[Seeing Eula Lawrence's furious expression, your face twisted into embarrassment.]
[You quickly tried to explain. "I... I only followed because I was worried... and I only saw your back—"]
["Enough!!!" Eula cut you off, cheeks burning red.]
[She glared daggers at you. "I'll remember this grudge!"]
[After spending so much time with Eula, you'd lost count of how many times you'd heard that line.]
[At this point you were thick-skinned enough not to care. One more to her list hardly mattered.]
[Age 16: You'd grown strong enough to handle missions on your own, no longer under Eula's constant watch.]
[Today's task: scout out a Hilichurl camp near Cape Oath, southeast of Mondstadt.]
[You went alone to investigate.]
[When you arrived, you realized the Hilichurls there were unusually powerful—three Mitachurls and two Samachurls.]
[A camp of that size was far beyond what you could take on alone.]
[You decided to return to Mondstadt and report to the Knights of Favonius for reinforcements.]
[On your way back along the edge of Windrise, you spotted a familiar figure.]
[The woman who haunted your thoughts—Jean Gunnhildr—was standing by Cape Oath, staring out at the sea, lost in thought.]
[You hurried forward to greet her. "Deputy Grand Master Jean."]
[Surprise flickered across her face when she saw you. "What are you doing here?"]
[You honestly reported what you'd discovered.]
[Jean thought for a moment before saying, "In that case, take me there. I should be able to help."]
[As the Dandelion Knight, Jean's strength was unquestionable.]
[You led her to the Hilichurl camp, where she effortlessly wiped out the entire horde in a matter of moments.]
[You didn't even get the chance to lift your weapon.]
[All you could do was stand aside, nearly entranced, watching her fight.]
[Every strike she loosed carried the sharp purity of Anemo.]
[Grace and strength combined seamlessly, forming the unique charm that belonged to Jean alone.]
[On the way back, you didn't heap praise on her. Facing a noble-born woman like Jean, being too servile would only make her look down on you.]
[Instead, you spoke with her naturally, as if chatting with an equal.]
["Deputy Grand Master, what brought you to Cape Oath today?"]
["I read about this place in a book. Since I had a day off, I thought I'd come see it for myself."]
["Oh? May I ask which book?"]
[You were curious—Jean had a reputation in Mondstadt as a complete workaholic. Every time you saw her, she was either working or on her way to work. For her to spend a rare day off sightseeing, it had to be from a book she truly loved.]
[At your question, a faint blush colored Jean's cheeks. She did her best to keep her expression composed.]
["The Melancholy of Maiden Vera."]
[The title surprised you. That was clearly a romance novel! Who would have thought the Deputy Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius enjoyed romance stories?]
[But on second thought, it made perfect sense.]
[Jean was only eighteen—still a young woman. Of course she'd be interested in tales of love and longing.]
[You smiled. "I'll have to read it myself sometime."]
[That year, a major event shook Mondstadt: the Knights of Favonius prepared to send an expeditionary force beyond the city's borders.]
[Leading them would be Grand Master Varka and Bishop Seamus Pegg of the Church of Favonius.]
[You'd signed up as well, eager to join the campaign.]
[After all, if you wanted to climb higher, military achievements in war were the fastest path.]
[Unfortunately, you weren't selected. You remained behind to guard Mondstadt.]
[That night, a knock sounded at the door of your dormitory in the Knights' quarters.]
[When you opened it, Barbara Pegg stood there, her face clouded with worry.]
[You stepped aside to let her in. "Barbara, it's so late—what brings you here?"]
[Barbara frowned tightly. "The expedition leaves tomorrow. I can't sleep."]
[You knew it was because her father, Bishop Seamus, would be leaving as well. You spoke softly to reassure her. "Don't worry. Bishop Seamus is incredibly strong. He'll be fine."]
["Mm." Barbara nodded faintly, then stepped closer, her small hands clutching at the front of your nightshirt. She lifted her gaze to you, her eyes pure and trembling.]
["Kael, I'm scared... can I stay with you tonight?"]
[Faced with Barbara's request, you must choose—]
[1. Accept.]
[2. Refuse.]
---
A/N- Bonus chapter for every 50PS