maid • kaeya

lv

• third person •

"Father..?"

The thud that echoed seemed to be even louder than the thundering clouds above.

A thick stench of blood lingered through the air, crimson splattered across the soil canvas beneath, the colour reminiscent of the hair that dropped before Diluc's face.

Diluc stared at the man on the floor. His breath shook.

"Hey! Father?" he called again.

Diluc dropped to the ground, hurriedly tugging his father up with all the strength he could muster.

The scarlet in Diluc's eyes had all but faded when his father met them one last time.

Diluc could not even hear when there was a call for his name. An echo of people and horses, and a familiar voice, though it did not mean a thing at this moment.

"We came to help! Are you alright—?!"

Kaeya's breath hitched, halting in his tracks.

His pupil shrunk, everyone around him falling deadly silent, as the final rain of April began to pour. It was like shattering glass on a noiseless night, soon sending the flowing blood sinking into the soil.

For some reason, he could only stare, his feet frozen into the ground, as if the dead bodies on the ground had grasped his ankles, keeping him still.

Why was it that when he stared at his father's dead body, suddenly everything felt... so fleeting? That question that lingered on his mind for so long... Mondstadt or Khaenri'ah... His loyalty or duty..? Now...

Kaeya felt... free.

His eye dropped upon the device upon Crepus' hand.

His head tilted. His gaze had become dark, his heart abruptly becoming numb for this moment that seemed to last a lifetime.

Even Master Crepus would submit to such a dangerous and evil power...

Kaeya's gaze rose, a strange smile curving the corner of his lips as the weights on his shoulders finally seemed to be lifting.

This world is truly... fascinating.

• • •

It was possible to hear even a pin drop in the winery.

"What did you say..?" Adelinde mumbled.

Maids had soon gathered around, a commotion of whispers quickly beginning to erupt.

The knight that stood at the door had his head hung low.

Lucien's body trembled. The looming thunder clouds had finally started to pour.

"I-I have to get home-" she murmured. "I have to- Luca—"

The knight hurriedly lifted his arm, stopping her in her tracks when she tried to leave.

"A lockdown has been ordered until the situation has calmed down. The Knights are still unsure of the situation. It is safer for you to stay inside for now."

"No!!" Lucien suddenly burst out. That was all it took for those pitiful tears to finally trickle down her cheeks. "I need to!! You don't understand!!"

Adelinde was silent beside her. She noticed Elzer approaching, though the two could not even exchange a glance.

They couldn't even understand what was happening. What did he just say?