Chapter 13 The True Culprit
Lumine's POV

After leaving the Knights of Favonius' headquarters, I met up with Childe in the wilderness of Mondstadt so nobody would see us.

"Nadia said that you wanted to talk with me, comrade", he said. "Did you find out something?"

"I think I figured out who the person the Fatui captured was", I revealed.

"Really", Childe asked. "Who was it then?"

"Paimon wants to know too", she exclaimed impatiently. "Come on! Tell us who it is!"

"I think that the person who the Fatui caught was…Diluc."

"Diluc", Paimon exclaimed in shock. "Why do you think it was him?"

"The letter we found in Jean's office said that Diluc's father defeated a monster with a 'strange, vision like object.'"

"A 'vision like' object", Childe repeated, before seemingly realising something. "That sounds awfully a lot like a delusion."

"My thoughts exactly", I said

"And, it being Diluc Ragnvindr actually makes a lot of sense", Childe added. "A few years back, he caused a lot of trouble for the Fatui."

"Trouble", Paimon asked. "What kind of trouble?"

"He took out a lot of our strongholds", Childe revealed. "And when he arrived in Snezhnaya, It took a lot of man power to drive him out."

"Yikes! Diluc sure is someone you don't want to mess with", Paimon pointed out. "And why was he going after the Fatui in the first place?"

"From what the Harbingers could gather, it appears that he was seeking out information on Delusions", Childe revealed.

"Information on Delusions", Paimon asked. "Why?"

"He probably wanted to find out more about what his father used to defeat that monster", I pointed out.

"Exactly! Seems like we've found our culprit."

After Childe said this, he put his hand on my shoulder.

"Well done, comrade", he praised. "You did an excellent job on your first mission!"

When I heard this…I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.

"So, what happens now", Paimon asked.

"Now we'll head back to Snezhnaya and report our findings to the Jester", Childe replied.

"Childe", I started. "What's going to happen to Diluc after we tell the Jester that he's the one the Fatui have been looking for?"

"I'm not sure", Childe replied, which made me very worried.

I don't want anything bad to happen to Diluc. But…I have to tell the Jester something.

"You okay, girlie", Childe asked. "You seemed worried about something?"

"It's…it's nothing", I lied. "I'm fine."

Childe didn't seem to buy this, but he didn't press me any further.

"Anyway", he started. "Lets go find Nadia and Vlad."

"Where are they anyway", Paimon asked.

"While you two were busy, Vlad asked some locals what the most romantic spot in Mondstadt is", Childe revealed. "Apparently, he has a surprise for Nadia."

…

We were at Starsnatch Cliff, watching Nadia and Vlad from a distance.

We were hidden behind some bushes so they couldn't see us, but we were still close enough to hear them.

Vlad nervously took a deep breath, before walking up to Nahida.

"There you are, Vlad", she greeted when she saw him. "Where have you been?"

"I…", Vlad started nervously. "I asked Master Childe if I could make a quick trip to Liyue Harbour."

"You went to Liyue Harbour", Nadia asked. "Why?"

"To get you this", Vlad replied.

Then, he revealed the Glaze Lily that he had been hiding behind his back.

"A Glaze Lily", Nadia asked as she took it from Vlad.

"During the Windblume Festival, you're supposed to give Windblumes to people you l…"Vlad started, but suddenly stopped himself. "…the people who…are very important to you."

"I'm…important to you", Nadia asked, her cheeks now turning pink.

"Of course you are", Vlad replied.

This response caused a soft smile to appear on Nadia's face.

She then looked at the Glaze Lily, before bringing it up to her nose and smelling it.

"Thank you for the Glaze Lily, Vlad", she said. "I shall cherish it forever."

As we watched this interaction, Paimon couldn't help but let out a giggle.

"They're so cute", she said, before turning to Childe. "Also, you let Vlad take a break from the mission to go to Liyue Harbour and get a Glaze Lily for Nadia?"

"Of course", Childe replied. "Who am I to stand in the way of this blooming romance?"

Hearing this got an amused smirk out of me.

"Who knew you were such a romantic", I asked.

"Oh", Childe started. "You think I'm romantic, Girlie?"

Before I could answer this question…a bird suddenly flew down in front of us.

Paimon squealed in shock before flying back, which blew our cover.

"Master Childe?! Master Brigella", Nadia yelped in shock, her face turning red when she realised that we had been watching her and Vlad. "Have…have you guys been standing there the whole time?"

"Paimon is so sorry", she apologised. "Paimon didn't mean to ruin the moment, but Paimon was scared by this darn bird!"

After this, we all took a closer look at the 'darn bird' in question.

"Wait a minute", Paimon started. "Isn't this…Diluc's bird?"

"It is", I replied, before noticing something else. "And it has a note attached to it's leg."

With this, I untied the note from the bird. As soon as I did, it took off and flew away.

"What does it say", Paimon asked.

I then unwrapped the note before reading it.

Traveler

I heard that you were back in Mondstadt.

If you have some time to spare, could you please come visit me at the Dawn Winery? There's something I would like to discuss with you.

Diluc

"He wants us to come to the Dawn Winery", Paimon asked. "Wonder what it's about?"

"Only one way to find out", I stated.

"I'd come with you, but I think we've already established that Diluc Ragnvindr doesn't really like the Fatui much."

"What are you going to do in the meantime, Childe", Paimon asked.

"Since I now have some free time, I'm going to see what the Windblume Festival has to offer", Childe replied.

"Well, alright then. Have fun Childe!"

After saying this, Paimon turned to face me.

"Come on, traveler! Let's head off to the Dawn Winery", she commanded. "Maybe we'll get some free grape juice?!"