Kaebedo Royal AU

🔷 3: "I feel, a lavender haze creeping up on me"

3rd person omniscient

Albedo looked around and large room, deciding to sit on the large couch.

"So, how do we want to do this?" Albedo asked, putting his elbow on the arm of the couch and his chin on his palm.

"That's a great question," Kaeya replies, closing the door to his chambers and making his way to sit beside Albedo, "I was hoping you'd have ideas?"

Albedo thought for a moment, "Perhaps we could follow Khaenri'ahn traditions? You know, with the candles and the chalice and everything."

"We could also invite the leaders of our allies," Kaeya proposed, "and whoever else you'd like."

"If we want this to work, we're going to need to make it as believable as possible that we're in love," Albedo added, "make it open to Khaenri'ahn citizens? And of course we'd have to invite certain people from other nations, and then there's the after party..." Albedo's face fell at the mention of an after party, which didn't go unnoticed by the King next to him.

"We don't have to have any after party, as long as the ceremony is successful," Kaeya concluded, "as long as word gets out that there will be a second Khaenri'ahn ruler married into the throne, I'll be satisfied."

Albedo nodded, taking everything in, "I have one more question," he continued talking after Kaeya made a questioning hum, "how quickly can we get word spread? And, may I ask to have someone stay in the palace leading up to the wedding?"

"Ah, committing infidelity already?" Kaeya joked, but there was undoubtedly a hint of something else in his tone, "regardless, this castle will be as much yours as it is mine, and you may keep whoever you'd like and do whatever you wish here. As for word being spread, I give it a week."

Albedo nodded, "thank you. And no need to worry about infidelity.. I was asking because of my sister and her mother. They live in Mondstadt, and I would really like for them to be there, but I'd like them to stay here and forego the trouble of finding a place to stay..." Albedo trailed off at the end of his sentence, biting his lip and staring at the ceiling.

Kaeya hesitantly grabbed Albedo's chin, gently turning him to face him, "they may stay as long as they need to."

Albedo was quick to stand up from Kaeya's hand, awkwardly laughing to ease tension, "thank you, Sir."

"The 'Sir' really isn't necessary, don't you think?" Kaeya asked teasingly, "we were just discussing our wedding, after all."

"I should.. really start writing letters- invitations..." Albedo said, "goodbye now."

And with that, Albedo left the room, closing the door behind him.

"He's adorable," Kaeya thought to himself, sighing and fully laying on the couch, "I'm excited to see where this union will go."

--- 2 weeks later ---

Albedo was waiting at the grand entrance to the palace, nervously pacing and biting his thumb.

"What has you so worried, Albedo?" Kaeya asked, walking towards the grand entrance, "I figured you'd be excited at your family's arrival rather than this.. anxious."

Alice and Klee were set to arrive at the palace today and stay until the wedding- which was in two weeks. Both men's schedules had been full of suit fittings and cake tasting that they'd hardly spent any time together, but it was worth it to Albedo, because now he had the next two weeks clear to spend with Alice and Klee.

Plus, he was feeling very.. conflicted about the whole thing. It would be refreshing to see comforting faces again.

"I know I should be excited, I'm just.." Albedo paused, taking a deep breath, "I promised them I'd come back to Mondstadt after I continued my studies in Khaenri'ah, but then I became Seneschal and now we're getting married and what if they're mad at me?"

Kaeya thought for a moment, unsure on how to respond, "If they were mad, they wouldn't show. I. wouldn't worry too much about it, considering they seemed very enthusiastic in their letter about participating."

This was true- barely a week after Albedo had sent a letter to the pair, he received a very enthusiastic reply back about how they were excited to be there.
"Yeah, you're right.." Albedo mumbled, fiddling with his fingers, "I guess it's just nerve wracking until I see for myself that they're not angry, you know?"

"I understand completely," Kaeya replied, because he did. He thought about Diluc, and about how they're just starting to get better, "I'll be right here the whole time, if it's any consolation."

Albedo softly smiled at Kaeya, "it is, actually. Thank you."

Kaeya smiled back, "Anytime."

Kaeya felt the urge to hug the smaller man, so he did, wrapping his arms around his torso and pushing his nose against his shoulder.

Albedo awkwardly stood still for a moment, unsure how to react, before slowly wrapping his arms around Kaeya's shoulders and relaxing into the hug. He took a deep breath, breathing in Kaeya's cologne. He'd never admit it, but over the past few weeks together, he'd grown feelings towards the man, which was part of why he was feeling conflicted about the wedding.

Albedo didn't have time to think about it. His thoughts were interrupted by the grand doors opening, revealing two figures standing in the doorway.

"Have we come at a bad time?" A woman's voice asked, causing Albedo to jump away from Kaeya.

"No, not at all. I was just.." Albedo trails off, "feeling his shoulders...?"

Kaeya stared at Albedo in disbelief- how can someone so smart be so stupid? The woman laughed it off, "what you do with your fiancé in your free time is not my business, but do make sure to not display it in front of Klee," theres was a teasing tilt in her voice that caused both men to flush red, "anyways, I'm Alice, Klee's mother."
Alice bowed to Kaeya, stepping aside to reveal a young girl in red hiding behind her.

"This is Klee," Alice continued, watching to make sure Klee bows properly, "it's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Alberich."

"Likewise, and please, call me Kaeya. There's no need to be so formal," Kaeya assured, "Halfdan here will show you where you'll be staying, feel free to help yourself to anything in the castle and if you need help with navigating feel free to ask anyone around."

Alice nodded, picking up her and Klee's luggage, "thank you for your hospitality."

"Of course, anyone important to my fiancé becomes first priority to me."

"I'm glad to see that Albedo's in good hands, then," Alice turned to Klee, "would you like to go see where we're staying?"

Klee enthusiastically nodded, and the two followed Halfdan to another wing in the palace.

"This will be... an interesting two weeks," Albedo whispered to himself.

"Don't worry too much about it. I'm sure everything will be fine," Kaeya replied, turning on his heel to walk away, "Though, I do have to go deal with some things in my office. If you need me, I'll be in there. Until then, Albedo."

Albedo watched Kaeya walk away, taking a deep breath and informing a nearby knight that he would be in the garden if anyone needed him. The knight saluted him before Albedo walked out of the grand entrance and straight to the garden.

He needed some time to think.

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hi

I kinda don't like this but I wanted to get something out so

this chapter didn't exist before and there will also be one more chapter before the wedding chapter gets rewritten!

thank you for your patience, I've recently been busy with high school + extra college work + getting ready to start another job. I will try to get back to a schedule very soon

thank you for reading and have a great day/night!

-Venti

word count: 1318 words