"You're here… Ann?" Acting Grand Master Jean looked at Ann, who was with Lumine and Venti, with some surprise.
She had just been discussing Ann with Rosaria a short while ago, which now made her feel a little guilty when she saw Ann, even daring not to meet Ann's eyes.
"Ms. Ann, and Honorary Knight and Mr. Venti, hello. May the Anemo God trick you." Barbara quickly greeted them, secretly glancing at her sister beside her.
After seeing Ann, her sister's attitude had a noticeable change. Although to outsiders this might just seem like surprise at Ann's sudden appearance, Barbara felt it wasn't that simple.
It seemed the possibility for her own sister was getting higher and higher now.
She would go ask Ms. Rosaria for the specific situation later.
"Hello, I took on a commission from the Westwind Church, and I'm just here to check in." Ann explained her purpose.
"A commission from the Westwind Church… Ah, I know, it's the one from Sister Victoria, right?" Barbara recalled for a moment and immediately remembered.
That matter wasn't very urgent, and most importantly, Sister Victoria wasn't here right now.
"Ahem, ladies, please allow me to represent the Westwind Church and thank you for your efforts during this period." Barbara said to them very solemnly.
This was also the church's intention, after all, if they hadn't resolved the Dragon Disaster, and the Knights of Favonius hadn't withstood the diplomatic pressure and finally gone to war with Stormterror, the consequences would have been completely unacceptable to the church.
"Indeed, the Fatui suffered a great loss this time, making no diplomatic progress and instead leaving people with an image of rudeness." Acting Grand Master Jean also nodded.
"It's nothing, really, and it wasn't just us; Master Diluc also helped," Paimon said somewhat shyly.
Although she herself hadn't contributed at all.
"And right now, the most important thing is still the skylyre." Lumine turned to look at Venti.
"Hmm, I've brought the lyre. See, it's completely unharmed." Venti pulled out the skylyre from who-knows-where.
"That's great, the skylyre! Cardinal has been talking about this all day!" Barbara quickly took the skylyre from Venti's hand, carefully guarding it against her chest.
"They won't charge us rent or anything, right?" Paimon asked, a little worried.
"Don't worry, the church always has special worship appropriations." Barbara shook her head, then looked at Ann.
"Ms. Ann, regarding Sister Victoria's commission, I will discuss it with you in detail shortly. Please wait for me here for a moment."
"Hmm, okay." Ann nodded, naturally having no objections.
"I'll go put the skylyre back first." Barbara nodded to them, then turned and headed towards the secret room inside the church.
"Then we… Venti?" Just as Lumine was about to say something, Venti suddenly turned and walked out of the church.
"The wind seems to have changed. I'm going out to check." Venti smiled at them, leaving without looking back.
"What wind has changed?" Paimon looked at him in confusion.
Although Venti was always unconventional and unreliable in his words, such riddle-like behavior was rare for him.
"…Let's follow him and see." Lumine's brows furrowed slightly; she didn't know why she felt a strange unease. "Ann, I'll come find you later."
She didn't want to separate from Ann right now, but Venti's situation also concerned her greatly, especially since she had some questions she needed to confirm with Venti.
So, compared to the elusive Venti, it was more appropriate to find Ann later.
"Ah? Okay…" Ann nodded, watching the two leave.
She also felt that something was off. Venti seemed to want to leave shortly after handing over the skylyre, and his expression was a bit unnatural.
Had something happened?
Inside the church, only Acting Grand Master Jean and Ann were left.
The atmosphere was a bit silent. Ann was waiting for Barbara to come out to discuss the commission, and as for Acting Grand Master Jean…
Ann looked at her with confusion.
She hesitated, head bowed, seemingly lost in thought.
"Acting Grand Master Jean."
"Ah?!" Acting Grand Master Jean seemed startled and quickly looked up.
"You've really been acting strangely lately. Is there something you want to tell me?" Ann tilted her head in confusion.
She had noticed it before, but Acting Grand Master Jean had brushed her off.
Now, with just the two of them, she decided to ask directly for clarification.
"I…" The conflicted expression on Acting Grand Master Jean's face became more pronounced, even looking a little dejected.
"I made a mistake."
Acting Grand Master Jean spoke slowly. She had discussed with Rosaria earlier that she would not confess to Ann for now, and would only tell Ann privately after Rosaria was ready.
So, now Acting Grand Master Jean could only vaguely describe the simple situation.
"A mistake?" Ann was slightly stunned.
"Yes, I made a very serious mistake, and I don't know what to do." Acting Grand Master Jean nodded, closing her eyes.
"Specifically… can't you say?"
"I'm sorry."
"I see…" Ann thought it might be a secret of the Knights of Favonius, inconvenient for outsiders to know.
She hesitated for a moment, then walked over and sat beside Acting Grand Master Jean.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, it wasn't intentional, was it?"
"I, I don't know, I just felt like my body wasn't under my control at the time," Acting Grand Master Jean said, shaking her head in confusion.
"Although I haven't known Acting Grand Master Jean for long, whether from the citizens of Mondstadt or from the evaluations of those I know, Acting Grand Master Jean is a diligent and responsible, perfect Acting Grand Master," Ann said slowly. "But I think there are no perfect people in the world; everyone makes mistakes."
"Acting Grand Master Jean doesn't seem very old, and she bears such great pressure at such a young age. Even the most capable person would be overwhelmed, wouldn't they?"
"I'm not making excuses for the mistake. I just think Acting Grand Master Jean is a bit too hard on herself."
"Ann…" Acting Grand Master Jean stared blankly at Ann, who was sitting beside her, but felt even more bitter inside.
What Ann said only made her feel more ashamed.
"In short, I hope Acting Grand Master Jean can cheer up and face it bravely. No matter what kind of mistake it is, there will always be a way to remedy it."
"At worst, Acting Grand Master Jean can occasionally rely on others, like asking me for help. We're friends, aren't we?" Ann smiled at Acting Grand Master Jean.
She wasn't very good at comforting others, but she had said all the nice things she could.
Acting Grand Master Jean remained silent, and behind the door of the church's secret room, unnoticed by them, Barbara clenched her sleeves.
Finally, just as Acting Grand Master Jean was about to say something.
"Oh no!" A panicked shout suddenly came from outside the door.
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