Xiaoven Royal Au

3 (rewritten)

v

After slacking off and reading the same book about visions for hours, I began to feel tired. I arched my back as I yawn. Now that I remembered why I'm here, I just realized that I didn't touch the book at all. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be in trouble yet...

"Good evening, your highness."

"Ah! You scared me! Why'd you suddenly talk!? Wait... w-who are you?"

"I am the butler of this castle, the name's Zhongli. I believe that every high-ranked has been focused on their duty as the situation of the country gets tighter—including prince Alatus... which makes me really disappointed that the crown princess seems to be doing the opposite..."

Oh, wow. He had a sharp tongue. I'm still the princess, y'know!?

"Then I guess I must also do mine?"

"You should've, hours before I went by."

Damn... he's making my throat itch. I faked a smile before opening the rule book. Even after reading it again and again, the thought of pressure made it hard for me to memorize anything.

"Oh, good evening, your highness." The butler bowed when someone entered the library. It was just Xiao... I thought that it was the princess! "Let her go now, I want to have time with her."

"I'm afraid I can't do that, prince Alatus." He dared to oppose the prince! I know Xiao's personality, he wouldn't let anyone talk to him like that! I'm saved. Thank god.

"But Mr. Zhongli, the princess has been working for a long time—and it's only her first day, don't you think it's time to let her rest? Please?"

What!? Why was he saying please to the butler!? Just how much respect does this man have to him... I'm seriously tired from reading that fictional book earlier. "The princess was reading this," he grabbed the book I was reading earlier, I tried to take it from him but he was too tall.

"Oh. I'm sorry about that, but the princess looks tired now—would you please let this slide and not tell Ningguang?"

"If you really wish for that, then alright, prince Alatus. The princess may take her leave."

My face became brighter, I smiled so widely that mu lips could reach my ears. That library was hell! It was so quiet that you could hear even the sounds of dropping dust.

"Why do you act like that to him? He's just a butler, you're a prince!"

"He's been serving us his whole life. Me and my sister grew up in his care since my parents were always busy with their duties. If there's someone in this world that I had the most respect for, that's him."

"Okay, okay."

"Stop slacking off. I can't let you slip like that all the time, especially if princess Ningguang finds out about this. You should be aware of the responsibilities you hold as the crown princess."

"It's not like I wanted to be one in the first place. Hurry up and find the girl you actually like! I don't want to do all of that work."

"I told you, you're the one I want to marry."

"You say that, but you don't even ask me if I want to marry you." I whispered, sulking beside him. He stopped walking and turned to me—only to stare at me so hardly. "What?"

"I'll make you want to marry me."

"As if," I rolled my eyes. I'm not into men, and definitely not someone with royal blood, why can't he understand that? I want to marry a lady and have kids. I want a simple life. He only smiled before walking again. I dislike the idea of me always having to follow him around! He's the only one I could actually rely on.

The longer I stayed here the more I realize that I didn't really like it here. Xiao's affection made me want to throw up. This life... where I had to pretend wasn't for me. I'm a Mondstadter who had strong belief in freedom. I am free to do what I liked.

"Alatus, may I take the princess with me again?"

"Alright,"

Am I in trouble? "You will be toured by the maids around the castle. That's probably the best first step you could take. That way, you wouldn't have to follow the prince around all the time." Her voice was bossy, it was annoying me.

Why am I being like this after Xiao said that he'll make me want to marry him... as if I'm grossed out... hell yeah I am, but I haven't realized it until now.

What am I even doing here in the first place? I told my mother that I'd be back before the sun falls. Why did I fall easily for his words that... he'll take care of my family? I'm a man, I could do it on my own. I don't need any help from the castle.

"Princess Venti? Are you alright? Is something bothering you?"

This isn't right. I didn't belong in here. What would my family and friends thinks of me? That I am a traitor to my own country... leaving it for power and position? That my family was something I can throw away so easily for the sake of having a luxurious life... eating lots of meals and sleeping on a soft bed?

"Princess—"

I ran, I don't know where I was going, but I continued to run for a long time—until I saw the exit. I couldn't give a single care about the guards I could easily escape from.

I was free. I believed in that.

But when I remembered the unhealed scars... that the prince held deeply in him—and the loneliness... it made me stop and cry. I didn't feel sad... but why was I crying? Why did I feel so much sympathy for him?

Why does it feel like leaving was not the right choice... that I just left a big responsibility? Is it the responsibility of becoming the queen? Or something else?

My head was hurting. This was messed up.

x

"The princess escaped?" Beidou asked once more. I was on my seat, shaking. My fist tightens. I couldn't calm down. I was full of anger that I couldn't control. It was as if my chest was turning upside down. What's this feeling? I've never felt this kind of anger...

Whenever I did... a dark aura surrounds me and it gets hard to breathe—the medics had advised my family to quickly calm me down before bad things starts whenever that happens. And so far, it hasn't become any worst.

But just his touch... made me calm down. It takes my family time to do that... but just from that, I was alright.

It was different. Was this love?

I felt betrayed. Why did he leave? Did he not consider it at all?

It made me furious. So uneasy. I broke a pen just by simply bending it from how angry I was.

"Alatus, calm down. You may search for him, if that'll make you feel better." You don't have to tell me that again. I stood up before leaving the castle.

"This princess... there's something different in her."

"I think so too, Ningguang. After seeing that prophecy... I don't want Alatus to see any woman at all—this is the only chance... because the future has been told. He's bound to fall in love with a man... it's not about Venti being a thief... but simply because she's a woman..."

"It's funny that you don't suspect anything from her, Beidou."

"What do you mean?"

"The prophecy... can't lie. If Alatus truly loves her, then she must not be a..."

"Then I must not let the past repeat itself."