A/N Delphia's father's face-claim is Benno from Ascendence of a Bookworm. Totally a slice of life anime y'all should watch. It's hilarious and even if the MC's obsession of books is the main focus, the little angst in between due to her status is quite interesting to watch as well. I quite enjoy the the morals they teach as well. I edited the picture, so he's the same shade of blond as his sister Liliane Vaude and the same eyes as Delphia (cyan).


Review Responses:

AmericanNidiot: Hehe, I guess the face-claim answered your question. Lord Rotta honestly looks more like Langris than he does Delphia. Except for the eyes. If you have wattpad or quotev I have this story posted there as well under the same title. I've added an edited photo of what he looks like to that chapter.

Moonlight puppet: I used to watch the original Pretty Cure when YTV still played anime. Loved it. My sis's fav was the black dressed one, while I loved the white dressed girl.

LoneTaker: Papa Rotta is here indeed! "How Heavy are the Dumbbells you Lift?" Haven't seen that but from the title alone it sounds interesting. I may check it out.

NOW ON WITH THE STORY!


Black Clover Trivia #11: In the anime, Acier's headstone misspells her name as "Asie Silver." It also lists her lifespan as 1584-1619, which would make her around 35 years old when she died. However, the guidebook says she was 32 years old when she died.


Cyan eyes stared down in awe at the tiny bundle, wrapped snug in her cradle as she slept on, unaware of the ever-watchful eyes on her delicate form. He felt breathless as the baby wrapped her tiny hand around his finger in her sleep.

"You know, many would find it unsettling knowing you watch a lady in her sleep, Jack."

The man sighed out in exasperation as he remained in his place, only to look over his shoulder and deadpan at the intruder.

"The greater mass would also find it rather scandalous for such an illustrious lady such as yourself to be barging into a married man's home without a chaperone, Ace," He drawled.

"As his vassal, my husband trusts you explicitly with me. Plus, we all know that if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have even known him in the first place and married him," The silver-haired woman laughed as she bounded over to her friend, "Now show me, my godchild!"

He rolled his eyes fondly but gently lifted his child, careful to not awaken her. He brushed back a few strands of hair, leaning down slightly to present her to his childhood friend.

"Acier, meet your goddaughter, Delphia." He whispered almost reverently.

Acier blinked in confusion, "Delphia?"

The man chuckled, nodding, "She's much like me in this way."

"I don't understand why you go by your middle name. Lysander sounds much more refined."

"Exactly, though it is better than being called Nozel. It still amazes me that you let Vandens get away with that."

"You know Silvas and their naming sense. I'm just happy he's letting me name our daughters."

"They were truly blessed to have you as their mother," He smirked, "They won't be teased for their names for one."

Acier's cheeks puffed, "It's truly not a bad name!"

"Ace, I've heard the youngest lion call him faucet. At least he wasn't named after his affinity like his father."

"His parents both had a water affinity, so it's wasn't much of a stretch that Vandens would take after them!"

"They literally named him water, Ace, water."

"And you told me I was named steel! What's so bad about your name relating to your affinity? Yours means jack!"

"Our names have class. That's the difference."

The two froze in their bickering when a small whimper reached their ears. Vale was quick to turn his attention to his baby, carefully rocking her in his arms to calm her, whispering his apologies.

The now Silva woman smiled softly at her friend, seeing how much his daughter has already softened and changed him, and she couldn't be more proud of him. Gazing down at the child, Acier's eyes became soft as she gently stroked her cheek. Her smile widened as the baby's eyes fluttered open. She could already tell from the sharpness of the blue, that she'll have her father's eyes.

"Oh, she's beautiful," She cooed, "You'll have boys lining up for her hand once she's older."

Cyan eyes darkened as Vale moved away from the steel user, holding his daughter closer to his chest.

"No."

Acier laughed at the protectiveness of her friend as she sent her mental apologies to her goddaughter in the future. It seemed she may have jumpstarted his protectiveness. It would have been better to leave him to figure it out and live oblivious to his daughter's love life for at least a few years.

Watching how he immediately relaxed as Delphia squirmed and whimpered up at him, Acier could tell that his baby already had him wrapped around her tiny fingers.

She took out a few wrapped gifts, piled them on a nearby table and placed a plush toy of an eagle within the crib.

Twisting around, she nearly jumped, glaring scoldingly at her friend who towered over behind her. He smirked but quirked a brow in question at the stuffed toy.

"You know, she may not even join the Silver Eagle."

"Of course, she will!" Acier stared up, indignantly at him. "By then, I'm sure the squad will be in the safe hands of Nozel, and there's no way I'll let him have my precious goddaughter escape the Eagles!"

Seeing the almost evil gleam in his friend's eyes, he rolled his eyes, poking the woman rather harshly on the forehead, causing her to wince and glare up at him as he returned Delphia back to her cot having rocked her back to sleep.

"I don't know. She is a Rotta after all," He patted Delphia gently, "She might just take to Julius and join the Grey Deer."

"How dare you?!" Acier gasped as if she had just been stabbed in the back, "I will not have her become some measly deer! She is not prey! She is an eagle! The sky is where she belongs," She huffed, "Plus, Julius has been rising in the ranks quickly and gaining quite a reputation. He may become the Wizard King when she's older, and I know you wouldn't want her working under any random stranger."

He chuckled but couldn't help but agree. With the rumours and his growing reputation, he had no doubt that Julius would be the next Wizard King.

"By the way..." Acier was rather hesitant to continue, "Where is she?"

He sighed, staring down at Delphia almost painfully.

"You know how she is," He smiled sadly, "She never liked staying in one place for too long."

Acier felt anger course through her seeing the pain in his eyes despite the evident love they held.

"It's hardly been a day since Delphia was born," She protested, "I don't care how impressive her healing abilities are, had she even held her properly?"

"If I remember correctly, you went to battle a few days after Nebra's birth," He rebuked.

"Light exercise, if anything," She corrected, "I came right back as well."

"I know... it's just... I can't force her to stay... not even for our daughter..." or me went unsaid, "How is Nozel's training coming along?"

Acier knew he was trying to avoid the question, but she knew how much this was a sensitive topic for him, so let him be.

"He's amazing!" She beamed, "He's been working so hard on controlling his mercury. He's able to create more detailed forms as the days go by! I can't wait-"

Cyan eyes watched his friend continue to babble and rave on about her eldest child, keeping half an ear on her rant as he turned his attention back to his daughter.

Watching how tiny fingers grasped once more around one of his own, his heart swelled knowing without a doubt that he'd die for his daughter if it meant she'd be able to grow into the wonderful woman he knew she was destined to be.

She was a Rotta, after all. They were all destined to do great things.

[TAROT*CARDS]

"I apologize for the interruption, Lord Rotta, but Lady Delphia won't settle down."

Vale was up on his feet before the flustered wet-nurse could finish her sentence. She bowed to her lord as he took his daughter, nodding his head in thanks before dismissing her. He sighed as Delphia's cries began to quiet as he cradled her to his chest. Careful to not jolt her, he leant back, gazing out the window in thought.

He loved his daughter, he truly did. She was a treasure he never knew he'd receive with how free-spirited her mother was and his own tendencies to wander. But Delphia was also his greatest source of concern.

It's been nearly a year since his daughter's birth, and he's been forced to keep her isolated within the manor when her magic began to manifest itself.

Among nobility and royals, children began showing signs of their affinity by the time they were three due to their vast reserves and instinctive knowledge on how to access their mana. His daughter was an anomaly among those numbers, her mana seemingly reacting in an almost volatile manner when she had barely begun taking her first steps. This began nights of constant tantrums.

It took hours for Delphia to settle down most nights, and nearly ninety percent of the time, she would only do so when cradled against her father. They had written off her sudden temperament as normality, in the beginning, having seen how temperamental the eldest Vermillion daughter was as a baby.

But his insouciance soon turned into distress when the cries wouldn't stop, and he'd find his child staring off into space, her mana's use making itself known in the gleam of her eyes.

Vale had brought his concerns to his friends who had taken to using all their available resources to find out what could possibly be wrong with his daughter. It wasn't normal for a baby of not even a year to be able to access their mana. It was dangerous and if it continued... he worried for Delphia's survival.

"Have you found anything?" Acier whispered, staring forlornly at her only godchild.

"...Nothing. All our history and I haven't found a clue within the Rotta library." Vale cradled his head in his hands as he curled in on himself, despair growing within him. This was his daughter. His Heiress. His firstborn and likely only child.

Vale held back tears as Delphia toddled up to him as if sensing his mood, tugging on his trousers. She babbled up at him, giggling as he ran his fingers through her violet curls.

They had found that keeping Delphia away from strangers kept her from having too many fits, but it did nothing at night for her mana seemed more active in her sleep. Very few had access to her but this isolation has been making waves among the noble gossips.

House Rotta was a distinguished household, not only for their history but as vassals for one of the three Royal Families. It was only expected for them to have a Naming Ceremony for his daughter; to present her to court and her liege lord.

There have been no signs of preparations, nor had anyone seen a glimpse of his child with the exceptions of the wet-nurse, Acier and the healer. He's heard rumours of Delphia being the result of an affair or that she'd died at the birthing bed and that he was in denial of his loss.

If not for her husband, Acier would have gone and destroyed the nobles who dared speak such things about her friend and godchild. But if they did not find the cause or a solution soon, he fears one of those rumours would come true.

The room was tense as the two watched the violet-haired child return to her toys.

"Go."

Vale blinked, staring at his friend in confusion.

"What?"

"Go travel," Acier smiled gently, "You can't find your answers here. Maybe the other kingdoms will. Vandens understands, and you can always present Delphia when you return."

"But, her mana surges..." He worried.

"Vandens has already gone to commission a set of mana cancelling bracelets that would be safe enough for her to wear. Just remember to send us updates."

Vale's shoulders slumped as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Acier smiled as she stood, allowing her friend to wrap his arms around her waist to pull her closer as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"We'll always be here to welcome you home, Jack."

[TAROT*CARDS]

"Concentrate! You can't allow your emotions to overrule you!"

His cyan eyes watched as his daughter failed to bring her mana under her control. He gritted his teeth as his grimoire flipped open the second he saw Delphia lose her grip, the mana thrumming around her as she screamed, fingers pulling at her hair.

Card Magic: House of Thief Cards

He breathed a sigh of relief as Delphia's cries turned into whimpers as the barrier of cards surrounding her began draining away her mana. Seeing it was safe, Vale cancelled the spell, rushing to cradle his shaking daughter.

Reaching into his pockets, he grabbed the bracelets Vandens and Acier had given him, clicking them in place around Delphia's wrists. He frowned, hearing a whimper escape his daughter's lips, feeling her mana drain into the bracelets. He shushed her calmly as he pulled her up onto his lap.

"I know, I know," He soothed, "It's only until we can get your mana under control. It will not be forever, Delphia."

"Home, Papa."

Vale sighed, pressing a kiss against her forehead as he picked them both up as he began his walk back to their cottage. "Yes, let's go home."

"Not home..." He hummed, waiting for Delphia to continue. For a child of two years, she was quite literate, "Home to Ace."

Vale's eyes widened minutely as he stared down at his daughter, catching a glimpse of glowing eyes before they faded back to their shade of cyan that matched his own.

Delphia was a curious little thing. Seeming to always know a thing or two without him having to tell her. It made him wonder just what her affinity is to affect her so. Or could it be something else entirely...

[TAROT*CARDS]

"PAPA!"

"DELPHIA, RUN!"

Vale cursed as he defended against the attackers. The father and daughter had chosen the diamond kingdom as their next destination, knowing he would not be welcome to the witch's forest and having found no answers in the Spade or Heart Kingdoms. Despite the rough relations between the Clover and Diamond Kingdoms, the Rotta were always welcomed.

Of course, that didn't mean there wasn't anyone willing to take advantage of a Lord and his young heiress travelling without an escort.

Card Magic: Speed Play

Vale watched as the cards soared at breakneck speed, slicing and pinning down his opponents. His eyes widened as he was tackled from behind. Twisting around, he tilted his head just in time to avoid the axe that was about to slice his head. Seeing his attacker take another swing, he punched them in the gut, grabbing the axe's handle as it was nearly pushed against his throat, taking advantage of the man's pain to switch their positions.

The two were stuck at a standstill as they struggled against each other's strength. Vale's eyes widened as the man below him suddenly passed out.

"Papa, duck!"

Vale listened to his daughter, falling atop his opponent and rolling off to see a bullet of fire aimed where he just was. Jumping to his feet, he rushed to his daughter, scooping her up into his arms as he opened his grimoire once more.

Card Magic: Magician's Exit

The bandits chasing them watched in shock as a cloud of cards suddenly rained down on the pair, and before their eyes, disappeared.

Vale panted as he collapsed back onto a tree, his daughter safe in his arms. I'm rusty. Ace would be laughing if she saw me now. Thinking about the ambush, he frowned as he glanced down at his daughter.

"Delphia... the man that passed out... was that you?" He wondered.

Delphia bit her lip as she grabbed her father's shirt, nodding slowly. Knowing that what she did was most likely instinctive as what most magic is for children of her age, he decided to ask a different question.

"Why did you do it?"

"...He would hurt you... badly." She whispered. Seeing the light gleam in her eyes and how she tightened her fist around his shirt, Vale just hummed.

"I think it's time we went home."

Delphia's eyes widened. "To Ace?"

Vale smirked, nodding, "To Ace."

[TAROT*CARDS]

Gripping his daughter's hand tightly, the two strolled through the Black Market, trying to find anything to their liking. They have yet to reveal their return to the kingdom or his own friends, but having passed through the Common Realm, Vale thought his ever-curious daughter would enjoy the little trip.

It would surprise many nobles how many relics and treasures actually end up in the Black Market.

"Oh my," He heard, "What a unique affinity your daughter has."

Vale blinked as he turned to the seller before his eyes moved down towards his daughter. His eyes widened, seeing how Delphia's own were gleaming brightly as the cards she had been playing with began to float around her, surrounded by their own glow of a similar colour.

Tarot cards?

"Delphia..." He frowned as she stared off blankly, the cards placing themselves in formations around her. Kneeling, he shook her shoulders lightly. "Delphia!"

He nearly breathed a sigh of relief as the glow in her eyes faded, and the cards fell. He cursed inwardly as Delphia stared at him in fear before passing out and falling into his arms. "Delphia!"

Picking up the cards, he through the seller a bag of yuls, uncaring if it was too much. He picked up his daughter, rushing out of the hidden market and towards his manor. Glancing down, he frowned at the few cards she held tight in her hands, one of the images staring up at him almost mockingly.

[ XIII Death ]

[TAROT*CARDS]

Having found Delphia's exact affinity, he taught her a few tricks he knew to control the cards. With Delphia having tarot cards, she would have to figure out her magic herself, but there were enough similarities between her tarot magic and his card magic for him to teach her.

Despite having been in Clover for nearly half a year, he had kept his manor's staff under secrecy of their return. Delphia's mana was still volatile, and he wished to avoid any public attacks. Fortunately, the tarot cards she had found in the Black Market were helping her focus her mana. He was even able to remove the bracelets that usually kept her mana under control.

Though he had noticed some changes in Delphia's personality. She was quieter and less expressive. Still the ever-curious little thing much to his relief, she wasn't as open nor affectionate. Though he was glad, she didn't push him away, at least.

"Papa, you'll be having a visitor today."

Vale blinked, frowning when he saw Delphia's eyes glowing once more. He had come to affiliate his daughter's ever-knowing nature with the glow of her eyes. With the knowledge of her affinity, he concluded that Delphia could see the future or at least possible futures. Of course, it was still a hypothesis, but Delphia's words continued to affirm it more every day.

Her being clairvoyant wasn't much of a stretch to believe either, considering who her mother is.

"Do you know who it is?" He wondered. No one could possibly know they were back.

"...you'll see."

[TAROT*CARDS]

"HOW DARE YOU?!"

Vale yelped as he dodged the steel lance aimed at his head. He stared incredulously as it impaled his office chair before being yanked out by its user. He chuckled nervously as he stared up at glaring purple eyes.

"A-Ace, I see you've heard of my return." He gulped as her eyes flashed.

"Your return?" She hissed, "Yes, I did... AND THAT YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR HALF A YEAR!"

Before she could attack her childhood friend once more, a soft, almost monotonous voice cut in.

"Hello," The two turned to see a small, nearly three-year-old girl watching blankly from the door, "I'm Delphia Rotta. It's nice to meet you, Lady Acier."

The silver-haired woman blinked, her steel armour and weapon disappearing as her grimoire returned to it's satchel. "Is that...?" She trailed off, glancing at her friend.

"Yes, it is," Vale confirmed from his place on the floor.

"Oh, look how much you've grown," Acier cooed, prancing towards the child as she swooped her into her arms, "You speak so well for your age, though I expect nothing less from a Rotta."

"Thank you," Delphia nodded seriously.

Vale smiled, watching two of the most important ladies in his life interact. He mentally thanked his daughter for her intervention, promising an award for saving his life. Seeing how she stared at him knowingly over Acier's shoulder, she knew it too.

[TAROT*CARDS]

"So you've added a third one to your flock," Vale noted, observing the squirming babe in his friend's arms as she cradled her youngest to her chest.

Acier smiled, nodding, "You missed his birthday several months ago."

"And his name?" He smirked.

Acier's smile was strained this time as she answered, "... Solid."

Vale snorted, quickly covering his mouth as he gave his liege lord a thumbs up. Vandens stared at him in confusion from beside his wife.

"Good job there, Queen."

"Just because I keep my hair long, does not mean I am a woman," Vandens huffed, "And Solid is a perfectly fitting name for a Silva."

"Of course it is," You all have terrible names,Vale thought, "And we don't call you queen for your hair, but for your dramatics." He smirked before turning to his daughter in his arms, "Isn't that right, Delphia?"

Delphia blinked from where she was gazing at the baby and glanced at the man. Tilting her head, the married couple stared in surprise as the cyan began glowing sharply before returning to normal.

"Yes, Papa."

Vandens huffed once more as Vale and Acier laughed at his plight. Hearing a knock, the adults quieted down.

"Mother? Father?"

The trio shared a look. Placing Delphia on her feet, Vale just pushed back her hair as she stared up at him in confusion before her attention was brought back to the parlour doors.

"Come in."

In came in two children he was familiar with but much bigger than the last time he's seen them. Nebra trailed behind her brother as Nozel held her hand, leading her into the room. He held a back a smirk of amusement, seeing how similarly styled the two's hair was to their father's.

"Nozel, Nebra, I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine. He's recently returned from his travels," Vandens introduced, gesturing towards Vale, "This is Lord Vale Rotta. His House are loyal vassals to our family."

Nebra curtsied clumsily as was expected of a child of her age, while Nozel was surprisingly regal as he bowed politely but not too deeply for someone of his station.

"And this is his daughter Delphia, she'll be joining you in your training sessions from now on."

The Silva children's eyes met with cyan. The parents watched as the youngest stepped up and curtsied towards the royals, eyes bright. Vale smirked knowingly, seeing the hint of a smile dancing across his daughter's lips as she stared at Nozel.

"My liege."

[TAROT*CARDS]

"I'm joining the Black Bulls."

Vale blinked, staring at his daughter and heiress, now fifteen with her own grimoire in hand. Powerful in her own right, her connection to the royal families and beauty made her quite sought for, much to his displeasure.

"The Black Bulls?" He repeated.

Delphia's eyes, identical to his own, stared back, piercing through him.

"One of the new squads lead by Yami Sukehiro. William is leading the Golden Dawn."

"Why not the Silver Eagle, Crimson Lion or the Blue Rose? Didn't Lady Roselei give her recommendation for you to her Captain? I'm sure Fuegoleon and Nozel will be happy to take you into their own squads."

Delphia's eye twitched, her lips pursed. Vale quirked a brow, his back straightening as his interest rouse, seeing the glint of determination in her eyes.

"They'll only smother me. The Black Bulls is the best squad for me."

Vale bit back a smile, already seeing the signs.

They had a saying about the family. Rotta were a curious lot. Always wandering and exploring. Searching and learning. But once their curiosity is struck and interest is met, they became dangerous. They stopped at nothing to sate their curiosity, and when they set a goal, there was nothing in the world that could prevent them from making it happen.

And Delphia was his daughter, a Rotta and the most dangerous of them all.


I finally updated! I had so many ideas but it was pretty much all over the place so I cut scenes out that will instead show up later.

Since the Lord Silva was never actually named, I call him "Vandens," which means water in Lithuanian.

Congratulations to lilyrinek (wattpad) and akuma night (quotev) for inspiring Lord Rotta's name! Vale short for valet means jack in French, as in the jack card in a deck. Lysander on the other hand means liberator.


Question: Who's your favourite musical artist? Could be a band/group or soloist.


UPDATED: 11/08/20