"I read all your reports and they're all really concerning," Julius said, frowning, as he was looking towards a horizon only seen by him.

Based on Marx' face, the Wizard King actually did read the reports, for once. Which was rare enough to be noticed.

"Not only we have some heavy anti-bastard movement within nobility on our plate since those past few months, but now also we have bastards turned criminals, attacking nobles, Magic Knights, even commoners and peasants. So basically everyone."

"It is indeed concerning. From what I witness myself, most of them are bitter, vengeful with their situation and using the unfairness of it basically as excuse to hurt others, for their entire behaviour." William sounded sad and Nozel could very well imagine why. The captain of the Golden Dawn was a bastard himself, after all. One who was rehabilitated, as the nobles says, but still. Those last months haven't been easy for him too, on many levels.

"The problem is, we can't always know if they're telling the truth or not," Marx told, looking at some paper, probably a report. "During the interrogations, I found out that while most were telling the truth, some were lying about their status as bastard. We still need to determine the reasons for their lies, though."

"Yeah, the last one my brats arrested was probably one of them." Yami took a long drag from his cigarette. "Always screaming that he's some kiddo from a noble house, but couldn't tell which one. He basically changed it every two sentences, so it's fair to assumed he only came up with this story."

"Is it also possible that some of those people doesn't know that they're illegitimate children from a noble house?" Kaiser asked and Nozel had to admit that it was a very good question.

"This is very possible and a reason we should be cautious. Who knows how many bastards ignores their lineage? Who knows who of those new criminals are lying or telling the truth? Well, with Marx' magic, that last point would be easy to find out once they're in custody. But what about the others? Given the current tension in the kingdom, those who don't know about their lineage might learn it in the worst way possible and be thrown into this mess without understanding what's happening to them. And those who know, but hidden it for years."

Silence followed Julius' words. He still looked like a child, but no one in this room would put this serious statement into question because of it. Nozel sighed quietly. He had no idea how and why exactly those rumours about bastards and related scandals began exactly, neither how it grew to become such an issue for the kingdom. First more and more nobles begun to be more anti-bastard, to a point that it become kinda a coalition of some kind. Then those new appeared criminals, bastards or pretending to be so, using their unfair status as an excuse for their felonies.

Basically all Magic Knights, so many people had hoped that there would be a more peaceful time after the war in Spade had ended. But now, a new crisis appeared. It almost seemed like there wasn't any break to catch. After all, some aftermath from the attack of the Eye of the Midnight Sun had still been lingering.

"Is it just me or did this anti-bastard movement started to be louder and have more power after Nozels-"

Rill quickly put his hands on his mouth, but it was too late. Anyone understood what he was going to say.

Nozel closed his eyes, very aware of the looks that were now on him.

He didn't blame Rill, actually. What he was going to say was true. A simple fact. Since his own bastard scandal has been made public, thanks to his father, the rumours surrounding illegitimate children and everything else linked to it, stopped being just subtle and became so much louder to a point that the Magic Knights had to deal with it.

What a sad irony of Fate, really. For the biggest part of his life, Nozel had always done what was expected from him as a royal, despite being never enough for the other two royal Heads of House. Always being cautious, basically lived of expectations from others. He put anything and anyone before himself, the reputation of his house and squad, his siblings happiness – even though that one was still very important to him.

There was a time when he would have sacrificed himself into a political, arranged marriage, so that Nebra, Solid and Noelle would have more freedom to choose their spouses, to have a chance to marry out of love. But that was before Vanessa.

And for the first time Nozel actually allowed himself being at least a bit selfish, it has to put fuel on a fire, make it grow.

He shouldn't feel guilty, but he did. At least a bit, but probably more than he should. There was already tension in the kingdom and he put Vanessa and himself in an uncertain situation, more complicated than it should be.

But Nozel couldn't regret anything involving Vanessa and Aimée. Facing his situation was horribly difficult, but regretting the woman he loves and his sweet daughter was impossible.

Vanessa might have been out of his circle, being a Black Bull and a witch. But falling in love with her was one of the best things that happened in his life. She was amazing, the kindest heart, her true affection for Noelle, her own terrible past and the strength she had dealing with it… Nozel couldn't imagine of any better woman to love, to spent his life with. He was glad that he took the risk and jumped into this new experience.

As for Aimée, she might had been an accident and since he and Vanessa weren't married, she was born as a bastard. But she was also one of the best things he got since his mother died. When he learned about the pregnancy, even though he already thought about the difficulties and consequences, he already loved his child. His daughter and Vanessa's, a child of love.

Nozel wanted to be a good father for Aimée, not like how his own father was to him and his siblings. He regretted that right now, it looked like he couldn't assure her the life and future she deserves. Her and Vanessa. It has already been difficult find a solution while the relationship and pregnancy had been a secret. But after his father made it public, the difficulties were raised on another level.

Was it selfish of him? To simply wish to be happy with Vanessa and Aimée? That wasn't too much to ask, but so many things almost made it feel like it.

"It is a difficult situation, but that's why we have to work on this matter and fight against any injustice caused," Julius said with determination. "We have to try and find any bastard who hasn't turned criminal yet, to protect them from the coalition. It would be difficult, not everyone can know about their origin. Any knight strong in task forces, search and detective works, shall be trusted with those missions. Search not only in the Forsaken and Common Realms for illegitimate children, but also in noble houses. It's also possible that some nobles took their bastards in and hidden them for various reasons. Be careful though, try to stay as subtle as possible. Watch out for any anti-bastard rants in your squads, calm down protesters as much as you can before it turns into an angry mob. When we find bastards, be it adults or children, we have to protect them. By the way, Charlotte, how is it going with your father about Luck?"

Oh, Nozel almost forgot about that. Not long after the war in Spade had ended, Charlotte had found out that her father had once an affair with commoner and the offspring had been Luck Voltia from the Black Bulls. A son he never recognized, leaving the poor mother alone with the child. Nozel didn't know the details, but Charlotte had been disgusted by her father's behaviour and against his wishes, she went to know her brother better. According to Vanessa, Luck had accepted very well having a sister. Especially since it was a captain, so a strong person to fight with.

Because of this, Charlotte had been one of the first ones to offer her support to Nozel and Vanessa, after the scandal became public.

"Not as good. My father is this close to disown me. The only thing that holds him back is the fact that if his own scandal becomes public, it would put a lot of shame on house Roselei. But I don't care what he's planning to do. I know my position, I'm not ashamed of my brother and I will stay at his side."

"That's the spirit! Now, we all know what it's needed to be done. I trust you to tell your squads about our decisions. You can go now."

The captains saluted before going out of the room. Yami and William were the first leaving Headquarters, the taller looking like kinda reassuring the smaller. Nozel sighed. When would those two finally get together? It was obvious that something was going on between them.

Although, Nozel only knew because Vanessa told him.

Fuegoleon quickly put a hand on his shoulder, giving him a simple, reassuring smile, before leaving as well.

The captain of the Crimson Lions was a pain most of the time, but Nozel was genuinely grateful to his rival for his support. Even though it was going against the wishes of his grandfather, the current Head of House Vermillion.

Nozel never liked Achilles Vermillion. This man was strict, arrogant, proud of his house, always looking down on many others, especially on him. When Nozel became Head of House at fifteen, Achilles already had to point out every so little mistake he made back then, always criticising every decision Nozel made, pretending to help him but in reality, it was just to enjoy seeing him struggle.

How many times did this old man actually tried, sometimes with success, to make things more difficult to him? Achilles once tried to came up with a hearing to kick Noelle out of royalty and Nozel had spent basically weeks to stop it from happening at all. Or the time when Achilles pushed some noble Houses to send any disgusting marriage proposals to the Silvas, only to make House Silva look kinda bad after almost every rejection.

Achilles was also a very good friend of his father. But the worst was, the Head on House Vermillion was secretly thrilled by Nozels current uncertain situation. It must have been a treat for this old man. He was horrified, offended even that a royal, another Head even dared to put himself with a woman lesser than his status and having a bastard was basically the worst. But Achilles was also enjoying seeing Nozel struggling in this situation.

What had he ever done to this old man? Or his mother? Achilles seems to have disliked Acier as well. Another reason why Nozel couldn't stand him at all.

As for Augustus… well, he was stupid, but enjoying seeing a royal he disliked being embroiled in scandal. But it doesn't matter what those two were thinking about him and Vanessa. Both royal Heads would probably never understood the bond between them, their love for each other and for their daughter.

Nozel sighed. He didn't want to think about Achilles and Augustus. Or of his father. Or of any of the nobles that couldn't stop talking about how offended they were of the situation. Either that or they still tried to offer marriage proposals for Nebra, Solid and Noelle, even for himself. Just a week ago, Nozel received a proposal, from a lord that apparently had a daughter who couldn't have children, stating that she could accept the bastard – Aimées name and gender were still a secret, thankfully – as her own, implying that she could be a way better mother than the Drunken Witch. Nozel had thrown the proposal into the fire.

He hated it so much when Vanessa was getting insulted. He wouldn't allow anyone to talk or even think less about her. He did felt some pity for that noble's daughter though.

Nozel sighed again, running a hand down his face. So many details, so many things to think about or that he couldn't help but think about… He would get a headache with all those thoughts. Besides, he needs to tell his squad about the decision on the meeting. Check on Noelle and Nebra as well. They went to the royal library today, looking for a solution for him and Vanessa; the new teamwork of his sisters was at least a good thing in all this mess. Maybe there would be news from Solid. He needed to continue his research, looking for a useful loophole or anything that could.

But who was he kidding with? Actually, all Nozel wanted to do was to return to the cottage, to be with Vanessa and Aimée. He needed to find a solution, to get them all of this situation. At the same time though, he just wanted some peaceful, happy time to have with his family.

"Nozel?"

The captain of the Silver Eagles turned to his side as he just went out of the Headquarters. He sighed in relief as he saw his Vermillion aunt. That was a nice surprise and a welcoming one too.

Océane Vermillion had been the second person about his relationship with Vanessa, right after the Wizard King. Nozel regretted that he didn't let her help him and his siblings during all those years after his mother died. But maybe Achilles wouldn't let her. But now, she helped him and Vanessa a lot with their difficult situation and Nozel was eternally grateful to his aunt.

"Care for a walk, dear nephew? It's been a while since we talked."

"Gladly."

He offered her an arm and together, they walked back to the castles.

"You look exhausted, Nozel. Well, I understand why. But you really shouldn't overwork yourself."

"I know. But I have to find a solution. It hurts me that Vanessa is in this situation, she didn't deserve it. And we can't raise our daughter in uncertainty."

"Of course not. But you're not alone, you know that, right."

"I know."

"Let others help you more. Such a heavy burden shouldn't be carried alone."

"Vanessa told me the same thing."

"And she is right, dear nephew."

That was something his mother had told him too. Years ago. She had told him that he can rely on others, when a task might be too heavy to carry alone. Back then, Nozel hadn't believed her. His mother always looked like she was doing all of her tasks and duties alone. According to Julius and Océane, that was even the case. Maybe she told him this because she didn't wanted him to go through what she went through.

Too bad that he inherited her stubbornness and her pride of House Silva.

"Do you think… that mother would have helped me?"

"Of course! I knew my sister. Her children were her biggest strength and weakness. She would have helped you in this situation, with all her might. And I'm sure she would have loved Vanessa. Not to mention her first grandchild. I mean," Océane giggled, "I'm rather happy to be a great-aunt myself."

That was true. Nozel remembered the first time his aunt came at the cottage, after Aimée was born. She had been so thrilled, amazed by the baby in her arms.

Nozel took a moment to look at Océane. Despite her being almost fifty, he could see the resemblance she shared with his mother. Of course, her hair was curlier, her eyes were blue, not purple. But still, one most have been blind to not see how Acier and Océane Silva were sisters.

"What were your plans for today? No wait, I can see what it is. Checking on your squad, look if Solid has sent a letter, talking to your sisters and overwork yourself to exhaustion again in order to find a solution." Océane sighed as she shook her head. "You're so much like you're mother when it comes to this. Actually, I should rather ask, what do you want to do for the rest of today?"

"Pretty obvious, don't you think? Spend the evening with Vanessa and Aimée. But-"

"Don't you but me, dear nephew. That is exactly what you're going to do. You can write to your vice-captain, she will look that your squad get the news. You can come with me to greet your sisters and then fly to the cottage. As for any news from Solid, I'll sent it to you as soon as I get a letter."

"Achilles will not be pleased that you're helping us this much."

"That is his problem, not mine. I let him hold me back for way too long. Besides, knowing him he would sent me his wife to scold me. You know poor Violet Vermillion, all she can do is softly telling what her husband is saying and do her needlework. That won't be enough to stop me."

Nozel smiled a bit. It was true. Achilles' wife basically always stood in the shadow of her husband, perfectly obedient to him and too soft to raise her voice. Achilles married Violet for her ancient, noble name and because she would birth him heirs. That's all.

This would never be what Nozel would want for Vanessa. For him, she was so much more and one day, he would show it to those royal and noble bigots. But they had such a long and stony way before they could reach it.

But now, maybe it was better to do what his aunt suggested. The perspective of spending the evening and the night with his little family already helped him to calm down a bit, despite the uncertain situation.

Nozel walked the way he already knew by heart. Usually, he would felt uneasy to walk between those graves, only to get a grip on himself in front of his mother's grave.

But not this time. He was calmer and if maybe he felt uneasy, it wasn't because walking between all those other graves.

He put a little bouquet of forget-me-not flowers in front of the tombstone, only to look at the name graved on it.

Acier Silva.

It was difficult, but Nozel still tried to imagine his mother in front of him, instead of the gravestone. He knew she wouldn't answer him, that it was cold stone and not is mother that he was looking at. But Nozel did it anyway. He wanted to believe that she could hear him, wherever she was now. It would be easier for him to talk if he imagined his mother instead of looking at the grave.

"Good evening, mother."

Nozel knew it was only his imagination, but he saw his mother smile at him. It made it easier to continue to imagine.

"I'm going to be a father."

Acier looked surprised, but she still smiled.

"It's… well, for me, it's more a happy surprise than an accident. I just learned it yesterday."

Not in the best circumstances, honestly, but he didn't blame Vanessa. After all, she was on a mission and barely learned it half an hour before she and her squadmates found themselves in a fight.

And he learned in the very same battle, because Julius had sent him with Yami and William to help them. Yami had been scolding Vanessa for being way too careful – which had been worrying Nozel, knowing her – but she didn't pay attention to her captain. Instead, Vanessa looked directly at him and put a hand on her belly. At that moment, Nozel knew.

It was only thanks to the fight that no one else realized back then. Except for Gordon Agrippa.

"It might be complicated. Vanessa and I… aren't married, our relationship is still a secret. We were planning to go out of secrecy slowly. But now…"

Having a child didn't made things easier for them, that was certain. But Nozel also know that he already loved this child. How could he not?

"Vanessa is a witch, so she is out of our circles. But I can't imagine loving any other woman than her. I wish you could met her, mother. You would love her. She is… wonderful."

Nozel wished he could say more instead of just wonderful. There were so many ways to describe Vanessa, but right now he couldn't came up with any of them.

"I wish you could be here, helping us. I have no idea what lies in front of us. All I know is that I won't give up on Vanessa and our child."

His mother smiled at him proudly and Nozel couldn't help but smile too. Maybe it wasn't just his imagination, after all.

It was raining outside. Actually a soothing sound. But not as soothing as the lullaby Vanessa was singing to their daughter.

She was softly rocking Aimée in her arms while singing. Nozel lied next to her on the bed, eyes closed, listening to the lullaby. Vanessa had such a beautiful voice. It was not only helping Aimée to sleep, but also helping him to relax.

Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby
Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay
And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow
Bless you with love for the road that you go

May you sail far to the far fields of fortune
With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet
And may you need never to banish misfortune
May you find kindness in all that you meet

May there always be angels to watch over you
To guide you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm

Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay

May you bring love and may you bring happiness
Be loved in return to the end of your days
Now fall off to sleep, I'm not meaning to keep you
I'll just sit for a while and sing loo-li, lai-lay

May there always be angels to watch over you
To guide you each step of the way

To guard you and keep you safe from all harm

Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay

Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay...

As Vanessa finished, Nozel sat up and leaned down to kiss his daughters forehead. Aimée slept already and her mother put her back into her crib before coming back to him.

"Here, let me."

Vanessa began to take of his braid. Nozel let her do it. It had become a habit since they started their relationship, to let her make his braid in the morning and unmake it in the evening. Nozel found it soothing and he knew it was the same for Vanessa.

"Here, all done. It's always a treat to see your forehead."

She giggled. Nozel just shrugged. He was so used to her gentle teasing about his braid, he came to enjoy it. Her teasing that's it, not Yamis and Jacks.

Vanessa cuddled to him and Nozel embraced her tightly, lying down with her. It was all so peaceful. He could almost forget how uncertain their situation actually was.

"This is all I want."

"What do you mean, honey?"

"Those peaceful moments. Being with Aimée and you… it's basically all I wish for. If only it wasn't so uncertain."

"Right now it isn't," Vanessa whispered, kissing him softly on the cheek. "Right now we have it. What we have to do now is to make it permanent, not temporary. That's why our families, friends and squads are helping us. We're not alone in this, Nozel."

"You really sound so certain."

"It's also to reassure myself. After all, I'm worried too. I wish I could help you more instead of being stuck here."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It was my idea, not yours. I choose this, it was the best for our child. After the mess you're father made… Where is he staying, anyway?"

"Probably one of his families manors or one of the Vermillions secondary residences. I don't know and I don't really care."

"He's not at the Silva Palace?"

"He tried once to get in. But Nebra kicked him out and even if he's going to try again, she and surely Noelle as well won't let him."

"Only for this, I like your sister a bit more. I wish I could see her and Noelle kicking your father out of your palace again" Vanessa chuckled.

They went silent, just holding each other, listening to the rain and to Aimées soft breathing.

How was he so stressed out today, only to relax in Vanessa's arms? Nozel knew that those desperate, uncertain feelings would come back once he returns to the capital, where the tension was the worst.

It was like this cottage was not only a place to hide from the ones who were against them. It was also like a sanctuary for them and their little girl. A place where they were able rest from the uncertain situation outside. To enjoy the moments the anti-bastard movements would deny them.

Aimée might be a bastard, but she was first their daughter.

Nozel leaned down to kiss Vanessa. She deepened it, pulling him closer to her than he already was. The kiss was soft, but still very passionate.

"Vanessa…"

"Hm?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, Nozel."