Chapter Text
A cold snowy morning greeted Anneliese when she woke, the wind from the slight crack of the window letting in the cold morning air. She rose slowly, walking to quickly shut the window.
A sigh of relief escaped her lips, and the initial warmth of the mansion had filled the room again. She smiled, then made her back into the bed for just 5 more minutes. Or she would try. If not for a pesky little 6-year-old boy scurrying into their room.
Diluc hopped onto the bed, landing on Anneliese directly with an oomph sound. Anneliese gasped, the wind being nearly knocked out of her, while Diluc giggled.
Suddenly, his expression got serious, and he leaned in closer to her face. He whispered a threatening, “Mama…” a smile slowly forming across his features.
Anneliese would be a liar is she said she wasn’t in the least bit scared of what was happening, but to her credit, it was around 5 in the morning, and she had just woken up.
Diluc continued, “Guess what…” Then a giggle as he leaned away, and his expression brightened. “It’s snowing! We can go play in the snow!” He lightly tugged at the blankets, while Crepus still snored deep in sleep.
Archons, he’s still a deep sleeper.
“Sunshine, it’s far to early… we will go out later, when everyone is awake, okay?” She compromised. In reality, Anneliese just wanted more sleep. But it also was way too early, so there’s that.
Diluc sighed dramatically, slumping forward. “But Mama…” He tried with puppy dog eyes. Unfortunately for him, Anneliese had those same eyes and used that trick all throughout her own childhood. “No, sunshine. Now head back to bed, it’s early.” She patted his head, then gave a peck on the forehead.
Diluc seemed to give up at that, sighing in defeat. “…Can I stay here with Mama and Papa then?” He asked, already rolling off to situate himself fully in between the couple. Anneliese laughed yet still nodded. “Alright, sunshine.”
They did end up playing in the snow a while later, Crepus had to finish up a few important documents regarding the Winery so Anneliese and Diluc played in the snow themselves.
“Mama! Let’s make snow angels!” Diluc jumped eagerly, standing over a smooth batch of snow. She laughed, hurrying over to her eager and waiting son. His high ponytail swayed as he bounced with excitement, tied by the matching white ribbon.
“Sunshine, we’ve made plenty of snow angels already!” She said, composing herself before she exploded from laughter. “One more! Please mama!” He pleaded, looking up at her with the puppy eyes again.
Anneliese still wasn’t affected by them, yet she still gave in.
“One more pair, sunshine. Then we must go back inside for lunch.” A cheer and excited jumps of happiness came from Diluc, immediately pulling Anneliese to the ground to make more snow angels.
It was a good day, that day. Even as she sat at her desk, reading a letter for an expedition in Shneznaya. It was simple for someone of her rank in the Adventurer’s Guild, and she hasn’t been to Shneznaya in a while.
Anneliese made a mental note to herself, “If in a week's time no one accepts, I shall go myself.”