Chapter Text
Heavy downpour set a fitting mood for Kaeya Alberich’s last day as a sovereign man and though the view beyond the infamously desolate and dreary world of Khaenri’ah was rumoured to be exquisite, he couldn’t bring himself to stare out the carriage window. He simply remained in his seat; dread washed over his face while he was slowly carted off to a foreign land against his will. Two knights, comically wary of him, watched over him with the keen eyes of a raptor unaware that his mind was only flooded with his final exchange with his father before this unexpected voyage.
“You know what you must do. It’s for your kingdom. Your home.” The king’s stern tone ghosted him even in his memories, and though regrets and second-guesses over this treaty dawned onto Kaeya every agonising second where the carriage drew closer to the “City of Freedom”, he forced himself to keep a brave face. Not just because he cared for Khaenri’ah as his home. But he wanted to preserve the sanctity of the kingdom his loved one resided in and, of course…
… His late mother adored.
If there were one thing to take for solace, it was that this thing known as “rain” was apparently notorious for making travels, no matter how short, completely arduous. This allowed him some time in his solemn solace, where he could really reflect on the life he lived back home and come to terms with surrendering his “freedom”.
The treaty’s conditions were apparently too tantalising for his father to refuse; an allegiance between Mondstadt and Khaenri’ah in exchange for the King of Khaenri’ah to be taken as collateral. Kaeya remembered the frustrated ramblings of the knights organised for the pickup, when they’d claimed that the king had conned them.
“Nonsense. The man standing before you is none other than the future king. The treaty never specified for it to be the current one. If you’re going to despair, then I suggest you do so over the poor choice of words you’ve used in your terms.”
His father’s hearty laughter still echoed in his ears; and it admittedly frustrated him that the king clearly felt no remorse at selling his only son. Kaeya leaned back on his seat with a sigh, through the curtains he could see slivers of a scenery that his books had often described as a “forest” and caught glimpses of enticing blue lights emanating at the base of the tree stumps. Since those weren’t described in any texts he’d enjoyed, they caught his intrigue.
He was almost foolish enough to ask either one of the knights as to what those lights were. But retracted his approach upon analysing the perturbed expressions of sheer trepidation on their faces, he smiled gravely to himself. They really knew how to make people feel welcomed here.
“I knew it.” One spoke up, he had finally buckled under the tension lingering in the air. “This is a bad omen! Lord Barbatos must be punishing us with this ill weather, for certain!” he exclaimed. How asinine, Kaeya rolled his eyes, weather is just a part of nature. Even he knew that much… besides, if there was some divine intervention against his arrival, then would it be as moderate as some heavy downpour? “We’re being reprimanded for bringing this… this thing to our city!”
“Thing”?
“Watch your tongue, mutt.” Kaeya hissed out. “I am not a thing. You really shouldn’t forget to whom you speak or speak of just because I am benevolent enough to remain silent.”
“Is that a threat, Your Highness?” the calmer one asked, testing the young prince’s patience. His hand was now resting on the hilt of his sword, not that he’d be impudent enough to actually draw it or stain it with the blood of unworthy vermin. Kaeya already knew why this treaty was beneficial to both parties. He, in his heart, knew that artificial visions, delusions, gifted to the Fatui by the Tsaritsa had started to pose as much a problem for Khaenri’ah as they had been for Mondstadt years prior. This agreement, no matter the unpleasant their allies may be, was protecting his kingdom from a heinous assault. Acting up like this would be akin to throwing a childish tantrum.
He was no child.
“I should ask you both the same thing.” He pulled his hand away from the hilt. “Someone from my father’s council will arrive to check on my wellbeing in a few weeks. I’m sure the treaty would be jeopardised should my people discover that two lowly knights murdered their prince, the collateral, before they even made it through the gates of Mondstadt.”
“That will not happen. You can rest assured, your highness.” His tone had a sarcastic bite when addressing him.
“All’s well then, I suppose. Now, be a responsible escort and at least brief me as to what will happen upon our arrival. That’s the least you can do, given that you’ve managed to drag the prince of the Abyss this far out without so much as a word.” He fluidly crossed one leg over the other and arched his brows with scrutiny.
“At the city gates you will be greeted by the Acting Grandmaster.” The knight explained, Kaeya noticed how his hands were balled into tense fists on his lap they seemed to be firmly containing his disdain, Kaeya scoffed a chuckle.
“Acting Grandmaster? What of your actual Grandmaster?” his pointer finger tapped his seat uneasily, after all, he knew there would a good chance of the Knight of Boreas retaliation to the Abyss king’s exploited loophole in their contract.
“Grandmaster Varka is on an expedition.” The knight assured him curtly. “Once Acting Grandmaster Jean greets us you will be swiftly escorted to the Ragnvindr property.”
Ragnvindr? That name had not come up once during any of the negotiations between his kingdom and the city of the wind. Kaeya knits his brows, growing aware of the fact that he may have been led into a ruse.
“And this… “Ragnvindr” fellow will accommodate me with my role as an ambassador, I presume?”
“Frankly, as long as you remain alive, what he does with you is none of our business.”
This was certainly an ominous end to their conversation, and Kaeya forced himself to refrain from pressing further. For all he knew since the signing of the contract, he was to reside in the Knight’s of Favonius headquarters, the Grandmaster would ensure his security as a demonstration of his trustworthiness to the kingdom of Khaenri’ah and in exchange the Abyss Order would temporarily cease all operations and withdraw their forces from Mondstadt to show their end of the loyalty. Whoever this Ragnvindr person was, the Grandmaster must have had enough faith in his strength, otherwise he’d be putting the prospective alliance at great risk by slacking on Kaeya’s safety. Or perhaps, the Grandmaster himself was presently leading an invasion campaign to Khaenri’ah. Either way, Kaeya’s existing animosity towards this agreement was being stirred once more by this unsettling revelation. The cart came to a screeching halt, almost lurching him forward at the knights if not for his heels digging into the ground just in time.
“We’re here.” The knight announced, making his exit out of the cart. “You will find a cowl next to you, you’d best put that on rest of the way. We don’t want you garnering unwanted attention.” He warned.
“Thank you, Godwin.” A soothing voice emerged from outside the cart, catching Kaeya off-guard. “All will be right now.” The owner of the gentle tune soothed him, before asking the carriage driver to take them to a new location. As instructed, Kaeya put on his cowl, as he could guess that there were many possible conspiracies and plans by extremists to have him murdered, there was no need to ask for trouble. After he covered himself, a fair lady climbed into the cart to take her seat directly across him. Unlike the men before her, she showed no hesitation to lock eyes with him, and though her features were soft and tender she did not refrain from keeping a stern, professional demeanour when assessing him. Then his eye was caught by a glow near her seat, and spotted a round glowing gem adorned with elemental blessings and omnipotent recognition attached to the belt of her coat.
A vision.
He could already discern her as a knight by her attire, which bore similar insignias to the men boarding the cart just a while back. But the revelation of the proof that she was a lapdog of the divine changed things, he found his sensibilities gradually lost to him in his frustration.
“You don’t have to glare like that, your highness, as the Acting Grandmaster I can assure you’re in safe hands.” She remarked, though her voice was still gentle, her tone was rigid as the castle he’d grown up in.
“Am I really?” Kaeya pointed out coyly. “On my way here, it was unexpectedly brought to my attention that I wouldn’t be residing in the safety of the knights and instead would be placed under the supervision of some Ragnvindr person, then just outside the city walls I am asked to put on a ragged disguise to divert the attention of your commonfolk. If you ask me, dear Acting Grandmaster, these are just about the most unreliable hands I’ve ever been put in the care of.” He recounted. He’d feel much safer, much more confident if Dainsleif were allowed here. If this ridiculous treaty somehow hadn’t separated them.
“Your words are sharp and harsh,” she drew in a long breath, “and lack the decorum one would expect from a future king.”
“How dare-!?”
“So, the name Ragnvindr does not remind you of anything at all, is this safe to assume?” She crossed her arms and leered at him with unmatched contempt, and considering that Kaeya had suffered through this trip with glares one would expect from someone who’s had their banquet spat on. All things considered, her sneer was by far the most impressive, to say the least.
“Afraid, not.” Kaeya sneered bluntly, with a small shrug of his shoulders. “The name has only been brought up today, since the Knight of Boreas chose to omit it from all other discussions prior to the agreement.”
“Yes, well imagine our shock when it was informed that the crown prince would be collected from Khaenri’ah and not the present king.”
“An oversight on your terms.” He held out his hand to halt any further continuation. “We were promised that the “king” in question, present or future, would be placed under the care of qualified individuals in exchange for not taking any of their personal guards. This is different, and won’t go overlooked.” He punctuated his statement with a brusque smile.
“You’ll be glad to know that Master Diluc Ragnvindr is our former Cavalry Captain. No need for you to question his qualifications as someone who’ll keep you safe.”
“Cavalry. So, he’s talented at riding beasts.” Kaeya smirked, her jaw hanged open, clearly appalled by his crass banter.
“I suggest you watch your tongue around him. His patience does tend to wear thin quicker than mine.”
“I’ll talk as I see fit,” he dismissed her, “though, I must ask: why so insistent on having me handed over to a stranger? Is this a simple way to spite my father after he’s tricked you?” Kaeya hummed, tilting his head to the side with feigned innocence. “I already know trickery suits us, the “foul” Abyss folk, but from you, a city blessed by the divine, I must admit I expected better than such pettiness from you.”
“Foul…” she lingered on that word a bit, “…yes, “foul” is a fitting word for your kind. Given you couldn’t so much as remember the name of a noble who died on your soil. I find no purpose in keeping the truth from you any longer, your highness. To be frank, our end of taking advantage of the treaty loopholes was always predetermined.”
“What?”
“The king, the man responsible for Crepus Ragnvindr’s death, was intended to be presented to his next of kin in mourning as a present from the Knights of Favonius.” She carried on, and let out a small scoff of a laugh when absolute astonishment was painted over Kaeya’s apathetic features. “I guess, you could say that the king sacrificing you in his stead is karmic balance for our deception, or more realistically; a sinister fellow like him possibly just sensed something wrong with the treaty and decided to throw you away.”
“And what exactly do you hope to achieve by handing me over as a present to this person? My father’s subjects will check that I am indeed in good hands in some time, what will be your excuse when they see that is not the case?” he challenged arrogantly.
“A small correction, they’ll check that you’re still alive, if Master Diluc ensures to keep you from dying, I see no problems as to how you are treated and neither does your father from what it seems.” Her bluntness was akin to a punch to the throat. “If they oppose the location of your residence, I will do your father and his subjects the favour of reminding them that Dawn Winery is in a secure, secluded side of our city and the Knights Headquarters itself poses the threat of frequent attempts at assassination. I’m sure you could at least try and understand how a piece of paper doesn’t immediately remedy nearly five-hundred years of conflict and bloodshed.”
“Likewise, I’m sure that thing by your waist has warped your judgement, but never forget that the “Gods” you praise and salivate over are just self-serving, irresponsible creatures.” He scorned, and curled his lips upon seeing her immediately cover her vision as a response. “It’s conceited of you to think we would ever covet such a trinket, when my nation believes in a person’s merits over their inherent ability.”
“And what merit did you have to display in order to be regarded a prince?” she crossed her arms. “I am mostly a forgiving person, however, know that you will not live a good life in this city if you keep slandering the Anemo Archon.”
“Oh… I do understand. The townsfolk often execute people who slander my father under tribal law out of their reverence for him, however you regard him a tyrant, an enemy of freedom. So, tell me this: how is your Archon any different from a tyrant?” He smirked.
“It’s upsetting, truly, to think that a respectable, and honourable bloodline such as your ancestry has been reduced to a king who’s so foolish as to sacrifice his kingdom’s future over his present status, and his sleazy son who only knows banter and possesses no tact for actual diplomacy.” She sighed in legitimate disappointment, then the cart slowed itself down to a gradual halt. “Seems we are here; before I forget, you will do well to hold that sharp tongue of yours if you want to earn an ounce of amiability from Master Diluc, you may live an easier life if you do so.” She warned him one last time before exiting the carriage, and urging Kaeya to do the same.
He slowly edged from the security of the roof above him to be immediately met by droplets of cool water that dampened the fabric of the cowl, he stepped onto the sticky soil and blotches of mud sullied his pristine boots, much to his annoyance. Climate was not exactly something he’d experienced in the depths of the Abyss, and he could clearly tell that he was going to grow tired of it very quickly. Not wasting any time under the barrage of raindrops, he hastily followed the Acting Grandmaster’s footsteps to the courtyard of a rather large estate.
“Ragnvindr” was allegedly the name belonging to a noble, after all.
After a brief pause, she finally knocked at his door. Amidst her hesitation, Kaeya thought about making a run for the rows and rows of grown vines, he could make out a thicker blanket of the wild in the distance which he’d easily blend into. Admittedly, not taking this easier option was a burden on his prideful constitution.
“Acting Grandmaster!” A maid exclaimed as she swung open the door. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”
“Hello Adelinde, Is Master Diluc in?” she inquired as she grasped Kaeya by the arm with an iron-like grip, reminding him that despite her dainty and elegant features she was in fact a soldier. “I come bearing a gift of reconciliation from the Knights of Favonius.” She announced.
“Oh,” the bright, welcoming smile on Adelinde’s face suddenly grew sullen and dejected, “I can try and call him from his office, but bear in mind he will be far less receptive knowing you’re here as a representative of the knights.” She warned before retreating into the mansion slowly.
“No matter, I will wait for him, he can take as long as he needs.” she smiled back professionally, but right after Adelinde turned her back she let out a small dejected sigh of her own, before realising as to whom she was in the presence of, and straightening her back to a more professional poise.
“No, please.” Kaeya sneered. “Your exasperation is quite the entertaining show.” He smirked smugly. “So, what happens if this man turns me down at his door?”
“Nothing, you reside in the knight’s dormitories… though I’m not sure why you would want that. Those men can be quite cruel to creatures of the Abyss.”
“I have a feeling this person too-”
“Exactly what “reconciliation” gift has Varka sent you to deliver now, Jean?” The man swung the door open with a grim tone, and Kaeya was momentarily petrified where he stood. A flaring glare sighted him, and the prince almost felt his poise buckle under this imposing presence. “What’s this?” he asked, suspiciously eyeing Kaeya up and down. “You managed to drag one into the surface? I could always go to territories bordering Stone Gate if I wanted to exterminate a few vermin.”
“He’s not just a regular member of the Abyss Order, the knights have brought you the crown prince of Khaenri’ah.”
“The crown prince? The son of that man?” his scrutinizing gaze singed deeper into Kaeya, he was already worn out from his time spent travelling, so he simply tore away his eyes. Only for Diluc to roughly remove his cowl with a displeased grunt, presumably to inspect him closer. “Yes, he certainly bears resemblance to that heathen I saw a few years ago. But, why bring him as a reconciliation offering?” he asked as he violently held his face in his gloved hand, and shifted his face slightly to study his features. Kaeya too took this opportunity to take a closer look at him, a pretty face framed by soft unruly hair tinted in shades of red unknown to him. Those curly locks were a good compliment to the feisty air enveloping him and unlike with the knights and even the Grandmaster, for a change Kaeya felt threatened. “From what I see, you’ve brought me another mouth to feed and a prisoner to keep under my watch,” he scoffed, the bloodlust in his eyes flared for a split moment, “unless I’m supposed to end his life here and now.”
“Consider this,” Jean cleared her throat, “you are free to do anything you wish to him, given he doesn’t die. This is what the Grandmaster asked me to pass onto you.”
“Oh?” Diluc hummed. “And there will be no repercussions, as long as he’s breathing?” he confirmed to have Jean shake her head. “Interesting offer. Well, in a couple days you’ll see how I’m faring with this new… gift. Hopefully I don’t grow tired of it.”
Keep it contained. Kaeya warned himself. Keep it contained. You’re at a disadvantage here.
“Then, I’ll be leaving.” She smiled. “Work for the knights never really ends. Enjoy your present, Master Diluc.” She saluted him before making her way back to the carriage.
“Oh, I’ll be sure to enjoy the gift” he replied, despite Jean being long gone, and astonishingly let go of Kaeya allowing him a brief moment to breathe with ease he watched over him apathetically, like how one would watch the sand flow in an hour glass. Then, mere seconds after Kaeya regained his composure, he was knocked back into the rain with a punch aimed squarely at his stomach. He landed on his backside on the stone floors, confused. His stomach turned with excruciating pain and he felt a churn of sickness threaten its way to its mouth, he held it back however and let out the pain with a small hiss. Though he was completely disoriented, as the assailant approached him Kaeya noticed a glowing red rock matching his scarlet features hanging by his leg.
So, he too bears a vision. He thought in defiance and spat out the bad taste swelling in his mouth, this resulted in the lord stomping his face into his own bile.
“Lick it clean.” A vicious growl commanded him. “I don’t want you dirtying my property.” He sneered. Kaeya looked up at Diluc from under his boot with contempt, his disobedience was punished by having the sole of the boot grind against his temple. “Go on.” Kaeya shifted his calculative gaze at the path outside the mansion leading to the wilderness, perhaps he could make a run for it if he was hasty enough, but first he would have to get this boar to pull his trotters off him. He groaned, his hand resting over his aching abdomen, he briefly looked up to meet the glow of those sunset dyed mirrors then he slowly and very visibly licked the stone floors soaked with his retch and the rain. “Well, would you look at that,” Diluc hummed, clearly pleased by the sight before him, “you can be obedient when you try. You just need some encouragement, like an untrained pet.” The soles of his heavy boots pulled away from Kaeya’s head, and the young prince wasted no time in trying to scramble away, only to have his attempt thwarted when he was roughly grabbed by the bicep and yanked back. “Just when I’d finally praised you, you do this… it seems that Khaenri’ans certainly have no sense for positive reinforcement.” He exhaled, as he ever so effortlessly hauled Kaeya to his legs.
For an instant, they locked eyes once again. Only this time they were much closer, Kaeya’s cold, distant ethereal glow was staring straight at the searing pools of cinnabar. It was like the moon existing at the same time as the sun, completely unnatural, ever so mismatched. Despite his prior shameful display of obedience for the entertainment of this lecher, Kaeya chose to hold his head high. He knew that his innate dignity wouldn’t allow him to do otherwise. His persistent urged a sneer to tug at the corners of Diluc’s lips and the crushing grip around his arm tightened, he was promptly dragged towards the estate by this spiteful man despite his incessant struggle to break free.
“Unhand me, you brute!” he clawed at the hand holding onto him, despite his persistent punching and kicking the adversity didn’t seem to budge an inch. That accursed gem. Kaeya growled, as an answer to his indifference finally dawned on him. The vision must be making him resistant to pain!
“Adelinde!” Diluc called out. “Grab a collar and a pair of cuffs, please. It appears that we must take it upon ourselves to discipline our new pet!” he ordered. “Then we will organise his stall in the stables. Luckily, since resigning from the Cavalry, I’ve had a fair few vacant ones, he’ll feel right at home.” Diluc added. Soon, he successfully quelled Kaeya’s feisty thrashing by twisting the arm he was holding onto behind his back, as he did that a painful crack resounded in Kaeya’s ears and he let out a choked gasp of pain. This wasn’t good, he was feeling sick again. “Goodness. You can’t sit still for a single second.” He grumbled in annoyance. “Even if your hands are soft and your strikes are weak. I have a limit to how tolerant I can be, Khaenri’an.”
“I am the crown prince of Khaenri’ah…” Kaeya grunted, “…and you will address me as such, boar.” The pungent taste was returning to his mouth as a result of the pain and he struggled to contain it in himself as he knew that should he fail, this sadistic pervert, without a doubt, would force him to lap up his own vomit. He felt warmth drain from his face and his vision grew hazier, he could hear a faint sound of a sceptical scoff before his arm was twisted further, urging another scream out of him followed soon after by him hurling the last meal he enjoyed back home onto the boots that stomped on him earlier. Dread set into him instantly, he didn’t need to look at Diluc to know he was livid due to what just happened, he could feel his knees shake pathetically and he refused to break his sights from the ground.
“By the seven,” Diluc languidly took out a handkerchief from his coat, “nothing but poison spews from that heinous mouth of yours.” He noted, then Kaeya’s jaw was pried open by a forceful grip before his mouth was stuffed with the soft fabric. “Let’s hope this assists you with keeping your filth in you.” He grumbled before shaking the bile off his boots and into Kaeya.
“Master Diluc.” The maid returned bearing what he had asked of her in her hands, Kaeya let out an incoherent muffle as he internally remarked over how unsettling it was for an “upstanding man” to have such tools readily available. “Do you require anything else from us?” she asked, her compassionate gaze pitifully lingered on Kaeya’s poor complexion for a split second.
“No,” Diluc bluntly replied, as he shoved Kaeya’s now exhausted body, until he was lying flat on his belly against the cold, wet floor, “he’s quite tame now, seems like he last had something that was making him antsy with sickness.” He cooed mockingly, his weight was now firmly placed on the prince’s lower back, pinning him down and carefully explored around his ornate garments until he finally tugged down Kaeya’s fur bola to expose the nape of his neck. Gloved hands smoothly traced the freshly revealed skin, and the fair prince heard a demeaning chuckle as he winced away from the touch nervously. He couldn’t believe he considered this man easy on the eyes, even if for a second. Soon after, a leather collar enveloped his neck, wrapping around him akin to a constrictive python. Kaeya was meekly clawing at the tightening hold to no avail and he knew that his freedom was forfeit once the buckle was fastened securely at the back. Though, being collared like a mutt was distressing enough, another pressing matter crept up Kaeya’s back. He shifted slightly where he laid to confirm it, without a doubt the captor was growing excited from the position he had put him in.
Disgusting. He thought to himself as his face began to burn against his will. Disgusting. Disgusting. Disgusting. He stirred where he was in protest, not realising he was unconsciously rubbing up against it. Diluc, on the other hand, paid no heed to his swelling erection, and kept his focus on binding Kaeya properly, his wrists were bound behind him and the cuffs were tautly attached to the back of the collar. He could at most move his wrists a few inches to either side to regain balance should he stumble, but asides from that reaching for objects or wielding weapons was out of question.
“I must admit, you would be much easier on the eyes without those extravagant garments.” A stifled scream answered his shameless observation. “Get up.” He rose to his feet, dragging Kaeya up alongside him. “Don’t move.” He ordered, taking out a sharp looking ornate letter opener adorned with rubies. “Or, you can do just that, if you want bits of your skin sliced off.” More gurgling answered his cocky attitude, Kaeya’s brows were sharply knit together as the knife began cutting into his coat. Gradually relieving him from the weight, but in exchange exposing him to the harsh elements of the nature, his vest was also ripped off from his torso, and the sharp blade lingered on his white shirt for a few seconds. The silky fabric was soaked through and transparent now, looking down his own body, Kaeya realised it left very little to the imagination. The knife travelled up his torso with featherlight touch and drew circles atop his stiff nipple, perky and swollen from the chill. A moan was caught in his throat as Diluc slowly pressed the sharp tip against it, careful to not apply too much pressure in case it would draw blood.
“Shameless.” He spat out in repulsion, though Kaeya could see him stiffening more in his pants. “You won’t be needing this anymore.” He cut off his sheathed sword from where it was attached to his belt. “Pets have no need for armaments.” He emphasised tossing the prized blade aside. It was precious to him, to say the least, he remembered receiving it from Dainsleif as a present when he’d come of age. Tears threatened to pool their ways into his eyes, and Kaeya struggled to hold them in with nothing to wipe away the blurriness in his vision. “Oh? Did that strike a sore spot?”
Kaeya kicked him in the shin without a moment’s hesitation, earning a chuckle for his efforts.
“Good. No, great, in fact. It would bore me to no end if you surrendered yourself so easily, after all.” He roughly wiped away a stray tear drop he caught at the tips of Kaeya’s dense lashes. “I imagine enjoying my time with you until you truly break, Khaenri’an dirt.”