"It’s finished, Lady Mei." Moco whispered, her eyes shimmering with admiration as she gazed upon her handiwork.
Hearing those words, Mei let out a long sigh of relief, silently thanking the heavens that the hour-long ordeal of being poked and prodded had finally come to an end.
Hillie, ever nimble, stepped forward to steady Mei, helping her find her balance in the unfamiliar heels. Meanwhile, Moco hurried to the corner of the room, angling a full-length mirror so Mei could take in her transformation.
"Oh! You look exactly like a true noble lady now." Hillie chirped, her hands still busy smoothing out the intricate lace ruffles at Mei’s cuffs.
Mei cast a weary glance into the mirror, staring at the stranger reflected back at her.
"Ha. A five-foot-tall 'noble lady'?"
The gown was a quintessential Mondstadt design: billowy silk sleeves and a skirt layered with fine azure fabric, intricately embroidered with delicate Cecilia patterns. The centerpiece, however, was a wide leather corset belt ornately inlaid with silver and cinched so tight that Mei felt as though her internal organs were fighting for survival in the few remaining inches of space.
"I literally... can't breathe." Mei wheezed, her voice thin and fragile.
She attempted a tentative step, but her feet long accustomed to the casual freedom of denim and sneakers were now prisoners within heavy petticoats and stiff leather soles. Before she could adjust to her new center of gravity, the toe of her shoe snagged on the floor-length hem.
Thud!
A dull, heavy sound echoed through the room as Mei performed a perfect face-plant onto the cold stone floor. The impact was violent enough to make a nearby vase wobble precariously.
Crash!
The unfortunate vessel shattered into a thousand pieces, ending its existence right along with Mei’s dignity.
"My Lady!" the two maids shrieked in unison, rushing forward to hoist Mei up.
Minutes later, the room was thick with the sharp, medicinal scent of herbs. Mei lay prone on the bed, face buried in a pillow, while Hillie gingerly applied ointment to a deep purple bruise blooming on her thigh. Nearby, Moco was busy clearing away the wreckage of the shattered vase.
"Please bear with the pain for a moment, Lady Mei." Hillie said, her touch as light as possible.
"I'm sorry... making trouble for you both again." Mei mumbled into the pillow. The old wound on her shoulder throbbed in sympathetic pain.
Just then, a rhythmic knock sounded at the door. Adelinde stepped in with her usual composed grace, carrying a simple white sundress. The fabric draped softly, promising a level of comfort that seemed like a distant dream.
Taking in the chaotic scene and Mei’s miserable state, Adelinde couldn’t suppress a faint sigh. She set the garment down, a hint of a knowing smile tugging at her lips.
"I informed Master Diluc of the incident. Upon hearing it, he asked me to bring you this."
Mei stared at the white dress as if it were a divine savior. Its lightweight fabric was the polar opposite of the heavy leather corset currently crushing the life out of her.
In her mind, Mei was screaming:
"Diluc Ragnvindr! Now I see why every girl in Mondstadt calls you the 'National Husband'!"
With the help of Adelinde and the two maids, Mei finally shed her "silk armor" and slipped into the pristine white dress. As air flooded back into her lungs, she felt as though she had been resurrected.
"Ah! I’m alive. This is heaven." Mei exhaled sharply, soaking in the sensation of freedom.
Adelinde paused, as if remembering something else.
"Oh, one more thing... The designer from Fontaine whom Master Diluc invited will arrive the day after tomorrow."
"Until then, please try to get some proper rest."
With that, Adelinde and the two maids departed, leaving the room in silence. Mei stood there alone, still reeling from the information she had just received.
---
As the evening glow began to dye the endless grapevines of Dawn Winery crimson, the usual quiet atmosphere was suddenly broken by a bustling, lively commotion. In the wide cobblestone courtyard of the manor, everyone from the grape harvesters to the security guards had gathered. Echoing laughter blended with the sweet aroma of freshly pressed grape juice, making the place even more vibrant.
Standing on the stone steps, Diluc crossed his arms. His posture was imposing, yet his eyes revealed a rare hint of relaxation. In his steady, deep voice, he announced:
"Everyone has worked hard this past month with the new harvest. Tonight, all expenses at Angel's Share will be on me. Please, enjoy your reward."
The moment his declaration ended, an explosive cheer erupted. The workers happily threw their arms around each other's shoulders, excitedly chattering about fine mugs of Dandelion Wine and the city's famous roasted meat.
Amidst the bustling crowd, Mei caught a fleeting glimpse of Viber. He stood mingled among the other workers, a calm smile playing on his lips, blending in perfectly.
Mei held her breath, her eyes glued to the carriages parked at the gates. She discreetly lifted the hem of her dress, intending to slip away quietly behind the group of workers to breathe in a bit of the free city's lively atmosphere.
“Perfect! Now's my chance.” Mei rejoiced inwardly.
However, just as her foot touched the cold stone step, a firm hand clamped down on her wrist.
"Where are you going?"
Diluc's low, sharp voice rang out right above her head, making Mei flinch. She looked up, colliding with his deep, unwavering gaze a look that instantly shut down any thought of negotiation.
"I... I was going with everyone to Angel's Share." Mei mumbled, her free hand timidly pointing toward the carriages that were beginning to move in the distance.
"No." Diluc released her wrist, rejecting the idea without hesitation.
"Your wounds haven't fully healed yet. Stay here and rest. Adelinde has already prepared dinner for you."
Mei pursed her lips. Her earlier excitement deflated like a punctured balloon. She looked down at the tips of her slightly dusty shoes, a wave of disappointment rising in her throat.
Diluc narrowed his eyes slightly. He stared in silence at Mei's utterly crestfallen expression for a few seconds before letting out a soft exhale. A tiny, almost imperceptible flicker of wavering flashed through his eyes.
"Once your injuries are completely healed, I will take you there myself." he lowered his voice, though it still carried an undeniable air of authority.
"I understand..." Mei replied, her voice so small it was nearly swallowed by the wind.
Diluc didn't look at her anymore. He turned toward Adelinde, who was standing respectfully in the shadows of the doorway, and gave a brief instruction:
"After dinner, find her a few books for entertainment. Don't let her walk around too much."
Instructions given, Diluc adjusted the collar of his coat. Without waiting for Mei's reaction, he strode toward the waiting carriage. Mei stood frozen in the middle of the wind-swept manor, watching the silhouette of the large carriage gradually sink into the distant twilight.
Mei let out a long sigh and muttered to herself:
"At least tell me what kind of books..."
When the final carriage disappeared behind the grapevines, Dawn Winery suddenly plunged into an overwhelming, eerie silence. The twilight commotion seemed to have drained the last bit of warmth from the massive estate.
"I shall head to the kitchen to prepare dinner. I will notify you when it is ready, Lady Mei." Adelinde bowed gracefully before stepping back inside the winery.
Having no reason to remain rooted there catching the evening chill, Mei pulled the thin fabric of her dress closer to her body, turned on her heel, and walked back inside.
In the deserted corridor, only the sound of her shoe soles clicking against the wooden floorboards echoed in cold, rhythmic beats. The oil lamps cast a sickly yellow glow, throwing shadows over the landscape paintings of Mondstadt that looked both eerie and strangely captivating.
Mei looked at the desolate scenery around her. A sense of loneliness enveloped her, leaving her chest feeling completely hollow. Not since her time at Dihua Marsh had she experienced this feeling so clearly the realization that: She didn't belong here.
A few hours later.
A steady knock sounded at the door, soft enough not to startle the person inside, yet loud enough to shatter the dead silence enveloping the room.
Before Mei could even respond, the heavy wooden door gently creaked open. Adelinde stepped in, carrying a gleaming silver tray. Besides the worn cover of Moonlit Bamboo Forest that Mei had borrowed, there was also a glass of hot milk, emitting a gentle wisp of steam and a distinct, rich aroma.
"I brought you the book... along with a little warmth." Adelinde gently placed the tray on the bedside table.
Mei was slightly taken aback, her gaze pausing on the glass of milk.
"I only asked to borrow the book, Adelinde. You didn't have to go to such trouble."
"Books are to soothe the mind, while milk is to comfort the body." Adelinde said as she delicately adjusted the corner of Mei's blanket.
"The nights in Mondstadt are sometimes colder than they appear. A little hot milk will help you feel more at ease."
Seeing Mei remain silent, her eyes fixed on the white steam, Adelinde offered a faint smile a rare expression that softened her usual strict demeanor.
"Don't worry, I didn't put any bitter medicine in it."
The woman didn't take her eyes off Mei and continued:
"In fact, I always prepare a similar glass for myself every night. It helps me set aside all the worries of the Winery and finally find sleep."
"You drink it every day?" Mei looked up, her eyes unable to hide her surprise.
Adelinde gave a slight nod, replying:
"Just a small habit, but a very effective one, My Lady."
With that, she bowed to Mei, her demeanor returning to its usual impeccable standard.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I must check the locks one last time. Good night, My Lady, and sweet dreams."
The sound of Adelinde's footsteps faded and disappeared behind the door. Mei was left alone, the sweet scent of milk lingering in the air, seemingly soothing the sense of alienation she had felt earlier. She pulled the book closer, intending to read a few pages to help her sleep.
It was already midnight. Mei sat huddled on the plush bed, the copy of Moonlit Bamboo Forest Adelinde had brought resting beside her. But she couldn't absorb a single word. Letting out a long, drawn-out sigh, Mei snapped the book shut and leaned back against the pillows.
In her old world, whenever she felt this bored, all she had to do was scroll through her phone, listen to music, or grind a few games, and she'd be fine. But in Teyvat no Wi-Fi, no touch screens the only midnight entertainment was the wind howling through the window cracks and the incessant chirping of insects in the garden.
Mei pulled the blanket up to her chin, silently grumbling about being sidelined. The massive Ragnvindr estate was now deserted, sinking into a silence so profound that she could hear her own heartbeat.
Suddenly, the chorus of crickets outside the windowsill abruptly choked off.
It wasn't a gradual fade into silence, but an instant cutoff. As if something had just crushed them underfoot, or a murderous intent cruel enough to force all tiny creatures into silence had swept through.
Out of nowhere, a slow, icy chill crept down Mei's spine. Just as she shrank back, holding her breath and darting her eyes toward the curtains, it was already too late.
CRASH!
A violent streak of purple lightning tore through the night, striking the window frame directly. The deafening shatter assaulted Mei's eardrums, forcing her to hastily cover her ears. Hundreds of glass shards and wooden splinters exploded across the floor, still crackling with tiny, surging currents of Electro energy.
Amidst the settling dust and the sparks dancing on the windowsill, a lithe silhouette leaped inside.
"Hiding in here, little mouse?"
A shrill female voice, laced with a spine-chilling giggle, blended with the buzzing of the Electro Cicin swarming around her. The Cicin Mage tilted her head, a sinister smile twisting beneath the sharp mask that concealed half her face.
"Fa... Fatui..." Mei's eyes widened. She mumbled the word as the blood in her veins seemed to freeze solid.
The second she shot up, instinct urging her to scream for Adelinde, a massive hand encased in an iron gauntlet violently clamped over her mouth, dragging her right off the plush mattress.
The violent jerk sent Moonlit Bamboo Forest flying. It landed with a thud on the wooden floor, lying face-down and forsaken amidst the shattered glass. Following that, numerous silhouettes materialized in the room, fixing countless bloodthirsty gazes upon the small girl.
"What the hell! Why are they targeting me!?" A panicked question flashed through Mei's mind.
She thrashed wildly. Her bare feet kicked frantically at the empty air, her nails clawing desperately at the Fatui's arm, but it only resulted in the useless friction of fabric. Instantly, a blade radiating bone-chilling frost pressed flush against her carotid artery. The tip brushed lightly, pressing just hard enough for a drop of warm blood to bead up.
"Keep your mouth shut and walk." The Skirmisher growled, the raspy voice thick with the dark, heavy accent of Snezhnaya.
"Our mission is to bring you back, but he doesn't care if you're missing a few pieces."
Hearing that, Mei's resistance froze entirely, her body unable to stop trembling. The Fatui lifted her completely off the ground, forcefully spinning her toward the door, half-dragging and half-carrying the girl into the dense darkness of the hallway outside.
Just as the shadows completely swallowed Mei, outside the shattered window, a blinding flash of white lightning struck across the pitch-black sky. The rumbling thunder dragged along the night rain, which began to patter against the roof tiles of Dawn Winery, cold and utterly desolate.