Mondstadt.
Early morning, Dawn Winery.
“Is Scarlett not at home?” The head maid, Adelinde, stopped working.
“Master Diluc, Miss Scarlett went to participate in the Knights of Favonius selection early this morning.” Diluc frowned.
Is it that time again?
“Did she have breakfast?” “Miss Scarlett took her breakfast with her when she left this morning.
I imagine she will eat it on the way.” Diluc nodded slightly, crossing his arms with his left hand and resting his chin on his right, lost in thought for a moment.
“I will have to trouble you all again tonight.
Please prepare everything according to this list.” As he spoke, Diluc took out a piece of paper filled with dish names.
“No problem, please leave it to me!” Adelinde seemed quite accustomed to such instructions and left with the paper.
A dozen minutes later, Diluc left Dawn Winery.
In recent years, around this time every year, Diluc would hold a banquet for his younger sister, Scarlett, to soothe any sadness she might feel from failing the Knights of Favonius assessment.
Yes, even though the assessment results hadn’t been released yet, Diluc already knew the answer.
Scarlett would not pass the Knights of Favonius assessment.
It wasn’t because she lacked ability; in fact, Scarlett was almost always ranked first in every part of the assessment.
How could she be weak, possessing a Pyro Vision?
The reason she couldn’t pass was simple: she was missing one thing.
There was another young girl in Mondstadt in a similar situation, both missing that same thing, which is why they could never pass the assessment and remained external members of the Knights.
Diluc didn’t have much affection for the Knights of Favonius, but he wouldn’t oppose his sister joining them.
It was just too early; it wasn’t the right time yet.
Diluc headed towards Mondstadt and arrived at the Angel’s Share tavern.
Here, he met two people he had expected to see.
“Yo, isn’t this our Master Diluc?” Hearing that familiar voice, Diluc kept a cold face.
“Scarlett has her assessment today.
I’m here to tell you not to be absent tonight.” Kaeya downed the drink in his glass and looked uncharacteristically serious.
“Don’t worry, I have never been careless when it comes to things concerning our little sister.” Sitting opposite Kaeya, a youth with two braids and a green hat chuckled.
“The banquet for the cute, beautiful, and kind Miss Scarlett—I, the most popular bard in all of Mondstadt, wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Diluc didn’t want to deal with this drunken bard.
Three days ago, this guy had tricked his sister into giving him wine, making her take quite a bit of good wine from their cellar.
He only found out yesterday.
If it weren’t for his sister’s good relationship with him, Diluc wouldn’t have invited him.
…
In the afternoon, the Knights’ assessment concluded.
Scarlett and Noelle waited expectantly and nervously for the Knights of Favonius to announce the results on stage.
When they realized they had failed once again, both of them looked very dejected.
The Knights of Favonius nearby and the Mondstadters participating in the assessment looked at the two with deep sympathy.
They were clearly so outstanding in every way!
Some who knew the inside story could only shake their heads and sigh.
Scarlett and Noelle—in Mondstadt, there was no one who didn’t know them.
One was the younger sister of Mondstadt’s wealthiest man, Master Diluc; the other was a maid of the Knights of Favonius.
Two very warm-hearted young girls, two little angels of Mondstadt, who treated everyone with great kindness and friendliness; they were particularly well-loved.
In Mondstadt, “if you have trouble, go find them” had almost become a consensus among the residents.
The two were usually full of energy and eager to help.
Noelle’s thoughtfulness and reliability, and Scarlett’s enthusiasm and liveliness, infected everyone in Mondstadt!
Perhaps this was the only time one would see them looking dejected.
“Scarlett, don’t be discouraged!” “Noelle, it’s okay, you were already great!” “…” Scarlett quickly adjusted herself.
She was naturally a bit thick-skinned, and her emotions came and went quickly.
“Noelle, it’s okay.
I’m with you, we’ll try again next time!” “I—” Noelle was still a bit dejected.
She looked at Scarlett beside her, her best friend, who was looking at her with a face full of concern.
Noelle nodded heavily.
“Yeah, I have to work even harder!” Scarlett patted her small chest.
“Hehe, that’s the spirit!
Let’s work hard again this year, and we’ll definitely pass next year!” Scarlett stretched out her pale, delicate hand and made a squeezing gesture in the air.
Seeing the two adjust so quickly, everyone around applauded them.
This actually made Noelle blush.
They had clearly failed the assessment…
Scarlett, on the other hand, scratched her head and laughed, her smile as bright as a blooming sunflower, her laughter like a crisp silver bell.
Noelle grabbed Scarlett and fled from this awkward place.
“Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” “Um, I, I just…
I’m not used to staying in that kind of atmosphere.” “Ola, ola, let’s go!
I’ll take you to my place.
You must stay over tonight!” Noelle placed her hands in front of her armor skirt and nodded slightly, looking a bit shy.
“Hehe.” Scarlett put her arm around Noelle’s shoulder, and they walked towards the gate of Mondstadt together.
“Margaret, good afternoon!” “Oh, if it isn’t Scarlett.
How was it?
Did you pass the assessment this time?” “Umm, no, but I won’t give up.
I will definitely pass the assessment next time.
I will definitely become a Knight of Favonius!” “Keep it up!
Come by when you have time.
I recently got some new fabrics, and I’ve specially made a beautiful outfit for you, Scarlett~” “Really?
Really?
I’ll come tomorrow!
Thank you, Margaret!” “Haha~ We’re already so close, no need for thanks.” They walked a bit further.
“Wagner, good afternoon!” Wagner, who was taciturn and rarely spoke to many people, immediately stopped what he was doing upon hearing that lively voice.
“It’s you little girl, and Noelle too.
Good afternoon!” Facing these two little angels of Mondstadt, Wagner revealed a faint smile.
“Wagner, is my spearhead ready?” “It’s been ready for a while.
Take a look, do you like it?” “Wow, Wagner’s craftsmanship is as amazing as ever!” “Of course.” Wagner scratched his head.
After leaving Mondstadt, Scarlett greeted the two knights standing guard at the gate.
…
Back at Dawn Winery.
It was already dusk, and the sky was about to darken.
From afar, Scarlett and Noelle saw the lanterns hanging at the manor entrance.
“Big brother!” Seeing Diluc standing at the entrance of the winery, Scarlett trotted over and threw herself at him.
“Umm, brother, I didn’t pass again…” Diluc patted Scarlett’s head dotingly and nodded to Noelle in greeting.
“Come on, I’ve prepared a lot of delicious food for you, all the things you like best.” For Noelle, who had the closest relationship with Scarlett, Diluc also regarded her as his own younger sister.
“Big brother, I love you to death!” Scarlett gave her brother a big bear hug, then quickly pulled Noelle into the winery.
“Brother Kaeya, and Venti!
You’re actually here too?
Is today some special day?!” Usually, it was just Brother Kaeya and her brother; she hadn’t expected Venti to be here today!
She had only known Venti for seven days, and Scarlett really hadn’t expected him to come.
“Does a brother coming home to have a meal with his sister require a special day, little Scarlett?” Kaeya produced a hairpin from behind his back as if by magic.
“I heard about it.
You didn’t pass the Knights’ assessment this time, but don’t worry, maybe you’ll pass next time.” “Thank you, Brother Kaeya!” Kaeya didn’t forget Noelle beside Scarlett.
He pulled out another hairpin from somewhere, identical to the one he gave Scarlett, except for the color.
Under Scarlett and Kaeya’s persuasion, Noelle finally accepted the hairpin.
“Thank you, Captain Kaeya~” “It’s really not easy to come and have a meal with little Scarlett.
Some people guard against me like…
cough.” Before Kaeya could finish his sentence, Diluc placed his hand on his shoulder with a cold face.
“Sit down, dinner is served.” Seeing them finish, Venti took the initiative to go up and greet them.
“Hello!
We meet again, my good friend!” “Venti, thank you for coming!
Did you receive the wine I sent to Windrise last time?
How was it?
Did you like it?
If not, I have more…” “Cough cough cough, oh my, it seems like I’ve caught a cold.
The temperature difference has been huge lately.
Let’s not talk about that for now; Master Diluc has prepared a lot of delicious food.” Hearing the sensitive topic, Venti quickly diverted attention while secretly peeking at Diluc’s reaction behind him.
Diluc was busy with the food, seemingly having heard nothing.
Everyone finished the big meal in a lively atmosphere.
Everyone was very happy, and Diluc and Kaeya didn’t bicker during the meal.
Venti drank a lot of wine and passed out on the table before the meal was even finished.