Bed and Silken Chains | Hiatus

Sechzehn

Diluc watches with slight creases in his eyes as her gaze is filled with unending wonder. This is probably the biggest meal she's seen in who knows how long. Something in his chest swells at the thought that he gets to be the one presenting such a gift to her.

Diluc quickly takes his own seat across from the younger woman and prepares his dining utensils. Being raised an aristocrat often leaves habits, even when there's no one to enforce them. Diluc was sure his father would be proud.

His eyes raise to watch as the girl continues to just stare at all the food that is presented before her. Even with all the wonder on her face, Diluc can tell there's hesitation.

"What's wrong?" Diluc quietly asks.

"Uh-... I'm just... not sure where to even begin! This is all so much! Thank you!"

Diluc chuckles. His laugh is warm and hearty, swelling deep within his toned chest. A present smile forces his lips upwards.

"There's no need to thank me," Diluc says humble, "You should thank the cooks. Now, let's eat, shall we?"

Diluc quickly presses his hands together before grabbing the steaming pastries and placing them onto his rather large plate. He can't help but glance at (Y/n) in front of him. Even though he fully knows how eager she must be to eat such food, she's still holding herself back.

"Is something still wrong, my dear?"

(Y/n)'s attention is visibly snapped and quickly drawn to the man in front of her. She can't help but feel fluster enter her face, shying away slightly.

"I... um... I just don't know what to do with all this food."

Diluc just smiles and lets out an endearing sigh. He pushes the chair back and stand up, walking back over to her side. This action causes the woman to shake her hands in front of him.

"W-Wait! W-What are you doing?"

"I'm here to serve you, my dear. Here."

Diluc quickly and efficiently serves onto her plate fresh pastries, pancakes, eggs, and cinnamon apple slices, as well as pouring her a glass of fresh juice.

"There, that should satisfy you for now, right?"

A deeper feeling of warmth engulfs the girl before she nods her head.

"Y-Yes... You didn't have to do this... Thank you, Mister Diluc."

"Of course, my dear."

Diluc stands back up and heads back to his seat, ready to eat. Before he can even sit down, however, he notices that the woman is still a little hesitant on her actions.

She's so nervous, it's adorable.

"There's no need to hold back anymore, my dear. Just eat. No one is here to judge you."

(Y/n) can't help but sink her head into her chest, giving a slight nod in reply. Carefully, she grabs the cutlery next to her plate and grips them with a slight awkwardness. Diluc raises a brow at how she holds them -- holding them in a fist rather than in pinch.

Shaking off his thoughts, Diluc quickly sits down in his chair, beginning to eat his own meal. Subconsciously, his eyes continue to draw upwards towards the girl in front of him. She eats with some struggle, hands shaking at the hold and having such a loose hold on her knife, it can barely cut through her food. Diluc pouts slightly, taking note of her actions.

I won't embarrass her.

Diluc and (Y/n) contently eat their meal, the former enjoying the little hums escaping the latter's throat as she eats.

Once both are finished with their meals, Moco comes around and cleans up their dirty dishes. Diluc escorts (Y/n) out of her chair and leads her, gently, out of the house. The fresh air that enters (Y/n)'s lungs feels wonderful. A feeling of freedom, a feeling of peace, a feeling of pure and unadulterated happiness.

"The air out here is wonderful," she sighs, arms open to embrace the slight breeze.

Diluc lets out another warm laugh, grabbing her hand in his.

"Follow me, I have something I want to discuss with you."

(Y/n)'s attention breaks from her thoughts, nodding to her new found companion.

Diluc leads her down the dirt path towards a small cliff where the crystalflies like to gather. He gestures for her to sit down, which she follows. She can't help but lay her head on the soft grasses, feeling the fresh breeze whip around her face gently.

Diluc sits next to her, staring longingly and lovingly at her content smile. A warm sigh escapes his lips.

"(Y/n), will you listen?"

"Hmm," she responds positively.

"You did, in fact, steal from the Dawn Winery."

(Y/n) flinches at his words, a feeling of unending guilt crawling through her full stomach. It feel so terrible that she almost wants to throw-up her meal.

"Yes... I'm so very very sorry about that."

"It's alright. This is a vineyard, we can always make more, but that's not the point of this conversation. What I want to talk about is how you're going to repay me for stealing my property."

(Y/n) quickly moves her gaze over to Diluc, eyes widened and mouth slightly agap.

"P-Pay? I... I don't have any money..."

Diluc sadly laughs.

"Oh, I know. So, I have a way to help you, but only if you wish."

"I'll do whatever you might ask of me, if it's within my limits of course..."

Diluc smiles at her eagerness to apologize.

"How about you work for me?"

"Work for you?"

"Yes. It won't be anything difficult. Something easy and simple, like a house maid."

"A house maid... I guess that can work."

Diluc's smile deepens. He brings a gloved hand to cup her cheek gently.

"I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure Adelinde would appreciate some more hands around the manor."

(Y/n) can't help but look away, turning her head to watch the river flow by.

"Can I work close to you?" she asks quietly.

"Hmm? Work... close to me?" Diluc can't help but feel a warmth spread from his chest into his cheeks. "I would love that."

(Y/n) simply smiles.

"I'm glad."

Diluc, unsure of his actions, slowly lays down next to the girl, staring deep into her dark eyes. He wishes that the light would return to them, but he knows she must be thinking deeply. Diluc brings his hand back to her face, rubbing his thumb across her cheek.

"Don't worry. I'll always be here for you."

-- End of Part Two --