❝𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄❞

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙣

chapter fifteen: “developing.”

—

     “TRAVELER DEAR, IS SOMETHING WRONG?”

THE BEWILDERED QUEEN ASKED, brushing Outlander's bangs away from her face. Her gaze was fixated on the serious look she was receiving from her, making her tense because she has never seen her this serious. Lumine, on the other hand, kept glancing back at Diluc and then at (Name) as if they were strangers to her (despite not at all)...

     "I'm just glad you're alright," the blonde said before wiping the invisible dust from the (h/c)-haired's chest. "I'm sorry for barging inside your home without your knowledge, Diluc." She apologized.

     "It's fine." The male assured. "What're you doing here either way? It's too late to visit Dawn Winery now," he asked since Paimon is grinning ear-to-ear from the door.

     "Well~," the white-haired child entered the manor and pulled something from her bag—the same coat (Name) was wearing earlier. "Tsunotaro or Ms. (n/n) hasn't returned from her last commission and Traveler is worried about her, so she went to Starsnatch Cliff to find her, but she found this instead."

As much as Lumine adores her companion, she sometimes wants to sew her mouth shut. Paimon pulled Diluc's coat and now everyone (except Traveler and her beloved companion) gasped at the sight. Both were damp from the rain, making the maids think they did something pleasant during the rain...

     "Did you two did it together?!" Moco exclaimed, exchanging glances with Diluc and (Name). They were hoping for an unpleasant remark, but their expressions turned into a joyful ones "Master Diluc, you should've told us you finally found a woman you'll cherish! We're so happy!" She exclaimed, tears running down her cheeks.

     (Name)'s eyed glowed lime for a second, then she gave the small child a warning look and approached the maids, "You must be mistaken. We didn't do it together!" She denied, smiling so feverishly at them as she waved her hands. "Mr. Ragnvindr didn't do it with me for we only see ourselves as acquaintances. He merely saved me from the grasp of Fatui."

     Hillie gasped, "Master Diluc! I didn't know you're such a Prince Charming for Ms. Beautiful (n/n)!" She jested while guiding the Queen beside the male. She nudged the male, "So when's the wedding for you guys?"

     "There's no wedding that's gonna happen, don't put your hopes up," Diluc grumbled while crossing his arms. "I don't like Ms. (n/n) in that way or anything similar of that sort... Please, stop forcing her into marrying me either." He added before pushing his maids’ faces away from him.

     "I don't believe you, Master Diluc..." Adelinde said as she took the clothes from the little one's hands. "Might explain why you're missing for a couple of hours."

     "Yeah, explain it to us, Master Diluc~!" Paimon teased, a sneaky grin creeping from her face. "Explain to us what happened between you two."

(Name) wriggled her way away from them, approaching the sulking Lumine in the corner. Diluc wasn't pleased with the attention he was receiving from his servants and an acquaintance. The Queen knelt in front of the Traveler, she brought her hands to cup the other female's cheek...

     "I didn't sleep with him, my dear Traveler," she assured with a smile while rubbing Lumine's cheek with her thumbs. "I removed his top because he was injured and I used my coat to cover his shivering figure earlier. Pardon me for worrying you in any way."

     The Outlander puffed her cheeks, flustered, "It's alright. I was worried you might not come back after your last commission..." She explained, averting the staring Queen. "Please don't look at me like that..."

     "Oh, but why is that?" The Archon asked, lightly pinching the inhumane individual's cheeks. "Are you perhaps jealous? Because you seem angry when little Paimon told me I might've slept with Mr. Ragnvindr."

Caught, the Traveler's urge to jump off the cliff triggered, and she's now covering her reddened facade. Before she could close her eyes, she saw the glinting lime behind those eerie (e/c) eyes. Her Royal Majesty was amused as she chuckled at her reaction, earning looks from the floating companion at the back...

     "Master Diluc, you should try to court Ms. (n/n)!" Moco suggested, nudging her Master. "She's very rare, you know! If you kept pushing your pride, you might lose your chance to get her ‘cause men are probably flocking here and there!" She teased.

     "Moco's right, so you should take your chance already before it's too late!" Hillie agreed, nodding vigorously. "Ms. (n/n) might be gone before you could change your mind, Master Diluc!"

     Adelinde took their ears, pinching, "Are you girls Master Diluc?" She asked, earning terrified shaking heads from the maids. "Let him be. He decides to make, so don't even try to force him into something he dislikes or is uninterested in."

     (Name) stood up and bowed in front of them, "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Ragnvindr, and Ms. Adelinde. Also your wonderful company, Ms. Moco and Hillie... I deeply appreciate it, but I'm afraid I'll be taking my leave with the dear Traveler for I forgot to talk to the guild commissioner," she said with a smile. "I bid you good night and may fate bring us to see each other once more. Come on, little one."

     "Ah, wait." Diluc grabbed her wrist, stopping her from opening the doors of his manor. "Where are you staying? We might as well let you stay in Dawn Winery for a while, so—"

     "The Traveler and I are currently staying in the Goth Grand Hotel." She replied and the maids were crying in disbelief. "I appreciate your kindness, but I may have been a bit selfish and overdo it. I have infiltrated your home without any warnings after all and the dinner with these spare clothes is enough."

     "I insist."

     (Name) chuckled, "I'm afraid I have to decline this time but thank you for your concern." She said while Lumine was clinging around her arm, throwing a death glare at her companion. "We'll be taking our leave this time, so farewell!"

Waving goodbye to them, they left Dawn Winery. The moon's hiding behind the gloomy clouds, leaving a faded moonlight to light their path. Paimon was embarrassed as she twiddled her hair with her small fingers while Lumine was enjoying the fact their assumption was wrong as she cling around (Name)'s arm...

     "Tell me, Paimon dear, was my dear Traveler jealous when she saw my coat inside the little cave?" (Name) asked, chuckling in the process. "Don't be shy now."

     Paimon grinned again, "HEHEHE!"

     The Queen must've noticed the blushing Lumine, "Do keep in mind I don't sleep with random men I met, so don't be afraid to assume I didn't sleep with them." She reminded before caressing the blonde's head.

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マレウス