Nights in Mondstadt were always just as lively as when the sun was high. Those that worked during the day were off to enjoy the leisures that the City of Freedom had to offer. Namely wine and songs from the bards. With the Knights of Favonius protecting them from the dangers that lurked outside the city walls, why worry? After the Stormterror incident, there was little to damper the good spirits of those blessed by the Anemo Archon's grace.

However, there were some that chose not to revel in the peace that had been brought upon them. For those few, peace was but an illusion, a false ideal made to hide those from the turbulent winds blowing like a rage storm. They knew of the threats that loomed over Mondstadt at all times, and it was those threats that kept them vigilant and resolute.

One such soul roamed outside the walls of Mondstadt, keeping close to the shores of Cider Lake. On a clear night like this, most of the Knights stick to the city to make sure the moonlight rabble don't make too much of a mess. With no prying eyes to keep guard, it was up to another to keep Mondstadt safe.

For some that could be disconcerting, but for Diluc, it was a blessing.

In the light of day, the young wine tycoon was just a rich gentleman who contributed to the drunken merriment of the citizens of Mondstadt. But at night, he was a fierce soul whose only purpose was to protect the city that he loved from whatever dangers might harm her. The fire of conviction burned bright in Diluc's heart, and nothing, not even the Knights of Favonius, could extinguish that blaze.

With nothing of interest catching his eye, Diluc's eyes roamed to the calm waters of Cider Lake. There was naught a cloud in the sky, and the reflections of the bright stars flickered across the lake. In the distance, the great tree of Windrise kept watch over the open plains of Mondstadt. A gentle breeze blew around him, catching his long red hair in its playful tumble through the air.

Diluc always found solace in the light of the moon. During the day, he carried around a facade of perfection, that which was expected of the young master of the Dawn Winery. Yet at night, he was able to cast that aside, and follow his true calling.

The thoughtful expression on Diluc's face hid the stormy tumult that raged in his heart. Ever since Dvalin was freed from the Abyss mages that clouded his mind, Mondstadt had fallen back into its normal routine. All should have been fine, but Diluc knew better. His thoughts were constantly clouded with the same questions. Why did the Abyss Order target one of the Four Winds? Why now? What were they planning? It was no secret that they despised humanity and wanted to bring its end, but was it finally time for them to enact their nefarious plots?

There was no telling what darkness hid on the other side of the horizon, and Diluc wasn't about to let it swallow Mondstadt without a fight. The pressures from both the Fatui and the Abyss Order weighed heavily on his shoulders, and while it wasn't only his burden to bear, the only one he could trust to deal with matters efficiently was himself. Unlike the Knights, he wasn't bound by diplomatic chains.

From the other side of the city walls, Diluc could hear the sounds of revelry and song from the drunkards and the sober that joined in on the fun. If any other chose to walk the same path that Diluc did, they might find jealousy at missing out on the fun, but he was content with his choices. Listening to the sounds of merriment and joy only served to fuel his fire. It was this that he wanted to protect.

"I see I'm not the only one who thought it was a good idea to take a short stroll on such a beautiful night."

Diluc had been so focused on his thoughts that he missed the soft footsteps on the grass behind him. It was only when a familiar voice broke through his concentration that he realized someone was there. With a quiet sigh, he continued to look out over the lake. "Acting Grand Master. I'm surprised you aren't held up in your office. To what do I owe the pleasure?" While he held back the usual vitriol that he held for the Knights, there was still a bit of sarcasm in Diluc's tone.

"There is no need for such pleasantries. I'm taking a break from Acting Grand Master right now."

"Very well then. To what do I owe the pleasure, Jean?" No more sarcasm, but there was a faint hint of annoyance.

"If I'm being honest, I didn't expect anybody else to be out here." Diluc glanced to the side for a moment as Jean joined him next to the lake, looking out across the water with him. "But if I had to find anybody, I'm glad it was you. Better than a drunkard about to fall face first into the lake."

"Better than a drunk? I'm flattered."

Jean chuckled as she shook her head. "You know I don't mean it like that."

There was a stiff awkwardness in the air as silence fell between the two, but Diluc wasn't about to be the one to break it. Out of all the Knights, in his eyes, Jean was the most tolerable, but only when she chose to carry herself as Jean. He admired the fact that she would work outside the Knights if it came down to it, but as the Acting Grand Master, there was only so much she could do without being tethered by politics.

"Are you still thinking about what happened? About Dvalin?"

Jean's sudden question caught Diluc off guard, but he kept his expression calm. "How can I not."

"I'm glad I'm not alone in those feelings." Jean sighed, looking up Diluc. Her eyes were clouded in exhaustion, yet he could tell that she was doing her best to keep a strong front. "To think that the Abyss Order was behind it all… If it weren't for Aether and Bar-, Venti, Mondstadt may have been destroyed by now. I do hope that Dvalin is at peace now and is relishing his well earned freedom."

"I'm sure he is." Diluc instinctively pulled at his gloves as he said, "But what about you? Here I thought with everything settled, the Knights would be able to take a breather. It seems nowadays you're even busier than before."

"There is still so much to do. The Stormterror incident left a scar for many, and it will take more than a few days to heal that wound. Problems keep cropping up, and with the Knights as shorthanded as they are, it's becoming more and more difficult to keep things from falling into chaos. With how much there is, I really shouldn't be wasting precious time on a walk like this."

"Everyone has their limits Jean." Diluc wasn't one to talk, as he would gladly fight till his body gave out on him if it was the price he had to pay. "As much as I dislike the Knights, I know how fond of you they are. I'm sure some of them would be willing to take on more responsibilities so you could take a break."

Jean sighed, shaking her head as her gaze fell to the ground. "As Acting Grand Master, it is my responsibility alone. We have been blessed by the Lord Barbatos, and as long as his blessings of freedom blow through Mondstadt, so must I continue to protect it. I have many good knights by my side, and if I were to abandon them, I wouldn't be able to look at them without shame."

"That stubbornness will be the death of you," Diluc replied, crossing his arms as he closed his eyes. "But I'm sure you have better things to do than idle chit chat. I for one am not a fan of it, so if that's all you have to say, I'll be on my way now."

"I take pride in my stubbornness," Jean chuckled. A quiet sigh escaped her lips, but she stayed put. "I can't say you're wrong. But, before I go, I have one question that's been on my mind lately. Do you ever regret it?"

Looking back over at Jean, Diluc raised an eyebrow, unamused. "Regret what?"

"Regret leaving the Knights."

There was genuine surprise in Diluc's eyes. If there was one question he'd never thought he'd hear, it was that one. Not because it was a hard question to answer, but because he thought his answer would be very obvious. "Of course not. The inefficiencies of the Knights of Favonius would only hinder me. That is your path, not mine, and I'm content on the path that I've chosen."

"I suppose I should have expected an answer like that." Jean sighed, shaking her head again, seeming lost in thought for a short moment. "But as you said, I do have things that I need to take care of before the morning. Try not to overexert yourself too much Sir."

Diluc's lips curled into a grimace. "I told you to stop calling me Sir."

Jean let out a genuine laugh, the first one in many days. "I give respect where respect is due. But I'll take my leave now."

Out of the corner of his eye, Diluc watched as Jean turned on her heels, and retreated back towards the city. He listened to her footsteps as she walked away, but just before she was out of earshot, she stopped.

"I understand why you're critical of the Knights, and you have every right to, but what's done is done, and I can only hope to change the future. I will continue to work hard and improve the Knights in hopes that one day, you'll change your mind. If that day ever comes, remember that you always have a place among the Knights."

Before Diluc could give a scathing answer, Jean had already disappeared. Shaking his head, Diluc scowled at the thought of returning to the Knights of Favonius. However, he was interested to see what plans Jean had up her sleeve. If there was anything he knew about Jean, it was that her convictions were just as strong as his. He still wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.

Maybe one day the Knights of Favonius would be cleansed of the sins of its past. Maybe one day they wouldn't be hindered by the threat of diplomacy. Maybe one day he could forgive them for what they did to him. But that day was not today. That day wasn't tomorrow, and it wasn't the next after that. But as the thought of being a Knight again crossed his mind, Diluc huffed as he grumbled under his breath.

"And work beside Kaeya? I think not."