Something Sweet

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

  "After three very long weeks of deliberation with the Fatui diplomats in charge of their Mondstadt factions, all those in charge claimed nonassociation to the offenses. Both occurrences, the Windrise location and the intrusion to our Acting Grandmaster's residence." Lisa summarized the concluded report to the scarlet-haired commander standing across her desk. "Amber's action to report the attack the night of the incident certainly heightened the much-needed awareness we sought to achieve. Since then, the Fatui had no alternative but to respond to both incidents fully."

"By what method? By wiping their hands clean and pinning the blame on factless corpses." Diluc crossed his arms. "I'd question my lack of surprise, but that's rather pointless. So tell me, did they at least express gratitude for our ridding their trash?"

Lisa cleared her throat at the question, "No insignias were found within their belongings."

"What's a trained dog without its collar?"

The harsh comparison had the mage uncomfortably shifting in her chair, "No insignia badge means no official affiliation. The investigation that followed from their hideout was beyond salvageable. Everything was reduced to ash. We could hardly call it an investigation after what we observed."

"You think I don't know that?" Diluc began to reach into his coat's innermost pocket. "I searched each and every damned corpse within the vicinity." The journal he refused to produce as evidence now presented in his hand.

"What is this?" Lisa's curiosity nearly drew her to the edge of her seat.

"See for yourself, but speak of this to no one." Diluc held the book out for her to take. "I kept this for personal reasons. But mostly, to keep my wife and family safe." Lisa's eyes skimmed through the pages, immediately recognizing its content. "I won't allow such an occurrence to befall Jean and my future children."

A shaky breath left her, "My goodness... they sought recognition by presenting an infant born from a vision holder. An offering." Lisa's blood chilled.

"All the more, assisted by the Abyss order to make a deal and weaken Mondstadt's defense."

"I am— appalled; why didn't you show me this before?"

"They made an attempt to harm my wife and take my children. Why would I bring this into focus? To prove that their sought-out target was indeed our Acting Grandmaster and confirm her pregnancy just as the Fatui suspected?"

Lisa shook her head, clasping her hands together, "It turns my stomach just thinking about it. I can't imagine what you and Jean must have felt."

This made Diluc turn away, "We were both present and familiar with the history of their Fatui recruitments. Years ago, we intercepted and laid this problem to rest. I... did not expect to reencounter this, let alone my children being dragged into it."

"Children. You keep saying, children." Lisa's eyes narrowed, catching on with a sudden shift of interest.

"Ah..." By pacing away from her desk, a red-handed smile hinted on his lips as he tried to cover it. "It slipped past me." Their conversation had stirred such raw feelings of resentment he hadn't paid attention. "It appears you haven't been told." Klee, Amber, and, surprisingly, Kaeya hadn't shared the news with Lisa about Jean's twin pregnancy. "I'm not sure if this would be something Jean would like to announce to you herself, but it seems you've already caught onto my choice of wording."

"So by children, you mean more than one—possibly two?"

"That's correct. There are two. We have confirmed twins at the time this was taking place." Diluc motioned to the reports as Lisa excitably stood from her seat and covered her smile with her hands.