The Chalk Prince (Kaebedo)

Chapter XV: Kisses and Commissions

They started by teleporting to the nearest teleport point to get to their first commission. It was just destroying two hilichurl towers. Easy-peasy.

The only problem though, was that both men were close-range fighters, and they needed someone with bow skills to shoot down the towers if they didn't want to irritate the hilichurls surrounding the camp.

Kaeya sighed in annoyance. Albedo didn't make a sound.

"Let's go." The captain stated, materializing his sword and walking up to the hilichurl base as quietly as possible.

But of course, the hilichurls noticed him, picking up their weapons and getting ready to fight.

Kaeya sighed again, focusing on the towers instead of them. Albedo ran to the other tower and started to break it as well.

They were finished quickly, rushing away afterwards. No blood was spilled, just how Kaeya liked it (the blood was too hard to wash out of his uniform).

The next commission was helping Sara deliver some food to someone in Springvale.

Teleporting back to Mondstadt, they climbed down the stairs and went to Good Hunter.

"Oh, hi Sir Kaeya! Have you come to do my commission?" She asked, almost flirtatiously.

"Yes we have." Kaeya smiled. Sara gave a confused look before her eyes landed on Albedo, who stood behind the captain. He was anxious.

"Oh my. I'm so sorry, I didn't realize you were with somebody." She pouted and waved at Albedo.

He felt like a hand had just ripped out his heart. It felt like he was little again, when the adults talked about him and didn't acknowledge he was there or even in the room.

It brought back so many memories, none good. He remembered when he was young, he was told to be still. And so he did. He didn't breath (he didn't need to, so what was the point?), didn't need to fidget or speak. He didn't need to do anything. When he wasn't needed, he would stand in a corner and be still. Waiting for an order.

One time, he was brought to a ball. His master danced with one of the men. He was told to stand still, be quiet, do not speak to anyone, be nothing worth looking at. He had watched every movement of everyone he could see as he stood in the corner of the grand room.

But he was content. He was dressed in fine clothing, nothing restricting his movement except for the orders given to him. A thick, metal collar was placed around his neck, chained to a leash of sorts. No one was holding it though, everyone was dancing and being happy.

And as he stood behind Kaeya, he grew still, unmoving. He wouldn't breath or fidget. It was a sort of coping mechanism.

Albedo watched as Sara blushed at Kaeya, the captain smiling back politely. A twinge of jealousy bloomed in his stomach. He ignored it, not making a noise.

Kaeya suddenly turned back to him with the food in hand, taking note of his glazed over eyes and emotionless face. "Let's go Albedo."

The blond followed him, a few steps behind. This was how he was told to walk when he was with his master. Exactly 5 steps behind her. He was not an equal nor a superior. He was less. Made from chalk and dirt as his master had told him.

Kaeya delivered the meal to an adventurer after defeating some pyro slimes, going back to Sara to give her the pay.

And they were off to their next commission.

This time it was near the headquarters. They needed to help Ellin with sword practice.

Kaeya had said before that she had wanted to be exactly like Jean. Albedo thought it was a dumb idea. Who could ever be exactly like the headmaster?