It's not angst, but it's not fluff either. Then what is it? A story part
Royal AU from the previous book
"I'll stay with Aria and you go to that meeting."-Aether
"Aether, you are most vulnerable! The guards are going to be on break or at the meeting, and there will be no one to protect you. And I'm afraid that someone will try and attack when you are alone without protection."-Xiao
"I understand. But one of us has to go to the meeting to discuss the ongoing war against the Unknown God and her people, and Aria needs to be supervised since she is only a year old. The best choice is me. We have all we need in here, and I can go stock up on food in a bit if I have to."-Aether
"If you or Aria get severely hurt, call out my name or Lumine. She can help you until a doctor comes or until your father starts yelling for everyone to get out the room and blames me."-Xiao
"Hahaha, yeah he would. So it's a deal then?I can stay with her?"-Aether
"Sure, but I want a goodbye kiss."-Xiao
Aether kissed his lover on the cheek as they hugged each other. They knew that the meeting the other went to lasted for hours on end. At the end of the meeting though, they always cuddled each other with Aria in the middle to sleep. They made sure to not squish her or make her uncomfortable.
"I'll walk with you to get food right now for the rest of the day, okay?"-Xiao
"Yes, of course Xiao. We just have to make sure we put Aria to sleep first."-Xiao
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After Xiao left, Aether closed all the windows, doors, and vents. He remembered what happened when he was pregnant with Aria and how the guy got in.
"My darling Aria, I'm sorry if I scared you. I don't want you to be hurt."-Aether
He then sat down with Aria on the soft red carpet, patting her little head as she curled up next to her mother.(or father. WHO KNOWS?)
The little baby soon woke up, gazing into her mother's eyes. He was sound asleep, snoring at every second. Aria started crying at the sound of gunshots, waking up Aether.
"What's wrong? AH!"-Aether
The gunshots were coming from outside the palace, shooting onto his windows. "Was it an attack? The windows were about to break! Where can we hide?" Was all the blond was thinking about.
Suddenly, someone came in through the window. They grabbed a cloth from their pockets and apprehended Aether before he could take out his weapon. The person stuck the cloth in Aether's mouth and shot him and Aria in the back.
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"Sorry to interrupt your meeting, but it's about Prince Aether and Princess Aria."- Maid
"You are excused. What is it?"-Zhongli
"They both were shot in the back and severely injured. Prince Aether showed signs of struggle and difficulty talking, and Princess Aria has no sign of survival as of now. Neither of them showed signs actually. They both are in the study, getting checked up since they were gathering evidence in the bedroom."-Maid
"Thank you for telling us. You may go now."-Zhongli
The maid bowed and left the room. Leaving Aether's family and Xiao shocked. Aether's father was the first to speak.
"HOW COULD YOU LEAVE MY SON AND HIS DAUGHTER LIKE THAT?! THIS WOULD'VE HAD HAPPENED IF AETHER CAME TO THE MEETING INSTEAD."- Aether's Father
"He volunteered to stay back. Because he promised.."Xiao's voice trailed off. "He promised he would called my name if anything happened."
