So I disappeared last week without a warning, I'm sorry. Luckily this chapter was already half written, so I could finish it today. I don't know if I'll post it next Saturday because the fanfic is getting to a crucial plot point that I can't say here without being a spoiler for those who don't follow the manga, but anyway, I need to carefully write the next steps. Wait for me, and thank you so much for reading!

[Black Clover characters' belongs to Yūki Tabata]

[I'm also on AO3 with the same username]

CHAPTER 6

Star Awards Festival

Nozel P.O.V.

"Why is everyone so noisy?" I thought as soon as I saw a group of commoners pass in front of me. They didn't even seem to care and didn't even bow to show respect to a member of the nobility.

I held tightly to Nebra and Solid's hands as we walked through the capital's streets. Nebra was wearing the finest silks in the realm from head to toe, while Solid looked like a little lord in his cloak, which because of his short height dragged along the stone floor.

We came to watch the Star Awards Festival, something I hated.

I loved seeing the Silver Eagle squad win, especially when the competition was between us and the Crimson Lion, but it was different when my mom was here. She let me stay with her close to the other captains, far away from the people without decent magic who seemed to be swarming the capital these days, but she was unable to attend this year, she had just given birth to my new sister and Nebra and Solid seemed bored at home, as their last letters had a certain air of sadness that worried my mother, so I decided to bring them to the festival to have some fun and to make my mother happier.

What wouldn't I do for my family?

- I want one of these! - Solid pointed to the balloons shaped like animals that a man with a round appearance and a big mustache levitated with his fingertips.

- Okay - I replied, I didn't have much to do with Solid, after all he was a child and children liked flashy and useless things - better buy an eagle.

I handed a gold coin to Solid, who ran towards the man.

- Can I buy one? - Nebra asked as soon as Solid walked away.

- Aren't you too old for balloons?

Nebra twisted the corner of her lips, and I could tell there was disappointment on her face.

- Buy two - I said, handing her two coins - and take care of Solid for me, okay?

- Oh, are you going to meet your girlfriend?

- My what... - My face turned red before I knew it - Go buy the balloons before I give up.

Nebra nodded with a smile and gave me a kiss on the cheek before running after Solid. Her pink eyes were glowing. I would have to find a way to keep her in line before she influenced Solid and our new sister. No, I wouldn't let her turn Noelle into a naughty child.

Even though she was the second oldest in the family, Nebra was so mischievous, always looking for a way to joke and prank, even with the servants. Lately I seemed to have become her newest target, especially after she caught me with Corinna in my room at night...

I started paying more attention to the people around me after I thought about Corinna. She came to the festival every year, always in the company of Leon and me, but as I was out of town I didn't have time to send her a formal invitation, and even if she did I don't think we would be able to spend as much time together as I was with two noisy children and would have to go home soon since I had to leave later that night. My mom couldn't take care of Noelle by herself all the time.

I looked for Solid and Nebra in the crowd; they were playing with other children, who by their clothes looked like children of wealthy families. Everyone had a balloon in their hand, while Nebra had two. I smiled with pride.

- Are you sure you're going to eat them all? - I heard a familiar voice nearby.

- It takes a lot of energy to create portals - another voice, this one even more beautiful, which made me run my hand through my hair and clothes, trying to be well presented - so I'm almost always hungry.

I saw Corinna before she noticed me, walking beside Fuegoleon as she held four kinds of meat on a skewer, two in each hand. Her green hair was down and seemed to have grown in the time I was gone, as it was almost reaching her waist, but her dress was gold, making her look like a dandelion.

- Nozel! - Leon waved when he saw me, with an honest smile on his face, but I couldn't help but shoot him a warning look. Why was he here with Corinna and why were they alone?

- I didn't know you were back! - Corinna ran toward me, wrapping her arms and the meat skewers around my neck.

- I didn't have time to let you know I was home - I said. Since Corinna was too close I started to worry if my face looked okay, since I'd had a few sleepless nights since Noelle was born. Babies were scary - and what are you two doing here alone?

My question sounded a bit ridiculous, I had to admit to myself, as the festival was crowded.

I didn't care much of what Leon wore every day, as he always took turns in the same training clothes, but I noticed that he looked like he had dressed up especially for this occasion with a clean shirt and a jacket with the Vermillion crest. Even his stupid red hair was slicked back. He looked almost as well dressed as I was.

How pretentious.

- Corinna's father couldn't come so I offered to bring her - Leon replied. There was no malice in his tone, he sounded sincere, which made it even more irritating.

- I didn't want to miss it! - Corinna said, excited as always.

Her gaze was always lost on anything interesting that passed near us, balloons, colored ribbons, itinerant musicians... Everything that moved seemed interesting and different to her, thanks to her secluded reality. There was a girl singing nearby and Corinna seemed a little mesmerized by the music, taking a bite of meat at the same time.

I made sure of staying by her side then, holding her arm so she wouldn't get lost following another inviting food stall. When I looked at Leon, I noticed that he was staring at us for a moment, and then he smiled and turned his face away.

There was something moving on his shoulder, something red and sharp. It was only then that I realized that his younger brother was hanging from his arm. Leopold peeked at me out of the corner of his eye, and then grinned wide, showing his sharp fangs. He looked a bit like Leon, if you looked closely, of course, as from a distance he looked more like a stray cat.

I could hardly believe that Noelle and Solid would have to grow up with this weird little thing as a rival.

- So how's your sister? - Corinna asked. Her face still had the same happy expression as when she saw me, but I could tell she was a little sad, maybe because I'd neglected her a bit.

- She's fine - I replied - Noelle is smart and very pretty, but also very whiny.

- As a baby should be - Corinna replied, now with only two skewers of meat in her hands.

- I'm sorry I wrote few letters to you...

- You only wrote to me once, Nozel.

I almost choked on that comment. But it was true, unfortunately. I needed to write more to Corinna, I told myself I would do it while I was away, but the house my mother was in was too far and there were few servants... She was worried that someone might hurt Noelle because she was a captain of the magic knights, so I didn't want to risk.

- But I understand - Corinna sighed - the important thing is that your mother and sister are safe and healthy.

I nodded silently, wondering if I should still apologize for something. Leon was walking a few steps ahead of us, with his brother still slung over his shoulder as Solid and Nebra followed the fireworks that appeared in the sky.

Corinna sighed again, so I started to suspect something was wrong.

- And what are you doing while I'm gone? - I asked - Besides walking around with Leon all the time.

- I'm studying - Corinna replied, to my surprise.

- Studying? Really? - I tried to hide how shocked I was.

- Yes - she nodded - a friend of mine needs help and I decided to study to try to do something for her.

Double shock. Now it was impossible to hide.

- A friend?

Although all the nobles and heirs of the capital were on good terms with the head of the Magic Parliament, Corinna's father was lonely all the time, refusing to attend even the meetings offered for entertainment.

So who was this friend she was referring to?

Corinna stopped pacing and bent over to give a big-eyed boy who had been following us for a long time the last skewer of meat she was holding. Probably a hungry commoner.

- I've discovered that I'm not the only one who lives surrounded by stuff but feels alone - Corinna said - there are other people like that, even worse than me.

- But you're not alone - I took Corinna's hand, bringing her closer to me - I may not be with you every hour of the day, but my thoughts definitely are.

- But that will soon change too - Corinna said, her brown eyes looking so lifeless as night fell - when you get your grimoire, and your training for the magic knights will become more serious, so your thoughts will soon be full of worries, just like Leon.

- When I become a magic knight my only concern will be to make the realm safer for you, so you can open portals wherever you want, see the landscapes you want, and then come back to me.

Corinna smiled, but not the way I wanted. She didn't realize it, she still couldn't see how much I wanted to work for her to be safe and well.

- The idea of staying at home and knowing that you will be out there, in danger all the time, will make me more worried than happy. But I know I can't make you and Leon change your mind now.

She rubbed her eyes, perhaps to ward off the tears that could be forming, ready to fall down her face.

- I don't want to spend my future the same way as my present - Corinna let go of my hand - alone in a huge house. I want to receive my grimoire and then travel the world, see different places, I want to talk to a lot of people and know why some have magic and some don't, and why we think we can treat poorly people that are different, and I want to go to other kingdoms, see everything that is hidden in the borders.

Oh, how her eyes lit up as she uttered each word more fervently than the last. Corinna seemed to ignite like a flame, which then went out as she sighed again.

Leon approached us then, but I barely saw him because I was just looking at her, realizing that our plans were very different.

But I wanted to make everything line up.

- You can't spend your life like this, traveling like a homeless woman, as if you didn't have a name to uphold.

- And what do you suggest? - Corinna crossed her arms, challenging me.

- Why don't you two stop it? - Leon intruded. I should have thanked him, but I was so immersed in the argument with Corinna that I didn't react.

- LET'S APPLAUD THIS YEAR'S STAR AWARDS FESTIVAL WINNERS…

We were taken by surprise by the voice coming from the main stage. I hadn't realized it was already so late.

- …THE CRIMSON LION SQUAD!

Both Corinna and I suddenly stopped fighting when we heard the result. And I saw that Nebra ended up letting one of the balloons slip out of her hands.

We didn't expect that result, not a defeat after so many years in the lead.

-Well, it's understandable - Leon said - since your mother wasn't very active in the squad this year.

I was surprised by his attitude. Leon didn't celebrate or played pranks to make me feel worse.

- I'll take the kids away from the crowd - Leon said, as several people were walking in our direction to the main stage, hoping to see the Magic Emperor, but he wasn't here this year, just the captains and some of his subordinates.

Corinna stood in the same spot, her hands restless until I took them again.

- I'm sorry about the result - she said.

- I don't care about the result because when I become captain every year I will be victorious. I want you to make me a promise, but this time one that you will keep, since you seem to be making portals all the time...

Corinna nodded. Her expression was that of a child caught in the act.

- Don't run away from me when you have your grimoire, don't disappear into the world, okay?

- Okay - Corinna replied, still a little downcast.

- And I promise - I continued - that when we get married I'll make sure you don't stay at home all day waiting for me, after all you have dreams too.

Corinna looked up, but I couldn't read her expression after I brought up the subject of 'marriage'. I could only think "don't reject me, please".

- I need to go now, Nozel Silva - she said - my father said I could stay until the winning squad was announced.

- All right - I replied - I imagine Leon has to take you home...

- Yes, to my shinning prison.

I quickly kissed her hands before Corinna walked away, still with her head down, and ran towards Leon, who left Nebra and Solid with me again before the two of them disappeared into the midst of those people.

Leon held Corinna's hand as she chose the best place to open a portal to her house, and I saw the rose-filled garden that surrounded her mansion.

I wanted so badly to go with her, to make a better marriage proposal and to be near her all day, but I had another duty to fulfill.