Chapter Text
As the Crown Princess of the Kingdom of Khaenri'ah, Lumine had always known that her life would be ruled by the duties she owed to her nation. She had thought she had made peace with the fact her hand would be forced into decisions contrary to her will.
However, she had never expected to be so enraged by the way those obligations manifested.
When she had first received her mother's orders from Celestia, she had thought it a poorly-thought joke. That perhaps there was someone in the palace suicidal enough to forge the Unknown God's handwriting and risk their head for treason in the process.
She knew in her heart that no such individual existed, for the decrees of Celestia were unchallengeable and absolute.
'The Crown Princess and heir to the throne to the Kingdom of Khaenri'ah,' the decree read, 'shall revive a sacred tradition with immediate effect: the taking of a harem. Her Royal Highness shall accept a harem composed of esteemed individuals hand-selected from the Seven Nations...'
Lumine hated the way she understood the politics of the move.
Regardless of her thoughts on the matter, unrest had been rumbling beneath the surface of Teyvat for some time. To form allegiances to powerful families from each nation through a system of pseudo-marriage was strategic genius, and drastically lessen the risk of conflict. There was no precedent pressuring her to select a King-Consort from the harem, protecting a degree of her own autonomy. The nations themselves would benefit from a clear connection to the elusive Kingdom of Khaenri'ah, which ruled supreme with Celestia's blessing.
Word had been sent, applications received. Lumine wished Aether was there to keep her sane through the process as portraits of men from every corner of the continent began to flood her desk.
The shortlist had been composed, invitations sent to men who would no doubt be sent in opulent carriages draped in finery and riches to win her favour.
Inazuma, though, had sent a strange plea.
The Raiden Shogun requested that Lumine visit the nation herself, promising exceptional circumstances. Rumours had it that Kamisato Ayato - one of the most powerful men in the nation - was to be offered to her in a move that would only further disrupt the hierarchy of the nation's three key institutions.
Lumine had accepted on the basis it would be a pleasant opportunity to sightsee.
"Your Highness, you must consider the possibility that this is a trap," Dainsleif, the Twilight Sword, had warned. "Our intelligence suggests the Electro Archon's personality has undergone radical changes of late. After her attempted isolationism..."
"You worry too much, Dain," Lumine replied gently. "I have confidence I could defeat an Archon in combat."
Whilst the Archons had been granted mastery over a single element, the royal twins of Khaenri'ah had been blessed with the powers of seven. It was what placed her Kingdom above and beyond the rest.
Thus, she had nothing to fear. Lumine held her head high before the gates of Tenshukaku.
-
Lumine was not well acquainted with the Electro Archon; the last time she had stepped foot in the throne room had been when she was a child, centuries ago.
The atmosphere was far more ominous than she had remembered, an unsettling tension like the air of a night that was far too still and silent to be ordinary. The room was utterly empty, devoid of a single aide or servant; Lumine, too, was alone. Hardly any lanterns illuminated the dark space, the deep purples of the screens and walls blending into dark shadows cast by the furnishings.
"It is an honour to receive you, Crown Princess Lumine of Khaenri'ah," the Shogun spoke. Her voice had a pleasant, feminine tone, yet the monotonous intonation did little to dissuade Lumine's unease. Her body was obscured by translucent obsidian curtains which had been drawn across the throne, hiding her from view; her silhouette was outlined by only the candles upon the dais. "Welcome to Inazuma."
The emblem of Inazuma hung above, the grand scale of the sigil imposingly cast in cold, plated gold.
"The honour is all mine," she returned neutrally. "Your correspondence was a pleasant surprise, Shogun. I look forward to our discussions." A polite indication that she would prefer to shortcut through the small-talk and be informed as to why she was here.
"Ah. It is a sensitive matter," she assured, and Lumine frowned. "Crown Princess Lumine, to you I shall entrust the most prized possession of the Electro Archon. Guuji Yae, Chief Priestess of Inazuma, shall guide you."
Lumine frowned. Possession: it was unrelated to Ayato, then. Was the timing mere coincidence? She felt her curiosity stir.
"You will not be accompanying me, Shogun?" she queried. A meeting so brief bordered upon disrespect, and though she herself cared little, a slight against her was a slight against her Kingdom.
"I fear I have other matters I must attend to. I pray you forgive the impudence, Princess," the Shogun said, and had her voice been any less lifeless, Lumine may have believed there was a hint of sincerity to them.
As it was, a sliding door opened, and Guuji Yae appeared with a bow. She was a beautiful woman, her demeanour as refined and majestic as the ceremonial silks she wore. Even from a distance, her dusted pink hair, statement earrings, and ethereal ears made quite the impression.
"It is an honour, Crown Princess," she smiled, and Lumine found that she rather liked the confidence she exuded. The swiftness with which her vibrant personality struck Lumine was a stark contrast to the Shogun. "Shall we?"
Lumine did not hesitate to follow her; the sooner she departed from the palace and its peculiarly sinister ambience, the happier she would be.
-
"Might you elucidate on the Shogun's words, Lady Yae?"
The Guuji hummed as though amused. "Ah, straight to business, is it? I suppose that is to be expected from someone with the weight of a continent upon their shoulders, though not all appear to rise to their duty as you do," she mused. There was a slight edge to her voice, as though she assumed the same person was in mind. Lumine wondered if Yae was referencing a certain Anemo Archon and his liberal approach to his station.
"To clarify, the matter concerns your Imperial Harem, Princess."
"I see," Lumine said, though frankly, she did not at all. What possession would serve her in that? The concept of crown jewels did not exist in Inazuma, and even the finest blades and kimonos to decorate the men she would take far from required her physical presence.
Yae continued onwards, leading her through the winding hallways of the palace. They were ascending floor by floor, towards one of the more distant wings.
"It is a pity I cannot offer you the Sangonomiya girl's hand," Yae chatted. "You are not yet accepting women into your harem, I hear?"
In the past, precedent existed for both genders, though frequently one had been clearly preferred. However, her mother's instructions had been clear.
"Not at present," she confirmed.
Yae winked at her. "Write to me if you do."
Lumine could not help but smile at that. Few tended to be so bold in her presence.
"I look forward to a blossoming friendship."
They reached the apex of another set of stairs; the final floor. It was a windowless corridor, strangely drenched in a magic that was not elemental. Lumine felt her guard raise.
A commotion could be heard from the end of the long hallway; the bark of commands, the clash of metal.
"Lady Yae?" she queried. The woman's face had paled.
"Forgive me, Princess," she said. "If I asked you to stay put, would you?"
Lumine shook her head. To be left unchaperoned in a foreign palace, as empty and devoid of life as it seemed to be, was not something she could accept. "Perhaps I can assist, Lady Yae."
The priestess sighed. When they rounded a corner, Lumine recognised the uniforms of the elite Shogun's guard; injured soldiers tended to one another before doors fortified with iron.
"What is the meaning of this? Why has Mikoto not been moved?" Yae demanded.
"Forgive us, Lady Guuji," a short-haired woman said, bowing with a look of anguish. Lumine recognised her as Kujou Sara from the briefing Dainsleif had prepared; a competent military strategist, and fiercely loyal. "He awoke. We... We were unable to subdue him."
He, Lumine thought.
"Open the doors," Yae commanded. "Princess Lumine, I ask that you step back."
The soldiers' expressions shifted to aghast sheets, and Lumine felt a sense of frustration with the bizarre nature of the situation. She was close enough now to sense the currents the doors failed to staunch entirely.
Beyond them, she felt the viscous, crushing fury of potent elemental energy.
"As you command," Kujou reluctantly acquiesced. She waved an arm, and Lumine watched as three soldiers pulled open each door.
Beyond, Lumine's eyes adjusted to view a space that looked almost identical to the throne room, windowless and dour and empty. Four pillars were erected to form the corners of a square, supporting the tall ceiling of the highest room of the castle.
In the centre was a body, thin and pale and young. Short, straight hair the deep purple shade of wolfhook berries contrasted the stainless white robes that draped his form.
He did not kneel willingly. Thick, soot-dark chains had been suspended from the ceiling, pulling his arms in opposite directions high above his head from where black, metal cuffs were wide around his wrists. Dark purple wisps emanated from the chains like smoke, a dark power that Lumine was quick to associate with the Abyss.
A prisoner.
And when he raised his head to lock furious eyes with Yae Miko, he snarled with the vitriol of a vengeful beast.
"Witch!" he spat, his voice hoarse. Lumine was appalled to realise his appearance was as youthful as a teenager; whatever his lifespan, he was young.
He pulled at the chains that prevented his body from charging at her, their mocking rattles echoing around the room. "I will rip you to shreds!"
Yae raised an arm. Her eyes glowed pink with a power that was not borne of her Electro vision; Lumine recognised it as the wielding of divinity.
Her ears had slightly revealed the secret, but it seemed Yae was no ordinary being.
Suddenly, the prisoner was gasping for air, his body writhing in pain as he groaned: choked, anguished sounds. Only his bound arms prevented his torso from meeting the hard floor below as his shoulders pulled at their sockets.
"You can control my body," he sneered. "But you will never have my submission. One day I will claw your eyes from-"
"Silence," Yae spoke, and the prisoner obeyed. Or rather, he could not do anything but obey; Lumine watched as his mouth opened and shut wordlessly before he stared furiously at the priestess once more.
Like a caged, wounded animal, alert to when she would approach despite his inevitably helpless position.
"Sleep," she said, and her voice was softer now. The prisoner's head fell, and the gale Lumine had hardly noticed until it vanished was dispelled instantly.
Yae turned to Kujou. "The fault was my own. The effect of when I first placated him wore off... He needs a stronger master than I. You may inform the Shogun."
Kujou nodded, glancing warily at Lumine. Then, with another bow, she and her men filed out as swiftly as an apple falling from a tree.
"I hope there is an explanation, Lady Yae," Lumine said coldly.
"Yes. Please forgive us, Princess," Yae said with a low bow. "Unorthodox and unexpected as the circumstances are, they are nevertheless cemented in reality now. I can only beg your pardon for our rudeness. However..."
She gestured to the prisoner, beckoning Lumine forward.
"The young man you see before you is the son of the Electro Archon. Some might describe him as the lost treasure of Inazuma. Mikoto is exceptionally powerful, as he so aptly demonstrated; however, certain circumstances of his past have rendered him... Unwieldy." She offered an apologetic smile.
"I had not heard the Electro Archon has a son," Lumine said. The news was genuinely shocking. Khaenri'ah was far from in constant communication with the Seven Nations, but how could she be so misinformed?
Archons lived for centuries. The concept of a royal family was rare, practically exclusive to Khaenri'ah. For there to have been a Prince...
Yae ignored the implicit question. "Mikoto has not been named an official heir, nor has he appeared publicly. In fact, I must disclose to you that he spent much of his life beyond Inazuma's borders before his return. Nevertheless... The Raiden Shogun wishes to offer him as a candidate for the Imperial Harem."
Lumine stared.
"Excuse me?"
"Yes, it is quite eccentric, is it not?" Yae said sympathetically. "Well, you will find that he is quite handsome, and his bold personality is likely to be interesting, if nothing else."
"He seems to wish to kill you," she said flatly.
Yae's tone became carefully, coolly neutral.
"Mikoto, as I mentioned, is an extremely powerful being, as any son of an Archon would be. He is trained in combat, and his elemental mastery over Anemo is second-to-none without a gnosis. I wager his strength could match an Archon. The Raiden Shogun does, too. Thus, we believe he can be an asset... Provided his abilities are controlled.
"Mikoto is currently subject to a convenient spell enforced with divine power. Through it, he must obey any command of the contractor. Moreover, he is physically unable to harm his master. These abilities make him extremely useful. Crown Princess of Khaenri'ah, you possess divine power in spades. Once I transfer the contract to you, he will be an instrument of complete obedience and loyalty."
Lumine breathed slowly, feeling as though her body had been rooted to the ground. She remained utterly still, her face as calm as porcelain, as she attempted to process the shocking information.
She had known Inazuma was a land with its own sorcery and magic, where Yokai had once inhabited every corner as kitsune watched over mortal and spiritual affairs.
She had never known that there existed a spell so powerful to subjugate one's will to another.
Hearing about it made her feel acid rise in her throat. An awful sensation twisted her gut as she stared at the unconscious form of Mikoto. He was the son of an Archon, yet imprisoned in his own home. She could not fathom why the Raiden Shogun would allow him to be treated in such a way. What had occurred to inspire such utter loathing towards Inazuma in his heart?
She had often lamented her mother's steely rule over her and her brother. Perhaps she was soft, but she felt her heart sink for the stranger before her.
"Khaenri'ah does not practice slavery," she said, enunciating each word with her voice like ice.
"The spell is unique to Mikoto. It cannot be replicated to any other," Yae assured. "You are at liberty to never enforce a single command upon him, Princess. The contract is but a safeguard to ensure your welfare, and to ensure his usefulness."
"Why?" Lumine asked. "You say he is treasured. The son of an Archon would have a worth beyond measure. Why, then, do you offer him to me, under sorcery he so clearly detests?"
The priestess hummed, glancing at the Archon's scion. She seemed lost in thought for a moment, as though drafting her next words with a clinical precision.
It was clear that Yae Miko was not speaking from her heart when she said, "To offer Mikoto's hand is the highest honour we can bestow to the Crown Princess of Khaenri'ah. The Raiden Shogun wishes for the gesture to symbolise peace between our nations. The contract is to your benefit; to have such a powerful, loyal aide at your fingertips... Well, that is truly priceless, don't you think?"
Lumine's eyes shifted from Yae's expression to Mikoto, slumped upon his knees. How much was she ignorant to? It was impossible to puzzle the situation together. Alone in the unfamiliar territory of Inazuma, for the first time in her life, she felt utterly out of her depth.
There was one thing she was certain of, though.
Mikoto was dangerous.
And Yae Miko was far from telling her the truth.