Chapter Text
When Diluc was born, the biggest scandal throughout Teyvat had been about how the notorious gang of pirates, The Crux, were actually agents for the Liyue Qixing. It had been headlined that one of the Qixing had even, once, been in that crew of pirates— the captain, in fact. Merchant fingers pointed at the shady dealings of their government. Many others claimed to be victims looking for reparations. Chaos in trade routes became commonplace and the Qixing had to be overhauled and re-elected by fiat of those wealthy merchants.
But, that is history. The main point is, that the name and fear of that ship is a legacy passed down, not belonging to any one person. And the second takeaway from that incident is that it paved way for even commoners to be elected, as long as they had money.
When Diluc turned ten, Teyvat was once again rattled by gossip. This time, the rumours hailed from Snezhnaya. The Empress, or the Tsaritsa, had just newly risen to power, overcoming all her other siblings in the fight. Diluc was still much too young to understand the implications of such a coronation at the time. How could he? When he was Mondstadt born and bred— the land known for its liberal views on gender and social norms between them. Coupled by the wealth from his name, Diluc may as well have been the freest omega alive.
He could not have imagined the pains that the Tsaritsa must have faced to acquire her title. The first Omega Empress of Snezhnaya, a country far detached from Mondstadt and their customs.
But, again, the point is not Diluc’s ignorance— he is ten. (Ten-year-olds are not expected to know much about foreign politics other than the amount of candies you can barter for from a travelling merchant.) The point was how the Tsaritsa decided to introduce herself to the world. A ruthless ruler with a heart hardened by the cold.
And when Diluc turned twelve, it was his turn to be the topic of the month. Every Mondstadter, young and old, socialites and commoners, knew of the Ragnvindrs. It’s a name synonymous to their flourishing wine industry and the name on every bottle served at every big occasion of a Mondstadter’s life. This is just one of the few things that all the people of Mondstadt knew and shared.
They knew that the Ragnvindrs were rich. And they knew that the current patriarch of the house, Crepus Ragnvindr, was very, very, very doting of his son. Especially so, ever since the doctors verified his son’s dynamic. So, after twelve years of listening to the insufferable loon of a father prattle on about his son’s every breath (and they were counting these long years, if only just to retain some sanity) the citizens of Mondstadt could finally let out a sigh of relief when the man took a week off to work from home in his cosy suburban villa where his omega son lives.
The notable absence of the wealthy wine merchant unfortunately (unavoidably) brought about the nosy nature of everyone. Every citizen of Mondstadt was a tavern regular somewhere, so the sudden lack of Diluc’s name being mentioned by their favourite distributer left an unexpected hole in their conversations. Naturally, the people filled it themselves with speculations of this new development. Each of them drew the same conclusion:
Ah, of course. It’s his son’s first heat.
And they were right. As mortifying as it is intrusive for an entire city to know the month when his heat comes, at least he could enjoy some relative silence from it. His interactions during the month and the days leading up to that month are usually limited to just awkward stares and restive conversations from his peers. The psychological effect of knowing that an omega’s heat is coming up made the young alphas and betas much more aware of their actions and mistakes around Diluc.
By the time Diluc turned fifteen, he has already grown used to being left alone during those days. It’s his favourite time of the year, if he was being perfectly honest.
His father had tried consoling him once, before, during his thirteenth year. “You’re just too—” Too expensive. “Too beautiful. They’re all just intimidated by your beauty.”
“I don’t care,” Diluc had replied. And he didn’t. (Crepus didn’t seem to think so, however.)
“They’ll come around.”
“I’d rather they stay as they are.”
And they had. Diluc is now fifteen and still the most intimidating person in any given room. With his large bright eyes, on his small fair face, framed by his soft red hair, and his sword attached to his hip. It’s what they’ve seen him do with that sword that keeps his prospective suitors in line. And no one wants their dick to be at the end of that blade.
Because at fifteen, Diluc has already made a name for himself while training with the knights of Favonius. A prodigy within their ranks; word spread amongst the noble circles about the brilliant omega of the Ragnvindr House. Brilliant. An omega. And promised to no one.
What happened next was inevitable.
“Son, I won’t be here forever. I think it’s time for you to find someone else that you can share this estate with.”
Diluc cocks his head at his father’s oddly timed sentimentality. “We’ll be sharing the same address with plenty of people for a plenty long time. Adelinde has said that she’d like to retire here. Elzer won’t be leaving. Connor loves his job. And Guy might stay with the Favonius instead, but old man Tunner just bought a house nearby.” Diluc momentarily puts down his knife and fork as he goes on with his examples. “And don’t talk like that.”
Crepus sighs at his son’s words. “They are the hired help, so yes, they will be here. But, won’t you need a different sort of help in the future?”
Diluc resumes eating slowly. He takes in his father’s skittish hand on the steak knife. It clinks loudly between them, creating a noise that Diluc’s etiquette tutor would have gone ballistic at. “What is this really about, father?”
“I’ve declined them all until now, but you’re fifteen, now. More families have reached out to me for your hand in marriage.”
Diluc frowns. “I’m not interested in any proposals.” The only things he was interested in right now was his horse (lovingly named Horse) and swordplay.
“Don’t worry, I’ll choose only the best for you.”
Diluc stills his movements again.
According to Crepus, Diluc is lucky to have been born as a male omega. And this was a notion that his father made sure he never doubted. Even at a young age, Diluc knew that having a supportive parent is a blessing and he never felt ungrateful for his father’s love. He’d seen the other aristocratic children. The aristocrats of the City of Freedom weren’t so free. To back this claim, one needn’t look far—the Gunnhildrs, Lawrences, any of the great noble families.
They all had their own expectations to uphold for their families. Diluc had been spoiled in this sense. His father had only ever asked him to become an excellent knight that protected their nation, to become a knight of the Favonius Order. And to do so, he’d been training with his family’s Dawn Knights since young. Luckily, he had talent, so it never felt like a burden. He earned his spot in the Favonius Order without any complications.
Marriage wasn’t something that Diluc ever thought would become an obligation, either. “You can marry anyone you want” was something that was said often to him as a child. But, now Diluc understands that what his father really meant was: “We can match you with any family.” Because he could be sired or be siring as an omega son. An all-around good investment for any traditional time-honoured family.
He’d luckily avoided this topic with his father for fifteen years. Or rather, his father had been overly generous with him for fifteen years.
He’s lucky. He shouldn’t push it.
“Fine,” Diluc lowers his eyes in resignation. “But my fiancé can’t be boring. They have to be exceptional enough to impress me on their own.”
Crepus raises an eyebrow. “What would impress you?” Diluc, with a good head, a good standing, and an endless wallet, has little awe left in him for this world, even at the tender age of fifteen.
“If my future fiancé really wants the Ragnvindr fortune, they will find a way.”
A week passes before his father brought up the subject of his marriage again. Again— over breakfast.
“How about the Dottore family?”
Diluc looks over to see his father nervously gripping his eating utensils again. Neither of them wanted to have this conversation, but it had to be had, sooner or later.
“What about them?”
“They want me to consider their alpha son.”
“And what of my opinion on this.”
Crepus nods. “I know. That’s why I told them to send him over to woo you.”
“Woo me?” Diluc raises an eyebrow at his father’s choice of words before remembering what he demanded last week.
“Convince you.”
Diluc huffs and picks at his food. The Dottore family is an old and revered name, one written beside the generations of the Czars and Tsaritsas of Snezhnaya as one of the eleven most trusted families of the Imperial family. That was— until the current Tsaritsa took reign. Now, the family is said to be precariously tethered in a political battle against the Tsaritsa. There’s no doubt that the Dottores sought this marriage to secure a foreign backing. Rejecting the proposal before any rumours arise would be ideal, but he had his father’s relationships with the Snezhnayan noble families to think of, too.
“I’m too busy to make time for him. Tell him to find me himself if he wants my approval.”
With a request like that, Diluc expected to have at least another week of silence before being approached by this subject again. But, things have not gone well for him these days. First, there was the matter that his father had brought up. Then, poor Horse, who must’ve eaten some bad hay or something. She refused to budge from her box stall and the stableman claimed to not know why. Horse is still affectionate with him, so Diluc knows it’s not the bond between them that’s the problem. So, while it’s not the same as feeling the rush of wind against his face with Horse, he stays in the stalls and spoils the mare rotten with affection. “Fetch a doctor if her mood worsens,” Diluc orders before leaving. “As you wish,” the boy working there had replied.
It was too bad that Horse didn’t want to go out on a ride that day. Diluc would’ve liked that outlet. He expected a week, but barely got three days of peace.
“Diluc Ragnvindr—” The voice belonged to a young man, not much older than the rest of the squires in the courtyard. “I’ve heard a lot about you. A rising star amongst your fellow knights-in-training. With both the skills and the brains to become one of Mondstadt’s youngest commander. Surely with such a future ahead of you, your father must be torn with what to do with the family business once you’re officially sworn into–Oh. Where are my manners? My name is...”
The guest prattles on about things of little significance to Diluc— he even purposefully lets out a small yawn to show his disinterest. By now, his peers have either already stopped their spars or are only repeating their sword movements in mock concentration. At this point of the conversation, they expected Diluc to cut the boy short with an excuse and walk away already. “...our families have so much history...”
Surely it’s only a matter of time before their squad’s star pupil throws out this trespasser.
“...that is...”
But the young man is obviously in love with his own voice. It’s hard to understand the lives of noble children, sometimes. Perhaps the social cues are different for those in the upper echelons of society. The trainees are no longer waiting for Diluc to walk away. Rather— Instructor Eroch should’ve shown up and escorted the foreign lord out already.
“...me.”
“Phenomenal.” He cuts through the self-important monologue. In truth, Diluc had already stopped listening before this stranger introduced himself; but judging by the Fatui insignia on this alpha, it’s probably the Dottore boy his father told him about. He has to be careful with his words.
“Listen—” They’ve gathered a small crowd now and they part as Diluc walks up to the training swords by the walls. He picks one at random and throws it to the Dottore boy’s feet. “Your family is best known in the history books for being your royal family’s protectors. How about a duel with me? Right here.”
A collection of excited gasps tore through the onlookers who’d been silent until now. Finally. They were going to get to see something. And there isn’t a soul here who doesn’t love watching a snobby rich kid get put in their place by another snobby rich kid. It gave opportunities for betting. And who’s going to refuse extra cash on the side? Certainly not a group of rowdy young knights.
Replacing the nervous scents of the room was the excitement of young trainees who’d already been itching to kick out the haughty noble.
(“Yeah, fuck those nobles.”)
(“Dude. Diluc will kill you for that if Eula doesn’t, first.”)
(“A hundred mora on Diluc.”)
“I wouldn’t dare. What kind of alpha would raise a blade to his fiancé?”
Boos and jeers erupted from the crowd. The air turns sour at being denied the entertainment they so rightfully deserved for being forced to watch their squadmate deal with his private affairs so publicly. Not that Diluc has a particular opinion about pleasing his peers, but he didn’t want this to drag on any longer, either. In fact, he hoped that the Dottore would give up after realising how busy he is. He doesn’t have time for him and his political battles two countries away.
Thus, Diluc had worded his challenge the way that he did. Given the situation that the Dottore family is in, picking up the training sword would mean that the boy is fighting for the Tsaritsa, rather than against her like his family wants him to.
“Will you let everyone down, then?”
Diluc will win by default. Dottore will refuse the dummy sword and leave quietly. That was what Diluc had expected to happen. But, it’s his mistake for forgetting that the one trait they all shared as a one percenter is that eccentricity came before all other agendas. Political statements and whatnot meant nothing to the Dottore kid.
“A friendly spar to tell our future children about, then.”
And maybe they will. Maybe they won’t. The future is uncertain. However, Diluc is sure that he will not. The match ended highly in his favour and hardly a story to tell anyone about. In the grand history of impromptu duels, there are three official matches that stood out from the rest for being stupidly quick. While this one was not nearly as insulting, it probably ranked in the top twenties of fastest recorded matches. Either way, whether or not the kid accepted the duel or not, the betting was rigged from the moment it was proposed. It’s not like the Dottores were known for protecting their motherland on the front lines.
The next family to try their hand at Diluc’s hand sent a beta from the mercantile thriving country of Liyue. She had a pleasant attitude (compared to the last) and their visions ran parallel, even if their passions burned for different things. The beta candidate (Hu Tao was her name) was mischievous in nature, subjecting the young master to multiple pranks throughout her stay— just friendly and harmless enough that Diluc had never once protested them in earnest. They had a budding rapport between them that was hard to miss for anyone watching them. Indeed, just when everyone in the Ragnvindr manor thought that there’d be an announcement of a celebration soon, everything went south. And, not just because the couple had been descending the long stairs next to the Adventurer’s Guild when it happened.
They were hand in elbow, Diluc chivalrously escorting her down when they had this conversation.
“I heard about your poor horse. They say she has been sick recently.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
“If it persists, it might be kindest to put her down gently. If you’ll allow me, I can assist you in sending her off.”
The elbow he extended out to her stiffens. Hu Tao is using her professional tone, which could only mean one thing. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I’ve been telling the elders back home that we should expand our expertise before I came here. And I think this would be a good start. I’m positive that Zhongli will have some knowledge of helping her along peacefully, so please leave her to us!”
Diluc lowers his elbow once they reach the end of the stairs and tucks his arm back to his side. “Do you want to kill Horse?”
“Kill is such a harsh word. It’s better to think of it like recycling. Her body will return to the soil eventually and we can craft jewellery or perhaps a violin bow to remember her by for you— Do you play the violin? I heard that it’s a popular instrument to learn here.”
Diluc holds his tongue from snarling at her. He glares instead, and the scent of an angry omega surrounds him. It’s potent enough for Miss Margaret of Cat’s Tail to peek out of her tavern to find the source.
“I don’t know what made you so convinced that Horse is anything but fine, but I assure you— you’re mistaken,” Diluc says through a grimaced smile.
“Well, I heard from the servants that it’s been several days since you’ve last ridden her. Too bad— I was hoping to race you on my own steed.”
“She just hasn’t felt like it recently, that’s all.”
“Goodness! Are you the master, or is she?”
“It’s part of the master’s duty to take account of his horse’s mood.”
“Geez~ You’re just like Zhongli in that regard. You’re both so stubborn when you’re angry.”
By now, more people have gathered around to check on the commotion. They may not have been verbally loud, but Mondstadt is a windy place and the scent of an aggravated omega is easily carried through the winds. When the good people of Mondstadt recognised the bright red hair of the Ragnvindr heir, a few went towards the opposite direction to notify Master Crepus.
“Oh, my! Diluc, dear, you’ve grown so much since I’ve seen you!”
Miss Margaret, the ambitious business rival and friend to Master Crepus, was perhaps the only beta that could have come between the children. An agreeable woman, known to be the mother to at least twelve different stray cats in the city and a mother to at least three other felines in her own home. To her eyes, the scene in front of her was no different than two kittens pawing at each other over a stepped tail.
“Oh, Miss Margaret... Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon to the two of you as well.” Margaret nods and curtsies politely. Although the two of them are still just children, their social statures demanded at least that much from her. “Do you remember me, Hu Tao sweetie? We met briefly the other day.”
Hu Tao smiles and extends her hand out for a handshake. Just two days after her arrival in Mondstadt, she went straight to work and met most of the shop owners working at the town square in hopes of connecting with the local businesses here. Admittedly, not the best received out of all her other business plans, but it went better than expected for a foreign funeral parlour. Born into the industry, Hu Tao has learned the art of weaving her words to make her advertisements sound less like a death threat and more like a well-meaning warning.
Yes, that’s right. Hu Tao, the future 77th director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlour is Diluc newest candidate for a spouse. If one had to ask: what could possibly be gained by joining the wine industry and a time honoured funeral parlour together, well then. (Then, you’ve never attended a funeral before, and I pray you will never have to.)
“Hello, Miss Margaret!” Hu Tao chirps back. “Have you come to talk business with me again?”
Diluc pinches the bridge of his nose at the implication of what he just heard. “Hu Tao, did you go ahead with pestering the citizens anyways? I told you, if you want to strike a deal, it’s our Church that you want to talk to.”
“Pestering? I was not pestering them— Miss Margaret, was I pestering you?”
All curtains were drawn after Diluc’s last comment. Neither child cared to uphold pretences anymore, baring their teeth at each other.
“What seems to be the problem here?” Margaret tactfully sidesteps Hu Tao’s question.
“Diluc here is being stupid. He can’t even recognise the obvious.”
“She is not dying.”
“Who is dying?!” Margaret exclaims loudly, enough for the few bystanders loitering around to hear. She— along with many others— did wonder about the Hu family’s sudden visits to the Ragnvindr household. They’d all assumed it was just negotiations of an arranged marriage, as rich people do. Now, they had a different idea about the funeral workers’ visits. (They had the right idea the first time, though.)
“Yes. I’m just being nice and offering to host the funeral for his half—”
“Hu Tao.” A calm voice from the crowds cut in, but it’s already too late. Their onlookers have heard enough to start two or three unsavoury rumours. And by the end of the week, all talks of their engagement will be ceased and Hu Tao will go back to Liyue with more than just the title of the 77th heir apparent.
“Zhongli!” Hu Tao skips over to the tall Liyuen man, disregarding the current atmosphere of the crowd. “Did your talks with those stuffy people end?”
“Ah. Yes. We’re having dinner with the Ragnvindrs again tonight, so go back and change.” Zhongli pats her head, releasing the calming pheromones of an older omega. It does the trick in soothing the two which allowed Margaret to step back and let Zhongli take care of them.
“Diluc, you too. Your father is looking for you,” Zhongli says once the two children stopped side-eying each other.
“My father? Right now? — Oh.” A single glance is enough to see the small audience they’d attracted. The citizens of Mond are decent enough to feign indifference at their little scene, but nosy enough to start the gossip once they’re gone. As a regular victim to petty scandals, Diluc feels a little sorry for involving Hu Tao, this time. But, what’s done is done. So, the least he could do is escort the two Liyue guests back to their hotel to show that they were still on good terms. Because they were. (He just has to show her that Horse is definitely fine.)
“Oh, go ahead, darling.” Margaret waves Diluc off. “I’ll make sure the rumours don’t start.”
A reassuring statement if Miss Margaret wasn’t one of the more talkative ones. Though, Diluc could hardly fault her since Cat’s Tail thrives as a rumour mill most of all. Come tomorrow morning, the op-ed section of the newspapers will be full of speculation between the relationship between the Hu family and the Ragnvindrs.
That evening, the two children doesn’t bother to wait for dessert before leaving the dinner table. Both of them had a point to make and neither was willing to concede.
For Hu Tao, she couldn’t understand how Diluc was willing to let his horse suffer any longer. It sounded like Horse was already two legs into the afterlife and it should be an undertaker’s job to see that she does. Horses or humans. It didn’t matter. All living things should respect the boundary and if they needed some help, that’s what she’s here for.
For Diluc, he didn’t understand why Hu Tao is so insistent on proving Horse’s (lack of a) condition to him. She isn’t a doctor and she certainly isn’t an expert on animals. And above all reason, Diluc loves Horse. He loves visiting her in the stables every morning at dawn, just before he has to leave for the knights. He loves coming back in the evenings to take long walks with her before dinner. And he loves riding her freely in the weekends.
Although— he hasn’t been able to do those things with her recently. Horse has gotten rather moody on random days ever since she got sick that one time, but the boy at the stables reassured him that it’s nothing serious. And Diluc does believe him. Besides, as a sheltered omega, he has yet to fully learn the meaning of ‘death.’ Ironic, given his occupation; thankfully, Mondstadt is enjoying peaceful times.
“This is Horse.” Diluc calls out her name softly and a splendid white steed neighs back a lazy greeting. He unlocks her stall to let Hu Tao and Zhongli, dragged here for a third opinion, in for a better look.
“Hmm.” Zhongli studies the horse.
“Hmmmm.” Hu Tao parrots.
“Is it customary in Liyue to think so loud?”
“No, of course not. I do not think it is possible to do so anywhere, since thoughts cannot be heard.”
Diluc stares back at the older man while Hu Tao continues to observe Horse. In terms of obliviousness, he’d often been accused of it. On those occasions, Jean would kindly take her time to explain to him that some words have a different context when strung together in a certain way. (No, they are not sexually harassing you when they say “Bite me,” she’d explained to him one evening. He’d been particularly upset since he thought he had been doing well with getting along with his squad until that comment.) Jean, with all her seemingly limitless patience, can be accredited for half of Diluc’s social grace and understanding.
(Hu Tao is now circling Horse.)
Diluc does wonder if it’s the cultural differences. But, from knowing Zhongli for all of five days, he definitely seems to be a completely different case. (The same case.) After all, Hu Tao understands him just fine.
(Horse snorts at Hu Tao, nosing her away when she gets too close)
The fact that Hu Tao is not correcting (and has never corrected) Zhongli meant that she finds his obliviousness extremely amusing— something that could spell for trouble later, he notes. While Diluc could be the Jean for him in this situation and explain to him that he meant it figuratively, Diluc at least recognises that he is definitely not someone qualified to do so.
(Hu Tao pets Horse’s snout and discretely examines her eyes as to not startle her.)
“Don’tcha think it’s a little too early in the evening for horses be this sleepy?”
“The servants probably took her out for a long run this afternoon. It’s nothing to worry about.”
“How old is she?”
(Hu Tao sniffs at the bucket of horse feed nearby.)
“Father told me she was born the same year I was.”
“Diluc, we both know that horses don’t generally sleep as often as we do... And given her age...”
Before he could correct her once again, it’s surprisingly Zhongli who chimes in. And here, Diluc thought that man was going to stay as stiff and silent as a rock while they argued around him.
“Hu Tao,” Zhongli chides. “Do you remember that phrase your grandfather is always saying?”
“If its back is towards the heavens, then cater it to your stomach? Instructor Zhongli!” Hu Tao gasps as she pulls him to the side. “Not even I would joke about that now!”
It should be stated: however eccentric the aristocrats gathered in this room are, they do take care to choose their words carefully. That is to say, the sum of their EQ surpasses 290, at least. There is one outlier in this scenario, but it should be on the record that everyone in the room recognised that this was not an easy topic.
“No, not that one.” Zhongli shakes his head and skips ahead into giving her the answer. “Live in life, die in death. Follow your heart, do what you can. For now, let’s just do what we can for a horse that is still very much alive.”
“But, isn’t it better to prepare for the worst?” Hu Tao whispers to her mentor, but given their close proximity, Diluc heard every word.
“You can only prepare a funeral for those that are ready to pass on.” Zhongli pauses with a distant look in his eyes. “You will have to learn this as the 77th director.”
Hu Tao sucks at her teeth loudly in displeasure. “I heard she’d get sick on random days.”
“And she’d recover on the next.”
“You’re training to be a cavalry knight because you love riding, yes?”
“I— yes?”
“And you’re telling me that such a lazy horse inspired you?”
“It’s just that— recently, she’d rather not...”
“Hasn’t even bothered to stand.”
“Food coma, perhaps? Feeding hour just passed.”
“The trough is still full, though?”
“She has a pampered diet... She must be getting tired of having the same thing...”
“Sickly, moody, picky, weak. She looks ready to me.”
“Hu Tao—”
“If those are the symptoms of death, then isn’t there someone closer to you who will need your services?”
“Diluc—”
“... I’m sorry.”
The both of them apologise to each other without further prompting. Omega or not, Zhongli is someone that could set order to any fight before it gets out of hand. It is a learned trait born from maturity rather than anything like statuses or gender dynamics. It’s not often that Diluc finds someone worth admiring, worth looking up to. Before meeting Zhongli, the total number of people that could fit his high standards could only be counted with two hands. Hands— not fingers, because they demand at least that much respect from him to not limit them to one measly finger. The first one is obviously his father, Crepus Ragnvindr.
Having another omega to look up to was significant to Diluc, the same way a nanny would be significant to a child whose parents are going through a divorce. Not necessary, but much appreciated— he has sat with Jean through it all, enough to know.
And though many of Zhongli’s mannerisms seem almost ancient, there is no contesting the veneration he inspires out of people. So, as a prideful Ragnvindr who has no reason to ever lower his head in Mondstadt, Diluc bows his head in apology along with Hu Tao at the at the commandeering tone Zhongli takes with them.
“Good. Now then, Hu Tao, your observations are correct—”
(“Tell Diluc that.”)
“—But your conclusion is lacking due to experience. There are other explanations for the way Horse acts and I can guarantee that she’s not dying.”
“Yes. She isn’t,” Diluc says more confidently, now that he had Zhongli in his corner.
“Yeah,” a new voice enters the stables. “She’s not.”
The three of them turn their heads towards the newcomer. A lanky boy with features foreign to both Mondstadt and Liyue waves awkwardly as he approaches their group.
“Hey, there. There sure are a lot of you today. It’s usually just the young master here during these hours.”
“Ah, it’s you again. Hello.”
“And this is...?”
“He’s...” Diluc freezes up halfway in reply to Zhongli’s inquiry. It’s not as if Diluc is a horrible master who couldn’t even recognise the people employed in his father’s estate. It’s just that, with a manor as large as the Ragnvindr’s, it can be hard to remember everyone’s résumé. That said, it is entirely Diluc’s fault for forgetting. He has long since stopped bothering. There just didn’t seem to be point unless they were going to stay. He’ll memorise their names if they could survive a week of Connor’s lectures or a month of Adelinde’s Spartan training, all while dodging any yellow journalists.
“Pbft— Diluc, if you don’t even know the people working in your house, a spy could assassinate you, one day.”
“I won’t. I know everyone’s faces.” He hisses back.
“Haha, it’s not his fault. I never properly introduced myself.” That is highly doubtful, but it does help Diluc save face. “Call me Kaeya.”
“Then, Kaeya, why do you think that?”
“Why—? Well isn’t it obvious?” He points to the horse feeder. “It’s the medicine mixed in her food, isn’t it? I mean— medicine does that sometimes, right? Make you sleepy?”
“Medicine?” This is the first time Diluc hears of this. “What medicine?”
“I would also like to know what you know.”
“So... I was right and she is sick, then?”
“Hey, I don’t know any of the specifics. I just came by to share some snacks with the horses.”
It’s only then that Diluc sees the pail in the boy’s hand. Kaeya follows that gaze and holds the bucket up, tilting it towards the group for them to see the half-filled bucket of red wolfhook berries and lotus heads.
“They’re fresh. Did you pick them recently?” Zhongli takes a step closer to examine the contents of the pail. He crosses his arms and frowns. Hu Tao has never seen her teacher so deep in thought. In reminiscence, sure; but never about the present. The history buff always had an answer on hand by using the ‘folly of men’ as examples of how not to go about a situation.
“They’re near the roads of my evening strolls.”
“And let me guess, by specifics, you mean: you don’t know what she’s been eating.”
The boy— Kaeya— doesn’t take too kindly at the sudden interrogation. He had only intended to leave these berries and lotus heads with the horses, maybe sit around for a while, and then leave. Not this cross-examination with the 1%. Two of whom he doesn’t even recognise.
“The better question is: why don’t you know what the doctor prescribed. Aren’t you her owner?”
“Aren’t you afraid of losing your job? I don’t think I ever asked you to drug my horse. An unknown one, at that.”
“Hahaha, no, no.” Even with the thinly veiled accusation in Diluc’s voice, Kaeya’s disposition doesn’t falter. “I think you’ve mistaken me, young master. I might come here a lot, but I don’t work at your stables. I have no control over her meals.”
“You mean... Except that?” Diluc gestures to the berries and lotus heads.
“You can hardly call this a meal, young master.”
“I think we’re missing the point here,” Hu Tao cuts in. “If we’re trying to investigate, let’s start with where this new meal plan came from, first. We can figure out what exactly she’s been eating from there.”
“You’re right,” Diluc sighs. To completely eradicate a problem, you have to pull it out by the roots. “I’ll ask the actual stablemen about this. Odd that they didn’t tell me about this already, though...”
“What did I say, Diluc? Learn to know your men or you’ll be krrssssgh—” She gestures with her thumb and draws a line across her neck, crudely demonstrating Diluc’s possible end. “Oh! But just for you, I’ll give you a 30% friends-only discount on the most extravagant send-off ceremonies.”
“No need to lose money on my account, friend.”
“I don’t know, young master. Thirty percent off is 30% more you can spend on getting the best pillow for your eternal rest.”
“Do not worry. I believe the Ragnvindrs already have some custom made coffins ready on the side... I’ll have to confirm with our director, though.”
The Ragnvindrs are a magnanimous bunch, Diluc reminds himself. This means he shouldn’t let himself get upset at his friends for making a joke at his expense. Jokes are a form of ice breaker— and while someone like Eula doesn’t understand it, he does. So he grits his teeth.
“Anyways... You’re very certain that Horse is like this because her food is drugged, and I can believe it... but why?”
“Why what?”
“Why are you so sure?”
“Oh, true. I didn’t smell anything weird in it, earlier.”
“I heard it. I just happened to be here when some Fatui guard working for a fellow by the name of Doctor-Ray-or-something-or-another came by and said that it was a gift.”
“Dottore?”
“Dunno. Yeah, I think that was it.”
“Hmm...” Hu Tao taps her chin. “Are you acquainted with that family, Diluc? Better pull out of any long term arrangements with them now, while you still can. Things might get me~ssy~”
“I know. I’ve only crossed swords with their son once. I didn’t think he’d be so sore about losing.” No, he had been more displeased about the challenge, instead.
The thing about Snezhnaya is that they’re famous for their slogan of ‘family first.’ Knowing which family was targeting the Ragnvindrs is helpful, of course, but deciding on how to deal with the matter will be tricky. Pulling on one rope will tangle you into another until you’ve created a Gordian knot with no way to cut it.
Diluc sighs. “I wonder if I can even complain about him without involving all eleven of those harbinger families.”
“Would you like me to tell your father, or will you inform him of this yourself?”
“He’s too busy. I’ll resolve this on my own.”
“A fine attitude, but I’d advise against it. The rock does not erode with the wind alone, but with the help of the waves and the moon, as well.” For a very literal person, Zhongli engages in old idioms surprisingly often.
“He means— aAH-aHem.” Hu Tao deepens her voice. “Sometimes asking for help can produce the best results.” Ironically, now is when Hu Tao decides to explain a figure of speech.
“Doing nothing is an option, too, young master.”
“That is an interesting stance. I am inclined to agree, to an extent.”
“I can’t just let them think that they can do as they please. They need to know that Mondstadt is not Snezhnaya.”
“Hmm... I agree with Diluc, Zhongli. You can’t wait around and hope that this is just a one-time prank.”
“Not nothing. Given the current state of affairs, it might be smarter to just bide your time. Your father would agree, too.”
“Or, sometimes opportunities will just fall into your lap. For example, the poison in the foo—”
“Wait— Poison?” It’s true that all medicine can become poison, but it was the way Kaeya had said it that gave it away. “You knew something was off, and you didn’t stop it? That makes you complicit.”
“Huh? You think words from a new kid would have any effect on your senior staff?”
“Then, you could have told me! I see you here often enough for you to have a chance to.”
“No way— who’d have the guts to talk to someone who doesn’t even bother remembering names?!”
“I remember yours. It’s Kaeya.”
“Because I Just told you!”
“And what do you mean by ‘no guts?’ You literally—”
“Okay, maybe ‘guts’ was the wrong word—”
“—walked up to us without even a hello for a warning!”
“—But, all you do is talk to your horse when you’re here.”
“This is a stable for horses! There are better rooms to—”
“—Besides! The one time we did speak, you asked to fetch a doctor! So, I didn’t think anything was weird!”
“The Dottores aren’t medical doctors!”
“Was I supposed to know that?! And what kind of arrogant-ass family name is Dottore?”
“I agree! It’s a stupid name!”
“Alright! You guys are too loud! You’re going to spook ALL the horses here!” Despite what Hu Tao says, she’s the loudest one here. She has to be, for her voice to be heard over Diluc’s and Kaeya’s yelling match.
“Thank you, Hu Tao.” Zhongli rubs his temple, acting like the true victim, just for being here. I’m getting on in my years, he’d like to say often. But, he’s only turning 26 this year. Hardly an age to complain about, but certainly an age to start dreading children.
“I checked the grains in your horse’s trough while the two of you argued.”
“I apologise for being rude.”
“Sorry.”
The consultant brushes off the children’s apologies. They were naught but empty words of courtesy. And honestly, the years he spent as Hu Tao’s tutor has already worn him down. He adjusts his gloves and crouches down by the feed, raking through the grains until he finds a pill capsule. “This ‘medicine’ is called Gold’s Potion.”
Not to be mistaken as a gold potion. Those do not exist. (But, if they do, my P.O. Box is.)
“I suspect the one who mixed these in only wished to weaken your horse. If they wanted to kill her, they would have gifted you the grains after uncapping the capsules and mixing in the powder. It would be much easier to hide and more densely packed into the rest of the grains.”
To demonstrate, Zhongli breaks open the small pill and spills the beige powder inside onto the floor. As expected, it camouflages easily with the grains spilled on the floor of the stable. “Of course, eating these regularly would also eventually kill her.”
“So any later and she would have...” Diluc frowns and sifts through the feed. The pills are sparsely scattered, but he finds one after combing through it a few times. “I’ll have one of our medical professionals confirm and issue a treatment to all the horses in this stable house, just in case.”
Zhongli nods. “That would be wise.”
A moment of silence is shared between the four of them as each of them mulled in their own thoughts.
“‘Gold’s Potion,’ you said? It’s amazing you were able to identify the drug without a lab, sir.”
“Not at all. It’s simple to come to my same conclusion if you know about the properties of Gold’s Potion.” He keeps his gaze steady on Kaeya as he answers the boy. And Kaeya keeps his one eye locked in the stare as well. “Of course, at this stage, it’s still just a theory without evidence properly conducted from a lab.”
“Just hearing you describe your deductions as ‘simple’ is frightening on its own.”
Hu Tao, who couldn’t bear the tension, speaks up. “In any case, thank goodness she hadn’t already eaten a lethal dose of it! Isn’t that right, Diluc?”
“Yes...” He answers, still deep in thought. It is at this moment that he decides to take his studies in management more seriously.
“It’s hard to say how much has already been consumed,” Zhongli sighs. “But, it is a good thing Kaeya shared these snacks with her often. It’s unusual for trained horses to accept food from strangers, but it might’ve been her animal instincts that saved her.”
“Ohhh, so that’s what they are! I knew they looked kinda familiar. They’re those berries with all those— what was it? Natural antitoxins— they’re the ones grandpa uses to check for murder, sometimes.”
“That’s correct. Good job, Hu Tao.” He pats her head and she beams back.
“Mur— ah, never mind, I see. Good job, Horse. You’re so smart.” Diluc strokes his horse’s mane and the mare neighs back contently at the praise.
“And what about me? Who brought the berries to her?”
“What? Didn’t you just say they were ‘just some snacks’ you brought?”
“Diluc.” Zhongli subtly reminds Diluc of his manners in the absence of his father.
“But, I suppose you’ve been very helpful for this case. The Ragnvindr House would like to thank you for your involvement. What would you like? A raise?”
“Uh...” The boy blinks, taken aback by the fast switch in attitude. Understandably so. Diluc Ragnvinndr was not known to be a submissive omega. And especially not one to yield to another omega. “No. How about we put a hold on that thought for until your horse feels better?”
It’s a happy end.
Too happy. Things have gone in their favour much too well. Zhongli could hardly be called a pessimist. He’d describe himself as more of a realist. As Hu Tao’s tutor, first, and a consultant, second, a pedantic nature is required of him. So, while his charge pulls Diluc along to meet her own stallion, he corners Kaeya for answers.
“The combination of red wolfhook berries and lotus heads are very specific ingredients for curing one particular poison. And this one just happens to be the right antidote for the right poison, this time.” He narrows his eyes at the one-eyed boy.
“I’m just well read, I suppose.”
“But, red wolfhook berries? They’re rare, but much more effective than regular purple ones.”
“And lucky.”
Ten years ago, this drug was accidentally made when a scientist added the extract of a glaze lily crossed with a whopper flower instead of a regular glaze lily’s extract. It will be five years after when the then-imperial princess of Snezhnaya leveraged the newly made antidote for this poison against her political enemies. It had been symbol of her control, but also a show of support from the supposedly neutral nation of Khaenri'ah, who were rumoured to have helped with its development. And just one year ago, the Tsaritsa levied a hefty luxury tax for all glaze lilies imported into Snezhnaya, thereby reducing the amount of whopper-glaze hybrids being produced.
“What are you thinking about? Your face is getting scary, sir.”
Zhongli relaxes his face. “It doesn’t matter what I think. Or what I know. It doesn’t affect my charge, and by extension, my contract.”
“I’m glad.”
“But, I am curious to see how this will play out.”
“Playing is reserved for children games. I am neither a kid, nor am I fooling around.”
Zhongli blinks back at the boy and then snorts, barely able to contain his laughter. Children.
Concluding the Hu Family’s visit, no new contracts were drawn and no funerals were held. To any outsiders, it may have seemed like a wasted journey for the Hu Family’s representatives; but to those present in the stables that day, they knew, either consciously or subconsciously, that it wasn’t entirely a waste. The young heirs learned an important lesson, that day. One that will ultimately carry on to their adulthood and influence their decisions as the head of their houses.
“Aiiiihh—” Hu Tao tsks and wags her finger at Diluc. “Neither of us want to get married anyways. We’ll be better as business partners!”
“I agree. Then, come visit Mondstadt anytime. The Ragnvindrs will always be happy to host you.”
Today marked the last day for Hu Tao to see the sights of Mondstadt for a long time to come. Once she’s back within the borders of Liyue, work and studies will pick up as she prepares to officially take over the family business. It’s a sorry thing to keep a fourteen year old child cooped up in history lessons and perfecting rituals until she comes of age. So Diluc, suffering the same fate but to a lesser degree, strolls around Mondstadt with her one last time while the adults finalise their farewells with an unnecessarily long lunch in the Goth Grand Hotel.
“But, maybe we should get married. I really like the nickname they gave me in the Teyvat Times. ‘Coffin Digger!’ It sounds kinda clever.”
Diluc laughs weakly. They really do write all sorts of nonsense on the back of those editorials. “You’re alright with that kind of defamation?”
“It’ll definitely be catchier to the ears of travelling merchants than ‘Wangsheng.’”
“I’m not so sure your grandfather will take too kindly to you adding a slogan like this.”
“Times-a-changing, baby! Just look at who the empress of Snezhnaya is!”
“Things certainly are changing quickly in Snezhnaya.” For the topic of the Tsaritsa’s rise to the throne to still be a trending topic today, almost half a decade since her coronation, is a show of how much influence she has outside of her lands as well— and often commented by Diluc’s father whenever he reads news of her at the breakfast table.
“You know, Diluc. I’ve been thinking your horse...” They stop in front of a gift shop on a street where foot traffic was heavy and once rumoured to have disabled a man in the nether regions when he had the audacity to propose to the store owner with a ring bought in her own store. She had pushed him out and the man subsequently lost his balance, causing an... unhappy accident that the gossip magazines had too much fun with that week. (Is that not the romantic equivalent of fetching your own wedding ring and getting a product returned?)
“What about Horse?”
“Uhm... That boy said he brought snacks to her often, right?”
They were blocking the road now, so the two of them decide to take their conversation into the popular gift shop. With Wind Comes Glory isn’t the largest nor most expensive gift shop in the city, but it prides itself on having the best local commodities.
“Yes, Kaeya had wolfhooks and lotus heads.”
“Yeah, they were... red wolfhooks, weren’t they?”
“Hadn’t you confirmed as much— Oh. You probably hadn’t seen those before.”
“Nope! So, I was curious about them and hopped off the carriage midway on the way back to the city—”
“Zhongli must’ve loved that.”
“Ufufu~ So, anyways, I wanted to find some red ones on my own. My textbooks only show regular indigo ones— Oh, wow, look at this Diluc! It’s a glass lyre!”
“Glass? Will that transcribe the music correctly? But, yes, it’s no surprise you haven’t seen them before. They’re rare mutations so they’re only imported into Liyue if there’s a specific demand.”
“Hmm... It should? But, it might deform my shelf,” she mumbles. “Do you grow red wolfhooks in your estate?”
“No, just the regular ones.”
“Yes! That’s what I thought! So, I looked around Wolvendom, but I couldn’t find any at all. And I spent three hours!”
“... Did you make your coachman and Zhongli wait for you for three hours?”
“Of course not. I had them help, too. The three of us couldn’t find anything for three hours.”
Diluc does not envy the people on Hu Tao’s payroll.
“It was already late when you started heading back. If you stayed in those woods for three whole hours, then you probably missed it in the dark.”
They emphasize three hours like it’s a goddamn chorus line. But because of that, they also caught the attention of the store owner, who had instantly recognised the the two of them. Hu Tao, who had introduced herself earlier this week, and of course, every Mondstadter knows of Diluc. Their money makes them excellent patrons for any merchant lucky enough to engage with them.
“Three hours, three hours, three hours. What might you adorable children be looking for?”
“Red wolfhooks.” Hu Tao.
“A parting gift.” Diluc.
“There seems to be a difference in opinion. But, may I ask— why are you looking for red wolfhooks in my souvenir shop?”
“It is a Mondstadt specialty, is it not?”
“Well, yes, but—”
“Then, I wish to buy a bushel of your freshest red wolfhooks.”
“Please, don’t mind her,” Diluc looks at her name tag. “Miss Marjorie. She’s just upset that she couldn’t find any on her own.”
“It’s soooo annoying! That guy totally cleaned out the entire forest of red wolfhooks!”
“Other people visit the forest to collect them, too, you know.”
“Do people? I don’t know. But, I do know that those berries in that bucket were fresh. Fresh, Diluc! That means, either he got every last berry, that evening, or he got them elsewhere. Like here!”
“I’m sorry, ma’am we don’t sell food here. We have paints made from wolfhooks, if you’d like to see them.”
“No, it has to be the berry.” Hu Tao puffs her cheeks in a pout. “Geez. I’m only going through this much trouble for berry because of you, Diluc. Zhongli said that he would’ve left that forest alone if you had just—”
“A boy picked clean an entire forest just for you?! How romantic! Tell me, you are getting this boy a gift in return, yes? Wait— does Master Crepus know of this?”
This was a ridiculous leap of logic, of course. The kind of leap that only a hustling saleswoman could make.
“Romantic? Ruining an ecosystem—”
Hu Tao gasps loudly. “Oh! You’re right, ma’am! That is a sweet gesture. And he did it for your favourite horse, too, Diluc!”
(It's not. Overexploitation is a serious issue.)
“Oh, no! He gave the fruits of his labour to your horse? Whatever gift you planned to give him,” (Diluc planned for no gift.) “Go for something 10% cheaper than what you originally chose, and then add a card to emphasize how grateful your horse is. Do not sign it.”
“Why shouldn’t he sign it?”
At this point, it is obvious that Hu Tao is only playing along with the store owner to grief Diluc. Hu Tao giggles behind her sleeve. If the three of them in the stables had an approximate EQ of over 290, then the two of them in this shop has an average of just barely passing at 94.
“The moment you sign it, it will be like forgiving him. The only thing you should sign are divorce papers if your man thinks that it’s okay to do the bare minimum to keep you. That’s the same as neglect!”
“Wow! Miss Marjorie, you’re so knowledgeable about these things! Will I be able to learn this, too? ”
“Oh, my! Thank you, sweet child. It’s easy to learn the ways of the heart. Just not from a man.” The last part comes out like a mocking sigh. It might be a sentence that will offend many men across Teyvat greatly, but the undeniable truth of the matter is: that compassion is not one of Zhongli’s classes. So, Miss Marjorie is correct, in a sense.
“Hu Tao, will you just pick a souvenir to take back, already?”
“Red wolfhooks!”
He sighs at his companion’s stubbornness. But, through Hu Tao’s nonsensical whining about the red wolfhooks, there is something strange that Diluc notices.
Lotus heads are in the ponds opposite of Wolvendom.