chapter 19 - christmas ball at dawn

(Artist: @tuanzi43213480 on twitter)

I was staring at the dress hanging on the bedroom door. When I bought it I thought it was a good idea, and I still thought the dress looked beautiful... But also I felt like I would look ridiculous in it.

It was a long, forest green dress with a boat neck shape on the top, but open back. The skirt was straight, the fabric thick, but with a silkish feel to its surface. The skirt was decorated with golden floral embroidery on the bottom.

Now I just have to put it on.

I touched the dress with shaky hands, removing it from the hanger. I wore my nightgown after my previous bath, now slowly getting rid of it. I slid into the dress, my hands reaching for the zipper, then I fully adjusted it on my body. The dress felt a lot more comfortable than I assumed.

I warily stepped in front of the mirror.

"Okay" I breathed out, small teardrops appeared in my eyes. I barely recognized myself. I looked damn great. A little euphoric giggle left my mouth.

I walked to the shelves to pick up a hairpin I purchased in Liyue. Its color was matching my dress really well. It was a golden pin forming leaves, decorated with small green jades. I left some locks of hair around my face, then carefully formed a low bun from my thick, straw blonde hair and secured it with the pin.

I was perfectly content with the results. I looked unusually pretty.

I was applying my perfume - also from Liyue - when I heard a knock on the door.

I opened the door, to find Kaeya standing there. We decided to go to the ball together. Klee was with Albedo at Dragonspine because of a commission, so she had to miss the ball right now. I wanted to go together with Kaeya, Lisa and Jean, but Jean chose to work instead no matter how hard we tried to convince her, and for that reason, Lisa also decided to stay, to watch over Jean.

I took a good look at Kaeya. He looked more than great. He chose a deep blue suit complimenting his hair and eye, he even decorated it with some snowflake shaped brooches. Underneath, there was a simple white shirt, the top three buttons unbuttoned, exposing a piece of his chest.

"Wow, you look great" he was the first one to compliment. He was inspecting me from head to toe.

"T-thanks" I stuttered. "You're not bad either" I grinned at him.

"Can we go now?" he asked, offering me his elbow which I accepted.

The winery sent carriages to the city to pick up mondstadters intending to visit the ball. I saw some people staring at me and Kaeya as we got on one of the carriages. Great, the gossip never stops. I sighed internally.

We didn't talk too much during our ride to the winery, Kaeya sensed my nervousness.

He was smirking.

"What?" I asked him with furrowed brows.

"Oh, nothing" he answered. "You look cute when you are nervous. Let's have fun tonight, shall we?"

I nodded. "That's my intention. You will not rest too much, we will dance a lot, I promise you" I forced a smile on my face.

"If you let me drink enough between the songs, I don't mind" he shrugged, still smirking.

Once we reached Dawn winery, we were led into the beautifully decorated ballroom. It was already full of people, wandering between the tables full of food and drinks.

And there were a lot of young girls too, with their parents. I rolled my eyes at this.

"What's wrong?" Kaeya asked, already sipping on a glass of wine. Then he followed my glance, breathing out a small "oh".

"It has been always like this, and you know that" he noted. "Master Diluc is still single and still rich and handsome. The best match in the whole land of Mondstadt. No matter how many times he had refused these girls presented to him, the fathers will never give up"

"I know" I shrugged, picking up a strawberry from one of the tables. "It is still very annoying though"

The ballroom slowly became completely filled, leaving only the dancefloor empty. The only thing missing was the crimson haired host to appear and officially open the ball with a speech.

We didn't have to wait too long for that. Diluc soon appeared on the top of the stairs, his presence forcing the whole ballroom to turn silent, everyone waiting for his words.

I bit my lower lip as I was staring at him. This time, he wore his crimson hair in a high ponytail. He wore a deep red shirt, with black tie and a black vest, decorated with red roses. He wore his signature leather gloves too.

"Your eyes will fall out from their sockets if you are staring so hard" Kaeya whispered in my ear, clearly amused. My cheeks immediately turned red.

"Shut up" I muttered, lightly hitting him with my elbow.

Diluc inspected the crowd, then he cleared his throat to speak.

"Welcome, everyone to this year's Christmas ball here, at Dawn winery. I am delighted to see so many faces here. Eat, drink and dance to your heart's content tonight. I hope you will have a wonderful evening" he let out a soft smile. People were cheering, and they were seemingly listening to what he said, already having fun. It was so uncharacteristic of him. I chuckled. He plays the role of the wine tycoon pretty well.

The music started playing, and Diluc ascended the stairs, just to be surrounded by many people wanting to talk to him. I grabbed a glass of champagne and drank it.

My plan for the night was to look great and have fun. I didn't want to desperately stare at Diluc all night with an aching heart.

Kaeya finished his drink as well, then he extended his arm in my direction.

"May I have a dance?" he asked, I gladly accepted his hand.

"Of course" he led me to the dancefloor, and we started dancing to the music. It felt just like we traveled back in time, when we took our dance lessons. Kaeya was always a great dancer, he knew how to lead me. I couldn't help the bright smile appearing on my face. I totally immersed myself in the moment. Maybe I've been worrying too much about tonight.

As Kaeya spinned me, I caught Diluc's glance at us. He was near the dancefloor conversing with someone. He looked slightly annoyed, maybe his conversation partner wasn't for his liking.

But why do I care?

We were dancing through two songs. Once the second one ended, someone approached us.

"May I steal the lady for a dance?" I looked up at the man. He was a young knight, I wasn't sure of his name. Alex maybe? Or Axel? Whatever, we don't have to talk while dancing.

And he didn't force me to, we were simply just dancing. Then I received an another request. Then another. I saw Kaeya finding himself a partner too. He was dancing with a newbie knight girl, who looked at him with sparkling eyes. Go get her, my boy. I smiled internally.

"I need some rest, I apologize" I bowed before the next person who approached me. I was madly thirsty and I needed some fresh air. I downed a glass of some cocktail from the closest table, then I went out to the courtyard from one of the open doors of the ballroom.

I breathed in the chilly air of the night, taking in the scent of grapes. It was the same scent I experienced when I was a child. I looked up to the window of my old bedroom. I was wondering what state it was in. Did they remove all my old belongings? The manor had many rooms, I was sure they didn't need all of them.

I turned in the direction of the grapevines, casually leaning to the low walls surrounding the building.

"You are going to catch a cold" I turned around to see the source of the voice. I saw Diluc approaching me, with a glass in his right hand.

"Grape juice?" I asked knocking my head towards the glass.

"Unfortunately not" he grimaced. "It would be rude not to drink with the guests, no matter how unpleasant it is for me"

"Oh please" I rolled my eyes "If that's the champagne I drank, it is so sweet, you can barely notice it is alcohol"

I knew how he didn't like alcohol and I found it amusing.

"You are used to it I guess" he shrugged.

"You couldn't have called me an alcoholic in a smoother way" I chuckled.

"N-no that's not what I meant" he stuttered, clearing his throat.

"I know, I'm just teasing you" I grinned at him. He stepped closer next to me, he put his glass down. We were silently staring at the grapevines. He probably also recalled our childhood memories, picturing the three of us playing hide and seek between the vines. Because that's what I did.

I felt his gaze laying on me, but I didn't dare to look up. I couldn't really look at him, because then I would lose... I promised myself that I would not let my feelings for him to be obvious. I wanted him to know by my acts that I am fine. That I am not desperate. When in reality I really wanted to pull his necktie so I could kiss him.

My face turned red by this thought. Thank god it was dark enough outside.

"You look beautiful tonight, Tessa" he noted.

A shiver ran down my spine by his words. Don't say it. Don't say it, you stupid fungus.

"Just tonight?" I smirked at him. Damn, I said it.

He blinked a couple of times, the question confused him. He cleared his throat.

"Let me correct myself" he started. "You look especially beautiful tonight"

I didn't know how to answer that. I wasn't expecting him to compliment me like that. I mumbled out a thank you somehow. I still didn't dare to look at him, but I still felt his gaze on me.

Come on, Tessa, don't be a coward.

I turned to him. "What's the stare?" I looked at Diluc with a playful grin.

He was clearly struggling with something. "You know I never really knew how to speak my mind" he said.

I didn't understand what he meant in this situation. I kept my eyes on his face. "Just say it out load what's troubling you" I gave him a reassuring smile. "It's just me, the good old Tessa"

He bit his lower lip then blurted out. "I hated to see you dancing with all those men"

I blinked a couple times. Huh? "A ball is about dancing, Diluc" I shrugged.

"I know" he stated. "But the way everyone was looking at you... it just makes my blood boil"

I snorted. "It's none of your business, Diluc."

"It still annoys me" he huffed. Well, that made me somewhat angry.

"Well, you know" I started with a sharpness in my voice. "I am annoyed too, seeing all these pretty, young girls all seeking your attention. But at least I know my place."

"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow. "And what is my place in this situation?"

I didn't answer, but I held his flaming crimson gaze. The world was silent around us, all I heard was the blood playing its rhythm in my ears.

"You do whatever you like" I noted quietly. "You are the host of the evening"

He chuckled lightly. "No, I do what people expect me to do. The only thing I've chosen tonight is talking to you"

"Just to cause a tension" I lightly grinned at him. I didn't notice, but we stood closer to each other now, somehow we unconsciously closed the distance between us, like a nameless force pulling us closer to each other.

"I see you didn't understand" he breathed out, as his gloved hand slid up to my face, his thumb gently caressing my left cheekbone. I saw a burning flame of lust in his eyes as he bended to connect our lips.

I instinctively wrapped my arms around his waist as I melted in his kiss. I almost collapsed under the sensation I had always dreamed of, my knees so weak they threatened me to give in. I tasted the sweet champagne on his lips, taking in the scent of his skin and the cologne he used.

I gently pulled away from him, his gaze was burning in such a way, it made my butterflies in my stomach going crazy.

But I still had my doubts and I don't intend to give myself to him at first given chance.

I stood on my tiptoes so I could reach his ear.

"Don't play with my feelings, Diluc" I whispered, then I let go of him.

Without another glance, I started walking back to the ballroom.

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Author's note

Phew, this was the longest chapter I've ever written lol

And tbh I am very proud of it, I hope y'all enjoyed reading it just much as I did writing it.

Now I will have to figure out how to continue, but I will be quick, I swear.

See you in next chapter x