Vanessa was nervous.

She wished she wasn't, but well, that was just a wish, of course. And honestly, she had good reasons to be.

Pregnant.

She just learned she was pregnant. On a mission. Almost right before a battle against bandits. Nozel wasn't there at first and Nero, the only Black Bull who knew about their relationship, hadn't been part of the mission.

Vanessa had felt a bit nauseous those past few weeks, but honestly, she didn't thought much about it. She had been more tired too, but first she believed it was because there were more and more missions the Black Bulls were sent to.

But Vanessa realized as well that her senses increased, some smells were now horrible for her. Like wine, which was a pain but not a bad thing since she was pregnant. The smell of fire was also a distaste, Vanessa now often left the room when Magna used his fire to fight against Luck. And mood swings, which was pretty unusual for her. So much that it came to her squadmates asking which mood she had right now, each time she entered a room.

But even when her period was missing, Vanessa didn't thought about the possibility about being pregnant. How stupid. Nozel and her had slept together rather often, if one time they forgot protection… But Vanessa thought that it was something else, she wasn't even worried this much.

When she was sent on this mission with Noelle, Gordon, Gauche and Finral, Vanessa went to the healer of this town, just see what she had.

It was like a punch from Asta when the healer lady told her that she was pregnant. A real shock. She hadn't even been able to digest the information, to find a way to tell Nozel, to make anything with this news. She didn't had time anyway, the bandits were spotted and the other Bulls were already ready for a fight.

During the entire battle, Vanessa was less fighting the enemy and more doing everything to be careful, to not put at risk the little life growing in her belly. Gauche was yelling at her, Finral was very concerned, Noelle worried so much she almost lost control, only Gordon had been calm and composed. Which made the fight more difficult, to a point that Finral decided to call Headquarters for help.

Three captains had come. Yami, William… and Nozel. Of course, her own captain had to scold her, for being too careful or like he said, to act like she was made of fricking glass that could break at any moment, forcing him to come just as he was about to take a well-deserved dump.

But Vanessa didn't care for the scolding. She just looked Nozel deeply in the eyes, putting a hand on her belly. Thankfully, Nozel understood directly, immediately starting to fight while also protecting her.

No one but him seemed to have noticed her gesture. Simple, but obvious. Because of the fight, no one else realized.

And now there she was, in an empty room of the towns inn, while the three captains – or rather, Nozel and William – were discussing the final matters with the mayor while her squadmates were doing something else.

Vanessa asked Nozel to come to see her in private. They really needed to talk.

Like so many times today, Vanessa put a hand on her belly. A baby. Her child and Nozels. She still needed to get used to the thought. But it was the truth and she needed to get used to it.

This sudden pregnancy might complicate things for her and Nozel. Because of their too much different circles and the stupid bigotry of royalty and nobility, their relationship was still a secret. The original plan had been to take their relationship slowly out of secrecy. They were ready to fight, but it was risky. One wrong move and whatever they could try would be turned against them.

Nobility and royalty even more were so complicated. Sometimes, Vanessa regretted that time when she was still naïve, unknowing and uncaring about how nobility works. But it was better that she understood it now, so she could help Nozel.

A child wasn't the best thing to get slowly out of secrecy. Not at all. They never even talked about having children, that was supposed to be way too far ahead to plan, even for Nozel. Vanessa never had the chance to consider herself as a mother.

But still… despite being aware of the difficulties that lied ahead and despite being still under shock from the news, Vanessa couldn't help it. That child growing in her belly… she loved this little one already. Her child, Nozels child as well… how could she not love her son or daughter?

Vanessa let her hand run up and down her belly. It was hard to imagine that a new life was about to grow in it for the next months. Technically speaking, she wasn't really alone in this room. A foreign thought. Vanessa had no idea how she'll get used to it. She would, surely, somehow… but it was way too new for her.

There was a knock on the door. Three short, four long. Their signal.

"Come in."

Nozel quickly entered and closed the door as Vanessa stood up. She wanted to hug him, feel his warmth and his arms around her, but she found herself frozen to the spot.

Why couldn't she move? She shouldn't be scared, she shouldn't have doubts! Vanessa knew Nozel at this point, she was today probably one of those who knew him the most. She refused to doubt, she refused to fear his reaction!

But Vanessa didn't had time to curse her frozen body, Nozel didn't waste any minute to come to pull her against him in a tight embrace.

"You only learned it today."

It wasn't even a question. His voice was soft and caring.

"Yes."

That was all Vanessa could answer. Honestly, she had no idea what to say. Even though they needed to talk about this.

Vanessa leaned on Nozels shoulder, closing her eyes. Savouring the fact to be in his arms, that he was here. It helped her calm down her spiralling thoughts, at least for a bit.

She wished Nozel could say something, because she could come up with nothing to say. But it must be the same for him. She just couldn't push it on him, to be the first to speak. If only she knew what to say.

She felt his arms tighten around her, before he actually spoke. "I won't abandon you and our child."

Relief washed over her. It was good to hear it, even though she actually knew already. Vanessa knew the real Nozel since a long time, maybe even since before they started dating.

"It will… well, complicate things a bit, right?"

"Yes."

A simple answer, but it confirmed what Vanessa already suspected.

Nozel let a bit go of her, only to softly caress over her belly. Vanessa couldn't help but sigh. She might get used to this kind of touch.

"We should be cautious. These past few weeks, there were some unpleasant rumours about bastards running among nobles. Bastards were already looked down upon, you know that. But it's getting a new level of intolerance lately."

Shit, there was another catch. Vanessa almost forgot that. Those rumours were subtle, but it gained an importance that even the Black Bulls heard about it. Well, some of her squadmates gave it more importance than others and they were in an investigation concerning Luck. His father, who he never met, was maybe a noble. But who? That was the mystery.

And there was another factor that Vanessa forgot in her spiralling thoughts.

"Well… it's stupid, but…"

"What is it?"

"I… forgot that our child will be born as a bastard."

"Come on, you're not stupid, Vanessa. You just had a rough day."

That was true. But the fact was there still. Their child will be born as a bastard. They weren't married and considering what she had learned about the bigotry and prejudice in nobility, Vanessa was pretty sure that a secret wedding wouldn't help either. Because it would be secret, the nobles would surely doubt the legality. Nozel had shown her some documents about past secret wedding scandals and the stories mostly ended in a tragedy.

At least, the accusation of adultery couldn't be hold against them. Neither her nor Nozel were married at all.

"What will we do?"

"I have no idea."

Nozel hugged her again, kissing her temple. Vanessa sighed as she held herself close to him. Of course he had no idea. They just learned that they were going to be parents. In their situation, it wasn't simple at all and Vanessa didn't have the strength right now to worry about the details.

Hopefully those anti-bastard rumours won't become a problem later.

"Honey… I have to say, that whatever comes, at least I already love this child."

"So do I."

Vanessa finally relaxed more than a bit. That was so soothing to hear. And to realize it as well. It was a rough day, she hadn't learn about her pregnancy in a calm way. But she already loved their child and Nozel did it as well. That was reassuring.

They hold each other for a while, like they were in their own little world. So they were rather surprised when the door opened again and Gordon came in. Holding a cup of tea.

"Here, I think it would be good for the baby."

So he knew. Gordon looked even sorry.

Vanessa shared a look with Nozel. One important topic they didn't thought about yet. Until now, only three people – four with Marx – knew about their relationship. Julius, Océane and Nero. No one knew yet about the pregnancy, except for Gordon and of course that healer lady who had seemed like she didn't care if the woman she examined was at risk to be embroiled into some scandal or not.

"I thought no one realized my… gesture, given the battle," Vanessa sighed as she sat down on the bed, grateful for the tea.

"I don't think anyone else but me noticed," Gordon explained calmly. "I saw it because you were unusually cautious during the fight and then you glared at captain Nozel as you wanted to hypnotize him, while holding your belly. I also remembered that you gained strange habits lately, like your mood swings and your sudden distaste for wine. Adding all this together, I came to the right conclusion."

Vanessa had no idea if it was creepy or touching that Gordon was this observant. Well, she decided that it was both. It was actually a blessing for Nozel and her that it was Gordon who noticed. She highly doubts that Gauche or Finral would have been able to keep the secret due to the shock. Noelle, that sweet girl, would surely be shocked for days. And Yami… well, she didn't want to think about his potential reaction yet.

But captain William maybe would have been just as silent and considerate as Gordon.

Nozel sighed, before turning to the poison magic user. "It is a delicate situation. I am not ready to take any risks that could harm Vanessa and our child. It is still a shock, we don't know what our next steps are going to be. Will you please keep the secret… and help us, if we need it."

Vanessa couldn't help but look at Nozel with all the pride and love she felt for him. Asking Gordon this was a huge step forward for him and he didn't even put on his usual cold mask of a captain while asking. It wasn't the first time that he put his pride aside for her, but the first time he did it in front of someone he didn't know that well. How could she not love Nozel Silva, honestly!

Gordon looked startled at the captain of the Silver Eagles. Understandable, he didn't know this side of him. But he nodded, putting a hand on his heart. Vanessa smiled as Nozel thanked him with a nod. Having another Bull on their side wasn't such a bad thing.

"I will leave you alone, then," Gordon said with a soft smile, unusual for him, before turning to the door. He looked like he had plenty of questions still and Vanessa could imagine that it was about how she ended up with Nozel Silva of all people. But of course, Gordon was kind enough to not push.

At the door, Gordon turned towards the couple again, asking, "Shall I bring you something?"

"If you find it, some orange flavoured chocolate would be nice."

The two men had a stunned expression while looking at her.

"I'm sorry! It's just… since a few weeks, I really, really wanted to eat that kind of chocolate, but I didn't know it was due to the pregnancy. I had no idea, so I never said it out loud… but I really wanted to. Shit, I never ever thought to ask Charmy to make me some, is that normal for pregnancy habits? Well, forget it Gordon, I'm just nervous, that's all."

Gordon only nodded slowly, before leaving the room.

Vanessa sighed, almost pouting. Indeed, why didn't she just asked Charmy? She would have been happy to try something new. And why was she so worked out about chocolate with orange flavour anyway?

Must be her current state. She really needed to get used to the pregnancy.

"You really turn me into a moody, nervous mess, you little one."

And now, she was even scolding her womb, or rather the little life in it.

She heard Nozel chuckle as he sat next to her, embracing her while putting a kiss on her cheek. That was enough for Vanessa to calm down.

The next morning, orange flavoured chocolate from the most renown chocolatier of the kingdom had been sent to her. Nero and Gordon shared knowing glances, Charmy wanted to try them immediately and the rest of the Bulls were just surprised that she got expensive chocolates. Vanessa said nothing. She just thought that only for that, she had the best boyfriend ever.

The sky looked like it was going to rain again. Nothing new, the weather seems to change a lot in this little part of the Clover Kingdom.

Vanessa didn't mind. She was used to it by now. She even came to like it. But between the rain and one or two storms, she was still happy to see the sun from time to time.

There had been a sunny spot today and she decided to take a walk with Aimée. She couldn't sit in the cottage all the time. Of course it wasn't forbidden, she wasn't a prisoner. But she still was accompanied by her Bulls and Eagles bodyguards – today it was Grey and Curtis. Still at a good distance though, to give her and Aimée some privacy.

Which was a good thing, as she was breastfeeding her baby right now.

Vanessa sighed. She wasn't a prisoner at the cottage, naturally. Of course she still remembered her time in that cage years ago, but the situations weren't the same at all. Vanessa wasn't alone. She had Aimée and Nozel was making sure to come more than often, to be with them. Oh, he brought his work too, of course, but Vanessa knew it was mostly to spend time as a family. And there were also the two servants, who almost treated her already as lady Vanessa Silva. Not to forget the Black Bulls taking the shifts, as well as the Silver Eagles.

It was really not the same situation and even though she was rather stuck in there for now, Vanessa was grateful that the cottage was more a sanctuary than a cage. And after the difficult birth, it had been a perfect place to rest.

It has been her idea. After that oaf of a Silva father made the whole thing public, Vanessa came to the conclusion that it was the best for her and even more for the child to hide somewhere safe. The Silver Eagles base and the Black Bulls hideout were already being visited by some desperate nobles and even though Yami made the offer with Asta, Magna and Luck basically begging her to accept, she refused that her squad moved to the Great Magic Region. Firstly, Owen warned her that it might be risky for the baby. Secondly, even though they would have done it, she didn't want her squadmates to flee this far because of her. Thirdly and most importantly, that would have meant to rarely see Nozel again and Vanessa was highly against it.

Hide somewhere in the middle of nowhere sounded safer for the baby and she was safer from some angry mob. Vanessa just had to convince Nozel. Which hadn't been easy. Not that he considered it a bad idea, but because he was afraid to put her back in some sort of cage. He knew her past and the idea to make her some kind of prisoner again was scary for him.

Thankfully Vanessa had been able to convince him that it wasn't the same and Nozel finally gave in. He even had find this cottage lost somewhere in the Forsaken Realm, little but comfy. A cottage that belonged to his family.

Vanessa had been quiet surprised that the Silvas had some propriety within the Forsaken Realm. But apparently, it had been normal for royalty from a few generations ago to have some little cottages in the Forsaken Realm, be it for security or just to flee the unbearable duties. Most of these proprieties had been forgotten over time and Nozel was certain he was the only Head to know about his own forsaken cottages. For the other Heads, having houses in the Forsaken Realm was just some ridiculous thoughts and under their prestige.

Vanessa sighed, feeling nostalgic, while Aimée was still drinking. She missed the Black Bulls and the Hideout, their fun times together. Of course she did, but she didn't suffered too much from it. Given how her squadmates were and how daily life was at the base, it wasn't really the best place for a baby.

She missed her shopping times at the capital and the Black Market, the missions, her room at the hideout and other things. And Vanessa realized quickly enough that when this mess would finally be over, it won't really be like before. But she wasn't unhappy about it. Circumstances and consequences, be it positive or negative ones, brought her here, with her daughter and she didn't regret anything involving Aimée.

What actually made Vanessa unhappy was that she wanted just to be together with Nozel and their baby, but the situation was uncertain. She wanted to grow old with him, to share his burden so he wouldn't have to deal alone with his difficulties, to wake up next to him, to live with him, just that. She wanted to see Aimée getting strong, developing her magic, getting her grimoire, maybe joining a squad and becoming a magic knight, maybe choosing another way entirely… just to be happy together. It wasn't too much to ask, except for most of the nobles.

Her dates with Nozel were also something Vanessa missed. How he took her out for dinner, that one time she dragged him at the Black Market, their simple walks while holding hands… The times were he teached her some rules and issues of royalty and the Clover Kingdom; she especially loved their spicy history lessons. Nozel teached her both official and true, rather unknown history, how the recognize the differences and to understand why the official topics were chosen over the true ones. Those lessons had been fascinating and the aftermath had been even better.

Vanessa missed their passionate nights as well. Of course she did, she loved every second she spent in Nozels arms and once it had lead them to Aimée. She couldn't help but sigh happily.

There was one night, when they sneaked into the ballroom of the Silva palace. It hasn't been used since years and there wasn't any music playing, but still they danced. Vanessa had loved the waltzes and she even managed to convince Nozel to a slow dance. To which he only agreed to because they were alone. The night had ended back in his bedroom, in a passionate embrace.

Had Aimée been conceived that night? Maybe, but Vanessa had no idea. Looking at her daughter, who was soon going to be one month old, she thought that it wasn't important to know that. Aimée was here, a gift Nozel and Vanessa didn't ask for, but they felt blessed to have.

Aimée let out a little noise, which meant she was finally finished drinking. Vanessa giggled. It was amazing how she let her own thoughts wander while she was nursing her daughter.

She softly put her baby on her shoulder, giving a gentle pat on the back. "Alright sweetie, now will you please burp for mommy? Just a little burp, now. A little burp for mommy and then we're going home. So, there, you did great, Aimée."

Looking at sky getting greyer, Vanessa stood up from the flat rock, rearranged her clothes, put Aimée back in her carry cloth – which Vanessa had made herself – and came out between the birches to join her current bodyguards.

This area had a lot of birches growing around the cottage and some hiding spots as well. It was really a beautiful place. Maybe, when all that mess was over, they could come back here from time to time. Vanessa surely would love it.

She saw Grey and Curtis not far away from the birches, the older knight seemingly telling her squadmate some tricks how to breathe deeply to calm down. It was so nice to see Black Bulls and Silver Eagles bonding.

"You can count in your head to 30 if you want, it's something that helped my wife a lot. But maybe it's better for you to start counting up to 60 and with time, slowly go down to 30."

"O-okay… I-I will try."

"Alright, people. Aimée had her meal and since it might start raining, time to go back."

"Oh, h-hi Vanessa. H-how's A-Aimée?"

"She might take a nap soon, reason more to head back to the cottage." Vanessa couldn't help but chuckle as Grey looked shyly at the baby in the carry cloth. That poor girl always had the highest respect for babies and she was one of the rare Bulls who hadn't hold Aimée yet. It was apparently embarrassing to hold someone else's baby.

"It's might be changing shifts soon as well, Grey and I will soon taking our leave," Curtis added, before slightly bowing with respect in front of Vanessa. "I'll sent those papers as promised, soon as I can, lady Vanessa."

There wasn't any sarcasm in his voice, just genuine respect. As the two servants weren't enough yet, most of the Silver Eagles were also treating her now almost as if she was royalty. Vanessa still wasn't used to it. The Silver Eagles calling Aimée Little Silver Princess was already less foreign.

"I will be grateful, Curtis. For anything that can let me help Nozel at least a bit. But please, stop calling me lady. Just Vanessa's alright."

"No. Most of us Silver Eagles think that you deserve it."

Grey smiled softly at the statement and Vanessa just sighed. Well, she still would need time to get used to it.

It was evening now, Aimée lied in her crib and Vanessa sat on the bed, studying royal genealogies and laws.

It was heavily complicated and honestly, Vanessa might still not understood half of it, despite Nozels lessons – but to be fair, both of them had been more often focused on the aftermath of those lessons than the complicated laws that were mostly difficult to understand. Seriously, why had royalty the habit to make the simplest things so complicated? Maybe she would find some kind of answers in history. But not the official one, maybe.

It wasn't the worst to be stuck in this cottage, but Vanessa couldn't just lie around and wait while others were fighting, helping and doing so much to find a solution. Especially Nozel. She asked him to let her help, even if it just was cramming through paperwork. She promised herself to share this burden with him and on that topic, she wasn't taking no for an answer.

Vanessa had even been more determined since she learned that the anti-bastard coalition within nobility has gotten louder and that were now even bastards turned criminals doing horrible things.

There was a lot to do to pacify the kingdom. The magic knights didn't really get a break after the war with Spade and there were still some consequences from the attack of the Eye of the Midnight Sun. Even after more than a year.

Vanessa looked at her daughter, less sleeping and more dozing, her new cat plushie next to her. Aimée was such a quiet baby. Poor sweetheart. She didn't deserve to be raised in all this terrible uncertainty. She had just been born in a really difficult, chaotic time.

Reason more to find a solution. Vanessa continued her lecture about the genealogies of the three royal families of Clover. She knew she most probably won't find anything about bastards, but hopefully she would still find something useful, somehow.

She had soon gave up to understand House Kira. It was so overly complicated, there were more people in the already high numbered secondary branches than in the main ones and king Augustus had to take away the name of Kira from most members of his own House, creating even more secondary branches. And this oaf dared to look down upon her Nozel? If only she could set a trap for him one day, to give him a well-deserved humiliation.

There was one thing Vanessa kinda understood from this overly complicated house, though. There had been a time when House Kira had it's own Magic Knight Squad, like Silva and Vermillion. The Golden Dragons. But on the contrary to the Silver Eagles and Crimson Lions, the Golden Dragons were more and more preoccupied to protect House Kira, less the kingdom and so the squad transformed over time into the personal royal guards of the Kira's.

That was actually interesting. She would ask Nozel for more details one day.

The Vermillions were better to understand and there were not as much secondary branches, but it was still overly complicated. Even today. Besides his own siblings and cousins, near and far, the current Head had four children and each of them had children as well. Vanessa knew five of them, but not the rest. Were they also part of the Crimson Lions or not? Were some of them not knights at all? And then those complicated names for most of them. What was with those Cassiopeia's, Montgomery's, Donatella's and all those names with Leo in it?

But the Silva genealogies were far more interesting for Vanessa than Kira's and Vermillions. Well, she was a biased, her boyfriend and one of her squadmates were Silvas. But still, it was not only more interesting, but also sadder. Because most main branches and every secondary one's had died out, leaving only four Silvas at all today.

Well, it was simpler to understand, but that didn't made it less sad. Vanessa couldn't help but feel some pity for those Silva ancestors. She didn't know if they were arrogant jerks, nice people with a lot of sadness or something in between, but she still felt bad. A lot of them died young, others never had any children… If she would dive more into the history of House Silva, she probably would find many tragedies. It really looked like it.

One part in particular had Vanessa's attention. The generation of Acier and Océane. There were three more names besides those two. She already knew that auntie Océane had other siblings besides Acier, but she never told much about them. It must be difficult for her and Vanessa never preyed.

Nozel couldn't tell her more as well, he never met them as far as he remembered and looking at the dates of their death, they died before he was born. Another Silva tragedy, it seemed.

Océane was the youngest and Vanessa just learned that Acier was the second youngest. Before her, there were twins named Fleuve and Pluie, two water mages, a boy and a girl. And the oldest brother was someone named Fer, who had iron magic. He was apparently married to someone named Émeraude, a woman with emerald magic. Geez, that was a beautiful attribute. But sadly, she died too, basically three days before her husband.

Now Vanessa really felt bad for those dead Silvas especially. Fer didn't survived Émeraude for long, Pluie died only one year after her twin brother and of course Vanessa knew about the tragedy around Acier. Poor Océane, it must be so hard for her to be the only survivor of her siblings, to be the only one who would maybe die at an old age. No wonder she didn't really tell stories about her siblings and it was admiration worthy that she was able to have such strength, humour and a lovely personality despite the tragedies.

"Geez, this is all too sad. I need something else to read," Vanessa sighed as she grabbed another sheet.

Royal Cloverian Wedding Vows

Vanessa let out a short chuckle. Of course royals even had their own wedding vows. That really wasn't surprising.

Reading the sheet, she couldn't help but roll her eyes. All those little details, some of them were so absurd. Why wasn't the groom allowed to turn when the bride entered the church? She wanted that Nozel would look at her while she was walking to the altar.

Vanessa blushed. Gosh, they weren't there yet! But still, it was a nice thought.

The wedding vows though, they were beautiful. It was such a shame that they were mostly used for arranged weddings. Reading them, Vanessa found that they were more suited for people marrying out of love instead for political alliances. How did this happen?

Maybe she could try to say them out loud. Just to feel how it would sound.

"Faith. Hope. Love. By the three leaves of the Clover, I, Vanessa Enoteca, take you, Nozel Silva, as my wedded husband. I will have Faith in you, with your life and trust you mine. I will have Hope, helping you to all hardships and happiness of life. I will Love you, cherish you in sickness and in health, be it forever."

Beautiful…

"Now, those words are something I would love to hear again, one day."

"Honey!"

She didn't realized that he entered their bedroom, even sneaking behind her and now holding her tightly.

Visibly satisfied to have been able to surprise her, Nozel leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips, before glancing with interest at the sheet in her hands.

"Already practicing the wedding vows?"

"Oh, I just wanted to make an idea how it felt. Great, I must say. But honestly, honey, why isn't the groom allowed to turn when the bride comes in?"

"Don't ask me why. This is one of the many rules I can't understand either."

They definitely agree on that point. Vanessa let go of the sheet to cuddle more against him, while Nozel take a look at another sheet. The Silva genealogy…

"You were studying those as well?"

"I'm in love with a Silva, it's only normal that I at least try to understand the House. But it's really sad. I think I understand even more what pressure you and your mother before you had to endure."

"It was never easy. Augustus and Achilles love to remind me that we Silvas have a history of branches dying out. But I believe it's also to not deal with the chaos in their own houses."

"What a bunch of jerks," Vanessa muttered. And with that insult, she was still being nice to those two Heads. Was Nozel the only one out of the three who actually took his position seriously and was trying to do his house right?

Her boyfriend didn't answer, just looking at the sheets, frowning. He even took an extra glance at it.

"Is something wrong?"

"The line that symbolizes the marriage between my uncle Fer and this lady Émeraude. It's not the same as the others."

"Really? I didn't realized it."

But honestly, she didn't know much of the guidelines to understand the details of royal genealogies. Sitting up a bit to look at where Nozel was pointing, she could see that indeed, if you looked more closely, the line between Fer and Émeraude wasn't quite the same as the others. It was blurrier, of a sort. And it didn't look like it was just a mistake with the ink.

It looked like it was blurry on purpose.

"Is this normal?"

"No. Something is off with this. I need to investigate this detail."

"We will investigate. I'm curious too, honey. And don't you think to work on this alone, I won't let you."

"It's not like you're giving me choice at all."

They both laughed, before Vanessa leaned up to kiss him. Nozel pulled her closer, deepening the kiss, lying down with her.

Vanessa smiled against his lips. This was the perfect break after all this cramming.

But a little cry had to interrupt them, ending the kiss. They weren't upset about it, though.

"Looks like someone missed her daddy," Vanessa giggled.

Nozel stood up, went to the crib and leaned down to take his daughter in his arms, a soft smile on his lips.

"I missed you too, Aimée."

Magna, Zora and especially captain Yami had been totally wrong. Nozel does have a soft side and was clearly embracing his role as a father. It was such a touching image, seeing him with Aimée in his arms, softly rocking her and caressing her cheek.

Vanessa sighed happily. How was this not swoon worthy?

She even giggled as Aimée grabbed Nozels braid to gently pull on it.

"Geez, honey, you really never mind when she's doing this."

"Noelle used to pull it as well, when she was that age."

His lips formed a sad smile while remembering. He still had a lot of regrets due to his past, but he had learned handle those better. And Vanessa was surely proud of him.

Nozel came back to the bed, sitting next to her with Aimée still in his arms. Vanessa cuddled to him, smiling at their daughter who just looked at her parents with those big purple eyes.

It was always nice to be all three together like this, just cuddling and enjoying to be with each other. Vanessa sighed happily before resting her head on Nozels shoulder and letting Aimée grab her fingers.

If only the kingdom could forget about them once in a while.