Noelle stood frozen in place, unable to react for a long while.
The revelation was simply too great a shock for her.
It completely upended many of her fundamental beliefs.
Moreover, she never expected that Lin Feng, who had lived with her for so long, was actually the Prince of the Abyss Order.
Lin Feng found Noelle's reaction entirely within reason.
To persuade Noelle to join the Abyss Order, Lin Feng continued, "How about we make a bet?"
"What bet?" Noelle's voice trembled slightly.
"Let's bet on whether you can join the Knights of Favonius this time. If you can't, why not consider joining our Abyss Order Knights? I can even have you serve as the Grand Master!"
Noelle did not reply.
Yet from Lin Feng's perspective, at the very least, Noelle had not refused.
If she didn't refuse, there was still a chance.
"Anyway, I'm still sorry for lying to you. But I consider you my best friend, which is why I told you the truth."
With that, Lin Feng returned to his room in Noelle's house.
Noelle remained rooted to the spot.
If it were her former self, she would have already grabbed her greatsword and attacked Lin Feng.
Because her former self had always believed the Abyss Order were villains.
Yet now, after hearing Lin Feng explain everything about Khaenri'ah, her heart felt somewhat shaken.
Furthermore, her emotions and her heart simply would not allow her to attack Lin Feng.
Even though she suspected Lin Feng might be lying to her.
She still inexplicably wanted to believe what he said.
...
Meanwhile, Lin Feng was filled with anxiety.
He knew he had been a bit too hasty.
If he had grown closer to Noelle emotionally and confessed later, the outcome might have been better.
Yet doing so would have left a heavy burden of guilt in his heart.
Lin Feng did not sleep the entire night.
He was waiting.
Would the Knights of Favonius send people to arrest him?
As it turned out, no one from the Knights of Favonius came.
Which meant Noelle had not reported him.
Morning.
Lin Feng walked out to the living room as usual.
Breakfast was already prepared on the table.
However, Noelle was nowhere to be seen.
...
And so, Lin Feng continued to stay at Noelle's house for four more days.
During this time, Noelle did not speak to him once.
Yet every day, she still prepared breakfast for him.
And Lin Feng would cook dinner in the evening, waiting for Noelle to return.
Thus, the two of them lived peacefully until the fifth day.
When Lin Feng came out of his bedroom that morning, Noelle was still nowhere to be found.
A sudden knocking sound echoed.
Someone was at the door.
Lin Feng opened the door.
To his surprise, it was Eolyn.
Before Lin Feng could speak, Eolyn questioned him first, "Did you and Noelle have a falling out? Noelle has been completely out of it these past few days."
"Sorry, we did have a minor disagreement," Lin Feng answered honestly. "Could I trouble you to help look after Noelle for a few days?"
Eolyn's expression turned serious. "Do you know that today is the day the Knights announce the roster, and Noelle failed to join again? I hope you can properly comfort her and make sure she doesn't do anything foolish."
A wave of warmth washed over Lin Feng. He was glad that Noelle had such a good friend.
Eolyn probably hadn't succeeded in joining the Knights either, yet her first thought was not of herself, but of Noelle.
"Alright, I understand. Thank you, Eolyn."
After Eolyn left, Lin Feng began preparing lunch.
Noelle returned at noon.
She seemed somewhat dazed.
She had already learned that she failed to make the cut for the Knights once again.
"Noelle, time to eat."
Noelle did not speak. She simply sat down at the dining table and mechanically began eating her rice.
After finishing lunch, Noelle stood up to clear the dishes.
Lin Feng stepped in front of Noelle and said, "Noelle, let's go on a date. I want to take a walk around the City of Mondstadt."
"Eh!?"
Hearing the word "date" finally got a reaction out of Noelle.
"What do you say? Shall we go on a date?" Lin Feng asked again.
Noelle lowered her head and let out a soft sound of agreement.
At that moment, another knock sounded at the door.
Lin Feng walked over and opened the door.
"Reconnaissance Captain Amber, reporting for duty! I brought you a gift, Noelle."
Standing outside was a young woman in red with rabbit ear ornaments on her head.
Beside her stood another young woman with ice-blue hair and classic, elegant manners.
Her Knight uniform looked sharp and stylish, while the black long boots on her lower legs featured two leg rings that hugged her well-toned thighs, forming an alluring indentation.
The visitors were none other than Amber and her good friend Eula.
Today, Acting Grand Master Jean had crossed Noelle's name off the list once more while reviewing the final roster for the Knight examinations.
Worried about Noelle, she had asked Amber to go check on her.
Noelle had received the news from Acting Grand Master Jean while she was with Eula, so Amber had ended up dragging Eula along as well.
"Please, come in!" Lin Feng stepped aside to clear the doorway.
Amber cast a curious glance at Lin Feng.
Isn't this Noelle's house?
Why is there a man here?
She had never heard Noelle mention having a brother.
Surely Noelle couldn't have taken a boyfriend?
Well, surely not.
Eula and Amber stepped inside.
"Senior Amber, Senior Eula, please have a seat." Upon hearing their voices, Noelle had already prepared chairs for them.
"Noelle is still as reliable as ever!"
Amber then chatted with Noelle about everyday matters, purposely avoiding the topic of the Knights.
Sensing that Noelle's expression seemed relatively calm and knowing Noelle hadn't brought up her rejection first, Amber chose not to mention it either.
That way, Noelle wouldn't be reminded of something heartbreaking.
Shortly after, Amber and Eula took their leave.
"Then let's set off now—to our date." Lin Feng made a welcoming gesture and said, "Shall we?"
"Okay."
Noelle felt she ought to resent Lin Feng, yet she found herself completely unable to hate him.
As if under a spell, she agreed to the date.
Lin Feng stood at the door, holding out his hand in a gesture to hold hands.
Noelle hesitated for two seconds before placing her hand in his.
She let him hold her hand as the two of them walked out the door hand in hand.
Along the way, couples occasionally brushed past them.
"Noelle, I'd like to check out that street to the east."
"Oh, okay."
As soon as they reached the eastern street, Lin Feng pulled Noelle by the hand and stepped into a nearby boutique.
"Are we buying clothes, Lin Feng? But this is a women's clothing store."
Thinking Lin Feng hadn't noticed the type of shop, Noelle hurriedly spoke up.
Lin Feng ignored Noelle and said to the shopkeeper, "Is the outfit I ordered a few days ago ready?"
"It's ready! I'll go get it right now," the store owner replied hastily.
This particular customer had spent over a million Mora on custom-made clothes here.
He had to be treated like royalty.
Before long, the shopkeeper brought out a set of garments.