chapter 32 - a mother's wise words

Our trip to Liyue went really well. We enjoyed good liyue food, and the peace and quiet of the countryside. We only stayed there for around four days, but we both needed it. Especially Diluc, who was always working, and then he had to deal with his injuries after our mission.

When we went back to Mondstadt, we returned to our everyday business. I took up some adventurer work and accepted commissions from the Akademiya, while Diluc tended to his wine industry business. Apart from that, I often accompanied him to his 'darknight hero' patrols and he didn't mind. I even convinced him to allow me to prepare a birthday celebration for him on 30th April. He surprisingly agreed.

What is sure, we spent every night together. He either slept in my apartment, or I went to Dawn winery - but I didn't sleep in my old room, of course.

Once Adelinde learned about our relationship, a joyful area surrounded her without a stop.

"Now I can call you my lady without your opposal" she giggled. Of course, I always corrected her, that I am not Diluc's wife, so I am still not the lady of the house, but she didn't seem to care.

Two months passed in hour hazy love filled bubble. I slowly got used to being a part of Diluc's life and I couldn't imagine it anymore the other way around. We told Klee about it, at first she didn't understand why would I be in love with a "weird, boring adult like Diluc", but my crimson man slowly stole my little sister's heart too with sweets and small gifts.

At the moment, I arrived home from a small mission of clearing hilichurl camps. All I wanted is to have a nice bath and eat something at Good Hunter. I checked my mail when I arrived home.

A letter was awaiting me from my mom.

My Dear Tessa,

I have heard amazing news about you and my dear Ragnvindr boy. We were planning to visit you two, my beautiful daughters for a while now, so, we will arrive on the 10th May.

Looking forward to finally embrace you.

Love, Mother

I smiled at her letter. I didn't even remember when was the last time I met my parents. I already started planning the meals I would cook for them, even though I had 4 days left until their arrival.

I was doing some chores in the meantime, when I heard a knock on the door.

Diluc came, I told him about the letter I received.

"Why don't we invite them to Dawn?" he asked. "The manor is bigger for all of us, and you don't have to worry about cooking either" he offered.

"I don't know, I don't want to bother the maids with extra work" I bit my lip.

"Don't be silly, love" he hugged me and placed a kiss on the top of my head. "Guests used to be a frequent occasion at Dawn. And if we can manage an annual ball, then the parents of my beloved is not a problem at all. And also, I feel like I own Alice a lot, she reached out to me after my father died."

I nodded eventually. "Fine"

—————The day of my parents' arrival came. I informed them beforehand that they should come to Dawn winery.

The food was ready, Klee used the manor as her personal playhouse, wanting to play hide-and-seek with us. Diluc agreed and chased her around the manor. It was unusual of him to take part in childish doings like this, but he probably wanted to find a distraction against his nervousness. I clearly sensed some anxiety coming from him, even though he met my parents already in the past.

But well, we weren't together then.

It was kind of cute how he worried about my parents' opinion about him.

Mom and dad finally arrived at lunchtime. Klee wrapped her arms around our mom, already talking endlessly to her.

"Easy, sweetheart, we will have plenty of time to talk" she said, patting her head. Then she turned to me and Diluc.

"What a beautiful sight" she giggled, wrapping her arms around us. "Diluc, my boy, I knew you one day would return my daughter's unconditional love for you. I guess I can finally call you my son officially" she laughed in her hand.

"Mom!" I shouted. "We are not even married!"

Diluc scratched the back of his neck nervously.

"Thank you, Alice" he laughed nervously.

My dad cleared his throat behind mom. He already held Klee in his arms.

"Hello, dad" I giggled, hugging him as well.

(Author's note: So I realized I haven't come up with a name for Tessa's and Klee's dad lol. Also we don't know what's Klee's last name if she has one, idk I decided to keep it that way bc everything I chose sounded stupid. I hope it's fine lol. Their dad is Marcus as he gives off Marcus energy lol)

"So, Diluc?" Dad inspected him from head to toe.

"Welcome at Dawn, Mr. Marcus" he politely greeted Dad and forwarded his right hand. He was clearly nervous, it was cute.

Dad shook his hand firmly, grinning widely at him. "Simply Marcus is fine" he said. "Take good care of my daughter, or I will find you" he threatened him, but laughed loudly.

Diluc sweatdropped, but returned the laugh. "I will, don't worry"

Archons, why my dad have to pull the overprotective father card? I was glad he had no idea of my past affairs, he would lose his mind.

The tension subsided slowly and we all had a nice lunch together. We spent the afternoon around the manor, chatting and playing games. Diluc fit really well in my family, but I was sure he would. He was such a great, polite nobleman, what you would call the perfect match for your daughter.

But I never saw him like an opportunity for my own status. I loved him for what he was. Entirely.

We put Klee to sleep in the evening in my old room, then we started drinking and playing card games. My dad forced Diluc to drink with him and he heroically fought off his disgust towards alcohol to please my father.

"I need some fresh air" I stood up, ready to go outside.

"I'll come with you" said mom. "Boys, behave, okay?" she giggled then followed me outside.

"You two look adorable, honey" she stated once we were outside. "But that's no surprise" she added. "That boy was head over heels for you when you were kids. I guess it was meant to be"

"If you say so.." I giggled.

"But, beware, my dear... you made all the maidens of Mondstadt your enemy"

I laughed at this. "I think I can deal with some upset young girls"

My mother's facial expression's turned from cheerful to serious in a second.

"Talking about enemies... there is an another reason for our visit" she sighed. "I overheard some Fatui talking about an incident in Mondstadt. Once I nicely interrogated one of them, they spilled that a certain blonde girl with elf ears and a crimson haired soldier got captured by them and they only escaped because the girl with unbelievable dendro powers made a deal with a harbinger. Would you fill me in?"

I sighed. "I didn't find it necessary to inform you about it in a letter" I said. "But of course I wanted to tell you..."

I told her everything about my unfortunate mission with Diluc. Including the deal I made with Arlecchino.

"I see" she was staring at her wineglass in her hand with an unreadable expression on her face. "That was way too dangerous, darling. But I can assure you, that I would have done the same. We are not in danger."

"I always welcome some positive affirmation" I chuckled darkly. "I am not very proud of this deal"

"Don't be too hard on yourself, darling" she placed her hand on my arm. "The Fatui have their on reasons, in this world not everything is black and white, you can't clearly divide good and evil. And I am not just talking about humans, the same goes to archons too" she was staring at the distance. I tried to understand the meaning behind her words, but I thought she would explain it if it was important right now.

"Mom" I started. "There's one more thing... do you have any idea why the Fatui keeps track of me?"

"Oh, yes, I wanted to address that part too" she nodded. "It is only a wild guess, but... you summoned the 'Tree of knowledge' when you were a kid."

"What?" my eyes widened. "I thought it is a part of my dendro powers, and I only received my vision a couple years ago..."

"You only infused the tree with dendro" she answered. "That power... I don't know much about it yet, but I have tried to investigate it. Apparently it is a very ancient magic that originates from before the archon war. But I found nothing else... I do believe someone in the Fatui knows about it, that is why you are on that list"

"But... where does this power come from?"

"Who knows?" she shrugged. "I found very little about this power. But I suggest you to learn to use it as much as you can. And not just enough to protect yourself from the Fatui"

"What do you mean?"

Her gaze became hazy and heavy of all the knowledge she obtained. "A war is coming" she stated. "Not tomorrow, not in a year, maybe it will not happen in this decade. But it is surely coming and I am sure that all the nations, including Snezhnaya will take part as allies, hand in hand. And we all will be dragged into it" she turned around and held my hand.

"But don't worry about it yet, my dear Tessa. Maybe I am wrong. You should enjoy your life to the fullest, do as your wish and involve your crimson haired love as well. Love is an amazing thing, I learned it"

Most of the things she said filled me with intense uneasiness. But I wasn't entirely surprised. I saw all the nations of Tevyat, I felt that we were marching towards an inevitable conflict. The only question if the seven nations would choose to side the Abyss or Celestia...

Another thing came into my mind that I wanted to discuss with mom.

"Mom... I... I am most likely immortal like you, right?" I asked.

"I believe you are, yes. Why?" she raised an eyebrow at me.

"You... you got married to a mortal.."

"Ah, I see" she interrupted me. "Love is a magical thing, my dear. And I avoided it for as long as I remember" she smiled. "I would say that it is my biggest regret, but that is not true. You can't help falling in love, and I love your father more than anything, and I love that we have you and Klee. Don't sabotage your own happiness, sweetheart. You love Diluc, he loves you. And that is enough"

I didn't answer, I tightly embraced her.

"Thank you mom, for everything"

"My dear... I'm sorry I am not here all the time"

"It's okay" I added. "You are here when we need you"

She patted my head. "We should go back before the boys start to worry" she giggled.

"Right"

We went inside just to find Diluc and my dad drunk, dancing to an old Mondstadt folk song.

My mom started laughing instantly.

"Oh archons, take my eyesight away" I said, but I couldn't stifle my laugter either.

————-Author's note

Hooooolyyyy what a long chapter.

Soooo uhm I gathered together the ideas in my head, and it seems that there's only three chapters left. I never know when I will be able to update next, but hold still (girlies, buddies, non-binary friendies) the end of our journey is close.

See you all next chapter xx