3 Chapter 3

Years have passed, Young Diluc became one of the knights of Favonious. After his hardships and training he successfully pursued his dream to become a knight at a young age. Master Crepus was very proud that he held a banquet.

"Father, you don't really have to"

"Why not? It is normal for me to be this proud, as a father of the youngest knight of Favonious", master Crepus said.

"Wahh, Diluc is so cool. I wanna be like Diluc", young boy Kaeya said enthusiastically.

Diluc was blushing caused by Kaeya's words.

"The cute master Diluc have become a very fine young man master Crepus", one of the visitors said.

"He is indeed", master Crepus replied.

"Time sure go fast, I have a daughter who is the same age as the young master. Would be a nice idea if they get married, no?"

"Ah, no. I don't decide who's going to marry my son and besides he is still young."

"Well, I'm just stating some good ideas, it will be good for your business too, you can use my connections"

"Please enjoy the party", master Crepus ended the conversation and attended the other visitors.

Meanwhile Kaeya and Diluc were enjoying the food as they talk.

"Say Diluc, does the training hard? Did you get hurt while training?", Kaeya asked series of questions.

"Well, It is hard but I passed them all fortunately, and I did get hurt-"

"Really?!where?!", Kaeya rummaged and checked Diluc's body.

"Haha, right here silly", Diluc rolled up us sleeves and showed him his wound. "It's starting to heal though so nothing to worry." He continued.

"It must be hurt a lot", Kaeya said as he touched the wound.

"Ow!"

"It hurts?"

"Of course, you dummy! It is still fresh inside"

"I'm sorry " Kaeya was laughing as ran away from Diluc. Diluc chased him that they reached outside of the winery. After a while that they were running, Kaeya stopped and rested his hands on his knees and started panting, chasing for his breath. Diluc finally caught him.

"Gotcha!"

They both laugh. The party is held for Diluc, yet he already enjoys himself just to be with Kaeya.

"Diluc? Kaeya? Where have you been? I've been looking for you"

"Hahaha Diluc is so slow yet he became a knight", Kaeya said.

"Oh, yeah? It's not like I didn't caught you", Diluc replied.

"Well, that's because I grew tired"

"Now, now, Diluc people wanted to congratulate you for your achievement so you better go inside", master Crepus said.

"Awww," Kaeya reacted.

Diluc obediently obeyed his father and went inside.

"And as for you, you better sit still and stop running , you have to take a bath later",

"I want to be like Diluc"

"If you really do, then you gotta work hard"

"Un" Kaeya agreed.

After a few years passed, Kaeya finally became a knight as he promised that he would be like Diluc.

And Diluc became the youngest Cavalry captain that leads master Crepus to held a double celebration. He was so proud that raised two fine young fine gentlemen who both became knights.

kaeya and Diluc congratulated eachother on their achievements.

They became famous in the city of Monstadt for being the youngest knights that they ever had and they're also one of the best. Kaeya and Diluc grew up as a fine gentlemen that also become a factor for them to be popular.

Their relationship didn't change instead it grew deeper as they grow old.

One afternoon, when the Monstadt is at peace that gave the knights some time to rest, Diluc is at his office arranging papers. Someone knocked on his door.

"The door is open", he said.

"Diluc, what are you doing?" Kaeya asked as he entered the room.

"Nothing so important, do you need anything"

"Well... the grandmaster said we could use some rest, he gave us free time. He said he'll just call us if something came up", Kaeya said.

"So?"

"Well... I just wanna ask if you want to hang out for a bit, that's if you're not busy"

"What should we do then?", Diluc asked.

"You choose"

"I don't have any idea, we can think of something later."

Diluc stood up at left the room together with Kaeya. As they were walking down the stairs.

"Diluc, how about we grab a meal first at good hunter, you didn't had lunch, did you?"

"Alright"

"Diluc"

"Hmm?"

"Nothing"

"Come on, don't leave me hanging"

"It's really nothing"

"You did this last time too, you dummy"

"..."

Ever since they were young Diluc knows that Kaeya is hiding something yet until now he's waiting for Kaeya to openly share his secret with him.

"Diluc, do you know Donna?", Kaeya asked.

"Who?", Diluc replied.

"Donna, the girl who sells flowers near the gate"

"What about her?"

"I heard she likes you"

"Hmmm..."

"Really? That's it? "

"Why? You know I'm not yet interested in such things"

Carriages with injured knights entered the gate of Monstadt.

"What happend?", Kaeya mumbles.

While they were eating at good hunter, one of the knights was panting and running towards them.

"Captain Diluc, Grandmaster Varka asked for you", he said. "He said you must come quick"

Diluc quickly headed to the knights of Favonious headquarters together the other knight and saw The grandmaster standing infront if his office discussing with the other knights.

"Grandmaster" , said Diluc.

"Captain Diluc, there are hilichurls making chais in the outskirts of Monstadt, I need you to find out why did they come this near and stop the", Master Varka said. " and by the way, where is Kaeya?"

"He was... he was with just a minute ago"

"Forget it, if see him on your way tell him to come with you"

"Yes, sir".

Diluc quickly went to the area that the grandmaster have spoken about, he was worried and puzzled.

As they arrived at the area hilluchurls are are hurting people and causing ruckus, they were acting unusual as if there is someone controlling them.

Diluc, together with the other knights fought the hillichurls with their sword. The fight ended up fast, some knights are injured because of protecting the people. When the other knights started to go back to the headquarters, Diluc saw Kaeya standing from a distance as if he was talking to someone. He rushes to him and when he got closer he saw a cryo abyss mage swaying his wand in the air. He thought that it will hurt Kaeya so in a whim, he attacked, but it quickly dodged and went away like nothing happened. He quickly went to Kaeya and checked him.

"Kaeya, are you hurt? Did that thing hurt you?"

"Haha, I'm fine thanks to the Cavalry captain Diluc"

"Why did you just stand there?"

"I...I don't know, really"

"Let's go back now, Master Varka was looking for you"

"Why would he? Hahaha"

As they went back, Diluc remembered Kaeya's facial expression back where he saw him with the abyss mage — he looked serious staring at the abyss mage. He started to get the idea that Kaeya might be talking to the abyss mage and can understand their language. While having these thoughts he was unconsciously staring at Kaeya.

"What's wrong? Can't resist my charm?", Kaeya asked jokingly.

"What?"

"Bro, you're starring at me, a little more time and I will melt, really"

As time past, little by little Diluc draws nearer to something that he would wish he has never known.