"So, were where you?"
Vanessa flinched while putting her broom against the wall, before she turned, smiling brightly and trying to hide how nervous she was.
But Noelle won't have any of it. She could clearly see that her squadmate was nervous. She knew Vanessa by now, she would always smile and laugh and be as cheerful as possible to hide her nervousness. After being members of the same squad for a long time, of course Noelle knew how Vanessa ticked.
"My, you sound like an older sibling, sweetie, despite being the youngest Black Bull. Trying to impersonate your brother, huh?"
"Not true!" Noelle protested, even though she might have tried to channelled a bit her inner Nozel in order to put some deep in her scolding words. But maybe others would just find that she's looking cute, sadly.
"That's not the issue here and you didn't answered me. Again, were where you?"
Vanessa visibly hesitated, so Noelle continued with a deep sigh, "You were out all night drinking at different bars. Vanessa, you promised me to take your drinking problem seriously! I thought you were already doing better."
"Noelle, I swear that I wasn't out getting drunk. And I'm doing better, or did you see me gulping down twenty bottles of wine every evening lately."
"Fair point, but you know that I suspect you to drink in secret. It won't be the first time, do you remember the incident in the bathroom?"
"Well… okay, that wasn't the best idea I had and I'm sorry. But I really didn't go all night in some bars and get drunk. Or do you smell any wine from me?"
Noelle sighed, feeling a bit stupid. It was true, there wasn't any wine smell coming from Vanessa. Which meant that she didn't spend the night to get drunk.
There was still a smell, though. Very subtle, almost invisible. A hint of lavender, Noelle could tell. But she had no idea what to think of it and lavender wasn't something that would make her think of Vanessa, who preferred roses. But that lavender still felt familiar, somehow.
Deciding to ignore it, she just asked, "But then, where were you?"
"Ah, this is my secret," Vanessa giggled, her nervousness flying away. Noelle looked suspiciously at her, but of course her squadmate wasn't impressed. "Just so you know, I found a way to spend my nights that is way more wonderful than getting drunk over twenty times."
"I hope so. Well, as long as it makes you happy and don't dangerous…"
"You're really trying to impersonate your older brother, aren't you?"
"Don't start with that again!" Noelle protested, blushing heavily. For once that she wasn't blushing about Asta, but that didn't change the fact that she didn't like getting red like a tomato. It was already embarrassing that she kinda wrongly accused Vanessa, almost as much as her feelings for that idiot. Despite having admitted her feelings to herself during the battle in Spade, Noelle still had difficulties to admit it out loud to anyone, especially Asta. If it took her more than one year to admit those feelings to herself, how long will she take before she would finally admit to him or even anyone?
And then she had other concerns on this topic…
Chasing those unpleasant thoughts away, Noelle said to Vanessa, "Sorry to assume that… well, you know. I'm just worried about you."
"And trust me, Noelle, I'm grateful for that. You're clearly one of the rare Bulls who really show their worry. A bit too much in your case, but I guess that's just typical Silva."
Noelle had no idea why this kinda sound more like a compliment than teasing.
She couldn't ask though, because Vanessa came over to hug her. Noelle reluctantly gave in. After all, she accepted her love for hugs, but not with everyone and for now, she refused to say it out loud.
"You're a real sweetheart, despite your hard shell. Don't worry too much about me, I just found a better drug than wine."
This didn't sounded reassuring at all, but Noelle find herself in a mood to give Vanessa the benefice of doubt. After all, the fact that she smelled not like wine but lavender could be considered a good sign.
That lavender smell, though… Why did it felt so familiar?
Two days later
Noelle just watched as Nozel put some papers into the chimney fire. Marriage proposals. For him, for Nebra and Solid, even for her. She never would have thought that nobles would ask for her hand in marriage, given her past reputation. But apparently, even back then, before she became a Black Bulls, Nozel received marriage proposals for her.
"How long?" Noelle asked. She didn't know what else to say. Visiting her older brother still felt a bit awkward. But Noelle refused to miss it. After Nozel told her the truth about their mother, after he told her everything, after they were trying step by step to mend their bond, she couldn't gave up on what they already achieved.
It still felt like work in progress and considering their story, of course they would need to move forward. But despite the awkwardness, those visits were precious to Noelle. It felt good, fragile but strong at the same time. At first, Nozel and her talked mostly about their mother, but they started recently having discussions on other topics.
"You were barely a few days old," Nozel answered quietly. "It hasn't stopped since. They're most desperate during May, summer or December, it's when nobles and royals usually get married. Some were even bold enough to tell me that a wedding, an alliance with this House or this family would be the only thing that could make your reputation better… I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize, big brother."
Nozel sighed, putting another proposal in the fire, before he continued, "I just… I couldn't do that to you. I wanted to protect you and I did it wrong. But marrying you off… I refused to put you through a loveless, arranged marriage, no matter how protected you could have been and no matter how it could have helped our House. Those are things I never could have accepted."
"The same for Nebra and Solid?" Noelle asked, still fearing the answer. It was reassuring to know that Nozel would never marrying her off. But she knew from experience that it was more complex than that. Just because she won't be married off didn't meant that she could marry who she want that easily. Especially a peasant. Especially a magicless peasant. Like Asta was.
Noelle hold back a sigh. Why was she already thinking of marrying that idiot? They weren't together, he didn't know about her feelings. Heck, Asta didn't consider her as a potential romantic partner, only a friend and squadmate! Apparently, he was fixated on marrying that nun who raised him! Sometimes, Noelle asked herself what she even saw in him. Granted, she could answer that question to herself, but he was so oblivious!
Nozel didn't answered her question immediately, looking at the fire without really seeing it. But in the end, he finally said, "Yes. An arranged marriage is something I refuse to consider for any of you."
He said you. He didn't say us.
This was sadly confirming the suspicions Noelle already had since a while. Nozel would most certainly sacrifice himself into a loveless, arranged marriage in order to give Nebra, Solid and her more freedom in the choice of their potential spouses.
That was what Noelle had feared and one of the many reasons why she was still hesitating with Asta. She would never accept that in order to be happy, the happiness of another person has to be sacrificed. Especially if that person would be someone she cared for, especially if it was her older brother, who already had so much pressure upon himself since their mother died.
She didn't how to bring up that topic. Noelle had no idea if Nozel would confirm what she already knew or deny it, telling her to not be worried about him. Well, she was. And their bond was still a bit fragile, Noelle didn't want to risk it.
"I don't want this either," she said instead. Nozel just looked at her, his face rather unreadable as always, but with some softness in his eyes. Noelle had no idea if he realized the subtle implication in her sentence or not. Maybe it didn't matter.
It was rather far-fetched, but Noelle knew that she had to talk about Asta to Nozel one day. It was probable that her won't be too pleased about her with a magicless peasant. But Noelle forced herself to not doubt her brother. It still wasn't easy, but as captain Yami always urge the Bulls to surpass their limits, she was determined to surpass this limit of hers.
But of course, this was too far-fetched for now. Asta and Noelle weren't even together yet. Heck, she only admitted her feelings to herself after a long period of time and knowing her, admitting it to him and to anyone in general would take some time. Noelle was rather upset with herself about that. Maybe this was another limit she would need to surpass one day?
Well, she would see due time.
Noelle slowly get closer to her brother, taking his hand. He didn't back away, he didn't even get stiff like when they started those visits. She didn't know if she was trying to comfort Nozel or searching comfort from him, but it felt right.
"Won't they leave you alone? The nobles…"
"No and I fear I'm going to deal with despicable proposals for too long. I'm Head of House, after all. And… you know that some would love to see me fail, to see our house fall. There's only four of us Silva. Achilles and Augustus love to remind me that."
Noelle nodded. She learned a lot of things since her and Nozel worked on mending their bond. And the way the other two royal Heads of House treated him really upset her.
"I wish I could help you somehow, brother."
Nozel didn't answered. Probably because he had no idea what to respond to kindness. He only nodded, tightening the hold on her hand.
Taking a deep breath, Noelle slowly hugged him. It had become a habit, to hug her older brother when he was feeling a bit down and Nozel really needed a hug so more often than she ever imagined before.
Their hugs always felt pretty awkward. They were Silvas, after all and none of both had many experiences as huggers. Well, Vanessa would hug Noelle every time she could, but the hugs she shared with Nozel were different.
Still, Noelle loved it. Despite how awkward it was, those hugs were really comforting. So, she went to it and put her arms around Nozel. He just awkwardly rest an arm around her shoulders and his other hand lied softly on top of her head.
Noelle smiled softly. It was still awkward, but it really felt good. Like always when she hugged her brother.
Although… something was different. Normally, Nozel would smell like lavender. Subtle only, a faint scent. She didn't know if it was perfume, his shampoo or something else, but somehow it suited him. But today, he smelled more like roses.
Strange, it also felt familiar. Thinking about it, Noelle found that it was very similar to the cheap but still nice rose water Vanessa loved to use.
Vanessa… lavender… rose water…
Wait a minute!
The next day
Alright, Noelle, calm down and don't panic. There's a simple explanation to it, of course there's one.
She thought, while panicking on her bed back at the Black Bulls hideout instead of sleeping.
Why was she so worked out about it anyway? She couldn't stop thinking about it since her visit to Nozel yesterday. It wasn't like that Vanessa had Nozels subtle lavender scent and it wasn't like Nozel smelled like Vanessas usual rose water.
Noelle sighed, frustrated. That sounded too much like denial for her liking.
But maybe it was just a coincidence.
A really big coincidence.
Maybe they just made a mistake when they bought it last time.
That could be an explanation. But that sounded only like Vanessa. Noelle couldn't imagine her brother, who likes discipline so much, to make a mistake to buy whatever made him smell like lavender.
Not to mention that Vanessas rose water was from the cheap kind and Nozel would buy more like expensive things. Would he even buy them himself?
On the other hand, Noelle didn't recall that lavender was used in expensive perfumes or shampoos or any of those kind of products. Wasn't it considered not majestic enough, no fit for nobles and royals? Well, as for now, that was just a detail.
Well, maybe I wasn't in my right mind when I smelled those scents.
Except that she was. Noelle would never scold Vanessa while feeling off (not anymore, that is) and why would she feel off while visiting her brother?
Okay, somehow none of the most logical explanations made sense, given what kind of people Vanessa and Nozel were. But would a crazy reason made more sense? Noelle highly doubted it.
Noelle sighed in frustration and got up. It was so stupid to deal with a mystery who seemed to have no logic explanation. And no explanation in general. The only reason Noelle couldn't stop herself from thinking about was that it somehow involved two persons she deeply cared about.
A glance to her window showed her that dawn was already here. Great, now she had spent the whole night thinking about Vanessa and her brother and scents that were somehow on the wrong persons instead of sleeping. Hopefully she would be sent on no mission today.
Noelle walked to her window. She highly doubted that she would fall asleep so soon again. While she's awake, she could at least check where her room was today, so that she can make herself an image of the hideouts map for the next few hours.
Her window was at the northside today. One of the rare calm sides in this area, because the Bulls never came here very often. It had too much tree to be a proper training ground and it was perfect to sneak in without being seen in most cases. And when, only by the quietest of the Black Bulls.
Noelle decided to not complain. She was actually lucky, maybe if she stays in her room long enough, she might have peace, not be bothered with any upcoming mission for today and so, catching up on her missing sleep.
Just as she was about to go back to bed, Noelle saw Vanessa appear behind the trees.
Great, she probably went out all night again. Noelle sighed, hesitating on scolding her friend later today or to smell if she had her rose water back or still that subtle lavender scent, that was too much like her brothers.
Geez, why can't I just let go of that already?
Vanessa turned around, visibly talking to someone. So, she wasn't alone? Well, not that there was anything strange with that. There were some Black Bulls who would get up early. Gordon for example, Nero too. And Asta. But Noelle doubted it was him, it was way too quiet.
Noelle sighed. After so long, she came to know him so well. And still she hesitated.
Another person appeared between the trees. But it wasn't any of her squadmates…
Nozel?
The silver hair, the braid, the Silva clothes… even the Silver Eagle robe. Logically speaking, this was her brother, undoubtedly.
But Noelle was still unable to process this. Why would her brother come to the Black Bulls hideout? Visit her? But they would usually met at the Silva palace, because they had more privacy there than here.
And why was Nozel talking to Vanessa? Noelle couldn't hear anything, but it didn't looked like small talk. As if Nozel would ever do small talk.
It rather looked like old acquaintances, at least.
But how would Nozel and Vanessa be old acquaintances? They at best heard about each other, but they never ever met! Right?
For some reason, she didn't was as certain about this statement as she normally would have been.
Noelle took a deep breath. There was really no need to panic, it usually never helped her. Maybe there was a pretty simple, logic explanation to it and she just haven't thought about it because of her panic. If she wanted an answer, all she needed to do was to continue to observe them. Whatever they would do, it would explain what she's witnessing just fine.
So she observed. It looked like Vanessa was teasing him, but unusually for Nozel, he didn't seem to be bothered by it. Then, he actually went to caress Vanessas cheek, which was definitely not something her brother would do with someone who wasn't family and even then, it was rather rare.
Noelle got even more confused when Vanessa took the hand caressing her and hold it close, closing her eyes in the process. Looking like she was enjoying the touch.
What is going on?
Noelle didn't had the time to overthinking the gesture of her squadmate, as she saw Nozel leaning down a bit. Kissing Vanessa. Right on the lips. And Vanessa kissed him back.
It started out soft, but it quickly get hotter. Passionate even. And maybe with tongue.
Noelle jumped away from the window, crashed on her bed and hide her more than red face behind a pillow, even though no one would see her.
Alright. She didn't expect that.
And she had no idea how to properly process those news.
Vanessa… with Nozel.
Her older brother… with one of her best friends.
If someone had just told her this, Noelle would have laughed. Nozel and Vanessa, this was like worlds, even universes coming together, so actually impossible… normally. Luck stopping to love fighting would have been more probable, somehow.
But Luck was still an euphoric fighter, now even more dangerous with ultimate magic. While Nozel, her calm and serious older brother, and Vanessa, her cheery and joyful squadmate, were lovers.
But how? Why?
Well, at least they were both good-looking, Noelle wouldn't deny that. But still, how and when did that happened. She almost also asked herself why again, but she stopped. That kinda sounded like she didn't wanted them to be together, to be happy and in love. Well, she surely didn't hate it, but at the same time, Noelle wasn't thrilled about it either. Because she was still shocked from what she saw and she was processing it too slowly, so she didn't really had the energy to be happy.
Noelle was almost tempted to go back to her window, to see if Nozel and Vanessa were still there, snogging with no care in the world. But she decided against it. She didn't any more confirmation with what she witnessed. And it already demanded her a lot of energy to not deny it. She'd done that too many times with her own feelings for Asta, thank you very much.
Wait a minute!
The lavender scent and the rose water… Noelle had smelled it on them. Vanessas rosy perfume on Nozel and his subtle, faint lavender scent on her squadmate.
This… this was actually a logic explanation, after what she just witnessed.
But since their scents were on each other… that would mean they were really close. Granted, Noelle saw them kissing like there's now tomorrow. But it was fair to assume that they were already closer than just kisses. That they got really close, intimate even… Was that the reason why Vanessa would only come home at morning? Because she was now spending most of her nights with Nozel, in his arms?
Now Noelle was blushing even more.
But they aren't even married!
Shut up, Noelle, this is a stupid argument and you know it!
So much for having a quiet morning. Noelle would never find some peace now that she knows that Nozel was dating Vanessa, one of her squadmates!
Noelle gasped. Vanessa was a witch and normally out of his circles! So, would that mean that her brother, who never took any risk to endanger House Silva, basically their mothers legacy, would actually jump into the unknown by loving someone who would never be considered a proper match for a royal, even more a Head of House?
That was so much to process right now. But at least, if Nozel was serious with Vanessa – and it was fair to assume that he was – the risk of him sacrificing himself into a political marriage, in order to let Noelle, as well as Nebra and Solid, to be free from those arranged weddings, was now not that big anymore.
And this small thought was a relief for Noelle. A tiny one, but it helped her to calm down a bit.
Now, what would she do now? Actually, if Noelle was honest with herself, she wanted to understand the relationship between Vanessa and Nozel. Logically, she could just ask.
But she wouldn't do that. Yes, she was calmer now, but only a bit. Not enough to even considering asking them about their love life. They kept their relationship in secrecy and not without a reason.
Of course not. Everyone would freak out, just like I did. Yami would freak out, almost every Black Bull would freak out, Nebra and Solid would freak out. Nobles and royals, but not only, basically the entire kingdom would freak out and I don't know how would the reactions be in the Witches Forest. Nozel and Vanessa would not know any peace if their secret would be out in the open.
No, she couldn't ask them. But maybe she could investigate? Just to understand… and maybe helping them. She had no idea how. But despite her shock, it was something she wanted to.
A week later
"I think Noelle knows something about us."
"Hm."
Vanessa giggled. Nozel seemed rather more interested by diving his nose in her hair rather than Noelle maybe having some suspicions about their relationship. She liked the effect she had on him.
But knowing her boyfriend, she just knew that he won't wave this away. At least, he won't be silently panicking. Not while she's here to calm him down, even a bit.
Looking over at the windows door that lead to Nozels balcony, Vanessa saw that dawn was pointing in a beautiful golden colour. Although, she preferred when dawn was silver, after a rainy night, when light would shine softly through the grey clouds and morning mist.
To witches belief, silver was the only metal that any evil couldn't corrupt. So, witches considered it as a good sign, even in darkest moment, silver was more a symbol of hope. There had been a silver dawn their first morning as a couple and she liked to think that it was somehow their lucky colour.
Vanessa closed her eyes for a moment, holding Nozels arm to her, breathing his scent. He had a subtle lavender smell, really faint and somehow refreshing. She loved falling asleep with a bit of lavender in her nose.
But it wasn't night, it was morning and they had something to discuss.
Nozel didn't answered right away, so Vanessa continued, "She tried to follow me a few days ago, when we had that date in this fancy, noble restaurant. Knowing her, she would have disguised herself as a maid, but she didn't found the restaurant in the first place. Well, even if she did, you booked a private salon for us, so I doubt she would have been able to spy on us anyway."
"Knowing her? So, she already did disguise herself as a maid?"
"Yes. But don't tell her, she would deny it. She always denies it."
Vanessa giggled as Nozel just sighed deeply. It didn't sound like a Head of House worrying about members of his House acting out of line. No, this sigh here was the one of a tired older brother and it was utterly adorable.
"I think you're right, Noelle might know something. She was at the capital yesterday."
"Yes, it was her day off and she wanted to go shopping. Although she rarely goes alone."
"Well, we met in front of a florist and she asked if I'm going to buy a bouquet. Noelle tried to ask casually, but… well, I could feel her nervousness. She also asked about some meanings of flowers and what messages it could give when you put these flowers together with those. I admit that it surprised me. Noelle knows about those very well, it is part of our Silva education."
"You Silvas with your flower language," Vanessa giggled, which made Nozel frown a bit.
"Do you hate it when I offer you flowers?"
"Of course not, honey. I love it. It's just funny that language of flowers is part of your royal education. Silva education, so it's exclusively your family?"
"The Kiras and Vermillions don't have it, indeed. Well, my cousins learned it as well, but Kirsch and Mimosa have plant based magic."
"Make sense. But back on topic. Noelle definitely knows something or has suspicions at least. Do you think it is time we tell her about us?"
Nozel sat up in a sigh. He didn't answered immediately and Vanessa won't push him. Given their situation and their statuses, it wasn't the easiest decision to make. In their society, where rumours are able to hurt more than they should and one word could sadly decide the downfall of even a royal, they had to go a stony way if they don't want to be separated from each other.
Vanessa sighed. Nozel and her decided to go on a stony way. But she never regretted it once, even for a second. What they had made her happy and it was the same for Nozel. She knew who he really was, she saw behind the cold mask and he let her be vulnerable with him. He didn't back away from the broken side of her. No, he accepted it, he even embraced it.
That love was worth fighting for.
But they couldn't live in secrecy forever. Neither of them wanted it anyway. Vanessa would prefer to be out in the open and Nozel was tired of secrets, after living and suffering with them for over seventeen years.
They had decided to come out slowly out of their secrecy, step by step. After blissful weeks with just the two of them, telling Noelle would be a good first step.
"You know, honey, Noelle would be actually one the Bulls who would be genuinely happy for us. Granted, after she got over her shock."
Vanessa loved her squadmates, she really did. But she also loved Nozel deeply. She knew that most Bulls would have big shock learning that she was dating the captain of the Silver Eagles of all people. They would freak out and maybe not all would be happy, at least at the beginning.
But she had no concerns about Noelle for that.
"I know," Nozel replied. "It… may be a good idea and the right time as well. I just… I have no idea how to tell her."
He looked away, clearly embarrassed. Vanessa couldn't help but giggle. He was so adorable when he was flustered.
"Oh, look at you, being all shy to tell your baby sister that you're in a happy relationship."
"Stop it, please."
His cheeks were no as red as rubies and he was still looking away. Did he realize how cute he was when he's like that? Vanessa grinned as she also sat up to hug him.
"We will tell her together. If I leave you both alone, it might going to be awkward. Cute knowing you and Noelle, but awkward still. And if she already knows something, maybe she won't get too shocked?"
"Alright."
Vanessa tightened her hug and smiled in glee when Nozel turned a bit to hug her back.
She would love to tell Noelle. Secrecy was nice and all, no rumours to hurt them, no one judging, no overprotective Bulls spying on them. Vanessa loved that peace. But she would also love to finally be in the open, showing the world how lucky she felt to be loved by Nozel Silva. Telling Noelle would be a first step. It was about time Nozel and her finally moved forward.
A giggle escaped her lips as her boyfriend dived his nose in her hair again, smelling it like it was a drug.
"Just so you know, I haven't changed my perfume, it's still the same every day."
"I know. I just love this sweet scent on you. But I can't believe that this is a cheap perfume." Nozel sighed as he inhaled her scent deeply. "I can't pass and smell roses without thinking about you anymore."
"Same for me with lavender and you. I never would have thought to even love lavender before you become my amazing boyfriend."
She heard Nozel chuckle. It sounded muffled, because his face was still in her hair. With a happy sigh, Vanessa leaned against his shoulder, enjoying his subtle lavender scent. It smelled like paradise.
Two days later
Noelle was calm. Noelle was perfectly calm.
After all, she was just waiting for her brother in the Silva flower garden. At a rather hidden spot. Unlikely seen from the castle. Which would mean that Nozel would have something important to tell her and it was fair to assume that it wasn't something nice for both of them.
Forget being calm, actually she was freaking out. Inside that is, outside she was perfectly calm. Okay, she was walking around a bush of beautiful pale pink roses, but that was just a detail.
She had no idea why Nozel called for her. It wasn't the usual visit day and she couldn't recall anything that could have upset him. Granted, he never scolded her since she knew the truth about their mother, but this was a detail.
Actually, could it have to do with her secret investigation about Nozels relationship with Vanessa. But how could he know, she was being so discreet that no one noticed. Well, to be fair, she had been very unsubtle most of the time, even trying her old maid ruse, from she should have known from experience that it never worked properly.
But again, details. After all, none of the Black Bulls had ever noticed anything. Well, most of them rarely used their brains and those who would usually won't mentioned it, but well, this was just a detail.
She was contradicting herself a lot, wasn't she?
Noelle sighed. Maybe she should stop expecting the worst, she had nothing to worry about, after all. But she was a Silva, she couldn't stop overthinking. It was habit she never really lost, even with the Black Bulls. Maybe she needed a pep talk from Vanessa, but no one had seen her this morning.
Normally, Noelle would assume that Vanessa would be drunk in a bar. But given what she had learned last week about her brother and her squadmate… Hopefully Vanessa had spent the night with Nozel, this was far healthier than drinking all night long.
But now that she thought about that, Noelle was freaking out again. Because in a week, she was still processing the fact that Vanessa and Nozel were a couple.
Just as she was starting another round around the bush of roses, one of the two love birds appeared.
Nozels face was like usual unreadable, but there was something faintly glowing in his eyes. Anticipation? Fear? Excitement? Noelle couldn't tell.
"Nozel, hi."
"Good morning, Noelle."
And they fell silent.
It was so awkward. Way more awkward than their other meeting, who were still comfy. It was like no one knew what to tell the other.
Finally, Nozel coughed a bit, which was definitely the sign that he was embarrassed. Still Noelle was a bit jealous that unlike he didn't get all of his face red when flustered, only the cheeks.
"I… well, I have something to tell you."
His cheeks became even more red. Noelle hold in a breath. So was it really, really about his relationship with Vanessa?
"I have the suspicion that you might already have an idea about what it is."
Now her face was surely perfectly matching Zora's hair colour.
"You mean… about you… and Vanessa?"
Nozel didn't answered. He didn't need to anyway. The way he was looking away, his cheeks colouring a deep red and how he awkwardly coughed were answer enough.
He was clearly as embarrassed as she was. Noelle never ever saw her brother this flustered before. And despite she couldn't help but find him so cute like that. It was really touching.
"Goodness, you're both so bad at this. No wonder, you're siblings after all."
Noelle actually jumped as Vanessa appeared too, giggling and also flustered, but not as much as Nozel and herself.
Looking at her squadmate, Noelle couldn't help but notice how happy she looked. Especially when Vanessa looked at Nozel, it was like she was shining. And her brother had a small, but gorgeous smile when she took his hand. She never seen him with that kind of smile. It suited him.
"Well, sweetie. I would love to say surprise, but it seems that you knew already without us telling you, right?"
"Yes, I… saw you once… one morning last week. On the northside of the hideout."
"Oopsie. And I thought that no one would see us on that side. Guess I was wrong," Vanessa giggled. Noelle couldn't tell if she was just as nervous as the two siblings or more enjoying the situation rather than being flustered.
It would have been maybe situation to tease, but Noelle was honestly not in the mood right now. She was still processing – which took really it sweet time – and once this was more or less over, she'd rather want to show her happiness first. Because, her older brother, with whom her bond become really better, with one of her best friend, who helped her a lot with so many things and still was… why wouldn't she, of all people, not be happy?
"Well and… just so you know… I smelled your scents on each other."
"And here I thought that this would be less of a problem, compared to other details," Nozel sighed with a tiny smile. Noelle couldn't help but frown. Was her brother attempting some humour?
"Seems we weren't as cautious as we thought, especially you, little Eagle," Vanessa teased, pocking his cheek gently. Nozel just blushed while looking away.
Noelle smiled. It was a sight to see her brother gently teased, even unbothered by it.
"Well, I don't think that those lavender and rose scents would give you away. Even though it was bothering me, I only connected the dots after I saw you together." She better kept quiet about how she even saw them kissing, passionately kissing, because that thought still flustered her a lot. "I promise I won't tell anyone about you. Only when you're finally ready to come out of secrecy. Even though it might be long and difficult."
"You're right." Nozel let go of Vanessa to come to Noelle, taking her hands in his. "We will need to fight to be together and given how nobles and royals usually views those relationship, it won't be easy. We will come out of secrecy slowly, step by step. We don't want to take any unnecessary risks that could separate us."
"Even you, Vanessa?" Noelle asked her squadmate, rather puzzled. Usually Vanessa wasn't so cautious when it came to love. But then again, it was her own romance this time and it was with Nozel, a royal captain and a royal Head of House of all people…
"Even me, sweetie. It is a bother, all this complicated things about status and classes and such. Don't get me wrong, I still think all this crap is unnecessary. But I'm not naïve about all of this anymore. I know now how rumours can hurt more than they should, I know how most nobles would view me at your brothers side. But I don't want to lose him, I don't want to lose what we have. He makes me happy and I won't give our story up without a fight."
Noelle had rarely seen Vanessa this openly determined. And it was about Nozel! He turned towards her squadmate and the smile he gave was surely something Noelle wanted to see more often on her brothers face.
She would help them. They deserved it and they deserved each other. Noelle was also ready to fight, so that Nozel and Vanessa would got their happiness at the end.
"I'm really happy. Well, it was a lot to process and I still need a bit to get used of you two being, well, lovers. But I'm really happy for you." Noelle took a deep breath, because there was another thing she wanted to say. "It is also a relief for me."
"A relief?"
Taking another deep breath, she locked eyes with her older brother. He needed to know. "I was really worried about you, Nozel. Well, I know that you would have been able to sacrifice yourself into an arranged marriage, so that Nebra, Solid and myself would be free. I hated that thought. Of you being unhappy in marriage while I'm free to choose who I want to grow old with… I would never accept a happiness for which yours had to be sacrificed."
Nozel just looked at her, puzzled. Knowing him, he might have never considered this. Well, now he knows and it was a good thing. He needed to.
"See? I told you that she hates that thought," Vanessa said. It didn't sound like teasing. More soft and caring. Actually, she was perfect for Nozel.
"But now you're with Vanessa. You're happy and you won't sacrifice your happiness for ours anymore. That's why I'm relieved. Nozel, you deserve to be happy and I'm sure mother would agree with me."
Noelle never would have thought to see gratitude in her brothers eyes one day. But there it was. Gratitude, a little sadness because she mentioned her mother and the most of brotherly affection he ever shown to her. It made Noelle so happy.
Nozel tightened his hold on her hands, sighing softly, before he spoke again, "Thank you, Noelle. It really means a lot to me, to us. But still, I have no intention to marry you, Nebra and Solid away. You're free to choose who you want to marry, if you want. It's might be also a difficult road for you, depending what your choice may be. But I swear to you, whoever your partner will be, you will have my support."
Whoever her partner will be… Did Nozel actually know about her feelings for Asta?
No, that was actually impossible. But his words made Noelle realize something. If, no, as soon as Nozel and Vanessa would win their fight, that would mean that Asta and her would have a chance as well! Okay, she still needed to tell her idiot her feelings, to admit it in general and she was still not ready. But since her brother took that step already with Vanessa, despite knowing her not as long than Noelle had known Asta and since he'll support her, then she would definitely surpass that limit of hers.
But not today. Today, she would just be happy for Nozel and Vanessa.
"Thank you, big brother."
Noelle didn't even hesitated to hug him and she even let out a happy squeal as her brother pulled her tightly against him. It was the first time that hugging each other didn't felt awkward at all.
They were all silent for a moment, before Vanessa happily sighed. "Ah, right now you are definitely the cutest siblings ever… Can you make some room, please? I want a hug too!"
Nozel chuckled and one of his arms let go of Noelle to pull Vanessa against them.
So here they were, all three, in a hidden corner of the Silva flower garden, hugging each other and being happy.
Being hold by her older brother and her best friend, Noelle was just happy. Happy for Nozel and Vanessa, happy that she will help them with their relationship, happy that there was hope Asta and herself, happy that her brother won't sacrifice himself into an arranged marriage. Happy that he found love with one of her squadmates. Happy that Vanessa fell in love with her brother.
Well, I have a lot of reasons to be happy, Noelle thought with a smile, as she smelled the mixed scents of lavender and roses.
