Vanessa sighed in relief as she left the Black Market. She loved that place but she should have known that it wasn't a safe one for a pregnant woman. Just like she was.

She put a hand on her belly. There wasn't too much to see yet, but Vanessa was already feeling a subtle roundness. It filled her with happiness and even some excitement, despite the unsure situation and despite her mood swings. They thankfully slowed down a bit now, but she still felt compassion for her squadmates who have to deal with it and even more for Nozel, who just accepted to be a punching ball during those times. She always felt terribly bad about it afterwards. On the other hand, the afterwards of her mood crisis phases were so relaxing, when she was back cuddling in Nozels arms.

Vanessa giggled as she saw her lonely, tiny bag. That was so unusual for her. She loved shopping, especially at the Black Market. But not today. She had been more preoccupied of being careful to protect her baby than buying stuff. The only things she got were the plants and ingredients important for her potions, as well as a cute and old music box. That might be a good thing for the baby.

"Alright, little one. Let's go," Vanessa said, smiling at her belly. "I have some things to get on the regular market, but it won't be long. After that, we will met up with your daddy and spent the night together. Sounds good, right?"

Since she found out about her pregnancy, Vanessa took the habit to talk to her unborn baby. Just like that. And it made her love the little one in her belly even more each time.

Of course, she didn't do it in front of most of her squadmates. At least openly. Well, to be honest, she might talk a bit to her unborn in front of others, but her friends never seemed to mind, thinking probably this was some usual Vanessa behaviour. The only Black Bulls who knew were Nero and Gordon, so she had no shame to do it openly in front of them.

Vanessa also loved to talk to her baby in front of Nozel. The first time he blushed and was all flustered, it had been so adorable! He was now used to it and smiled fondly while she was talking to their unborn child, which was even cuter. He never did as much as she did, on the contrary. But when he allowed himself to talk to the little one, his proud fatherhood side was showing and Vanessa just couldn't have enough of that side of him.

As Vanessa was walking down the streets, she wondered when Nozel and her tell their respective families about their situation and their unborn child. It wasn't like no one knew. Gordon and Nero knew, Nozels adorable Vermillion auntie knew. The Wizard King of course and if he did, so did Marx. And Owen too. They needed a doctor, after all.

But it would be nice if they could tell the rest of their respective families. Not only because both Nozel and her would need help in their rather special situation. But also to share their happiness with persons they care, their respective families, so that they have part of it. Despite everything, Vanessa and Nozel loved their child already.

Maybe they could first tell Noelle. And Vanessa would also love to share her happiness and worries with Finral. After all, he was her best friend since long and she was sure that he would understand. This was Finral, he was such an understanding and compassionate person. And he was happily married with his true love, one more reason for him to understand.

"Maybe we'll talk a bit with daddy about this topic this evening. Do you agree, little one?"

Giggling, swiftly caressing her belly, Vanessa searched for the sewing shop. If there was something she loved to do since she learned about her pregnancy, it was sewing the baby clothes and other things herself.

Maybe she went a bit overboard, given how many clothes she already sewed, but Vanessa didn't care. She loved doing it and Nozel gave her even extra money to buy all the stuff she needed and wanted.

Just as Vanessa was about to enter the shop, she bumped into another person.

"Oh, I'm really sorry."

"Don't be, I haven't looked where I should."

Vanessa looked over the other person. It was a girl, probably not so much older than Asta and Noelle. Given the rich-looking and light hood-cape she was wearing and the silk dress that show under, she was also a noble.

Hopefully one of the good ones, otherwise this might become a difficult talk.

The noble girl looked up and Vanessa was taken aback how pale and thin she looked like. The skin, the blonde hair, the grey eyes, everything on her was pale. That poor girl didn't look very healthy. Maybe she should even be in bed.

But somehow, there was something determined within this girl. Vanessa couldn't tell or see, she could only feel it. Strange, but probably not important.

The girl let her pale grey eyes wander over Vanessa, who almost flinched when she looked over belly. Now, unknown nobles knowing about her pregnancy wasn't something she would look forward too and even less if the secret about her and Nozel would no longer be one.

Vanessa wasn't dumb and she heard about those mean rumours about bastards. She knew that she had to be cautious, as well that if the worst would happen she would need to fight, And that she will.

"Day off, lady Magic Knight?" the young girl finally asked. It didn't sound like mockery.

"Indeed," Vanessa replied in her usual joyful tone, even though she was slightly panicking inside.

Actually, I'm pregnant so I have a lot of days off, in a way, but this isn't something I should tell everyone.

"And you? Secret shopping trip for a young noble lady?"

The girl giggled and Vanessa already found her more sympathetic just because of that.

"Yep. Normally I'm not allowed to go out on my own, but…"

"Guess it's exciting to ditch bodyguards to go to places you're normally not allowed to," Vanessa finished with a wink. Seems that this young girl was one of the nice nobles.

"Yes, but I only go to places that have my interest," the girl replied with a grin, who somehow gave her pale appearance more glow. "I'm not only doing it of the sake of doing something forbidden. If a place doesn't interest me, I'd rather not go there, no matter how exciting and forbidden it is."

"Excitement with a bit of reason. I haven't thought that someone could actually do that. Those aren't usually two words that you put together."

"Maybe because people think excitement should equal adventurous, despite the fact that absolute different people find absolute different things exciting?"

"Wow, this sounds really philosophic."

"Oh crap, I did it again! Sorry, sometimes I get somehow a bit philosophic without realizing it."

"On the contrary, it's nice! I'm not used to people to be philosophic with me."

Both giggled, while Vanessas worries flew away. She was very lucky to have met one of the nice nobles today and even one who was apparently clever and maybe even humorous.

"Lady Rosette! Goodness gracious, where are you? Lady Rosette!"

"Shit, my governess," the young girl said with a resigned sigh. "Guess free time is over for today."

"If you want, I can cover you," Vanessa said. This girl was really nice and if she had problems getting some free time, Vanessa would gladly help her.

"That's very nice of you, but I have to decline. I wouldn't be able to really enjoy my free time while I'm only worrying about flee from my governess. Even if it's not much, at least I came to enjoy the time I spent alone before getting caught."

That was an interesting and particular pragmatic view on her situation. Still, Vanessa felt compassion and somehow kinship for this young girl. It was like she was also in cage. Not all cages had bars after all and Vanessa always felt kinship to persons who were prisoners in any kind of cages. Damn, Nozel had been in one as well, for way too long! One of the reasons Vanessa actually also reached out for him.

"Well, let's hope you can still get some free time in the future," Vanessa just said, secretly wishing for this girl to get out of her cage one day. "Rosette is a cute name, by the way."

"Thank you. Speaking of names, what's yours? Well, I know the nickname of Drunken Witch, but I assume that this isn't your real name."

Vanessa laughed. Oh really, Rosette was such a nice girl. "Indeed. My real name is Vanessa."

"That's a pretty name too."

"Such a nice thing to say, sweetie. But now you better hurry before your governess has a heart attack."

"You're right, I better run now. Goodbye, Vanessa."

"Bye-bye, Rosette."

As she watched Rosette disappear on the streets, Vanessa had a mixing of happiness and sadness towards this pale and nice noble girl. She really hoped that one day, she would be able to go shopping without having to make a secret out of it.

"Well, all I can wish for Rosette is good luck. I don't think we'll ever see her again, little one. But now, let's go buy our last stuff and then we'll be with daddy again."

Vanessa of course didn't know it back then, but it wasn't the last time she would meet Rosette…

"Geez, I knew that nobility was complicated, but this? This is on another level," Vanessa complained, feeling her head turning as she looked over the countless names of one single sheet.

Alysanne Dragonstone, the Silver Eagle who already helped her learning many things about nobility, just chuckled. At least, she wasn't arguing with what Vanessa just said.

"Isn't it just enough to be simply nobility? Why does it need to be parted in high, medium and low nobility? And I'm not counting the noble houses who even lost their titles and everything."

"Of course they're not counted. Because technically speaking, they're not nobles anymore."

"Technically speaking? So, in a way, they're still nobles?"

"You can say that."

Vanessa groaned. This was really unnecessary complicated.

She sighed as she watched how Finral and Langris were outside, watching over Aimée. The two space brothers were actually doing a decent job.

How she wished to be with them and even more with her little girl right now. Instead, she was trying to understand something about one or two noble families, giving herself a headache already.

Well, it was her fault too. Vanessa heard how Noelle, Nebra and captain Fuegoleon had a mission for a certain lady Corazòn Lys and because a feeling was bugging her, she had asked Alysanne about it.

Well, Vanessa had started this task, so she had to continue, no matter how stupid nobility details were.

"As for your question about high, medium and low nobility," Alysanne continued, "this particular status always depends on various factors. Mana-level within the family, history of the house and how many times members of their houses married into one of the three royal families, to mention a few. There's also cases that a house changes from medium to high nobility or falls on low, so scandals and such also play a role." The Silver Eagle chuckled. "My own house has a record on changing statuses. I can't even tell anymore which nobility level we had when our house was created. But let's go back on house Lys."

Alysanne sat down and pointed on the sheet Vanessa was holding. "House Lys is high nobility and one with a serious amount of members. Some of their members married into royalty a lot, especially Vermillions and Silvas too until a few generations ago. Lady Corazòn was born into house Cœur, a family of low nobility. So, you can say that she went on higher status through her marriage."

"But she's not married to the Head of House, right?"

"See, you do learn! Indeed, lady Corazòn is married to one of the sons of the Head of House. They have only one child, Lital Lys. She wasn't presented to the family until she was ten, though."

Vanessa arched a bow. That was actually particular. She knew nobles have their issues, but a child not meeting the family until the age of ten.

Alysanne quickly understood the question on her face, so she responded immediately, "It's not usual, of course. But apparently, Lital was sick a lot during her young childhood. Mother and daughter staid on one of the countryside manors of house Lys. Until Lital was healthy enough. Which she is today at twenty-six. Her stern grandfather actually seems to like her, but my guess it's only because Lital is the only one in the family who had inherited his mother's beautiful eyes and rare star magic. Stella Lys was her name and apparently one of the most legendary Silver Eagles. House Lys is pretty proud to have a war hero within their ancestors."

"But then, if lady Lital is the only who had inherited the magic of her legendary great-grandmother, why isn't she a Magic Knight?"

"Good question and honestly, I have no idea. It must be a family secret, I suppose. But I can't tell, house Dragonstone doesn't have much to do with house Lys. I think we will know more after captain Fuegoleon, lady Nebra and lady Noelle have met lady Corazòn."

Vanessa only nodded. She couldn't tell what was bugging her. But she wouldn't be surprised if it might have something to with bastards in general and Aimée in particular. After all, those were mostly the topics which triggered the kingdom a lot today.

She sighed deeply. It always came to that problem. The uncertainty of their situation, hers and Nozels desperate fight to be together without having to fear to be separated, their battle to raise their daughter in peace…

Looking at the sheet with the genealogies of house Lys, Vanessa couldn't help but ask, "House Lys has quite the record of marrying into royalty. Like house Vitrail…"

"You're right, house Vitrail has even made quite the reputation about their royal marriages. Even today, they claim their house has the best candidates for royalty." Alysanne looked at Vanessa with a concerned look. "Did captain Nozel already told you about… lady Athénaïs Vitrail?"

"Yes, he did," Vanessa sighed. She never met that woman, but she hated lady Athénaïs, just for how she saw Nozel as a price that was only meant for her. Vanessa hated how a lot of corrupt nobles and royals treated Nozel in general.

"Then you also know that you have nothing to worry," Alysanne replied with a smile. "Captain Nozel loves only you and very deeply even."

"I know this, Alysanne. I just… I hate how he is treated like he's… well, you know."

"I understand. Lady Athénaïs is even one of the worst ones when it comes to that. Hard to believe that lady Rosette is her sister."

"Lady Rosette?" Vanessa asked. Somehow, that name ringed a bell.

"Athénaïs younger sister. She is a very nice girl, but apparently she has a very poor health. I don't know if it's the truth. But honestly, poor Rosette looks terribly pale and thin, so it is possible to be true."

Vanessa nodded, but absently as she remembered a meeting almost a year ago. She haven't thought about it for quite long, but… that nice noble girl she met in front of the sewing shop, who looked so pale and thin, although also determined somehow…

Her name was Rosette!

So, she was a Vitrail?

The sister of that bitch who claimed that Nozel should be hers only?

Honestly, what were the odds that Vanessa met the younger sister of a woman who was considered the perfect match for the father of her child? What a small world…

Vanessa couldn't help but think that this information might be of importance one day. Even though she had absolutely no idea why.

As Nozel joined Vanessa in their room later that day, she immediately came to him and gave him a kiss like there was no tomorrow.

"What was this for?" Nozel asked, even though he didn't complained.

"Oh, just happy that you're here," Vanessa replied with one of her gorgeous smiles, before kissing him again. Nozel returned the kiss. Clearly, he was unable to resist her long and it always made him at ease.

And if Aimée wouldn't have been present, they would have probably do more than just kisses.

Their daughter started babbling happily as she saw her father, reaching her tiny arms towards him. Nozel smiled and let go of Vanessa to take Aimée softly out of the crib. She immediately grabbed his braid.

"Sometimes I wonder which one of us you missed the most," Vanessa giggled, lying on the bed in an almost seductive pose. Nozel fought the urge to roll his eyes. She was clearly teasing him.

"Both equally, you should know that. And we can't allow to be… well… intimate… in front of our daughter."

"I know, I'm just teasing you, honey."

She chuckled again. Dear Heavens, how he loved her laugh!

"Did something happened while I was away?" he asked, sitting next to her, rocking their daughter softly in his arms.

"Maybe… did something happened while I wasn't with you?" she replied, obviously teasing him again.

Nozel sighed. Yes, he could say that something happened.

"I asked my aunt about my uncle Fer and his late wife."

"Oh, I almost forgot about that. Did she already told you everything?"

"No…" Nozel sighed. He felt guilty to have asked Océane, given how sad she looked after his question. "I fear it has awakened some painful memories in her. But… she said that after all these years, I deserve to know. We deserve to know."

"We, she said? Auntie was surely talking about your siblings as well."

"Yes, but not only. Océane was also talking about you and the potential partners Nebra, Solid and Noelle would have one day. I asked her if she wanted to wait until this mess is all over and even until my siblings are settled as well. But… Océane wants to tell us personally, she needs first to prepare herself and to gather a few things."

"Poor auntie… I hope it won't be too painful for her to tell us that story."

"I hope as well. She'll gave us more details later, when she's ready. For now, I only learned that Fer and Émeraude lived in this cottage for a short time."

"Really?" Vanessa exclaimed and now looking around her, as she was maybe searching for some clues. "But then… did they had a secret relationship or something?"

"Maybe," Nozel only said. That was the conclusion he also came to. He looked down at Aimée, who was playing with the fabric of his clothes. So innocent, with nothing to worry.

"It feels strange, but… I can't help but feel as if our story is like a repeat of the one my uncle and his wife had, somehow."

Vanessa only hummed, lying her head on his shoulder. They went silent, just looking at their little girl.

The story of Fer and Émeraude ended tragically, this was certain. Nozel hoped that their own story won't go the same way. He was already fighting for a more happy outcome, for Vanessa and Aimée.

"Auntie will tell us once she's ready, Nozel. By the way… did she had news from your brother?"

"Yes. He's fine. That is what she usually told me, but…"

"But?"

"She gave one more detail today. Apparently, he met up with a pale girl recently. But I have no idea what to make with this news."

Nozel felt Vanessa flinched and turned towards her, surprised. Wouldn't she more like tease him, about his little brother meeting a girl, maybe being in love? Nozel didn't believe this theory, but that would have been something Vanessa would come up with.

"Hm, honey? Do you remember when I told you how I met a nice noble girl, in my early pregnancy?"

Nozel nodded, wondering why she was coming up with that.

"Well, I told you that she was very pale… and I just learned today that the girl I met was Rosette Vitrail."

Rosette Vitrail? The younger sister of that despicable woman that was considered the perfect match for him? What were the odds, really?

He didn't know much about her, only for her reputation of her fragile health. Vanessa told him back then that she was nice, but that was only one meeting. Who knows what Rosette Vitrail was really like?

And what were the odds that she the pale girl Solid apparently met?

Vanessa probably read his mind, as she continued, "I know that this would be too much of a coincidence, but… Maybe not that impossible?"

Nozel only nodded, looking at Vanessa and seeing the same worry he had right now.

If Solid was really meeting with Rosette Vitrail, the younger sister of Athénaïs Vitrail and member of a house who was a fervent member of the anti-bastard coalition…

What would this mean for them, for their own desperate battle to be happy together? What would this mean for Aimée?