Ch. 9 – The Daily Affairs of Master Crepus Ragnvindr

Crepus Ragnvindr is a very busy man.

If he's not outside checking the fields and berries, or in the wine cellar, he's in the city working at Angel's Share helping Charles serve patrons or making business deals with other tavern owners, local and international. When it isn't harvesting season, most of his day is spent at the manor inside of his office going over paperwork and letters that he has yet to respond to.

It's what he's doing currently, reading a letter that was sent from Dornman Port. It tells him that the ship was successfully docked and unloaded at Port Ormos with no major issues. He let his shoulders slump in relief. That has to be one of the more stressful business deals he has ever done. He should thank Barbatos for the extremely successful harvest they had last fall.

There's more to the letter he needs to read but as the door across the hall opens, he lifts his eyes from the paper in his hands. Kaeya walks out of his room and yawns, noticing the open office door with a curious tilt of his head. If he's working, normally the door is closed so it must be an odd sight to see him working with the door wide open. He sends him a smile and disappears to go downstairs.

Crepus smiles back but it quickly disappears when the boy is gone. Barely a month ago, he essentially was his shadow and was upset every time Diluc had to go to training and couldn't take him along. He was shy, timid, and nervous about everything new thrown his way. Now he doesn't beg to attend Diluc's training, nor does he spend all of his waking hours a few feet away from him.

His eyes trail to the drawer that hides an opened envelope inside. One thing about Kaeya hasn't changed: he still refuses to call him by only his name, no matter how many times he's told. Perhaps the mere suggestion of adoption will convince the child to drop the 'Master' any time he addresses him.

It's only a matter of time before Diluc tells Kaeya this information—if he hasn't already. They tell each other anything and everything, especially if he asks them to keep a secret. Maybe Kaeya already knows, but he still wants to talk to him at some point today, preferably before he leaves for the city soon.

He runs a hand over his face and rubs his eyes. Archons, he feels exhausted. All this stress isn't good for any of them. He goes back to the letter.

To Master Crepus Ragnvindr:

We successfully docked at Port Ormos and ensured delivery of all products from Dawn Winery to Sumeru City.

Upon unloading, we received a request for inspection from two members of the Corps of Thirty. At the time, we did not find it suspicious and allowed them to go on with the inspection. I regret to inform you that only after the inspection was completed and the two members left did I realize they did not provide any permit for any inspection and when I asked about it, none of the Corps of Thirty I spoke to knew anything about it nor of those two supposed members.

A matra is now involved and a case has been opened to search for the two imposters; Dawn Winery does not need to be involved any longer. No goods are missing and all cargo has been successfully delivered.

Crepus frowns. Why would two people impersonate members of the Corps of Thirty to do a mere inspection? If they were looking for something to steal, they likely would have found it difficult to do with only two people. No matter, nothing is missing or stolen so he considers that a good thing.

He sets the letter down and quickly writes a response thanking the captain for his hard work and for the information. With the morning office work completed, he stands up with a stretch. He winces as his knees crack. He should probably move around more often, sitting down for so many hours probably isn't good for him.

He heads outside of the office and makes his way downstairs. He pauses when he sees Kaeya's back turned to him and standing at Elzer's desk. "Kaeya, what are you doing?" he asks.

The boy looks behind him sharply, startled. He visibly relaxes when he sees him and then looks back at the papers he was snooping through. "I got curious," he replies.

Crepus walks to the desk and looks down at the papers that sit innocently on top of it. "Ah, he's going over inventory is all."

"I know. Do you only sell wine?" He looks up, a serious look in his lavender eye.

"Dawn Winery also owns and runs Angel's Share, but we import a fair share of liquor on top of providing our own wine. Why are you asking?"

Kaeya goes back to the papers. "What if something happens one year, like a really bad winter or a fire, and destroys all of the grapevines?"

That makes Crepus pause again. He honestly hasn't ever thought of something like that happening, the vines have always been here and survived through many big and violent storms they've had, even when he was just a boy. He's certain those vines have been around since before his grandparents.

The boy's face flushes and he looks away. "Ah— pardon me, Master Crepus. You don't have to listen to me. I just don't want anything bad to happen and for you to have to struggle in case of emergencies."

"No, it's quite all right. You have a point, my boy. Perhaps we should be thinking of alternative products… Well, other than grape juice."

Kaeya sticks his tongue out in disgust.

He chuckles. "I know you don't like grape juice."

"I can't believe people actually enjoy grape juice."

"What's wrong with grape juice?"

"Everything."

Crepus chuckles and he hesitates before speaking again. He wants to bring up adoption, but he doesn't know how well Kaeya will react. He hardly thinks about it since he won't know if he doesn't ask. "I want to ask you something."

Kaeya looks up at him, but instead of the curiosity or anxiety he's expecting, he simply nods with a knowing look in his eye. "I know about it. Diluc told me about the adoption."

He smiles and shakes his head with a short laugh. That boy. Sometimes he wishes Diluc could keep a few things to himself. "Yes, it is about adoption."

A strange expression flashes across the boy's face, but it disappears as quickly as it appeared. It's something akin to guilt, but Crepus has no idea why that could be. He fidgets with his hands and looks at his feet, conflicted.

"You don't have to give me an answer right away. You have plenty of time to think about it."

"I…" His voice trails off and he bites the inside of his cheek. "Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't ask you if I wasn't." Crepus puts a hand on his shoulder and Kaeya looks back up. "You've been living with us for a little over a year, and I have grown very fond of you. Diluc has called you his brother multiple times already, and I'd like to make that official, if you let me." He smiles and drops the hand. "My only condition is you have to drop the 'Master' when addressing me."

They're silent for a few moments as they stare at each other. Crepus begins to think that perhaps he was too forward with the request the longer the silence stretches and the more Kaeya's hand fidgets as if it's yearning to hold something. He tears his eye away, finding the floor boards suddenly very interesting.

Had Crepus been too hasty by telling him about the adoption now? Does he still think his birth parents will come back for him? Just thinking about it makes him angry, but not towards Kaeya, no. He could never be mad at him. He'd curse his birth parents for abandoning such a kind-hearted boy if he could.

As the silence stretches and lingers between them, he opens his mouth to remind him that he doesn't need to choose now and that they have all the time in the world to decide. Kaeya suddenly moves forward before he can make any sound.

He's surprised when he wraps his arms around him with thin arms and his face buried into his waistcoat. "Kaeya?"

"I want to be a family," came the child's thick response.

The quiet statement makes Crepus' heart soar. He kneels to Kaeya's level and returns his hug. "We already are, Kaeya."

Kaeya's arms tighten around him considerably and his hands grip his waistcoat as if his life depends on it. He mumbles incoherently into his shoulder, but Crepus can't make out anything he says except for, "If you knew…"

He frowns as he lets go. What does he mean by that? He tries to meet his gaze, but Kaeya averts his eye immediately. "If I knew what?"

Kaeya's arms drop to his sides as he whispers, "I don't deserve it."

That makes his heart break all over again. "Why do you say that?"

He brings his hands close to himself and still refuses to look up. His eye remains fixed on the floor and stays quiet.

Crepus pulls him into another hug. Kaeya doesn't return it this time, but he also doesn't make a move to back out of it and his head gently rests against his shoulder. "You are my son in everything but paper. Nothing can change that."

"Even if I'm not from Mondstadt?"

He shakes his head. "Why should that matter? People from all over Teyvat don't live in the country they were born in."

He's silent for a few moments. Then, so softly that Crepus has to strain to hear him, he asks, "What if he comes back?"

He can safely assume he's talking about his birth father by the way Kaeya begins to shake and his hands turn into tight, nervous fists that cause his fingernails to dig into the palm of his hand. Instead of talking bad about the man who'd heartlessly abandoned him, he says, "As far as I'm concerned, you are a child of Mondstadt and, if you let me, my son."

Kaeya doesn't move for a long time until at least a full minute has passed. Slowly, he raises his arms to hug him back. His head barely moves as he nods. "I want to be a family again," he says, his voice thick with unshed tears. "I want to be a Ragnvindr."

He smiles again and holds him close. "Okay." Together, they kneel on the hard floor of the manor in a tight embrace. The sounds of people working outside and the occasional neighs from the horses are overshadowed by the quiet sniffling. They are thankfully left alone the whole time and Crepus suspects that is Adeline's doing. He really should give her a raise.

He doesn't know what Kaeya thinking about during their time on the floor; he's always been good at masking his true feelings and doesn't often talk about himself or his past. Despite that, he rubs his back to comfort him. He wishes he could take his grief away and make him feel instantly better. He doesn't like seeing either of his children crying.

His knees begin to hurt after a few minutes but he does his best to ignore them as he attempts to comfort the quietly crying boy in front of him. He doesn't sob or make any other noise other than the occasional hiccup, like he's embarrassed to be crying. Crepus doesn't understand why he would be, although he hasn't been the same since the attack.

Kaeya eventually lets him go to wipe his eye with the back of his hand. "I'm sorry. I cried all over you again," he says, his voice stuffy from crying.

Crepus smiles. "It's quite all right. Are you okay?"

He nods. Unwilling to say anything else about it, he asks, "You're going to the city today, right?"

He ignores this, the red eye, and the fresh tear tracks that stain his cheeks. It seems like acting normal is what he needs at the moment. "I am. I have business at the tavern."

"Can I come?"

He pauses. Kaeya's never asked to come along and it's usually he or Diluc asking for him to come with them. He looks up with a large doe-like eye, and Crepus falters. He has business to take care of that isn't meant for children, but he can't say no. "I suppose you're old enough to start learning how to do a few things at the tavern." His knees protest for the second time this morning as he stands back up and he groans. "Archons, I'm getting old."

Kaeya snorts. "You aren't old."

"Diluc said the same thing."

"Because we're right."

Crepus chuckles quietly. These boys act more like siblings than they realize. "Go wash up and get ready to leave. We'll take Lilly there."

He watches him run off to the restroom to obey and he returns to his office. He walks behind the desk and opens the drawer. The adoption papers stare up innocently and he pulls them out to set them on the desktop. At the very bottom is a space for his signature, and Kaeya's as well.

He could simply sign it, get Kaeya to do the same, and send it off with a messenger. But if he's going to the city today, he might as well just hand the papers in person. Maybe it'll get official documents to him faster if he shows up at the office.

He looks up as Kaeya steps out into the hall, his face washed and approaches the office. "Are you ready?" he asks.

The boy nods. "Yes, sir."

He looks at him, making sure he could see the halfhearted eye-roll. "Don't call me that, either."

Kaeya hides a laugh behind his hand and Crepus smiles, glad he's feeling better. Then his eyes land on the papers. He slowly loses his smile and Crepus follows his gaze. It's obvious the boy already knows what this is, and he glances at the bottom.

Crepus lifts his eyes back to Kaeya. "I won't force you to do this, Kaeya," he tells him.

A lone eye flickers up to his face.

"I understand if you still need time to think about it. After all, I did push this on you quickly."

He shakes his head. "It's okay." He comes to the desk and his eyes lock onto the bottom of the paper as well. "So this is it, huh?"

"Don't make it sound like a bad thing."

He huffs. "No, it's not. It's just… it's a lot to process."

That he can understand and he nods. "Would you like to wait? We're in no hurry."

Kaeya reaches for the pen that is on the desk and takes it before Crepus can get another word out as he signs his name. "If I don't do it now, I won't do it at all."

It makes sense, he'd probably get too nervous or remain indecisive if he doesn't do it now. He watches him write his name and is handed the pen. "I suppose it's my turn, then." He quickly signs his full name and when he pulls away, he smiles at Kaeya. "Give it a week or two and we'll have the official papers that say you are a Ragnvindr."

Kaeya lets out a shaky sigh, his eye locked onto the paper as if he can't believe he just did what he had done. Then he slowly says, "Kaeya Ragnvindr."

Pride swells inside Crepus' chest. "It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"

He tears his eye away to look up at him with a little smile and nods. He hugs him for the umpteenth time this morning, but Crepus doesn't mind and returns it once more.

"Thank you, Crepus."

"You're welcome, Kaeya."

-x-

Mondstadt is as busy as ever and with the sun shining brightly in the partially cloudy sky, it's the perfect day to do any kind of business. They get to the tavern before noon, where Charles is serving someone and both of them greet the pair the moment they step inside.

Crepus lets Kaeya sit at the bar on a stool beside the patron, telling Charles to keep an eye on him while he takes inventory. "It shouldn't take that long," he says.

"You can always have someone else take inventory for you, Master Ragnvindr," Charles answers. "It'll save you a trip all the way here."

"I like coming to the city."

Kaeya snorts, knowing that isn't true.

Charles suspiciously turns his head away as well.

"I don't want to hear it from you, young man."

Kaeya can't stop the tiny smirk as he says, "Sorry." He doesn't sound like he is.

"Stay there, I'll be in the back if you need me." With that, he turns and walks around the counter to get to work. He spends about an hour in the back, checking all of the empty wine barrels and counting how many he should send to replace them. With summer coming to an end and festival season around the corner, he should probably send more than usual.

Visitors from all over Teyvat will be coming to Mondstadt to celebrate Weinlesefest in a few short months. Locals will likely be tired from early preparations, so maybe an extra few barrels of wine wouldn't hurt. Should he consider hiring someone else to do this for him? He's already busy enough as it is…

He turns his attention to the hall when he hears Charles complimenting Kaeya. He pokes his head out the door, blinking when he sees what is going on. Charles knows better than to serve Kaeya or any minors in general alcohol, but he never did say anything about them helping mix drinks.

Kaeya is standing on a short stool and with Charles watching over him carefully, he mixes a drink for the new patrons that have walked in. Crepus watches with interest. The way he's moving makes it seem like he's been mixing for years, but as far as he knows, this is the first time he's ever made one.

Huh. Maybe he should start teaching Kaeya how to run a tavern. He thinks he'd do well in this kind of setting in the future. He goes back to work, and it doesn't take long for him to finish and come back out to the front.

Kaeya's sitting down again, sipping some juice and looks up when he sees him coming. He briefly smiles and then nods to a little pouch beside him. "I should come more often," he says.

Crepus looks at the brown pouch. He picks it up and hears the distinct sound of mora clinking together. "What is this?" he asks.

"Mora."

"I know that. How did you get this?"

"Someone gave it to me."

"For what?"

"For a tip for making some drinks. It's really easy." He looks at Charles. "I was trying to get them to give it to Charles, but he won't take it so I guess it's mine now."

Crepus gives Charles an incredulous look, but the other man just laughs. "Don't be like that, Master Ragnvindr. Kaeya insisted he knew what he was doing," he says. "He earned that mora fair and square."

Kaeya beams proudly.

"I guess he did." He sets the pouch down and watches the child take it and put it into his pocket. "Let's get going, Kaeya. We need to get this in before the office closes."

Kaeya quickly jumps off of his seat and follows him out. "Bye, Charles!"

Charles bids them both farewell and Crepus leads Kaeya around the back of the tavern towards the side entrance and stairs, wanting to avoid the busy streets of the marketplace. Kaeya doesn't complain, but he notices the closer they get to the building, the closer he walks beside him.

So this is what Elzer meant about him being nervous. He doesn't know the exact reason why Kaeya is so anxious, but he feels like it isn't because of the adoption. It's obvious to Crepus that it has something to do with the knights. Whatever happened between him and the knights, he has a feeling it has something to do with Eroch—no, he knows it does. Kaeya has never so openly glared at anyone before, or been as nervous and jittery when his name is even mentioned.

Crepus hums, causing the boy to look up at him curiously. If it'll help Kaeya relax even slightly, they should visit Diluc during his training. He's positive Varka wouldn't mind. "Would you like to see Varka and Diluc before we go inside?"

Kaeya doesn't hesitate when he nods. "I want to say hi," he says.

Crepus doesn't question when he leads him quickly past the building. He knows where he's going, and as they get closer to the training area below, he can hear Diluc's yelling and sees short bursts of pyro flying into the air. Varka is talking above that, telling his trainee to keep moving his feet and not use so much elemental energy when using his vision.

Kaeya eagerly jogs ahead of Crepus. Crepus hears Diluc's confusion when the younger boy is spotted. "Kaeya? What are you doing here?" he asks.

Crepus arrives shortly and smiles as he takes in the sight. Diluc is out of breath and in his knight's armor, but his claymore remains steady in front of him. The training Varka is putting him through is doing wonders for his strength and stamina. He'll be a full knight in no time and it makes Crepus even prouder of him.

Varka smiles, donning his armor as well. "Master Ragnvindr! What a pleasant surprise!" he says.

"Hello, Master Varka. We're on our way to the headquarters and thought we'd stop by and say hello." He looks at Diluc as he sets the claymore's tip onto the ground. "I don't want to keep either of you, you are in the middle of training."

"Eh, a short break is well deserved."

The claymore disappears and Diluc smiles as he makes his way over. "I didn't know you were coming!" he exclaims and hugs his father.

Crepus pats his back. "Surprise." He looks at Kaeya. "I think he wants to tell you something, too. But I'm sure that can wait until after you get home today."

Kaeya nods. "It's something exciting, I promise," he adds.

Diluc looks between them suspiciously. "Is it a bad thing?"

"No! I just said it's something exciting!"

"That can mean good or bad!"

"How does that make sense?"

"It makes sense because you aren't telling me what it is."

"Ah, but I did tell you what it is."

"Well, what is it?"

"A surprise!"

Diluc glowers, annoyance prominent on his face.

Crepus sighs. Leave it to them to start bickering not even a minute after being together.

"Kaeya!" The new voice causes them to look at the stairs. Kaeya blinks as he turns around and yelps when a rush of blond hair suddenly rushes past Crepus and Jean flings herself at Kaeya to hug him. "I haven't seen you in forever!"

Kaeya dramatically gasps for air as he flails his arms to keep his balance. "Jean, you're choking me!" he cries.

"What are you doing here, Jean?" Diluc demands and goes to follow the other two away from Crepus and Varka.

"Practice, of course! But now that Kaeya's here, I won't be alone!"

He looks offended. "I'm here every day! What am I, hilichurl fodder?"

"Yes," Kaeya immediately replies and laughs at the glare he's given.

Crepus watches the three of them go near the corner of the training area before he turns to Varka. "Does Jean often come here?" he asks curiously.

The grand master laughs. "All the time. You know she has a vision now?"

"Does she?" Archons, vision bearers are getting younger every year.

"Mhm. Comes here almost every day to practice it, and I'm sure Lady Frederica approves of her coming to train her vision, otherwise she wouldn't be coming nearly as often."

He takes pride that he doesn't immediately roll his eyes. Frederica Gunnhildr has always had extreme views and strict morals for her family; it's no wonder Jean likes to run off. "You're training her? Isn't she a bit young still?"

"No, I'm not training her. She practices and I make sure no one gets hurt. At least I've gotten her to stop coming when no one is around."

"And that hasn't worked?"

"Obviously not, so I decided that I won't train her until she's of age. Being here and listening in on Diluc's lessons might do her some good and give her a head start over her peers when she becomes a knight."

He glances at the three children again. "Would you mind if I left Kaeya here with Jean, then? Just for a few minutes while I hand this in."

Varka raises a thick brow. "I don't mind." He crosses his arms. "Is there a reason?"

"He hasn't seen Jean in a very long time, and they're pretty close. I just have to get this in before your officers go home." He pulls out the envelope with the adoption papers from his breast pocket.

Varka's eyes light up in recognition. "He's going through with it?"

Crepus only smiles and turns to start walking away. "Thank you for watching him, Varka. Kaeya, don't get in the way of their training. I'll be right back."

Kaeya waves and barely glances at him, too engrossed in whatever it is the trio is talking about.

Crepus smiles again and leaves the training grounds. It really will only be a few minutes; he simply needs to hand the paper in and come back down. He quickly makes his way to the headquarters and says a short greeting to the guard at the door as he steps inside. The office he needs to go to is the closest one to the library and he makes his way down the hall.

He pauses when he sees who is behind the desk. Inspector Eroch is there instead of the lady he saw before, writing something on a paper and he looks up when he sees him at the door. "Good afternoon, Master Ragnvindr," he greets and smiles. He sets the pen down and folds his hands in front of him on the desk. "What can I do for you?"

"Normally there's a young lady here. Is this not Officer Nymph's desk?" he replies.

"I'm covering for her today."

As much as he doesn't want to deal with Eroch today, he just needs to leave this for Officer Nymph to read over when she gets back. "I am dropping this off for her to go over tomorrow. Can you make sure she gets it?"

He nods and takes the envelope. "Of course. I'll personally see to it."

"Thank you, Inspector."

He turns to leave but stops when Eroch continues. "These are Kaeya's adoption papers, aren't they?"

His hand is grasping the door handle already. "Indeed they are."

"How is he?"

Crepus frowns and lets go of the door handle and turns to face him again. "Why are you asking?"

"Is it so wrong to ask how someone is doing? I understand he's new to Mondstadt. He must be settling in well to be considered for adoption by one of the wealthiest men in Teyvat."

He doesn't bother hiding his glare now. Where is he going with this? "He is doing fine."

He hums and looks back at the envelope. He taps it with a finger, then looks back at him. "I must say that it was under awfully mysterious circumstances how he came to your household. Has he told you anything of his past?"

"What are you getting at, Inspector?" he finally demands.

The smile drops from Eroch's face at his tone and he stands up. "It was awfully convenient you of all people found a random child on the side of the road, during a storm, I might add. That storm wiped any traces of others around the spot he was found." He smirks. "You're not stupid. Surely, you must be suspicious of him, too."

"He is a child, Inspector."

"Children are still used as tools, especially by those less fortunate."

Admittedly, yes, Crepus had been suspicious of how he'd found Kaeya. It was storming the day he found the boy, but he's watched him grow for almost two years now. Whatever suspicions Eroch has about him are unfounded. "Kaeya is not a spy, if that is what you are insinuating."

He hums. "I'm not insinuating anything, Master Ragnvindr. I just wish for the health and well-being of you and your family."

By now, Crepus has had enough. How dare he say something like that? Boiling rage is thrumming through him and he takes two short steps to get close to him, glaring furiously. "Why are you so interested in my son?"

Eroch raises a brow at his aggressiveness. "He isn't your son. Who knows what can happen between now and then?"

Thankfully, the door is closed. No one can see the glare he's giving the inspector or see him grab a fistful of the man's shirt or hear him hiss, "Stay away from my sons. If I see you with either of them, I will take matters into my own hands."

If anything, the inspector looks amused. He answers just as quietly, "Is that a threat, Master Ragnvindr?"

"It is a promise, Inspector." He lets him go and turns around. "Please ensure Officer Nymph receives those documents. I will follow up with her when she returns." He opens the door and lets it slam shut behind him.

He returns to the training grounds and takes both Kaeya and Diluc back home, the two none the wiser to his internal rage.

As he sits down at his desk in his office and picks up a pen and a fresh sheet of paper, he is glad that there's one thing that he prides himself of.

He always fulfills his promises.