Unfated Love - DainAether (Dainsleif x Aether) fanfiction

Part 2- Celebration

He walked through the corridor quickly, ignoring the rules and decided just to burst open the doors without knocking.

"Your highness, are you done? The guests are waiting," Dainsleif said. Aether who was standing in front of the big mirror startled with his sudden appearance in his chamber. Even the servants who were helping him dressing up almost dropped whatever they were holding.

He turned and looked at the tall man. Aether was wearing a white shirt and light blue vest in the inside of the white velvet outer coat with golden embroidery along the collar and placket. Golden buttons were attached on his chest part and a red sash slung around his body. He was wearing a pair of white pants with red golden-embroidered belt wrapped around the outer coat on his waist. His long golden hair was braided and his front hair was flicked back on his pretty face.

For an unknown reason, the sight of the prince made Dainsleif's heart skipped a beat. He cleared his throat, trying to focus on his task. Stay by the prince's side throughout the event. He then moved his legs and took the red velvet short side cape on the chair and attached it on the prince's left shoulder. He then made a hand gesture, asking the servant who was holding the prince's crown to come nearer. He took the thin golden round crown with crystals attached on it from the servant. "May I?" he asked the prince and he nodded as his reply before lowering his head so that Dainsleif can put the crown on his head. 

Aether slightly blushed at his knight's action and quickly turned to the mirror, trying to hide his blush. "I think... we're done," he said. The servants then bowed as the two charming young men started to walk out the bedchamber.

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"The Royal Highness, The Royal Prince of The Kingdom of Mondstadt, Prince Aether, together with his loyal and faithful knight, the Royal Twilight Knight, Sir Dainsleif,"

Aether started to walk into the big hall. The hall was decorated with beautiful decorations such as rare flowers, silks, crystals, golds and various flags, showing that the kingdom was prosperous. The prince was greeted by the guests who were enjoying their various types of drinks. There were kings, queens, princes, princesses, lords and ladies from the neighbouring kingdoms and the locals.

"Happy 18th birthday, my Royal Prince," a voice greeted them from behind. Both Aether and Dainsleif turned and found a long white-haired woman, wearing a gold and white silky dress. Fluffy fur shawl wrapped around her neck. Her crimson eyes looked deeply into the prince's eyes.

"Your Majesty," Dainsleif quickly bowed to the woman. Queen Ningguang, the ruler of the neighbouring Kingdom of Liyue or well known as the Kingdom of Contract. A strong friendship had formed between the two kingdoms since decades ago. Aether soon slowly bowed to her. Dainsleif turned and bowed to Aether, taking his leave.

"The last time I met you, you were just a little boy," Ningguang playfully said. "And look at you now, a young man who are ready to rule his own kingdom." Despite of being a queen of a powerful kingdom, Aether had to admit that she was such a friendly person instead of being a stern-looking one like the others.

"You flatter me, Your Majesty." Aether replied. They spent their time talking about simple stuff until his father, the king, approached them.

Aether turned and bowed to the king. "My son, my prince," he started. Everyone around them stopped whatever they were doing and looked at the both father and son. "Not even words can express how happy I am, how proud I am, to see my own son grew up to be a fine man," Alepth continued while putting his hand on his shoulder. "When the day comes, I'm sure you will become a great king that is loved by his own people and rule this mighty kingdom... alongside with your own queen." Aether forced himself to smile at his father's last sentence. The king raised his glass high in the air and soon, everyone in the hall followed. "May the prince will continue his journey of his life, well. For the prince!"

"For the prince!" Everyone cheered for him and clapped. Aether turned around and thanked them. Aether then was asked to go to the royal balcony and greet the citizens outside the castle.

The cheers were getting louder as they sighted their prince's appearance on the balcony and wished him well. Aether smiled and waved at them, as he usually did. After the greetings, he went inside and decided to get a few drinks.

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The party was still going that evening and the guests started to dance on the dance floor. Musicians played beautiful piece of music as the crowed were crowding the hall's centre. Dainsleif was standing on the other balcony, watching the prince took his fourth drink from afar while enjoying his own drink and enjoy the scenery outside the balcony.

"Are you sure on letting him drink that much?" a voice suddenly spoke up. Dainsleif turned to the familiar voice and found the long blue-haired man was approaching him while holding a glass of wine. The Royal Frostwind Knight, Kaeya, was also the personal knight for the young princess, Lumine.

"He won't listen," he simply replied his friend before taking another sip of his red wine. "Is your brother here?"

Kaeya pointed his finger to a certain direction. There stood at the left side of the hall were the long red-haired man, The Dawn Knight, Diluc, together with his pregnant wife, The Dandelion Knight, Jean. Dainsleif just realized the party had invited a lot of people including the knights themselves. So he wasn't that surprised to see a lot of his subordinates were here.

"Oh dear, are you okay, your highness?" Jean suddenly spoke up. Dainsleif turned his head when he heard her voice calling out the prince and quickly moved his legs towards her and found Aether was sitting on the floor. His face was almost red as Diluc's red hair.

"My prince!" Dainsleif called him out. He helped him to stand but Aether lost his balance again. Dainsleif quickly grabbed his small body close to him, trying to help him stand on the shiny marble floor. He looked at the prince. "My prince, didn't I told you to limit your drink?"

Aether slowly lifted up his face and looked into Dainsleif's eyes. "Dain... hot..." he said while trying to pull off his outfit.

Dainsleif sighed and lowered himself. He then picked Aether up in a bridal style and turned to the Dawn Knight and the Dandelion Knight in front of them. "I apologize. Are you hurt somehow, milady?" Dainsleif politely asked Jean. Luckily there were not so many people around them to witness the prince's embarrassing moment.

Jean shook her head. "No, no. I'm fine. The prince was approaching us when suddenly he fell down on the floor," she explained.

Dainsleif nodded. "The prince himself is a lightweight. As many times I had reminded him, he won't just listen," Dainsleif continued.

Both Diluc and Jean chuckled. "That's the young prince we had always know," Diluc said.

Aether than made another movement on Dainsleif arms before once again staring into his starry eyes. "Dain... kiss me... please..." He suddenly said.

Dainsleif's eyes widened and his ears reddened. He cleared his throat. "The prince is not in his stable state. I should bring him to his bedchamber. He needs some good rest. Good day to you, Diluc, Jean," he said to them without even looking into their eyes, trying to hide his nervousness and went out from the hall and to the bedchamber.

Lumine walked towards the couple. "What happened to the prince?"

Diluc and Jean who were a bit confused, just smiled. "The prince is a bit tired, your highness," they said and bowed.

Kaeya casually approached the princess from her back and took her hand. "The day is still young, my princess. Would you like to have a dance with me?" he offered and kissed her hand.

The princess smiled, taking her knight's offer and they went onto the dance floor.