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Two days after the annual Windchase Celebration
Noelle couldn't stop beaming at Jean as the Acting Grandmaster tapped her sword to each of Noelle's shoulders.
“I hereby dub thee a Knight of Favonius.” her voice echoed in the silence of the chapel as she stepped back and raised her sword. “Protect Mondstadt, and serve her people.”
“I shall.” The time-honored words fell from her lips with an ease she never could have imagined. “For Mondstadt, and her people.”
“For Mondstadt, and her people!” The crowd cheered their response as she rose to her feet.
After that, things began to progress quickly. One day she was climbing up the side of houses to bring down some cats. The next, she was on a patrol with Sir Kaeya. Then-
His eyes were on her, she thought one day, as she stopped by Good Hunter. She smiled at Sara as she sat down and ordered-
Sara looked at her strangely, “Don’t you normally ask for something else?” She asked, confusion evident in her voice.
Noelle had blinked at her, and the sense of normalcy shifted .
“Oh, yeah.” She laughed. “Sorry, I guess I’m just hungrier than normal!” She paused, “Please, my order, if you would?” Sara nodded, turning around, bustling around her kitchen.
After that, it was little things. Her hands moving to catch something she hasn't noticed- agreeing to something before she even had the time to think about it-
Then she realized she knew what her Captain wanted her to do before he actually said it.
Then she realized that her limbs weren't hers to move. They moved without her input-
“Noelle?” That was Diluc's voice, and there twinge if anger deep within her - he scorned us -
It took a second for her to respond - who was Noelle? -
“Yes, Master Ragnvindr?” She asked. “Is there something I can do for you?”
The man stared at her for a moment, then he continued. “Is being a Knight everything you hoped for?”
She stared at him-
“Of course.” She said before she could think about it.
She turned and walked away from him as she began to think-
Was it?
“Be careful, Noelle.” Diluc said to get back. “You might wanna think about leaving the Knights while you still can.”
Leave the Knights?
Never.