Noelle then turned away from the Outrider to instead look at me, she had the most bright and innocent smile on her face as she looked towards me. And she had somehow already managed to get rid of her exasperation from running over here from who-knows-where!!
Noelle: "How can I be of assistance to you?"
She... Wow! She really has nailed that absolutely welcoming aura, the aura that I had read maids have, in those old books I used to read in the past. Her mannerisms and stance just makes me feel like I belong here...
Even when I really don't feel like I do.
Y/N: "Oh, uhm... this didn't pull you away from anything important, did it?"
Noelle: "Oh no! Of course not! I was just about to sit down for a moment's rest, and perhaps a small cup of tea if I could make the time!"
Y/N: "... ah."
And now I feel awful, she is very clearly overworked. And I'm interrupting one of her seemingly-rare lulls that she would like to be using for a proper break, not listening to me tell her I lied to her face!
Eula: *ahem!*
The sharp cough from the lady beside me had broken me out of my internal worries long enough for me to notice what she said next.
Eula: "If you worry that you are eating away at young Noelle's free time, then perhaps you should aim to not waste any more of it than is necessary with your needless worrying, and just speak what you must. We Knights, and Knights-in-training, are very busy people after all."
Y/N: "r–Right! You're right. Sorry... What I wanted to admit to both of you... is that, well... Baizho isn't my real name."
Amber: "Huh? Another fake name? You've got another fake name?!"
Y/N: "Well... no. I only had the one fake name..."
Amber: "Oh! So that means... that Y/N was your real name all along! Right?
Y/N: "th–That's right.."
Amber: "Hmm, but now I'm kind of confused! You gave us your real name, and then told us instead that your name was Baizho before we went to see Jean... why is that?"
Y/N: "I... well... I..."
Eula: "Like myself, Y/N's name also carries some unfair judgement behind it. But we caught them at a point of weakness when they accidentally gave their real name first. They had meant to give all of us the one fake name and nothing else. Am I right, Y/N?"
Y/N: "... p–pretty much..."
Amber: "Oh! I see! That's kind of sad, that you felt you had to hide your real self with us... But I'm glad you met Eula then!"
Eula: "And what, pray tell, do you mean by that?!"
Amber: "Oh, uhh... ehe!"
Noelle: "So, Baizho is not your real name, but Y/N is...? Do I have that right?"
Y/N: "Yeah... sorry for the uhm... for the duplicity."
Noelle: "That's okay! After all, you revealed it yourself before too long had passed. And you seem very upset over the fact, even when we had only spoken for a short while. I appreciate your care very much!"
She then smiled at me again, such a bright and earnest smile... I couldn't help but feel less worried and upset with myself when I am the recipient of it.
Noelle: "But I must be off now, I promised the hunters in Springvale that I would assist them in loading up their harvest onto the Transport Balloons."
Amber: "Again? But that stuff is really heavy! And I remember you'd hurt your back for a few days afterwards that last time..."
Noelle: "I'll be okay! I know the proper way to lift their produce now. I was just being too careful not to damage their property before. I'll be fine! And it will also be an excellent source of training for the next try-outs!
Eula: "That sounds like an excellent idea, Noelle. Although, I will be dropping by during my rounds to check up on you. Just to be sure."
Noelle: "Oh? No, no! You need not worry about me. I will be fine!"
Eula: "Hmph! I suppose you are rejecting my offer to aid you as you are looking down at me, as a member of the Lawrence Clan. Is that it?"
Noelle: "Oh no! Not at all! It's just that I would hate to take up a Knight's valuable time with something so menial!"
Eula: "Nonsense! I will be around in but a short while to assist you, and I will not allow you to dispute me on this matter!"
Noelle: "Oh... w-well, uhm... thank you! But I must be going now! Goodbye for now, Amber and Baiz— Oh! My most profuse apologies Y/N!"
Y/N: "Don't worry about it! Thank you for your understanding, and best wishes for your work today!
Amber: "See you later Noelle!"
Noelle then hurried of with a skip down the path that we were loitering on and out of sight once more. She sure is an efficient young lady!
Whilst my eyes were trained on Noelle's speedy departure, I did not notice the collusion occurring behind me until I turned back around.
But when I did turn back around, I saw that Eula had been whispering things to Amber, and that Amber had a big beaming smile on her face because of whatever she was being told...Should I be worried...?
Amber: "Sure thing Eula! I can do that! You can count on me!"
Eula: "Much appreciated. And with that, I should make way for my daily duties. This is where we will part ways for now, Y/N."
Y/N: "Huh?!"
Eula: "Well, until supper tonight, I suppose. Instead of accompanying me on my scouting, Amber has agreed to watch over you for me, to make sure you don't get into much trouble without my watchful eye."
Y/N: (... sheesh, you almost gave me a heart attack...)
Eula: "Hmm? What was that you mumbled? Please, do try to avoid speaking under your breath when addressing one such as myself!"
Y/N: "Oh, it's nothing! Really! Don't worry about it!"
Eula seemed content with my non-answer, which is fortunate – as I'm not sure I'd have the guts to admit I was kinda scared that she was kicking me out of her house so soon! She chuckled lightly to herself before then walking off from Amber and myself, in the same direction that Noelle had skipped off earlier.
Eula: "Have a pleasant rest of your morn, and do try to be productive."
Amber: "Don't worry about us, we'll be fine!"
Eula: "Mhm... I'm putting my faith in you, Amber."
And with that... very vague and confusing statement of hers, Eula walked off... and unlike Noelle, who wore a long maid's skirt, I made the conscious decision not to watch Eula leave... as much as I might have been interested in it...