Chapter Text
It was a chilly day in the small village of Belobog. Located just south of the neighbouring, yet larger, village of Mondstadt, separated by only a small mountain range, that didn’t really cause too much of a hassle when transporting goods back and forth, and seemingly trapped in an endless winter for most of the year. There were only a few months of the year where Gepard ever saw the white-capped surroundings melt away from the otherwise freezing town. Mondstadt Village had somehow gotten the long end of the stick on that point, and Belobog was left to endure the aftermath of strong winds on Dragonspine, leaving the village coated in snow.
The villagers, however, had simply just gotten used to it at this point. If they had to endure the cold for most of the year while Mondstadt reaps the awards of the sun for most of the year, then so be it. It wasn’t the larger village’s fault anyways, no one could control the vicious winds that made the upper peaks of Dragonspine too perilous to even attempt climbing, though Gepard had been curious of the prospect at one point. This had been to his older sister’s horror though, and Serval had even asked him if he had a death wish, though he couldn’t really blame his sister all that much, seeing as after plague had taken the lives of their neglectful parents, the responsibility had fallen on her to take of them by any means necessary.
Even if it meant resorting to banditry.
Gepard had never really approved of his sister’s decision regarding this. Surely there were more ethical ways to earn money than engaging in petty theft? Why had she chosen banditry of all job descriptions? To be fair, there weren’t a lot of job opportunities in Belobog anyways, most jobs just went to family members and no one let non-family into their workplaces. It didn’t not make sense though, as crime was also quite prevalent throughout the village as well. It just seemed like, to get anywhere in life, you’d have to move elsewhere. And, Gepard was honestly considering doing that himself.
Lynx would need to get into education, and Serval was the only one earning any semblance of money between them. He’d need to pull his weight as well, and every possible job opportunity in Belobog by this point had dried up. He’d tried multiple different ventures of work, but the people had only wanted their family members to work with them. It was understandable, but it meant that he would have to move, and he didn’t really want to leave what was left of his family at the very least. But, what else was there for him to do? Let Serval do all the work?
He couldn’t. It made him feel awful if he didn’t at least try to get a job. That he wasn’t even contributing in some way. Only trouble was, moving. Or maybe, if he could get a job that was close enough to Belobog, he wouldn’t have to move away from them? It was a thought, but Mondstadt Village was the only village for miles if you didn’t count that Harbour Village near the coast. Though, Mondstadt was a lot closer, maybe a four hour ride on horseback, but then the issue was the lack of a horse. And there were no horses to speak of in Belobog, unless you counted the wild herd that appeared in the non-winter months. And, taking a horse from the wild just seemed slightly unethical to him. But then, how would he get to-
“What’s got you so caught up, Geppie?” Serval’s voice rang out, patting Gepard on the shoulder and causing him to blink and look at her, thoughts fading away, though an apprehensive feeling then overtook him, as if he was hiding a secret, and he supposed he was, seeing as he had been thinking of moving in terms of getting a job. “I met up with that other bandit group today,” Serval continued on, reporting on her day, and glancing through the bags she had gathered. Gepard blinked at Serval and tilted his head like a curious puppy.
“The former pirate’s one? Bei… Bei…” Gepard trailed off after realizing he couldn’t remember how to pronounce the second half of the pirate’s name. Serval let out a small chuckle and regarded her brother with an amused smile. Gepard, on the other hand, felt himself heat up in embarrassment and he lowered his gaze to the floor, shyly. Serval only laughed again, and placed one of the bags in front of him.
“Beidou,” she responded, a teasing tone in her voice. “I’ve repeated her name multiple times before, Gep. It’s Beidou. Bei-dou.” Gepard sent his sister a slight glare.
“Forgive me for being unable to pronounce Liyuean,” he muttered, to which Serval only smiled. “Anyways, why did you meet up with that group today? I thought you work alone with… what is this?” He shot a pointed look at the bags she’d placed on the floor. Serval picked up the one bag, and looked inside it. Then, she pulled out some sort of object, it was in a box and Gepard looked at it in confusion. “Serval, what is this?” He asked and Serval opened the box. Inside was some sort of meat dish, and it looked freshly made. Serval’s gaze softened ever so slightly, and Gepard blinked at her.
“She cooked something for us all to try,” Serval explained. “Though, it does make use of chilies though, so if you feel that you can handle that.” She looked at Gepard with a smirk. “Plus, it might get you to open up about whatever is bothering you. You still haven’t answered my question on that front.” Serval then turned her head towards the rooms of their small house and called out for Lynx to show up for supper.
“Oh, food,” Lynx observed. “Hm, it smells vaguely Liyuean. The meals from there can warm you up, or so I’ve heard.” Gepard blinked, since when has Lynx been interested in food, or specific dishes? Either way, Serval got out some plates for them to have whatever Beidou had cooked and then the three of them sat down at the table.
The meal was eaten in silence. Lynx seemed mildly intrigued by the chili taste, Gepard thought the meal was… fine, honestly. He wasn’t as excited about it as Serval clearly was, however, as she basically inhaled the filet, actually sighing afterwards, as if the spice hadn’t affected her at all, and Gepard had seen her consume spicy things before with much more of a reaction but somehow, Beidou’s cooking had caused her to have an unlike her reaction, and then, Serval seemingly recovered and turned her eyes on Gepard. Gepard, who’d only been picking on his food because he’d been thinking about the ‘finding a job’ thing again, blinked and suddenly started shoving Beidou’s cooking down his throat. “Gepard. Slow down,” Serval deadpanned, sighing. “I simply want to ask you a question.”
“What?” Gepard responded, painfully swallowing the bomb of chili down his throat. Serval blinked slightly when she noticed him squirming around in discomfort. “I’m fine, Serval. Ask your question,” Gepard forced out, stomach churning as it attempted to diffuse the bomb he’d just forced down into it. He was very quickly starting to feel nauseous, but he tried to not let it show. Note to self: Never do that again. Serval looked concerned, but she asked her question anyways.
“What were you so hung up about earlier? You’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently, which is honestly unlike you, Geppie,” Serval asked, sounding more like his mom than his sister. “What’s up? Is everything okay?” Surprisingly, that question immediately took away the churning in his stomach, or maybe he had just forgotten about the sensation. Either way, that cloud of guilt found itself over him again and he sighed. He straightened a bit, but a wave of nausea made him hunch again.
Ah. So his brain hadn’t forgotten about the bomb in his stomach.
“Y-You….” Gepard paused to swallow the bile that entered his mouth, and as a result, he started shaking slightly. He better make this quick, or the dining room would look like a Stellaron hit it. “You know how I’ve been looking for a job?” Serval nodded, though her blue eyes looked exceptionally concerned. “All… all the job opportunities I’ve looked for here have dried up, unfortunately. I… might have to…” Serval’s expression changed suddenly, to a neutral one.
“Move?” She provided, just as another wave of nausea overcame him, stomach still trying to diffuse the bomb. “Do you think you’ll have to go particularly far?” Serval asked quietly. Gepard looked at his sister.
“Well, no, hopefully, I can find something in Mondstadt, then I don’t have to travel as far. Also, Beidou’s meal was nice, but… I think I’ve had too much,” Gepard said quietly, sounding exceptionally tired and everything in between. Serval only nodded, and Lynx had left the table. “It’s just, the Mondstadt Village is so far away on foot. And I don’t have a horse.”
“I could come with you for half of the trip? That way, you won’t have to be alone for however long it is.” Gepard shook his head, and Serval blinked.
“You need to stay here with Lynx, I can traverse it myself. I’m sure I can catch a carriage or something.”
“Okay,” was all that Serval said in response.
And so that was how Gepard found himself en route to Mondstadt Village. He was in a single carriage and the carriagemaiden was ranting and raving on about a certain woman she knew or something. Gepard didn’t really know anyone that the woman was talking about, but one interesting thing was that her voice had a distinct Fontainian accent to it, and she was raving on about all the different plays and musicals she’d seen with that specific woman. Then the carriagemaiden turned her blue eyes on him and smiled. “So, sir, might I ask what brings you towards Mondstadt Village? I don’t hear of many making the trip to and fro from the other side of the mountain. I mean, I’ve made it multiple times, but that’s just part of the job description. I must admit, I wasn’t even aware that people still existed over there!”
“I’m simply looking for a job, I’m not planning to stay for every long,” Gepard stated in response, feeling slightly offended, but he didn’t let the carriagemaiden bring him down. For all he knew, it could simply be ignorance on her part. Although maybe it was the fact that Gepard’s stomach was starting to hurt from hunger, seeing as he hadn’t eaten since starting the trip and he was getting clearly irritable. “Actually miss, can we stop at a restaurant or something? I haven’t eaten since we started the trip,” he said simply, causing the woman to then look back at him.
“Sure thing, mon ami,” she said. “Soleil, Lune! Head towards Cat’s Tail!” The carriagemaiden instructed to the palomino and dapple grey in front of her. Gepard watched as the palomino took the lead, and almost wondered what riding a horse would be like, even though these were carriage horses. The carriage turned towards a small restaurant in the larger town, and then stopped, the carriagemaiden dismounting and then opening the compartment where Gepard was. Soon enough the two of them were in the restaurant and were eating their food. “So, Gepard Landau, huh?” She asked curiously. “Hey, do you know about the princes? That live in that castle near to Dragonspine? Kind of between the two villages?”
Of course Gepard knew about the two princes, or the prince and the ‘spare’. Their parents were dead, not unlike Gepard’s own, and so the two of them had kind of been pushed into leading roles before their time. Gepard didn’t know them personally, and didn’t even know what they exactly looked like or even names, but he had heard of them. Who hadn’t heard of them? Especially in this area of the world? Gepard looked over at the woman in front of him and nodded. “I’ve heard of them, the Ragnvindrs, right?” The carriagemaiden nodded.
“Yep. I wonder what it’s like, living in a castle,” she said in response. “Clorinde is on their court, but I never hear anything from her. Just that the one is elusive and the other is mysterious. They even apparently have a cavalry captain!” The blue-eyed woman laughed. Gepard laughed a bit himself as well. This carriagemaiden was certainly quite a funny woman, and if he did end up having to live here for his work, he’d be glad to have this woman as his friend. Assuming she lived here, that is.
“Cavalry captain?” Gepard wondered out loud. “I wonder if I could get to know that cavalry captain? I’ve always wondered what riding a horse must be like. And I’m sure they would know their way around horses, though I’m not much of a horse person myself. Also that’s assuming they even have horses to begin with. Though, seeing as they are, I’m assuming that they must at least have a horse. Else wise, you can’t exactly be considered a cavalry captain if you don’t have horses.”
“Oh, we definitely have horses, I can assure you that,” said a soft, teasing voice suddenly, and a man with tanned skin swiveled around in his chair beside the bar and faced Gepard and the carriagemaiden at their table. Gepard found himself staring at the man, his tone surprisingly alluring, as if this man was siren turned human, despite there being no ocean for miles here, unless freshwater sirens existed, but Gepard wasn’t well versed in fantasy creatures anyways. Plus, this person was a man, as far as he could see, and sirens were hardly ever men. The man donned an eye patch, and his visible eye was a silvery blue, like moonlight shining on a pond at night. “I’m not… interrupting anything, am I?” The man spoke again, eying the wine glass in his hand, before turning his gaze on Gepard, a smirk on his face, and Gepard just continued to stare.
Then, that silvery blue eye of his almost softened in genuine amusement, and Gepard just continued staring.
“No not at all,” the carriagemaiden responded, pulling Gepard out of his daze. He was probably just tired, anyways. Now that he wasn’t in his daze, Gepard looked up from the man’s eye to his hair. Distinctly navy, and pushed to one side, and a long, low-hanging pony tail completing the frame of his face, slim, and angled. “I was just bringing Gepard here over from Belobog,” the carriagemaiden explained. “Can you believe people live there in that wasteland?” The man almost looked offended on Gepard’s behalf, but he kept his composure.
“Come now, Navia,” the man tutted softly, and Gepard just stared at him again. Something about that voice made him stare at this strange man, who was probably somewhat drunk. “Don’t be rude.” The man turned his gaze on Gepard. “What brings you here to Mondstadt, Leopard?” The man asked, mispronouncing his name. This prompted Gepard to finally speak up and break whatever strange spell he’d found himself under.
“It’s Gepard, and I’m in search of a job, to help me and my sister save up so my other sister can get a job,” he responded as if he rehearsed the statement, and the man’s eye widened ever so slightly. But, then the moment passed and the man returned to his content smirk. “All the job opportunities in Belobog have dried up, so I’m forced here. On that topic though, you seem to know your way around the town, so, could you possibly tell me about all the different job opportunities, I’d prefer if it would be one’s closer to Belobog, so I don’t have to travel as far to go back home to my sisters. I don’t like being away from them too long. I may be the younger brother, but I almost feel like my younger sister is my responsibility. Plus, it’s weight off my older sister’s shoulders too.” The man’s smile was genuine for about two minutes after that and he looked back at the wine glass.
“Hm, how selfless,” the man hummed, placing the wine glass on the counter and then waltzing over, entrancing Gepard in a way that surprised him. “I do know of one opportunity, that has the… let’s just say, requirements you have. It takes part in a part of the village near the road to Belobog, and is only maybe, a two hour walk on foot to that little town.” Gepard smiled at the man.
“Really? That’s awesome! I don’t have to work too far away!” The man blinked at this sudden display of excitement that Gepard hadn’t been able to hide, and he smiled, genuinely, maybe even a little shyly, before regaining his composure. “Can you take me there? I want to see this opportunity for myself.” Navia could be chuckling from the table and she was smiling.
“You seem happy about that, Alberich,” she commented, causing the man to lose his composure for a second, glancing quickly at Gepard before glancing at Navia, but Gepard just thought this moment was strange, but what did he know really? The man eventually regained his composure and then put on that soft, teasing smile again.
“There is a slight issue about this opportunity,” ‘Alberich’ said, smirking slightly. “That being, you have to come with me to go to it.” Gepard immediately blinked. Should he really trust this guy? They’ve just met. Although, Gepard didn’t really know anyone else here, and going off with anybody new was always a risk. This man also gave him a strange feeling, probably suspicion, swirling warm in his gut. “My horse is just outside, don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll love you. Though, riding her might be a different story.” Oh, they’re going on horseback?
Gepard was now even more conflicted, but despite what his brain was thinking, his mouth moved without him being able to stop it.
“Okay. As long as you don’t kill me.” The man nodded, his demeanor normal, but the genuine sparkle of excitement in his eye gave him away. Gepard almost thought it was cute.
In the way a puppy was cute, not romantically.
“I will have to write to Clorinde about this,” Gepard heard Navia say as he followed the man out of the bar. The two of them then found themselves in some sort of pasture behind the bar and the man grinned.
“Being who I am wields some privileges,” he explained, as he opened the gate to the pasture, though Gepard was clueless as to what he meant. Inside the pasture was a single horse, a mare, calmly eating grass like she had not a care in the world, though her ears pricked when she heard footsteps. She lifted her head in curiousity and ‘Alberich’ raced over to her throwing his arms around her neck in some sort of hug. “Hey girl,” ‘Alberich’ murmured, before putting on his front again and presenting the mare to Gepard. “This young girl is Blueberry. Don’t patronize me, I named her when I was like fifteen.” Gepard smiled at him.
“It’s cute. Anyways, is this ride to the opportunity?” ‘Alberich’ nodded and then patted the mare’s flank.
“Come, I’ll help you up.” Gepard walked over and then ‘Alberich’ helped him onto the horse, earning a curious snort from Blueberry. Alberich seemed to ignore it however, and simply got onto the horse himself. “Now, place your arms around me, and I’ll ride us there.” This earned yet another snort from Blueberry, but the two of them were soon off and on their way
It wasn’t too long before the castle started coming into view, and Gepard was confused. “The castle? Why the castle? Do the Ragnvindr brothers need some more workers?” Alberich noticeably tensed under Gepard’s grip and he let out a seemingly strangled laugh.
“They do actually. That’s where I’m taking you, as you seem like you could fill a rather important job description. I’ll explain it when we get there,” Alberich promised, that alluring tone of his coming out again and Gepard simply looked at him. So, this opportunity was at the palace? Strange? And why was Alberich suddenly acting all strange about the palace? Soon, Blueberry vaulted over a fence, not even caring to find a gate and Gepard fell forward, Alberich falling off as they came to a stop. “Blueberry! That’s going to hurt for a week,” Alberich complained, earning a cheeky snort from the mare before proceeding to eat some grass. Alberich picked himself up off of the floor and looked at Gepard. “Anyways the oppor-“
“Sire? I heard a crash- Oh.” The woman looked at them. “I’ll leave you to it.” Alberich merely tutted as she left.
“As I was saying, the castle has a job opportunity, and it’s quite urgent,” Alberich explained. “You don’t have to take it, but the castle is in desperate need of a palace guard. Our last one died unexpectedly and we’ve been reeling since. We do have other guards, don’t get me wrong, but they are disorganized without palace guard. It’s a lot I know, and you don’t have to take it. But you saying that you feel responsible for your younger sibling, made me feel that you are possibly the perfect fit, in that you won’t abandon your fellow guards if they find themselves in danger.”
Gepard thought about it for a while. It was a job, it wasn’t that far away from Belobog, and he could visit his siblings. Decision made, he turned back to Alberich.
“As long as it pays well and I’m allowed to visit my siblings every so often, I’ll do it.”
“Perfect, I’ll definitely make sure that can be arranged,” Alberich commented, a genuine smile on his face. “Now, kneel please,” he added in a distinctly princely tone, and Gepard obeyed, Alberich summoning a sword to his side. “I, Kaeya Alberich-Ragnvindr, accept this man into our palace guard.” He smiled as Gepard’s eyes widened. “He’ll start his work tomorrow.”
“You’re the prince?” He squawked, earning a sheepish smile from Kaeya.
“One of them, but yes. I’m surprised you hadn’t figured it out by now, I haven’t exactly been hiding it,” Kaeya commented simply. “Didn’t ‘Alberich’ ring a bell? Or would you have gotten it if I was called Ragnvindr?” At Gepard’s embarrassed flush, Kaeya laughed softly, genuinely, and Gepard could almost hear bells chime. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, I’m not very remembered anyways.”
“Kaeya-“ Gepard started to say but Kaeya covered his mouth.
“In public, you refer to me as Alberich. That way, people don’t know it’s me. People don’t like me if they then know it’s me,” Kaeya sounded almost upset, but Gepard didn’t want to prod him if it was a sore topic.
“Alright, I’ll do that, Alberich.” Kaeya smiled, genuinely.
“Perfect, well if you’d just follow me towards your temporary room,” he hummed, walking off.