Bed and Silken Chains | Hiatus

Zweiundzwanzig

sometimes i wonder why i still write. what's the point anymore? it's not like this hobby will take me anywhere. i don't earn money from this and i probably never will. sometimes, writing is even deteriorating my mental health. do you know why i still write, though? because see you all enjoy my works gives me a small dose of dopamine. i like to see all of you interact and talk, but when a chapter is silent? i feel like i failed. i feel like what i do isn't good enough. i didn't do good enough to incite a reaction.

anyway, onto the story, i guess.

Diluc didn't realize just how much time had past as he was deeply lost in his own thoughts. The only things bringing him back to the real world was the sound of the front doors opening. He snaps his attention to see Adelinde and (Y/n) coming back inside, the sky growing dark already. Somehow, this small sign of time passage sends his heart into a flurry. Just how long was he thinking about her?

"Master Diluc," Adelinde says.

"Hmm?"

"I wish to speak with you, privately."

Diluc nods his head before standing from the table. Diluc leads Adelinde towards the stairway, heading up for a more secluded location. Once stopped, Diluc turns to Adelinde and gestures for her to speak.

"Master Diluc, it seem (Y/n) is rather... clumsy."

"How do you mean?"

"She may not be a total klutz, but her forms are a bit... how do I put this... weak? Almost as if she's unsure of herself. The way she holds things, the way she walks, even just her standing there doing nothing! She's like a child."

Diluc didn't understand the feeling deep within his body. Was Adelinde criticizing something you can't control? That's not very fair, now is it?

"That's just how she is."

"I know but-"

"And what's wrong with being a bit clumsy? Weren't we all at some point?"

"But she's an adult-"

"That's not an excuse."

"Master Diluc, you're acting irrational."

"How so, huh?" Diluc asks, feeling something inside his stomach boil.

Adelinde gulps slightly.

"An adult should preform with some form of grace, while this... girl has no coordination in the slightest!"

There grew a silence between the two of them.

"Take that back right now," Diluc says in a low growl.

"What?"

There was a burning within Diluc's chest. He could not control this feeling, the feeling of seeing an enemy of the people.

"(Y/n) is perfectly graceful. She's not a child. She's a full grown adult, so you have no right to call her just a 'girl.' Do you understand?"

Adelinde can feel the heat rising around her. She wished to protest, but she held her tongue, biting it slightly.

"Yes," she says rigidly.

"Good. Now go back to work."

She bows and heads back down the stairs, heading to her post. Diluc's darkened eyes linger on her form, a feeling seething, boiling anger slowly settling down.

He watches as (Y/n) walks up to Adelinde and asks if she's alright. (Y/n) shouldn't have to deal with her right now.

Diluc turns away, heading into his room before dinner.

* * *

(Y/n) watched Adelinde walk back down the stairs, a stiffness to her movements. She recognizes that rigid movement. Something is wrong. Something is very wrong.

"Miss Adelinde!" the young woman yelps out, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

Her voice was taught. She sounded like a pre prepared statement.

"You're lying."

Adelinde looks at her with almost a defensive glare.

"How would you know?"

"Because I know that look," (Y/n) says, her voice lower than normal. "I've been like that, pretending you're fine, unable to speak or you'll be punished. Miss Adelinde, tell me, what's wrong?"

Adelinde looks away, trying to busy herself with her work.

"I have no obligation to tell you anything."

"It's Master Diluc, right?"

Adelinde's body freezes, stuck in place. Slowly, she turns around with a worried expression.

"How would you know?"

(Y/n)'s gaze glances away as she kicks her shoe against the tiled floor.

"It's just a feeling."

Adelinde remains quiet, pouting her lips and sighing. Finally, she opens her mouth to speak.

"Master Diluc and I just had a disagreement, that's all. It's not the first time such things have happened."

"You're not telling me everything. I know you're not."

"How?"

"Because I'm not as stupid as people often think I am. I may not be formally educated, but I have learned much through just living life. So, Miss Adelinde, tell me what's going on."

Adelinde stares at the stone faced woman in front of her. Her expression, her mannerisms, everything is completely different from how she was acting outside. It's scary, like she transformed into someone entirely different. Adelinde, not wanting to get into anymore of an argument, decides to try and change the subject.

"How have you learned such things? Where did you learn such things?"

"You're changing the subject, Miss. If you don't want to talk about it, you can just say that. I won't press you anymore. I have most of my answer, anyway."

"Then why did you keep pressing?"

"Because I was hoping you trusted me enough to talk to me. Seems like no one here really gives me such pleasantries."

Adelinde was stunned. Before she could speak, (Y/n) turned on her heel and heads towards the other side of the manor. She had no destination, just to get away from someone, that's all.

You might be wondering why her personality is so different than before and why it keeps switching. Well, you'll find out sooner or later :)