***


    After introducing herself to the group, Noelle inquired what Yomite required her for.


    She was surprised by the request to eliminate a cockroach, but she nheless agreed.


    As soon as she agreed to get rid of it, she entered the scary room.


    A flying cockroach was noughing matter; not just anyone was willing to eliminate one.


    The cockroach flew towards her as soon as she entered the room, ready to attack the new invader. However, she was able to catch it in midair with her palm, thereby achieving the purpose.


    Once she exited the room, Yomite wondered why she did so quickly.


    Noelle then slightly opened her palm and disyed the bug.


    "I did it!"


    "...Please get rid of it."


    "As you wish!"


    Noelle went outside and hurled the cockroach as far into the forest as she could.


    The task wasplete.


    However...


    Thinking that the request was too simple, she went ahead and cleaned every room in the mansion and did theirundry in under an hour on her own.


    "Noelle... you''re amazing."


    She turned around and smiled brightly upon hearing Yomite''s praise from behind.


    "Thank you. I adore doing things like this!"


    "Say... would you be interested in working with me? The mansion is toorge for us to clean on our own all the time, therefore we need a dependable maid. I would certainlypensate you."


    "Awawa..."


    Noelle was troubled, not because she felt she couldn''t do it, but because she already worked as a maid for all of Knights of Favonius.


    She was uncertain as to whether she could fit this into her schedule, nevertheless, she nodded graciously.


    "I will think about it. I''m currently a bit too busy to take care of this mansion on a daily basis, but I cane once a week to help if necessary."


    "Alright, that''s plenty enough. Thank you for everything today." He handed her some Mora as a thanks and she reluctantly epted it after some persuasion.


    After some more pleasantries between them, Noelle returned to Mondstadt, and continued doing her daily chores as a maid for the Knights of Favonius.


    ***


    **


    *


    It was almost the middle of the day when Yomite heard a knock at the front door.


    He assumed it was Noelle, and that maybe she came back to ept his offer.


    Therefore, he went there to open the door.


    "Yo! Lil bro. Long time no see! I''vee to—"


    "—No thanks! We don''t wish to buy anything, please go away."


    Yomite found Kaeya standing there, with a sinister smile and closed the door on him.


    "Come on! Lil bro! Don''t be like that! Open the door! I have something to tell you."


    Yomite exhaled regretfully before reopening the door.


    "Hey, Kaeya. What is it..."


    "Heya! Wow, you don''t look too happy to see me."


    Kaeyaughed and Yomite frowned in response.


    "Why are you here? You must havee for some reason. What do you need?"


    "What? Do I need a reason to visit my Lil Bro...? But you aren''t far from the truth. Jean told me to fetch you, apparently, she has something to talk to you about."


    "..."


    Yomite anticipated that this would ur sooner orter.


    It looked that she had finally learned about Morax''s death from Ningguang or one of her messengers.


    Currently, he had to think out how to exin the situation to her, while still concealing the fact that he had survived...As most likely, there was a reason Zhongli wanted to stay "dead".


    Although, he had to admit he kind of wanted to tell everyone Morax was still alive, but he wasn''t a snitch.


    "Oh, and by chance, do you know where the Deaconess Barbara is?"


    That sounded like another problem...


    "She''s inside. What do you want with her?"


    Kaeya chuckled, "I''m d I don''t have to waste time looking for her. Jean also wished for her toe. Apparently, they need to talk privately."


    "...About?"


    "No idea. I''m just a poor messenger running around the Mondstadt territory today. When will my tired body have some rest..."


    "I am positive you''re skipping work every day...a little bit of exercise wouldn''t kill you now would it?"


    Yomite sighed as he entered the mansion to exin the issue to the girls, and he then returned with Barbara.


    "Deaconess Barbara, long time no see. I''m sorry to bother you, but you have urgent matters to discuss with the Grand Master Jean."


    "Ah, absolutely. Please lead on then, Cavalry Captain Kaeya." She gave a weak smile, still feeling slightly unwell afterst night''s events.


    But the soup from Yomite was able to alleviate Barbara''s difort, and she felt far better than before.


    "Is there something wrong?" Kaeya noticed Barbara''s slight difort.


    "Nothing is wrong...It''s just that I have been feeling under the weather today... please forgive me for making you worry. I''m not feeling well."


    Barbara replied, trying to appear calm despite her current state of health.


    After her remark, Kaeya offered Yomite a nce that indicated he should lean closer.


    "Say... Lil Bro...you didn''t get her...you know...If so...then I must congratte you."


    "I don''t understand what you''re saying, why are we whispering?"


    "You know...you''ve spent quite some time together these past few days, right? And now she''s feeling unwell and so...you didn''t get her...pregnant, right?"


    Yomite responded with a raised eyebrow.


    "What are you talking about? What makes you think that? I didn''t even touch her...and you straight up went for a pregnancy check..."


    The lips of Kaeya curved upwards, "Oh, really? You''re telling me she was only ''coincidentally'' at your ce so early into the morning? And for her to feel so unwell, yesterday''s battle must have been hard fought."


    "You have no idea what you''re talking about...I don''t know what you''re doing to your girl, but I''m doing my best to satisfy them, not to make them feel unwell..."


    Yomite shook his head and didn''t try to convince Kaeya as it seemed that nothing would change his mind on the matter.


    ''Them.''


    Kaeya noted the choice of words, but decided not to inquire further for now.


    At this point in time, not many people were aware Yomite was in a rtionship with both Hu Tao and Fischl.


    Precisely because of this, when Kaeya heard ''Them'', he''d misunderstood the whole situation.


    In his mind, due of Barbara''s prominence and social standing, he considered her to be Yomite''s lover, whom he was currently concealing from public view.


    Barbara was walking behind them, and although she noticed they were whispering to each other, she assumed they were discussing something important she shouldn''t hear.


    She was interested, but it was none of her concern..


    Instead, she decided to focus on taking in her surroundings as she strolled, appreciating the pleasant weather and natural beauty of the location.


    The estate was not far from Mondstadt, but it was not every day that she was able to take in such a breathtaking view due to being locked up in the Church of Favonius at all times.


    Eventually they''ve arrived to Mondstadt and headed straight to the headquarters and Jean''s office.


    When they entered her office, Jean immediately stood up, greeting them warmly.


    "Wee, Honorary Knight Yomite. I appreciate you joining me today. There''s something important we must discuss."


    "Long time no see."


    Yomite returned her greeting with a smile and sat down as directed, awaiting her to continue speaking.


    After sitting down, Barbara followed suit and sat next to him.


    "Well then, I shall indulge in my own paperwork, see you around."


    Keaya disappeared from the room quicker than anyone could register.


    "Ah that Kaeya...he went toze around again..."


    Jean sighed.


    After both of them settled down, she began talking.


    "First, let''s begin by reviewing the recent usations against you. Lady Ningguang appears to believe that youmitted murder and that you killed Rex Lapis yourself... Furthermore, she also ims that you fled the scene with your group after killing him... What do you have to say for yourself?"


    "Yum-Yum didn''t do anything wrong! I can attest to this mys—"


    "—Quiet. You''ll have your turn afterwards. Don''t talk now."


    "...Huh? Wha—?!"


    Jean raised her index finger to swiftly hush her.


    It appeared as though she was enraged.


    Very angry.


    Barbara gulped in fear, she had never seen Jean so angry before, and it appeared she had something to say to her as well, once she was finished with Yomite.


    Jean sighed as she attempted to settle herself by massaging her temples with both hands.


    "I apologize, Honorary Knight Yomite...but I am bing a little dissatisfied with the current state of affairs. For starters, what happened to Rex Lapis? Why did you leave the scene after discovering his death? Did it not ur to you that you would be the major suspect if this urred?"


    Yomite knew the issue was serious, because Jean who was usually chill around him, spoke in a formal manner...


    "Yes, it crossed my mind...but we left by an ident..."


    Jean was dubious regarding his reasoning.


    "An ident? How? How could you possibly leave by an ident?"


    Yomite muttered, "Well..."


    Jean was sufficiently dependable, thus disclosing Lumine''s skills to her shouldn''t pose too many difficulties.


    "Lumine has a special ability that let''s her teleport multiple people away. And we left the Liyue like this. She identally teleported us."


    "A teleport skill...? Lumine does?" Jean wondered, not expecting her to know such a rare ability


    ''Even someone like Lisa could teleport only a few meters, but to think Honorary Knight Lumine had something like this up her sleeve...''


    "...I''m sorry. The story isplicated, I would much rather speak to Ningguang directly and exin it to her. I don''t want to bother you with it." Yomite apologized, feeling bad she had to deal with so many troublesome things at one go.


    "...I trust that you did notmit the crime, but the odds are heavily against you... Ningguang wrote me a letter expressing her desire to meet in a week or so... I''ve never spoken to her before, but based on her position, I imagine she is knowledgeable enough to recognize and not believe the spurious allegations circting about you. Consequently, I anticipate your presence and assistance in rifying the facts to ensure there is no misunderstanding..."


    "I understand. I will be there."


    "Good. That''s all. I''ll send someone to fetch you once it''s time to meet."


    "Alright, thanks for covering for me. I swear we didn''t do it. I''ll prove it to you."


    Following the exchange of farewells, Yomite exited the office.


    Barbara was about to follow suit, when she felt somebody''s gaze upon her.


    She turned round to find Jean ring at her intensely, which caused Barbara to freeze on the spot.


    The look on Jean''s face told Barbara that she definitely wanted to speak to her.


    Barbara couldn''t tell what it was though...