I, Noelle, Persuade With Reason! [12]

Noelle walked over, pulling open the curtains. Sunlight streamed in, casting a gentle glow onto the bed.

“Just five more minutes, Noelle,” Lisa murmured, rolling lazily across the bed—a far cry from her notorious title, "Witch of Purple Rose."

“It's already half past seven. Also, mind your image.” Noelle’s gaze drifted to a pair of stockings draped over the sofa—likely worn by Lisa yesterday. Considering Lisa’s habit of only wearing each pair once, Noelle saw no need to wash them.

“It's not like it matters if you're the one seeing me,” Lisa said teasingly, carefully watching Noelle’s reaction. Upon noticing the younger girl's embarrassment, she grew even more playful.

“Noelle, can you fetch me some stockings from that white cabinet over there? Oh, and from the drawer beside it, pick out some underwear—the purple ones, please.”

Lisa keenly noticed Noelle’s movements suddenly stiffen.

But, to Lisa’s surprise, Noelle didn't refuse. Instead, she steeled her nerves, carefully opened the drawer, and retrieved the requested items, hastily placing them on Lisa's bedside table.

“Did I get the right ones?” Noelle asked quietly.

“Why don’t you guess?” Lisa teased, hooking the stocking with her pinky finger, eyes sparkling mischievously.

“I—I still need to make breakfast, please get up soon.” Feeling parched, Noelle quickly turned and fled the room.

...

Back at her own door, Noelle paused, took a deep breath to calm herself, and then pushed it open.

Amber was sitting at her desk, engrossed in a book.

“It's rare to see you so quiet,” Noelle teased with a smile.

“Hehe, you're back!” Amber immediately set aside the book and rushed toward her.

“Hungry yet? I'll make breakfast right away,” Noelle took Amber’s hand affectionately.

“Hey! I’m your senior. Let me help prepare breakfast!” Amber protested, feeling a bit too much like Noelle’s little sister—though she secretly enjoyed the attention.

“Yes, yes, Senior Amber.” Noelle laughed, and the two headed to the kitchen.

As an Outrider, Amber frequently camped in the wild, becoming quite proficient in cooking. The pair worked together effortlessly, chatting and laughing throughout.

About ten minutes later, Jean and Lisa arrived. Finding Klee still in bed, Jean frowned and dragged Lisa along to wake her up.

Noelle and Amber exchanged glances, silently agreeing Klee was probably "doomed."

Sure enough, moments later, Klee sprinted into the kitchen barefoot, hair dripping wet, hiding behind Noelle with a sulky pout.

Jean entered afterward, her expression stern, while Lisa giggled quietly behind her. Jean carried Klee’s boots in hand.

“Breakfast is ready,” Noelle quickly intervened, holding back laughter and moving to the dining area.

Klee immediately followed, clinging closely to Noelle, looking even more adorable with her pitiful expression.

Jean softened, unable to remain stern, gently setting Klee’s boots beside her so she could put them on herself.

Thus, Klee narrowly escaped punishment.

During breakfast, Klee nestled in Noelle's lap, cheeks puffed in lingering resentment.

But after eating her fill, she quickly forgot her troubles, tugging at Noelle’s hand and insisting on going fishing together.

Noelle, however, still had paperwork to help Jean with and couldn't trust Klee alone, so she brought her along to Jean’s office.

Just then, the Knights received reports of a Hilichurl camp nearby. Jean decided to dispatch Amber to investigate, and noticing Noelle and Klee's hopeful eyes, she made a rare exception, letting them accompany Amber.

Thus, Amber, Noelle, and Klee left Mondstadt together.

Passing the bridge, Noelle asked Amber to shoot a few pigeons, planning roasted pigeon for lunch.

Without thinking much, Amber swiftly shot several birds, achieving quite the haul.

Then Timmie started crying.

Amber suddenly realized her mistake and quickly comforted the tearful boy, barely managing to calm him down.

“If those pigeons aren’t delicious, I—I’ll be very upset!” Amber warned Noelle, hands on hips.

“Don’t worry,” Noelle replied gently, playfully pinching Amber’s cheek.

Placated, Amber smiled again, and the trio headed out to search for the Hilichurl camp.

---

Meanwhile, at the Goth Grand Hotel, several Fatui agents gathered in the lobby, whispering amongst themselves while enjoying snacks.

“Did you hear? The Electro Cicin Mage who went out last night still hasn't returned!”

“Captured by the Knights of Favonius?”

“Impossible. Probably encountered the Darknight Hero.”

“The Darknight Hero? That’s plausible.”

“Nonsense. I asked around—the Cicin Mage was after a girl named Noelle.”

“Noelle? Oh, that maid from the Knights, the one close to Jean. She's not even officially a Knight; could she really defeat a Cicin Mage? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Well, someone clearly got rid of her. We're being targeted.”

“Such a shame. I heard those Electro Cicin Mages are young and quite beautiful.”

“Indeed, a pity!”

The Fatui agents sighed collectively, lamenting the lost Cicin Mage.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed down the stairs. La Signora descended, accompanied by another Electro Cicin Mage, coldly eyeing the gossiping agents.

“What were you talking about? Care to share with me?” La Signora asked softly, moving gracefully behind them with a chilling smile.

The agents swiftly stood at attention, eyes fixed ahead, too frightened to speak. The debt collector nearest to her trembled visibly.

With a disdainful scoff, La Signora’s expression darkened.

“Useless fools! Hurry and investigate Noelle immediately!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

The agents rushed out, eager to avoid further wrath—after all, it was La Signora who sent out the missing Cicin Mage. Her anger was understandable.

---

Elsewhere, the Abyss Order’s leader, Aether, stood on a cliff gazing toward his distant sister.

As time passed, his suspicions grew. The Abyss Mage tasked with following Noelle hadn't returned; it was likely eliminated.

“What happened…? Never mind. You five, follow Noelle closely. Find out exactly what she’s capable of.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” replied five Abyss Mages simultaneously, leaving immediately.

Aether didn't dwell on Noelle. His attention turned to Paimon, hovering beside his sister, his gaze distant and thoughtful.

“Paimon… just who exactly are you?”

His heart brimmed with questions, but he couldn't approach Lumine yet—not until the timing was right.

---

On an island at the center of the lake, Lumine resonated with the Statue of The Seven under Paimon's guidance, obtaining the power of Anemo.

A dragon soared overhead, landing deep within the Whispering Woods.

A boy in a green cloak and white stockings appeared before the restless dragon, gently soothing it.

Entering the woods, Lumine and Paimon stumbled upon the dragon and boy.

Noticing Lumine, the dragon roared angrily and fled; the boy vanished, leaving behind only a crimson teardrop.

At that moment, a huge shadow fell across the ground. Noelle, who had just found the Hilichurl camp, looked up to see the dragon rising from the Whispering Woods.

“It’s finally begun.”

---

T/N: IT SHOULDVE BEEN MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

This is a fan translation of 我，诺艾尔，以理服人！ by 暗香浮动 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!