Bed and Silken Chains | Hiatus

Fünfzehn

(Y/n) looks wearily at the taller man before sliding off the tall bed and stepping gently onto the floor, careful to not cause any pain in her feet. Diluc holds out a hand towards her, offering it as a friendly gesture.

(Y/n) raises a hand, grasping onto Diluc's bare hands. It's been a long time since Diluc actually touched anything with his bare hands, it's quite the nice feeling for him. Her skin is slightly dry and cracked, yet it was still as delicate to him as a piece of glasswork.

Diluc, in a gentlemanly fashion, bows to the young woman as if he was her personal butler guiding her towards the ball.

The young woman slightly laughs before taking very slow steps. She eases the weight onto the balls of her feet before putting her heels against the floors, watching carefully about her injuries. Diluc doesn't mind her slow manner, in fact, he finds it quite endearing. Small steps like a child; a sweet and innocent child. He wishes to keep such beauty.

Diluc carefully continues to guide the young woman down the hall and down the stairwell. Several maids look at them before going back to their work. Adelinde told the others about the new guest that will probably be staying there for a few days.

The handsome man feels the urge to pick up (Y/n) into his arms and carry her the rest of the way down, not wanting her to step down the stairs. What if she were to roll her ankle and fall? She could so easily be hurt.

"No," he mumbles to himself, "You're treating her like a child again..."

"Hm?" (Y/n) asks, her attention to the sudden sound of his smooth voice.

"Ah, it's nothing," Diluc says with a smile, "I was just talking to myself, it's nothing to worry about."

The young woman quirks a brow, knowing that that sentence is always a lie. She's heard it a few times in her life, and every time it has been a lie. She shakes her head, suppressing the bubbling memories that wish to reach the surface as though boiled in a pot.

(Y/n) looks a way, a distant look in her sunken gaze. Diluc quickly catches onto this shift in demeanor. His heart pangs with a slight guilt as he quickly tries to save himself.

"Really. If you're so curious about my words, I was just reminding myself about something you said, that's all."

The woman hums before just slightly nodding her head. Diluc can still feel the sense of doubt emitting from her dark eyes, light lost. He wish his could brighten those eyes, giving them new life and light. Sadly, Diluc just shakes his head before heading towards main table.

The smell of sweet pastries fills the young woman's nose, drawing attention away from her suppressed thoughts. Her eyes widen in sight of so much food, some steaming with freshness. A smile can't help but spread across her face quickly, engulfing it in pure joy.

Diluc smiles at her, eyes filled with even more endearment. Diluc lets go of her hand, only to pulls out a chair for her to sit down in.

"For you, my lady."

Another warm flush floods through her system before she waddles her way towards the cushioned seats. Her shoulders scrunch up to her ears, trying to shrink away from first and second hand embarrassment.

"T-Thank you."

Diluc smiles warmly.

"Of course."