𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 ♡ 𝐃𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐜 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

17

"So how was the picnic?" Adelinde asked as she set the dinner table and handed out the plates.

Diluc turned away and Y/N awkwardly stared down at her plates as she plays with the small chunks of cabbage.

"It went quite well." Diluc finally said, "Me and Ms. Y/N had a lovely conversation and she informed me about some of the plants in the woods."

"Ms. Y/N definitely has the gift and talent when it comes to researches on plants." Adelinde agreed.

"Ahahaha... Thank you Adelinde."

Adelinde set down the last dish on the table and raised an eyebrow at Y/N, "Did anything else happen besides just strolling around in the woods? You guys surely can't be gone for that long just to eat and walk around?"

Diluc kept his composure and cut up his meat, "Nothing else happened. We just ate and talked while walking around in the woods. Why do you keep asking?"

"Oh uhm... uhhh." Adelinde tries to think of a quick answer, "Because I was worried and wondered why you were out for so long..? Yes! That's why."

Y/N gave her a side look as if she didn't buy it and Adelinde felt her sweats beads forming at the back of her neck.

"Anyways, please enjoy your meal. In the meantime, I'll go take the trash out!" She scurried away to the back of the kitchen and Y/N turned to Diluc, "She's acting strange today."

"What's so strange about it?" Diluc asked as he ate.

"Are you dense?" Y/N whispered at him, "She never asked about us and this noon she urged us out of the winery without Leonard."

"Maybe she was trying to get us to get along instead." Diluc said as he continues to eat his meals, "I don't see anything strange about her behavior. Adelinde has always been looking out for me."

'Ugh!' Y/N thought to herself, 'This guy just doesn't get what I'm trying to say!'

Y/N rolled her eyes and instead of trying to convince him that something was up with Adelinde, she decided to save herself the trouble and just finish her dinner in time so she can go spend some time with Leonard. Speaking of him, he entered the dining room shortly after and sat next to Y/N.

"Aunt Y/N!"

"Leonard." Y/N face brighten up at seeing her son, "Did you have a good nap?"

"Mhm!"

A maid passed Leonard a plate and Y/N helped him fill up his plate.

As Leonard dig into his food, he turns towards Y/N, "So how was the picnic with Papa?"

Y/N smiled, "It was fun. Your father and I went on a walk in the woods after we ate and just talked about all the plants we came across."

"Aww.. I wish I could've come."

"I'm sorry we didn't wake you up Leonard." Y/N said, "Maybe next time we could go together. Just you, me, and your dad."

Y/N turned to Diluc for approval and he nodded his head with a smile, "Perhaps Aunt Y/N could teach you more about the plants in Mondstadt when we go out for the picnic. I'm sure she'll be more than happy to teach you about plants since you also love them so much."

"Yay!" Leonard shouts in joy and Diluc sighed, "Leonard. What did I say about using our outdoor voices indoor?"

Leonard slapped his mouth, "Oops. Sorry papa."

Y/N chuckled as she listen to Leonard and Diluc taking about his lessons and the plans they have for tomorrow.

'This feels right...' Y/N thought to herself as she smiled at them and joined in their conversation, '...Like we all belong here as a family.'

________________________________________

The next day in the manor, Y/N was rushing down the corridor on the first floor towards Diluc's office.

Early this morning, she had plenty of spare time to herself to come up with new theories to experiment on since Leonard will be busy with his studies for the rest of the day. After Diluc had just confessed to her, their relationship with each other made a different turn. Though she didn't accept it yet, she didn't completely rejected him either. He's been nothing but kind to her after she stayed at his place and he was also a good father to Leonard. She wasn't completely sure about the idea of being with him yet since she was still focused on her researches and work at the Sumeru Akademiya but she was willing to give their new found relationship a try for Leonard and themselves. And what better ways could she think of to show her dedication to him but to help his winery be more successful in the wine industry?

As she made herself some tea and settled back into her room where she pulled out her journal and opened to a new page where she jot down a few ideas to experiment on the winery grapevines.

Since the grapes were already made to be the best quality, Y/N want to try to alter their traits to change their taste which can be used to make different kinds of products for the winery.

Of course, most of the hypothesis she wrote down will need to be tested on the grapevines which some will result in a mass waste of the winery's main supplies for their wine. Diluc may not be pleased with the process but perhaps if he hear her out then he'll consider it.

When she was done writing down all of her hypothesis, she took her journal and quickly made her way downstairs where she almost ran into the maid Emma who's holding a tray full of blankets, "Woah there Ms. Y/N! You almost bumped into me!"

"Sorry about that Emma," Y/N said, "I'm in a bit of a hurry. Do you know where Diluc is by any chance?"

"Lord Diluc? I believe he's currently in his office at the moment."

"Alright, thank you Emma."

Y/N rushed down the corridor until she reached his office door, as she brought her hands up to knock to make her presence known, she paused when she heard his voice through the door and her blood ran cold when she made out what he was saying.

"There you are my darling. Where have you been all this time? I've missed you dearly Vanessa."