Something Sweet

Chapter 5

Author's note: Took a little longer to post than expected. There's so much school work and exams. I'm heading into my last 2 weeks for the term, so I might be gone a while before the next post. So this chapter is on the longer side. After giving it much thought, I decided to keep it all in one chapter, rather than splitting it in two. 

Thanks for reading. 

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Days pressed forward as their most recent encounter remained a thing of the past.

With things remaining unclear between the two, Jean continued having a hard time forgetting their conversation. She couldn't believe Diluc had no recollection of her doing what she did, yet his perceptiveness won the best out of her as she gave herself up with little to no effort.

Diluc's sharpness wasn't something to take lightly. She shouldn't have fumbled herself around as she had. Jean knew better.

And as for that unforeseen kiss, Jean had been contemplating it for days on end. Whether she liked admitting it or not, she responded to him with little to no resistance. Jean couldn't get over how quickly her body seemed to react to him. It was absurd to her, and it certainly didn't make sense.

Again, nothing more disappointing than having the current Acting Grandmaster of Mondstadt and daughter to the Gunnhildr family act in such inappropriate ways.

Jean had already learned to accept the burden she had instilled upon Diluc for doing what she did to him. He, himself, told her to forget about it and found no blame for the situation, but Jean couldn't. Even knowing about her condition being impaired and acting without rationality, it still proved to be a delicate matter. Being a member of the Gunnhildr clan and her father and sister being members of the church, She wouldn't dare admit her purity was lost in such a way.

There was so much shame riddled inside her; it felt haunting at times. She wouldn't dare imagine what would happen if her family learned about her actions.

The simple thought stirred her stomach to the extent of making her feel sick at times.

So much turmoil appeared to plague her thoughts she found it easier to bury herself with work. Having to attend meetings and administrative work began to take up most of her time. At the very least, it kept her mind from straying.

She grew more cautious when approaching investigations and allowed her knights to follow through with scouting the areas and patrolling Mondstadt.

The new arrangements appeared to have positive outcomes as she now spent most of her time reading through reports and requests at her desk.

Nothing but work, sleep, and shower. It all began to fall into a repeated cycle.

It was an escape.

For Mondstadt, as always...

"Oh, Jean~" Lisa walked in with a sing-song tone, carrying a too-obvious package of desserts, "Look what I brought?"

Jean spared a glance, recognizing the sudden grumble to her stomach in need of a break, "Perfect timing. I was thinking of taking a break myself."

"Well, lucky you, I brought sweets to replenish your energy." She proceeded to open the package on Jean's desk and reveal the cream-filled pastries with chocolate drizzle and a mixture of diced fruit as toppings. "I see you're craving fruits again. You've sure developed a sweet tooth lately."

Jean leisurely shrugged at the comment, "It helps... with all this paperwork. The sugar keeps me awake, besides all the coffee. Especially now, with all the administrative work, it can get pretty boring." She smiled, propping another berry between her lips.