Chapter Two: The Maid Meets The Informant
As Lumine prepared the tea, her thoughts wandered, as they tend to do when she did repetitive or long tasks, to her boss. She couldn't remember much of her life, if any of it, before she came into Zhongli's care. While at times Zhongli kept her at a distance, there were other times he treated her as though he owned her and, in a way, he did. He paid her for her work and kept her within the mansion. Lumine didn't mind, she felt safe in the mansion despite what some would say she's treated like a prisoner, she didn't see it that way.
Lumine saw it as a man caring about her as if she was a child of his like his kids...though...lately...he hasn't really treated her like a child. Lately, Zhongli had been more gentle toward her, more touchy and asking her questions in a way that forced her to speak. Lumine pushed the maid collar up and rubbed her throat, the skin felt rough...rougher than other parts of her body. She kept her throat hidden at all times...her throat and her wrists. The golden haired woman was thankful her shoes kept her ankles hidden.
Lumine didn't know how much Zhongli had seen, yet from the way he acts and how he touches her hands, he obviously didn't know about the scars. He may have found her bare in an alleyway…but at the time, so much blood and dirt covered her that no scars could be distinguished. Ganyu had seen and had cried, begging to tell Zhongli, yet Lumine told her to not bother with it. Zhongli was busy and had more important things to worry about than scars that had healed over.
Ganyu had conceded, especially since Ganyu knew how busy her adopted father was.
Shaking her head to dispel the thoughts, Lumine gathered everything for the tea onto the tray, before taking it to the study. During his talks with Ningguang, he usually had Lumine stay with him in the room...though if he had any male visitors, he usually had her dismissed. She knew it was a possessive thing, she had seen the look in his eyes, yet it made her heart flutter and she didn't know why. Lumine never gave any indication to how she felt though, she doubted she could.
Lumine knocked before Zhongli called her to enter and, after setting the tray on the table, the two took their cups, added what they liked to their tea, before resuming their conversation. Lumine stood beside Zhongli's chair as she listened to the conversation. Sometimes they asked her what she thought, often explaining what they thought, what the question retained to and Lumine would give an honest answer. She wondered if that's why they didn't mind her listening in, she gave an honest answer about what she thought, even if it was possibly naive but they still included her.
She was trusted and she protected that trust.
As Ningguang departed after the meeting, Zhongli looked at his phone and sighed, stating the ambassador had contacted him that he could not make it. He asked Lumine to clean the foyer and the study and that he would return after picking up his Fatui friend, Tartaglia, from the docks. Lumine nodded, bidding him goodbye and to be careful and he gave a nod with a small smile, before leaving the mansion. Lumine didn't mind being alone, she preferred her solitude but she did miss it when Zhongli wasn't here. "Stop thinking like that Lumine. He's your boss." She muttered to herself, bopping her head a few times. Sighing, she dusted off her skirt before going around to clean the asked area's.
The foyer would take the longest, so she decided to clean that first. She made sure to not get her maid outfit too dirty, even though she could easily just ask for another one, she didn't want to. She took care of the clothes she had, even if it was few. Zhongli offered to have Ganyu buy her some but Lumine refused. What she had was fine and she was okay with that. Zhongli obviously wasn't but he understood. After regaining herself a little bit, he learned she was an independent woman. He seemed to like that about her...if his smug smile when she gave someone a short response, or proved her loyalty was anything to go by. Lumine did enjoy it, herself, when she refused the attention of anyone else trying to sway her loyalty. Ningguang did it one time, just to test her loyalty and when Lumine had hissed out she couldn't be bargained, Ningguang conceded and told Zhongli that Lumine was a keeper.
She didn't understand why he was red or why Ningguang looked so smug.
As Lumine headed to the study, she noticed it was taking longer than normal for Zhongli to return. Did they stop somewhere to eat? Knowing little about the Fatui man known as Tartaglia from the stories Zhongli had told her, it was possible. The blonde wasn't sure and knew she shouldn't make assumptions but it was possible. She entered the study and began cleaning, organizing and stacking things as they should be. Zhongli tended to leave a mess of papers on his desk, so Lumine would look at the title of each paper and stack them as they needed to be. Sometimes they were out of order but she didn't bother to correct it, she didn't read them and wouldn't read them without permission. Zhongli never commented, only praised her for organizing everything and then go about his day.
Lumine heard the doors to the mansion open. "Thanks for dropping by to pick me up." She heard an unfamiliar voice say. "It's no trouble. Just what had you done to acquire the ire of Beidou however?" She heard Zhongli ask the unfamiliar voice. "Can't remember. I think it was something about the Fatui ship being bigger than hers?" She heard Zhongli sigh in annoyance. "That explains why she wanted to stab you." Lumine almost wanted to laugh. She had met Beidou once and she could easily see Beidou wanting to do that. "Hey, it is! Our ship is bigger than hers!" She heard the other person defend as they got closer to the study. "Don't make me call her here to deal with you. We have a meeting, Tartaglia." She heard Zhongli say, sounding exasperated.
She wondered if this was a daily occurrence between them.
"Heehee, yeah, I know." That was a change of tone and voice. He sounded more deadly, more serious...not at all the carefree voice she heard earlier. The door opened and she turned toward the door, having been putting some books away that Zhongi left out in his study and nodded her head to the two men. Zhongli was escorting a ginger haired man that had dark blue eyes, was the same in skin tone as Zhongli but a bit lighter and was almost as tall as Zhongli. He was wearing a gray, black and red outfit with a red mask pushed to his hair on the side.
He raised a brow at Lumine as he had opened the door, before he chuckled, playing innocent. "Who's this Zhongli?" He asked in a teasing tone, eyes glinting with mischief. Yes, he had a picture of her but the ginger didn't know the beautiful blonde currently lived with his friend. He thought she would be in a safehouse elsewhere as most people would be. This changed things a bit. Zhongli sighed, taking on a completely different demeanor and Lumine knew she had to tread carefully.
If Zhongli was like this around Tartaglia, she had to keep her guard up.
Lumine tensed before Zhongli walked over and passed by her, motioning Tartaglia to follow. "My housekeeper." He turned to Lumine. "Could you make us something to drink? I'll have green tea." He looked at Tartaglia. "And you, Tartaglia?" Zhongli asked the ginger, who chuckled. "Some sake would be nice." Lumine nodded and turned to leave, before Tartaglia looked at Zhongli. "How long have you had her around again?" Tartaglia asked as he sat down in the seat before Zhongli's desk. "It's been awhile now, maybe a year or more I'd say." Zhongli said with a dismissive wave of his hand as he heard Lumine in the kitchen getting everything ready.
"Heehee, this is the first I've seen of her being here, at first I thought the picture you gave me meant she was in a safehouse." His eyes flashed to a purple hue for a split second. "She must be more than a mere housekeeper since you've kept her hidden during our meetings." The ginger chuckled. The tone Tartaglia had made Zhongli frown at his friend. "I wouldn't have expected you to have one, or not staring at them as they worked." Tartaglia continued teasing, he was well aware the blonde was pretty. Who wouldn't look? Zhongli scoffed, shaking his head. "I'm not like you Fatui, I don't overstep any boundaries that are set up." He said, leaning back, teeth gritted in annoyance.
"I may own her, in some sense, however I am aware there is a day she may wish to leave. She is her own human being after all." Zhongli stated firmly. He hoped Tartaglia would drop it after he said that. After all, it wasn't exactly a lie. In a way, he did own Lumine. He paid her and kept her at the mansion, even calling her one of his own people when in the presence of others he trusted most. He did trust Tartaglia, they were, after all, childhood friends but he didn't plan to give that kind of information to Tartaglia for the ginger to possibly use against him.
Information was power, especially among the Fatui.
"Alright, what is it you need to show me?" Zhongli asked his friend as he heard drinks being poured in the kitchen, she'd be in the room soon. He had grown accustomed to every sound she made despite the distance. "Ah, right." Tartaglia handed a file over to Zhongli, before leaning back in his seat after the dark haired male took the file. "We found out some more information about the transportation of illegal goods being smuggled in through the Liyue border from Sumeru. Some of it's from Inazuma as well." Zhongli frowned at that reveal.
"Mostly stuff used for undercover missions and most of it is being transported to…" He opened the file, revealing the establishment where it was being transported. "Here." Zhongli frowned. "Ms. Yumi's boutique." Tartaglia nodded at Zhongli's murmur. It seemed Zhongli was not expecting this. The door opened a bit more, allowing Lumine to enter with the tray that had drinks on it, as well as snacks. "Yes, we found out she's getting regular payments through...extensive networks." Extensive networks? That never bode well.
"You and I both know a boutique has no use for stuff that she's getting. Payments match the dates of transports." Tartaglia said as he leaned back, watching Lumine take a few steps back to stand by Zhongli's chair. Did she not leave until she was told? Interesting. Both Zhongli and Tartaglia grabbed their respective drinks, even as Tartaglia continued speaking. "At first glance, it does seem like she might be unaware she's being paid for the smuggling as she has such a huge clientele but…" He gave a chuckle.
"Obviously, it's not the big payments from clients but the payment from her store being used as a cover. Those paying her is what stunned us." Zhongli sighed. "Explain." Tartaglia grinned. "Their names, Zhongli. Look at the names." Tartaglia said simply. Zhongli looked through the papers. "Those are names of high ranking nobles, big company owners and court employees." Zhongli frowned, that REALLY didn't bode well. If those people were part of the smuggling, stopping people from invading Liyue and carrying out illegal tasks would be nearly impossible.
If they were smuggling stuff used for overhearing important rulings or big shipments placements and hacking, they could bring anything they wanted into Liyue. From people, to weapons, to drugs.
"The only big names not in there are Hu Tao's and her associates, Ningguang and her inner circle, and obviously ours and the Fatui, as well as some smaller establishments." Tartaglia stated and Zhongli growled. "How is that possible? The only way Ms. Yumi could be given all these payments is if all of them are local customers as she only does local business and knows what's going on since she mostly does checks and hand-to-hand Mora." Zhongli looked at the name of a court official. "And as far as I know, Zu-lin isn't a local customer at her shop." Tartaglia nodded, knowing that Zhongli was currently running through the possibilities of why certain people would be paying Ms. Yumi extraordinary amounts of money. If they were part of the smuggling, how far did the networks run?
Tartaglia looked at Lumine, before frowning. "Are you sure she should be listening in, comrade?" Tartaglia asked Zhongli, in which the cor lapis eye colored man raised a brow. "Does she bother you?" He asked Tartaglia, in which the ginger shrugged. "Not really, but-" "Then she stays." Zhongli interrupted, surprising Lumine and making Tartaglia hum, narrowing his eyes at Lumine. Lumine was confused, why did Zhongli keep her in this time? He usually has her leave the room when he has meetings with men...why was this time different? Was it because Tartaglia was Zhongli's childhood friend? She had heard the stories. "Is she trustworthy?" Tartaglia asked Zhongli, in which Zhongli sighed, giving Tartaglia an annoyed look.
"Yes. She stays." Zhongli stated firmly, making Lumine shift closer to him. The hostile feeling Tartaglia was giving off made her want him gone but Zhongli needed him for their meeting, and thus she would merely do her best to not gain his ire. As they talked more, Zhongi's phone rang and, seeing it was his boss at the Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao, he sighed. "I need to take this." He got up and headed out of the room to talk, when Tartaglia chuckled as he stood, looking at Lumine. Time to see what he could gain from the woman.
"He's a workaholic, isn't he?" Tartaglia asked Lumine, watching her for any reaction or response. "I've known Zhongli for a while, we've been friends growing up. So, you can tell me anything about him I don't know." He stepped a bit closer yet Lumine did not respond, nor react to him getting closer. Tartaglia was impressed, thus he chuckled. "Well done for keeping your mouth shut." The ginger commented with a wicked grin. "Information is power and…well…I guess you passed." The ginger was intrigued. Anyone else would've answered at the way he towered over them. Lumine was petite too, barely five'four and Tartaglia was almost six feet tall. "Normally, Zhongli doesn't take in strays," She knew that already. "I never thought he'd bring someone here. He usually takes them to a safe house." The ginger leaned a bit closer, she didn't budge.
Some men would've seen this as a challenge to her not backing down. Tartaglia grinned at the way she didn't move, she truly was impressive. "I think that means he must've taken a liking to you." She ignored that, Lumine doubted it. While he was kind, she knew he didn't see her like that. "And, well…" Tartaglia shamelessly looked her up and down, she was attractive, he wouldn't deny that. The picture truly does no justice but he had a feeling she didn't know Zhongli was looking for a familial match. "I can see why. You're an attractive woman and my friend has had many opportunities to find a partner. Yet, here you are." Tartaglia crossed his arms, looking her over again.
Yes, he could definitely see why Zhongli kept her around.
"Though it does make me question," Tartaglia's eyes darkened as he took a few steps toward her, "what exactly, you are doing here." He stopped before her, toes nearly touching, yet she still didn't react. "I don't know all the circumstances in how you came into Zhongli's employ. However," He moved forward once more, forcing her to move back. "It is a bit suspicious." Lumine wanted to frown, trapped with him before her and a wall at her back. Tartaglia knew he should back off, Zhongli could be back any moment but knowing how Hu Tao is…well…he might have time to get information out of Lumine. Tartaglia reached toward her, grabbing some hair that framed her face. "Your looks are a given, sure but that can be someone's greatest strength. Especially for someone trying to deceive." He kept watching her, looking for any sign of deceit. She showed none but he was cautious. She lived in the same place as his childhood friend and Tartaglia was going to make sure she wasn't going to try anything.
Tartaglia leaned closer, a hand on the wall behind her. "If you hurt him, or if you betray him, there won't be a single place in Teyvat that I won't find you." He hissed at her, his protectiveness over his friend coming forth. "Do I make myself clear?" Tartaglia questioned and, even though she didn't react, her eyes showed she understood but there was also confusion. Lumine didn't know why he thought she was a threat, she'd give her life for Zhongli. He chuckled at the look she had. "Good. At the very least," The door to the mansion opened, "you don't seem to be that threatening." Tartaglia stated, yet never moved from her. The door opened. "Though those are usually the types to watch out for the most." A groan. "Sit down Tartaglia." Tartaglia sighed.
The dark haired male growled a bit in annoyance. "I leave you alone for a minute and you can't behave yourself around someone?" Zhongli questioned as he went back to his seat, even as Tartaglia moved back away from her. "I was just teasing her." He replied innocently yet Lumine wanted to snort. Teasing? More like threatening! "She was so cute, I just couldn't resist you know?" Tartaglia said playfully, sitting down in his chair as well, giving Lumine one last look. Okay, he couldn't resist teasing his childhood friend either. "So, what's the story behind your relationship?" Tartaglia asked and Zhongli sighed, knowing Tartaglia wouldn't drop it.
"I saved her from something that happened and as payment, she works for me." Tartaglia pouted. "I feel like you purposefully left out a lot of details there~." Zhongli rolled his eyes. "Obviously." He stated flatly. "If your that interested, find out for yourself." He hissed, annoyed that Tartaglia was too interested in his maid. He growled out a; "You're more than capable." Tartaglia hummed, leaning back. "And you trust her?" He questioned, surprised at the level of vagueness and protectiveness Zhongli was showing. "Yes." Zhongli replied, a fond look in his eyes that he shook away. "Somethings going on between you two, isn't there?" Tartaglia said with a small hum, an interested gleam in his eyes. How could anyone pass up getting the calm and composed consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to break composure?
Zhongli wanted to growl. "Nothings going on, not that it's your business in the first place." Zhongli snapped, his patience for Tartaglia's interest growing thin. "Information IS my business." Tartaglia teased with a grin. He looked at Lumine, seeing she was tense as she felt his eyes. "Heh, well, once your done needing a housekeeper I'd like her as my own." Tartaglia said as he crossed one leg over the other. Would that make Zhongli break composure? It was all in jest and Zhongli WOULD realize that…if he wasn't getting so worked up. Zhongli gave Tartaglia a flat look, even as Lumine looked back and forth between them. "I have no idea why you think I'd lend her to another." Zhongli muttered like it was common fact and Tartaglia chuckled at that.
"You seem rather attached to her, aren't you?" Tartaglia questioned, wanting more information. He was pleased by this. Zhongli flushed a little bit but composed himself quickly by clearing his throat. "Anyway," He grabbed the files he needed and opened them. "Back to what you are here for." He stood up and pointed to the paper. Lumine tuned them out, thinking over what Tartaglia said. Why did he think she was trying to deceive Zhongli? He saved her, cared for her and made sure she was doing well. She internally sighed, she couldn't understand that man. Not that Lumine felt the need to try and understand him, he unnerved her and that was that. Lumine hoped these meetings with the ginger were rare or, if they were a bit more often, that she wasn't present. She didn't like how interested Tartaglia was in why she was there, or why he believed there was something going on between her and Zhongli.
There was nothing there!
He was her boss and that was all.
"I'll leave this here with you since you have more contacts than I do." Tartaglia said, grabbing her attention as he downed the last of his sake. How long was she zoned out for? Putting the empty glass down, he said; "Do think about it though. I mean," He smirked at Lumine, "lending her to me for a while." He stood up, stretching and once more intending to rile Zhongli up. Tartaglia took a step towards the door. "I'm willing to pay more than what Hu Tao pays you~." He teased, unaware how angry his friend was getting. Zhongli actually growled. "Like I said, I have no intention of losing her. Get your own maid." Tartaglia huffed a bit. "Maybe, we'll see." He finished even as Zhongli groaned, that was as good as a 'no' in his books.
Tartaglia looked at Lumine, taking a few steps towards her and Zhongli stiffened. "You're lucky though, this one is a keeper." A hand grabbed his wrist before he could touch Lumine. "Tartaglia." Zhongli hissed, tightening his hand. "Don't. Push. Me." He growled out, his possessive nature coming forth in full effect. Satisfied he got Zhongli to FINALLY break composure, he chuckled. "Alright, alright." Tartaglia held his hands up in surrender and Zhongli let him go. "I get it. She belongs to you." He stated seriously, looking at Zhongli from the corner of his eye. "For a man as observant as you, you sure know how to act innocent." Zhongli hissed, rubbing his temples. Tartaglia chuckled. "Can you blame me? It's so fun to rile you up and see you finally let loose." Zhongli groaned at his childhood friend's words. Why did Archon's make them friends?
"I'll walk you to the door." He grumbled and Tartaglia laughed at that. "Oh, did I strike a nerve?" He teasingly questioned as he walked out of the room. Stopping at the door, Tartaglia turned toward Lumine who was gathering the cups. "And you," She looked at him, "I'll be seeing you again girlie." He said with a wicked grin, before leaving the room as he followed Zhongli to the door. Lumine gave an actual sigh of relief at that. Tartaglia…Tartaglia…that name sounded familiar and she didn't know why. A fog was in the depths of her mind and her instincts screamed at her that he couldn't be trusted. Was it because he was a Fauti? 'Why would I think that?' Lumine stared off into space, seemingly dazed before she shook her head, making sure she had everything on the tray and that Zhongli's desk was organized, good. Nothing was out of place.
Zhongli quickly made his way back to her as she was in the kitchen and, upon reaching her, he sighed in relief, making her look at him. He walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders. "He didn't do anything to you while I was out, did he?" Zhongli asked in a slightly worried tone, yet she shook her head. The dark haired male sighed, his hands running up and down her arms, as if reassuring himself she was there. "Are you sure?" Zhongli asked, wanting her to speak and she sighed. "He did nothing, I'm alright." Lumine responded softly and he sighed. "He pounces when he gets an opportunity to. Sorry for keeping you, I know I usually send you away but I wanted you close this time." Zhongli responded, taking a step back to give her space.
"The fact he pounces on opportunity though, it's why he's so good at getting information." He explained softly, rubbing his neck. "I'm going to have to restrain him next time he comes here." He muttered to himself, making Lumine tilt her head. "How come?" She asked, putting the tray on the counter so she could clean them. "So that he doesn't touch you." Zhongli replied possessively. Lumine wanted to frown at that, she knew it was another part of the possessiveness coming into play but why would he be so protective over a stranger? A stray, as Tartaglia called it? "Why should you really care about that?" Was he worried that, if another got near or touched her, that she would turn sides? He was aware she was loyal to him, right?
Lumine's words, apparently, surprised him because Zhongli looked at her confused. "Do you think…I don't care?" He asked and Lumine sighed, she didn't know why she was bothered either. "You live within my home, you are precious here. I must look after you…as I do with the others in my employ." Zhongli stated that end as though it was an afterthought. Lumine shook her head, she had also heard some past conversations between the two, the emotionless and detached tone he had at points when mentioning those who work with him. "I've heard some previous conversations, Mr. Zhongli. You speak with no emotion around him sometimes, except for today which was different." She had been in the room after all and Lumine was aware enough that he was protective of his people.
"Why do you speak so emotionlessly with him?" The blonde asked, if she could understand that, maybe she'd understand her boss better. Zhongli actually looked sheepish at that, he was aware she'd heard some past conversations due to preparing tea and everything. Today was just…different. "Ah, I…I have to talk like that in front of Tartaglia sometimes." He responded and by the curious look in her eyes, she asked him to elaborate. "He works in a group with a leader that sees people as…pawns, so to speak." Zhongli explained, leaning against the counter. "I see you as a person, but Tartaglia could see that as something else entirely." He explained, crossing his arms. "We grew up together, so he's known me since we were kids and nothing usually gets by him." Hence why Tartaglia pounced on the chance to see what made Lumine tick. She didn't budge though.
"He's lived a life where everyone and everything must be questioned. Sometimes it's annoying." Zhongli explained, looking at the floor. "With everything I've studied and done, I do my best to not be annoyed by him or what I see and do." He explained further and Lumine nodded. She knew about the darker parts of his business but she never pried. He worked as a consultant…but that was just a cover for the other work he did. "People like Tartaglia evolved from street smarts." Zhongli continued explaining, knowing Lumine had a right to this information since she lived in the estate as well. The guards and others knew.
"He's adaptable and had gotten to his position through hard work." He was proud of Tartaglia…just didn't like how intrusive he was. "I can't fault him for it, I'm proud of how far he's gotten since he was a child." Zhongli commented and Lumine gave a soft smile, before pulling a neutral expression when he looked at the clock above her head and sighed. "The meeting ran over the time you usually end your work." He muttered, before looking at the tray and sink, seeing she had been getting ready to clean them. "I'll clean this up for you." He commented yet she sighed. "I can still work." She said and he stopped, tilting his head at her. "You want to work overtime?" Zhongli questioned as he turned on the sink. "I guess I can pay you extra. How much?" He questioned, he hardly paid her overtime considering she was so good at what she did.
Lumine got everything done on time. "I don't need extra pay, you already do enough for me." The blonde said softly as she patted his arm and he chuckled. "I shouldn't expect anything less." Zhongli said softly and Lumine giggled. "I got this." She said as he moved out of the way so she could do the dishes. "I know you do, you've proven yourself since you've been in my care." He explained and she smiled fondly at the memories. "Course, in the beginning, you could barely do anything." She stuck her tongue out at him and he chuckled. Neither denied though that she had it hard in the beginning. As she was still getting her bearings in the past, she could hardly do anything but she definitely came a long way while under his care.
Zhongli sighed fondly before saying; "But I don't feel anxious, leaving you on your own while I'm working." He still wanted to be around her but he didn't say it. "I guess, in a way, I am kind of a stray like Tartaglia said. With how I was in the beginning." Lumine said softly and Zhongli hummed. "He said that?" He questioned and she nodded as she started washing the dishes. "Well, he's not entirely wrong considering everything I know. Though we've spoken little to one another since you've been in my care, I feel as though we've reached an understanding with one another." The dark haired male responded gently. Zhongli opened a drawer and pulled a rag out. "And I don't take that for granted." He responded as she pulled the cup up, washing it.
"I don't take it for granted either." Lumine responded just as softly, handing him the cup so he could dry and he smiled. "I'm glad you think that way as well." Zhongli responded fondly, making sure it was dry before putting the cup away. They worked in companionable silence, enjoying each other's presence. Once all the cups were dried and put away, as well as the sake bottle and pack of tea, the tea pot cleaned and tray placed away, Zhongli sighed. "Tomorrow, you have the day off." He said softly and she frowned a bit, looking confused. "What exactly should I do on my day off?" She asked, never having had a full day off. She's had breaks, but never a full day off, she never took them but the way Zhongli had said that meant she wasn't arguing with him about it.
Zhongli hummed, remembering she's never really accepted days off before. He's tried before but she didn't take it, guess he hadn't been clear back then though. "Well, there is the library, so if your interested, you can read some books or maybe even see about doing a new hobby." Surely she had to have one, right? Lumine hummed, thinking a bit…maybe she could find something to do? Zhongli spoke again. "I'll make lunch tomorrow, it's getting pretty late so we should go to bed soon." She jumped a bit and looked at the time…he was right. It was closing in on night now.
"Oh, then I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Zhongli." Lumine said and he chuckled, giving a fond smile. "See you tomorrow Lumine. Goodnight." She waved bye to him as he left, heading toward the stairs. He sighed as he got to his room, tugging his jacket off to get ready for bed. Zhongli hated acting differently when others were around. Ningguang was more understanding but even still, he was reserved with his actions towards Lumine…and then Tartaglia…he sighed once more. Zhongli knew he should've dismissed Lumine as soon as he left to grab Tartaglia but he hadn't thought about it. He did need some places cleaned and Lumine would've hit them sooner or later. He should've had it later while he was meeting Tartaglia. Or had her leave the study alone while he was in the meeting so she wouldn't be bored.
He generally dismissed her when males were around, not wanting her to be in their presence…it might have been his possessiveness that made him want to hide her but it's how he was. All he had done, when telling Tartaglia about her, was giving him a name and a picture, telling to ask around. He had never meant for them to meet…only if Tartaglia had found any familial matches…in which the ginger hadn't. In the end, Zhongli just regretted that he didn't give clear directions to Lumine to leave the study alone, or to have cleaned it first. He sat on the bed, rubbing his head, the whole meeting with Tartaglia had been a giant headache, he never suspected his friend to take such interest in her.
Knowing Tartaglia, he'd definitely look more thoroughly into her now that he's seen her and knows how she acts. Zhongli had only heard the tail-end of that conversation. Though he knows she most likely stayed silent in the ginger's presence, when he entered the study, he had seen that she had not been comfortable. He laid down on the bed, wondering how she felt about the whole ordeal. He had noticed she was tense throughout the meeting and he knew it was because of Tartaglia. Zhongli hadn't asked though, leaving it to her to tell him how she felt. She didn't say a word, she was generally a quiet woman and if something bothered her…of course she'd be quiet. Ganyu was able to get her to speak every now and then but…even still…she preferred to stay silent.
Groaning, he ran a hand down his face. He was tense and he heard little about what Tartaglia said. "He must've taken a liking to you." Tartaglia wasn't wrong about that…Zhongli was interested in Lumine. She may, technically, belong to him since he pretty much owns her…but that always left a sour taste in his mouth. Zhongli didn't really see himself as her master, just her caretaker…even if she did tend to turn the tables every now and then, taking care of his adopted kids and some of the other staff. Her knew the guards had been a bit cautious of her since she was so silent and hardly showed expressions; though they seemed more calm around her now. She only showed expressions around Ganyu, Xiao and he, himself.
Zhongli closed his eyes, hearing Lumine make her way up the steps and into the room next to his own. That was where she slept…if Ganyu wasn't yanking Lumine to her own. Ganyu had taken a shine to Lumine and Xiao was more protective of her than his own sister. He heard her climb into her bed and then silence. She must've been tired if she fell asleep right away. He slowly relaxed and let the world of dreams take him, tomorrow would be better.
Whelp, THIS is the part that was inspired by the ASMR I listened to, you'll see the similarities. Anyways, it was after this part that I was lost...and then realized I had NO IDEA what it was I was wanting to write. This story got really dark, REAL quickly. And no, before you ask, Lumine is NOT a slave to Zhongli. She's treated more like a maid formal maid of a mansion with a salary...that she doesn't even touch because Lumine doesn't really know much about living on her own, nor does she understand the need for money. Not with the past she has in this story.
Once I figured out what it was I was doing and kinda how I wanted the story to take a turn, I ran with it and boy does it get dark. I don't really get too descriptive, at least I try not to so, do be warned, there will be triggers in this story, such a human trafficking and drug use so BEWARE. But there is also fluff and some smut, so...yeah...its not all bad and the smut that I do write is consensual, I don't go in depth with the non-consensual intimacy that happens.
Well, that's all for this chapter so onto the next one and, if you read this through, enjoy!