Chapter 18: Conversations

TWO WEEKS LATER

The Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
Raque
Morning

"How are you feeling?" Kahono asked.

Noelle replied, "I'm better." She and Kahono were in a bistro in Raque, sitting at a table outside of it, enjoying the warm Raque weather. Noelle had purposely traveled to Raque to speak to Kahono in person. There were some things she needed to talk about with her girlfriend before Noelle lost her nerve. To say that the nightmare didn't affect Noelle was a lie. She had nightmares. All the Black Bulls had nightmares and very late nights. Noelle hadn't gotten a good night's sleep in the last two weeks.

"Tell me that again when you don't have bags under your eyes, sweetie," said Kahono, mildly. "You know you can talk to me about anything."

"I know," said Noelle. "It's just...hard. The nightmare, dream, whatever, gave me my mother back. She was happy and my father was happy and my siblings were happy again. And it was everything I had ever hoped for." Having no mother would always be a hole in Noelle's heart. She blurted out, still as awkward as ever, "But I didn't have you. Kahono, in the dream, I didn't get the cure for you and Kiato. The thought of you never singing again because I failed? I hate that so much."

Kahono's eyes widened for a moment. "Oh."

"And I hate that part of me wanted to stay there because I had my mother," said Noelle, softly.

"Noelle," said Kahono, seriously. "Of course, you wanted a world where you had your mother! I want a world with my mother too! It's not selfish to want that. The nightmare wasn't your fault, you didn't come up with it. It was the worst kind of torture for you. Things like that affect your mind."

Noelle took a sip of the coffee and mulled over her words. "I just worry I don't love you well enough..."

Kahono frowned. "Noelle, there's no doubt in my mind that you love me wholeheartedly. Love isn't something you can quantify. This is your siblings' fault by the way that you think that. Noelle, you are my best friend and the love of my life. You are so precious and I adore you with every fiber of my being. You always give everything your all and more. I love you, Noelle, so much."

Noelle's eyes watered. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," said Kahono, gently. "Someone attacked your mind. You can't expect to just be okay with that immediately. I'm here for you, always."

Noelle sniffled. "Thank you. I love you too, Kahono."

Kahono reached across the table and took Noelle's hand in both of her hands and squeezed it. Kahono grinned, and said, "Let's get out of here and go for a swim. It'll clear your head a bit."

"Okay." Noelle was truly lucky to have someone as wonderful and understanding as Kahono as her girlfriend.

The Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Somewhere near the Black Bulls' Base
Morning

"Where are we going, Yami?" Charlotte asked as she followed Yami through some woods nearby the Black Bulls' base. He had sent Finral to pick her up from the Blue Rose's base and no explanation as to why. Charlotte followed Yami's lead anyway, as curiosity got the best of her.

"It's a surprise. Relax a minute, would you?" Yami said, nonchalantly.

Charlotte rolled her eyes. He had been acting so strange since he woke up from the sleeping curse, but he hadn't wanted to talk about what he dreamed while under the curse. Charlotte worried but knew that Yami would eventually tell her. After all, he wasn't used to talking about his feelings. She sighed.

Yami went through some bushes and Charlotte reluctantly followed, when she heard running water. Yami had led her to a small pond, a beautiful small pond that had a stream heading towards town. "Noelle made this." Yami said as a way of explanation. "What do you think?"

"It's wonderful," said Charlotte. "But that doesn't tell me why you brought me here."

"I brought you here for some quiet, Charlotte," said Yami. "There's too many ears at the bases."

Charlotte giggled. "Too true. Our squads are very..."

"Nosy and intrusive," said Yami, finishing. "Anyway, I gotta talk to you."

Charlotte straightened and went serious. "Of course, Yami, anything."

"We should get married," said Yami.

Charlotte gapped. "What?" Charlotte wondered if she was the one in this dream this time. Yami can't seriously suggest getting married. He hadn't even met her parents yet! Sure, they've been together more than a year. This was too much for Charlotte's mind to take.

"Let's get married," said Yami. "We've been together long enough that a big fancy wedding is in order. I mean, I don't intend on being with anyone else but you. And life is too short to waste on worrying about the right way to do things. So what do you think?"

"Are you serious?" Charlotte asked. "Like a hundred percent serious right now? You mean it?"

"Charlotte, I love you," said Yami, awkwardly as ever and not looking her in the eyes.

Charlotte hated that she had to be the responsible one. "I love you too, Yami, but this doesn't have anything to do with the nightmare, right?"

"No."

"Yami."

"A little? I don't know, I've been thinking about it for a while anyway. You were dead in my nightmare, Charlotte. And it just reminded me that I don't appreciate you enough," said Yami, solemnly, too solemnly for him.

"That doesn't mean we have to get married right away," said Charlotte. "We can be engaged if you want. And when you're ready to actually get married, we'll get married. Simple."

Yami laughed. "I knew I liked you for a reason."

Charlotte scoffed.

"Now that is out of the way," said Yami. "Wanna go skinny dipping?"

"YAMI!"

The Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
The Black Bulls' Base
Morning

"What time is Langris coming over?" Finesse asked, sitting next to Finral on the couch, holding hands. Vanessa's normal spot was free as Vanessa wandered off elsewhere today for some reason. Finesse was mildly worried about the Black Bulls. There were so many late nights. Some wandered the base at night. Charmy lived in the kitchen. Vanessa's booze had to be locked and the key hidden by Finral. Finral woke up every night, clutching Finesse like a lifeline and she could do nothing but hold him.

"Like an hour," said Finral. "Charmy left snacks for us, but I don't think he'll say long as he is a Captain and very busy."

Finesse hummed. "Sweetheart, he's not going to be mad that you want to talk about your father and Liliane."

"I know, but I don't know what to say," said Finral.

"You'll know," said Finesse. She rested her head against Finral's shoulder. She squeezed his hand in hers. He still hadn't told her what he dreamt about in the Nightmare Realm, but she won't push him. She just wanted to help him, because she worried frightfully for his mental health.

Finral sighed. "Since we have some time, I should ask. Do you want to get married?"

"Only if you do," said Finesse. She was happy either way. If she and Finral never got married, it wouldn't matter to her because they would still be married in their hearts.

"You deserve a wedding," said Finral. "And I would like to, yes."

"Do you wish to marry soon?" Finesse asked. "A small wedding of our friends."

"How about this weekend? We can go to Hage and get married by Father Orsi." Finral said.

Finesse sat up straight and said, "That's mighty bold of you, Finral. Are you sure?"

"Yes." Finral said, staring into Finesse's eyes. "I love you, Finesse and I want to call myself your husband."

"Then, let's do it. Langris will certainly be surprised when he finds out," said Finesse.

"Surprised by what?" Langris asked, entering the Black Bulls' base. "Brother, Sister, why have you called me here?" Langris looked as contrite as ever, wearing the Silver Eagles' robe and the Captain's insignia on it.

Finesse nudged Finral to stand up.

Finral stood up and went over to Langris and pulled him into a hug.

Langris grunted. "What?"

"I just wanted to see if you were handling Liliane's death," said Finral. "She was still your mother, even though she did a lot of bad things."

Langris pushed Finral away. "I'm fine. Mother made her bed and she died because of it. Father is thinking of retiring, as his name is besmirched by what Liliane did. Soon I will have the Vaude House to restore and the Silver Eagles to lead. I will be quite busy."

"If you overwork yourself, Mimosa will scold you," said Finesse.

"Yes, she will," said Langris, admitting it far easier than Finesse thought he would. "I will have to come with a plan, perhaps someone to mind the Vaude duties while I'm working as a Magic Knight Captain. Perhaps Father's brother or sister wouldn't mind."

Finral said, "I can help."

"Nonsense, Brother. You have more than enough work as Vice-Captain to your rag-tag team and you must take care of Sister," said Langris. "But what surprise were you speaking of?"

"We're getting married this weekend," said Finesse, cheerfully. "Oh! I know. I could run the Vaude while you and Finral are busy being Magic Knights. It'll give me something to do!"

Langris yelped, "You're getting married already!?"

Finral looked at Finesse and Langris in shock.

"Well, that could work," said Langris, after he processed the upcoming wedding. "But that means you'll have to go to Magic Parliament meetings in my stead."

"That's fine with me," said Finesse. "I've been before with Mother. I am a scholar, you know."

Langris said, "Then, we have a plan. So, this wedding, when and where?"

The Clover Kingdom
Common Realm
Nean
The Orphanage
Morning

"Brother, please stop hovering," said Marie. Grey and Gauche had come to visit Marie on their day off. Sister Theresa had unusually agreed to let Gauche visit outside of his authorized visits. Marie figured that Sister Theresa felt bad about what happened with the sleeping curse. As much as she wished for him to wake up and be okay, in a matter of a few days after he woke up, her brother's overbearing behavior chafed against Marie's independence. Marie pleaded, "Grey, please, can you take him away?"

Grey giggled nervously. "W-we h-have the d-d-day off. I p-promised to stay the wh-whole d-d-day."

Marie pouted. "But I have to train, um, I mean I have schoolwork to do."

Gauche caught the slip-up. "You're not still training with the old hag, are you? I told you! You don't need to be a Magic Knight, Marie! I'll take care of you forever."

Marie scowled. "Brother! I can take care of myself! And I want to be a Magic Knight to help people, like you!"

Grey stuttered out, "G-Gauche! Marie is g-growing up. She-she needs to-to d-d-do th-things on her own! M-make her own c-ch-choices."

Gauche crossed his arms and scowled too.

"Oh, are they having a scowling match?" Sister Theresa asked, entering the living room of the orphanage. "You see their similarities as siblings when they both have a scowl and glare on their face. I don't know how to feel about that."

Marie kept scowling. "We don't!"

"You do," said Sister Theresa. "Grey, you still have time to get away and find someone else. You'll be stuck with two stubborn Adlai otherwise."

"Rude," Gauche and Marie protested.

Grey giggled. "I'm o-okay. I l-l-love th-them."

Marie stopped scowling. "Oh! I love you too, Grey!" Marie hugged Grey.

Gauche sighed and hugged both Marie and Grey. "You're still not becoming a Magic Knight, Marie."

"Try and stop me, Brother."

The Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
Royal Capital
Silva Castle
Early Afternoon

Nozel rubbed his temples as he had his siblings in his office at the Silva Castle. Solid and Nebra were bickering and Noelle looked like she wanted to leave, which was usual. Nozel said, "There's a lot of work to do to repair the family after what happened. I need your help."

"What can I do? No one likes me," said Noelle, shrugging.

"We are going to plan a dinner with all the relatives that I know can be swayed to our viewpoint," said Nozel. "We need to rebuild the Silva House into a better, more powerful house."

Solid yawned. "This is just you wanting to beat Fuegoleon at something again. It sounds like so much work."

Nebra shoved Solid. "Stop complaining. I'll help. I already know the people that won't think the progressive ideas are horrible. I'll send out feelers for others. Gossip is the best way to figure this out, Brother. And I am very good at that."

"Again, what can I do?" Noelle asked.

"Keep succeeding in your missions with your squad. Unfortunately, your squad has all the peasants in the Magic Knights," said Nozel.

"You mean Asta, Zora and Magna," said Noelle, sighing. "I mean, succeeding in missions is nothing."

"Unless you want to help Nebra with gossip," said Nozel.

"Missions are fine," said Noelle. "I'll corral Asta, Magna and Zora on missions with me then."

"I've already spoken to Langris about implementing Vivian's idea of what she calls sensitivity training for nobility and royalty as introductory training for new Magic Knights," said Nozel. Nozel glared at Solid. "And Solid will be the first person in that program."

Solid said, scowling. "Fine, whatever."

"Anything else?" Nebra asked.

Nozel sighed. "I wish to also run something else by you three."

His three siblings looked expectantly at him. Nozel breathed in and out calmly and said, "I have pondered a serious issue. Noelle, you have told me that you and Kahono intend to marry in an Underwater Temple ceremony. Nebra, you have all but shown me that you and Vivian will be together. Solid, you have Alecdora, though you have denied it. Though, they are not traditional relationships by the terms of royalty, I've accepted them and denied any offers of arranged marriages for you."

"Please tell me that you are not marrying someone for a political reason," said Noelle, horrified.

"No," said Nozel. "I have decided to change the marriage rules of the House as well. There is someone that I...may have feelings for and they are..."

"Ask Vanessa out!" Noelle blurted out. "I knew it!"

Nebra cackled. "I knew it too. You should go for it."

Nozel sighed. "I guess I was obvious?"

"Yes," said Noelle and Nebra.

"What?" Solid asked.

Nozel shook his head. "Very well. Thank you for the, um, support. That's all I wanted to say."

"Good luck," said Noelle, smiling widely. "I'm so happy for you."

"Me too," said Nebra.

Solid said, "I guess, me too."

Nozel didn't want to talk about his love life anymore with his siblings so he asked, "Noelle, would you like to stay for dinner?"

The Clover Kingdom
Common Realm
Nean
Early Afternoon

"Ugh, remind me again why I brought you two to help me find a present for Klaus?" Magna asked. His Ma and Luck were being complete pains in the ass, picking out the most obnoxious things to give to Klaus. After waking up from the sleeping curse, with the heavy thing that William dropped on him, Magna intended to ask Klaus out on a date. But it was easier said than done when Luck found out his plan and then, Luck told Ma. They both came with him to Nean, whose shops usually had reasonable prices.

"Because you're hopeless at romance," said Ma.

"And you have terrible taste in everything," said Luck.

"You're both menaces," said Magna, grumbling. "Let's try the bookshop next, though I doubt there's anything there that Klaus would need." Magna needed to get Ma and Luck out of the shop as the shopkeeper kept glaring at them, and Magna did not feel like doing extra missions to pay for damages for another shop. He grabbed Ma and Luck by the arms and dragged them out of the store towards Nean's local bookshop. Magna waved at Rebecca as they passed by the restaurant where she worked as a waitress. Rebecca was a firm friend of the Black Bulls, even if her boss banned them from the place.

They entered the small, poorly lit bookshop. The bell rang, indicating to the shopkeeper that they had guests, but no one was at the counter. Magna looked at Ma and Luck. "Let's look for some mystery novels."

It took them several hours, but Magna finally found ones that he was sure that Klaus didn't have, no thanks to Ma and Luck, who got distracted by colorful comics. The shopkeeper eventually returned to the front and checked Magna out. Ma bought Luck the comics. They left the bookshop and Magna felt confident that he was going to be able to ask Klaus out without being embarrassing.

"So me and Ma are gonna go get some food," said Luck. "Later!"

"Bye, baby. Good luck," said Ma, waving, as Luck dragged her to the nearest food stand.

Something in the back of Magna's mind made him immediately suspicious of his best friend and his mother. What did they do? Magna almost regretted introducing those two, almost. Magna decided that Ma was more than enough to babysit Luck, so he went to find where he parked his broom when he turned around and found Klaus standing right beside Magna's deck-out broom.

"Klaus?"

"Magna! Your mother messaged me saying that you wanted to meet me here," said Klaus, waving, politely.

Magna said, "Ah, yeah." Matricide is against the law, remember that. The bag of books he had for Klaus felt like bricks in his hand. "Oh! Yes, these are for you!" Magna handed Klaus the bag. "I hope you don't have these ones."

Klaus peered inside the back. "Why! These are the earliest works of an author that my sister likes. You can find the best gems of literature in the most nondescript of places. Thank you! I'll lend them to you when I finish reading them."

Magna wasn't known for being reckless for nothing, so he just went for his question. "Would you like to go on a date sometime? If you have time."

Klaus blinked a couple of times before his face flushed red. "I w-would like that a lot!"

"Great!" Magna grinned. "Do you want to get some food now?"

"Yes, yes I would."

Alright, Ma, this time I won't give ya a hard time about meddling. Magna thought as he and Klaus walked side-by-side to the nearest bistro.

The Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Tolsa
Late Afternoon

Kirsch had a very strange two weeks since the sleeping curse ended.

After the incident worked itself out, Zora told Kirsch that Zora needed some time on his own and left. Kirsch, of course, gave Zora the space he needed. Levi and Cornelia were convinced that Zora was going to break up with Kirsch. But they didn't know Zora like Kirsch knew Zora. If Zora was going to break up with him, Zora wouldn't beat around the bush, he'd just do it. No, Zora did some time to think about something-something that likely had to do with his father. Kirsch waited patiently.

He thankfully didn't have much time to dwell on Zora as Captain Dorothy needed constant care and the Coral Peacocks' squad was spread thin. Captain Dorothy hadn't woken up nor did she visit anyone's dreams, which worried Kirsch a lot. Kirsch reasoned with himself that Captain Dorothy just needed a super deep sleep to recover her mana after all the stress she put herself through to get the Black Bulls' souls to safety.

Work piled up on Kirsch's desk for the last two weeks, until Zora climbed through his office window and asked Kirsch if he had some time. Kirsch knew that paperwork could wait, but Zora couldn't. He told Levi and Cornelia that he'd be gone for several hours and to read through mission reports for him. He went with Zora and they traveled to a small town in the Forsaken Realm, Tolsa. Tolsa, Kirsch knew, was Zora's hometown, though he didn't often speak of it as it held memories of Zora's father Zara. But the town was not the location, as Zora led Kirsch by the hand outside of town into the forest that surrounded it. Kirsch didn't dare ask what Zora was thinking until Zora was ready to talk.

What Kirsch didn't expect was to be led to a small, unkempt graveyard. "Zora?"

Zora squeezed Kirsch's hand. "Come here." Zora showed him a gravestone, a plain stone with two writings on it. It said "Zara Ideale '' in plain, professional blocky letters. Underneath it was carved "Best Dad and Super Magic Knight '' in Zora's handwriting. "I wanted to introduce ya properly."

Kirsch's eyes welled with tears. Zora brought him to his father's grave. Squeezing Zora's hand back, Kirsch said, "Hello, Mr. Ideale. I'm Kirsch Vermillion. I love your son very much and promise to take care of him."

Zora made a strangled noise. "You're embarrassing."

Kirsch smiled widely at Zora and kissed his cheeks, despite the mask blocking skin contact. "Darling, you brought me to visit your father, the least I can do is state my intentions."

"Yeah, I guess," said Zora. "This isn't the only thing I wanted to show you. Come on." Zora and Kirsch left the grave and walked some distance to a little shack in the woods. "This is my childhood home." Zora entered and Kirsch followed in. It was a simple one-room home with the kitchen, living room (if it could be called that), bedroom, and bathroom all in one room, but it was homey and well-lived in. And suspiciously free of dust.

Kirsch smiled. "Did you clean for me?"

"Yeah, well, there was a lot of dust. Been at the Black Bulls a lot lately," said Zora, shrugging. "Um, you wanna sit down?"

There was a beat-up gray and brown couch in the center of the room, so Kirsch took a seat there. He patted the spot next to him and Zora sat down. "What was this all about? You know Levi and Cornelia fear that you are going to break up with me."

Zora snorted. "If I was gonna do that, I'd have done it two weeks ago and not made you wait. I'm an asshole, but not that much."

Kirsch leaned against Zora and said, "Talk to me, love."

Zora sighed. "When I was in the Nightmare Realm, I dreamt that I had my parents. My dad and my mom. I never told you about my mom, Amalie. She died when I was just a baby from a bad illness one winter, so then it was just me and my dad. My dad really loved my mom, but he never remarried. I was happy to have them, seeing them aged, happy and in love. But like most things too good to be true, I didn't have you. In my nightmare, you married Prudence and you were miserable and the thought of you being anyone else broke my heart. Kirsch, I love you."

"Oh, I love you so much," said Kirsch.

"And I'm sorry," said Zora. "I'm sorry that it took me so long to bring you here and show you parts of my life that I kept away from others. I know practically everything about you, because you have your family and friends to fill in stories, ones that you don't tell me because you get embarrassed that you're a dork. I don't have that. Twenty-five years of my life can only be shared by me. I didn't have anyone until the Black Bulls and it's hard for me to talk about myself. And it shouldn't be hard with you. You're my partner, the person I want to spend the rest of my life with, and I want you to know that I'm going to work on being more open with you."

Kirsch nudged Zora. "Zora. You don't have to apologize. I'm not going to push you to talk about things that make you uncomfortable. I know that you love me. You show me all the time."

"Don't settle for my crap behavior," said Zora, snapping. "Sometimes, you do need to push me. I'll tell you if it's too much."

Kirsch sighed. "I think we are at an impasse. Zora, I want to know everything about you, I do, but you can do it in your own time. We have the rest of our lives, don't we?"

Grumbling, Zora made Kirsch look at him.

Kirsch's heart melted at the serious look in Zora's pretty blue eyes. That mask gets in my way all the time.

"If you want to know something about me, then ask and I'll answer," said Zora, seriously.

"Okay," said Kirsch, agreeing. "That's fair."

"Good," said Zora, sounding resolute.

Zora is so cute. I love him so much. Kirsch said, "But Zora, my heart, my love, you owe me something."

"What?" Zora asked, confused.

"Where are my kisses?" Kirsch asked, teasingly.

Zora smirked. "You are such a brat, pretty boy." Zora loosened his mask, making it unwrap loosely. He leaned over and kissed Kirsch on the lips.

"Kiss me like when you woke up," said Kirsch, feeling a bit bold. He loved Zora's kisses.

"I will, but only if you have some time to stay?" Zora asked, his darkened gaze making Kirsch's body warm.

"I always have time for you," said Kirsch, pulling Zora to him and kissing him with no intention of stopping any time soon.

The Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Sosshi
Restaurant and Bar
Evening

Vanessa yawned as she finished up another beer at the bar. She had left the Black Bulls' base to give Finral some space to speak to Finesse and Langris. She was still reeling from the sleeping curse. The man called Reeve Enoteca wasn't her father. Vanessa was sure that she'd know her own father if she ever met him, or if he was even alive. Somehow, Vanessa doubted that the man who dared sleep with the Witch Queen was alive to tell the tale. She sighed and wondered if he was safe to go back home. Vanessa felt like she could use a nice bath with a nice bottle of wine.

"I figured if you weren't home, you'd be nearby," said a familiar voice.

"Oh, hello, Nozel," said Vanessa, grinning. "What brings you by to see little ol' me?" She wondered why he came all the way out to the Forsaken Realm from the Royal Capital to come and see her. They were friends for sure and yes, she did have a crush on him, but it was quite a trek, especially at nighttime.

"Would you let me walk you home?" Nozel asked, awkwardly.

Vanessa smiled. All the Silva siblings were so awkward-Nozel and Noelle were endearingly so. "That would be nice." She paid her tab and grabbed Nozel's arm like she was escorting him back home after a date. "So, handsome, how's the politics and family drama?"

"Could be better," said Nozel. "I almost regret retiring from being a Captain. Almost. And somehow I can't get away from paperwork."

Vanessa laughed, "HA! Poor you. Sounds tough." They walked out of the small town of Sosshi towards where Henry placed the manor. It was a lovely evening out, not too cold but not warm or humid. "So, seriously, what's up with you? I know I'm more much fascinating than anyone, but you have something on your mind."

Nozel sighed. "You are infuriatingly perceptive when you want to be, even when you're pretending to be more drunk than you actually are."

"Don't be telling my secrets, honey," said Vanessa, glibly. "Out with it."

"Would you like to get tea sometime?" Nozel asked, ears getting very red and a light blush appearing on his cheeks.

Vanessa blinked once. He just asked her out, just like that? "I'd like that." Vanessa only ever had offers of sex, never nice, polite dates where you got to know someone. "And in return, I'll take you drinking some night."

"I can't hold my alcohol well," said Nozel.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of you," said Vanessa. "You forget that I dragged Charlotte out and she's got the worst tolerance I've ever seen."

Nozel sighed. "Tea, next week maybe?"

"Sure. I'll wear something nice," said Vanessa.

"You always look beautiful so what you wear won't matter," said Nozel, who then turned bright red after he realized what he just said.

Vanessa laughed. "Oh, you're a charming one, aren't you? We will have grand fun with each other."

As long as Yami doesn't try to murder him, that is...

Glamour World
Nighttime

William knew immediately when he was in Dorothy's Glamour World, as he was a frequent visitor and he knew the vibe of the world. He found himself on a comfy big sofa with a cup of tea in his hands. Across from him, on another big sofa, sat Dorothy. William smiled. "How are you feeling, Dorothy? No one has heard from you in a couple of weeks?"

"Sorry," said Dorothy, truly sorry. "I really needed to go into a deep sleep to recover. I just spoke to Kirsch to find out what was happening. I heard about the deaths. Mel is still alive though. Suspicious, but that's...good."

"You didn't answer my question," William stated.

"I'm feeling okay," said Dorothy. "Not in top shape, but that's what the sleep will do, restore my mana and strength. I hope that I haven't worried you too much, William."

William put the teacup down on the table and said, "I was very worried. I didn't know when you were going to wake up."

Dorothy frowned. "I'm sorry."

"I just...you wouldn't let me help you," said William. "You wanted to deal with your sister on your own so badly. I wanted to help you."

"She was my problem," said Dorothy.

"And so was Patri for me," said William.

Dorothy's eyes widened. "Oh. Oh, William. I'm so sorry. I didn't realize. I had been mad at you for the same thing I did in the past. I guess I'm just a bit ol' hypocrite, huh?"

"I love you and I don't want to see you hurt," said William. "I will always be glad to help you."

"What?" Dorothy asked.

"What?" William asked.

"You love me?" Dorothy asked.

William choked. "Erm."

"How long?"

"Since we became Captains?"

"William! I had been in love with Fuegoleon back then! Oh, I hurt you so much," said Dorothy, tears welling up in her normally bright purple eyes. Dorothy jumped out of her seat and crashed into William, giving him a great big hug. "We need to talk to each other about the important things more, don't we?"

"I would like that," said William, smiling softly. "I love you."

Dorothy said, sniffling. "I'll take you out for dinner. Or maybe we'll just have dinner in Glamour World. I'm not sure when I'll wake up."

William laughed softly. "Either way, it will be wonderful. But we both agree, we talk about the very important things, so we don't keep things from each other. And we are allowed to protect each other, even when the other is stubborn."

"Yes, that's lovely," said Dorothy. "Just lovely."

The Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
Golden Dawn Headquarters
Nighttime

"Asta?" Yuno said.

"Hmm?" Asta replied sleepily.

"You're heavy," said Yuno, sighing. "I need to breathe."

Asta let up his hold on Yuno just a smidge that let Yuno breathe easier. To Yuno's surprise, Asta had become very attached to Yuno, visiting Yuno at the Golden Dawn Headquarters every night to lay in bed with Yuno. Asta was always gone by morning, but Yuno knew that Asta needed this, so he didn't complain. Not that he would complain, he loved seeing Asta every day like when they lived in Hage. (Mimosa and Klaus teased Yuno too much).

"Are you gonna tell me about what you saw?"

"Nope. It doesn't matter. You're here with me and we're together, that's all that matters," said Asta.

Yuno sighed. "I love you but you are in pain. I'm never leaving you. My heart belongs to you. It always has."

"I know. It was just so real," said Asta, voice tight with uncertainty.

"But that was fake. We're real," said Yuno, stressing his point. He kissed Asta on the forehead. "We're real. I'm not leaving you. We have to fight it out for the Wizard King after all."

Asta chuckled. "I love you fiercely and forever, Yuno."

"I know." Yuno shoved Asta off on him and rolled on top of him. Yuno kissed Asta lightly on the lips. "I know."

The Clover Kingdom
Forsaken Realm
Hage Village
Hage Church
That Weekend

"It's a beautiful day for a wedding," said Nero, as she sat outside of Hage Church where Finral and Finesse had just finished exchanging their vows and rings and were now kissing as husband and wife. She sat between Asta and Noelle. On Asta's other side was Yuno and on Noelle's other side was Kahono. The wedding had the Black Bulls and their significant others, several good friends, Lady Finesse's mother, Asta and Yuno's family, and the people of Hage.

"Lady Finesse looks so beautiful," said Asta. "Finral looks so happy. I'm so happy for him."

"Love can conquer all when given a chance to bloom," said Nero, feeling rather poetic today. It was truly times like these that her heart ached for Lumiere's companionship again. The nightmare/dream had been unnecessarily cruel to her. If only… She wished that she was able to save him so that he could live in this new world with her, but it wasn't to be. In another life, maybe, they'd be together.

Noelle and Asta put their arms around Nero and hugged her.

"We know you miss him," said Noelle, softly.

"He's watching over us," said Asta, gently.

Nero smiled. "Yes, I know. Thank you."

"May I present to you Finral and Finesse Roulacase, our newlyweds!" Father Orsi announced. The food is out back!"

Everyone began to stand up and head towards the other side of the church where a potluck was set up (everyone brought dishes, and extra food was supplemented by Charmy and her parents). Nero watched Asta, Yuno, Noelle, and Kahono stand up. Asta held his hand out to her. "Let's go get some food, Nero."

Nero shook her head and didn't take the hand. "Give me a few minutes. I'll catch up."

Asta and Noelle traded looks but nodded. Noelle said, "Don't take too long."

Soon the chairs were empty of wedding guests and Nero was alone. She glanced over to where the remains of Licht's devil form lay and turned into an anti-magic bird.

Flying away, she landed where Lumiere had been frozen in stone and in time, but no longer existed there. She sat on the spot where Lumiere disintegrated in her hands and closed her eyes.

Secre Swallowtail breathed in and out.

I miss you, my Prince.

Moments later, she flew back down and transformed back into a human. She joined her new family for food and drink, celebrating Finral and Finesse's marriage when she heard yelling.

"Nero! They have strawberry cake!" Asta called. "I got you a slice!"

Nero sighed and said, "Asta, you have to eat an actual meal first!"

Yuno sighed, standing next to Asta. "I know, I told him."

Nero sighed again. "Really now."

"Charmy will eat all of it, if we don't get it now," said Asta, protesting.

Nero grinned lightly. "That's true. I suppose, I'll have that slice then."

Asta grinned widely.

"Move it losers, Charmy is in wolf-hungry mode!" Zora called out from his seat next to Kirsch. Zora gestured to Charmy who was just piling food into her mouth at a quick rate.

"Uh-oh!"

I wouldn't have this life any other way. Nero thought, amused, as she quickly maneuvered. Dinner was at stake, after all.

~fin

The Black Bulls were rescued! And many people came to new beginnings together and hearts were strengthened!

More to come in January 2022 with "Moonflowers" featuring William/Dorothy and "Heart in Full Bloom" featuring Nozel/Vanessa

Notes: