Mondstadt.
Dawn Winery, early morning.
"Rola isn't home?"
Head Maid Adelinde paused her work. "Master Diluc, Miss Rola left early this morning to participate in the Knights of Favonius selection trials."
Diluc frowned. Is it that time of year again?
"Did she have breakfast?"
"Miss Rola took her breakfast with her when she left this morning, so she'll likely eat it on the way."
Diluc nodded slightly, crossing his left arm over his chest and resting his right hand on his chin. He pondered for a moment.
"I'll need your help again tonight. Prepare everything on this list."
Diluc produced a sheet of paper filled with menu items.
"No problem at all, leave it to me!" Adelinde replied confidently, as if she were well-versed in such requests, and took the list.
A dozen minutes later, Diluc departed Dawn Winery.
For the past few years, Diluc had hosted a banquet for his younger sister Rola around this time each year. It was his way of comforting her, anticipating her disappointment at failing the Knights of Favonius trials.
Yes, even before the official results were announced, Diluc already knew the outcome: Rola would fail the Knights of Favonius trials.
Not because of a lack of ability—in fact, she had consistently ranked first in nearly every assessment. How could someone wielding a Pyro Vision possibly be weak?
The reason she couldn't pass was simple: she lacked one crucial quality.
In Mondstadt, there was another young woman in a similar situation, also missing this essential trait, which prevented them from passing the Knight Order's examinations and kept them as provisional members.
Diluc harbored no fondness for the Knights of Favonius, but he wouldn't openly oppose his sister's ambition to join. Still, it was too soon, the time wasn't right.
Diluc journeyed to Mondstadt and arrived at the Angel's Share Tavern. There, he encountered two familiar figures he had anticipated.
"Well, well, if it isn't our esteemed Master Diluc?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Diluc's expression hardened.
"Rola's taking her examination today. I'm here to remind you both not to miss the evening's celebration."
Kaeya drained his cup of wine, adopting a rare serious tone. "Rest assured, I never take matters involving my little sister lightly."
Across from Kaeya sat a young man with braided pigtails and a green hat, grinning slyly.
"Ah-heh! The banquet for the lovely, beautiful, and kind Miss Rola? As Mondstadt's most popular bard, I wouldn't dream of missing it!"
Diluc ignored the drunken poet. Three days earlier, this fellow had tricked his sister into giving him wine, coaxing her to retrieve several bottles of fine vintage from their family cellar.
Diluc had only learned of this yesterday. If not for his sister's affection for the bard, he wouldn't have extended the invitation.
-
In the afternoon, the Knight Order's trials concluded.
Rola and Noelle waited anxiously and expectantly for the Knights of Favonius to announce the results from the stage.
When they learned they had failed to be selected once again, both appeared deeply disappointed.
The nearby Knights of Favonius and the Mondstadt residents who had attended the trials couldn't help but look at them with sympathy.
These two are so exceptional in every way!
Those who knew the inside story could only shake their heads and sigh.
In Mondstadt, everyone knew Rola and Noelle.
One was Mondstadt's wealthiest heiress, the younger sister of Lord Diluc himself, while the other was a maid serving the Knights of Favonius.
Two remarkably kind-hearted young women, two little angels of Mondstadt, treating everyone with genuine warmth and friendliness—they were universally adored.
In Mondstadt, it had become common knowledge: If you're in trouble, turn to them.
Normally brimming with energy and always eager to help others, Noelle's thoughtfulness and reliability, combined with Rola's enthusiasm and vivacity, had endeared them to every corner of Mondstadt.
Perhaps only in moments like this could one glimpse their moments of dejection.
"Rola, don't be discouraged!"
"Noelle, it's okay. You're already amazing!"
"..."
Rola quickly shook off her disappointment. Her nerves were naturally resilient, and her emotions came and went like a passing breeze.
"It's okay, Noelle! I'm here for you. Let's try again next time!"
"I..."
Noelle still felt a pang of disappointment as she glanced at Rola, her best friend, who was looking at her with genuine concern. Noelle nodded firmly.
"Yeah, I need to work even harder!"
Rola patted her chest with a grin. "Hehe, that's the spirit! If we both work hard this year, we'll definitely pass next year!"
Rola playfully clenched her small, delicate hand in the air.
Seeing the two girls recover so quickly, the surrounding crowd burst into applause.
This, however, made Noelle blush even more.
We failed the exam...
Rola, on the other hand, scratched her head and laughed, her smile as radiant as a blooming sunflower, her laughter ringing like a clear silver bell.
Noelle grabbed Rola's hand and fled the awkward scene.
"Ehh, what's wrong?"
"Um, I just... I'm not used to being in that kind of atmosphere."
"Ora ora, let's go! I'll take you to my house. You're sleeping over tonight!"
Noelle clasped her small hands in front of her skirt-armor and nodded shyly.
"Hehe."
Rola placed her hand on Noelle's shoulder, and the two walked toward the gates of Mondstadt together.
"Good afternoon, Sister Margaret!"
"Ah, it's Rola! How did the exam go this time?"
"Mm, I didn't pass, but I won't give up! I'll definitely pass next time. I'm going to become a Knight of Favonius!"
"Keep up the good work! Come visit me when you have time. I recently got some new fabrics, and I've been thinking of making a pretty outfit just for you."
"Really? Really? I'll come tomorrow! Thank you, Sister Margaret!"
"Ha ha~ Calling me 'Sister' already? No need for thanks."
They walked a bit further.
"Good afternoon, Uncle Wagner!"
Wagner, usually taciturn and rarely speaking to others, immediately stopped what he was doing when he heard the cheerful greeting.
"Ah, it's you, you little rascal! And Noelle too. Good afternoon!"
Facing the two little angels of Mondstadt, Wagner revealed a faint smile.
"Uncle Wagner, is the spearhead I ordered ready yet?"
"It's been ready for ages. Here, what do you think?"
"Wow! Your craftsmanship is as amazing as ever, Uncle Wagner!"
"Of course."
Wagner scratched his head.
As they left Mondstadt, Rola waved goodbye to the two knights guarding the gates.
-
They returned to Dawn Winery just as dusk was settling, the sky darkening rapidly.
Rola and Noelle spotted the lanterns hanging at the winery gate from afar.
"Brother!"
Seeing Diluc standing at the winery entrance, Rola sprinted toward him and threw herself into his arms.
"Ugh, Brother, I failed again..."
Diluc affectionately ruffled Rola's hair and nodded politely to Noelle.
"Come inside. I've prepared a feast for you both, all your favorites."
He treated Noelle, Rola's closest friend, like his own sister.
"Brother, I love you to death!" Rola gave him a big bear hug before quickly pulling Noelle into the winery.
"Kaeya, and Venti? You're here too! Is today a special occasion?!"
Usually, only Kaeya and her brother were around. She hadn't expected Venti, whom she'd only met a week ago, to join them.
"Does a brother need a special occasion to share a meal with his little sister, Rola?" Kaeya conjured a hairpin from behind his back with a flourish. "I heard you didn't pass the Knight Order's assessment again. Don't worry, you'll get it next time!"
"Thank you, big brother Kaeya!"
Kaeya hadn't forgotten Noelle, who stood beside Rola. He pulled out another hairpin from who-knows-where—identical to the one he'd given Rola, except for the color.
After some gentle persuasion from Rola and Kaeya, Noelle finally accepted the hairpin.
"Thank you, Captain Kaeya~"
"It's quite a challenge to dine with little Rola," Kaeya remarked. "Some people are really keeping their guard up against me... ahem."
Before he could finish, Diluc placed a cold hand on his shoulder. "Sit down. Dinner's about to be served."
Seeing they were finished talking, Venti stepped forward to greet them:
"Hello! It's so nice to see you again, my dear friends!"
"Venti, thank you for coming! Did you receive the wine I sent to Windrise last time? What did you think? If you didn't like it, I have..."
"Cough cough cough Oh dear, I think I'm catching a cold. The temperature's been fluctuating so much lately. Let's not dwell on that for now—Master Diluc has prepared a feast for us!"
Sensing a sensitive topic, Venti swiftly changed the subject, while stealing glances at Diluc's reaction behind him.
Diluc continued arranging the dishes, acting as if he hadn't heard anything.
The group enjoyed the lavish meal in a lively atmosphere. Everyone was in high spirits, and Diluc and Kaeya refrained from their usual bickering during the meal.
Venti drank heavily and collapsed onto the table before the meal was even finished.