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“Master Diluc?”
Diluc set his quill down, giving Adelinde his full attention. “Yes, Adelinde? Is everything alright?”
“Yes sir, of course,” Adelinde assured. “However…”
Diluc frowned. “Yes?”
“There is someone here who would like to meet with you,” Adelinde replied. “However, he insists that you don’t know him, though he knows you.” After a beat, she added. “And Master Kaeya.”
Diluc frowned. “Did he say anything about why he wants to meet?”
“No sir, but he is rather insistent.”
Diluc thought about it. “Alright then,” he finally agreed, because he would rather have this person in his study with him as opposed to downstairs in the foyer with his staff.
“Should I send him in?”
“Yes please, Adelinde.”
She nodded and left the room, Diluc taking that time to move his paperwork off to the side and tidying up his desk. A light knock came at the door and he called ‘come in’ as he turned to face the desk then, only to freeze at the person who entered.
“Dainsleif,” he said, almost without thought. The royal guard paused then before quietly closing the door behind himself and moving to sit on the other side of the desk.
“And here I was under the impression that you didn’t know me,” he murmured.
“I don’t,” Diluc replied. “Not really.”
“Ah, I see.” Dainsleif nodded. “This on account of the star, I’m sure.” When Diluc did little more than sit and stare, Dainsleif remarked, “I apologize. Had you hoped to ignore its existence?”
Yes . “How do you know about it?”
“When something from Khaenri’ah finds its way to Teyvat, I am the first one alerted.”
“Why?”
“The gods have already struck Khaenri’ah down once. I don’t want to see them do it again.”
“So you’re here because of the star.”
“In a sense.”
“Meaning?”
“I’m not here to take it from you, if that’s what you’re afraid of. Quite the opposite, I think. I’m here to help you.”
Diluc was, understandably, skeptical. “Help me,” he repeated. “Help me with what?”
“With the Abyssal power granted to you by that star.”
“No.”
“I wouldn’t dismiss this so quickly, Master Ragnvindr.”
“I have no interest in controlling it. I don’t even want it.”
“Then perhaps I can find another incentive for you,” the royal guard offered. “Without control, those powers will rot you from the inside out.” When Diluc said nothing, Dainsleif took that as permission to continue speaking. “Surely you’ve found it difficult to draw upon the power of your Vision as of late?”
Diluc shifted. “And this is a result of the star?” He asked. “That’s what you’re claiming?”
“Your Vision and whatever weapon you’ve attached to it are divine gifts, Master Ragnvindr, and thus the deeper these Abyssal powers grow in you, out of control, the weaker your connection to Celestia will be.”
“And what do you get out of this?” Diluc asked. “I cannot imagine you’re doing this purely out of the kindness of your own heart.”
“As I told you, I don’t want to see the gods strike Khaenri’ah down again on account of your inability to control the power. I’m here to ensure you don’t kill yourself with it, becuase if you do I can assure you that the Archons will waste no time in pointing fingers at my homeland.”
“You only want me to have control in order to protect your nation.”
“If you won’t do it for Khaenri’ah, then perhaps you’ll do it for Prince Kaeya.” Diluc went utterly still. “There is little chance that the gods don’t know where he comes from. If they believe your death has been caused by powers of the Abyss, of Khaenri’ah, the first person they’re going to turn to his your brother.”
“They wouldn’t.”
“But are you sure about that?” Dainsleif raised an eyebrow. “Is your fight with Prince Kaeya, five years ago, not very well known? Perhaps the people of Mondstadt don’t know the truth of why you attacked him that night, but the gods do.” Diluc stayed silent. “The Ragnvindr family is not only the oldest in Mondstadt but also the favorite of the Anemo Archon. Do you truly believe Barbatos will stand by and do nothing if you were to die to powers of Khaenri’ah, a nation he helped destroy?”
“You’re trying to manipulate me.”
“Yet you love your brother too much not to fall for it.”
Diluc said nothing for a few moments before leaning forward and clasping his hands together atop his desk.
“I have two questions.”
“I suppose that’s fair.”
“Where did I get the star?”
“Il Dottore, one of the Harbingers of the Cryo Archon of Snezhnaya.”
“I figured,” Diluc murmured. “It was the only way that made sense.”
“And your second question?”
“How did Dottore get his hands on a star of Khaenri’ah to begin with?”
Dainsleif smiled ruefully. “That, I’m afraid, is beyond my knowledge.”
Diluc nodded. He had suspected as much. Or at least, he had expected such a response. Dainsleif didn’t seem like someone willing to share more about Khaenri’ah than he had to.
“I have one more question.”
“Of course.”
“About Kaeya.”
“You cannot tell him I am here.” Dainsleif’s tone left no room for argument. “He cannot know of my involvement with you, nor can he know that I am in Mondstadt.”
Diluc looked away. “Trust me,” he murmured. “That won’t be a problem.”
“Kaeya, you’re hurting me–”
“And you didn’t hurt me!? ”
“Kaeya–”
“I hate you.”
Taking a deep breath, Diluc looked back up at Dainsleif. “Even though I know you’re manipulating me and doubt that you’re even telling me the truth about why you’re here…” he sighed. “When do we start?”
“Immediately.”