it's now been a year since i started writing this story :0 i hope everyone's nahida/yoimiya/weapon summons have been going smoothly!

previous chapter: winter break has kicked off, and lumine is working with madame ping's home improvement magic before diluc shows up. once he arrives, madame ping is quickly won over. lumine visits dawn winery for the first time and tries to get used to the unfamiliar.

I had taken barely two steps out of the guest room when a maid approached me. She was one of the maids who had first greeted Diluc and I when we arrived—either Hillie or Moco. She smiled brightly, and it was clear by her attentiveness that she had been waiting for me.

"Good morning, Miss Lumine. Did you sleep well?"

"Hi," I said before hesitating on her name. I'd just have to go without it. "I couldn't have slept better. The room is perfect."

And it really was. For a guest room, I hadn't expected the level of decor—framed paintings and intricate vases—yet it still felt comfortable and welcoming. The bed was double the size and plushness of mine at home, making it difficult to roll out of once I had woken up. Still, I wasn't here to lie in bed all day. I had done plenty of that already.

"Where's Diluc?" I asked.

"He's taking care of some of the winery duties."

"What about breakfast?"

"Master Diluc has already eaten."

I frowned. We were supposed to be spending time together. Of course, I expected Diluc wouldn't be free all of the time, but it'd be nice to share breakfast.

"I'm not sure if I'm allowed to tell you this…" She trailed off, looking around before whispering, "Moco and I wanted to knock on your door earlier, but Master Diluc didn't want any of the personnel to disturb you from your sleep."

Ah, so this one was Hillie.

"He would say that." I sighed. "That's fine, then. I'll just have to make sure I wake up earlier tomorrow. And if I don't…will you still give me a knock anyways? I promise I won't tell."

"I don't know…" Hillie's eyes widened, and I almost felt bad for asking her to go against Diluc's orders. Her indecisive pout split into a grin. "Now that you mention it, Master Diluc did say he wanted us to help with anything you needed."

I matched her smile. "I knew I could count on you. Now, what's for breakfast?"

Hillie led me down the stairs to where a basket of buttered croissants and fresh fruit waited for me. Then, Moco appeared with a glass of juice. Though the spread was appetizing, there was no shaking off the awkward silence that lingered once I sat down. Here I was with all this food and the two maids just standing and watching. Granted, they weren't hovering over my shoulder, but even lined against the wall, I couldn't ignore their eyes on me.

"Do you want some?" I held up a croissant for both of them to see. "There's plenty to go around."

"No, thank you. We already had our meal," Moco answered.

Her response didn't surprise me. Honestly, eating like this felt more lonely than awkward. I had a feeling Diluc wasn't one to make conversation with his staff during meals like this, but that meant he was by himself at this large table all the time. Now it made sense why he preferred to eat alone at the academy after getting used to a setting like this. How long had it taken him to get used to this level of loneliness?

After listening to Kaeya's story, I knew there'd been a time when both he and Diluc lived here together. From what I could tell, there were no traces of Kaeya in this manor, but memories could still linger. Now, more than ever, I wished the two of them didn't share such divisive grief.

I found myself eating a lot faster than necessary—hoping to escape the silence. It was right as I finished when I noticed a man with white hair enter the manor. He walked with a dignified gait, hands occupied with a stack of papers. Hillie swooped in to grab my plate as he disappeared around the corner.

"Who was he?" I asked her.

"Elzer. He helps Master Diluc manage Dawn Winery and is also the Executive Chairman of the Mondstadt Wine Guild."

Diluc had mentioned Elzer to me a few times. Besides myself, Elzer was the only other person Diluc enjoyed playing chess with. Apparently, he was also the only person who could best Diluc in chess. After seeing him in person, I could imagine how someone like Elzer might have the skill to defeat even his own employer.

It's been months, and I haven't found a way past Diluc's chess defenses. While my offensive strategies normally got me far enough across the board, Diluc would miraculously save himself in one swift move. I'd gotten too comfortable with my losing streak. It was time for a change, and Elzer would be the key to my victory.

"Hillie, do you know where Diluc is?" I asked innocently.

As much as I wanted to see Diluc, it would be best if he remained busy with work—even better if that work was away from the manor. I needed all the time I could get with Elzer.

"Master Diluc doesn't make his whereabouts known unless absolutely necessary," she said. "Though, I can say for sure that he is not currently within the manor. I've been inside all day and haven't seen him since he left earlier."

"Perfect," I murmured.

Confusion crossed Hillie's face. "Pardon?"

I cleared my throat. "It would be perfect if I got to meet Elzer. The Mondstadt Wine Guild has always interested me."

"Is that so?" Hillie paused. "I don't know what Elzer's schedule looks like today, but you're free to meet with him while he's stopping by. Do you want me to introduce you?"

"No need. I saw which way he went." I stood, my plan in action. "If Diluc returns while I'm talking with Elzer, would you please let me know as soon as you can?"

If I learned tips from Elzer, I wanted to surprise Diluc with my newfound chess prowess. It would only be after I basked in the glory of winning that I revealed my secret weapon—the butler.

"You're so eager to see him after being less than a day apart," Hillie said wistfully. "You must care about him a lot."

"Huh?" I frowned, her comment pulling my mind from the grand scheme.

Hillie gasped and took a step back. "Oh, my apologies. I didn't mean to assume…It's just that Master Diluc has never brought over a guest such as yourself. His business partners always reside at the Goth Grand Hotel."

"It's okay, Hillie. You're not wrong."

"Really?" Her face brightened. "Then, does that mean that you and Master Diluc—"

"Hillie," Moco whispered sharply from where she stood. "You know we're not supposed to speak out of turn. Adelinde might show up at any second."

Hillie's face turned red, and she bowed her head sheepishly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

It really was no big deal for me, but the rules of this manor must be stricter than I thought. I was certain that Diluc himself wasn't concerned with what gossip the maids entertained themselves with, and I could only assume that Adelinde took her job as head maid very seriously. Though, even as Hillie quietly excused herself, she couldn't fully extinguish her energy. I heard her whispering to Moco once she thought I had walked out of earshot.

A smile spread onto my face. Hillie and Moco's excitedness over my relationship with Diluc was infectious, and I almost forgot about my plan to crush him in chess—almost. Oh, how lovely his shocked expression would be.

When I rounded the corner, I found Elzer sitting at a desk spread with documents. His head was down, focused on filling out the paperwork. For a brief moment, my resolve faltered. Sure, Elzer was my ticket to success, but he was also a businessman doing his job. Would it really be alright for me to bother him like this?

Yes.

"Hello, you must be Elzer. I've heard a lot about you from Diluc."

He raised his head, and I was surprised to see that the man didn't look as old as I expected. With hair as white as his, I thought there would be a wrinkle or two on his face, but Elzer's complexion was bright and smooth. Maybe he wasn't as experienced as I originally thought. Did this man really beat Diluc in chess?

"And you must be Miss Lumine." He smiled. "Likewise. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yes, actually. I know you and Diluc play chess with each other. I also know that you've beaten him before. What I want to know is how you managed to do it."

Elzer calmly set down his pen. "You're very straightforward. I can see why Master Diluc has taken a liking to you. I presume you wish for me to teach you a winning chess strategy?"

I nodded.

"And is Master Diluc aware of this request?"

Shoot. If Elzer really was someone Diluc relied on, then of course his loyalty wouldn't make it easy for me.

"I don't see a reason why he needs to know," I said. "Would it be a problem if he didn't? It's not like he won't find out eventually."

Elzer took a moment to respond, his green eyes assessing me. "I'm sure you're aware that trust is a very important principle for Master Diluc. Can you imagine how his trust in me might wither if I assisted you in this manner?"

He had a point, but I had a better one.

"And I'm sure you're aware that Diluc enjoys a challenge. The first time we met, he complained about how there was no one at school to have a satisfying match with. Only I have been able to satisfy him, but I have my limits. Wouldn't it be good for Diluc to face real competition for once?"

Elzer nodded. "You believe that providing him with an enriching experience carries more weight than my betrayal."

"I wouldn't call it a betrayal, but yes."

"Alright."

My brows rose. "Alright?"

"I'll do it." Elzer stood from his seat and straightened his blazer. "Though my duties here are time-sensitive, it's more important that Master Diluc's happiness is attended to. It just so happens that you, Miss Lumine, are a direct representation of that."

I dreamt of chess pieces that night.

While Diluc was away that day, Elzer had ruthlessly defeated me game after game. I came to realize that though Diluc didn't necessarily go easy on me, he still treated our games with civility. Elzer didn't care to enjoy chess with me—his goal was to elevate my knowledge. By the time Diluc returned, my brain was completely fried.

A knock on my door this morning had me out of bed earlier than normal, but that meant Hillie kept her word and Diluc was about to eat breakfast. After a quick change into my day clothes, I was greeted by Moco.

"Morning, Moco," I said. "Thanks for the knock."

Looking forward to breakfast with Diluc, I went ahead of Moco and made it to the bottom of the stairs before she even began to descend. I could see the dining table from here, and though there was food set out, I didn't see Diluc. Strange.

That wasn't the only strange thing. Right next to me was an odd vase on a pedestal. While the vase itself wasn't weird, it stuck out from the rest of the decor that complimented the manor. For starters, it looked like it originated from another nation entirely. A scalloped design of primary colors stood in stark contrast with a bold black, and I found myself mesmerized by it.

"What's the meaning behind this vase?" I asked Moco.

She stepped next to me. "Oh, that one? It was a gift."

"Really? From who?"

"Master Kaeya."

I turned to look at her then, shocked. Kaeya gifted something like this to Diluc, and Diluc actually kept it here on display? With this new information, I examined the vase a second time and tried to imagine how that scenario played out. Since Kaeya used to live here, he had to know that a vase like this wasn't at all Dawn Winery's style—much less Diluc's. He'd always been cheeky, then.

"Where's Diluc?" I scanned the area. "I want to know why he kept this thing around."

Moco shuffled her feet. "Actually…I'm sorry. By the time I got to your room after Master Diluc had risen, he was out the door."

My jaw fell open. "What? Already?"

She nodded. "He ate faster than any of us had anticipated. Those doughnuts you brought —they were gone in a flash."

"Where did he go?"

"Normally, we don't know Master Diluc's whereabouts."

My shoulders slumped. Hillie had told me the same.

"But I saw him through the window. He's still on the property—managing the vineyard. It is that time of year, after all."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, I'm not exactly sure of the details." She tapped her chin. "You'd be better off asking him yourself, Miss Lumine. I can show you the way."

Breakfast could wait. I wanted to have a word with Diluc about what the 'break' part of winter break meant. Winery owner, he may be, nothing good came from rising early and resting late without any opportunity for fun.

Unlike on Celestia Island, the weather in Mondstadt wasn't nearly as cold when I stepped outside with Moco. Sure, there was a bit of a cold breeze, but I could comfortably walk around with no extra layers.

Moco said she would guide me, but that ended up being unnecessary. I spotted Diluc's red hair in the far-off field as soon as we exited the courtyard. She returned to the manor, and I briskly cut down an aisle of grapevine trellises. Diluc was quick to notice, and I felt acutely self-conscious as his eyes keenly tracked my approach.

"Good morning, Lumine. You seem rather energized."

"That's because I have a lot to say to you." I pointed at him and opened my mouth to elaborate, but my thoughts fizzled out once I got a good look at him, or rather, what he was wearing.

Instead of his usual all-black attire, Diluc was fitted in clothes that better suited outdoor work. Underneath overalls was a long-sleeved shirt rolled up to his elbows. A pair of working boots and gardening gloves completed the look, and he was even holding a pair of shears. Even though this was completely new to me, Diluc somehow looked more natural in these clothes. There were some patches of scuffed dirt, but even that worked on him.

No matter what Diluc was wearing, it was impossible for him not to look good.

His hair was pulled in a high ponytail away from his face, but a couple of wayward strands slipped out and framed his face beautifully.

"Have you already forgotten what you were going to say?" Diluc's mouth quirked into a smile, and I mentally cursed him for distracting me by existing.

"No," I huffed. "What are you doing?"

Okay, that wasn't what I originally planned to say, but curiosity got to me.

"I'm pruning the grapevines," he stated simply.

I could see that much. "I didn't know that was something you did personally. I thought you took care of the business side—paperwork and negotiations."

"I am responsible for that as well. It's not often that I get a chance to work with my hands, but it is tradition for the head of Dawn Winery to set an example of how the vineyard is to be pruned." Diluc continued to explain. "The employees here are well-informed of the proper techniques and practices of pruning, but it is my blueprint that they follow. Size, structure, spacing—as the person in charge, these are all factors that I must determine. Now that winter has begun, so has the pruning season."

That's what Moco meant by this time of year. So, this pruning was a tradition.

"Is that really what you wanted to ask me?" He lifted an eyebrow. "I didn't expect you to be up at this hour. Have you eaten?"

I mulled over the new information and reconsidered why I marched out here. Clearly, this pruning was an important process that Diluc couldn't just ignore. The scope of his responsibilities was a lot wider than I knew, and it wasn't my place to insist that he take a day off. Besides, it hasn't been long since I arrived here. There would be plenty of time to go for an outing together at another time—once his schedule cleared. If it cleared.

"You do this all by yourself?" I asked.

"I take care of one row of trellises in each field to create a model. The rest is up to my employees."

I squinted my eyes, scanning the area. There were quite a few fields. This would be an all-day project for one person. Two people, on the other hand…

"Those overalls suit you," I said plainly.

"Thank you. They're comfortable."

"Do you have any in my size?"

His brows dipped in a frown. He'd caught on quickly. "Lumine, I couldn't possibly trouble you with—"

"It's no trouble at all. Remember what you said before? I also find every moment in my life to be better with you in it, and a moment like this is no different. To be honest, I've never pruned a grapevine before, but you already knew that. Still, I want to help. I know I can."

"Using my own words against me," Diluc murmured.

I shrugged, already sensing that I'd won. "I work with what I'm given. Right now, I'd like to work with you. Besides, don't you think those overalls would suit me, too?"

With that thought, all of the hesitation in his eyes melted away.

Soon, I was back in the manor for an outfit change of my own. It turns out that the overalls were standard wear for everyone who worked in the vineyards, so they actually did have my size. Once I'd stepped into a pair of my own working boots, it was back to the fields.

"You're right—these are comfortable." I grinned at him and hooked my thumbs through the overall straps.

Diluc's eyes wandered over me. "You were right, too. They suit you rather nicely."

I wasn't here just to look cute, though. Now properly dressed and ready to learn the ways of pruning, it was time to earn my place in Dawn Winery's tradition.

The time had finally arrived.

Days had passed since Diluc and I took care of the first round of pruning. I had respect for him before, but I respected Diluc even more after realizing just how passionate he was when it came to managing Dawn Winery. He knew the ins and outs of everything—from grapevine maintenance to the construction of wine barrels. And knowing he took care of the business-end on top of bartending set up a whole new standard.

Still, no matter how impressive he may be, now was the time for me to triumph over Diluc Ragnvindr. My intensive lessons with Elzer would be put to the test. By the crackling of the fireplace on this quiet night, I kept a poker face once we'd set up the chessboard.

As usual, I started off the game with my white piece. There were only so many moves one could make in the beginning, so I had no trouble gauging how Diluc would proceed. As time went on, I kept track of his moves as Elzer instructed. Then, I saw it.

His strategy.

It was difficult—Elzer warned that it would be—but I caught on to Diluc's strategy much sooner than usual. Instead of thinking a few moves ahead, I was now trained to consider every possibility up to ten moves in advance. This made for a slow game, but neither of us complained.

Though I had gained confidence, caution prevented me from making any risky moves. Some risk was inevitable, and I found myself losing a bishop here and a rook there. My pawns were also in bad shape, but Diluc also suffered losses—more than usual.

He didn't speak, and neither did I. Words weren't necessary to establish the clear shift in odds. No, not odds. It wasn't up to chance. It was up to me.

This had to be our longest game yet—even longer than some of our matches. I blinked through any sleepiness that threatened to jeopardize my victory. Diluc had to be feeling the same, and it was only a matter of time before one of us slipped up.

At some point, a maid delivered more wood to feed the dying fire, and another refreshed our plate of candied sunsettias.

There.

With grace and poise, I watched as Diluc moved his queen exactly where I wanted it to go. Then, feeling cheeky, I had an idea.

"Let's make a deal," I said.

"I'm listening."

"The winner gets to make a request. As long as it's within the loser's power to grant that request, anything goes."

Diluc's eyes narrowed at me in suspicion before flicking back to the board. It didn't take long for the realization to settle over his features. He wasn't at a checkmate—not yet—but he may as well have been. Diluc seemed frozen at first, but then he tilted his head in a nod.

"Anything goes. You've earned it."

I put on the most innocent face that I could. "I haven't even won yet."

"What changed? Have you been reading up on the chess strategy material that I keep in the library?"

There was chess strategy material in the library? Even if I did know about that, Elzer was a far better chess coach than lifeless paper.

"Dawn Winery has excellent resources," I chose to say instead. "Well then, shall we?"

Now that the outcome had essentially been decided, I let my prideful grin fully take over in the few short moves that followed. With more satisfaction than I'd felt in a long time, Diluc's king was finally in my hands.

"Congratulations," Diluc said wholeheartedly. "What is your request?"

It was something that I wished for long before I'd arrived at the manor, but after spending time here, its importance became more and more clear to me. At first, I didn't think it was my place to meddle in the affairs of others—especially since both sides haven't recovered from the past. And yet, it was obvious that even though Diluc continued to shun Kaeya, even though he tried to believe that his brother was no more than a traitor, I knew the truth.

Dawn Winery was a lot of things—a business, a manor, and a place to rest. Except, it didn't matter how welcoming the staff were. It didn't matter how delicious the food was. Enough time had passed for wounds to heal, but the constant reminders of what caused Diluc's pain prevented that.

Eating meals alone, carrying on traditions alone, and that silly vase.

"I want you to have a home, Diluc."

He frowned. "Is that not where we are right now?"

"This isn't a home. It's missing something that's been lost." I pressed my lips together, bracing myself for the possible rejection of this request. Even though asking Diluc this might push him away, I had to try. "It's missing family."

Diluc's frown smoothed out only to be replaced with blankness. His instant understanding of what I meant was only proof of my point. It wasn't just Diluc, Kaeya had stayed at Celestia Academy because he had no place to call home. Kaeya was also missing his family.

His expression remained unreadable as his attention shifted to the fire. It was once again beginning to die, and together we watched the glowing embers settle.

After a while, I heard Diluc sigh.

"Anything goes."