chapter 33 - red camellia

One year later

The spring breeze gently caressed my cheeks, bringing the scent of flowers and flying dandelion seeds. I rested my head on Diluc's lap, as I lay on the blanket at Starsnatch cliff, facing the warm sun with closed eyes.

My belly was full of valberry muffin and sunsettia juice, the sweet taste of our picnic still present in my mouth.

I heard Klee's singing voice, she was collecting flowers to make a flower crown. She grew a little bit, but she was still a child, and maintained her reckless behavior. But at least she was listening to Diluc. In return of sweets and cute toys of course. I told him that he was spoiling her, but he said that as long as she doesn't blow up anything, the method doesn't matter. I couldn't argue with that.

I looked back at the past year behind us. It wasn't such a long time, but it also felt like an eternity. Life at Mondstadt had its regular flow, and the world was at peace still. I still remembered my mother's words around a year ago, so I knew that peace is temporary, but I still immersed myself in the joyful moments of life. Although, I heard about the Traveler's adventures in Fontaine and he was slowly heading to Natlan. I didn't really keep in touch with him, but he had many friends in Mondstadt, he was a frequent topic in conversations.

As for me, I found some new hobbies. I still took up adventurer work time to time, but I actually started writing light novels. Albedo was helping me with illustrations, and my mom liked my stories so much that she encouraged me to publish them. She even took my manuscripts to Inazuma.

I also moved back to Dawn winery. It wasn't planned, I just spent so much time there, that my personal belongings started slowly moving there.

I sighed with content. I was really happy. I opened my eyes to look at my love. He only wore a white shirt and black pants, his crimson hair tied low as usually.

He smiled down at me.

"What is it?" he asked, gently running his fingers on my cheek.

I shook my head. "Nothing, I am just adoring you" I chuckled. Small redness appeared on his cheeks.

"You and your smooth talk.." he whispered.

"It's so peaceful, isn't it?" I asked as I sat up and stretched, my back facing him.

"Tessa... about our last talk..." he started and I immediately furrowed my eyebrows.

I sighed. "You will not let it go, right?" I turned around to face him with a soft smile.

"Diluc... Yes, I am immortal. Yes, you will grow old but I will probably remain young. It doesn't change the fact that I love you and I am willing to live my life with you"

"But..." he argued. He closed his eyes and shook his head. "Is it really okay for you? Do you really want to remain on the side of an old man until he dies?"

"Listen... we don't choose who we fall in love with. And I have been in love with you for almost twenty years now. When I left Mondstadt I tried to forget you, but I couldn't. I went on dates and you were in my mind all the time."

"But I tie you down..."

"Diluc, for someone so smart you can be really stupid sometimes" I chuckled. "How would you tie down an immortal? I have an eternity..." some tears gathered in the corners of my eyes. "Let's not talk about it, okay..." my voice cracked just thinking about the sad reality of the future. "I love you, Diluc, and you are probably the best thing that will ever happen to me..."

He locked me in his embrace. "I.. I'm sorry, Tessa, I wasn't thinking it through" his hand ran up and down my spine. "I am very sorry. I love you.."

I took a deep breath. "It's okay, just trust me, okay?" I placed my hand on his face, stealing a small kiss from him.

In the meantime Klee returned with the flowers and started making flower crowns.

"Wanna play TCG?" I asked Diluc, taking out my deck. "I got some new cards, I will defeat you this time" I smirked.

"You said this last time" he chuckled, taking out his cards.

We played until the sun started to go down the horizon and the air started to get chilly. We packed our things to return back home. We parted ways with Klee at the gates of the city then we continued our way back to Dawn.

We were almost home when Diluc suddenly stopped, letting go of my hand.

"What is it?" I looked up at him, staring into his unreadable crimson eyes.

He was chewing his lips, clearly struggling with something. He reached for my hands and lifted them.

"Tessa... I didn't plan to ask this way, but..." he stopped letting out a big sigh.

"Is everything okay, darling?" I was worried, I had no clue about what was in his mind.

Then he gathered himself and gently squeezed my hands.

"Tessa... would you like to be Lady Ragnvindr?"

Mind blank, my eyes widened as I stood there totally dumbfounded. "Huuh?" and that's all that left my mouth.

He chuckled nervously. "I didn't imagine that you would answer to my proposal this way. I will give you a ring later, but..."

I suddenly wrapped my arms around his neck as I finally snapped out of my shock.

"YES, YES, YES AND YES" I shouted, almost killing him with my tight embrace. He returned my hug, his arms wrapped around my waist. He lifted me and spinned me around.

"I'm so glad" he murmured in my neck.

"I can't wait to be your wife" I giggled as we remained their embracing each other while the moon was slowly rising high on the sky, witnessing the beginning of the new era of our life.

———-Author's note

Shhh two chapters left.