Chapter Text
He overslept again. And was late to meet his soon-to-be husband. Which he completely forgot about. Dainsleif blamed it on him making his head busy about all the books he reads. Which was exactly what he was doing last night. He was just trying to finish this book that he recently started re-reading. Which he couldn’t manage mind you, due to him falling asleep on the book.
The book talked about archons and a traveler who crossed paths and blades with them. It was a fantasy book but wasn’t completely fiction. At least he thought that way. The history of this land, Mondstadt, was mostly unknown, some legends talked about dragons, others talked about bards, but a blonde traveler always had their place on those pages. Reminiscing on his book he thought about the cruelty of how even mighty gods may turn their backs on trusted when fate plays its moves. But it was history and those were truths in his eyes and blood has always been to have its place on destiny’s pages. He has never found himself agreeing with gods though, he wasn’t religious either so he didn’t need to be seeing eye to eye with them. But they interested him nevertheless.
Pushing the thoughts away, he set his attention on his wardrobe again. He was trying to find something to put on for the last thirty minutes while listening to his royal guard talking anxiously about meeting the commoner. Finally being satisfied with an outfit,
“How do I look?” Diluc asked with a bored look, interrupting the blonde’s speech about how should the red-haired behave today.
“After all the things I said, that is all you care about?”
“Yes.” answered Diluc, giving a deadpan look.
With a sigh “You look great, Your Royal Highness.” he said almost mockingly. “Now, can you please take this more seriously?”
“There is nothing to be taken seriously here. It’s not even a real meeting. I will be just joining him coming here.”
The blonde was always like this, making a big deal of everything. It annoyed him from time to time, him always talking about rules and manners as if the redhead didn’t know them already. But Diluc knew he was only doing his job and he is also aware Dainsleif knows that this is exactly what Diluc wants and needs in his life. Throughout his life, people came and went, and all the memories in his head were nothing but a blurry mess but Dainsleif was always there, he was some sort of a stability in his life. Keeping him intact. Reminding him that he was the crown prince and the heaviness of the title. He did need that reminder whether he liked it or not. He was everything he could’ve asked for both as his royal guard and his best friend.
Well, him and Kaeya. Things were just a bit complicated with him right now.
“No offense your highness but I believe we both are most sure regarding you being not the best person to socialize with.” Dainsleif said silencing his thoughts, he sure was doing a lot of spacing out today. The blonde would say it’s because of stress, just like he said all the time.
“Well, I never promised one for socializing now, did I? I will be simply escorting him here.”
Dainsleif looked at him with faint concern in his eyes. You couldn’t tell if it was there but Diluc knew him enough to tell. Diluc knew the man could see through his facade, they both knew how scared Diluc was, but the redhead himself certainly did not want to believe that.
“Look I will be fine, Dain. It will be all fine I’m sure. Just don’t worry too much on my behalf. You’re not getting paid for that.”
“You know very well I never once cared about that Diluc. Don’t you think I get to worry just a little just because I care?” There was more in these words than just a friend worrying for another’s well-being. But one was oblivious to that.
And before even Diluc could meet his eyes, he was gone. Diluc was always like this, pushing people away before they got too close. He didn’t want others to be lost in his chaos. Never wanted them to get hurt because of him, not again. But Dainsleif has just happened to be hoping he was already too close to be pushed away.
In the end, it was nothing but a facade and he was worried as much as the other man was. The crimson-haired had never given a thought about marriage once nor had he been around common folk before. He didn’t know how to act in both situations. That was all too sudden for him to be put simply. It was only a week or so ago when the announcement came and the news were given to him. And once the royal court had made a decision, it would be an order for anyone on this land. They were the highest step on the ladder when it came to the laws of this country. Even their King, nor their Queen would have a word. Technically Diluc’s father has the chance to have a word since he was the head of the court, but if the rest of the court were to out-number his resolutions, then there would be nothing left to do on the matter. It would mean the verdict has been decided.
And the verdict this time stated: “Every royal shall be wed to a commoner to keep our royal bloodlines clean.”.
The righteousness of the bloodlines was just an excuse for the sake of more endearment of royalty from their people. It was easy to imagine how furious his dad was about this new law and how poor of a decision for the future of this land in a political light. But Diluc decided he did not care for those things yet and the only thing he cared about was how much he didn’t want to marry, marry a commoner on top of that too.
He didn't know anyone who wasn’t a noble except Jean Gunnhildr. She was taken into the palace due to her unordinary intelligence. And was trained to be a part of the royal court which she is in now. She was only a few years older than Diluc and they’d met when they were kids. And even though they are good friends as of now, Diluc did not like her back then. She talked funny and was rude when she first arrived at the palace, even mocking and bullying Diluc from time to time! And her being stronger than him did not help the fact. He decided he did not like commoners even a bit after meeting her.
He hoped Ajax would be different than her, and even if he wasn’t Diluc being the crown prince he was now, he wasn’t a mere child anymore. Leaving his room, he held his head high. He thought he had nothing to worry about. The carriage was already ready and waiting for him, he remembered then that he was running late, but no matter, it’s not as if this Ajax was going to accuse him of being late. He should be grateful that he was even being greeted by his presence. He got seated into the carriage and after giving Dainsleif a simple nod for greeting he continued on his book that was left unfinished last night. Losing himself over the adventures of a blonde traveler.