Blessing in Disguise

Persuasion (I)

Y/n exhaled slowly as she stretched her arms and back, regaining consciousness again after yet another exhausting healing session in the late afternoon. 

She glanced at the clock, which was across from her, hung on a pillar in the infirmary of the cathedral. It was well over six pm.

Y/n slid her legs to the side of the bed and stood up. She winced a little at the injury on her thigh, but the pain was tolerable now. The nuns had told her it would take some time for her wounds to heal completely, but most of it was healed. Y/n inspected her wounds and immediately noticed how most of the flesh that were torn away from the hilichurl's claws were gained back, and all that was left now was a few large scabs that definitely would have blood gushing out if you bothered it too much, plus extreme soreness from her body adapting to the speeded healing process. 

She was about walk over to the door when it opened and two blondes walked through, one with a maid outfit and the other with twin tails. The latter widened her eyes at her patient, who wasn't supposed to be walking around yet.

"Miss y/n!" Barbara rushed to your aid when you stumbled a little. "You aren't supposed to be up right now! Please, sit back down. We have some stick honey roast and salad for you." 

Giselle set the food tray on y/n's lap once she settled back down onto the bed. Y/n thanked her and Barbara and gobbled down the meal, satisfying her grumbling stomach. Barbara had to hit her back in repeated motion when y/n choked a little from eating too quickly, telling her that eating at such a pace would make her sick. 

The plates were squeaky clean in less than five minutes, earning a delighted grin from Giselle and an overworked (she is Jean's sister, after all) I-am-not-paid-enough-for-this expression from the energetic idol of Mondstadt herself. 

Soon after a meal, Barbara gave you another quick healing session, not as tiring as the last one. This one was more for easing the pain, because the scabs didn't see much improvement now that most of it had been healed. Y/n smiled at Barbara, thanking her for her service. Barbara waved it off, saying it was her duty to treat the newcomers of Mondstadt in the best way that she can, in hopes that they would enjoy their stay. 

After the short interaction, y/n got up from the bed, explaining that she had to leave now because of private matters. Barbara frowned, only giving in when she saw the urgent look in y/n's eyes. She sighed, then told y/n to at least allow her to walk her out the cathedral. Y/n nodded.

Once y/n had left the cathedral, the trio shared their farewells. When Barbara was out of her line of sight, y/n turned to look at Giselle. 

"So, now I just have to go to the tavern, right?" 

During their long talks between meals and healing sessions, Giselle had told y/n that if she wanted to see Diluc earlier than initially planned and skip some healing sessions, she'd have to get a ride from the employees of the tavern today, who made a trip to the winery and back to restock materials every week. Knowing Diluc, Giselle assumed the return of the girl would stress him out, since he had planned on sending a carriage for her a few days from now. But there was no stopping this desperate girl. Giselle knew y/n would do anything to stay a little longer, because she would definitely fall into a financial struggle once she left the winery. 

"Ummm... about that, y/n..." Y/n looked at Giselle quizzically, as if asking for an explanation for her sudden shyness. Giselle chuckled nervously, then continued.

"Well, I forgot to tell you that master is... hosting a party... and you'd have to stay in the guest room until it wraps up." 

Giselle expected y/n to explode in disappointment, but she shrugged and continued walking towards the more populated part of the castle instead.