Chapter Text
Kaeya is a young prince of Khaenri'ah. But something special about him was that he wore constantly and at all times gloves on his hands.
Some said he was cursed and who touched his hands would experience incredible bad luck while others would see their life expectancy decreasing. But it was all a baseless rumour, if you were to listen to the royal family.
And so, this prince lived secluded in the castle, not much people getting to see him.
Calum, a young architect student, was one of them. He had managed to get into the castle under the wing of his master and teacher, an accomplished architect that worked regularly for the royal family.
As a trusted apprentice, Calum was authorised to accompany him. And for the first time, he saw the young Prince of the rumours, the supposedly cursed prince.
The prince looked maybe three years younger than he was, but oh lord was he the most beautiful man Calum ever laid his eyes on. He probably got caught staring at this point.
A cursed prince ? Calum has no idea. After all, the most beautiful of roses are the ones with the sharpest of thorns, goes the saying. He found the way the prince was never seen without his gloves absolutely charming. The man had such an elegance, Calum could only be in awe, cursed hands or not.
Of course, Calum didn't have the luxury of looking at this beautiful prince at all times. He barely was offered a glimpse every time he accompanied his master, and still, he needed to concentrate strongly on what he was taught.
And yet, it seemed like fate took pity on him and made him meet the young Prince once more; Calum was on his way to the library and that's when he met the young Prince coming back from it. Their eyes met and Calum was struck for a few seconds before managing the politeness such a personality was due.
The prince greeted him politely and left without saying much.
Calum was a bit... disappointed... What was he even expecting? Getting to see the man this close is already enough of a blessing.
With a shaky heart and giddy feeling, he entered the library like he intended to. He almost forgot why he had come here in the first place, but the titled aisles of the royal Library brought his memories back.
"Architecture"
Yes, Calum was here to study the intricate architecture and culture of his predecessors and the royal palace's own makers.
He was excited.
He set off on the first book his master had suggested him and started reading it, taking notes on his notebook and leaving aside the questions that arose from it so he could either ask them to his master, or search for the answers in another book.
This way, the evening was quick to come and the lights from the windows were no longer enough to allow him to read.
He sighed.
"Young lad, I am moved by your passion for your craft, but I'm afraid I'll have to close the library to the public soon" Greeted the library keeper to Calum.
Calum smiled back.
"Thank you for letting me stay this late already. I'll tidy up and be on my way" He assured.
Like promised, he was soon leaving the library and as he walked past the corridor in which he met the young Prince earlier, his heart felt giddy yet again.
The weeks passed and Calum didn't miss a single afternoon of studying at the library. What he didn't expect, is meeting the young Prince in the library so often! The prince would at times spend afternoons in the library reading as well. Calum didn't get to catch what titles the man was reading, but it definitely seemed to fully interest its reader. Calum could see the prince regularly consult the librarian for his books, and more than once, Calum almost hoped the prince would talk to him.
Just what kind of pinning is that ?!
Calum felt like a fool, just so easily impressed by a pretty prince.
And yet, the more he observed, the more he learned. He could see the prince avoided talking to people much nor seemed to enjoy greetings and handshakes and did them rather unwillingly.
More than once would his staring be caught by the prince, but the tanned man wouldn't react much, leaving Calum to keep ongoing. Of course, the shame of being caught was enough to make him stop on the moment, but he'd always end up staring again.
One day, Calum was deeply concentrating on a book in the library, so much, for once, he hadn't noticed the prince who had came closer to him.
"Sir, would you pardon my intrusion. But could you perhaps land me a hand ?" The prince worded lightly, that little lilt in his voice that made something in Calum's heart go pitty patter.
"Ah— but certainly, your highness." He nodded immediately, standing up from his seat, his height now matching the prince's. There was nowhere to hide his gaze, where the prince's would directly meet his.
The prince smiled lightly and directed him towards the library's aisles, on the way, Calum was keen to notice the librarian didn't seem present. Did he take a break ?
Calum was brought back from his thinking when the prince indicated him a bookshelf that was quite...big and high. That thing was so tall!
"I would need a book from up here, think you could get it for me ?" The prince formally asked lightly.
Calum got unsure for a moment— how on earth could he ever attain that ? But following the man's gaze, he finally noticed the library ladder on the side.
*Oh*, of course.
Calum nodded immediately.
"Certainly, what title do you need ?" He agreed and went to the ladder to bring it to this side.
"The Tempests of Teyvat, please" He worded simply.
Calum nodded and started his climb on the ladder. He would have hoped it could be a bit more stable, but that could do.
Even while following the alphabetical order of the books, it took Calum a little while to go through the immense wall of books and find the one the prince asked for. He couldn't help a smile and glance at the prince when finally "The Tempests of Teyvat" Was between his hands. That seemed to slightly amuse the prince who just looked expectant.
Shoot...Calum always had a knack to make himself look silly.
Recollecting himself, Calum slowly climbed off the ladder, unwilling to fully trust the ladder's stability. At the prince's level, he was a bit excited to have accomplished the task and handed the book to the man.
But the prince only met Calum's gaze back, without taking the book from his hands. From the look in his eyes, he seemed like he almost was about to, but stopped.
Huh ?
Calum's brain started churning over itself. It felt like he was missing a huge social cue he had no idea about. They were just staring in the white of eachother's eyes...
Suddenly Calum recalled how the librarian seemed to always put books on the table for the prince, rather than ever in the prince's hands directly.
After entirely too many seconds plunged in silence, Calum acted like it was all premidited and went off the ladder to put the book on the nearest table.
"Thank you much" The prince thanked, once Calum's hands left the book.
Calum took a few steps back and the prince advanced to carefully take the book from the table.
The prince smiled to Calum one last time before going to his usual spot in the library, leaving Calum on his own, to stare aimlessly at the bookshelves while his heart settled. That was a bit silly, but he enjoyed it nonetheless: Silly crushes are to be appreciated after all.
After a few minutes, Calum regained his place as well, trying to concentrate on his book like earlier and ignore the prince a few tables away, looking much more focused than he was.
Calum couldn't help but think again about what happened earlier. It was uneventful for the prince to ask him to get the book, he'd hardly imagine the prince climbing such an unstable ladder with his clothes, so there is no issue about that. But the prince refusing to take the book from Calum's hands— that was a bit surprising. It didn't really look like a tantrum or anything hateful...not at all.
It made him think of the rumours around the prince's gloved hands: cursed hands that would eat away one's life. Calum didn't believe in such things, but it's not like he knew of any royal custom that would limit one's use of their hand. So it seemed to be something about the man's hands.
With such thinking, the evening was quick to come, and the librarian who had finally come back, urged him out.
In the coming weeks, Calum tried to pay more attention to the Prince clouding his mind. He was so curious, despite how improper that was. Actually, it isn't just books, but about everything else, the prince never took anything straight from someone's hands: the building plans, his refreshers, his coat. He also never leaned closer to look —something Calum grew used to seeing when working architecture plans with clients alongside his master—, never handed directly his written notes, he never put himself in a corner or had someone close to him, his hands or arms.
Well... It could just mearn the prince is a royal... It was common for royals to be untouchable and have some arrogance and pride. Yet, Calum couldn't be completely convinced it was all just a matter of vanity and prestense.
One afternoon, Calum was concentrated on his work a few tables away from the prince having a similar activity. It was late in the afternoon already, the light seeping through the curtains golden and bathing the library in a soft heat.
It was just the perfect time for a nap and Calum was fighting for his life not to fall asleep on his table.
The silence suddenly got disrupted with heavy steps, hollow heels clapping against the wood.
Calum rises his head to look at who's disrupting the soporific magic of the library, and was met with a young man draped in expensive clothes. His hair was fair and neat, his gaze decided and unnerving.
A big shot.
The stranger was following a beeline to the table of the prince and Calum couldn't tear his eyes away.
The tanned prince with long blue hair rose his sapphire eyes and met the stranger's. No particular feeling shown through those beautiful eyes.
"Your highness, I've been searching for you. You're spending so much time in the library these days, how fitting of you" the young man greeted with a bright smile.
Definitely on familiar terms with the prince, the young man sat on the table in front of the prince, looking at him and extending his hand for a handshake. Never had Calum seen a person get this close to the prince in all the time he spent in the royal palace.
"How have you been doing since last time we met ?" The young man added just as brightly.
Why was Calum suddenly feeling alarmed ? Because the prince would need to give a handshake ? How in any case was that a peculiar situation ? The prince needed no saving, and yet... Calum's heart soared to act.
The stranger's hand stayed held up for a few seconds before Calum's heart gave up and with a courage he never knew had, acted beyond his thoughts.
His foot under the table pushed the heavy chair in front of his, making it fall in a loud thud.
It startled everyone in the library, including Calum himself, bringing all the eyes towards himself.
"Silence in the library!" Worded the librarian with a scolding tone.
Calum immediately got up from his seat to lift up the chair back in place.
"Sorry— I don't understand how that even happened..." He excused in hushed words of embarrassment.
"I've been doing well, thank you. What of you August ?" The prince greeted friendly, the starnger's hands now filled with a bunch of books the prince had just given him in place of the handshake. "Could you help me put back these books ? I'm done for the day"
"Of course, I'd love to. I've been doing very good as well. Let me tell you what happened after you left! I didn't get to tell you" The said August brightened and started retelling quite excitedly, once back on his feet and following after the cooler prince deeper in the library.
Calum's heart was shaking all on its own. He felt very stupid. Didn't he just embarrass himself in front of the prince and whoever is this August guy ? Even if the prince has issues with touching others, Calum had no right to act, the prince was enough of a grown adult to deal with it on his own.
It was probably best to leave before the two came back.
He was quick to gather his stuff back into his bag and delivered the books he used to the librarian's desk.
"May the rest of your day be blessed" He greeted politely the older man then left the library in hurry.
If his master could see the stupidities he indulged in rather than fully concentrating on studying, he'd probably never get to hear the end of it.
Calum spent various days and nights recoiling at the embarrassing memory. It's fine, he just appeared clumsy, there was nothing to truly be embarrassed of... But that was difficult to convince his mind of it.
He had skipped going to the library on the days he expected the prince to come study as well. He felt too ashamed to meet the prince's face just yet. Which was very stupid, since the prince probably doesn't pay any attention to him anyway.
Well, he did catch Calum staring a few times in the past already...but he always seemed to ignore him, so there was no need to feel this afflicted.
Or so he thought
Calum could hardly even pretend to concentrate on his book, almost cursing for having tempted fate and came to the library on this day... He dared look up, and immediately was his gaze caught by the prince sitting at the same table as his.
He averted his gaze immediately. The prince wore the hint of an amused smile and Calum's heart was going to kill him.
This man knew totally what he was doing...
After long more minutes of this silent fight, Calum gave up propriety and buried his face in his arms resting on the table.
"Your highness is so cruel..." He mumbled in a whisper.
The complaint was soon followed by a soft laugh.
"How could it be my fault, when you are the one staring" The prince lulled with soft amusement.
Calum chuckled softly as well. He was tried on his own making.
"I owe sincere apologies to your highness" He admits as he rises his head up again, his gaze consciously meeting the prince this time. Such deep blue eyes...
"No need for such things. Since you know what you've done, let's call it quit" he said lightly.
Was the man talking about the other day...? So was what he done truly that helpful ? It can't be...if it truly was, the prince wouldn't mention it. They were strangers to the other, the prince wouldn't open a vulnerability to him...
Then, what is that man preparing?
And Calum's thoughts, or at least their existence seemed to be reflected on his face, as the prince smiled lightly again.
"Aren't you smarter than you look ? If I remember well, I see you a lot in company of the architects for the new dome. I take you are an apprentice?" He asked lightly, his gloved hands toying with the pages of the book in his hands.
Calum smiled back, while internally he couldn't help but feel a tremor.
"Yes indeed, I am an apprentice under Sir Kaveh" he informed. "He's the one who pushed me to further my knowledge in the library."
The prince nodded.
"That's a very competent and wise master you have, I wish you to attain great heights in the future. What was your name again ? I don't believe I heard it before." The prince questionned smooth and lightly.
"Oh right, my name is Calum Nachtnebel. It is an honor, your highness." He presented himself, tilting his head slightly as gesture of respect to the prince who smiled back in return.
"Pleased to meet you, Calum" He said lightly, in a way that made Calum unable to stop staring.
"I'm afraid I'll have to get going, I wish you a pleasant rest of you day" the prince ended up saying to get out of the conversation.
"Certainly, likewise. May the rest of your day be blessed, your highness " He greeted back, rooted in his seat as the eloquent and beautiful prince delivered his books to the librarian then left the library.
Only now, alone aside from the librarian, does Calum feel like he could breath again. Everything was so light, and yet intense at the same time... Did he get himself into some trouble ? He had no idea.
At the very least, it seemed like the prince was going to use him for something. He could only hope it wouldn't be to his expense.
Yet, as days went by and the prince would again sit at his table, silent and studious. Calum's nerves would both relax and sting. And each afternoon, Calum would end up staring at least once in direction of the prince before being caught in the most nonchalant of manners by the man.
Subtler of a crush would probably kill Calum or something...
Obviously, the librarian noticed the shift in the prince's usual place, and also gave glances towards Calum. Who too wanted to say he had no idea why was the prince paying attention to him. There was definitely a plan that was about to hit Calum in the face.
And maybe it was finally for Calum to shine in that hypothetical plan, or it was only to add more to his plate, but the same August sir as last week just entered the library.
"Kaeyaaa, I know I'm supposed to await for an answer to my invitation, but I couldn't wait" Expressed with brightness the loud man, his hand extended for a handshake like a second nature.
The librarian was obviously annoyed by the loud man but didn't emit any comment. Yet another obvious sign of the man's stature, if the fact that he was on a first name basis with the prince wasn't telling enough.
Since the prince was sitting at Calum's table, the August guy glanced also in Calum's direction, question marks obvious on his face. Ah— the architect apprentice just wished he could hide himself in a hole, or at least act like he wasn't paying attention to the guy like he did last time.
But the prince was quick to interrupt Calum's thoughts.
"Hello, August. I'm glad to see you're excited for your sister's debut. Don't worry, you know well I would never miss it" The prince reassured with his usual light smile
August glanced back at the prince, distracted from Calum's presence, and smiled wide.
"Of course I'm happy, and you better not miss it, or I'd be dragging you myself to the venue" He joked brightly, his tentative handshake straightened towards the prince.
Calum's heart and brain churned as he felt his work cut out for him...
And like to comfirm Calum hadn't grown crazy from overthinking, the moment his hand met the August guy, giving the man a startle, the prince started introducing him.
"That's Calum, a new friend of mine. He's an architect apprentice and I'd love for him to tag along, would that be okay with you ?" He introduced lightly with a warm smile.
Since the August guy was looking now at Calum's direction, Calum nodded and shook the hand with enthusiasm.
"I'm honoured to formally meet you sir, I wouldn't like to intrude."
The man seemed to brighten up immediately and look back into the prince's direction, shaking Calum's hand into oblivion in the process.
"Of course! Your friends are mine too! I'd be pleased to have him invited as well!"
He turned his gaze back towards Calum, his expression enthousiastic still.
"I hadn't realised you two were friends last time"
Shoot, this guy had to recall his hurdle from last time...
"It's normal, I've grown interested with sir Calum after last week's little accident. Then I noticed his books and couldn't help but drag us in a passionate conversation" the prince explained with smooth delight.
In all that, Calum was still holding the guy's hand... He didn't seem to mind it??
"Oh I see, so very like you hehe" Amused the guy.
"Ah, I realise I haven't introduced you. Calum, this is August, a dear childhood friend of mine. He is duke Gallileon's unique son" The prince introduced smoothly, to the delight of the man himself.
You bet the librarian is silent about that guy's loud talking! A duke's only son! And Calum was monopolising the man's hand for as long as he could—
In an attempt not to let calum's face go completely white from the sudden news, he shook the young lord's hand with more enthusiasm.
"I excuse myself for not having recognised you on my own. I am honoured, Sir." He thanked
"Haha, no worries at all. I'm not such a present personality of the noble spheres, so it hardly matters" The young master shrugged off.
Calum nodded in understanding and finally left alone the man's hand which fell back at the man's side. What a relief this much handshaking was enough to tire him out.
"So you were telling me about the invitation?" The prince interjected again "is there something else you were hoping to share with me ?"
The young master brightened again and took a seat next to the prince and started monologuing about the preparation of his sister's debut ball in about two weeks.
The prince acted very interested and regularly asked thoughtful questions, pleasing greatly his interlocutor.
In contrast, Calum did his best to follow with the man, even if he was clearly not a part of the conversation. It's not like he could return to his books and pretend he didn't exist.
It was considered late in the afternoon before, but now night was already falling and the young master still has stuff to say! Endlessly retelling every little thing that happened to him these past weeks.
The library should have closed an hour or two ago already, and Calum was relying on it so he could finally escape, but seems like the librarian is holding way too much respect to these two big shot's conversation to even attempt throwing them out.
Neither was Calum planning to be the one to attempt so.
Huh.
The prince was definitely the one controlling the pace of the conversation, and if he wished to end it or bring it elsewhere, he definitely could have! Calum is convinced he's doing it on purpose to torture both his person and the poor librarian. Maybe Calum and the librarian should bond together over this.
Calum's thoughts were interrupted when he noticed both of the prince and the young master's gaze on him. He could only blink in expectation.
"So, what do you think of it Calum ?" The prince repeated smoothly.
Crap, he wasn't listening.
Look at that smug face! The prince totaly knows he wasn't listening...
"I...euhm... I think it's a great idea yeah...." He jumbled up "Could you repeat the last part ? I'm not sure I understood that one well though "
The young master brightened up, happy to repeat himself.
"Certainly, the last part is the most important one after all. So, to have the keys perfectly punched in the locks, my friend suggested ceramic molding rather than metal one. It's cheaper than metal ones, and with the proper technique, they wouldn't break." The young master explained with a studious enthusiasm. "I don't know the exact details of the technique, but it relies on a pacif magic trick of the Northern arcanes."
Calum was oddly focused on the explanation and tried to visualise the key punching invention he is guessing from this description.
"The magic makes the material sturdier for the carving, but not for the everyday use, I take ? Wouldn't it be too much of a hassle if your keys suddenly broke in your pocket ?" Calum interjected quietly.
The young master blinked a few times then put his hand to his chin, thinking.
"Ah right... I had assumed the material would retain a hardness to it...but that would require much more magic than it is reasonable for its use..." He mumbled with a hint of dejection.
"But Sir, if your friend have a way to carve precise shapes while sturdying the material , isn't it a better idea to carve specialised keys ? Metal keys with minute details that can't be achieved the regular way" Calum suggested.
The prince nodded at the suggestion.
"He's right, August, very specialised keys could be invaluable in internal affairs or for espionage purposes." The prince adds.
The young master brightened yet again.
"Right! That's a much more valuable idea than trying to sell cheaper keys! Ah thank you Calum, you're quite smart!" He complimented brightly, while the prince chuckled lightly to his friend's excitement.
Calum couldn't add anything more before the guy excitedly stood up from his seat.
"It's night already but I may be able to send a letter to Nazar before the end of the day!" He expressed, his brain already running a mile a minute.
"Thank you, gentlemen. I will leave you now, may your evening be blessed" he wished quickly and greeted goodbye to the prince in particular then left.
Calum looked amazed at the sudden exit of the man. He was brought back to the table as he heard yet another sweet soft chuckle from the prince.
"August is a bright guy, but he has the bad tendancy to act before thinking. I should be grateful that you brought it up before he had to hit his head twice on the way of realising it himself " The prince worded smoothly with amusement as he gathered his stuff.
Calum gulped and nodded immediately.
"I'm happy I could be of help. I'd hate for misfortune to come along young master's way" he answered politely and courteously.
The prince smiled again and stood up as well from his seat.
"It's quite late. I think I'll get going as well" He worded smoothly.
But before he could leave, Calum had to ask what has been on his mind all during the late afternoon.
"Your highness! Why...why did you invite me to sir's party...?" He asked quietly, the courage he could muster suddenly leaving him.
It was a stupid question, frankly.
The prince stayed a few seconds silent, looking towards the door. He only turned in Calum's direction to word smoothly "You know why" Before leaving.
Of course...
Days passed and Calum had been occupied dealing with his master's assignments. He was happy that he finally could have a greater impact on the main project, yet it also sadden a part of his heart that he couldn't spend the afternoon in the library anymore.
It's not like he wasn't seeing the prince from time to time during the project briefings. It's just...well it isn't the same. They couldn't talk (not that they did much of that to begin with) Nor could Calum afford being caught staring too long by others, but maybe the worse of it... He wasn't even getting caught by the prince himself. The same prince who'd always catch his staring and then ignore him, was not even bothering to catch him now.
When had Calum grown that entitled to the prince's attention ?!
He wasn't particularly emotionally starved or anything, and yet he is feeling and acting that pathetically...
What crushes do to a man.
Calum may as well enjoy it.
But the slight disappointed feelings didn't stop. The crunch had ended after a week and Calum was back at spending his afternoons in the library, but no sight of the prince for days.
*Sigh*
Calum was childish and should focus on his studying already.
In his despair, he finally got friendly with the librarian, whom is, unsurprisingly, a very cultured man. Calum learned a ton while talking to the older man these past few days.
But on the last day of the week, something was a bit different.
"Ah Calum, you're finally here. I've been entrusted a letter from young master Gallileon at your destination. " Said the librarian, visibly relieved to get this responsibility off his shoulders.
"Really ? Thank you, Sir. I'm sorry for the trouble it may have given you" Calum thanked warmly.
Why on earth would the August guy send *him* a letter ?? Wasn't he the prince's friend ?
Overtaken by apprehension and questions, Calum opened the letter under the eyes of the librarian, who looked just as if not more curious about the letter's content.
[Greetings!
The Gallileon family invites the holder of this card to the debut party of its talented and only young mistress, miss Laura Gallileon
God bless and may we encounter at the party
Adressed to: Calum Nachtnebel]
Calum looked a few seconds, stunned by the beautiful invitation card, his own name written in a mesmerising manuscript stroke.
He had completely forgotten about the party the prince got him invited to. And the young master really did send him an official invitation...
The party is planned to be tomorrow and likely at the family's mansion.
How was Calum gonna go ??? Wasn't he supposed to accompany the prince or something ? Yet he hasn't heard a thing from him in two weeks. Was he to go on his own ? How on earth will he even justify to his master that he got invited to a duke's daughter's debut party, him an architect apprentice ?? What will he even do there all on his own ?
The numerous questions may have drawn themselves on Calum's face, or maybe the silence had stretched for way too long, as the librarian let out a single cough and spoke:
"Son, I wouldn't like to intrude, but if I could emit a word of advice, it would be to grab opportunities when you see them. Even if it is out of others' plans, make use of what comes your way" he worded wisely.
Calum felt a bit embarrassed to see that the librarian thought Calum was getting swept by the big shots in the palace running him around, but also... Wasn't he kinda right ?
"Thank you sir, I won't forget this advice" He thanked with a warm smile.