Xiaoven Royal Au

29

The maid pours hot tea on the porcelain cup, careful not to spill any, that way she wouldn't get in trouble. "We all are aware of the king's death, which means that, my son, Alatus, will finally inherit the crown." The queen smiles, sitting on the throne, who knows, it may be her last time.

"And what's a king without a queen?" A wide, evil grin was planted on her face as she sips her tea, accidentally burning her tongue from the water of it, but didn't react otherwise. "You're not thinking about doing it, aren't you-" Xiao was cut off by some complaints and screaming coming inside the room they were in, he saw how a man older than him was holding a brown-haired woman tightly by her arm, and he witnessed as she winces in pain.

"Let me go!"

"Alatus. Meet, Hu tao. The heir of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Surely you won't disagree on this?" Xiao grits his teeth on her tease. She must be joking right now. No. This can't be happening. "I said let me go-"

"You can't be serious right now, Ei. After separating me with him you're gonna force me to marry someone else?! What else do you want from me!"

"Where's your respect, young man? Have you not yet moved on from him, in hopes you would meet him once more and continue your little love story? You will keep dreaming until your death. I am only doing this for you, and the castle—don't ever bring back the past to this." Xiao could only glare at her before walking away, leaving everyone from the room.

He didn't want to believe this was happening. He's a fucking adult and still getting forced to marry a woman he doesn't even know? His head was hurting from all the pressure that was suddenly shifted on his shoulder. First, his father's death—which he hasn't even gotten over yet. Second, the future responsibilities that await him. And thirdly, this, whatever bullshit this is.

"Father..? Are you, Uhm, okay?" She hears a soft voice calling for him, and a smile immediately decorated his face, as if all his problems were washed away. "Hey, Sayu. I'm alright, just a little... Stressed."

It took a while for the kid to give him a little hug. Although she had a cold personality just like him, he knew they both had soft hearts for each other. Cause they both long for the same thing. Him. And only him. And they're a family after all. After the hug, the youngster waved at him with nothing expressing her face before leaving.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry that I can't do anything to bring him back to us.

He was just another pathetic, loser, hopeless person. He still wonders why people still look up to him, especially his sister, how can they still look up to a coward. How can they still idolize him after letting such a small thing slip through his fingers?

But what is the reason to fight for it when there was never love in the first place? I liked the idea of falling in love. And that's that. But still, his heart yearns for his touch. For his words. And for his presence.

A lot may think he was a heartless winter that only cares for himself, but deep down he was just another broken heart who still seeks for happiness. A happiness that would never be his.

-

"Princess Hu tao! Please remain calm!" The woman was a fuking psychopath. She was biting the curtains, ruining her room, sometimes threatening the guards who didn't even bat an eye at her. "What do you mean remain calm?! I am like a prisoner in his castle. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it! Get me out of here!" The maids could not do anything to stop her, but to only sweat there beside the rioting princess.

"Oi, if you don't like it here in the castle, leave." Someone came from outside, and it was a man with teal hair. Starting right through her soul—making her stop in her track. Hmm... Appearance is not bad.

"Who are you to order me?"

"I am the prince of Liyue, have anything to say?" He crosses his arms, admitting to himself that he didn't really have the intention to hurt this girl—he just wants to see the reaction of this woman for his own amusement. "Oh! So you're prince Xiao, hmm... You're very handsome, though I kinda don't like you cause you look mean. And they say you're very cold."

Xiao can't help but get angry from the name. Gritting his teeth with wide eyes. "Don't call me that."

"Why not? It's your damn fucking name. I call you what I want to call you."

"I said don't call me that." His eyes glowed, and then suddenly, his sword was reappearing in his hands. He had no control at all. It's not like he wanted to hurt this girl, but the hot temper just makes it harder to control himself. "H-hey! What's the sword for? It's just a simple name."

"Prince Alatus, it is best to refrain yourself from harming the new princess." The guards finally stopped him. Just as he wished.

The woman was terrified of him, she was even sweating. He only sighed before leaving—wanting to apologize but chose his own dignity and left without a single word. "That fucking jerk- hey! Come back here, you don't just threaten me with your long-ass sword and leave! Come here and I'll bury you in my coffins!"

"The prince is very sensitive about the name you had called him, princess Hu tao. I think it's best to just respect his boundaries." That caused the girl to pout, she mumbles— "Jeez, I didn't even know."

-

The news eventually was scattered all around Liyue, and was soon got out from Liyue, to Mondstadt, and any other nations. Xiao wishes he could just tell everyone this is a misunderstanding, but his mother threatened him, saying that in one strike he could kill him, blah and blah, and Xiao would accept to himself that he was scared. He has no knowledge of Venti's whereabouts, only her, and he's afraid that when the day comes that she's ready to strike him down—he wouldn't be able to do anything to protect him. So this was the only way to do so. To obey the rules.

-

And of course. This also reached his daughter. It was such a mix of emotions for her, she didn't want to be angry at him, because she loves him—but how could she not?

They were replaced by a brown-haired woman who they didn't even know—she thought that maybe Xiao does not love her mother anymore, and that's why he's marrying a new lady. Which truly breaks her heart. Because all she ever wanted was to have a happy family.

-

"I want to go inside! Let me in, I'm thirsty?" The guards kept resisting her inside, saying that she wasn't allowed there. That is until the prince saw them, "let her in." He orders with a relaxed voice, and the guards would instantly fulfill. Making the princess quite impressed by how he can easily manipulate everyone in his little hands, he's the prince after all.

There were also times when she tried to escape, but her plans were just stupid and she kept getting caught by maids too quickly. They even mentioned someone named... Venti? Who was that?

"Princess Hu tao's liveliness reminds me of Venti, and they even had the same exact first impression for prince Alatus!"

"Hello~ whos Venti?" The maids flinch when they saw the horror in the princess's face, like a jumpscare. "Uh- ahaha... I don't think prince Alatus would be happy if we—"

"I won't snitch!" She gave a reassuring smile, giving at least a bit of comfort in the maids. "Princess Venti is prince Xiao's ex-lover. Six years ago, was the downfall of both of them, the prince was so devastated. He hated everybody, except for his adopted daughter that reminded him of the princess. And many say he's already moved on."

Ex lover?

Venti?

-

Rushed. This fic is almost ending, who do yall think is the endgame 🧐🧐🧐