Chapter Text
Birds scattered as the red-haired boy ran past, laughing. His lessons were finally over and he was free to head out to town and explore again. There were still some areas he wanted to check out soon.
Diluc had done his best to pay attention during the last parts of his classes, but those going over economics and the government of surrounding nations, he just couldn’t stay focused on. It was so boring. Now that he was out in town, he was free to do as he pleased.
And with that freedom, he was going to go down to the docks and watch the ships come and go for the rest of the day. He hadn’t gone before because he was more fascinated by the workings of the city around him. He couldn’t leave the city walls yet, as he was too young, so he had busied himself with exploring nearly every inch of the city within the walls.
Now was the day he had the chance to explore the docks. He ran past people and looked around curiously. He slowed to a walk and studied each face he passed. Some of them had the features that were common in Mondstadt, while others looked foreign and somewhat strange. Diluc found it all the more fascinating.
He chose a box sitting on the docks and hopped up on it, sitting cross-legged. His eyes moved from watching the crowd to watching the different boats dock or leave, and back again. There was so much happening here. He’d almost say there was more happening here than around the shops at the center of the city.
“Hey, your hair is really bright!” A voice said. Diluc looked over to see a boy with bright blue eyes and messy ginger hair smiling at him. His face was covered in freckles and he had a crooked smile.
“Hello. Who are you?” His features didn’t look like that of other Mondstadters, but Diluc couldn’t place where he was from. He could tell if someone was from Liyue or Inazuma, or he could even tell if they were from Sumeru. Sometimes, he could tell if they were from Fontaine, but that was usually because their overly fancy clothes - hats in particular - gave them away.
“My name is Ajax.” The boy sat on the edge of the box next to him. “What’s your name?”
“You don’t know?” Diluc frowned, tilting his head.
“Should I know?” Ajax looked just as confused.
“Most people know I’m the crown prince. I’m Diluc Ragnvindr.” The redhead said.
Ajax’s eyes went wide. “Whoa! That’s so cool! What’s it like being a prince?”
“You… think it’s cool?” Diluc blinked. “Most people apologize for the mistake and bow to me and all that stuff. It’s kind of annoying. You’re the first person who’s ever said it was cool and asked what it was like.”
“Oh. Should I bow to you?” Ajax frowned.
“No!” Diluc shook his head. “I don’t like it that much. It’s annoying.”
“Oh. Okay. Then I won’t.” Ajax said, smiling again. “So, what’s it like being a prince? Is it fun?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure I like it all that much. I get told that I shouldn’t play with the ‘common’ children. Whatever that means. Why do I have to consider people different from me just because I’m supposed to be the next one on the throne?” Diluc sighed. “Plus, all the lessons in manners and economics and government are super boring.”
“Oh… I thought it would have been fun being a prince. Don’t you live in a big palace?” Ajax tilted his head.
“I do. But there’s too many rooms. Too much space.” Diluc said.
Ajax looked down thoughtfully. “Hm. Do you have any siblings?”
“I have a younger brother, but he’s not related by blood. My father just didn’t want to watch him suffer on the streets. He’d been abandoned, according to Father.” Diluc said. “He usually spends most of his time with the royal alchemist’s son. They’re best friends.”
“Oh. Do you have a best friend?” Ajax asked.
Diluc shook his head. “I’m not allowed. I’m supposed to focus on my studies.”
“Not allowed?! That’s dumb!” Ajax looked angry now. “Here, I’ll be your best friend.” He grabbed Diluc’s hand, his crooked grin returning.
“But… you aren’t from Mondstadt, are you?” Diluc asked.
“No, but my family is staying here for a while while my father works.” Ajax said. “I’m from Snezhnaya.”
“Oh.” Diluc tilted his head. “I’ve heard that that place is really cold.”
“It is! It’s almost always snowing!” Ajax said, sounding excited. “One day, I’ll bring you with me so you can see it, too!”
“That would be fun.” Diluc smiled.
“Yeah!” Ajax nodded. “Hey, when do you go back home?”
“Not until just before sunset usually. Father doesn’t like it if I stay out past dark.” Diluc said.
“Awesome! Come on, I’ll show you all the best hiding places around the docks!” Ajax grabbed Diluc’s hand and pulled off the crate before tugging on his arm as he ran past the crowds of people. Diluc stumbled slightly, but tried his best to keep up with the more energetic boy.
~~~
Diluc waved at Ajax before turning and heading back to the stairs that led up to the palace. Once he was back inside, the first person he ran into was Kaeya.
“Hey. Where did you go today?” His little brother asked, tilting his head.
“I went down by the docks. I met someone new today.” Diluc told him, smiling.
“Someone new? There are a lot of new people at the docks, aren’t there?” Kaeya frowned.
Diluc rolled his eyes as he started walking to the dining hall. “Yes, but this boy didn’t even know I was the prince.” He said. “He and I ran around and checked out all the best hiding places around the docks.”
“Where’s he from? He can’t have been from Mondstadt if he didn’t know you were the prince.” Kaeya said.
“He’s from Snezhnaya.” Diluc said.
“Snezhnaya? The snowy nation?” Kaeya’s eye went wide. “I heard that that place is really bad.”
“Ajax didn’t say it was.” Diluc frowned at Kaeya.
“Is that his name?” The blue-haired boy asked.
“Yes. He’s my new best friend. Oh, but don’t tell Father about him.” Diluc lowered his voice, glancing around nervously.
Kaeya looked a bit confused, but he nodded. “Okay. I won’t say anything about him.”
“Let’s go eat. I’m starving!” Diluc sat down in his chair and scooted closer to the table while Kaeya took the spot next to him. As usual, their father wasn’t sitting in his place at the table. He was too busy to make it to dinner most of the time. In fact, lately, the boys rarely saw him.
Food was always already waiting at the table for them. The two boys ate quietly and Diluc glanced over at the chair where his father was supposed to sit every now and then. Sometimes, he grew angry at their father for not spending more time with them, but he usually reminded himself that his father, as king, had a lot of responsibilities. There wasn’t anything he could do about that.
“I heard today from Albedo that Father has been talking to the lower noble families of Mondstadt.” Kaeya said suddenly.
“Why?” Diluc looked over at his brother, frowning.
Kaeya shrugged. “I don’t know, but I bet you’ll figure it out soon. It probably has something to do with you now that you’re thirteen.”
“Oh.” Diluc took another bite of his food - steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans - and frowned. “I hope it doesn’t have to do with marriage.”
“Well… you are the prince.” Kaeya pointed out. “You have to get married eventually, and you remember what Father said. Most princes are married by the time they’re eighteen.”
“I don’t want to get married.” Diluc grumbled.
“You might say that now, but Father said he was happy to marry your mother.” Kaeya pointed out. “You might change your mind whenever you meet whoever Father picks for you.”
“I don’t want to get married, and especially not to someone Father picks for me.” Diluc set his fork down and sighed. “This whole arranged marriage thing is stupid.”
“I’m sorry, Diluc.” Kaeya mumbled.
“You don’t have to apologize. You aren’t trying to make me marry someone.” Diluc looked at his brother. “Sometimes I wish I could be more like you, though. You don’t have to worry about marriage at all because you aren’t taking the throne after Father’s gone.”
“I’m sure whoever Father picks will be nice. Maybe you’ll like them.” Kaeya said.
“I doubt it.” Diluc sighed and stepped away from the table. “I’m going to bed. Goodnight, Kae.”
“Goodnight, ‘Luc.” Kaeya called as he walked away.