SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 30 out, this is Chapter 31 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Pairings: Albedo/Sucrose, Zhongli/Mitsuko, One-sided Diluc/Mitsuko, One-sided Diluc/Jean

Disclaimers: Genshin Impact and Sailor Moon belong to miHoYo and Takeuchi Naoko-sensei respectively. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except the plot, I hope.

Chapter 31: Teyvat Arc: Sick Day

Two months later...

It was heavily raining one afternoon in Mondstadt and Jean was tending to a highly feverish Diluc.

"Don't go..." Diluc mumbled, still burning up despite having taken the medical concoction Jean brewed for him. "Don't go."

"Diluc, I'm here." Jean grasped her fiancé's hand. "I won't leave you."

"Don't go." Diluc continued his feverish mutterings. "Don't go; don't leave me..."

"I won't go." Jean assured. "I am not going anywhere. I will not leave you."

"Silly girl, don't leave." Diluc breathed. "I can still protect you, Mitsuko. Mitsuko..."

"Diluc, you're still thinking about her..." Jean let out a mirthless chuckle. "What's so great about her? She's just a Youkai from Inazuma! She isn't even true-bred in Mondstadt! How am I inferior to her? I wish... I wish she'd be killed by Mitachurls!"

"Young Master Diluc, are you awake?" Hillie knocked on Diluc's door. "Miss Gunnhildr." she greeted Jean.

"Hillie, what is it?" Diluc peered open his eyes weakly, Jean helping him to sit up.

"A letter from Inazuma." Hillie handed over a white envelope to Diluc.

"I'll get some cold water." Jean stepped out with Hillie.

"Ragnvindr-dono," the letter started. "I sincerely hope this will be the last written correspondent we will have with the other. Any communications between the esteemed Ragnvindr Family and the Nekomata Clan shall be through your younger sibling, Kaeya. You haven't misjudged me, Diluc-dono; you just didn't know every part of me. In the past three years, I had already hinted to you and drifted apart from you numerous times. However, you were reluctant to get a clear understanding of what was right in front of you. All four noble family heads of Mondstadt knew that any of their heirs would never be allowed to marry someone not Mondstadt-bred. Only you were so naïve to believe that you would be able to marry for love. I never wanted to deceive you, however, I do admit I've hurt you time and again. I will remember all the kindness and the protection you have given me over the years. When Master Crepus announced your engagement to Miss Gunnhildr, I've already known yours and mine fates are destined to never cross. You are the future head of the Ragnvindr Family, while I'm the next Queen of the Agate Hills. Marry Miss Gunnhildr and forget about me. Deepest regards, Mitsuko."

"I just brought all this upon myself." Diluc sighed, crumpling the letter in his hand. "In all these years, I have always refused to give up the chance to win her over. I always thought if I had worked a little bit harder, then I could make her stay by my side. I took much pains to make up the lies. I deceived myself too deeply to get out of it. What hurt me the deepest is her giving up on me with no hesitation."

SailorStar9: Any OOC-ness is regretted. *Grins* Don't you just love plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.