The door was knocked again.
Everyone exchanged confused looks. Who could it be this time?
Fischl volunteered to answer it, and the moment the door opened, a silver-haired girl appeared—Noelle.
"Mr. Luo Li, hello, I…"
She froze halfway through her greeting, startled by the number of eyes staring back at her from inside the room.
Not understanding why the all-purpose maid had shown up at this hour, Luo Li motioned her in.
"Is something the matter?"
Standing awkwardly in the center of the group, Noelle fidgeted, hands twisting together behind her back.
"T-That… knowing that I am still an immature knight, I have already resigned from Acting Grand Master Jean. From now on, under your guidance, Mr. Luo Li, I wish to grow as quickly as possible. So… please allow me to stay by your side and serve you at all times!"
Luo Li blinked. "…What exactly do you mean?"
Noelle summoned all her courage, cheeks faintly red.
"Please… please allow me to become your exclusive maid, Mr. Luo Li."
Lumine: "…"
Fischl: "…"
Venti: "???!!!"
Everyone was dumbstruck—everyone except Raiden Makoto, who calmly sipped her tea, unfazed by a little girl's sincerity.
Luo Li understood her words—their meaning contained no impropriety whatsoever—and gently reasoned with her.
"If what you want is guidance in swordsmanship, there's no need for this. Beyond pointers and technique, most of it still depends on personal training."
"N-No, that's not it. Other than swordsmanship, I also want to grow into a true adult under Mr. Luo Li's guidance."
Luo Li: "…"
Noelle, please… you're going to make people misunderstand with phrasing like that.
"I know I have many shortcomings. Everyone in the Knights has always taken care of me, and I don't want things to stay that way forever…"
Her voice trembled, but her resolve was firm.
She wasn't dumb. Those trivial errands anyone could do were always left to her—because they were safe. Even during the Stormterror crisis, when she wanted to help, Captain Kaeya would always "coincidentally" hand her some random harmless assignment.
After hearing her out, Luo Li understood Noelle's determination.
She wanted to change the habit of overextending herself and making others worry.
"Since you insist… fine. You may live at the estate from now on."
Hearing his approval, Noelle's eyes shone. She lifted her skirt slightly and performed a perfectly practiced maid's curtsey.
"Thank you very much!"
Joy bloomed so plainly on her pure, delicate face that even the room's air seemed to brighten.
What Luo Li didn't realize was that this request wasn't as "innocent" as he assumed—though not impure, it was certainly not entirely selfless.
If it were anyone else, she would never have asked to become someone's exclusive maid.
During her darkest, most directionless days, he had been the light dispelling her doubts.
Ever since then, a certain figure had quietly taken root in her heart.
"...What about me?"
Just when the atmosphere reached a pleasant harmony, Venti shamelessly leaned in.
Luo Li recoiled instantly.
"What is it now?"
"Eh–hehe… I actually don't have a place to sleep either."
Luo Li pointed outside—specifically, toward the massive hand of the Anemo Archon statue.
"Look. Isn't that one available?"
Following the finger, Venti's hopeful expression froze.
The stone hands of Barbatos stared back at him.
Venti: "???"
"Spacious, elevated, and absolutely enough room for one."
This… this is what thousands of years of divine friendship amounts to?!
Venti sighed with the resignation of an old, weary soul.
"Fine, fine… I won't force you. Just compensate me with one jar of wine, and I'll let everything—everything—go."
Before he finished the sentence, the scenery blurred—then Venti found himself outside the closed door.
"…"
He stared at the dark wooden door, listening to the laughter inside.
Suddenly he felt… out of place.
Happiness belongs to all of you. And me? I have nothing.
Just as he turned to leave in lonely melancholy, something heavy fell from the sky.
One sniff—and his eyes lit up.
A jar of Heavenly Immortal Drunk.
Hugging the precious wine, Venti burst out laughing. All gloom was instantly banished as he practically skipped toward the tavern.
Perfect! I've met a few drinking buddies lately—this jar will impress them for sure!
Inside, Luo Li shook his head at the bard's fading humming.
When he looked back, the room had become unexpectedly lively.
Fischl, Lumine, and Noelle were huddled together whispering, while Paimon added her usual comedic commentary. The atmosphere was warm and cheerful.
Fortunately, the mansion was big—two stories, but extremely spacious. Even more guests could fit without trouble.
"You girls should rest. I'll bathe after Makoto finishes, and then sleep as well."
Seeing Raiden Makoto heading toward the bath, Luo Li's thoughts stirred, and he hurried to usher the girls away.
Noticing he was preparing to bathe, Noelle suddenly volunteered—
"Then… I shall assist you!"
"…???"
Seeing his stunned expression, she stammered, cheeks pink.
"A-As a maid, I should always stay by your side to resolve any problems. What if you encounter trouble while bathing?"
Luo Li flicked her forehead.
"At home, that won't be necessary. If you take over that job, Makoto will not be pleased."
Realizing what he meant, Noelle's eyes widened slightly. She quietly nodded.
And the moment she turned back—both Lumine and Fischl were staring at her as though she had grown wings.
Her face reddened further.
"T-Then… I'll refrain…"
The next several days passed peacefully.
Luo Li alternated between teaching Lumine Lawrence family etiquette, and guiding Noelle through the mental realm of Still-Water Mind as well as the fundamentals of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu—speed, precision, and the essence of the draw-cut.
Fischl had already returned to her adventures.
With Stormterror calmed and the crisis lifted, the Knights resumed normal patrols. The gates reopened, and Mondstadt was peaceful again.
Only one thing troubled Luo Li recently—
Eula, who had been leading the Knight rangers in purging monsters across Mondstadt, had finally returned.