Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A coughed was heard on a dimly lit room. The candle has worn out and the only light source was from the cracked open from the curtain. The male was sick and his sibling was already sweating from the anxiousness because of his condition. The khaenriah has fallen by the hands of the seven empires’ view on their law and society. Khaenriah was said to be known for the equality be it rich or poor, women and men; the judgement is for everyone. That is why there are many people praised and has the highest migration on the country . On the other hand, the seven empires dislike their ideals and goals. All of the region wages a war against khaenriah and it result of bloody massacre, mostly the Inazuma empire was the first one to ambush them and then followed by the rest of the nation. Women and children from Khaenriah were taken dividing them to be contributed as a prize to the seven empires. Men was killed on sight. It was a killing spree as if they are going to eradicate all the generations of Khaenriah. The royalty of Khaenriah was massacred and the only two heirs of Viator-Viatrix of Khaenriah hide away. Aether was struck by the corrosion by the corrupted rifthound during their escape. The rifthounds was used to be the guard and harmless to people if it weren’t for the corruption disrupted throughout the region of Khaenriah. It has been 6 months since the fall of their empire and the said twin is in bed’s condition; slowly getting worse day by day and the only remedy is to find a priest or a nun in a mondstadt or go back to Khaenriah for the portal way to the Abyss Realm--For sure no one in Mondstadt will help them since everyone knows what Aether looks like and his existence.--- or any vision holder whose not a light and dark holder that can dissapear a corrosion. It was weird concept about the vision and its healing abilities in corrosion and curse. If the vision holder has the anemo, geo, hydro, electro, pyro, cryo, and dendro had a corrosion then their remedy and healer for their corrosion is a light and dark vision holder, vice versa. No one knows the mystery of the power of the God's eye the vision.

Lumine’s right hand was clutching the left hand of her twin as if her dear life will cease to exist if she let go her brother’s cold hand. Her other palm is holding the potion she just brought. A Regenerative one that is not enough to get rid of the corrosion but enough to subside the pain. It has been a week since he was bedridden and their mora is running out. ‘The potion is expensive.’ She thought remembering the she brought this to the pharmacy of Sumeru. They are charging higher price when it comes to the poor people who barely can’t afford medicine especially to the poor lady she encountered at that place. Disguising herself as a male cutting her long hair off into short one and the remaining long hair in front was braided in a back with the flowers and feathers acted as the knot—thankful that the flower’s size can be adjustable since Khaenriah has the most advance technology than snezhnnaya. It made her look like a teen boy who is in training because of the sword strap on her waist. However, cutting her hair was not enough for her to conceal that she is a lady. She used a navy blue thin layered handkerchief as a mask to cover half of her lower face. So when she fall in line to the pharmacy till she reach the pharmacist. The said worker assumed her to be poor and bid a higher for her. Lumine can see the distaste and disgust look on his face as he sells her the potion. As much as possible she was trying her best not to beat the shit out of this fucker because of the amount of unfair treatment he was showing it was definitely the contrast of her home was. She hurriedly goes back to the cheap hotel where they were temporarily hiding that was thankfully free for them because the owner of the house was from Khaenriah and they migrated to sumeru to expand their business. Unfortunately for the owner, their prosperous business in Khaenriah was destroyed during the war but his kindness towards the people remains unchanged. Something that Khaenriahns were proud of.

The seven regions of Teyvat were on the hunt of the crown prince ‘Aether’. Five months ago, there was a wage money on his head. They want him to marry one of the daughters of the nobles. Lumine and Aether fled to Natlan in hopes to avoid the gaze of the greed but it didn’t last long when someone recognize Aether and they kept moving around Teyvat and cannot get close to the borders to Khaenriah or to Sangonomiya, Inazuma---since they need a boat and visa to get there. After all, Enkanomiya has a portal to Abyss Realm inside that place---The bid was between 10-14 billion mora as the instruction that he to get captured alive or half dead as long he is breathing.

“Thankfully… the seven people didn’t know you exist.” Aether told her while staring at the board with his face drawn on the paper. Though he didn’t mean to imply it as an insult to her. It was rather a relief considering how the new society they live in sees women a fragile that cannot hold a weapon, an object, an incubator, and decoration to their eyes. The royalty blood of Khaenriah is more useful than any other noble blood. Why? They wield light and darkness that can destroy any vision. If they knew about Lumine’s existence every noble in Teyvat will cause more chaos and will revolt against each other just to get their hands on her. As much as they hate the people of Teyvat, they do not conduct themselves for vengeance because they won’t stoop so low as them. The girl was actually thankful when their parents imprison her the castle. Though not literally imprison her, she wasn’t allowed to go outside of their town or village because of the spies around them or without a guard around her while concealing her identity. One time she sneaks to explore their city along with her twin both of them were grounded—since he can’t resist her cuteness when she persuades him to see the town of their kingdom—for a month. Aether was the only known heir of Khaenriah whilst Lumine was the hidden heir in hopes to keeps her safe in the eyes of the seven greedy empires.

She was a surprise child to Khaenriah since it was very rare for the royal viator-viatrix family to have a female offspring. The last female offspring that secretly documented was 109 years ago. She was confused at first but now that she had grown into a fine young lady, she understands why her existence needs to be a secret. 109 years ago, the said princess of Khaenriah was always kidnapped and sexually abused by the other nation. However, the princess died from the suicide while pregnant as her mentality cannot take what she had been through—her body was found in Liyue. At that time, Khaenriah wanted to revolt against the Liyue but cannot do so as they have no evidence against them-the evidence was wiped out. It wasn’t the only Liyue empire was at fault at that time. The Inazuma and Fontaine too—the three nations also had a conflict to each other and compete against the princess—Concluding how they clean up the evidence about her kidnapping. The Fontaine empire was the suspect of the cleaning up the evidence. ‘Priding themselves as the country of justice. What a hypocrite.’ Lumine thought.

“How are you feeling brother?” She brushed away his bangs from his forehead before giving it a gentle kiss hoping to subside the corrosion. If only her light and dark vision can work on the same person who has the vision then Aether would be standing strong right now. She slowly let go of his cold hand grabbing the soup on his bedside table. “As always the potion is bitter but enough to make me fight for a half an hour.” he muttered as the sister guide him to sit up and give him the soup and a spoon.

“We need to leave to find a new place. Viro had gave me 19 locations of abandoned houses around Teyvat and umm...some mora.” She showed the map--the owner of the hotel gave to it her--infront of them her other hand was showing the mora before putting it back where she grab it. There was a teleportation icon around the map and only useful for Khaenriahn' people. They can’t interact it as people might caught them; the reason was that there are people walking and waiting around the town in disguise. A guard hovering, waiting someone to appear on the teleporter. So, they vow to use it if it’s only an emergency. If they get lost. They need to meet up where they had last seen each other.

The male twin nodded until he notices something different about his sister. He blinked and surprised to see her hair, “Did you cut your hair?”

“Yeah, a week ago.”

“It’s beautiful.” She smiled and get behind him. Instead of doing her brother the usual braid. She put a fish tail braid with a brown celtic wrap hair accessory complimenting his hair and his color scheme of his clothes. Enough not tangled his hair again and again.

"Where do you wanna set up next?" she asked while doing his braid.

"Let's go to Liyue."

The khaenriah castle was torn especially the hallway. Childe and his subordinates were collecting the unused technology of Khaenriah. The Snezhnaya's was the next nation to inspect the Khaenriah—because that is how the seven regions of Teyvat negotiate on how to take and split the riches of Khaenriah----He looked around the castle and inspect every room. He admires the architecture of the fallen empire. The color of blue and gold compliment each other as the mahogany flooring are very firm and sturdy. He reminded of the Abyss Realm where he fell in when he was a kid.

As he gets to the residence of the crown prince on the hallway. He was surprise to see another door in front of the crown prince’s room. He turns the knob and got in. His footsteps were heard at the silence room. The ginger haired male was expecting something bizarre but scoff when he realize it was just another normal room for a royalty. ‘Probably another room for the crown prince’ he thought before going to the main room of the missing crown prince. The knight from snezhnaya was about to leave but he turn back to right side of the wall.

A certain painting portrait happens to catches his lightless ocean eyes.

Chapter Text

“Good sir, do you think you can help us towards Wangshu Inn,Liyue?” Lumine asked the old man tending his horse at the dawn. The said man almost had a heart attack at the sudden voice. He saw a male wearing dark brown cloak covering half of his clothes, however he cannot distinguish what he is wearing because of the darkness as the sun has yet to come. He almost looks like an assassin from another land. If it’s a day only sharp-eyed people can see that they are odd among this region.

“Goodness, do not sneak up on me like that young man!”

The blonde-haired girl in disguise bowed slightly, apologizing. He sighs as he rubs a towel from his sweat despite having a cold dawn in Sumeru. “Anyway, come again I have not heard your word properly.”

“Do you think you can take us to the Wangshu of Liyue? I heard you are to deliver a package to that nation.” The old man wanted to ask as to how did he found out that he delivering a package of goods of fruits to Liyue but its best to not ask him. He looks like he can kill him in the spot despite having a little difference of their heights. “Of course, as long as the fee is fair.” The girl nodded as she handed him four bags of mora that weighs 30 lbs. The old man was shocked because one bag was 13 times worth of his usual pay per transaction. Lumine ask him again, “Is this enough?”

“I umm this is too much!” his jaw almost dropped along with his dentures. The old man however notices something about his customer. Lumine quickly cover her head even more. The male blink quickly shaming himself that it is rude to stare at stranger.

“But why do you choose this carriage of mine? This is for delivery not for service.”

“…” Lumine can’t answer and only stared at him. As much as she wanted to tell him her situation she still doesn’t trust this stranger considering they may mistook her for Aether and the mora she gave is much worthless than the bid in the head of her brother. If only they could dye their hair, they would have done that. If it weren’t for the inspection among the foreigners. Her evil consequence told her to steal one at night but doing that is against the rules of Khaenriah and it is the least they could do. But Lumine we should steal it and Khaenriah is dead--oh shut it, she won't steal. It was a good thing that there one cheap shop that was selling a wig. However people can see the fakeness of it---and it itch to her backbone that one time it have her rash—but beggars can’t be choosers. 'Plus.... that is almost all the mora I had..' she silently pat her left pocket to feel at least the 7 bag pouch of mora is still in her waist, using a small device called compression to store it so that it won't be heavy on her pocket.

The old man gulped and silently gave her an apology. Right, it is best not to pry.

It had been 3 hours during their journey and Aether is already shivering from the cold despite the afternoon is glaring down the heat. As much as Lumine doesn’t want any warmer at this overbearing heat she had to take care of her brother. “Come here.” She pulled out ¾ regenerative potion and put it on his mouth to drink it. “Easy brother. I don’t know when are we going to have another regenerative potion so I have to save it. At least endure it until I find some herbs around the Liyue.” She said as she before leaving his mouth with the potion that is half-full and half-empty. She pulled down her cloak and gave it to her twin. Aether leans his cheek on her shoulder hugging her more for warmth. Lumine sighed as she really had wished the heat inside the carriage and the outside were cool temperature. It was a good decision that she did cut her hair.

She looked down on her travel bag on her left. There was only one potion left and a half---the one that Aether drink--- for the corrosion. The owner of the motel had told them that there was an alchemist in mondstadt who’s from Khaenriah. However, the said owner was worried to be careful as they have heard that this alchemist has said to be ally and loyal to the mondstadt.

The two settled first to Liyue because of the best herbs that can harvest among the wild. At least much more effective than the bitter taste of the regenerative potion he was consuming and then they can venture towards Mondstadt. They cannot go, at least not yet when they found out that there was a checkpoint between mondstadt and Liyue. Either their plan to get there was to go the dragons pine which was dangerous for Aether's condition or go the cliff where an entity called Oceanid resides but both of the twin does not want to disturb the entity from slumber.

“Better?”

The male twin nodded a small smile etched across his face. “My sister’s the best. I’m so lucky to have you.” He muttered nuzzling his head in her shoulder more. She chuckled before swatting some sweat on her cheek. ‘I am more lucky to have you brother.’ She had heard while travelling, there was brother who is the family head of his four siblings. The rumors said he sold his own four female siblings to his friends for the mora and thankfully her brother wasn’t like that. He spoilt her when they were kids up until now, the same. She spoilt him too until their happiness was cut off by the suprise attack of Inazuma then joined force by the other nations. She looks away from her twin as her eyes travel to the cracks of the wood of the carriage. Her golden eyes saw a big building sitting atop of the huge massive tree. ‘Woah..’

‘So, this is what Wangshu Inn looks like.’ Lumine can see many people are eating outside the said Inn. She can see the amount of carts and carriages parking nearby. A knock was heard at the door of the carriage. Lumine and Aether look to each other before the male twin let go of his sister and gave her back her cloak. The female covered her head and gave something to Aether before going outside.

‘…shit.’ Lumine looked at Liyue shoulder after they got outside. Three of the guards walk towards them with their polearms held high. Aether grabs her hand and unintentionally squeezing it despite he is weak at the moment, he had to prevent his sister for being discovered. The old man of the carriage looked at them in confusion before checking his package to see if it was still intact hoping the two didn’t do anything. Though it would be fine to steal one after the amount of mora that the shorter male gave to him. Two of the three milelith assessed the two before interrogating their driver about his purpose of his visit but one of them halt infront of them glared at him. “Have you not know that no cloaks allowed on this part of Liyue?” The twin looked at each other silently, nervousness was feeling on one of them. It has been 10 seconds of silence have past and none of the two made a move making the impatient guard annoyed. The driver quicky came in between. The old man wasn’t good nor kind but he doesn’t like the idea of his customer is getting yelled at. “Kind sir, these are my niece, they haven’t heard any rules about this… new rule of Liyue.” The soldier turns his head on him and glared. “Had you not known that in the presence of the prince of Liyue is not allowed to wear cloaks or anything that covers their face?! We automatically brand them as assassins.” As soon as he said that the old man’s eyes fell to another particular odd uniform. He silently gasped and bowed. The said prince walk towards them slightly annoyed because of the heat and the three soldiers quickly bowed at them. “I greet the crown prince of Liyue, the Vigilant Yaksha.” The twin tensed. The old quietly usher them to imitate what the guard said.

Lumine and Aether greeted the male too though the female twin is trying her best to lower her pitch of her voice as they bow the same time.

Lumine and Aether’s eyes assess the look of the prince. His hair color was divided into two. His red and black hair match his gold eyes perfectly and the purple diamond on his forehead. He has the same height as Aether well almost, if not he's shorter by centimeters. The both of them have heard that the prince purge a lot of demons that lurking around Liyue getting the title of the mighty Yaksha along with his other comrades. He is said to be good at polearm and no one can beat him when a mask that was on his waist was worn. He was the adopted son of the emperor even though their age gap was only five years.So the two doesn’t want to underestimate the power he holds as they are not here to avenge their home but to survive. Aether quickly looks down as he slightly pulled Lumine to his side to protect her from the prince of Liyue’s sight noticing that he was staring at his sister for too long but that was unavoidable when the soldier hiss at them. “My prince these two commoners hasn’t taken off their cloaks.”

“The rules around the foreigners seems to be deaf when visiting the Liyue.” His voice seem to be in annoyed as he clicked his tongue. “ Take them off.”

Hesitantly, Aether pulled down his cloak and his sister followed in suit. Lumine thank herself for giving her brother to wear a wig. The prince cold stare made the twins have a difficulty to not glare back at him but they held their ground. Both of them felt the corruption and darkness surrounding him. They wondered if the yaksha's body can hold off.

'It was probably because of his purge to kill demons.' both of the twin thought.

He walked towards to Aether and looks at him up and down assessing his form before giving him scoff. He didn't touch nor lean closely to the older twin. However, he did the opposite to Lumine.

His left gloved hand raised to touch her chin and pulled it near his face. The girl in disguise was trying her best not to hiss at him. Xiao turn her face left and right before letting go, slightly confuse. Was he really confuse?

"You look familiar." He said towards Lumine.

"Do you have a name..?"

the said lady didn't answer as she felt the stare of a man who will do something towards her that she wouldn't like. It's not like this was the first time someone had molested her through staring, if she remember when she was 13 years old, a spy from Inazuma discovers her and he was about to do something that will scarred her and well kidnapped her onwards. If only Aether wasn't there to rescue her. She was naïve at the time when the spy tried to lure her to the woods.

The obsidian-red haired male is getting agitated when he notice the person he was holding to the face wasn't answering. "Do you have tongue or not? When a royal ask you something you should answer them." He clicked his tongue and let her chin go but not before he take a long stare to her hair--wig--.

'Goodness, he was getting suspicious.'

The male twin quickly intervene the male and bowed at him careful not to make his wig fell down too. "I'm sorry good prince.. my little brother was a little sick during our journey."

"Lies is not an option to get away from me... Commoner. If the one who is looking sick right now." He said but there was a mockery when he said the word 'commoner' before pointing at him. "that would be you."

Xiao was about to retort more but the pain he felt from his chest gave him cardiac arrest. The prince of Liyue fell down and the guards quickly protected him, his expression is scrunched, evident that he is in pain.

It was their que to leave and they took their chance to get to the inn. Aether took the chance to drag Lumine away since his hand was still on hers. They bid the driver a farewell and thank yous as he too leave the vicinity.

Lumine looked at prince who got a heart attack. She was slightly felt bad and the good heart that she is she wanted to help the Yaksha.

Aether too wanted to help him with their power but it would be too risky if someone were familiar of the light and dark vision they have. "Do you think... We can help him..?"

"As much as we want to help him, dear sister. We cannot get to close to his body there are too many eyes around him. Everyone will capture us on the spot." She bit her lip and nodded before quickly getting to the receptionist above the inn.

After getting a room for them. Aether quickly fall himself down to the bed, relaxing his bones from the exhaustion of their journey. Lumine followed him and sighs from relaxation. She look at the small area of the kitchen to see a technology that can hold off cold food for reheat, a table containing fruits, and some fresh crabs that can be seen that it was prepared for them. "I have heard your stomach grumbles during our journey. I shall make you some food." Closing her eyes, after grabbing a berry; reminiscing her happy memories in her home. For her to be cooked by the Royal chefs and Lovely maids and butlers to serve. She had missed their cooking and the mess they made when the princess of Khaenriah wants to learn to cook or to experiment. She had wondered if they had gotten to the Abyss Realm for safety or at least escaped from the eyes of the greed. It hurts that her last meal they served was the day of their birthday. Oh how their laughters and joy was cut short after an few hour upcoming invasion. The blonde haired girl shook her head, trying her best to mute out the screams of children, maids, and other people of Khaenriah getting slaughter or used as a tribute.

A pat was felt on her left shoulder snapping her out of her thoughts. Aether look at her smiling, "Should I help? I don't want to be burden."

"No you may not." she said pushing him away gently to indicate that he should go back to the bed. The older twin whines, his lips pout before sulking, " I am bored."

"Then sleep, I'll wake you up once the food is ready." she said before turning back to find some ingredients nearby.

"Lumineee..."Lumine groaned and grabbed the nearest object her hands could find. She gave him a berry and a newspaper on his chest."Now, go back." Aether scoffs before taking the food and the paper as he gone back to their shared bed. They could have gone down from the inn and just brought a dish from the restaurant they passed while running away from the noble guards as Aether assumed that the prince of Liyue might still be roaming around that area.

It was already night time and there are barely people at this time of hour. Lumine look around for the inn for a spring bath. She wanted a quick one so that no one gets suspicious towards her. Her brother was sound asleep after consuming the food of the inn and some small portion of potion, he would definitely come and take a bath too but he was too tired and instead wear Inn's clothes for guest as he disregard his travelling clothes to the washing machine; an invention from snezhnaya. There was a restroom for them but she needed a hot bath to relieve her sore muscles. She looked around for a staff only to see a man who is glaring towards her form. Though she didn't mind as her footfalls had gone towards the said employee.

The innkeeper has been annoyed by the fact that a commoner just got rented in their Inn. He hates commoners who think of highly of themselves and he know for sure this idiot who is now walking towards him acts like one.

"...do you know where the spring bath of the inn is?"

The man was about to make a snide remarks about him but a thought of idea came up to him. His annoyed face quickly turn to friendly one. The lady in disguise mentally grimace.

"We do have hot spring bath. You have to go straight the hall and you will see the end right of this floor. After that you will see the sign."

The girl followed his direction. She avoided the passing by guests and staff's eyes, walking normally as if she was not a wanted criminal on all the nation. Unbeknownst to her, she had wished she didn't follow his direction because by the time she got in the bath of the inn. It was exclusively for royal which she didn't know how to read a liyue's letters/ symbols.

She let out a sigh as she release her clothes and the binds on her chest. Taking off her dark hair wig that had been itching her face and neck for half of a day. She put the inn's towel around her form and leave the other towel for later. She put her clothes beside on one of the shelves and didn't even notice a shoe and clothes near hers because of her excitement to take a bath. Her head turn around to observe how beautiful the spring bath was. There was a big scenery in front of the spring and the flooring were stones and cement the same as the flooring on the bath that has a similar design like the ones she saw Inazuma's architecture from the book. Amount of bamboo was surrounding the spring almost to feel like you are one with nature. She walk towards at the warm bubbly bath, holding her towel around her chest to cover herself and dip her lower limb and felt the warm water kissed her feet. Soon her whole body was dip down and sat at the edge corner of the spring bath.

However, the prince from earlier was on another the end of the corner of the hot bath. He recovered from the earlier incident though not fully. His physician told him to relax at the spring bath at night to lose and help his blood circulate easier. He had been experiencing a lot of pain ever since he had been purging demons around Liyue. They cannot find a cure for this unknown disease he was feeling and the corruption is slowly eating his soul.

Xiao sighs and can only endure the pain for years, he can still feel the pain squeezing his lungs slightly. He haven't had sleep well these past few years. Zhongli can only subside the pain by his tea but it won't last long. The only thing that can help him is the khaenriah people who held light and dark vision.

He wondered if he can meet the beautiful gem he saw on the portrait after he visited the wrecked castle of Khaenriah realizing that they have a hidden daughter. If he had met her before their fall he would took her then and there with or without consent because the thought someone else claiming the hidden gem of Khaenriah made him furious. Zhongli taught him that if he had an eye set for a person, he needs to get it and consume it so no people can take it from him. If a mere picture could make him crazy what about when he met her personally. Xiao can see that the girl in the portrait can help him eradicate his curse as he have heard a lot of stories of mysterious physician on Khaenriah. When they found a file about the said physician, it was encoded as 'lu'Min'e V'tor-V'trix. It wasn't the beauty that drawn him to her it was the kindness and her swordsmanship he saw on the secret files about her. A strong woman who is not equals as him but a woman who can fight and defend herself. He slightly smile when he can imagine like her who can fight. a feisty personality, defying him and would try to fight back. He will hold back his strength when that time comes. He took the files with on his way back to Liyue before the snezhnaya was their turn to look around the fallen nation without telling his other comrades. The male decided that not only she would be wed to him and do her duty as his wife. He will lock her up where no one can find her and only him who can spoil her, there was no love towards her only his duty to make her help him his desire. Though his mission was to capture first the male heir to be bethroted to his step-sister, Ganyu---before the other nation have their hands on him. His mind changed after seeing the other gem of Khaenriah. Xiao decided that he will get rid of the male twin to marry his sister whist he marry Lumine. He didn't told his 'father'---why was he even calling him father when their age gap was mere 5 years--- his plan yet to marry or know about the hidden daughter of Khaenriah. He doesn't need to and he won't let that man who had already 13 concubines on his harem with no official empress beside him. He will announce it after their marriage happened so that the emperor won't look his eyes on his muse.

A foot falls was heard by the entrance and exit of the spring. Xiao become alerted only to see a blond haired stranger with a towel around their body. Their back was facing him, making golden eyes squinted on the person. The male scoff, he can tell it's a foreigner from earlier.

His golden eyes saw the stranger slid to the other edge of the corner the spring bath parallel to him. Their back was facing him.

It was a 12 walk gap between them.

"I was told that no nobles nor commoner can come in on the royal spring bath." His voice surprised the girl and quickly clasped her mouth before she can shriek.

'Oh, goodness... There was a person in here.' she tensed. Slowly letting go her mouth and to turn around to see a man half-naked his right arm slung on the stone that was shoulder level on him.

His red and black was slightly wet from the bath.

Lumine felt her face became flushed before shooking her head that it is not appropriate for a princess like her to see a man half naked unmarried. She quickly look and starts to watch the scenery before her.

"... I am sorry, the inn keeper told me that this was the way for public bath." she answered as she slowly sunk herself until half of head was left enough for her to breath.

The male on the other corner can only sigh as he doesn't have the time to punish nor scold someone. He bit his lip when he felt his heart squeeze again the same time his lungs but he endure it. He look away from her form before having a thought that the stranger he was with looked familiar. There was a 3 minutes of silence between them during those times Xiao wondered where was the two idiot that wears wig. Those two looks familiar at the missing heirs of khaenriah if it weren't for the wigs, he just needed to confirm if they were actually one or probably another attempt murder towards him. The short male he saw earlier in the afternoon he looked... quite beauty for a male and it catches his eyes. Xiao didn't affect his esteem but he was curious. How is it possible to have beautiful feminine face for a male like him?---his thoughts was snapped out when his eyes landed to the see through byobu. A wig fell down from the shelves. Golden orbs widen and his pupil became a snake-like a dilated one his head sharply snap towards the stranger. He saw how the commoner lift their head on his view, seeing a light blonde hair splaying on the water

'should I leave now?.. but I just got here.' The girl thought as she notice the other person in the room was not looking at her. 'He doesn't seems to be suspicious of me.' Still even if she did leave the spring bath. The towel that was now clinging to her because of the water will gave her a curve and that would be a huge risked.'Agh! I hate that employee!' While she was in the middle of her cursing the disgraceful innkeeper, a shadow loomed behind her making her snapped out of her mind and turn back to look at him hoping he was still on the same position. Lumine was surprised to see him beside her standing.

A deranged look of obsession made her shriek from fear. The man pulled her left wrist up harshly making the towel that clinging on her body slipped. Lumine's fast reflexes cover her chest with her available hand. As she was quickly knelt down so that the water could cover her lower half and her private part.

"You...!"he hissed.

Chapter Text

FIGHT

DEFEND YOURSELF!!!!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

COME ON, LUMINE

GET UP!

DON’T LET HIM CONSUME YOU!!

A faint voice yelled on the back of her head until it fades. Lumine silence herself to shriek from the way her heart dropped as the sudden male was already close to her, the man’s grip hurts her as if letting her go would be his last life, she knew the grip would give her a bruise later--a purple ugly pigment would form. Thinking quickly, her strength she gained from her combat skills when she learned together with her colleague friends and her strict coach comes in quickly to her body. She kicked his shin but the prince wasn’t called for Yaksha for nothing, he avoids it and pull her even more to him as his other hand was going to strike her neck to knock her unconscious but Lumine’s fear of expression quickly change in to fury as fire of determination came on her eyes telling him she won’t back down as if her mode as a knight of Khaenriah turned on. The disgust she felt the way he looks at her made her gag; she saw how his amusement on her went to a deranged look of obsession.

Just like Aether and her father says, “The men from the other nation are greedy, their views about women and society are black and white.”

She blocked his sharp hand towards her nape using the available hand that was holding the towel, once she successfully blocks it; ignoring the searing pain he inflicted when their limbs clashed, the same time her towel that slipping on her body to the water, she directs her knuckle hand towards his face as she forces her caged hands to pull down, getting away from his deathly grasp. Xiao catches her knuckle but his grip on her other hand had been let go, he switches his grip on her knuckles to grip her wrist again. The male felt an excitement that was surging on his body, it’s been a while feeling his whole-body became lighter as if he was ready for another war. When he touched her, the aching from his lungs and his chest has been fading slowly. Mostly his heart ‘What’s more if I get closer to her?’

The fog around the room had thickens when Lumine splash hot spring water through his eyes as she took the towel that slips to her body wrap it again around her body. The black-red haired closed his eyes as the warm water enters his cat-like gold orbs, he quickly regains himself only to see a foot going to smash his face, just as fast as he regains his composure, he wraps his torso to cage her on coming leg but he was surprise when Lumine follow up with another kick from her other leg as soon as he locks his arm on the other limb. The male staggered slightly from the water almost slipping, Xiao didn’t think that underestimating her was something that would hurt his ego... an incredible woman like her, she can’t defend herself enough for someone like him who had been killing strong enemies, demons, and fought war. The female proved him that just because she was a woman doesn't mean she does not know how to throw hands. Like her kindness is rubbing in on her, she didn’t want to hurt him all she need to do is to defend herself so that she can get away from him. Seeing this opportunity to escape she tried to get away faster but the water on above the knee level made her slow.

He regain his balance after shaking his head from the slight dizziness to regain composure, the yaksha's vision slightly disoriented for a bit before becoming clear from the foggy room. The escapee was only three steps away to get up from the bath but then the princess' whole body was pushed down from her back, her whole-body had slammed down to the water, feeling a strong hand squeezed the nape of her neck. She gags from the water entering her lungs, crying out.

"Grrugh!!"..Aether!

Remembering Aether who is sleeping peacefully, what if he woke up if he realize that his sister was nowhere to be found or be found dead? Her tears were mixing from the spring bath as Xiao lift her up from his hand manhandling her, turning her body around to her from him before switching his hold on her but this time in front of her neck and lifting her up again, he sets her down on the edge of the spring bath to lay down; not enough to hurt her. She coughed as the towel almost slip from her body; one of her chests was exposed. He leans on her face as their nose almost touched; hips were in between her legs. She felt something that was poking from her bare butt when his lower body pressed on hers. The male was towering her, feeling the droplets of the water from his hair strands on her cheeks. The Viator-Viatrix panicked, she remembered the spy made in puppet from Inazuma who almost raped her if it weren’t for Aether. Their position is likely to be similar from today. Her heart had been beating fast from the fear that is starting to occur.

Xiao closed his eyes as he felt his whole-body had been healed including the kick she inflicted from his face, it had been a while since he felt this strong, whatever this strange power that Khaenriah royal holds, the male wants to claim her even more. ‘Is this why the reason they wanted Khaenriah nobles to be claimed because of the power it holds and their offspring?’ She tried to struggle from him but his new regained strength grips her neck even more as a warning. The Yaksha soon rests his face on the crooked of the woman's neck as one of his sharp nails dug slightly from her nape and draw a small amount of blood making the princess flinched, he smells the scent of purity and the light and dark vision she holds. A way that Liyue men that will bed their wife before consumption of their wedding to know if the said lady was virgin or not. Though he doesn’t have the intention to do it right now—because he can control his libido and he will only do so if its tradition on his home, he won't also force himself on her excluding his mark— he was about to bites her when Lumine grabbed half of his face to stop him, as she tried to lean him away from her. “What are you doing?!”

Hearing her natural panicked voice, Xiao wondered how does she sound when she screamed beneath him. The gap between her hands from his face as he looks at her scared expression. His sharp canine can be seen as the malice of his expression made her even more alert. “Claiming you… I know for sure one of the nation’s already know your existence but they don’t want to publish in hopes, they can have you first.” He continued, his raspy and low register voice sent shivers down—fear—in her spine.

“I am quite surprise, a woman like you shouldn’t know about combats. Women should stay on the indoors and do their duty to please their husband." he took a small whiff on her scent, it was sweet. It reminds him of his favorite food. "-and not to hold a weaponry nor learn combats because that is unlady-like.” He ‘tsked’, he reminded her of the captain of an illegal group named crux fleet. The said pirate guild had betrayed Liyue upon realizing that the captain of the ship was actually a female. Xiao wasn’t lying if he said that he wasn’t surprise on the princess skills of combat. The male knew she wanted to knock him down instead, but he knows the way her virtue as people of Khaenriah made hold her back making the Khaenriahn people weak a country in his eyes. Forget about biting her neck, he will do the other method of marking.

“There is no such thing when it comes to combat! Everyone is equal! Everyone can learn combat to defend and protect themselves from harm.” Lumine glared at him

“mmhmn…. I may admire your views about equality but you see Lumine.”

She blinked. “How did you kno-” Xiao bite his lower lip to draw blood, letting her neck go and gripped her chin instead. Him getting rid of her hands from his face as he rests his lips to hers then biting her in the process so she too also bled. The male pushed his tongue towards her. A first kiss that Lumine never expect. For Xiao, it wasn’t just a kiss, during his lips forcefully claiming hers, a small insignia that was the same lime tattoo in his arms was seen to her neck, Visible only to the people who are born from Liyue. Xiao smirk, he can track her whereabout for at least 600 meters away from him. Though he won’t tell her that.

He gaps away their lips before whispering with a malice in his voice, panting from the activity he did. Hot breaths was hitting both of their mouths. “There is no such thing as equal. Men are above and women are below. They belong to men and you...”

“...belong to me.” There was no love between them. Only Xiao felt attraction and desire towards her, to use her as his energy. The blonde tried to slap him but Xiao quickly blocks it away. “Women are not an object!”

The taste of her own blood and his from her tongue was disgusting. Lumine always hated the sight of blood, the smell of the blood, the taste of the blood! That is why she is the only twin who cannot see herself to kill and instead to knock them down. “… your vision.”

“…?”

“That was my first thought once I had one born-Khaenriah to help me eradicate the curse from the purging of demon because of their vision.” The lady didn’t notice, Xiao covered her exposed chest with her towel, as he softly touch her wet hair, caressing it. He felt content and happy knowing he can still live on to protect Liyue. Though he had a new plan ahead for his future. The Liyue is not the only thing he needed to protect. This thing below him is another addition to his life. “However, seeing you as the hidden gem of Khaenriah changed my plan, other than your use of your vision to heal me. You can bare me a child. It was rather interesting to see that people like you thinks that men and women are equal.” He leans on her chuckling; it had been a while since he laugh. “Something so false from reality makes me amused.”

Xiao didn’t notice the hand was coming towards his left. Once it contacts to his face, he flew away from her not enough to alert the people outside.

Lumine glower down on him,

“If you think that way then, I feel bad about your mother who birthed you and raise you like a piece of shit.”

With that, Lumine didn’t care if someone sense her light and dark vision to use it to attack Xiao and to knock him down.

Once she hit his head, her demeanor as a knight dissipated and horror she felt today became reality. Seeing that he was knocked down;she quickly gathered all her things and wear her fresh clothes and stuff all her stuffs in her arm, putting back the wig on her, not caring if the wig is not in a good position in her hair. She opened the door only to see three milelith was jogging towards her. ‘Must be because I used my vision.’ She put her stuff beside the nearby table and ready to defend herself. The nearby soldier thrust the spear on her trying to decapitate her, however she quickly back away before kicking the neck of his spear to fly away then she punches the said milelith before her sword shows up on her left hand and strike down to target their veins that could disable them from walking for atleast a year—she didn’t intend to break it entirely—a signature strike wound from Khaenriah’s soldiers. She would have done the same to the prince, but she knows the disease in him is already enough for him to suffer.

Lumine kicks the last conscious soldier to knock them down before letting go her sword and disappear itself, grabbing her stuff to go back to her room.

She again avoids the passing customers and staff around them as her feet scurry towards her room where Aether was. She didn’t know and didn’t care if she left her inn slippers from the bath as her tears burst turning to wake up her brother.

Her brother whose eyes were slightly puff from his rest; his eye lids opened still sleepy before turning to her. His sleepy mood quickly dissipated once a tear fell from her eyes. The older twin hush her to calm down, “What is it?”

“We got to leave brother!” she cried before explaining everything to her brother, and Aether wasted no time to pack their things, though there wasn’t much to pack since they are travelling everywhere, he took the fruits from the kitchen and some miscellaneous ingredients for cooking. Lumine helping behind as she pack some clothes that was hanging in the closet of the inn. She left some mora on the bed for paying for the rent. “I’ll be back for a bit,” the younger twin grabs his hand shaking her head. “Let us go, brother. You’re body is still not fine.” He shook his head and patted her head as a reassurance before leaving for a bit.

He did came back and the difference before he left is that his right glove was slight  worn out, as if he punch someone to death. Lumine didn’t question him as they proceed to leave and glide down towards the woods. During their glide, she saw a number of milelith running on the entrance of the wangshu inn, especially the elevator. One of the soldiers spotted them, if they had a crossbow they would have been shot. Too bad all of them were using polearm.

They ran away from the forest and blended on the darkness.

A ginger haired male had just arrive from the carriage, he walk down and saw how chaotic the milelith today. Childe had just arrive to take a rest after his expedition from Khaenriah and today he wanted to take a rest from his journey before delivering his report to the Tsaritsa.

The male hummed in wonders before looking at the certain area that some of the milelith were running towards to.

Hmmm….

Panting from the non-stop run, the milelith didn’t stop chasing them. There was no other choice but to fight back. The two strikes in sideways covering each others back. Aether kneel down to decapitate the nearby soldier, as Lumine jump up to plunge down. Using both of their vision, Lumine use her Light vision to blind the enemy while Aether used his dark vision to strangle them. His hands were palm opened until he put the two finger to pull them down, knocking them out. The moon witness the scene as they left to hurry down to the cottage they had plan out to stay temporarily.

Xiao looks at them amused but his face shows otherwise, as he let the beauty believe she really knock him out. Rather, he admires her determination and her naivety views about society. He wasn’t disappointed at the lady.

Lumine and Aether found a small village that was selling dyes, wigs, and lenses. Unlike, Sumeru. There was no guards to check or inspect them up before proceeding to buy stuff. A small village where they the same views as Khaenriah but they needed to pretend as if they are the same mindset of today’s society.

The elder woman gave it them for free, especially giving a potion and a step-by-step procedure for regenerative potion for Aether—knowing he is the wanted prince that all nations want. Not only she was kind to give them the necessary things they need. The chief of the small village offers them to stay but the two-decline knowing their village might get in danger, at first it may sounds like they are giving them a false security, the chief revealed she had a husband from khaenriah and share how men and women are treated equally, her voice sounded like she was happy that a certain place from this rotten core of Teyvat exist but soon died down knowing that she wish to visit has turn to ruins.

As soon as they bid goodbye, Aether and Lumine took the longest route after seeing a nearby path that contains milelith patrolling around. “I’m tired,” Aether said as he let his butt fall down from their walk, The ground was steep as they were trying to descend from the mountains, Lumine who is in front of him turn to look up at him. Both of them are sweating. The small air from above is not helping them to relax. She walks up slightly to get to his level before grabbing from her pocket a store device to open up a mat that is big enough for two people. She put it down on the grass as she lay down, grabbing one of Aether’s arms to force him to lay down too. The long-haired braided male didn’t disobey and let her drag him to lay down on the mat.

Above them, the sky was somewhat covered by bamboo and tree leaves as it sway slightly from the breeze, The noon sun going down from the horizon, Lumine closed her eyes from the exhaustion as she held her brother’s hand for comfort. “I’m tired too.”

“Did you miss them…? Father and Mother?” Nodding, she snuggled closer as she doesn’t care how their sweat from their shoulder are mixing, the other didn’t mind too.

“I miss Enjou.” Pained from the thought of their butler, who tried to defend them. As their last meeting was him fighting the enemies to buy them some time to escape. “…. I hope he is alive.” She muttered, as a small tear was escaping on her cheeks. Remembering their goofy butler who is younger than them by one year, Aether gritted his teeth to stop himself from crying, “… He is alive, Lumine. I am sure of it. He is Enjou after all.”

“What did we do wrong for them to pursue us….?”

His golden eyes stares at the blue sky his other hand was on his forehead, his lids were droopy indicating he needs a rest. “I don’t… I don’t know… I don’t want to know how sick their mind and how greedy people they are.”

As days went by, they arrived at the designation of an abandoned cottage on the Bishui Plain located below the Mt. Aozang, a nearby waypoint was nearby the cottage it was for them to use later at least to use it as an escape, luckily there were no guards guarding the waypoint—a waypoint that is only accessible from Khaenriah people. The cottage itself was obviously abandoned, The Khaenriah twins quickly help each other to clean the dust from the inside and sweep of the sandbearer leaves from the outside. Lumine assigned herself on the inside as she knows that Aether cannot handle any dust or any germs as his body is still in corrosion and so she assigned him to clean instead the outside.

Week pass by like an ant on its way to its home-

The princess’ neck was slightly aching for everyday,

‘Must have been from the fight.’ She thought to herself remembering how xiao manhandle her, picking the last herbs as she walks back with Aether leading the way back to the cottage. The scenery was beautiful, red and orange trees was delectable on her eyes as she had loved nature. The sun was setting down, and the 6 fish she catches earlier in the afternoon had been cooked (because they might attract unwanted intruder nearby to their home so they only cook one time per day), Her golden orbs found the glee to see so many potions they had made for Aether, she was very thankful that wanderer’s that were passing by are buying their regenerative potions and it helped a lot to get more mora for them. However, the twins are always cautious who were their buyers were and if they are trustworthy enough, only then they can continue to sell it. They made it in Khaenriah price like 180 mora as Lumine and Aether knows that in the Bubu pharmacy they cost high, it must be three times the price they sell. The male twin’s condition had improved though the corrosion didn’t eradicate from his body. The potion did a very excellent job to make him move freely.

A pack of bird flew away nearby, as soon as they step inside their cottage. Aether was about to come in, while Lumine felt a bad omen. It was weird to see the nature was too quiet. On the edge of her peripheral, a strange sparkling from the bush made her sense became alert.

‘Is that…?’ a needle flew towards her directly on her, thankfully she leans away from the door as it almost hit her face; the darts stabs on the wooden door. She put the picked herbs on the outdoor table grabbing her sword from her waist. Aether on the other hand let his hand go on his basket, seeing five people showed up from the woods, realizing one of them is familiar, he prepared himself with his sword.

The black-red haired male claps, as he and the other yaksha was walking beside him, their weapon was ready too. Xiao smirks, Lumine glared, Aether scowls.

“Did you really think you can get away from me?” his lower register can flutter any woman nearby but Lumine can only feel the disgust.

“Considering, I knocked you down then the answer is yes.” She spoke back. One of the Yaksha scoffs in amusement. “You really didn’t joke around when you said she’s feisty.” The two wanted to ask how did Xiao found them, but they knew better saving up their saliva as that evil Yaksha won’t give them any answer.

“What is it that you want, Xiao?”

“…. what’s this calling first name basis are the two of you already wed?” The twin ignored the pyro bearer Yaksha as they focus on their leader wanting to see what was his move next.

“… You know what I want.”

“Sorry to burst your ego, oh young prince. I don’t want men who sees women as an object for their desire.”

Remembering what happened between them, it ended well to her case, but her fear and anger towards men increased.

“I know you want our power to eradicate what’s inside of you Xiao… Should we make a deal? I could help you eradicate your disease only if you can find someone who can help my brother eradicate his corrosion.”

“Your wish is not guaranteed.” He answered. She narrowed her eyes, her grip on her sword tightens. He smiled even more. “Instead, why not make a contract with me?”

“Contract…?” she lowered her sword but quickly put it back to its position once the prince took a step. His spear and his subordinates' were reflecting from the moonlight above them. He stops in front of her as he lowered both of the twins’ weapon from his neck. Contract.. Something that Zhongli teaches him to trap a person. The way he pretends she knock him down on the spring bath to see where her littler form goes it almost remind him of a little white rabbit escaping away from the grasp of its predator. “Yes, contract…”

“Knowing the both of you doesn’t have the desire to marry… and want to live peacefully.” he saw the look of anger rising on the two before sitting down in front of them, he became amused, hands on his polearm disappears.

“I shall borrow you if I needed you for something whilst I’ll help the crown prince recover from the corrosion once I found some sage. Not only, that I won’t tell the authority about your location.." he continued. "However, you cannot leave Liyue vicinity..." "Saying this is the contract, wouldn’t that be more beneficial to your side? I’m assuming that the both of you had been going everywhere in teyvat so that no one can find the both of you. After all, it is too tiring to go around erasing your traces for the people who is tracking the both of you.”

Aether and Lumine looked at each other, until the older spoke, “Even if you won’t tell anyone our whereabouts what about the four Yaksha behind you? How can we know that we can trust them that they won't spread it?” The golden snake like orbs looks at him before crossing his arms, “… I should have the milelith with me and capture the both of you instead. These four can keep this secret like they haven’t seen you today.” He was right about that part and Aether cannot find any fault. However, he knows that they cannot trust enough this evil Yaksha.

He paused before turning his look back at Lumine, “Now then, do you have a violent reaction or suggestion to this contract?”

There was another defining silence, the twins looked at each other before signaling the younger, something that a typical twins having the instinct of knowing the desicion of the both parties. Both of their swords disappear at the same time Lumine settled both of her and her brother's decision, “Fine then, we can trust you for now.”

“However, if you disobey the contract then you already know the consequence.”

“That is?”

“Not only the crown prince of Khaenriah is married to my sister Ganyu… The princess shall be imprisoned to my Abode.” He voiced. The lady gritted her teeth, “If that’s our punishment then. Shall we beheaded you if you are the one who’ll tamper the contract?”

“… I don’t break contract, Lumine.”

Chapter Text

"Princess, loosen up. Your shoulders are stiff like a board."

While keeping her sight away from his slit golden eyes, Lumine closed her eyes. Like a predator getting ready to captivate its prey before eating them. Even though there is a table between them, both of their knees are touching, indicating that they are seated in front of each other. Their chairs are just rounded couches with a round table separating them, she tries to relax her shoulder but is unable to do so. Unless it is her family, she is not used when someone intentionally touches her or whenever a stranger touches her in any way that can be called assault. As her brother was being treated by a physician, Xiao contacted her and invited her to his abode for tea. The duo twin had no other option, as Xiao might literally capture them.

"but I thought you said a sage not a physician?"

"... That is because we need to check other symptoms other than that corrosion."

Lumine didn't want to argue with the lord, they are at the mercy of the infamous Yaksha. She sighs before following him behind as she look back to see her brother looking worriedly at her departure. She mouthed him that she will be back before dinner. Now she is here, she was expecting for the prince to do the same she had experience in the spring bath or probably lure her to his abode and then trap her but none of it happened. Lumine knows that this arrogant prince that he is implying it see if she can break their contract first by fighting him.

"... I don't bite." his low less raspy voice was trying to lull her but she wont fall for it. "... come closer."

At least not yet. she mocked him in her thoughts before obeying him. Her butt was sliding on their rounded couch before she stops with 12 inch between them,. Unfortunately the space she created between them was eradicated when the prince grabbed her waist and pulled him closer to her. She almost punched him but she control herself-contract!- when her golden eyes landed on his other hand, is handing out a pastry in front of her. "Eat, I'm sure you haven't eaten your morning breakfast. The servants placed too many pastries for me to eat." he said tapping the pastry on her mouth. The princess gave him a look, a look that she is doubting him if he put a poison on a consumable food. He felt like he was feeding a bunny lost in a woods.

His eyes narrowed giving her a small smile, "It's not poisoned nor drugged." He took a small bite on the pastry chewing it before swallowing it before grabbing another one, offering it to her. The female huffed before taking a bite. the egg tarts melt on her mouth, it reminded her how the royal chefs and the maids serve it to them blooming the atmosphere with full of laughter while they celebrated their birthday. It made her heart ache remembering that those happy moment will never happen again, only celestia can make a miracle in hopes they are still alive somewhere out there. She slowly chew it as she felt the brim of her tears are slowly showing. God, she missed her friends.

The thought of it made her tears fall down. Xiao was puzzled from the burst of tears coming from the princess, why was she crying all of a sudden? Do women always cry with no reason? It's annoying.

"What is it now?"

She stiff before wiping her tears, gulping down the pastry from her mouth. Looking down as she realize that the arrogant man is still holding her waist. She gritted, "Nothing..."

He scoffs, as he let his hand go on from her waist. Elbow staying on the table supporting his head as his palm were formed in fist while looking at her, one of his eyebrow were raised. "I really don't understand women bursting out their emotion out of nowhere."

"Unlike men, they know how to control their emotion." he finished. Lumine glared at him, she can retort him, or even insult him, after all it wasn't in their contract. If he tries to make her break their contract. She too can play that game.

"Indeed, that's why men are weak." she continued before mocking him with a smug smile, "men like you have fragile masculinity."

Xiao blinked at her response. His face had not shown any hate on her. Just blinking.

Lumine awaits for his response, or somehow an aggressive movement from him because she offend his manly ego but somehow. He looked like his mind went blank. It took them a half a minute before Lumine tensed when Xiao starts to move, this time his hand touch hers whilst dragging her towards the garden they had passed when she arrive on his abode before he pulls her down to sit at the hall's floor staring at the said garden in front of them. The garden was full of glaze lilies, Silk flowers, Violet grass and the most well breed flower was the qingxin. This whole time the princess of Khaenriah look weirdly and warry at the prince of Liyue(though her eyes went back to the beautiful mini garden). His actions reminds her of a Field tiller, where the robot went on reboot after thinking that its whole system went wrong.

The short blond haired girl felt a small weight on her lap, she look down to see Xiao laying his head on top of her thighs. She feel her face felt flustered, in khaenriah. Only married men and women or a member of a family can do this to their family/partner. Though she does not know the ethiquette on Liyue but this is inappropriate for her. "P-prince, this is... not something a man should do to an unmarried woman. You should have called a maid to fetch you a pillow or at least ask my consent."

 His golden cat-like eyes looks at her. "Why would I ask for your consent?"

Heavens, please give me the strength to not punch this man in front of me.

"The emperor taught me to take what I want because I have the power to do so." he told her rolling his eyes before closing them, taking a deep breath as he felt the corruption around his body seemingly calmed. The princess was bewildered at the statement his head and closed her eyes in frustration. Am I talking to a child?

"Well that is not how that works, just because you have the higher rank and you belittle the people who look up to you, abuse your power at them then you are not fit to be a prince. You shall always ask for consent first before you take what you wanted from them." she crossed her arms and leered down at him. The crickets on the garden payed them no mind. The crown prince of the Liyue opened his eyes again, just like the last time he has the same look of confusion. Like Lumine's answer made him difficult to understand, mostly he look like he was contemplating. "How so?"

"What do you mean by 'how so'? You are no different of a man who is greedy of money and ignore his servant to raise their salary and abuse them for labor."

"Low-life people are beneath the royalties licking our boots in hopes to give them a spare change."

We were just talking about the consent and we end up talking about people, how is this man doesn't know any of this?

"Without the so called low-life people then there are no royalties. They are the ones who made us-you to become the leader of the nation because they trust us to lead them for a better life and not abuse them."

That made Xiao quiet, as he look on his left to gaze on the garden in front of them. Something in stirring inside of him, it's like this woman's word are slowly creeping on him. "I'm... quite vague in your opinion, woman." he said. "...tell me more." he muttered before closing his eyes as he awaits of her voice that somehow comforts him.

her eyes were wide, a shock look from the man who told her that the woman should be seen and not heard. It is only a day she was with him and somehow, he listened to her.

It was already night and Lumine's lower half were sored for being the same position for the past 5 hours. The Yaksha had slept on comfortably on her lap, he had the audacity to sleep in the middle of their conversation. Of course she stop talking once she realize she hears his soft snores. At that time, she contemplate whether or not she should choke him but she rather not when it is disrespectful to wake someone when they are sleeping. 16 year old Lumine would laughed at their royal assassins when they reported their mission about waiting for their corrupted suspects to wake up before they kill them. After all, no one should disturb someone who is sleeping peacefully because that is disrespectful even if the person is corrupted to the core.

Anyway, she was getting worried about her brother and plus she hadn't eat yet and it's already late. Lumine promised her brother that she will be back before their dinner.

She looked down after feeling that the prince is slowly waking up from his sleep. Finally.....

Upon opening his eyes, he realized he was still on her lap and hadn't kill him yet. He felt very replenish today like he hadn't felt it in his entire life as he always experience his difficulty to sleep and would woke up with a tired body. He looked at the princess who was staring at the whole time before looking at her neck, somehow her staring made him a little bit comfortable.

"Can I.. leave now your highness?" was the first thing he heard from her lips. Blinking, he sat up and cleared his throat. "... You ought to have awoken me."

She shrug, " I don't want to wake a person who look like he hadn't slept for years. My family don't like waking up a person who sleep comfortably." she was about to get up when she felt her leg's muscle aches. She winces and Xiao noticed her before raising an eyebrow. A small concern crept up in his heart. "What now woman?"

"Your Highness, give me a break. You spent hours using me as a pillow. I'd surely be in pain! I ought to at least be thanked for that." she remark. His hand grab one of her wrist to help her up before waiting for her to balance herself. He lean close to her body and the princess tried to lean away, not registering that a small shuffle from her long dress before stepping back to give them both a space. He then proceed to lead the way the exit of his abode, their walk weren't fast paced like before he drag her to the garden. Somehow his foot steps where slow as if he was waiting for her trembling steps. Unlike his grip on her wrist the first time they met, or when he man handled her towards him. His grip right now was still strong but not enough to hurt her. Lumine were uncertain at the sudden change of this man in front of her, she won't prod a question about his attitude right now and it seems like he was in a good mood and not being cocky like the last time when they were making a contract.

As they reach to the portal, she saw the cabin they were hiding in. Her golden orbs light up as she felt the rush to go there and greet her sibling with a hug but her plan halted when her wrist is still being held by the prince of Liyue. Once the gateway portal of their home was close enough, both of them jump down before Xiao let her wrist go.

Lumine turns to the prince before giving him a bow, "Have a good night, prince."

"Xiao is fine." she lift her head in confusion once he told her his name. "Pardon?"

The prince look away from her, his back was facing her. "Call me Xiao."

"I... yes.. Have a good night, Xiao."

The Yaksha felt his breath hitch upon mentioning his name from her lips. God, this woman is intoxicating, that his whole body felt like it was bewitched. He cleared his throat and leaves to the portal with his last statement, "Thank you....I'll fetch you tomorrow."

The princess was too stunned to speak. Never in her life would she assume that type of guy who belittle women like him would show gratitude to her.

"Lumine, Oh my sweet sister!" she felt her brother engulfing her with a hug coming from her back. "Ah, brother!" returning his affection, she gave him a kiss on his temple before giving him a worried grin. "how's the physician? Did they do anything from you?" he shook his head before he guides her to her home. " No, that doctor kept asking per half an hour how was I feeling, and well he also checked my whole body." she narrowed her eyes and look at him. "He didn't do anything weird right? Like I heard a news there are sick doctors uses patien--"

"Relax, he didn't do anything like that. Anyway, what is that on your pocket of your dress?It kept poking me as we walk." Lumine look down to feel the both of pockets in her dress before she felt a plastic, she pulled it out to see a two mooncake adorned inside the plastic, a food that she once look from afar when she and Aether went to escape Xiao while passing by a merchant.

Somehow, the dread she had been feeling to the Prince came back to her. Had he been stalking her during their escape?