maid • kaeya

xlvi

• third person •

Lucien brushed her fingers through her hair, fiddling with the food in her plate uneasily. She swallowed, unable to look up.

"So they could come and find you here? Since they know that I live in Mondstadt, it's plausible for them to assume that you've come to me."

Luca heaved a sigh. He rubbed his forehead, leaning back into his chair.

"If they show up here, can't we just get rid of them anyway? It's not that big of a deal," Leon suggested nonchalantly, taking another bite of his pie.

Luca shot Leon a glare. Leon smiled a little, shrugging, hurriedly stuffing another bite into his mouth.

"What exactly is happening there? Did you just... disappear one night? What about Mother and Father?"

Shamefully, Lucien nodded. "Yes... I snuck away in the night after... well... after they started saying that they wanted to charge me for murder. I can't be put on trial for murder! The whole business will fall apart!" she exclaimed. "I had to leave Mother and Father... The maids are probably looking after them..."

"What about your husband? Did you just leave him too?"

Huffing, Lucien rolled her eyes, folding her arms. "He couldn't give a flying— He doesn't care about me. He just cares about the money. I barely even see him because he's always with his mistresses."

Luca frowned. "Lucien..."

"Anyway, Luca." Lucien held her face. Finally, she met his eyes. "How come... when I told you... you weren't shocked to find out that Uncle died? Did you find out before?"

This time, the glance that Luca and Leon exchanged was a tiny bit more serious.

"Uh-..."

Leon tapped Luca a code under the table with his foot.

'We should tell her.'

Luca's eyes narrowed.

'I know, but...'

'She has every right to know. Plus, it'll be easier to kill his minions if or when they show up if she knows.'

Leon exhaled softly.

'Remember he threatened that they would take your daughter? We have to eliminate the threat. I'll tell her, okay?'

Pursing his lips, Luca nodded.

Lucien's head tilted.

"I killed him," Leon said bluntly.

Lucien blinked. Luca slapped his own face.

"What..?"

"No, we both did," Luca retorted, shaking his head.

"Nah," Leon's eyes fluttered shut, "I'm the one who crushed his throat. August was trying to make sure you didn't go insane."

Lucien stood, her pupils shaking. Both Luca and Leon looked up at her.

"You're- What are you talking about?! Don't talk so casually about killing people! I can't tell if you're joking!!"

"Lucien..." Luca struggled to meet her gaze again. "Please sit. Let me explain."