Naive Dreams of Marriage
I'm going to marry a rich prince someday.
Mona, in her naïve youth, had spouted this particular brand of nonsense again and again. Her mother always managed to smile and give her a thumbs-up, completely supportive of her daughter's exclamations and oblivious to their improbability. Being as overprotective as he was, her father taught the young girl to have high standards for the men she would share her life with.
Marrying a wealthy prince was the plan for young Mona, but that declaration became a distant memory over time. In her efforts to improve people's lives with her astrology research, the thought of marriage never came across to her again.
That was until fate brought her to the Traveler of Teyvat, Aether. Had it not been for her interactions with the esteemed Hero of Mondstadt, Mona might have focused too much of her life on her astrology research without a modicum of self-preservation.
After developing deep feelings for the blond-haired boy, the memory of her desire for a rich prince crept back into her mind. Despite her doubts that the stars held such a fate for her, Mona couldn't really help believing in the little glimmer of hope—far-fetched as it was. After the astrologist's unfortunate misuse of her Mora, she quickly learned its value. Whenever she squandered her limited earnings on her astrology endeavors, she thought, "If only I were married to a rich man. I would never have to worry about funding. I'll be able to live and research astrology in peace and glamor. I'll never go hungry again."
It was a sparkly future to behold, true enough… but when the dazzling glamor faded, it left a sense of desolation. After all, what prince, what wealthy man would want Mona? Mona, a mysterious astrologer; Mona, whose obsession with her craft led to a prideful personality; Mona, with her unreasonable spending habits and poor Mora management; Mona, who was talkative and annoying, and materialistic.
And when these thoughts entered her head, the astrologist sighed and wilted as the flowers pressed into her book. She drooped under the weight of coping with these lapses of confidence. Nevertheless, all she had to do to fix it was look at Aether's encouraging grin whenever he saw her sigils or his bemused, satiated expression from their talks. Either expression made her spirits soar, high in the sky and beyond the stars.
Mona's forgotten dream grew and prospered thanks to Aether and his kindness. The purple-haired girl sighed longingly at the pretty dresses in the Mondstadt stalls, but she suppressed her impulsive desire to purchase any. Sometimes she daydreamed about the blond traveler venturing among the commonfolk to find a bride, and she would be there, shining with a beautiful glow even through her secondhand clothing. He would see her, know she was the one, and sweep her away to be his companion for the remainder of his journey.
Of course, there were other men to be thinking about, too, but none of them could hold a candle to Aether. One thing, however, came across Mona's mind that she hadn't realized until now: Aether was far from a rich person here in Teyvat, but what about in his original world? Is he actually a long-lost prince in his world? Was he next in line for the throne of whatever kingdom his family ruled? Mona wondered. She glanced at the blond-haired, golden-eyed boy as she walked through the plains of Mondstadt with him. "Well…" she admitted to herself with a blush, "it would be preferable that my husband be handsome, too… and Aether is…"
The astrologist frowned and shook her head. "No. It would be beneath someone like him to be into romance, she thought with more disappointment than anticipated. Why would Aether want to marry, anyway? He's a hardy adventurer who has other plans. He's kind to everyone he meets. So why would he pick a crazy girl like me?" Though it was an outright lie, it soothed the rejection that burned in Mona's throat every time Aether showed his kindness to her by buying or cooking her favorite meal, Satisfying Salad.
"He's such an amazing cook, unlike most princes in stories. I wonder if he's more than a simple, rich prince in his world." Mona speculated, "But what if he isn't a prince? What if… he's just a simple boy in his world? I don't think anyone like him can live a simple life, but…if that explains why he's so nice to others—to me…" She shuddered, blushing. That internal monologue in her mind made things awkward outside. Mona was fairly sure that Aether didn't mind her too much-contrary to what she believed-and he'd even held her hand on more than one occasion, though it only lasted if she completely ignored such a thing. She hated getting mixed signals and wondering if the traveler shared her feelings.
If she knew what was on his mind, why did the thought of rejection sting so much? Perhaps it was because Mona was used to people rejecting her astral arts and fate readings when they resulted in a negative future. She felt pain when people walked away from her and took their anger out on her for the fate they had sowed with their actions. Her inability to read Aether's future makes her even more nervous that confessing her feelings would bring about an awful fate for the blond traveler.
Frustrated, Mona crossed her arms, her astrology book bumping against her hip. She'd been thinking all this while walking—never a good combination. It wasn't long until Mona tripped on a pebble, crying as she almost landed face-first onto the ground.
"Mona!" Aether's quick reflexes kicked in. He grabbed a tight hold of Mona's waist, saving her from hurting herself. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Mona said quietly, frustration lingering.
"Was something on your mind?" He asked, "That pebble wasn't easy to miss."
Mona's ears turned bright red upon realizing Aether's arms were wrapped around her waist. She looked into his eyes. This position reminded her of how a couple would hold each other, the man's arm around the woman's waist. "Was it? My bad…" She felt Aether help her to her feet, which disappointed her because she wanted to stay in his arms longer. "I was just thinking…about how pretty these plains are."
Aether looked around at the plains she referred to, but he scratched his head, "Really? It doesn't look any different from the countless plains I've been to."
Mona let out a giggle. "No way an isolated rich boy would say that. I've been so concentrated on the wrong aspects of a boy this whole time."
Aether turned his attention back to Mona and crossed his arms, "Now you're giggling. Are you sure you're alright?"
Mona nodded, "I am, thank you, my apprentice."
"That's good. Then I'm sure you don't mind if I do this." Without warning, the blond traveler grabbed her hand.
"Wha- Aether?!" Mona shrieked.
"I think I see a bruise on your hand, Master Mona," Aether whispered as he kissed her hand.
It was at that moment Mona's face turned tomato red. Her gaping mouth quickly turned into a smile, "Oh my…"
"Sorry if I did anything offensive," Aether said, "I just…I feel rather protective of you all of a sudden."
The astrologist smiled as she tightened her grip on his hand and picked up the book that had fallen out of her hand a moment ago. "There's no need to apologize, my dear. You were fulfilling your duty as an apprentice. How could I not appreciate the effort?" She leaned closer to the traveler, "And such effort deserves a reward of equal value. Do you accept?"
Aether's face heated up from how close the astrologist drew before he wrapped his right arm around her slender waist and caressed her cheek with his left. "I do."
The two slowly leaned closer before their lips connected into a passionate kiss. Mona smiled brightly like the sun through the kiss as Aether held onto her hair. She wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying every last second of this fleeting moment.
Mona's mood brightened on that day, clear for all to see. They held each other close in a loving embrace. Aether never let go of her hand on their way back.
"I really am going to marry him," she thought on their way back. "Prince or not. Rich or not. Just wait, Aether. My beloved apprentice."