Chapter Text
It had been over. Over. The Drake was dead. So how…
Diluc stared where his father had been, still gripping his broken ribs. Broken ribs that had, arguably cost his father his life– he would never have tried to fight if Diluc hadn’t let the pain get to him, if he had kept fighting as a knight should–
He was a blot on the reputation of the Knights now, for sure. His father was a civilian, and should never have had to protect a Captain.
And after– After the beast was dead– how had he just… dissolved? Faded into black dust that blew away, leaving only the strange device he had used to fight–
It made no sense.
“Diluc!” Kaeya’s voice rose above the hoofbeats behind him, the patrol group that had arrived just barely too late to prevent the whole mess. “Are you okay? What–”
Diluc forced himself to move, leaning forward to grab the device and hide it in his coat. He’d never doubt his brother, but they weren’t alone, and there was no need to advertise that their father had been using some sort of possibly illegal device. Foreign, at the least. A moment later, Kaeya was kneeling beside him. “How bad are your ribs?”
“It doesn’t matter.” When had Diluc’s voice faded to a croaky whisper? “Father– he–”
“I saw. Are you okay?” Diluc could hear the shock underlying the calm in Kaeya’s voice. At least one of the brothers was upholding the reputation of both Knights and Ragnvindrs. He forced a nod, even though he was far from ‘okay’. Appearances mattered.
Lieutenant Vance must have dismounted without Diluc noticing, because he was suddenly standing behind Kaeya. He’d never much liked the Lieutenant, but there was nothing much he could do about his brother’s placement… not without accusations of nepotism, and he hadn’t heard enough to justify that. Kaeya always said he was fine.
Why couldn’t he keep his mind on anything? His father was dead, and here his thoughts were maundering on about–
“Your ribs must be bad, if there’s blood leaking from your mouth. Best you get back to the city. Sir Bernice, escort Lord Ragnvindr–” Diluc flinched as those words left Vance’s mouth. His father’s body, if it hadn’t disappeared, wouldn’t even be cold yet! “–back to the city. See he gets treated, and then take him to Captain Enoch for debrief.”
The senior investigation captain? He supposed in a way that made sense, but… that wasn’t protocol. Diluc was a captain himself. He should be reporting to a squadroom of a selection of captains, or to Varka himself, not to just one other captain, investigation or no–
His ribs twinged, and Diluc’s thoughts scattered again. It didn’t matter, anyway. This was likely faster. But why Bernice? “Shouldn’t Kaeya–”
“Sir Kaeya has a patrol to finish,” Lieutenant Vance interrupted, disdain dripping from his voice. “Sir Bernice is quite capable of acting as your escort.”
He wasn’t meaning to impugn Bernice’s abilities. But Kaeya’d lost a father too, on duty or not– “But–”
“It’s fine,” Kaeya interjected, then leaned close to whisper in Diluc’s ear. “He’ll see it as you acting like a Lawrence, if you push.”
The redhead swallowed his protests. If Kaeya was willing to finish his patrol, he supposed he shouldn’t interfere. He could understand wanting to keep busy, and it would give his brother a few hours’ escape from all the political and social fallout. “Very well. I’ll see you later, Kaeya. Stay safe.”
Kaeya gave a short nod, and Vance huffed.
As he mounted up behind Sir Bernice, Diluc thought he should probably try to remember to mention this interaction to Vance’s captain later. A lieutenant shouldn’t be treating captains in that manner.
____-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-____
Treatment had been faster and more thorough than Diluc had expected; apparently they were letting Jean’s little sister tend to patients now, and while he was soaked, there was no doubt she was skilled. He subconsciously rotated his shoulder as he waited, impressed that all that was left was a mild ache.
Papers shuffled on the desk in front of Diluc, and he restrained the urge to look up like a fidgety, impatient child. Strange enough that he, a captain himself, was reporting to another captain– even one with significant seniority– but Captain Enoch was treating this remarkably like Diluc had been sent to him for disciplining. He kept huffing and making derogatory noises as he read the written report Diluc had handed him on arrival; granted, the handwriting was atrocious, but surely it wasn’t the first report he’d received that had been written on horseback. It was standard procedure to get events written down while they were fresh.
At least, it was in Diluc’s command. Surely things would be at least as rigorous under one of the Investigation Captains.
Still. He’d always been taught to respect his elders.
So long as they showed him some modicum of decency…
“You’re claiming the body dissolved into thin air?” The near-sarcastic voice made Diluc jump, despite himself. “That seems highly unlikely. Nothing of the sort has ever been reported; are you sure you aren’t covering for him? Did Crepus, perhaps, summon the drake and then run off into the woods when he lost control of it?”
Diluc stiffened, glaring at Enoch. “I was not the only witness. An entire patrol arrived a little too late to deal with the beast themselves. I know for a fact at least one of them saw him–”
Damn it all, this was not the time to get choked up. Unfortunately, the bastard pounced on the pause. “You mean your… brother, I take it? His word is as suspect as your own, but I suppose I’ll have his report with the rest of the patrol’s this evening.”
That tone– Diluc had not heard it so openly with regards to Kaeya in years. Their father had made it very clear Kaeya was as Ragnvindr as if he had the blood, and no one had dared after he had… settled things a few times. Diluc himself had settled it with some of the servants, as a kid.
If the old prejudices were coming back so soon– that implied it had never left. That it was just under the surface the whole time.
Diluc’s eyes narrowed. “Is that all, then? I have rather a lot of business to take care of.”
“Yes, you would, after these events.” Enoch’s tone was just short of a sneer, in that way Diluc knew many nobles were adept at but few commoners. Where had he learned it? “You are dismissed, with the usual week of leave to handle affairs. I’m sure your knights will hardly know you were gone.”
That last insult was hardly necessary. What the hell was Enoch playing at? Completely disregarding politics, Diluc was technically his equal in the knights, and he knew the Grand Master was eyeing him as a potential assistant. It had been discussed with him before. If anything, the man should be trying to curry favor, not antagonize him.
Maybe he thought Diluc would be leaving the Knights? Heads of noble families often did, to tend to other responsibilities, but there was no way in hell Diluc would. He had every confidence in their staff. It’d mean extra hours, but…
He stiffly nodded, and left Enoch’s office. One step at a time. He’d have to visit with the family attorney, for starters…
____-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-____
Oliver Renault was originally from Fontaine, but knew Mondstadt law better than most locals– and had proven his skill long before Diluc had been born. The man was aging now, but no less sharp or skilled than he had been when his grandparents had snapped him up as the Ragnvindr family attorney.
The man took on short term clients too, of course, on a case-by-case basis. While the family paid him well, Mr. Renault was hardly the sort to be comfortably idle, and they didn’t provide him nearly enough work to keep him busy. Though that was likely to change for a bit, from the looks of things. He’d likely be pleased.
Or so Diluc told himself, straightening his waistcoat as he paused to collect himself outside the attorney’s office door.
He’d found the man intimidating when he was younger, for all Father had liked him. Mr. Renault had this way of looking at a person, as though he could tell all your secrets at a glance. And he never, ever seemed unsure of himself.
That was a good thing, he supposed. An attorney should be intimidating in that way. But it didn’t make talking to him any easier.
One last deep breath, and Diluc tapped politely on the plain, well-made door.
And then felt like an idiot.
A lawyer’s office was more like a storefront than a house. He should just walk in. Flushing, he pushed the door open and entered the office—
It wasn’t anything like how he’d thought it would be.
Diluc had pictured something like his father’s study; some bookcases with books and display pieces, a desk full of papers with the older gentleman seated behind it. Perhaps a chair or two for clients in front of the desk. Instead he found himself in a tastefully appointed waiting room, all dark wood and leather-upholstered furniture. A young woman sat behind the only desk in the room, blonde hair tightly curled in a fashion that was not common in Mond.
She looked up at his entry, promptly setting down her pen and sitting up straight. “Can I help you, sir? I don’t think Mr. Renault had any appointments this afternoon.”
“I don’t have an appointment– ah, do I need one?” It wasn’t like Diluc to be so hesitant, but this was a part of the family business he was out of his depth in. Father had been intending to start integrating him into legal matters after he came of age– after today.
So much for that.
“That entirely depends on the situation,” the woman answered. Her accent was a little odd– too faint for Diluc to place it accurately. “Are you an existing client, or looking for help with a legal problem? If you are looking for a defense attorney, while Mr. Renault does occasionally take cases that interest him, it is not his specialty and you should be warned he is likely to simply recommend someone else for you to retain.”
A defense attorney? Did Diluc look like some sort of criminal? …looking down, he had to acknowledge he might, a bit. He hadn’t really cleaned up since everything this morning– they’d mopped up the worst of the blood at the cathedral, but his coat and shirt had seen better days, his pants weren’t much better, and his hair– he winced. Kaeya was going to demand a comb as soon as he saw Diluc. “I apologize for my appearance. I assure you this is not my usual… state. I’m not sure if I qualify as an existing client, though my father was, and his father before him, miss…?”
“Miss Olivia. Your father’s name?” The woman moved to a cabinet and began sorting through folders.
“Crepus Ragnvindr.”
Miss Olivia froze for a moment, then closed the cabinet. “I see. I apologize for not recognizing you– is it Diluc or Kaeya?”
“Diluc.” It was good to hear someone acknowledge Kaeya, the way this day had gone– especially someone who had never met either of them. Something deep inside Diluc settled.
“Very good. I’ll just make sure he’s in his office; and for future reference, you and your brother do not require an appointment. Mr. Renault will see you any time.” She rapped twice on the discreet door next to the cupboard, then opened it enough to lean in. “Grandfather? Diluc Ragnvindr is here to see you.”
The strong, deep voice on the other side was too muted to make out words, but a few moments later the door was opened more fully and Diluc was ushered into a room much more like he had initially imagined. The familiar, older figure behind the desk stood and offered a hand. “It’s good to formally make your acquaintance, Master Diluc, for all we’ve met before. I had expected you here with your father next week– did something happen to alter the schedule?”
Mr. Renault’s eyes flicked discreetly to Diluc’s outfit, but he said nothing further. Diluc swallowed as he shook the man’s hand. “I’m afraid so. I’m sorry to be the bearer of sad news, but… my father died this morning, and while I don’t know the specifics on what needs handled in what order, I am aware that some things need handled immediately. I had hoped you would be able to help.”
The attorney’s face paled, and his face immediately seemed to age further, crumpling in very real grief. “I- I am so very sorry, Diluc. A moment, please, and do not feel any need to stand on formality behind my closed door. I have known you since you were small, and your family has done much for mine.” He stepped to the door, and opened it for a moment. “Olivia, please clear my schedule for the rest of the week. You may return after the notifications, if you wish, but I warn you this week’s case is unlikely to be pleasant.”
Diluc didn’t hear the response, but saw the back of Mr. Renault’s head bob in a nod as he pulled back in and pushed the door closed. That somber gaze turned to Diluc, and he gestured to the chair. “Please, sit. Unfortunately, you are right, and there is a great deal to be settled immediately. First, we need to ensure matters with the family estates and businesses can keep moving during this transition– they usually need the signature of Lord or Lady Ragnvindr, and officially, there isn’t one at the moment and won’t be for at least a week.”
Diluc sat more heavily than he intended, and buried his face in his hands, thinking. That was important, of course, but– “What needs to be done to protect Kaeya?”
“To protect–” Mr. Renault blinked at him. “From what, exactly? Is there something I should know?”
“I have been hearing… implications, from members of the Knights.” Diluc took a shaky breath. “The way people are acting when he is mentioned is already as it was years ago. I am afraid they’re going to try to take away his status as a Ragnvindr, somehow. Possibly as a Knight too.”
Mr. Renault blinked again, then set down the stack of papers he had just picked up. “Master Diluc, legally speaking, your brother is a Ragnvindr, every bit as much as if he had the bloodline. With your father gone, the only way for him to lose that status is for you to formally eject him from the family and disown him, or for him to file to sever the ties and for that application to be approved. No one outside the family can impose such a thing. That said…”
The attorney sighed. “I know all too well how prejudice works. He is not originally of Mond, and while that would normally matter little, people can get strange about their expectations of nobles. Some sort of formal declaration may be necessary to prevent idiots from trying to take matters into their own hands. There is a limit to how fast we can move without arousing further suspicion directed towards him or your father, but if you formally designate him your heir when you take the title as Lord Ragnvindr– yes, that title was left to you, as I recall. Other things were left for your brother, including some minor titles– that should go a long way in quelling rumors. He is young for it, but it isn’t unusual in circumstances with a shortage of remaining family members.”
“How soon can I do that?”
“I recognize that your desire to rush is for your brother’s sake, but society will not. The announcement of the new head of House Ragnvindr would be generally seen as an end to the initial grieving period; if it’s too soon, the public interpretation would be that your father died in some dishonorable way best forgotten as soon as possible. With that in mind, no less than a week from the official announcement of his death, and no sooner than two days after his funeral. Until then… bear with it, and if things get serious in a way unsuited for the Knights to handle, feel free to come to me with it.”
“I… thank you.” Diluc heaved a deep sigh, then looked up. “So then, what needs doing first?”
____-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-____
It had felt like they had spent hours going over laws, expectations, and paperwork in that warmly lit room– but when Diluc emerged, it was only early afternoon. He wouldn’t make it back to the Winery ahead of Kaeya, but if he was lucky he could get there ahead of the stream of noble visitors who were bound to start showing up as soon as word spread.
Kaeya’d had enough to deal with, without having to field that nonsense.
He was out the gate as soon as he could get Raven saddled and mount her, and from there… Well, he was hardly going to hurt her pushing too hard. But he didn’t dawdle either. Diluc reached the Winery with still a couple hours to go before dinnertime, and was relieved to find no sign of visitors queueing up.
Unfortunately, there was also no sign of Kaeya.
“He did manage to stop by, earlier,” Adelinde told him, intercepting his near-frantic search. “That egotistical lieutenant of his hung around outside the door shouting for him to hurry, but he managed to leave this for you and promise me he’d be back tonight. Diluc, I’m so sorry–”
“There’s nothing you could have done, Addie. Thank you. I’m sure you’ve already guessed we’ll likely have a flood of so-called guests–”
“Of course. Now that I’ve passed this on to you, I’ll be rejoining the others in the kitchen, preparing a selection of the sort of snacks that don’t encourage people to linger. Under the circumstances, it’s unlikely anyone in the household will have much of an appetite for dinner anyway.” The head maid gave Diluc a quick hug as he nodded, then headed on back to join the chaos in the kitchen.
Kaeya’s letter was short and to the point:
Luc–
Sorry for the brevity, but I’ve not been given long. I’m ordered back up to the city to give a full report after patrol, and Lt. Virgin has implied he has a pile of paperwork waiting for me after that. Don’t worry, I don’t care how late they keep me, I’ll be coming back to the Winery when they let me go. So wait up for me?
–Kae
Lieutenant Virgin? Diluc buried a cough in his fist. Vance deserved far worse, but it was unusual seeing Kaeya be that vulgar. Just how badly was he getting harassed?
Since when were Ragnvindrs treated with such derision as he’d seen aimed at both of them, today?
What didn’t he know?
A quiet commotion downstairs interrupted Diluc’s thoughts, and he poked his head out of the study to see what was going on.
Ah. The first of the expected visitors.
For a tempting moment, he considered just hiding in the study. His father’s study, where he could almost believe the man would step through the door any moment. Or in his bedroom. or anywhere he wouldn’t have to deal with smarmy nobles and their likely renewed attempts to shove daughters at him.
But if he didn’t deal with them, odds were they’d hang around and Kaeya would have to when he got home, and that wouldn’t be right or fair.
The Ragnvindr technically-still-just-heir heaved a deep sigh, and moved towards the stairs– then looked down.
Oh. Right.
Adelinde must be really distracted to have not told him to get changed already– but if he greeted guests in bloody clothing, she would definitely have words with him later.And… well, even before it had been marred, his outfit had hardly been proper mourning attire to begin with.
A quick stop inside his room later, and Diluc was at least dressed in all dark colors. His only suitably formal all-black outfit had gotten too small to fit across his shoulders and rather short in the leg– not surprising, it wasn’t like he’d had a lot of occasions necessitating them lately– so he’d have to stop by the tailor in the next couple days to place a rush order for mourning attire. He’d bring Kaeya; if his own were too small, his younger brother’s probably were too.
He was distracting himself.
On purpose, really. And it worked. He was a little calmer now, and less likely to bite the heads off his theoretical peers. He had to play the grieving-but-capable noble with these people, and anger had no part in that mask.
It got very difficult to keep anger out of it as the afternoon wore into evening, however.
There was the usual casual estimation of the value of his home and everything visible; the evaluating eyes trying to figure out how to gain something from him. The flirting that he had to tolerate long enough to find a polite exit that couldn’t be taken as an insult. The expected probing questions of those trying to find out details they had no right to.
Then there was the rest, that he had not anticipated.
“It’s good to see that… foreigner… has the sense to keep out of sight,” one Lawrence matron commented. “He would do well to keep out of our grief, and pray to the winds that you have the generosity to keep him on as a servant.”
“My brother,” Diluc nearly growled, “Is currently doing his duty as a Knight, and deserves your respect as such. None of your sons had the courage to try out for the Knights, but even if they had, I doubt they’d have the sense of responsibility or honor Kaeya is showing by continuing to uphold his duties even on a day such as this.”
She huffed and changed the subject, but she was not the last. It wasn’t just the Lawrences, either. Something like one in three of the people who stopped by, noble or otherwise, had something nasty to say about Kae.
After that morning, he’d known there’d be at least a couple. Lt Vance and Captain Enoch couldn’t be the only ones who’d been hiding resentment and bigotry. But so many?
Had they all just been waiting for his father to die, so that they could express their poison openly? If so, they would find he didn’t tolerate it any more than his father had.
The moment he had the title and could place the legal and social protections around his brother—
The inane chatter of the current visitor penetrated his thoughts. He’d been ignoring her airheaded flirting, but now…
“...you must be so relieved,” she simpered.
Diluc blinked. What exactly had he missed her saying? “Why would I be relieved?”
She blinked at him, fluttering her eyelashes in a way she clearly thought was becoming. “Why, because all this is yours now. You can do whatever you want. You don’t have to pretend you like your father’s decisions, obey his old whims, keep around his by-blows–”
His father’s what?!
“–continue his more unreasonable acts of charity–”
That was enough.
“I think it’s time you left,” Diluc said, forcing the words past gritted teeth.
“I– what?” The complete dummkopf stared at him, clearly in shock.
“Leave. Now.” He couldn’t put it plainer than that. Or maybe he could. “Before I throw you out to land on the brains you clearly keep up your ass.”
Okay, maybe that had been a bit much, for polite society. He could have been more roundabout and cutting, as befitted a noble. But Delane Geraldine would never have realized she was being insulted, which would defeat the purpose.
Barbatos’ left asscheek, the bitch was an idiot.
She fled in tears, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. He was the one who should be crying, but he didn’t quite seem to be able to. His eyes were hot, but oddly dry.
The proper gentleman act was too drilled into him, he supposed. Not by his father; he’d never tell his sons they weren’t allowed to sorrow or grieve. But everyone else…
Everyone else could go to hell. Diluc’s father had died that morning, because of him, and his brother wasn’t even allowed to come home. Was being insulted and degraded behind his back.
It was too much.
“No more visitors, Adelinde. If anyone else shows up, tell them they’ll have to wait for the funeral. Unless it’s Jean. If she shows, tell her I’ll find her later.”
He didn’t wait for Addie’s response.
Barely remembering to grab some carrots from the cupboard by the door, Diluc fled for the stables.