Perfect Excuses: Diluc x Jean

III

Gunnhildr.

It had been three weeks since Jean was chosen to be the queen and it was pretty eventful to say the least. She took part in the preparation of the royal wedding but she didn't have much contribution. The king at least had the consideration to let her plan her own wedding. Even then, she had no say whether the wedding should be private or not. She almost forgot that the whole purpose of the Seneschal looking for a queen was for publicity. She tried her best to argue, but she really didn't have the power to change anything. The only thing she was allowed to change was the color of tablecloth and other sorts of wedding ceremony shenanigans. Even then, these shades of colors had no difference whatsoever so what's the point.

Besides planning, all she ever did was stay in the room to continue cutting the rails on the window for her escape. But not without collecting a few romance novels suggested by the librarian, Lisa Minci.

She collected them because one: it was the perfect excuse to tell the guards what kept her occupied in the room, and two: it really was tiring and boring to cut metal. She had to entertain herself somehow. 

She is currently busy grating the railings when there was suddenly a knock on the door and a few clicks that told her that it was getting unlocked. She immediately left the dagger on a nearby dresser and practically dived to her bed. She rolled so that she's laying on her stomach and grabbed an open book to let the incoming person know that she's merely reading.

In comes the King of Mondstadt himself. He and his aggravatingly good-looking dress coat. 

"May I help you, your majesty?" He sighed at the tone of her greeting. 

"Don't give me that. I'm just here to let you know that the fitting of your wedding dress will be moved to an earlier date. This Thursday, to be exact." 

"I don't get to make any changes anyway. Can't I just stay here?" 

"The tailor wanted to meet you. Wanted to know who they're working with." Anything to do with royalty was so meticulous. It's kind of annoying sometimes.

"Also, I wanted to tell you that I'm bringing you with me for a small search for weapon upgrades." 

"Weapon upgrades?" Was this the thing that the Chief Alchemist discussed with him?

"It's still a long way from now. It'll take place after the wedding so I'll tell you the details after." He said as he scanned his eyes over the expanse of her bed. All he could ever see was the heaping piles of books on it. Which was good, so that it gave him the idea that she's behaving in her room doing nothing but fantasizing.

However, her heart raced when he slowly made his way over to the window. The window where she already made progress in damaging the railings. She almost saw her life flash in her eyes but he turned to walk towards the dresser. She could let out a breath of relief, but that's where the dagger was situated. It's slightly tattered, and he of all people would know that it's been used. 

He picked it up and inspected the blade before looking at her in suspicion. She braced herself for any kind of interrogation that he would throw at her, but surprisingly, nothing came.

"If you don't have any more questions, I'll be on my way." He merely put the dagger in his dress coat and started to exit the room.

"Actually." Jean exclaimed before he could reach the door. 

She shot up from her bed and dashed towards him. While he was still walking, she put her foot in front of him so he tripped and almost fell. She put herself in front of him to catch him by the torso. Since he got caught off guard, she took the opportunity to get her hands on him.