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Jean has been… oddly silent ever since her mother returned. Likewise, she sequesters herself in her office, not even Lisa being able to drag her out for some much needed rest. It was worrisome, all the knights knew, but as they caught the sight of Frederica Gunnhildr, striding in the headquarters with such grace, elegance, and power – it was hard not to understand.
Frederica Gunnhildr was… a character. The way she posed herself, movements and expressions so deeply trained, a true witness of the strict rules that followed the now vanished aristocracy. Although the Lawrences are the most prominent, both Gunnhildr and Ragnvindr’s are guilty of following the same worn path. Jean had told Lisa once, showed her even, The Gunnhildr Dance – Thunderous Blade . Granted, it’s been modified over the years, far away from the perfectly sculpted Lawrence waltz, but still very much a reminisce of their aristocratic days. While Jean detested it all, wanting nothing but fully abolish what Vanessa swore against, Frederica was still a stubborn woman. She saw it as a family heirloom more than… that . But, of course, Jean had thousands of other motives to hold her reservations against her mother. Although, Lisa doesn't… know about it. Jean never told her.
In fact, Lisa couldn't understand what the problem with Frederica was in general . Sure, she’s an omnipotent figure, imposing by her stature alone, but that… that’s something to be admired for, not despised. That was, of course, until a saturated golden hair peeked through the stairs of the library, revealing the senior Gunnhildr tantalizingly until she reached her full height. Lisa gulped, a wooping six feet tall in the very least, somehow taller than Jean herself. She was pretty terrifying. Her uniform was nothing like a normal knight’s, resembling more of a prince with the dozens of medals in her chest and tight dark blue vest, long white pants and even darker knee-length boots– a metal heel resounding through the library’s abused floor. She had both a coat and a tailcoat similar to Jean’s, although somehow more elegant and almost demanding. On both shoulders, she wore metallic grey epaulets, highlighting her authority as if the rest of her ensemble wasn't enough.
“Good evening, Madame Minci.”
Madame.
Sweet Celestia.
Lisa tried to compose herself, giving her best smile as she slowly rose from her seat at the desk. For the first time in years, the librarian was thankful she wasn't caught sleeping.
“How may I help you?” Lisa cleared her throat, already returning to her usual, witty self. Still, under her gloves, her hands began to sweat.
“I look for a book. A gift to my daughter, see.” The woman began, ever so cordial in her movements, a hand firm on her chest.
“I hear you know her well.”
There was a shift in tone, slight, barely noticeable, but Lisa knew – experience from Sumeru. It made her body shiver.
“You hear correctly. There's only so much I can do with my books, you see,” Lisa was careful with her words, her shivering voice almost betraying. “I know everyone well.”
Frederica narrowed her eyes.
“Naturally.”
There was an undeniable coldness in her voice, stern and almost accusatory. She nodded softly.
“Either way,” The woman swiftly continued, a charming smile on her lips that would fool just about anyone.
“Any recommendations for my daughter? A genre, perhaps, something she’ll be pleased to receive?”
Lisa gave the show of thought, humming lightly as if she didn't know Jean’s favorite book by heart. Still… she has heard much, now witnessing the woman in person… to tell her about her daughter’s guilty pleasure in cheesy romance novels… no thank you.
“Hmm. She is fond of Mondstadtian myths, the tales of Vanessa, to be more specific. She did tell me once, and I quote, “They help to keep me inspired”. I’m sure you can find those in the first floor, third row.”
Not a lie.
“Ah, of course. You know, some things truly never change.” Frederica laughed, that toothy grin so disturbingly similar to Jean’s own. “I remember back when she actually tried , reading all day long as the simpletons played in the park.”
Lisa held herself back from visibly cringing, something about her wording putting her in a state of… unease.
“She truly was something back then, you know. A shame she turned out to be like this.” She sighed, a mournful expression as she shook her head elegantly. Lisa raised a single brow.
“Like what?”
“Oh you know,”
?
“Lazy.”
Lisa’s blood began to boil, all of her self control being spent in making sure lightning didn't slip out.
“That is hardly true.” Lisa spoke through gritted teeth, smile faltering ever so often.
“Oh?” Frederica’s eyes widened, certainly not used to people disagreeing with her. Lisa almost smirked.
“She is plenty hardworking.” The librarian began, a hand trailing over the cover of a hard book. “Every day, she takes the weight of Mondstadt on her shoulders.”
Frederica scoffed.
“So did I at half her age. I appreciate your sentience, truly. Mondstadt has simply lowered its standards.”
Lisa wanted to talk back, defend her lover and prove this crusty old woman that her daughter was far more than what she was given credit for– but then there was a commotion outside, Klee barging in the library and being chased down by both Amber and Jean. Lisa gasped, worried the Spark Knight would set her books on fire. Frederica laughed, loud , obnoxious.
“I would've taken care of that spoiled child by now. Don’t patronize my daughter.”
Just like that, the woman left, her steps echoing louder than Amber’s yelling. It was a miracle Lisa didn't scorch the book under her fingertips.
—
The following day, Lisa decided not to knock on Jean’s office, bursting through the doors with little care.
Jean was undoubtedly startled, jerking her head up her papers and revealing the long eyebags that have done nothing but grow over the past week. She looked almost scared, those blue irises widened as if on the verge of tears. Lisa almost felt bad.
“Lisa? What’s wrong?” Jean asked worriedly, bracing both hands at the edge of her desk and standing, ready to jump into danger as per usual.
“Your mom.” Lisa stated blankly, closing the door loudly and twisting the lock. Jean’s eyes widened.
“Wha-”
“She’s an absolute bitch, Jean.”
The blonde looked baffled, eyes and mouth wide as plates almost comically. It took a few seconds, Jean processing what her girlfriend just said, but then her brows knitted, a tinge of fury on her face as a scowl twisted her lips.
“Excuse me?”
Now that was a dangerous tone, bordering between politeness and anger , one she used often when dealing with tedious rookies.
Lisa cleared her throat, no intent on backing down but certainly softening her voice. She thought Jean would agree with her, not take the side of the one woman she openly avoids.
“She was in the library yesterday,” She began carefully, taking a seat on the couch of Jean’s office like she often would. The knight stayed upright, piercing blue eyes boring to Lisa’s form as the dim moonlight highlighted her form from behind.
“Everyone goes to the library, Lisa.”
“Let me finish.”
Jean sighed, sitting back down and moving a singular pile of papers to look at Lisa from the side.
“She spoke of you, Jean.”
At this, the blonde flinched, almost on instinct, a guilty look on her face.
“It wasn't praise, quite the contrary in fact. She said you were lazy, that she wishes you would work as earnestly as you did in your childhood days. Said she worked as hard as you at half your age, speaking on how Mondstadt lowered its standards.”
Jean was curling into herself at every word, shame creeping into her already watery eyes as her anger was nowhere in sight. Now it was Lisa’s turn to grow peeved.
“What the fuck, Jean.”
Lisa’s tone was nowhere near furious, any less threatening. She was disappointed. A rare sight indeed.
Jean sighed again, long and drawn out, melting against her chair and pressing her palms firmly over her eyes in frustration. Lisa witnessed, not saying a word as she waited for a response, worry blooming in her chest as the earlier guilt settled in her stomach, never imagining to see her lover so distraught.
“Look– I– She’s right, you know.”
“ Pardon? ”
“I need to work harder. I’ve been taking it easy, it’s time I get some sense knocked into me.”
Lisa frowned, not exactly surprised by the answer but equally disturbing.
“No, you don't. In fact, you deserve to work less. Take it even easier .”
Jean’s protest was immediately silenced by a stern glare, the blonde gulping and sitting back in her chair.
“You’re the most hardworking individual I’ve ever met, Jean. Not only that, you’re selfless, caring, kind and you never turn anyone down, no matter how dumb or mundane the request is.”
“But mother would–”
“I don't care for what your mother did. If she burnt herself out years ago, that’s her problem, not yours. Times change, Jean, you’re doing more than enough.”
Lisa’s tone softened, a weak smile on her lips as she studied Jean’s expression. She meant every single one of her words, truly, but she knew it’d take more than weak reassurance for a life-long engraved mentality to fade. It would take time, a lot of time, but that’s ok. Lisa is willing to wait. Willing to help Jean through the path and remind her it’s ok, no matter how long it takes.
“You’re patronizing me.” Jean said, automatic, trained.
“I would never patronize you, Jean.”
It took some time, seconds, perhaps even a minute, but a single tear rolled down Jean’s cheek. Small, minuscule– and then she sniffed, her mouth a wavy line and struck with glassy eyes.
Lisa immediately stood, quick to run into Jean’s arms as tears painted her cheeks and chin, hugging her tightly as Jean aggressively nestled her head on Lisa’s shoulder, weeping and sobbing against her lover.
Lisa kissed everywhere she could reach, her hands a tight grip on Jean’s cape as her eyes shut tight, whispering small comforts to the knight’s ear.
Amidst tears and sobs, Jean had it in her to speak, weak and mumbly as if it strained her throat.
“Do… Do you really mean that?”
Lisa’s brows knitted, her lips held up in a sorrowful frown, softly kissing at Jean’s temple, both love and sadness storming in her mind.
“Every word, Jean. Every word.”
The two began crying, holding each other through it all as sobs echoed in the Grand Master’s office.