Chapter One: The Prince of Mondstadt
"I saw the Prince of Mondstadt," the Funeral Parlor Director declares with a gleeful grin, her curious red eyes twinkling.
Zhongli had become so accustomed to such strange proclamations that he barely stirred from his book. A chorus of bemused murmurs and curious glances followed the petite prankster as she skipped towards her office, humming a jaunty tune.
"The Prince of Mondstadt?" An undertaker muses quietly.
"Surely…it can't—I mean Mondstadt overthrew its monarchy centuries ago," a young clerk balks.
"Yeah, but I heard that a strange blond dressed in foreign clothes arrived there some months ago and quelled Stormterror in less than a week."
"Oh my, do you think that is who she speaks of?" An attendant wonders earnestly.
"L-let's ask her." Her companion suggests.
"I wouldn't waste too much time dwelling on the matter," Zhongli finally opines without glancing up from his book.
"Master Zhongli, who do you think is the prince?" The undertaker asks.
"There is no prince," Zhongli replies bluntly, amber eyes straying briefly to acknowledge the gathering crowd. "Mondstadt would sooner burn than allow another to wield that title."
"Perhaps she means Mr. Ragnvindr?" An attendant presses quietly. "He is quite dashing and exudes a charming, princely aura."
"Perhaps," Zhongli assents with a quiet sigh. "But I wouldn't dismiss the possibility that this could actually be some type of elaborate prank to commemorate the Lantern Rite festivities. Please pay this no attention and return to your duties."
But there would be no peace for some time later Meng the undertaker stumbles in breathlessly insisting that he too had seen the fabled Mondstadter prince.
"Master Zhongli, Master Zhongli! I saw him! I saw him!" Meng declares.
Zhongli pulls his teacup away from his lips to fix the undertaker with a stern frown. After apologizing to the Fatui agent he had been consulting with, he excuses himself to calm the now-wheezing youth.
"Mr. Meng this is rather unbecoming of you," Zhongli chides crossing his arms.
"F0-forgive me sir," Meng bows. "I didn't know you were with a client."
"Who did you see Meng?" Master Hu Tao asks poking her head out of her office.
"T-the Prince of Mondstadt," the youth replies.
The clerks and undertakers present let out a collective gasp before encircling their breathless colleague, desperate for more information.
"Where did you see him?!" A clerk cries out.
"His carriage stopped briefly at the Feiyun Commerce Guild—"
"D-did he get out? Did you see him?"
"Y-yes. He was short but looked to be nearing manhood."
"How do you know he was the Prince?"
"The millelith was guarding his carriage and stood guard outside the Feiyun Commerce Guild while he was inside," Meng explains. "They actually cordoned off the area while he was there."
"While he was there?" Another repeats. "Wait you mean he's already left?"
"I'm afraid so," Meng admits with a defeated bow. "H-he left the Guild with the Guild Manager and his youngest son some time ago. He actually seemed very familiar with the young master who had his arm around him and seemed to be quite amused by something the Prince had said."
"Was he perhaps wearing a crown?" Zhongli asks arching an eyebrow skeptically.
"N-no master Zhongli," Meng replies after some thought.
"Aiya, if he travelled all the way from Mondstadt I can't imagine him doing so with his crown."
"Do you think he is actually visiting to enjoy the Lantern Rite festivities?" A female clerk asks watching Zhongli expectantly.
"It is possible," Zhongli nods. "The festivities have been known to attract many foreigners. However, I still don't believe that the young man Mr. Meng saw was actually the Prince of Mondstadt."
"B-but the millelith referred to him as 'his majesty'!" Meng insists prompting yet another chorus of curious murmurs.
With a resigned sigh, the Funeral Parlor Consultant moves to return to the Fatui agent in the tearoom. Master Hu Tao notices him and sprints to join him.
"Mr. Zhongli I couldn't help but notice that you have a reservation at Liuli Pavilion later on this evening," the petite prankster inquires with a pleasant smile.
"I do," Zhongli returns cautiously without preamble or elaboration.
"Am I correct in assuming that your reservation is for yourself alone?"
"You are."
"Aiya, I hate to ask but I was wondering if I could trouble you to expand your party for tonight?"
"Is this for official business?" Zhongli asks with a guarded frown.
"It will be," Master Hu Tao beams.
"It will be?" the Consultant repeats warily.
"I was planning to invite the young Prince of Mondstadt for dinner but everywhere is already fully booked for the first night of the festival."
"Forgive me but I do not think it will be possible to expand my party. The reservation was made some time ago and it would be unconscionable to amend the terms on such short notice."
"Aiya, I was afraid you might say that," the Funeral Director sighs. "Do you think Mr. Hongru would perhaps reconsider if we inform him of our esteemed guest?"
Zhongli's frown deepens as he pinches the bridge of his nose in visible frustration.
"Master Hu Tao, forgive my impertinence but there is no—"
"—Prince of Mondstadt—I know, I know. But you should have seen him," the petite prankster drools. "The flowing blond locks. His majestic white coat. It was truly something out of an old Mondstadter fairytale. A client of such stature would elevate the Funeral Parlor's standing internationally."
Recognizing the manic look in the Funeral Director's eyes, Zhongli releases a long, drawn-out sigh.
"Perhaps we could incentive Mr. Hongru to be more accommodating by offering him a few thousand mora," Zhongli suggests. "It seems only fair."
"Perfect!" Master Hu Tao squeals as she prepares to depart.
"Very well then, I shall have the Ferrylady request the changes to the reservation."
"Oh and Mr. Zhongli please tell her that you will be joining us tonight as well," Hu Tao calls out with a knowing smile prompting the older man to sigh once more.
While he had been hoping to enjoy the first night by himself, Zhongli knows better than to protest or resist any further. The 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor could be infuriatingly persistent once she sets her mind on an enticing new venture. It was far easier to submit and let her tire herself out than to resist.
He concludes his meeting with the Fatui agent and informs the Ferrylady of the Funeral Director's request. She is all too pleased to deliver the message to Mr. Degui and returns beaming. The rest of the day passes in a blur of mundane tasks, lessons, and activities. After concluding his evening lesson with the undertakers, he excuses himself for his evening walk.
"Mister Zhongli! Mister Zhongli!" A familiar voice calls cheerily above the din of the bustling harbor.
He turns to find the petite Outlander and his floating companion waving at him from the doorway of the Wanmin Restaurant.
"Master Zhongli?" Xiangling calls from inside the kitchen before dashing to poke her head over her father's shoulder. "Where?!"
"Good Evening, Paimon, Traveler, Ms. Xiangling," Zhongli smiles politely. "I had hoped you two would visit to partake in the festivities."
"Welcome sir," Chef Mao calls from the back of the tiny restaurant. "We'll seat you shortly. Please bear with us!"
"It's been quite busy, Mr. Zhongli," Xiangling apologizes as she scurries to find a free table nearby. "I'm so sorry. I did not think—"
"Relax Ms. Xiangling. I was merely out for my evening walk."
"Oh, thank goodness," Xiangling sighs before catching herself. "No-not th-that we mind s-serving yo-you of course it's just that—"
"The Lantern Rite festival always attract a massive crowd of tourists and visitors from afar offering a significant boost for the businesses and merchants of Liyue Harbor. I could never inconvenience you by dropping in unannounced."
"Thank you, Mr. Zhongli," Xiangling sighs with a relieved smile.
"Yeah, you're a lot more understanding that those stupid Fatui jerks from before," Paimon fumes crossing her tiny arms indignantly. "They come in unannounced with a large group and had Mr. Mao scrambling to seat and serve them and still left in a huff!"
"I imagine the festivities remind them of home as many of them do get rather homesick around this time of the year," Zhongli explains.
They exchange some more pleasantries and agree to have dinner at a later date before Zhongli takes his leave and continues through the city.
What a marvelous sight. Zhongli muses as he observes the wonderous decorations adorning the stately walls and eaves of the Yujing Terrace. His smile falters as he admires the dazzling patterns of a passing maiden's qipao.
If only you had lived to see Liyue Harbor. We could walk amongst the glaze lilies like before and admire the stars together.
"No go there Qiqi!" A young child cries out suddenly as she scampers after the tiny pharmacist.
Zhongli blinks down at the tiny blonde as she tackles her monotoned playmate. Judging from her attire he surmises that she is visiting from Mondstadt and wonders how she had managed to befriend the seemingly taciturn pharmacist.
"Albedo's still painting," the Mondstadter girl hisses with a conspiratorial glance over her shoulder. "Let's play over there. I don't want to go inside yet."
Zhongli traces her gaze and feels his breath leave him in a harsh rush as he notices the petite blonde dressed in majestic flowing pale robes. She is standing at the top of the grand staircase leading up to Bubu Pharmacy behind a large easel. Although she is too far away to make out her features, her height and posture are reminiscent of the Goddess of Dust.
He ventures forward, not daring to believe his very eyes.
I-impossible! I-it can't be! And yet there she stood, petite and delicate, an ethereal corona adorning her flowing blonde locks as if threatening to spirit her away. He falters as she dips her head concealing her from view.
Perhaps he was mistaken like Hu Tao of her Mondstadter 'Prince'. And yet the irrationally wistful part of him hoped desperately for another glimpse of her.
Could it be? Could she have heard my request from before?
"Don't despair Morax. This was meant to be," the Goddess of Dust had smiled weakly from a pool of her own blood several lifetimes ago.
"I don't…I don't understand. Help me! Make it make sense!"
"Forgive me, Morax—"
"No! I did as you asked. I protected your precious weaklings! I refuse to accept it. Our contract is unconcluded!"
"F-forgive me…beloved…"
"Guizhong!" He cries out suddenly in desperation. It is a rasping guttural bellow that sweeps across the square to startle the painting apparition.
The figure shifts to stare around the easel at him. Their eyes meet and the emboldened Archon closes the distance between them with long purposeful strides. His lips part and his heart sinks as he reaches the stunned blonde and meets her striking teal eyes.
"Pardon me," she mutters softly. "They said I could paint—"
"Guizhong?" He repeats hopefully grabbing her by the shoulders. He searches her eyes earnestly for any spark of recognition and is disheartened to find none.
Of course she probably doesn't recognize me in this form. Perhaps if I change—but there are far too many people here.
The blonde presses her hands against his chest as if to push him away but stops when he sweeps her feet from beneath her, scooping her into his arms. The blonde mutters something in protest as he turns and descends the stairs.
"Kl-Klee?" The blonde calls as they reach the foot of the stairs and approach the roofed bridge stretching across the square.
"Albedo?!" The Mondstadter girl from before calls with a worried frown. "What's going on?! Are you going to solitawy confwinement?"
"Is she with you?" Zhongli asks the blonde in his arms.
"Yes. Is she in trouble?" There is an edge of apprehension in her tone as she watches him expectantly.
"Guizhong?"
"I'm sorry I don't understand what Guizhong means," the blonde replies somewhat apologetically. When the Archon does not respond, she turns instead to address the now-sobbing Mondstadter child clutching the hem of her flowing robes. "Klee can you and Qiqi go fetch Mr. Baizhu? I believe there has been some sort of misunderstanding."
The Lord of Contracts begins to doubt himself as the growing crowd of onlookers murmur and point after them. He shifts his gaze to study the slender cargo nestled snugly against his broad chest. While her frame is petite and slender, her body is decidedly hard and boyish. Although he had long forgotten the melodic lilt of the fallen goddess' voice, it differed greatly from the blonde's formal timbre.
She feels different and sounds rather masculine…almost like a young boy nearing manhood. If this is Guizhong, then it is a form she never took around me.
Zhongli blinks down at the blonde as she taps the collar of his brown tailcoat. He seizes her hand in his and stays it, pressing it against his chest as he holds her gaze as if willing her to remember him. She parts her lips as if to speak and he notices a curious birthmark along her neck. It is gold and diamond shaped. He wonders briefly if it is an ornament of some kind and begins to reach out to stroke it as if mesmerized.
"Please don't," the blonde mutters quietly as she watches him with an inscrutable expression.
"Forgive me," the God of War mumbles as he finally releases her hand and lowers her to the ground. "I believe I mistook you for someone else."
The blonde watches him quietly and opens her mouth as if to say something before thinking better of it. He apologizes once more with a deep bow and departs as quickly as his long legs will carry him.
"Don't be frightened my beloved Morax. Love doesn't end simply because you can no longer feel me," the Goddess of Dust had once assured him in her waning moments.
It shamed him deeply how desperately she had tried to comfort him in her dying moments.
"You can't leave me," he had growled back thoroughly unconvinced. In those days, he had measured love with debts and obligations and could phantom no way of existing without her. "Not now. Not like this."
"Not ever, right Morax?" She had smiled ruefully. He had clutched her desperately to his chest willing whatever vitality he possessed to flow into her. Suddenly a thought had occurred to him and he had pulled away to meet her gaze.
"A contract then. The final contract between us."
"Aiya, Morax I'm afraid…"
"I will protect them until you return," he had proposed, his voice strained but hopeful. Her fading eyes had found his and held them for a long time that he began to fear that she had passed in that moment.
"Love them Morax," she had coughed out spilling blackened blood unto his chest. "Love them truly and deeply as you had loved me."
"Then you shall return?" He had pressed. Too weak to speak, she had managed a small nod in response.
"Love them Morax and then I shall return…" she had said pressing a golden cube into his palm.
"…and we will walk amongst the glaze lilies together…"
"…and marvel at the procession of stars across the heavens."
"And drink Osmanthus wine together."
"Farewell my beloved Morax," she had sighed and spoke no more.
He shakes his head as he reaches out to steady himself against a nearby wall. A passing millelith guard greets him curiously but does not otherwise stop to engage. He is thankful for in that moment he knows that he is not fit to carry polite conversation.
Guizhong…could it be? Could she have returned in a different form?
"Mr. Zhongli! Thank the Archons! I've been looking all over for you," a young clerk from the Funeral parlor calls out as he jogs to meet him.
"Not now Bao," Rex Lapis hisses as he desperately tries to slip back into his mortal persona.
"But sir, I'm afraid you're very late." When the Archon turns to give him a puzzled look, the young clerk elaborates. "T-the dinner. Director Hu Tao is already waiting for you at Liuli Pavilion and the Commerce Guild Manager is already there too."
The Consultant mutters a curse beneath his breath before accompanying the panicked youth. They reach the bustling restaurant in record time and Mr. Bao ushers him towards their party's table where Hu Tao and the Commerce Guild Manager are already sipping tea.
"Ah Mr. Zhongli, long time!" The Guild Manager greets with a hearty chortle. "I must confess I did not expect you to remember our last appointment and was pleasantly surprised when your invitation arrived."
"Of course kind sir," Zhongli greets with a deep bow as he scans the dining area for a free seat. "I was just happy you were able to fit us into your schedule on such short notice."
"Of course," the Guild Manager chuckles puffing his chest slightly. "How could I refuse the most knowledgeable man in all of Liyue. Although I must confess, I was rather relieved to receive your invitation. You see I am entertaining some esteemed guests from Mondstadt and began to despair that they would leave Liyue with an abbreviated understanding of the Lantern Rite festival. But with you here I can rest assured that they will receive a thorough understanding."
"Speaking of your esteemed guests," Hu Tao begins with a polite but pointed smile. "Where are they? I heard the Prince brought his little sister along."
"I'm afraid the Kreideprinz has been delayed," the Guild Manager's youngest son announces as he rejoins their party. "Apparently his little sister got into some trouble with the millelith and they briefly detained him for questioning."
"āi yā!" The Guild Manager and Funeral Parlor Director cry out in unison rising from their seats.
"It's alright, father, I will go and handle the situation," the young boy assures his father as he prepares to depart. The Guild Manager hastily excuses himself before chasing down his son, intent on accompanying him. Although the youth protests at first, he finally realizes that it would be far easier to take his father along and eventually relents leaving his older brother to entertain the rest of the party.
But the Guild Manager's oldest son is far too earnest to carry small talk and so the Funeral Parlor Director is forced to step in to carry the conversation. By the time the Guild Manager and his youngest son return, their party is quite thankful to see them and eager to move on from the macabre subject of coffin interiors.
"Thank you so much everyone for waiting," the Guild Manager states loudly as he reclaims his seat. "Thankfully the situation had resolved itself by the time we arrived."
"Everyone I present you Master Albedo, the Kreideprinz of Mondstadt!" The Guild Manager's younger son announces with a sweeping flourish of his wrists as he lowers his frame into a deeply reverent bow.
Their party scrambles to its feet and imitates him. Too distracted to follow along, Zhongli merely shifts to greet the new arrivals but freezes when he recognizes the tiny blonde Mondstadter child from before. The child dips into a practiced curtsy but halts when she notices him watching her. Her features contort as a frightened squeal escapes her.
She flings her arms protectively around the legs of the figure beside her, sobbing into the folds of its robes.
"Xingqui, I've told you not to address me—" but the figure's words are cut off by the blonde child's wailing and fidgeting. "Sorry. She's been like this ever since the incident at Bubu Pharmacy."
Suddenly hyperaware of how deeply the earlier misunderstanding had traumatized the tiny Mondstadter, the God of Contracts approaches the slender blond to apologize once more.
Author's Note: This story was inspired by the below fanart of Zhongli x Albedo. I'm reaching out to the creator to see if they will allow me to use it as a cover for this fanfic.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this little tale of mine.
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