over, something unknown and hidden lurking in the shadows.
You began walking. Just a bit wouldn’t hurt, right? There are guards around, if anything happens. You saw a peculiar flower; one you hadn’t seen before blooming. You kneeled down, inspecting it. How interesting.
You began to stand up, but before you could turn back to the garden, you were pushed down to the ground by someone else. You winced as you hit the floor. You thrashed against his grip, desperately trying to escape from his grasp.
“Don’t make this harder than it has to be.” You tried to move your arms, but he only dug his nails into your skin painfully. His touch on yours was a thousand spiders crawling on your skin, his voice a painful screech you wished to never hear again.
An ice-cold terror paralysed you as you looked up fearfully at your attacker, those words shaking you to your core. You couldn’t scream, his hand was covering your mouth. What would happen to you? Would he hurt you? Would anyone save you now? Please, please, Dainsleif—
You froze as you watched the attacker be pushed off of you. Your eyes land on a figure you had become well acquainted with— Dainsleif— and you nearly melt in relief. His sharp eyes glare at your attacker, his boot on his torso and his sword pointed at his face.
“How dare you lay a finger on her,” his voice is sharp with disdain, his words laced with venom. Fear flickers in the criminal’s eyes before Dainsleif knocks him unconscious. He makes haste to tie him up.
“Dainsleif.” Your voice cracks up as your entire body trembles. Dainsleif’s eyes soften as he rushes over to you, blue irises scanning over your figure in search of any injuries.
“Are you injured? He didn’t hurt you, did he?” His eyes held an emotion you weren’t used to seeing on him.
You shake your head, tears welling in your eyes, “No, no, I’m fine.”
“We must get you back to the palace-“
“No!” You cry out, looking up at him pleadingly. “No, please, I beg you. I promise I am not injured. If- If my parents find out they’ll never let me leave the palace ever again!”
Dainsleif knew he should insist, to at least get you checked over by the royal nurses. But when you grip at the sleeve of his uniform and look up at him like that, with those tear-stained pleading eyes, how could he ever say no? He stares at you for a long moment before sighing in defeat. “Fine.”
You are still trembling as you reach out to him, wrapping your arms around him. The sudden affection catches the captain off guard. Hesitantly, he places his hand on your back, rubbing unsure soothing circles. You felt all your fears melt away. His hesitant touch was like the relaxing patter of the rain. With your head against his chest, you could feel his heartbeat, soft and subtle.
“Thank you,” you muttered. “For saving me. I don’t know what would have h-happened if... if— “
“Do not thank me, Your Highness,” he cuts you off. “I will always protect you. I promised to.”
His words, kind and saccharine, blossom a warmth in the pit of your stomach. You realised just how intimate you were and felt your face flush with heat. Could he feel your heart skipping a beat? His heart was racing in his chest. Did he feel the same warmth and spark you did?
This feeling, fluttering and buzzing in your chest, was it what the poets called love? This feeling, terrifyingly comforting and imperfectly beautiful, was love was it not? Did you wish to run away, or embrace this feeling and drown in it? You are a princess, and he is your guard. This flame you both longed for, brilliant as it is, would burn you.
He pulled away first and accompanied you back to the garden before slipping away to hand off the attacker to the other knights so that he could get what he deserves. Before leaving, he whispered to you a promise that he would return. So, you waited for him, in the same spot you always did.
You smiled as you saw him return to you, just like he promised.
“I hope I did not keep you waiting for long, Your Highness.” He says as he takes his seat beside you.
“I had just begun to think that I should head back,” you replied teasingly, laughing a little before adding. “Do not worry, I did not mind the wait.”
“Your Highness,” he rolled his eyes with a sigh, and you giggled.
“Aren’t the stars wonderful tonight?” you smile as you relax, all you fear melting away in the presence of the captain. You find it amusing, how long it had been since you escaped to the garden in search of solace. But the garden was never your solace, Dainsleif was.
“I would say their beauty is eclipsed in your presence,” Dainsleif’s voice was so low you thought you had imagined it. Your chest suddenly became lighter and warmer, your mind melting into mush. Did the stoic captain of the royal guard… Just call you beautiful?
You sneak a glance at him, finding yourself utterly awe-struck at the fond yet vulnerable expression he held for you. Any words you could have said in reply escaped you in the moment. The light pouring from the sky basked him in its silver glow and when you gazed into his eyes, you forgot how to breathe. Reflected in those irises, blue as a storm, were the sea of stars that watched over you tonight. But all the stars in the universe could not compete with him.
Your hand on his spoke a thousand more words than your voice ever could.
If this is what the poets and bards called love, then you wished to drown in it. This flame, as beautiful as it is, would burn you. But you could not care. You wished to burn.
“Oh, wherever is Captain Dainsleif?” You thought aloud to yourself, stepping outside the library of the palace. You found him, but he was with another knight. He seemed to be explaining something to him. After the other knight stepped away, you creeped up on Dainsleif and tapped his back.
“Boo!”
Dainsleif didn’t flinch, turning around to greet you. He’s glad that you were in good spirits today. “Good afternoon, Your Highness.”
“Didn’t scare you at all, did I?” You smile knowingly, hiding your hands behind your back. “Just what I’d expect from the Twilight Sword.”
“Your Highness wished to speak with me?” Dainsleif deadpans.
“Ever the serious one, aren’t you?” You tease. “Would you show me your hand?”
The captain extended his right hand out to you. You revealed the pouch you were holding, light blue and made of silk, and placed it in the palm of his gloved hand.
“Your Highness...?” He stares at the pouch as if he had never seen such an item before. You chuckle nervously, urging him to open it and he does, revealing an amulet inside it. It was in the shape of a crescent moon, made of dark navy-blue gems. Inside the moon were tiny silver gems, like little stars reflected in the calm waves of the winter ocean. On the side of the moon were engraved the words ‘To my moon and stars.’
“It’s a gift,” you tell him shyly. “I heard it is your birthday today and well, I wanted to thank you for saving me. It’s said to protect the wearer from any harm… and well, you always protect me.”
Your face burned as you anxiously watched his face, looking for any hint in his expression that he didn’t like it.
Dainsleif allowed a small smile to slip on his lips as he saw the engraving on the side of the amulet and all your worries melted like ice in the summer heat, “Thank you, Your Highness. I shall cherish this forever.”
You wished you could see his invaluable smile every day. His smile, though small, lit a fire in the heat of your heart. How many more times could you be the cause of his smile, the cause of his happiness? He was so kind, so beautiful. He protected you; he comforted you, he was a friend. You wanted nothing more than for him to be happy.
“Just Y/N is fine.” The words escaped you before you could stop them. What would your parents do, if they knew of this close relationship you had with the knight? Would they forbid you from seeing him? You didn’t know, but the butterflies in your stomach overtook any worries or cares you had about that. Deep down, you held a selfish desire to hear him call you by your name. Over and over again. He stared for a long moment. Your hands fidgeted with each other, your fingers tangling together.
“Well then,” he smiled again. “Thank you, Y/N. I shall cherish this forever.”
“Though… I must ask…”
You quirked an eyebrow, suddenly nervous at his serious tone.
“Is this your way of courting me?” You froze, like the delicate rain in a harsh winter. An image flashed in your mind. Of being dressed in white, catching him by the lips after you’ve spoken binding vows and then spending the rest of your mortal life being his and him being yours.
Your face lit up with heat, all words escaping you, “I-I- “
But then he let out a hearty, genuine chuckle, a beautiful melody of chiming bells. “I was merely jesting. It only makes sense I get back at you for all your teasing, no?”
In that fragile moment, with his eyes creased with his smile, you wondered what you had done to ever get so lucky. What would it take, for you to hear his laugh again and again?
“Oh, you!” You pretend to be angry but fail as a grin crept up on your lips.
You walked down the street, your beloved royal guard by your side. The warm spring air was soft on your skin. You kept your head high, each step graceful and calculated. The sound of birds chirping could be heard in the distance, the rays of the early morning sun shining down on you. Very few people were out and about at this hour. Secretly, you were glad. A selfish part of you wanted to spend as much time alone with your favourite knight as possible.
“If I may,” Dainsleif breaks the comfortable silence you shared with him, “would you mind if showed you a certain place? I think you’ll enjoy it.”
“Lead the way,” you smile and begin to follow wherever he is taking you. It took a while, but after some time you stopped. Taking in your surroundings, you realised he had led you to an open field full of wildflowers. The twinkling morning sun shimmered on the open field, covering each flower with its radiant glow. A soft, delicate breeze rushed past, carrying the sweet scent of nectar with it.
“Dainsleif…” you breathed out, your heart swelling with warmth. “This is wonderful.”
“I knew you would enjoy it.”
You kneeled, plucking a flower from the ground and smelling the sweet scent of pollen. It was a pretty flower, with four white petals and one light blue petal. You knew these flowers. Inteyvats, they were called. A pretty and simple flower with a tragic association. They had to be among your favourites.
“Stay still.” You told the blonde knight as you turned to him. You reached over, standing up on your tiptoes, and placed the flower on his ear. Stepping back, you grinned as you saw how it looked on him. It certainly stood out. Here stood the intimidating and feared yet respected captain of the Royal Guard with a cute little flower in his hair.
“How cute.” You comment.
Dainsleif let out a chuckle and then kneeled to pluck another Inteyvat. Approaching you, he cupped your cheek with one hand while carefully placing the flower in your hair with the other.
“You look even lovelier with the flower, Y/N.”
“I could say the same for you, Dain.” You teased. “Your stoic and scary expression goes oh-so-well with that pretty flower in your hair.”
Dainsleif rolls his eyes fondly at your teasing. You chuckle at his reaction, “don’t worry, I personally like your stoic and scary expression.”
“Oh, did you just admit you like me?” he smirked, and your face flushed with heat.
“I-um-!” you stammered, suddenly incredibly flustered. Dainsleif merely chuckled at your reaction. “Anyways! Uh, y-you know how to make flower crowns?”
“No, I do not. Maybe my darling Y/N who likes me so much will teach me?”
“You’re never going to let this go.” You sigh, your heart skipping a beat at the nickname. You kneel on the ground and pluck a few more flowers. “Okay! Watch and learn!” Dainsleif kneeled beside you and watched and listened as you weaved a crown from the flowers, carefully explaining every step to him.
You placed the finished crown on top of his head and giggled. “You look so cute!”
Dainsleif’s cheeks dusted with pink. He then attempted to make one of his own, picking flowers of many different colours and weaving them together.
“That looks really good!” You complimented. Dainsleif reached over and rested the flower crown atop your hair.
“I think it looks better on you.”
There he goes again, saying things that set your entire being alight. You gaze into his eyes again as he smiles, a precious gift to you and only you. The scent of flowers fills the air, rays of the radiant spring sun gently glowing on your skin.
“I was wondering, why does the amulet you gifted to me write ’to my moon and stars’?” He asked.
“You see, the moon and stars have always been my comfort.” You flutter your eyes closed, taking in the distant chirping of flocks of birds, the gentle wind, the slow and relaxed breaths of the person beside you. “They watch over you, with their twinkling light. Their gaze is never judging. And with you, I don’t feel the need to hide anything. I feel like… myself. With you, I am at peace.”
You opened your eyes, glancing over at the knight who had his eyes wide. Despite his earlier teasing, he didn’t expect you to say something like that to him. Your words set his heart on fire. “So, because of that, you are my moon and stars.”
Everything felt so surreal, as if everything was a dream. But it was real. He was in a field of wildflowers. With you. Right here, right now. His eyes, beautiful like shivada gemstones, looked at you with such tenderness, with such… love.
“If I am your moon and stars,” he began, words so warm and sweet you would simply melt, “then does that make you my sun and planets?”
That brings a smile to your lips, “If you so wish.”
“I think I would like that.”
You were so close to him, your faces merely inches away from each other. This spark, this electricity in the air, did he feel it too? You knew it was wrong. Deep down, you knew that something with him would never work. You were a princess, and he was the captain of the royal guard, who was merely with you to protect you. Your parents would never approve.
Despite the voices in your head yelling at you to turn away before something happened that you couldn’t take back, you didn’t. The sunlight was warm, but not as warm as Dainsleif’s touch on your skin as he tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear. The air suddenly felt hot, something sparking between the two of you.
You cupped his cheek and when your eyes flickered to his lips, he couldn’t take it anymore.
“Y/N... will you let me kiss you?”
Instead of responding, you leaned in and closed the distance between the two of you. You caught his lips in yours. It wasn’t perfect but you were left in awe. As his lips moved against yours, everything around you seemed to vanish, until it was just you and him in the world. You tilted your head to the side to deepen the kiss, both of your hands cupping his face. His hands rested on your waist, holding you close to him as he kissed you back. Every second of the kiss took your breath away. It was intoxicating, leaving you almost dizzy as you pulled away for air.
“Dain?” you looked up at him, unable to look away from his eyes.
“Yes, Y/N?”
“I don’t want this moment to end.” You muttered as you wrapped your arms around his waist and rested your head on his chest. His heart thumped gently against his chest, a calm sound that proved to you that he was here, he was with you. “I don’t want you to ever leave me.”
“Do not worry.” He smiled as he held you close. “I will always stay by your side. I will protect you wherever you may go.”
“We’re at war with Celestia, you must evacuate,” his voice was firm, sharp as he spoke these words. No emotions were held behind them.
Everything came to a halt.
An icy terror crawled under your skin, sharp and poisonous. Celestia? The residence of the gods? What had Khaenri’ah, godless yet proud Khaenri’ah, done to offend the gods? But this meant... Dainsleif would have to go to battle.
Don’t leave me...
“What?” You could barely hear your voice. There was a ringing in your ears. “But, what about you, Dain?”
Please, I don’t want you to die.
He took one glove off and his large hand, calloused from battle, gently took your right hand and brought it up to his chest, letting you feel the thump of his heartbeat. Dainsleif then brought your hand up to his face, planting a light kiss on the back of your hand. He uttered his words slowly, for they were meant for only your ears. “I promise, I will return to you, Y/N.”
But what if you don’t?
“Captain! Quick! We must defend the people!” Someone cried out. You didn’t want to let go. If you let him go now, you would lose him. There was no way of knowing when you’d see him again. If you’d see him again.
No! Don’t. Please, please-
He let go.
“Wait!”
He stopped. Your hands grasped the collar of his knight uniform and caught his lips with yours. You knew you were in a public space. You knew that people would see. But you didn’t care. This may be the last time.
“Stay safe, please.” you leaned your forehead against his. Please, return to me.
Dainsleif nodded, whispering to you one last goodbye before slipping away from you forever. You watched his retreating figure, the warm and vulnerable eyes he looked at you with had hardened into fierce eyes prepared for battle.
You could only wish fate would show mercy.
The moment the gods descended; it was already too late. Why, what chance did mere mortals stand against the gods? This was not a war, but a destruction. An assassination. Not only to destroy what once was a beautiful nation, but to erase it from history forever.
You could barely breathe as you watched the ruin that had become your beloved town. Everything your people had built up had been destroyed in an instant, by the gods no less. As if they had not mattered at all. How could fate be so cruel? Weaving those people’s destinies to end when their lives had barely begun.
The Gods, Celestia… why? Why does your entire nation lay in rubble, everyone you have ever loved or will ever love buried deep within it?
What had your people ever done to deserve this torment? What had you done in your past lives to deserve this pain? What had those bright and sweet children at Frida’s orphanage ever done to have their lives ripped away from them before they had even begun?
Your entire being comes to a halt as you see something familiar shimmering on the floor. Only as you reach out to touch it do you realise that you are trembling. The cold metal stings against your skin, all the screams and cries around you seemingly going silent as you stare at the blood-stained navy-blue amulet. A blood-stained navy-blue amulet, in the shape of a crescent moon, that had ‘To my moon and stars’ carved on the side.
You keel over, holding the amulet close to your chest as the pain in your chest becomes too much to bear. You sob, your cries cursing out the Gods who had taken everything from you.
How could the Gods be so cruel?
The only love you’ve ever known was gone, wasn’t he? He cherished this amulet, to see it lain under rubble, stained with blood- it was his, wasn’t it? He was gone, wasn’t he? He was gone. You would never see him smile again; you would never hear him laugh again. He would never talk to you about the little things he found interesting or point out the constellations in the stars for you. You would never feel his touch on your skin, never gaze into his eyes. Never again would you kiss him, never again would you hold him close to you. Your chest grows tighter and tighter, restricting your lungs as you desperately cry out his name. Why? Why?! Give him back! Give him back! Please--
It wasn’t fair. Dainsleif was an angel, perfect even with his flaws. How could fate kill someone as pure as him? Why had the Gods taken him away from you? He loved you; he loved you for you. He was so courageous, so kind, so perfect—why? Why did he have to die?
You choke on your sobs as you grip the amulet before running away from the flaming ruins of everything you once loved. All around you, people began turning into monsters. Their faces twisting, their bodies contorting as their cries became less and less human.
What was happening? Why were… they changing?
You didn’t think. You just ran, ran as fast as you could. Away from the destruction, away from your home.
You collapse onto the grassy floor of the forest, hours later. Where are you now? Sumeru? Just how far had you run? Your lungs burned. Your entire being ached, yet you could barely feel it. You glance up at the sky, the millions of twinkling stars greeting you as they always did. But you were alone. He did not share the sky with you.
Dainsleif— tears stream down your cheeks, your finger still clasping onto the now-warm amulet— the one who had protected you and loved you was gone now.
“If I am your moon and stars, then you are my sun and planets.”
He uttered those words to you, just before you shared your first kiss with him. But he never would again. You would never hear his voice, low and sweeter than the ripest sunsettias, ever again.
Despite your hoarse voice, you cried out into the night, wishing for nothing more than for Fate to weave your life’s end and let you reunite with your lover once more.
You remembered, when you wanted to travel the world. To reach every corner of Teyvat, to see everything life had to offer. Every nation’s culture, cuisine, people, art, history…
What were Sumeru’s forests like? How did the wind feel in the romantic city of freedom? You wanted to visit the shrines of Inazuma, to attend Liyue’s Lantern Rite, to touch the waterfalls of Fontaine…
But now, you had no wish to fulfil that dream. What point was there in exploring the nations of Teyvat, each with a different god? The same gods who took everything from you. After the destruction, you had no place to go. So, you travelled the nations. Either in search of a cure to your immortality, or for a home.
But you never felt at home. Even back when Khaenri’ah was a thriving nation, you had only found home in one person. Dainsleif.
Every day was plagued with pain, every night was filled with terror. In your dreams, you would see them. Dainsleif, Frida, her children. You would reach out to them, but each and every time, they would crumble under your fingertips like a sandcastle in a strong wind.
You tried to end this suffering. You tried to die. But fate wouldn’t let you. The Gods cursed you with immortality. The curse was always crawling under your skin, sinking deep into your flesh. It was cold blood in your veins. How cruel could the Gods be? They had taken everything away from you. Your family, your home, your people… your beloved. They took everything away from you and now they won’t even grant you relief? All that’s left is this amulet and your memories of him. Everything in Khaenri’ah was gone. Erased. Without your memories... it was like he never existed.
Powerless.
That’s what you were. You were at the mercy of the Gods and Fate itself. As fate continued weaving your tale, you could do nothing to stand against it. Nothing. It gifted you everything—just to rip it all away from you at the last moment.
Fate… What a beautifully cruel thing.
You startled awake. Another nightmare. You dreamt that you were back in the ruins of your beloved hometown. You saw them again. Your family, your people and… Dainsleif. You ran after them, but you could never reach them.
You rose out of your bed, stepping outside the little hut you called ‘home.’ You’ve tried to live in cities, but you prefer to live somewhere secluded and away from people. What was the point in getting attached to people if you would witness them die anyway? You ran a hand through your hair, trying to take deep breaths to steady your nerves.
A loud noise outside startled you. You quickly grabbed your weapon and checked outside for the cause of the commotion. You had been forced to learn to protect yourself. You had to. You were on your own now. As you peeked outside, you expected to find some hilichurls or something, but instead you saw someone fighting a couple of abyss mages.
A flash and they were all dead, their corpses withering away before your eyes. The way the stranger moved and fought was so familiar to you. Perhaps you were still delirious with sleep, you thought.
“Excuse me?” you asked as you stepped out of your hut. “Why are you fighting abyss mages outside my house at two am?”
Once your eyes finally adjusted to the darkness, you froze. It takes one moment, two, before your brain catches up and everything around you comes to a screeching halt. It almost felt like a dream. He looked the same as he had back then, hundreds of years ago. His features were sculpted by the most talented artist, his tired eyes painted with irises of shivada jade blue, ones you thought you would never gaze into ever again. Only difference was that part of his face was now covered with a mask, but even that did not obscure him to you.
Your feet are moving before you realise it. You reach out to him, your heart pounding against your ribcage as your skin meets his. He doesn’t crumble away under your fingertips. He doesn’t vanish from your sight forever. Instead, all you feel is his soft, warm skin against your hand.
Was this all a dream? How many times had you dreamt of meeting him again? How many times had you tried to end it all in hopes of seeing him again? How many years had you spent searching for a cure to your immortality, all to meet him in the afterlife? But the warmth of his skin was real. The disbelief in his eyes was real. He was real.
“Y/N?” The name slips past his lips, his voice barely a whisper. How long has it been since you last heard him call out your name? Decades? Centuries? You had lost count a long time ago. Years pass by in minutes when you are cursed to never die. But time in that moment seemed to slow down. This precious, fragile moment seemed to last forever yet also last for barely a second. How you wish it could last forever. Tears welled in your eyes as you wrapped your arms around his waist, pressing the side of your face against his chest. There it was. The subtle yet rapid thumping of his heart beating in his chest. He was real. He was here. He was alive.
Every emotion you had locked away suddenly came pouring out, all the pain, all the sorrow, all the regret. Tears spilled out of your eyes before you could stop them. Dainsleif wrapped his arms around your trembling figure, one hand on your back while the other rested on the back of your head. You wished upon the stars countless times for this moment to come true. For you to hold him in your arms just one more time, just like this.
“You’re alive…” his voice held such vulnerability, such raw emotion you sobbed as he muttered those words in your ear, warm breath fanning against your skin. “You’re alive.”
You let out a wail, if it was one of relief or joy, you didn’t know. You clung onto him; arms wrapped tight around his torso. Your fingers bunched up in the material of his clothes. You held onto him, fearing that if you let go for even a second you would lose him all over again. Fearing that if you let go you would wake up and realise it was all a dream.
“You’re here…” you cried out in disbelief, your words not feeling like your own. “You’re alive. I thought- I had thought- “
“I promised I would return to you, did I not?” his voice wavers. He is shaking, even if slightly, as he holds onto you tighter. He nudges his face into the crook of your neck. “I am so glad you are okay.”
You sniffled, “I thought I had lost you.”
You pulled away just enough to slip the amulet off you. You let it hang off Dainsleif’s neck. “Please don’t leave me again, Dain.”
“I would never dream of it, Y/N,” he said as he brought your hand up to his face and planted a kiss on the back of your hand. “I will always stay by your side, my princess. I swore to forever protect you, wherever you may go.”
A familiar tingly warmth spread through your chest, something fluttering in your chest. It had been what felt like forever, and yet he didn’t fail to make you feel this way.
“I love you,” you whispered, voice so low you feared he wouldn’t hear you. “I always have. I loved you before I even knew what love is. Even after all these years, I still love you.”
Dainsleif’s eyes gloss over. Instead of saying anything, he cupped your cheeks and pulled you in for a kiss. Your lips followed his rhythm, your hands holding onto his face. His lips against yours was electricity on your skin, a long-awaited spark finally igniting between the two of your intertwined souls. You pulled away, leaning your forehead against his breathlessly. Fate’s hand was cruel, weaving you a hundred years of pain, but perhaps Fate had taken pity on you, to intertwine your fate with his once more. In the secluded forest, under a sea of stars, he smiled as he told you those words.
“I have waited a century to hear you say that.”