The box is carved with an intricate design, and upon further inspection, Diluc can see that the design tells the story of the founding of Mondstadt. The role of the Ragnvindr, the blessing of Barbatos, the song of the bard. Familiar bedtime stories from when he was growing up.
That much shouldn't be a surprise. After all, he is not the first Ragnvindr to enjoy collecting Barbatos memorabilia, whether fake or genuine. In fact, his interest started with his father's collection.
He traces his hands across the box. It is well maintained, without even a speck of dust on it. His father has been taking care of this box, even keeping it in his bedroom. What's so special about this box? Diluc has no one to ask regarding that. After all, his father passed away a week ago and none of the servants seem aware of the existence of this box.
For a moment, he wonders about calling Kaeya over to take a look. Perhaps Kaeya would know something. Kaeya always seems to know something about anything. But Diluc doesn't like relying on Kaeya for every little thing. After all, Kaeya has his work with the Knights of Favonius. Although more than that, Diluc has his own pride as the older one between the two of them. He should be the one relied on, not the other way around.
Besides, this is just a box. It might not even contain anything particularly important and its weight might all be due to the hardwood it is made of. It might just be something that holds sentimental value to his father and his father alone.
Although, if that is the case, Diluc would still be curious. Very curious. His father did not seem to be a sentimental man, so why did he keep this box so close to him? Why did he take care of it so well?
Diluc clicks his tongue. Well, no one could answer that either. His father is gone without telling anyone the significance of this box.
There's only one thing to do, and that is to explore it by himself.
When Diluc lifts up the box, nothing in it seems to rattle. No weight shifting around. He brings it over to the table where his father had written his correspondences. His table now, like how this bedroom now belongs to Diluc, he reminds himself.
But even if he knows it to be true logically, it still doesn't feel like this room and everything in it belongs to him, but he supposes that's to be expected as his father's body might as well still be warm in his coffin.
He traces his finger on the lid of the box once more. No dust, perfectly clean. Then, he places his hand against the metal latch of the box, feeling the cool sensation against his skin. The metal latch is properly maintained as well, plated in gold and without even a hint of rust.
Slowly, Diluc opens the box.
What should he expect? Secret letters? A diary? Or perhaps nothing at all? The thoughts swirl in his head in the few seconds as he pries the box open.
The box, now shining and shimmering as the lid parts. Diluc finds himself breathless as he throws the box's lid back. The glow simply grows brighter, stronger until it illuminates all of the room.
What is this? Why is this happening?
And then, right in front of Diluc is a single figure. Dressed in white and green, the figure is a young man with a dainty body, his face perfectly aligned with a soft curve of his nose and bow-shaped pink lips and framed by his black hair. Slowly, the young man's eyes open, bright, beautiful green.
"Crepus?" the voice that says Diluc's father's name is sweet and light, sounding like they fit the figure that is taking form in front of Diluc perfectly.
"No," Diluc finds the word spilling out of him. "I'm--" but he's cut off.
"Diluc," the young man says, tilting his head to the side. "Crepus' son."
