"Hey, Jean, what's wrong?"
Koji came to see Jean, only to find her collapsed on her desk. No matter how he called, she wouldn't wake. It wasn't sleep—it looked like she had fainted.
"Ah-la, don't worry. This is normal. Jean is just too exhausted."
Lisa walked in, shaking her head helplessly. She had seen this more than once.
"Clearly she's the Acting Grand Master, yet she insists on handling every trivial little matter. Sigh~"
Even something like finding a missing cat would get pushed onto Jean. Mondstadt's oversized babies were truly disappointing.
Lisa had advised Jean many times, but she never listened. Whenever citizens came, Jean would still kindly help.
"Master Jean…"
At that moment, a twin-tailed, youthful girl entered. Seeing Jean slumped at the desk, she rushed over, worry all over her face.
"Barbara, hm? Jean is too tired. Heal her a bit," Lisa said with a wry smile.
"Oh, I understand."
"Come on, cheer up!"
Barbara nodded. The Hydro Vision at her waist shone, pure water element gathering in her hands. The Circle of Song fell upon Jean, restoring her.
"Ugh… Barbara…"
With Barbara's healing, Jean quickly woke. Yet the exhaustion still showed clearly on her face.
"Jean—sister, you can't keep working like this," Barbara said firmly.
Jean was her idol and beloved sister. Seeing her so worn down hurt deeply.
"Er, Barbara, I'm fine. Once I get through this busy stretch…" Jean scratched her head. Barbara's seriousness was oppressive.
"Jean, listen to Barbara. During the dragon crisis, you barely rested at all," Lisa added with a smile.
"But… these documents…" Jean hesitated. She knew they were right.
"Hand them to Kaeya."
Koji vanished. When he returned, he had dragged back Mondstadt's premier slacker pirate, Kaeya.
"?"
Kaeya was stunned. Why had he suddenly appeared in the Knights headquarters?
[Blessing of Space: Your mastery of space reaches the level of basic control.]
Such a useful blessing. Of course Koji would have it.
"Kaeya, perfect timing. Take these documents. Jean will rest today," Lisa said gently.
"Huh?"
Looking at the mountain of papers, Kaeya nearly blacked out.
"Um… Kaeya, if you don't want to, I'll do it myself," Jean said awkwardly.
"…Forget it. Jean, just rest a day."
Kaeya sighed. He knew her hardships. Being Acting Grand Master consumed enormous energy.
"Good luck, Kaeya!"
Koji gave him a thumbs-up and left with Jean and the others.
Kaeya: "…"
Damn it. My slacking time… oh well.
Jean and Barbara strolled Mondstadt's streets, basking in the sunlight. It had been so long since the sisters last walked together.
"Jean, I think some of the policies need reform. Mondstadters aren't helpless. They can handle most things themselves. For real problems, they can just use the Adventurers' Guild," Koji suggested.
Barbara nodded. "Yes, sister. You're already tired enough, but you keep doing extra work. No wonder you collapsed."
Nearby citizens overheard, hanging their heads in shame. They hadn't known Jean fainted from exhaustion.
They felt wretched—even those who hadn't personally troubled her.
"I'll think about it."
Jean pondered, then nodded. She knew the city's freedom was too unrestrained. Or rather, too lax.
Meanwhile, at Windrise, Venti listened and sank into thought.
"Sigh, too much freedom isn't good either…"
Perhaps Mondstadt's habits truly needed correcting.
"Koji, I haven't asked—why did you come see me?" Jean asked.
"To ask you out."
"Eh?"
Jean blushed, instantly energized. Was this the "date" kind of invitation?
She had read such novels, but she was still a total novice.
"Hehehe, sister…" Barbara, shocked at first, now giggled teasingly.
"Just a meal together. Jean, why's your face red?" Koji asked with feigned innocence.
Jean's shy look was like that of a sheltered maiden.
"Let's go. My treat."
Jean hurried ahead, mortified to show such embarrassment before her sister. She wanted to crawl into a hole.
Barbara whispered, "Do you really like my sister?"
Barbara, you're a bit too nosy.
"Jean's hips, the Knights' soul," Koji muttered.
Barbara blinked. Instinctively, she glanced at her sister's hips and nodded in agreement. Perfect.
She hadn't noticed before. But wrapped in tight pants, the curve was flawless. She suddenly wanted to touch it, to see how it felt.
"True. Sister really has a great figure," Barbara admitted with envy.
Long legs, curves front and back. Even her younger sister found herself tempted.
Such a greedy girl.
…
"Eula?"
When they reached the Good Hunter, Jean spotted an acquaintance dining alone. Others sat in groups, but Eula was at a solitary table, unapproached.
"Jean," Eula lifted her head, a grain of rice stuck to her cheek. It softened her usual coolness into something almost cute.
"There's space. Join me?" Eula gestured.
Jean nodded. After ordering, she sat at Eula's table. She didn't despise her for being a Lawrence. Their relationship was decent.
"Eula, long time no see. Missed me?" Koji teased with a grin.
"You two know each other?" Jean blinked.
"Miss you? In your dreams," Eula rolled her eyes adorably.
Barbara's expression hardened. For her sister, Eula was a threat.
So, for her sister's happiness, she would intervene.
Barbara, charge.
What she didn't know was that if real conflict broke out, Koji would simply choose all of them. They were all his wings. He wouldn't give up any.
"Eula, how are the monsters outside the city?" Jean asked.
"Since the dragon crisis ended, they've calmed down. Fewer travelers are attacked now," Eula answered.
"That's good. Thank you for your hard work, Eula," Jean said sincerely.
"Just my duty," Eula replied calmly.
(End of Chapter)
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