It took a week for Jean to realize that her mother was not going to back down and would keep an eye on her for who knows how long. That means the men who were observing her wouldn't leave her any time soon, which would result in her training being put into an indefinite halt.
In the time that she could not see Diluc, she thought carefully of a way to please her mother. There was one that stood out of all the options she could think of.
Later, that night Jean went to Barbara's room. The first step of her carefully crafted plan.
"Sister, what's the matter?" Barbara inquired as she saw her elder sister enter her room while Barbara was lying on her bed, belly down flipping through a book.
Jean closed the door behind her and locked it as she studied her sister. Barbara had gotten her vision at a younger age than Jean, but Barbara still chose the Catalyst as her weapon because she did not wish to inflict harm on people. Barbara's path as a great healer was probably established since then. She would work for the church and the Knights of Favonius and the people interchangeably as a freelancer. Barbara had no definite affiliation except as a clan member of the Gunnhilder's as she is a Gunnhildr herself.
"Barbara, I must discuss something with you." Jean replied once she sat beside her sister on the bed.
Barbara was on high alert when she heard her sister's words and tone and she ultimately decided to sit up and scoot nearer to her sister. Barbara could feel the desire that Jean wanted to keep their words private and a secret.
Barbara was not wrong as Jean discussed her plan to her sister and the younger Gunnhildr listened quietly.
The next day over dinner Jean opened up about her mother's increased overprotectiveness.
"Jean, it is clear that you are hiding something from me." Frederica responded from her seat at the head of the table, Seamus on her left while Jean sat across from her father and Barbara on Jean's right.
Frederica noticed the troubled faces of her daughters and with a strict tone directed to Barbara she said, "Do you know something, Barbara?"
Barbara was startled, her fork midway the table and her mouth. She glanced at her sister who looked at her carefully and the younger Gunnhildr shook her head.
"No, mother." She mumbled and before Frederica could interrogate her younger daughter, Seamus intervened.
"Dear," He spoke as he placed a hand over Frederica's hand that was on top of the table. "Jean must have her worries, I do agree that you have become a bit too overprotective of both our daughters as the years passed."
Frederica clearly looked displeased; her lips tightly pressed into a thin line. She looked like she was going to rebuke her husband's words, but ultimately, only sighed aloud.
"They are no longer kids, my love. Both are blessed with a vision; they can protect themselves." Seamus added which garnered another sigh from Frederica.
"Yes, they are no longer kids and they can take care of themselves." Frederica agreed as she glanced at her two kids. When Frederica looked away, the head of the clan failed to see the faint flicker of anger in Jean's eyes. "Nonetheless, they are the kids of the Head of the Gunnhildr Clan, their safety is my priority."
Seamus sighed as he glanced at his daughter with eyes saying: he tried. Barbara stifled a giggle at her father's expression and Jean resumed eating.
"Jean has been disappearing too frequently over the years, running away from her guards. I kept a blind eye at first, but recently she has been disappearing in such close intervals. How can I not worry?" Frederica looked at Seamus as if she was ready to burst into tears. It was odd for Jean and Barbara to see their mother in such a state and yet, it wasn't that rare and wasn't really surprising. Their mother was always like this.
The Gunnhilder sisters were simply used to the Gunnhildr Clan Head persona their mother always wore. Even when Frederica was acting as a mother, the Clan Head persona was always still at the forefront.
"Dear." Seamus softly called to her in comfort as the couple gazed at one another.
"Jean, are you in trouble? Tell me honestly." Frederica whispered softly as she looked at her eldest daughter.
Jean shook her head, "No, mother, of course not."
Frederica sighed as she closed her eyes and then gazed at their meal.
"Enough with this chatter, we are ruining our family dinner." Frederica said as she waved her free hand.
"Then how is your work with the Knights of Favonius?" Seamus inquired and Frederica wiggled her nose in displeasure and Seamus chuckled. "Okay, off limits, I see."
Frederica placed both her hands on Seamus' hand as she inquired, "And what of your adventures?"
"Ah, being a freelance lackey is interesting in its own way, but nothing compared to the work you do, dear." Seamus said with a little shrug of his shoulders.
"Do not downplay the kind of work you do, dear. It is just as equally important as mine." Frederica earnestly said to her husband while the two daughters were certain that these two will start being all gushy. Such a thing was also not new or surprising.
Seamus smiled at Frederica and she smiled back tenderly. Their dinner proceeded with ease, the four were enveloped in a loving and happy environment as they chattered and giggled away.
~.~.~.~.~
Another week passed and Jean still could not find time to see Diluc due to her mother's overprotectiveness. It seemed that she must execute her plan this week. Jean already had a plan but she could not be hasty, so she had to pace herself carefully.
Diluc and her have been secretly sending correspondences for the past two weeks. At least technically, she didn't actually get to reply to him once.
When Jean was contemplating whether she should reply to his first letter, Diluc had reached out to her again. The contents were still written by a woman, and she wondered who it could be, perhaps his head maid or his lover. Perhaps the head maid who is his lover?
But anyways, the second letter came with a package, informing her that it was what he had promised her with the condition that she stopped purchasing it in the black market. He also told her that she did not need to reply to him. And thus, the first letter she was planning to reply to, never received a response from her, the same as the second letter he sent her.
So, by technicality, they didn't truly exchange correspondence in its truest form.
The package Diluc had given her was revealed to be a big bottle of the potion he said he had funded. It was so big that she could not hide her surprise. In fact, she had to purchase multiple small vials for a long period of time to have what she currently had now a top her vanity.
Diluc had coincidentally placed the potion in a perfume container, the same thing she did currently with her purchased potion. At first, she had thought it was perfume, but she recognized the color of the liquid and the familiar shimmer upon closer inspection.
Of course, he would be able to obtain such a big amount, after all, he said that he had funded it, Erin.
For a moment when she had received the potion, she wondered why it was called Erin.
Was it the name of a lover?
She shook her head as she dispelled the thought, it was something that did not matter. She shouldn't concern herself over it.
Jean then recalled how he told her to stop buying it from the black market and that he would provide it for her. And he really kept his word, and made sure she wouldn't buy from elsewhere by giving her the item beforehand even though she was not asking for it. He also said in his letter sent along with the potion that: whenever she is ready, they will meet at the prior discussed spot on a certain day of that week.
Jean was not able to go on the day of the week he had proposed to meet. A day later, after the missed appointment he sent another letter, his third letter to her, saying a similar thing as the previous letter but on a different day of the coming week.
She thought that Diluc was quite meticulous.
Jean was convinced again that he had to be more than just a regular businessman. How Diluc was handling the situation was in careful ease and expertise.
Jean sighed aloud inside her bedroom; in a few hours she would be having dinner with her family. But she couldn't help but think about responding, for the first time, to Diluc's letter. She didn't even know why she was contemplating such a thing.
She really couldn't say they were exchanging letters as it has only been him sending her letters and she has not responded to even one. Jean simply could not decide what to say or write to him about. How was she supposed to reply to his letters that didn't leave room for queries?
She also worried about her letter being intercepted in any way or form.
It was an odd thought to want to respond to him right at that moment, but she shook the thought away.
Jean prepared for their daily family dinner that night and Jean finally decided that she would confess to her parents the truth. She carefully dressed to prepare for their meal and stepped out from her room. Jean was surprised to see Barbara outside her door looking anxious.
"Sister!" Barbara called out, startled by Jean's presence.
"Is something the matter, Barbara?" Jean asked and she saw the unsettled look of her sister disappear as Barbara shook her head.
"No, nothing." Barbara replied and to Jean it seemed that her sister had made a decision not to confide in her. Jean nodded and smiled politely to her sister as she linked arms with her. In time, Barbara will tell Jean her worries. At least that was what Jean believed.
"Let's go have dinner." Jean said, guiding her sister to the dining hall and in a lower voice added, "I have decided I will tell mother what I have been up to tonight."
Barbara was surprised and stopped as she stared at her older sister. "Oh." Was the only thing the younger Gunnhildr could say with her eyes wide.
They had discussed this a week prior but Barbara was still surprised as she was unsure when Jean would put her plans into motion, apparently it was today.
"You have my support, elder sister." Barbara spoke with sincerity as she pulled on her sister's arm as they proceeded to their dining hall.
When they got there, Frederica was already on her seat at the head of the table and Seamus on her left, they were chatting and flirting with one another openly.
"Oh, our two beautiful daughters." Seamus welcomed as he cleared his throat.
Frederica and Seamus put on their parental figure faces and ceased flirting. The two were well-aware that their flirting could be rather disturbing to their kids. What they didn't know was that their clear adoration and admiration for one another had caused the two girls' expectations for love, romance and marriage to be rather high.
Jean recalled how her parents' affections toward each other made Jean wish to have the same at one point, especially in her youth. But now she understood that it was a rather wishful thing to think that she could have something like that with someone. Her parents seemed to be the few who were an exception to the norm of having a spouse they hated or couldn't stand.
In a way, when Jean marries Diluc she too would be an exception, but not because she was so fortunate to have the kind of love her parents had; but because the two would live their lives the way they wished- separately.
Barbara tugged lightly at Jean's arm when she noticed that her sister seemed momentarily lost in thought.
Jean cleared her throat and smiled at her parents. "It seems that you two are getting along." She said this time guiding Barbara to their seats to the right of their mother.
Frederica and Seamus chuckled as they stared at one another with affectionate eyes. Barbara and Jean sat on their seats, with Barbara on Jean's right and Frederica on her left.
Jean had once hoped for that kind of love in her life, but things had changed. She wanted a different kind of future now. And she knew that nothing was wrong with her dream changing as she grew up. She understood that she cannot have everything, and to her the future she hoped for was far greater than having a family with someone she loves.
Jean had seen and heard so many unhappy marriages, but her parents had always been the exception she looked up to. When she was younger, she had thought that they were the norm, to grow up and realize that they were part of a select few-hurt; but it is what it is and as painful as it was Jean had to accept it.
They had their appetizers as the four chatted casually about random and small things whilst reminiscing. When the main course came Frederica looked adoringly at her kids, they had grown into fine women. She had raised them well, and placed intelligence, logic and analysis as her children's important skill sets. To have them as vision and catalyst users was a pleasant but definitely a mixed emotional situation for Frederica.
"Mother, will you really not send my guards away?" Jean inquired as she glanced at her mother's way mid meal.
Frederica was surprised that Jean was bringing this up again. "I have told you-"
"Why don't we let Jean have her freedom back, Dear?" Seamus cut her off and his wife looked at him with furrowed brows, clearly displeased.
"Why are you taking Jean's side?" Frederica asked, the pain in her voice evident.
"Dear, it isn't like that." Seamus calmly said as he placed both hands on her trembling fingers. Frederica squeezed her eyes as she took in a deep breath.
She turned to Jean with a faint smile urging for her eldest daughter to talk.
Jean stared at her parents and the hand Seamus was holding, her parents were only a small part of the exception.
Jean smiled tightly, "The truth about my disappearance, Mother, is because I have been handling other business ventures outside of the ones under the Gunnhildr Clan that you have assigned to me."
Frederica Gunnhildr looked shocked, then angry and then simply proud at her eldest daughter, but she still kept her silence as she waited for her daughter to say more because she knew that Jean always had a brilliant mind.
"It has occurred to me, when I decided to go through these business ventures, that I will have to come clean to you both soon. With your heavy and constant surveillance, I cannot slip away and deal with these business dealings. I am sure my partners are anxious of my absence and I need my freedom back to continue on my legacy- I want a name for myself, Mother. This is what I have been hiding from you." Jean sighed as she kept her gaze lowered on her plate. She wasn't lying when she said that she wanted a name for herself, at least that part was true.
Jean felt fingers lift her chin and to Jean's surprise it was from her mother. The Gunnhildr Clan Head did not look displeased one bit and there was a faint smile on her lips.
"Why didn't you say so?" Frederica's calm and gentle voice echoed through the room and Jean could not help but looked troubled. "I would never be angry at you, Jean. I wish nothing but the best for my two daughters." She added as she glanced at Jean and Barbara. "If you wanted to make a name for yourself, I completely understand. I will send a notice to your guards; I will have them all disbanded."
Jean looked at her mother with shocked eyes, she had not expected that her mother would disband every single one. She did not expect that it would be that easy to talk to Frederica.
"All of them?" She asked in a tone completely filled with disbelief.
"Yes, all- you said you wish to make a name for yourself." Her mother replied with a rueful smile and then glanced at Seamus. "I can't protect you always- at any rate, my two beautiful daughters are blessed with a vision and I raised them to be intelligent women. I should trust yourselves to be capable of looking after yourselves at this point."
Jean could feel her mother's struggle as she spoke and saw her father squeeze her mother's hand. He must have contributed to her mother's change of mind and now he was giving her the courage to be strong and let their kids go.
"You must have a lot of business to handle now." Frederica remarked out of worry for her daughter's health, knowing that Jean handles family businesses too.
"I shall send to you a formal document of the different businesses I am involved in outside of the Clan." Jean replied absentmindedly and the air in the room became slightly heavy.
Jean had expected that her mother would ask for such information immediately and so supplied it thinking that she would ask. After all, she had planned what to say, but she did not expect that her mother would say something else. She had responded incorrectly as her mind was in disarray.
Seamus cleared his throat to try and defuse the heavy atmosphere that now blanketed the family.
"There is no rush, dear." Frederica awkwardly replied.
Seamus coughed again, "I hope you are taking care of your health, Jean."
Jean nodded and Barbara quipped a soft agreement.
"And what about you, Barbara?" Frederica inquired gently to try and ease the tension that developed even though she was trying her best for it not to. She always knew that she was a rather strict figure, but she didn't expect that Jean would have expected her to ask for a written report immediately.
Barbara glanced at her sister then to her father.
"Well, actually dear." Seamus cut in with a faint smile. "Barbara is being requested to help the Knights of Favonious."
Frederica glanced at her husband with evident displeasure. "Why have I not heard of this?"
"Mother, I am still thinking of going." Barbara added.
"Sister, it seems there is more to this request." Jean cautiously added when even she did not hear of such news and hearing Barbara and their father's tone slightly on edge confirmed that Barbara was withholding information.
Barbara sighed, "They are requesting me to join an expedition for a couple of weeks."
The air in the dining table felt as though it was pulled away from the room. It was worse than when Jean had said she would provide detailed information to Frederica who had not asked.
Jean closed her eyes and calmed herself. Jean wasn't jealous of Barbara, but it made complete sense why Barbara would be sought after. Her sister's healing was legendary. Barbara was nicknamed as: The Siren of the Gunnhildr Clan.
"Seamus, and you knew?" Came Frederica's sharp voice. Was this why he kept reminding her that their children were capable of their own security?
"They also requested for me to be present." Seamus cleared out and the stifling air that surrounded them vanished.
Frederica sighed as she turned to Barbara, "And what did you tell-"
"It is a joint expedition between the Knights of Favonius and the Church." Barbara interjected and Fredrica raised a brow at the new information.
"Why am I not aware of this?" Seamus' wife sounded almost annoyed.
"Barbara asked them to keep it a secret as she was uncertain how she should proceed." Seamus added and Jean kept her silence. Now it was Barbara and her father's turn to be on the hot seat.
"And what do you wish to do?" Frederica asked worriedly, she had done her best to keep her children out of the battlefield, and yet her youngest daughter was willingly putting herself towards danger and the other was paving her own path. Seamus was right about one thing, she cannot keep her children in her nest forever, one way or another they will spread their wings whether she wants to or not.
They were already spreading their wings by themselves.
"I-" Barbara was uncertain and looked at her elder sister. She loved Jean, and even though it was a decision she should make herself, she still felt that Jean's say on the matter was what she wanted to follow.
Barbara truly admired Jean. Jean was so meticulous and caring and was filled with untapped potential that Barbara could not deny seeing. In fact, Barbara's involvement with the Esperaunce was a mere coincidence.
Barbara was unaware why her sister decided to make a secret business, but she wondered often if her elder sister would willingly tell her of her secret had Barbara not stumbled upon it accidentally. Although it was something Barbara could never ask her sister directly; she could feel that Jean would tell her that she wouldn't tell Barbara willingly.
"What does... elder sister think?" Barbara whispered as she placed a shaky hand on her sister's thigh. Even if that was the case, Barbara still looked up at her sister. The feats Jean has contributed to Mondstadt were plenty although most was done in the dark.
Jean placed a hand over Barbara's hand on her thigh as she turned to her younger sister, "I wish for you to follow your dream and make a path for yourself."
Frederica looked troubled at Jean's words and suddenly met the silver eyes of her eldest daughter, eyes that were the same color as her husband's.
"Isn't that right, mother?" Jean asked with a faint smile.
Before Frederica could even speak the thoughts in her head, Frederica's aide came rushing through the door.
"Please forgive me, Clan Leader- there is an issue that you must attend to." Katerina respectfully spoke even between her soft wheezing. Her head lowered and a hand across her chest and eyes gazing down on the floor.
Katerina is the daughter of Emilia, Frederica's personal and official aide, but on occasions like today, when Katerina's mother is busy, she would fill in the position of Frederica's aide.
Katerina wore the white and dark blue colors that the Gunnhildr Clan was known for. Her hair that was between red and pink were in soft waves and tied with a white bow against her right shoulder. She wore black pants that had white and black boots, and her sword strapped by her side. Her outfit seemed practical.
Only the Head of the Gunnhilr Clan and their family who is allowed to wear white, dark blue and gold as daily colors, and the heir of the clan. Katerina, who is not Frederica's direct family nor heir, obviously could not wear gold in her clothes, unless for special occasions, she would be allowed along with everyone in the clan.
Jean observed Katerina, normally Katerina would be handling the Knights of the Clan, but if she was here, that meant that Emilia must be busy. It was already understood that Katerina would replace her mother as Frederica's aide. This was something even Jean knew of, and in all honesty, it brought her pain, because Katerina and her were about the same age, and it seemed that Katerina was going places and Jean simply felt stuck.
Jean and Katerina literally grew up together.
Katerina remained bowing as she waited for the Clan Leader. Frederica studied the daughter of her personal aide that she also grew up with. Katerina reminded Frederica of Emilia. The daughter and mother pair wouldn't have barged in on Frederica with her family unless it was absolutely important.
"I have told you two, that I wish nothing but your happiness." Frederica closed her eyes and her reluctance was clear when she gazed at her kids again. The words she wanted to say tucked away into her mind for another day. "I still wish that until now- be safe."
Frederica sighed aloud and glanced at her temporary aide, and then her husband and her two kids. She could scold her aide about the rules that Frederica had stressed so many times, but she also knew that Katerina would not come barging in on her family dinner unless it was important. This was something Frederica had to stress as she rationalized this disturbance.
Frederica stood up slowly not wanting to part, not when her children were telling her something important. Things that were pivotal in their lives.
"Frederica, go." Seamus gently urged and she looked at her husband.
"It is alright, mother." Jean urged too, but Frederica gazed at her family clearly wanting to say more.
"Clean Leader…" Frederica's aide called out faintly, the worry in her voice very clear.
Frederica Gunnhildr stood tall at the head of the table as she inhaled a sharp breath. The warm and caring mother that Jean and Barbara knew was gone. The loving wife Seamus knew was also gone.
There stood Frederica Gunnhildr, the Clan Head of the Gunnhildr Clan. A stony expression with blue eyes that brought chills to anyone who gazed upon it. But Frederica's direct family were used to this expression, and at some point, her kids were afraid of this version of her because they knew this was not their mother, she was not cold and distant. Not ever truly cold or distant.
"I truly want what is best for you two, and I will not stop you from pursuing that." Frederica said as she gazed at her kids lovingly and then closed her eyes and the coldness returned. She sighed aloud and stepped out of her seat as she stared at Seamus for a moment.
"Forgive me." She said and he smiled back and she gave him a small nod. "I shall see you all when I return. I shall be heading out." And she walked towards her aide, she was surprised to see her butler enter with her sword. Things appear to be quite dire.
"Thank you, Carlson." Frederica said as she accepted her sword from him.
"Take care, mother." Jean replied.
"Be safe." Barbara and Seamus quipped in too.
The rushed footsteps of Frederica, her aide and the butler soon disappeared and Barbara sighed.
"Barbara, you have mother's wishes, do what you want to do." Jean tried to console her younger sister.
"Jean is right Barbara." Seamus gazed upon his youngest child.
Jean was lost in thought for a moment, her mother had told them that whatever she did was for their own good.
"I want to go." Barbara said and Seamus smiled tearfully.
Maybe this was what their mother was preparing them for, when they have to spread their wings. Jean sighed as she buried the thought, her left hand under the table was tightly clenched.
~.~.~.~.~
Jean was surprised that by the next day, there were no more guards tailing her. Had she known it would have been this easy, she would have told her mother a long time ago the 'truth', with the exception of the Esperaunce and why she even ventured into having business dealings secretly.
It was the end of the day and she was in her room. Earlier she had sent her mother the report of the businesses she was handling secretly. Now she was gazing out her window at the yellow and orange rays of the setting sun.
It was that easy.
Jean wanted to be angry at how easy it was, but she found herself crouching as she wept and wept till the setting sun was no more. If she had known it was that easy, maybe she would have had the courage to do more.
Jean would have to get married sooner or later and the businesses that she had been handling secretly would have been shed to light either way. These were things she knew for a long time already.
Jean remained inconspicuous for the next few days, attending to every business she had secretly, out in the open to see if she was still being tailed. But there was no one in sight and so she finally decided to go meet Diluc on the appointed day of that week.
She still had to take precautions and wear a dress out and change when she gets to the place of their meeting or change in another place in between her destination and disappear from there. Jean decided on this as she still wished to keep her training a secret.
With Jean thinking of how to proceed in the future she couldn't help but wonder what her mother would think of her if she knew what her daughter was up to.
Barbara had decided to go on the expedition with their father and she was happy for her sister. And yet, she felt the slightest bit envious, but this envy would only become fuel in her desire to learn the sword. Jean simply couldn't wait for her first adventure with a sword in hand. She pondered on what kind of scenario her first adventure with her sword would be like and she silently smiled. But first she has to master the weapon.
Jean then went to her room and prepared a letter to be sent to Diluc.
We shall meet at the designated spot the day after tomorrow to discuss our business venture.
It was simple, concise yet vague enough for those who did not know any better. This would be her first letter to Diluc.
The anticipation she felt in the thought of meeting Diluc shifted ever so slightly to a longing almost akin to waiting for a lover. But this was something that Jean did not recognize.
She placed the letter into a white envelope, sealed it and left the front blank. Jean decided that it was better to leave the envelope untitled as it seemed to be the best choice. She had tried to figure out who picked up her letter from the shoppe manager, but it seemed that the shoppe manager couldn't recall any specific detail.
Jean knew Diluc used Erin instantly. She looked at the letter that was prepared.
When she figured out that he used Erin, the thought of using the potion on the letter crossed her mind. It should have the same effect. If it can help warp people's memory of the user then it should theoretically do the same for an item. She had to use every precaution she could to ensure their secret remains to be just that- a secret.
Jean walked to her vanity and picked up the bottle Diluc had given her. When she placed the bottle Diluc gave her beside the one she got from the black market, she realized that Diluc's gift was a tinge darker and had a specific smell, a floral scent she couldn't quite identify.
Jean sprayed her letter with that very potion he gave her. When they meet again, she has to ask him why it had a smell. She also realized that the one she got was less potent than the one Diluc had given her when she tested it out the other day.
Since Diluc was able to identify Erin in its scentless and less potent version, she wasn't quite worried if the potion affected him. Anyways, he funded the potion, he was sure to have the cure. He also gave her a better version with his own volition.
Jean, at least now, can finally send him a letter. The contents were short but she was nervous for him to receive it. The way he wrote his letters was straight to the point. He'll be there on a specific day, and she knew that he had told her a similar thing for this week, but still, she couldn't help but feel anxious.
She wondered if he would even know if she left a letter at Esperaunce for him. And yet Jean was certain that he would. She was certain that: Diluc Ragnvindr had the ability to know that she did. She was so certain that he was bigger than how he presented himself to be, but she couldn't think of what he could be hiding.
Maybe she was blinded by the unexplainable connection she had with Diluc.
When the days stretched and she was not able to meet him, she realized that the night he approached her and proposed, was filled with a pull of attraction that could not be denied. That night she wanted to use his offer to live a freer life, it wasn't that her life wasn't free now- it just wasn't the life she wanted to live.
She sighed aloud; she wanted the loveless marriage as a cover to do whatever she wanted. And yet, she recognized the attraction she had for him. They had only met a total of four times and yet it was so undeniable, it was like they were magnets, she couldn't help but feel pulled to him.
Jean bit her lip as she looked at the letter. She shouldn't worry about the attraction.
Diluc was doing what he promised her and that was the first step of fulfilling her dream.
Jean went to Esperaunce incognito and dropped the letter, telling the manager that someone will pick it up and that they should just give it if someone were to ask. The manager gave a weird look at Jean but agreed. Jean was certain that Diluc was capable of getting the letter somehow. He had to be, because if he can't then it would feel like she had no leads as to the kind of secret he has.
She was testing him again.
~.~.~.~.~
Jean did not receive a response from her first letter to him, but still went to the designated spot they had agreed on prior to being locked up at Mondstadt.
Jean had taken the precautions needed to meet Diluc at Liyue. She was walking her way through the fields and was quite uncertain what to expect. Her head was casted down as she observed the cuffs of her black pants brush past the blades of grass.
Jean looked up as she was nearing her destination but stopped on her tracks when she saw the red headed man.
Diluc was leaning against a tree trunk, his side profile was breathtaking. He looked lost in thought, a leg bent against the tree, his charm undeniable.
Jean continued to walk, her heart beating loudly in her chest. The worry of him possibly hearing her noisy heart did not even cross her mind. She was surprised when she was already a meter away from him and he still had not noticed her.
Perhaps she was wrong about him.
Suddenly mid-step, she was looking at red eyes. Her lips parted as she inhaled, she placed her foot that was afloat down beside the other.
"You're really light on your feet." His gaze felt scrutinizing on her skin, yet she did not find it offensive, rather she found it- stuffy. That was what she found his intense gaze felt- stuffy. She gulped down her uncertainty.
"Let's get to training." Diluc cut in and Jean was not able to say a thing. She bit her lower lip for a mere second and Diluc's eyes were very aware of her action.
She inhaled deeply as he looked away. Their relationship was merely transactional.
"Yeah." Jean nodded.
He suggested some stretching methods and warm ups for Jean, and to his surprise, she was already doing almost half of his suggestions.
"It seems that you are really serious about learning the sword." Diluc remarked in a preoccupied manner. "Since when did you decide to learn the sword?" He added cautiously and he noted Jean's startled appearance.
"I-" Her gaze on Diluc was firm but her voice did not match it.
"You do not need to say anything, I didn't mean to ask." He shook his head and gestured for Jean to stand on a specific spot. It seemed that he really didn't mean to ask.
They trained with an awkward atmosphere the entire time, but it didn't mean that they hated each other or didn't get any training done. On occasion Diluc would ask if it was alright to touch her and she would give consent as he corrected her posture or blow. But his skin would barely graze her, he made sure that their skin contact was minimal- too minimal to the point she was reminded that their relationship is just for convenience.
Jean wished she had not recognized her attraction to him. She was at least thankful that her attraction for him seemed small enough to be looked over- at least she hoped it doesn't grow any more than this. She hoped he did not notice her attraction to him.
It seemed that it was only her who was looking forward to meeting each other again.
When the training ended for the day, Jean found herself trying to make conversation with the cold and indifferent Diluc before parting ways.
"I wasn't wrong." She heard herself mumble, and Diluc glanced at her with a cocked brow. "My mother will not do anything about the rumors you have spread. It was oddly simple." Jean's blonde brows furrowed.
"I was surprised at how quickly you had the rumors spread. It is a great feat." She added again and accidentally gazed at his red eyes that were quietly observing her. Jean quickly looked away. She didn't know why she was acting so small, well she felt rather small, especially since it was only her who seemed to look forward to their reunion.
Maybe she looked forward to seeing him because of training. Yes, that has to be it, they are nothing but strangers, her attraction to him must just be curiosity.
"I am wondering how you got out." Diluc's voice seems strained yet quiet, like he didn't want to inquire but curiosity won him over.
"I simply told my mother the truth: that I was handling other business ventures outside of the Gunnhildr Clan." A gust of wind interlaced with Jean's voice and Diluc found himself standing so close to Jean that he was literally protecting her from the gust of wind and dust.
Jean was very aware of his close presence and yet knew that it was best not to comment on his behavior. "I've dreamt of holding the sword since I was a child." She confessed as she gazed down on their boots that were awfully too close to one another.
"But mother did not allow it." She whispered as she recalled the memory.
"How did she say it? Did you actually ask?" Diluc's tone was thoughtful and Jean was surprised by it and she looked up at him. She found that his face was barely two feet away from hers.
Jean matched his indifferent gaze. "I asked if I would be trained to learn the sword when I saw her train Klaus." Jean's silver eyes quivered, "She said no."
"That must have been the day she decided that your cousin, Klaus Gunnhildr would be the next head of the Gunnhildr Clan." Diluc muttered in a pensive tone.
Jean closed her eyes tightly and softly sighed. Diluc wasn't wrong, that was the day she knew her mother planned to have her cousin succeed her. She never asked why.
"Did you ask why? Did you tell her you wanted to learn the sword?" Diluc's tone was so gentle and yet, he was voicing out the questions she could never ask her mother. Jean's withdrawn expression screamed to him the truth, that she never asked her mother why or told her she wanted to learn the sword.
"What I do and my decisions reflect my love for you and your sister, those were her words to me." Jean's voice was quiet and Diluc's fists were tightly clenched on his sides. "I trust my mother's words and actions; I have not questioned them." Or at least not verbally, she quietly added to herself.
Suddenly Diluc's body wasn't so close to her, and she realized how cold the air actually was when he stepped away. "Then I will train you well, you will become a great swordsman."
The firm gaze Diluc gave Jean was comforting but it also felt like he had just erected a wall between her and him. They were merely mentor and trainee, they would marry after as planned, but it was clear that their relationship would remain as agreed upon on their pact.
But that was the preferred outcome for them both.
The two future spouses looked away from each other as a soft wind brushed their long hair.
~.~.~.~.~
Jean and Diluc had lost count of how many times they had been meeting and training, but since the first time Jean came back from her unexpected hiatus, Diluc seemed to be adamant on keeping their relationship strictly as they had planned.
Diluc would train her and she would learn, nothing more and nothing less. He would not inquire about her and she would not inquire about him. They simply met, trained and left each other like the strangers that they were.
A loveless marriage should be easy for them to achieve at this point.
Jean was already convinced that they had already built the perfect foundation of their loveless marriage scheme with how their training sessions had progressed. The thought of Jean ever thinking she was attracted to Diluc was shoved at the very dark part of her mind to be forgotten.
Jean strikes a jab towards Diluc, and she furrowed her brows as he dodged. She had noticed this for a while now, but it seemed that Diluc was acting quite off. She continued to give random blows towards him as he dodged and she quickened her pace.
Soon she realized that he was actually having a hard time keeping up with her. She also noticed that Diluc wasn't even trying to punch her. Her sharp eyes finally noticed that he was only trying to avoid getting hit and barely moved a certain spot on his torso- in fact he was minimizing any form of movement there.
She aimed for that spot and Diluc barely dodged it by moving back as fast as he could but Jean stopped her blow even before he moved away. She had no intention to actually hit him there. But his quick avoidance to her blow revealed too much.
"So, are you going to show me what you're hiding?" She asked, her tone harsh and he was surprised. She moved forward and he barely caught on to it, but managed to move back before her fingers could touch him.
He scoffed as he looked away but lifted his shirt. Just above the side of Diluc's hip was a thick gauze that had fresh blood on it.
"How did you get that?" Jean's voice was gentle as she glanced at him, and he returned her gaze with mild surprise.
Diluc's lips turned slyly up as he closed their distance, his breath brushing her lips. "Well, what can I say, I am but an average fighter."
Jean's gaze was cold as she pressed her palm against his wound and he hissed as he bent his body a little.
"From what I have observed from our training, you are more than just an average fighter." Her gaze was steady on his face.
"You have no proof." Diluc rebuked, shrugging his shoulders as he stood up in pain.
"Sure, but I am not blind or stupid. As the days progressed, it seemed that you were showing more and more of your true abilities." Her tone matched her serious gaze.
"I think you would look for someone else to train you if I didn't look the part, isn't my acting great?" She rolled her eyes at his words.
"You should have just cancelled today's meeting." Jean's tone was now strict and Diluc chuckled, finding it funny to have her scold her. Her raised brow was clearly judging him.
"I want to train you." He said as he finished laughing, he was very sincere that Jean found herself frowning.
She shook her head, "Well, anyways, let me treat that."
Diluc looked like he was about to complain but Jean's stern gaze kept his mouth shut. He cleared his throat and gave in with a sigh, "Alright."
They stayed under the shade of a tree as she opened the gauze.
"Gosh, that looks nasty. You really should have cancelled." Jean pulled the entire thing as she shook her head. "It opened up because you decided to come here. Whoever did this patch work, did well though."
Diluc did not respond but observed Jean quietly.
Jean redressed his wound calmly and her deft hands brushed against his skin. The blood on her fingers caused a knot in his chest- his blood.
"You seem quite skillful at doing this." Diluc remarked as he looked away from her fingers. He bit his lip and Jean thought that he was doing it to hold the pain. It must have been more painful than it looked.
"Barbara and I help heal- or in my case patch up the Knights of our family, on occasions I help the church and Knights of Favonius. I am nowhere near the healer my sister is and isn't requested as much as she is, but mother has trained us since we were young to do this kind of job." Jean supplemented the information casually and Diluc looked perplexed by it.
"This should be enough." Jean said and he looked at what she did, he could still feel her fingers against his skin.
Jean's hands were bloodied and he sighed and pulled water from his magical pouch. "Here, let me help you clean your hands."
Jean stuck her hands out as he poured water. At that moment their minds were in sync.
Diluc knew he could have just gotten a potion to replenish his health, but he had not. And Jean knew he could have used a potion to heal himself yet he hadn't, he even allowed her to patch him up herself.
And in that moment, the two were silently thankful for Diluc's decision to still come that day despite his injury.
It was odd, they felt closer to one another at that moment than the past training sessions they previously had. But they were also both very aware that their relationship shouldn't blossom any further than mentor and mentee and eventually the estranged spouses they wish to be when they marry one another.
But this day clearly marked a significant change in their relationship.
~.~.~.~.~.
Author's Notes:
This was intended to be smut. We are still very far from the smut part.
The built up to the smut has also been unexpectedly longer than intended too.
With that said, rating might change to M due to explicit sexual content.