Chapter 14 Something for You
Lumine's POV
Paimon and I had just arrived inside of the Dawn Winery.
"Greetings, traveler and Paimon", Diluc greeted as we entered.
"Hiya, Master Diluc", Paimon greeted. "Thanks for inviting us here! Speaking of which, why did you invite us here anyway?"
"I heard that you two were back in town and wanted to catch up", Diluc revealed.
Then, he picked up two glasses with a reddish, purplish liquid in them.
"Here", he said as he held the glasses up to us.
"Yay, free grape Juice", Paimon exclaimed, before quickly grabbing one of the glasses from Diluc. "Thanks, Diluc!"
"You're very, welcome", Diluc said, before walking up to a seat. "Please, have a seat."
With that, we all took a seat.
"So tell me, how have your travels been", Diluc asked.
"They've been alright", Paimon replied. "We arrived in Snezhnaya not to long ago."
"Is that so", Diluc asked. "I hope that the Fatui haven't been giving you any trouble while you've been there?"
"Um…", Paimon started nervously. "They haven't been giving us trouble, actually."
"Is that so", Diluc asked. "Interesting. I've heard of how you've foiled the Fatui's schemes across Teyvat, so I assumed they would try to take advantage of the fact that you were in their homeland."
"Yeah…", Paimon said nervously as she tried coming up with an excuse. "Well…after all the butt whoopings we've given the Fatui, they probably realised that they should stay away from us if they know what's good for them!"
"I see", Diluc said. "And speaking of the Fatui, I heard that one of their Harbingers is actually in town, and that you seem to know him."
"Y…yeah", Paimon said nervously. "His name is Childe, and he always seems to show up and cause trouble whenever we arrive somewhere!"
"So, he just happened to show up the same time you two did", Diluc asked. "You didn't arrive here with him?"
As soon as Diluc said this, I began to realise that something was going on.
"Wh…what", Paimon asked, now getting very nervous. "Of course we didn't. Why would you ask that, Master Diluc."
"Because as one of my workers was returning from dropping off a shipment in Liyue, they told me that they spotted you on the outskirts of Mondstadt, talking with what appeared to be a Fatui Harbinger."
After Diluc said this, I looked down guilty. I then looked at Paimon, who was also hanging her head down.
"Busted", I could hear her whisper.
Then, Diluc stood up and started walking towards me.
"Traveler, I want you tell me the truth", he revealed. "Why were you talking with that harbinger?"
After quickly thinking about what I should do, I sighed in defeat. Then, I took out the delusion the Jester gave me. Even though I didn't actually need it, I figured having it on me could come in useful.
"Is this…a delusion", Diluc asked in confusion. "Why do have this?"
"The head of the Fatui gave it to me…when I joined the ranks of the harbingers."
I wasn't looking at Diluc, but I'm sure that he had an angry look on his face.
"You joined the harbingers", he exclaimed in shock. "Traveler, why would you do that?!"
"Because how else am I going to find out where my brother is!"
Diluc went silent after this outburst, and I continued to speak…as tears started falling from my eyes.
"I've been to all of the nations in Teyvat, Diluc, and I still don't know where my brother is! I don't want to help the Fatui! I feel like I'm betraying the knights, who were the first people to help me when I started my journey, but…but…I don't know what else to do!"
When I was done with my outburst, I placed my face in my hands and continued to cry.
"Oh, traveler", Paimon said as she flew up to me, before hugging the side of my head.
Then, a handkerchief suddenly appeared in front of me.
I finally looked up, and saw Diluc holding it up as he kneeled down in front of me.
I took the handkerchief from him, before using it to blow into my now snotty nose.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you, Diluc", I apologised. "I…"
"The one who should be apologising is me", Dliuc stated. "I should've just asked you directly what was going on, but my hatred for the Fatui clouded my judgement. I'm sorry, traveler."
After saying this, Diluc put his hand on my knee.
"Now, please tell me what mission the Fatui sent you here on", he instructed. "Perhaps I can assist you with it."
And so, I told Diluc exactly what was going on.
"I see", he said. "So the Fatui want to know who the true culprit behind the Black Fire Incident was."
"Was it you", I asked directly.
"What makes you think that", Diluc asked.
"When we were looking through Jean's office for clues, we found a letter that said that your father defeated a monster with an item that fit the description of a delusion", I revealed.
"Also, Childe told us that you caused a lot of trouble for the Fatui in the past", Paimon added.
Then, Diluc smiled.
"You are very observant, traveler", he stated. "You are correct. I am indeed the one who took the blame for the Black Fire Incident."
"You are", Paimon asked. "That means we were right! But wait, we're not going to rat out Diluc to the Jester, are we?"
"You can tell your boss that it was me", Diluc said. "In fact, I suspect that he already knows."
"What", Paimon exclaimed. "What do mean he already knows?!"
"It's like the Harbinger told you", Diluc revealed. "I caused a lot of trouble for the Fatui. Therefore, I doubt that they would've seen the 'culprit' behind the Black Fire Incident and not connect the dots."
"What", Paimon exclaimed again. "But, if the Jester already knew that you were the true culprit, why'd he sent us to find out who it was?!"
"My guess is that he is trying to test your loyalty", Diluc replied. "He wants to see how far you're willing to go to serve the Fatui, even if it means betraying those close to you."
After finding this out, Paimon groaned in frustration.
"Unbelievable", she said.
"Diluc, is it truly okay for me to tell the Jester that you were the true culprit", I asked.
"Yes", Diluc replied, before placing his hand on my own. "You have done so much for Mondstadt, and Teyvat as a whole. It's about time someone did something for you."
When I heard this, a smile came to my face.
"However", Diluc started. "There is something I would like for you to do for me in return."
…
Diluc was escorting me out of the Dawn Winery. However, when I got outside, I found someone waiting for me.
"There you are, comrade", he greeted as he walked up to me.
"Childe", Paimon asked in shock. "What are you doing here?"
"You were taking a while, so I wanted to make sure you were okay", Childe replied.
Then, he looked up at Diluc.
"So, this is the infamous Diluc Ragnvinder", he started. "I've heard a lot about you. I'm Childe, number eleven of the Fatui harbingers."
"So I've heard", Diluc said.
"Anyway", Childe started. "It's getting late, girlie, so we should probably head back."
"Traveller, a word", Diluc said, before pulling me to the side. "Are you sure you'll be alright travelling with him?"
"It's okay", Paimon reassured. "We know how to handle Childe."
"If you say so", Diluc said. "Well then, I wish you a goodnight, traveler and Paimon. Please stay safe."
"We will", I reassured. "And Diluc, Thank you for everything."
"You're very welcome, traveler", Diluc said. "I hope that we'll get see each other again soon."
"Same here, Master Diluc", Paimon said, before waving. "See you again! Bye bye!"
With that, Diluc gave a curt nod. Then, he glared at Childe, before walking inside.
I turned around, and saw that Childe did not look happy for some reason.
"You seem close to him, traveler", he observed.
"Yeah", Paimon agreed. "And that closeness got us the information we need! Mission accomplished!"
"That's great", Childe said. "Then we can start making our way back to Snezhnaya in the morning."
"Yeah", Paimon said, before yawning. "Man, I'm beat. Let's head back to the city."
We that, we started walking.
"Here", Childe said, before suddenly holding out something to me.
I stopped walking to look at what it was, and saw a bouquet of different flowers.
"What's this", I asked as I took it from him.
"I asked around, and everybody has different opinions on what the true Windblume is", Childe revealed. "So, I just got one of every well known flower that grows in Mondstadt."
"You…got me a Windblume gift", I asked in shock.
"Of course", Childe replied. "We were in Mondstadt for the holiday, so I felt it would be a waste not to."
For some reason, Childe getting me a Windblume gift brought a smile to my face.
"Thank you for the gift, Childe", I said.
When I did, he gave me the goofiest grin.
"I'm glad that you like it, girlie."