PROMISE • VENTI X READER

〘 約束 〙one

"H-Hi.." Barbatos timidly greeted before concealing himself once more.

A chuckle escaped from Dei as he gently placed a pat on his son's head. He apologetically smiled at (Y/n) and told them that Barbatos is rather shy to those who he meets for the first time but he is a nice young boy after warming up to them.

A maid suddenly rushed up to Dei with a reserved look on her face, she glanced at Barbatos for a few seconds before turning to the butler. "The master wishes for your presence in his office" the maid curtly bowed towards (Y/n) before turning her back then walking away.

Dei sighed then knelt down, facing his son with a sincere look. "I'll be leaving you with (Y/n) for a while, don't be scared of them Barbatos" he then diverted his attention to (Y/n). "I apologize (Y/n), hope you don't mind keeping Barbatos company for a while until I come back?"

(Y/n) profusely nodded then enthusiastically walked to Barbatos with a bright smile on their faces. Dei chuckled then left the two children on the hallway to tend to his master's duties. Barbatos on the other hand was rather cautious of (Y/n) but nevertheless happy because he thought that his future master-to-be is a heartless person.

"It's nice meeting you Barbatos! I look forward to being your friend" a wide grin appeared on (Y/n)'s features as they gently grabbed the young boy's hand and shook it delightfully. "Let's go to my room? Or would you rather let me show you around the manor. There are a lot of secret passageways here as well!"

Barbatos made an "Ooh" sound before nodding his head profusely at the offer. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore the manor of one of the most prestigious families in Mondstadt so Barbatos didn't let the opportunity slip. (Y/n) laughed then entwined their fingers with Barbatos' as they led the way towards a cobblestone wall.

"The manor was built a long, long time ago. I discovered this passage last month when my parents went to Liyue for a business trip with Lady Ningguang" (Y/n) explained as they lightly touched the stone wall with their hand, as if trying to feel something. "Aha!"

They pushed a button disguised as one of the stones, making a passage lit up with torches appear on the wall. (Y/n) stepped on the side and gestured for Barbatos to enter the passageway but the young boy only looked at the dimly lit hallway with a terrified look on his face.

"G...Go in..?" Barbatos murmured to himself. "Where does this corridor lead to?"

(Y/n) wickedly smirked and made a gesture with his hands to frighten the boy, "The basement where the dungeon is located. It is rumored that there were captured individuals in the dungeon that are left to rot. So we may see their bones and skeletons scattered through the path"

Barbatos turned pale.

"No, I'm kidding" (Y/n) chuckled and stepped inside of the passage. "There is a wooden door at the end of the passage which leads to the garden. I found a secret area in the garden as well, let me show you once we get there!"

Light footsteps and tinkles were heard as they ventured off the lengthy passageway. Barbatos grabbed his wooden lyre behind him to avoid creating the tinkling sound. The strings on the instrument give a mint colored glow which lights up in the dark or when he plays it. (Y/n) turned her attention to Barbatos' instrument and wondrously looked at it with 'sparkling' eyes.

"I haven't seen anything like that before! Where did you get it?"

"My father told me that this is from my mother. She told him to give the instrument to me right before she disappeared without a trace when I was a mere infant" Barbatos and (Y/n) stopped their tracks in the middle of the lengthy hallway. The young butler-to-be gently grabbed his lyre and looked at the intricate Cecilia flower design. It gave off a rather vibrant glow which made (Y/n) sighed in wonder. "This is the only thing I remember that was from my mother. I...I couldn't afford to lose it"