Today looks to be very busy for the Knights of Favonius. Noelle couldn't be happier to see everyone so motivated and energized. Did she know why? No. Did she care? No. Would she be working hard to match their energy in return? You bet.


AN: No beta we die llike hilichurls


Noelle was confused and flabbergasted, but most importantly, she was very impressed.

"What… is going on?"

In the common room of the Knights of Favonius, standing in the entrance, in front of her was something that could only be described as a rush. Knights rapidly go from one place to another.

What on earth was going on?

◤It seems the knights are very busy today.◢ Cookie remarked beside her.

And she was right. She could see Bruce, Joyce, Belinda, and Huffman, going all over the place, doing things she could barely see with how they were moving.

Even Hertha was moving about!

◤Cookie wonders why they're so active.◢

Noelle thought as well too. But she couldn't bring herself to care. She was happy that they were all so energetic today.

"That may be, but I'm simply grateful already. Seeing them so active and motivated," Noelle pumped her fist. Her eyes gained a determined glint. "Let's do our best today too, okay, Cookie?"

◤Affirmative, Maestra Noelle,◢ Cookie glowed green. ◤Though, I have a question.◢

Noelle raised an eyebrow. Normally, Cookie would ask right away.

"Sure. What is it?"

◤Does Maestra Noelle have vacations?◢

"Hmm?" Noelle turned towards the Roomba. "What makes you ask that all of a sudden?"

Cookie beeped orange. ◤I've been hearing the other staffs waiting for the day they could use their vacation days, and some were hoping for a vacation but did not have enough budget to do so.◢ she said. ◤Particularly, someone the older staff were saving their day-offs for an outing with their significant other. They were particularly descriptive about the details too.◢

"Descriptive?"

◤Correct,◢ she said. ◤Something regarding how their husbands would, and I quote, get some of that good lovin'.◢

Noelle paled.

◤And another one talked about how she would punish-◢

"Okay, that's enough!" A red-faced Noelle stopped Cookie. "I'm going to have to have a word with you later, but that's enough for now."

That, and she needed to find whoever was foolish enough to talk about… those topics with Cookie nearby.

◤...Affirmative.◢ Cookie replied.

Noelle sighed. "Anyway," she cleared her throat. "To answer your question, no, not really."

◤Why?◢

"Why? I don't need them." Noelle stated.

Cookie beeped green. "Acknowledged. I was simply wondering since Maestra Noelle hasn't had a day of rest, even on weekends, for as long as I've known."

Noelle chuckled. "I take breaks. You just haven't seen me do them since you've been here for a short while."

◤Cookie has been under Maestra Noelle's care for two months now. And while Maestra does have a point, my database still states that at least once a month a person would have a day off or a vacation.◢

"Don't worry, I get plenty of rest in between my work," she assured her. "I don't need a vacation."

◤If Maestra Noelle says so.◢

Noelle nodded. Her work was therapeutic as it was. How could someone not feel fulfilled and satisfied when they see how clean something dirty can get?

She definitely didn't need a vacation


"Busy day, huh, Noelle?"

The chef of Good Hunter, Sara, asked the maid who was eating in front of her.

"Very much so, but it's alright. This is nothing."

After doing more than her usual tasks within the Headquarters, she had a delivery to give to Good Hunter. Something she thought was a blessing in disguise as it lead her to hit two birds with one stone.

She'd deliver whatever she had to, and she would be right on time for lunch too.

"If you say so," Sara smiled. "Make sure to eat plenty, alright? I'll give you seconds if you want."

Noelle sweatdropped. "Thanks, but I think one helping will be enough for me today."

"Really? You ate much more back then. You're telling me you're already full from one salad?"

"Uh… this is a… very filling salad…?"

And she meant it! Sara's so-called More-Than-Just-Satisfying Salad was just as nutritious and healthy as she said it would be! Of course, she couldn't possibly eat more than she could burn in a day.

Sara's eyes narrowed.

"On second thought… I wouldn't mind another bowl."

"Great!" Like flicking a switch, Sara's mood turned a complete 180. "I'll start making it now so it's nice and fresh once you finish that."

"Y-Yay…" Noelle awkwardly smiled.

Then again, it was delicious, and she truly didn't mind another bowl. But no more than that. She would have to work much to burn them off later. It looked like she wasn't going to get much of a problem regarding that though with what she still needed to do until evening.

Yes, she could allow herself to eat this much.

"So, busy day with the knights, huh?" Sara said from behind the counter. "Been seeing them everywhere, going… well, everywhere."

At that, Noelle smiled. "I have no idea," she said. "But I'm happy."

"You're not the only one, sister," Sara chuckled. "I don't think I've ever seen Bruce, or Joyce so busy. Even Belinda is moving about! Belinda!"

Noelle struggled to hold in a laugh. "Miss Belinda can be… industrious at times."

Sara had to look behind her to give Noelle a blank stare. "You and I both know that only happens during important situations. Well, what she deems as important."

'Mother always said that if one has nothing good to say, it may be better to say nothing.'

Noelle simply smiled. Of course, Sara knew why she did so. It just made her laugh harder.

Sara knew it was hard for Noelle to say anything bad about someone. She preferred if she had nice things to say about them. But there was that one incident when Noelle had called someone annoying.

Someone thought that because Noelle was so nice that they could offload most of their chores on her and call it a day. It would've been fine if the situation hadn't become something she had to do daily.

She let it slip one night while she was eating in her store, of course, she had dutifully told the knights about it.

Safe to say her might-as-well-be siblings from the Knights had a lot to say about that particular incident. Let Noelle kick your ass first before the knights get involved because Noelle's kindness still extends to her punishments.

"Well, anyway," Sara shook her head, dismissing her prior thoughts. "That'll give you time to yourself now, surely?"

Noelle tilted her head. "Of course not. If anything, this will get me to work even harder to meet the efforts of my peers."

'With how casually she said that I almost believed it.' Sara sighed.

"You need a vacation."


As a fellow maid, she had always admired the wonder maid, Noelle.

'Always on time, and just as it should be, not as it should not be.' She recited the phrase in her head. 'That is what Miss Noelle has always told us.'

She always wondered how Noelle did what she always does. But asked, the wonder maid didn't know how to answer. Her work was always just that, her work. And she accomplished it accordingly.

She thought it was amazing.

"How about I take this off your hands so you can do the smaller areas?" Noelle had asked her.

"Oh, I possibly couldn't," she fumbled with her short, green hair. "I-I was given this area to clean, after all. I do not abandon my duties." 'A-And I don't want to get fired.'

Noelle smiled. "That's a wonderful thing to keep in mind," she said that and the newer maid flushed. "But you were only hired last week, correct?"

"Y-Yes, Ma'am!"

Noelle shook her head. "You shouldn't be cleaning these areas by yourself, you should at the very least still have someone to supervise you," Noelle hummed. "Who even told you to clean this area? Miss Head Maid?"

She shook her head. "It was one of my seniors."

Noelle tilted her head. "Can I have a name?"

"Of course!" She told Noelle the name.

Noelle smiled and nodded. "I see, thank you very much," Noelle snapped her fingers. "I have an idea. Why not let me help you today? Would you be alright with it?"

The newer maid's eyes widened. "O-Oh my, The Noelle? I-I'd be honored!"

Noelle blushed. She made Noelle blush! "I'm not that great, you know," Noelle cleared her throat. "We should probably start cleaning now. We're not getting anything done." Noelle giggled.

"Y-Yes!"

She committed to cleaning the best she could. She had to impress Noelle, after all. Though, a look at her senior told her it was a high, high task to do so.

Noelle had already cleaned more than 50% of the area, and it had only been five minutes since. Five minutes! She truly was amazing! Just a bit older than her yet so accomplished. Just a bit older than her yet already twice as diligent. She was so strong too from what she heard from the other maids!

Not to mention her development in… certain areas. Maybe she should drink more milk?

"Well, I'll leave you to clean the remaining spots, okay?" Noelle smiled at her.

The newer maid nodded. "Of course! Y-You can leave it to me! Anything to keep my job."

Noelle sweatdropped. "I'm sure you'll do alright on that front," Noelle told her. "Anyway, I still have plates to put back, cabinets to dust, and lights to check before sundown. I'm sure you'll do your best here."

"Ahhh T-Thank you! That means a lot!"

Noelle chuckled. Before she caught herself and suddenly bowed. "My apologies. Where have my manners gone? I forgot to ask for your name."

The newer maid mimicked her bow. She asked for her name! "M-My name is Sanae."

Noelle slowly nodded. "Sanae… doesn't sound like a Mondstadt name, are you from Inazuma?"

"Y-Yes." Sanae felt a bit nervous. Would she ask why she was all the way over in Mondstadt?

As if she could read her mind, Noelle shook her head. "Don't worry. I shall not ask anything regarding your circumstance. "Sanae let out a sigh she didn't know she was holding.

"T-Thank you."

"You're most welcome," Noelle said. "But, should you ever deem me fit to share it with, always remember, Here, the rose represents 'As wine bottles are corked, so too are my lips sealed." she winked.

Sanae felt her breath leave her body. She winked at her! "Y-Yes! Thank you very much!"

She waved away to the maid until she was out of her vision before she remembered she still had to clean. Motivated and inspired, she began cleaning at an efficient rate.

Someday, if she wasn't fired from her job, she aspired to become half as diligent as Noelle. It was not a wonder why so many people looked up to and were dependent on the wondermaid. She truly was a wondermaid! She would tell her sister about this day, oh she absolutely had to!

Still though, hearing that Noelle had much more to do after this, a stray thought came to Sanae's mind.

'I wonder if Miss Noelle ever takes vacations.'


The day progressed with Noelle crossing more and more tasks off of her list, she was finally on her way to finishing her last task for today.

She could hardly believe how hectic today had been. She was in Springvale for a delivery just a few hours ago, and she had still seen many knights moving about. Even in Springvale!

She let out a relieved sigh. She was glad everyone was very energetic today.

"Oh, hey, Noelle! Is that the stuff I ordered?"

A voice greeted her as she opened the door. A man with brown hair, and rather elegant facial hair if Noelle would have anything to say about it.

"Good early evening, Mister Charles."

The man nodded. "A good early evening to you too," he gestured to a spot near the bar. "Please, set them down here. Gently."

Noelle did as she was told. With extra care. Wouldn't want to harm the merchandise after all.

"There we go, thank you very much," Charles smiled. "Been waiting to try mixing with Narukami Water since it got so popular recently."

Noelle turned towards the crate she put down. "This is all Narukami Water?" No wonder it is heavier than usual.

Charles shook his head. "No, there's some plain sparkling water in there," he bent down and opened the crate. "Sometimes, some patrons want something tasting like alcohol, without it being actual alcohol. Narukami Water helps with that, but nothing beats a good mocktail if it's done right."

Noelle slowly nodded. "Mocktails… I see."

Charles studied her reaction for a moment. He seemed to be pondering something.

"Hey, do you have any other tasks for today?"

Noelle shook her head. "This is my last one," she said. "Do you need something done?"

"No, nothing like that. I was wondering if I could interest you in a mocktail I was thinking of selling."

"Ah, I… sure!"

Charles tsked. "You don't know what a mocktail is, do you?"

Noelle flinched. "I… sorry."

He sighed. "Don't be. You need to learn more about what you're agreeing to before you agree to it," Charles told her. "Remember that, okay?"

"Yes! I will."

"Good," he said. "Anyway, a mocktail is a non-alcoholic cocktail. Normally, I would make one with Narukami Water, but because you're my judge, I'll be using sparkling water instead."

Noelle smiled. "I would be honored," she then tilted her head. "But Narukami Water is non-alcohol, why not use that instead of sparkling water?"

"Hah!" Charles let out. "Because the knights will have my head."

Not to mention Master Diluc too. He shivered.

Noelle didn't really know what to say to that. So she simply smiled and watched the bartender mix his drinks.

"Anyway, I've heard you've been all over the place recently, more so than usual," Charles remarked. "Most of the knights too, anything about that?"

"No, nothing," Noelle told him with glee. "Isn't it wonderful? Everyone is so energetic today."

"I wonder if this is what it's like to have more than one Noelle in town," he joked. Noelle laughed with him.

Though that image was scary. One Noelle could already do so much, what if there were two? Sure, Noelle was admired wherever she went, people always relied on her, after all.

Surely, no one else admired her even to gain even her work ethic. Right?

Charles shook his head. That was a crazy territory.

"Here, on the house." Charles slid her a drink.

Noelle eyed the drink in front of her. In a rather tall but thin glass was a blue and purple carbonated liquid. It had a slice of lime on the rim, along with a small umbrella next to the red straw.

Her first thought was, that it was colorful, her second thought was that it would be a shame to drink such a work of art, and the third-

"Wait, on the house?" Her eyes widened and she shook her head. "I can't possibly do that!"

"It's fine, Noelle. This taste-testing that you'll be doing is more than enough to pay for it," Charles reassured her. "Trust me. It's fine."

Noelle didn't do anything for a moment, before she gave in with a sigh. "Fine…"

Charles chuckled. "That's the first time I've seen anyone react like that to free stuff."

"Do you ask people to taste-test often, Mister, Charles?"

"Nope, maybe I should," he chuckled. "Go, tell me what you think while it's still bubbly and cold."

Noelle nodded. She slowly took an experimental sip.

'Sweet.'

Her eyes widened. She took the plunge and took a couple more sips from the straw, each sip being longer than the last.

"You look like you're enjoying it," Charles smiled. "I'm glad."

Noelle nodded. "I do! It's so good."

"Good to know," he chuckled. "Wolfhook, mint, a few limes, along with clear ice, theoretically it should be a rather… unique combo."

"It's really good. Honest!" Noelle had already finished more than half of it, which lead to- "Ah, brain-freeze."

Charles let out another laugh before he gently ruffled her hair. "Take it slow, it's not going anywhere."

"T-Thank you," she flinched a bit before the pain reside. "I feel better now. Refreshed too."

"Really? That's great, then."

"Yes! I feel like I can get a few more tasks before going to bed."

Charles sweatdropped. 'This girl…'

"You need a vacation."


"Oh, I guess Cookie already went to bed," she opened her bathroom door to find the Roomba already in her charging bay. She softly smiled. She heard that Cookie had been on overdrive the whole day. "Rest well, Cookie. I'm proud of you."

After drying her hair, she sat on her bed, her feet on the floor as she stretched.

"It was quite a busy day, today."

She said, not expecting a reply.

She had gotten used to Cookie's presence. It felt weird when she didn't get an answer, but she understood why.

Was this how the traveler felt with Paimon? A companion that you always had around. It was nice.

As she lay down on the bed, she smiled and closed her eyes.

"Goodnight, Cookie."

Yep. It was pretty much a habit now-

◤Good… night… Maestra Noelle…◢

Her eyes widened. She spun on the other side of the bed to see a green light flickering before it became a steady and comforting dim orange glow.

She sighed. Even when she was charging, Cookie still wanted to say goodnight to her.

It made her feel warm and happy inside.

She closed her eyes, thinking of the day and all she's done. She felt very fulfilled. She couldn't wait to get started on her tasks tomorrow.

Though, she couldn't help but wonder, as she slowly drifted off into sleep.

'Why was everyone so busy today?'


AN: Why was everyone so busy indeed. I wonder why. Some incentive? Or maybe they just wanted to work that day? Noelle couldn't care any less as long as they were working.

Anyway, I totally forgot to publish this yesterday. Holocure is a very fun game ya know.

Rest assured next week's will be on time. I'm trying my best to keep a schedule here, aiya.