AN: No beta we die like hilichurls


Hertha, Coordinator of the Knights of Favonius.

Yep, that's me. Big events? I got em covered. Need quick mora and want to help out the town? Come by my board. Fighting, or fetching, you can come to me and I got 'em.

Though if more danger is what you wish for, I'm afraid I'll be redirecting you to Katheryne. The Adventurer's guild gives quests that can take you all the way to the other side of Mondstadt if you wish.

…I seriously have to ask what she uses for her hair. She stands in that little stall of hers all day without a single complaint and you wouldn't find a single bead of sweat on her at all, and her hair never gets too dry.

It was magic or something else, I swear.

Anyway, I don't really want much from my life. I like what I have right now. Master Varka told me once that the past can affect your present, but never let it affect my future. Sometimes, he actually gave decent advice.

But still, I could understand his point. It's why I still repeat his advice when I get the opportunity to. It's a good feeling when I know that I'm the most mature person in the room.

But well, the past few days had been very busy for me. I'm not a coordinator just for show, you know? I do great work when I'm asked to, and when I have to.

And hey, the pay is great!

The work of a coordinator like myself is fairly straightforward. For any event or activity that requires Mondstadt as a whole to participate in the preparation or even any event that the Knights or Adventurer's guild holds, it's my responsibility to give more responsibility to other people, and ensure that they stick to their responsibilities like glue.

Basically, I give other people work, and I make sure that other people do that work properly.

See? Easy. Very basic.

Except of course, for the few instances where some people may slack off *cough* Bruce *cough* which in that case, it is my job to pick up their slack, make sure they get back to their work, and if that doesn't work, perform the ultimate technique that every knight fears.

Call Master Jean.

At first, I suppose it was difficult juggling that many people that all reported back to me. But once I got the hang of it, it gets easier, but it doesn't get any less stressful.

Thankfully, I have friends that reign me in whenever I get too crazy.

"That's all we have for today, Noelle."

"Thank you, Miss Rosaria. Same time tomorrow?"

"Sure, as long as you give me a heads up if you have to suddenly cancel. Likewise, I'll do the same to you."

"Don't listen to her, Noelle. Rosaria does nothing but laze around all day in her room."

"Oh, is that so-"

"Grace, shut up."

"I'm serious!"

"I know you are, shut up."

Speaking of maturing, I could see three figures leaving a room when I squinted. Noelle, Sister Rosaria, and Sister Grace? That's an odd combination.

◤It seems Maestra Noelle is finished with her lessons. I may have to provide her with a refreshing beverage for another day well-learnt.◢

Lessons?

◤Oh, did Maestra Hertha not know? Maestra Noelle is taking lessons for Maestra Sister Rosaria on the art of declining.◢

First of all, lessons on the art of what? And second, did Cookie just read my mind?

◤The art of declining. And no, I do not possess the capacity to read human minds yet. Your concern and inquiry were simply written on your facial expressions.◢

Ah, so I didn't hear wrong then. How strange that she didn't come to me for that- I mean, good for her!

"Wait, what was that yet?!"


"Ah, so Sister Rosaria was the one to bring it up?" I chose to stand up and make my way around the Headquarters. I had a job to do, after all.

Then right after I'd be back here for dinner. It was that day of the week. You know, the one day in a week we all eat together.

◤Affirmative. According to what I know by cross-referencing what I've heard, Maestra Sister Rosaria raised a concern when too many people were, and I quote, leeching off of Maestra Noelle's kindness. That is the cause that gave effect to what we now know as Maestra Noelle's Lessons on the art of declining.◢

Ah, so people have been using Noelle's kindness to their advantage, eh?

I'm going to need names. Lots of them. All of them.

◤Please do not resort to violence.◢

"Foolish Cookie, I'm not going to hurt them."

◤Cookie is glad-◢

"I'm just going to talk to them. Repeatedly. In their faces. With my slipper. With force."

◤Please don't.◢

I didn't know Cookie could sound that worried. I let out a chuckle. It was cute. I appreciate the concern.

Though, I wish I knew if that concern was for my victims or me. Preferably the former. My slipper chooses to hold back none of its power.

Still, if Cookie doesn't want to tell me. I suppose I can leave it be for now. There are always other people I can ask anyway.

"Noelle sure is busy these days, huh?"

◤Yes. Maestra Noelle has been very busy, but she's happy.◢

"She is? Oh right, you two are roommates."

◤Yes. Yes, we are.◢ Cookie rolled alongside her. ◤She's been getting along well with people. Recently, Maestra Noelle and Maestra Ellin have been training often together. And Maestra Sister Rosaria's lessons have been making small strides.◢

I nodded along. So much had happened the moment I looked away. I guess I should be proud. "That's nice. Wait, why are you telling me all of this? Aren't you supposed to be super secretive about your Maestra's nighttime talks?"

◤I would be if I was not conversing with the person that Maestra Noelle considers her closest confidant.◢

What?

"Really? Me?"

◤Affirmative. You are her big sister, are you not?◢

"I-I mean… Yeah, or at least, I used to be." I couldn't help but scratch the back of my head.

Big sister, huh? It's been a while. Noelle is all grown up now, and it's been forever since she called me that.

Memories of bedtime stories, lessons in etiquette, and sneaking in snacks tickled the back of my head. I couldn't help but smile. Those times were far in the past, but to me, it was just like yesterday.

◤Used to be? Did something happen?◢

Oh, now Cookie was worried. "Don't worry. It's nothing serious. Noelle simply grew up."

◤I see.◢ Cookie somehow nodded. It was weird to see Cookie at eye level before, but now that it's been a while, I think I'm much more comfortable with it.

"Did Noelle tell you about that too?"

◤Negative.◢

"Oh, then how did you know? She doesn't really say that to anybody."

◤She was saying it in her sleep.◢

What?

◤Yes. She was calling out Big Sister Hertha with a gleeful tone.◢ Cookie said. ◤Even while charging, I am still semi-awake and I can register and hear voices should I wish. I thought Maestra was having a nightmare so I kept listening, but it turns out she was having a nice dream.◢

"Oh… I see." That was a nice image. Noelle sleeping with a smile on her face. I couldn't help but smile as well.

Seems like Big Sis Hertha wasn't as far into the past as I thought. Maybe I should check in on her more often.

Just because she grew up, it doesn't mean she was a different person now, after all.