Shattered Recluse

Flashback/Chapter 1

That day...if I had been faster, would I have been able to save him? The man who raised and fed me, and the very one who died right in front of my eyes. 

I still feel the rain from that day, coldly splashing my face, as if fate decided to laugh at my tears and stain my clothes with a wet mark. That day, what sort of cruelty conspired to take my father away from me? Death was a kind fate, but that wasn't what awaited him. I remember how my father was gurgling and choking on his own blood, gasping for air as I saw the light disappear from his eyes.

"Diluc! Master Diluc-" a woman in a maid outfit stumbled into my room, clearly Adelinde, head of the housemaids here at Dawn Winery. "Master Diluc, you musn't be oversleeping. That's not something Master Crepus would be proud of." A nagging smile appeared on her face, one that said What are you doing? Get to your duties as owner of Dawn Winery! 

I knew that look all too well, ever since my father passed away a few years ago, she'd been acting as one of the few people who anchor me to my life. "I apologize, Adelinde. I'll get going immediately." Her look softened, "Well, if you'll excuse me Master Diluc." giving me a polite nod before exiting my room. 

Her head poked in a second later "Oh! And before I forget, how about you talk to Master Kaeya? I take it you haven't spoke to him in a while?" Giving a polite smile as she finally left.

I scoffed to myself, Kaeya? That buffoon? What can he do, drink and play around, though I suppose I'll have to check up on him as well.

I looked in the mirror; Well, this is me, Diluc Ragnivindr, so called number one eligible bachelor in Mondstadt. Owner of Dawn Winery and a man who couldn't even save his own father. Pathetic.

I made my way out of the Manor, headed towards the bar for another day of work, hoping that business would be good today.