Fairy x Adventure

by Magnafeana

In a new era after the Alvarez War, Lucy, Natsu, and the rest of Fairy Tail not only face new challenges but watch as their kids go on new journeys, learn new powers, and battle new enemies and old! Join Luna, Nashi, and the upcoming generation of Mages on Fairy Tail and more on their never-ending adventure!

130. Adventure 130

Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail, any work professionally associated with it, nor any pop culture or classical references. All original plots and characters are mine.

---

In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.

---

LAST TIME, on Fairy Adventure: looks like Nora is being put to the test by his dad, but with Atticus always one step ahead, he has to play this game of chess carefully. Ena, Silver, and Luna take to Lily Street for some mostly uninterrupted vacationing fun, but Silver's fun comes to an end trying to balance his emotions towards him being a true Prince of the Sea and that his crush on Paige should have been given to someone else. The next day is the Young Nation concert at the Sky Arena and our heroes couldn't be more excited—if only Silver could distract Ena from that "smirking jerk". Still, having front row seats for a YN concert is enough to make anyone feel lighter than air. And it's enough for Silver to understand who saved him when he was little.

'Mistress… I'm going to work hard to love you properly too. It's not just because you're my savior from all those years ago. It's because…there's no one else I'd want to fight for. I'm sorry for making you wait all this time. But I'm going to make it up to you and be someone you can depend on. I promise.'

Something tells me an unconventional confession is just around the river-bend with these two. Eros, I'm pretty sure Alexandreux was more jealous than upset…

---

Chibi-Nashi appears with a grin and a wave. "Hi, everyone! Ready for more Fairy Adventure? To keep your eyes safe, make sure you read with at least one light on in a low setting! And here is the updated time zone table!"

Abbreviations – Time Zone Name • — • — •— • — Location • — Offset

MCDT • — • — Melandian Central Daylight Time – Melandia • — • UTC +7

CST • — • — • – Cipangu Standard Time • — • — • — Cipangu • — • – UTC +5

SST • — • — • – Sīchóu Standard Time • — • — • — Zhōnguá • — • – UTC +3

CIT • — • — • – Central Ishgaran Time • — • — • — Bellum • — • – UTC +2

CMT • — • — • – Charring Mean Time • — • — • — Minstrel • — • – UTC +1

FST • — • – Fiore Standard Time • — • — • — • Fiore • — • — • – UTC - 0:00

WST • — • – Western Ishgaran Time • — • — • — • Caelum • — • – UTC - 0:00

ACT • — • — Arcticados Central Time • — • — • – Arcticados • — • — UTC – 1

CAST • — • — • — • — Caracole-Alicanto Standard Time – Fiore • — • UTC – 1

ADT • — • — • – Alvarez Daylight Time • — • — • – Alvarez • — • — UTC – 2

EAT • — • — • – East Andüsa Time • — • — • – Andüsa • — • — • — UTC - 2

AT • — • — • – Amazone Time • — • — • — • — • — Valchestria • — UTC - 4

EST • — • — • – Eastern Standard Time • — • — • – Meidiland • — • UTC - 6

Chibi-Nashi winks with a peace sign. "Today, we'll be including two titles of real-life web-comics. If you are a fan of either series, we're happy to see other fans like us!" She gives a thumbs up. "Enjoy the episode!"

---

No high was better than the high from a finished concert.

Scores of fans had come out exhilarated as they chattered non-stop about the concert they had witnessed. The encore stage had people over the moon, and new friends and old traded stories, pictures, and SNS handles to keep this night in their mind forever.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Sky Arena

Haleakanā City, Ao's Paradise

Caelum, Ishgar

11:59 PM WIT

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Silver, Luna, and Ena banded together to make their way out from the mob of people to get better situated. It took some time until they were able to claim a spot on a curb, but that meant they had to be proactive in making sure they were not pushed away.

Luna could not stop looking at the photo she had taken of Silver and Ena's soft kiss. The focus was a little off, but editing could fix it. But when she looked up at the pair, Ena looked away from everyone while Silver looked sad she ignored him.

What happened? Luna wanted to know. Why did they…? But her thoughts were interrupted when her Compact vibrated. She shook it out, but it surprised her when her brother's contact showed up. Huh? What does he want? Even so, she answered Luke's call.

Silver could not stop glancing at Ena as he held his Compact to track the ordered Sky Ryde. She had given him her a bare glimpse of her profile, but he could still read her. Mistress…

Hedging his bets, he slowly came to her and murmured—

"Are you happy?"

Silver grew taken aback at the monotone of Ena's question. "Huh?"

"Your reward," Ena muttered. "Are you happy you've received it?"

Silver chose his words with care. "Not if you're not happy. I'm sorry if I pushed you into it." Guilt rattled his stomach. "You shouldn't be forced to do something you don't like. I'm sorry I—"

"You didn't force me," Ena tightly reminded him. "I consented."

"But you're upset," Silver murmured, gaze low. "Even if you agreed, that doesn't mean you wanted to or you were happy to. I'm sorry I made you feel that way." His heart felt heavy. "I shouldn't have said anything. I shouldn't have asked for that reward from you, not when you never wanted to kiss me—"

Gritted teeth. "I never said that!"

Silver blinked his surprise catching the irritation on Ena's face, but beyond that, her eyes glistened. Mistress?

"I never said I…! I didn't…!" Ena struggled with her words.

A seed of hope planted in Silver's mind. Is she trying to say…? He asked her, soft, "Did you…want to kiss me, Mistress?"

Ena went rigid.

Silver could see the red on her ears and inhaled. She smells really sweet right now. So she did? But… Does that mean…?

He came closer to murmur, "Mistress, it's okay—"

"No, it's not okay."

When Ena turned back to face him, it broke Silver to see how distraught she looked over her fury.

"It's not okay," she said again, voice cracking. "It shouldn't have happened. I-I don't…" She turned away—

Silver cupped her cheek in the hopes she would meet his eyes, but she averted hers. "Mistress, what's wrong?" When she said nothing, he told her, "I liked the kiss too—"

"You shouldn't have," Ena bit. "I just… I don't like…feeling like this. I don't…"

Silver pried, "Feeling like what, Mistress?"

"I…"

Their conversation stopped when their Sky Ryde lowered itself before the curb. The Tamer dismounted from their Partner to show the color they received on their Ryde app and wanted to confirm, "Are you my party?"

Silver scrambled to show his Compact. "Yes, we are."

The Tamer looked satisfied and opened the cab. "All right then! Let's get you all home!"

The trio moved inside, but it stung a little to Silver how Ena kept to Luna and made sure she was not near him. He sat on the other side of both of them, but he held his tongue on all the things he wanted to say when Ena looked out the window and shut off all conversation.

Mistress… Silver vividly remembered feeling Ena's lips on his own. If you liked the kiss… If you could tell me…

The door locked, and the Tamer goaded their Partner into taking off.

Silver looked at his lap. I know you're holding back because you think it's the right thing to do. Maybe this is all new to you like it's new to me too—feeling like this. Maybe I was being too selfish with my reward. But…

He looked out the window as well as blues captured the moon. I wish…you could be more selfish with me too, Mistress.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Tobase STAR TRAIN

Tsuki akari wo se ni FLY AWAY

Mada minu mirai he to kakedase

Yozora wo koete

•

Kimi mo Step Forward

Sono Yuma wo nosete Jump Around

Sekai wo hirogete hashirou

Shuuchakueki ha

Kimi no Wonderful World

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Why did this have to happen?

It all rushed by her in a blur. Her mind disconnected from her body, but she had subtle awareness she had been stripped of all clothes and shackled down into a humiliating all-fours position on a bench. She could taste how impersonally sterile the air was. But she could not hear a sound of this nightmare.

Gold eyes.

There he was, her cellmate, her chosen partner. Was she drugged? She could not get a clear image of him, but she knew these guards treated him the same as here. They had been muzzled and collared like livestock and treated even worse.

WUH-SHA! WUH-SHA!

He had refused again. She felt it in her bones. He had refused to turn into an animal who rutted the first female he saw. She remembered now, that sorrowful look in his gold eyes, and how he sat with her to comfort her while she cried instead of taking advantage of her bound and helpless.

WUH-SHA! WUH-SHA!

He was being whipped all because he wanted her consent.

WUH-SHA! WUH-SHA!

How did this man-turned-experiment have more human decency than anyone in this Hell?

WUH-SHA! WUH-SHA!

The scene blurred in and out. She felt tired—so, so tired. She had cried and screamed and had been force-fed after rejecting two meals in a row. She had been drugged. She remembered now. She had been drugged when they made her drink. But all her memories slipped away as her mind floundered around to stay awake.

"I've missed you, Your Highness."

Her heavy lids pried open to catch the face of the man who haunted the shadows of her dreams, who had made her chose between protecting her innocence of her sister, who made her weep any time she thought she had been ready for self-intimacy.

Hemlock.

She knew she was babbling nonexistent words. Tears she on a reflex, but she could not feel them nor make them stop. She knew on some level he touched her flesh. Jolts of awareness made her gag and want to throw up. But then the numbness would sweep her under and she could not feel a thing.

But it took 15 seconds for her to realize his fingers were defiling her.

They muzzled and collared her savior—the man with gold eyes—but through the haze, she knew he was trying to break away to kill Hemlock. Weakly, her wrists tugged at her chains to try and crawl away from this…this…nightmare. She tried to scream for him to get off me, but it was no use. She waded through this numbness with only subtle knowledge of what Hemlock was doing.

Why was she alive?

What was the point of living anymore?

Why did life make her suffer? What had she done wrong?

She refused to acknowledge that her body had gone through the motions of easing Hemlock's fingered ministrations until her stomach contracted. The traitor, her body. How could her own body cave into this disgusting game? Why was she so weak? Why could she not be strong?

I want to stop living.

There was no point in her fighting back and crying. There was no point to any of this.

I want to die.

Her golden-eyed savior was mauling the guards who kept him chained. She vaguely understood his rage on her behalf when she felt something so sharp and invasive scatter the haze for a moment, and twinges of agony set between her legs.

She did not care anymore.

I want to die.

The blackness swept her under as it saw fit. It was as though the drugs were trying to do a kindness for it, to put her to sleep so she did not have to feel anymore. What a mercy this was, to not feel anymore.

I want to die.

The next time her eyes open, the invasion was gone, but a cold numbed the air.

Winter had come.

It was hard for her to care that she was being released, honestly, even though she knew she should be celebrating. Cold arms had gathered her—

Blues mourned for her.

I want to die.

Her golden-eyed cellmate had been freed from his chains, but she could not spare much for the worry in his eyes. She knew she should. She was always the one to comfort people and assure them she was fine. That was what she was supposed to do.

Why should she anymore?

The abandoned this Hell for her to see winter had spread throughout the halls. Gary had spared no expense in personnel. He let some live in as frozen statues, but other had been pummeled and shattered. She held no judgment for his kills.

All of this people deserved worse than death.

She knew Gary was speaking to her. She knew he was shaking, but it was not out of second-guessing his choices. It was out of pure rage and grief for her sake. She knew he peppered her with stricken comfort and love, all the things she had forgone to survive in this Hell—

She's dead.

Not her, no not her at all—but both she and Gary had felt that instant disappearance slamming them in their chest. She yanked free from the haze as an overflow of agony and grief stabbed her.

Nashi is dead.

The change was instant.

Never had she seen Gary like this. Never had she seen his skin blackened to show icy-blue tattoos of dark symbols. Never had she witnessed his horns. Never had she seen his talons and claws or his half halving between black and white.

"Luna."

One of cerulean and one eye of icy-blue.

"Take me to her."

The scene shifted.

She had never been to a funeral until now.

Dozens to hundreds came out in droves to mourn in black. Not a smile to be had and no tear left unshed. People told stories of how the great Angel of Fairy Tail had touched their lives and their hearts. Pictures had been poured out of when she was alive and loving and smiling.

Why did she have to die?

No one dared to approach the devilish widower, not a chance. Not when they saw the gauntness of his face. Not when they saw his horns that would never recede or his unnatural white hair or the unnatural blues of his eyes. Not when they knew he was a dead man walking. Everyone could see it.

He would join his Angel in death soon.

She held his clawed hand as he watched his Angel's face. She did too. It was as though they were waiting for her to open her eyes again and gift them her smile and lively expression.

But she never did.

He lowered his head to touch her forehead as tears of dry ice raked his cheeks. "I'm coming." He smiled for her, a twisted smile that held no happiness. "Let's go together, okay?"

DRIP.

DROP.

An icy tear shattered.

And his hand slipped away.

• — • — • — • — •

• — • — • — • — •

Ena had left. Maybe she had left the bedroom for her early-morning training or maybe she had other errands to run. It was unclear.

But it was a small mercy for Luna when she woke up and barely made it to the night stand trashcan to throw up. She gagged and sobbed as she trembled into the trash can, her late-night snack and drinks gone in a handful of minutes. It took a moment for her to spit out the rest until she could set down the trashcan and try to breathe. Sweat and tears stained her body and her chest heaved as she coughed and cried.

Shaky fingers gathered her Compact. Her fingers moved before she could catch up and a call was placed. She panted with her throat constricting as the call kept ringing, pick up pick up pick up pick up—

The call connected.

"Hello." Sleepy mumble.

She sucked in a breath. She was alive. "N-Nashi?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 130

•

Please Be Selfish

•

わがままを聞いてほしい

•

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A morning meal in the sunroom always felt relaxing to Eros, especially vacationing on this property. The chef had prepared a larger portion for Eros' share and one of his favorite breakfast meals to have. One of the staff had fetched him a newspaper without his asking, and he was touched someone had remembered he enjoyed listening to classical in the morning. So yes, mornings were relaxing—

"So, like, what do old people like you even do on a date?"

—unless the world's most spoiled brat was endlessly questioning him two mornings straight.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Saturnus Palace

Akane Beach

Fiore, Ishgar

9:51 AM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Sylvie had helped herself to sitting next to him, but Eros paid her no mind as he read the paper and enjoyed his meal. Pissed off, she snapped her fingers before his face. "Um, hello? I'm sitting right next to you."

"I know," Eros said, clipped. "I'm pretending you don't exist."

Sylvie hmphed. "You can be such a jerk," she accused huffily. "Why can't you tell me about your date? It's not like old people like you actually date." She smirked. "I bet you made the whole thing up just to annoy me."

Eros hummed. "You failed to consider two things in that theory."

Sylvie frowned. "What?"

"That I want to expend energy to make a fake date—one. And two"—Eros glanced at her—"that I even thought about a spoiled child like you in the first place." And he went back to his breakfast and reading.

The offended scowl on Sylvie's face spoke volumes. "You were the one who said my dad is making you my babysitter," she accused, crossing her arms. "You can't do much babysitting if you're going out on dates."

Eros raised an eyebrow. "I'm not your babysitter. But I agree with your sentiment that you apparently need one. I'll bring it up to your father that you feel the need to be babysat."

Sylvie growled, "You know what I meant. Why can't you just tell me what you and that captain—?"

"Lieutenant."

"What you and that lieutenant did?"

Eros finished swallowing his mouthful and straightened his newspaper. "Because that would mean I'm comfortable sharing my personal life with you. And as it stands, I'm not." He nodded to the door. "You can see yourself out."

"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me," Sylvie challenged.

"Then at least be quiet so I can enjoy my morning without a spoiled child ruining it—again."

Sylvie gave him the stink eye before upturning her nose. "Whatever."

With no more words mucking up the air, the classical concerto wound through the room with Eros' methodical chewing and page-turning. It was as though Sylvie's agitated presence did not exist as he basked in the ambiance and read up on a riveting news story about the efforts sent to Valchestria in the gruesome war between the radical Faction, the Magic Council, and tribespeople caught in the crosshairs.

Sylvie's one glance at Eros turned into an annoyed stare. How did someone like him get a date? He's not even that hot, and he has a horrible personality, she thought, embittered. He's always grouchy, he never has anything nice to say, and he never smiles. Well, he never smiles around me.

That thought spiraled into another. I bet he didn't even smile at the captain—lieutenant—whoever. She glanced away, frowning. But…I guess he could have. Did he seriously have a date? Her frown deepened. No way. He's just saying that. But even she sounded less convicted than she hoped.

Octavius broke the silence when he popped in, munching on cereal. He wrinkled his nose hearing classical music. "Why are you such a boring old man?" he complained with his mouth full. "Who listens to shitty orchestra music for fun?"

"Someone who can chew with their mouth closed, apparently," Eros said, sardonic. He folded his newspaper when Octavius made himself at home from the seat across from him. "Can't you bother anyone else? I was actually enjoying the quiet, even if I had to deal with a hissy cat."

Sylvie bristled. Who's he calling a cat?

Octavius chuckled. "Oh, yeah?"

"Yes. I'm hoping to put that cat outside," Eros relayed. "She's become high maintenance and too spoiled for me to want to take care of her. And I only did so out of generosity and a favor from her sister and brother. It's sad how such a high maintenance cat needs to ride on the coattails of her siblings to get anywhere, don't you think?"

Humiliated and rosy-cheeked, Sylvie got up and bolted out of the sunroom.

Octavius raised an eyebrow as he glanced back at the closed door. "Eros." He looked at his older brother with a cocked head. "C'mon, Eros, no need to be that harsh."

"I'm not saying anything that isn't true," Eros pointed out. "She needs to learn she'll always have an image of being a spoiled brat until she starts acting her age and standing on her own two feet. Marquis Denver is too soft on her."

"And, what, you're giving her a dose of tough love, Lieutenant?" Octavius cackled at Eros' flat look. "You better be careful with that one. She has a thing for older men, and by the way she's clinging to you, you could say she might have a—"

"Why are you here, Octavius?" Eros sighed. "I wanted to have my breakfast in peace, which means sans you." He added in a mutter, "Preferably with Trissy, but she and her girlfriend went out for breakfast." This Marinette has been stealing more and more of Beatrice's time. Normally, it would irritate me, but…

He remembered him and Octavius having shadows over their eyes as Marinette showed them her dedicate shrine to her Lady.

…she's as big of a fan of Trissy as we are. So she has our approval.

Octavius swallowed his portion of cereal and milk, and his jester's expression turned somber. "I have to get back to the Tower of Learning," he informed. "I'll be gone for a while. So tell Dad for me, will you?"

"I thought you were approved for a week-long vacation?" Eros narrowed his eyes when Octavius sweated. "That's why you were bringing work home. You never put in your vacation time, did you?" When Octavius looked like he would crack under the weight of Eros' stare, Eros eased up. "That's fine. I'll let Father know. But is there really that much work to do at the Tower?"

"There's always work to do," Octavius told him. "The Tower isn't like the Bureau of Magical Development and located in one country. It's practically the focal point for all magical research. We have work pouring in from all over the world and even work not from this world. There's not much time to rest." He complained, "But good ole Ron gets to go on sabbatical for months. It's not fair!"

"You're mad because you don't have access to his apprentice," Eros deadpanned.

Octavius coughed. "But anyway…"

He didn't deny it, Eros thought dryly.

"I just wanted to cram my goodbyes in while I can," Octavius went on. "Claire Voyant told me I'd probably be gone for quite sometime."

"Until when?"

Octavius hesitated. "I…might not be back in time for Mom's anniversary."

That made Eros still. "You know how it means to all of us to be there for our mother's death anniversary, Octavius."

Octavius winced. "Yeah, I know, I know." He sighed. "I'm trying to work it out. It's not like I'll be forced to work through Mom's day, I promise, it's just… There's a lot going on with the Tower right now, and I can't avoid it." He added, "Just like I know you're hiding you're going to be deployed to give navy support to Valchestria."

Eros did not look surprised Octavius knew, but he questioned, "When did you know?"

"You're not the only one with tricks up his sleeves, but at least I'm a Magician, lieutenant." H gave his brother a firm look. "I don't like the look of this war, Eros. It's not your place to get involved with it. You should let Valchestria keep to its own problems." He clenched his spoon. "You shouldn't have to risk your life for this bullshit of a civil war."

But Eros remained unfazed. "If those are my orders, so be it. I'm not going to ignore a direct command, and my men are up to snuff to handle the radicals—"

CLANG!

A furious Octavius clattered his bowl and spoon on the table to glare at Eros. "Don't give me that propaganda speech!" he seethed. "You know this civil war is complete bullshit! Don't get involved, you dumbass! Can't you see—?"

"Octavius."

Raging dark browns clashed with calm soft greens.

With a grunt, Octavius sat down, but his anger stole his appetite.

Eros unfolded his newspaper. "You have your duties and I have mine," he explained, simple. "And you know I can't ignore my orders just as you can't ignore your summons. It doesn't matter the situation—we chose the lives we have." He slid the newspaper to Octavius. "And we will stick to them."

Octavius eyed the article Eros had turned to and looked at the headline:

MILITARY OR MYSTERIOUS MAGICAL BEAST

Locals say the if was not the military who offered relief against the radicals but a mythical beast they call 'El Fènix'

Octavius took hold of the paper before looking up at Eros. "You serious?"

Eros nodded and crossed his arms as he sat back in his chair. "The Magic Council has sent HAWKS and BETA to provide relief and support in the civil war. But the Council has been strategic in their aid they've been sending. Two special forces units—and yet they're being wasted and idle instead of defending the people they're allegedly helping. Rumor has it both teams were silently being pulled. And then articles like this show up. This is the first one published for this news line. Governments have squandered most articles on this before they come into the editor's room. This particular one is posthumous."

"Seriously?"

"Yes. From my intel, the journalist had gone to Valchestria for coverage with their assistant, but they weren't smart enough to bring a guide. Long story short: the journalist died and her sister returned fatally injured. But they were desperate to get their story in the paper."

Octavius looked at the small article, hidden amongst bigger and brighter headlines, longer articles, and proof of evidence. "A Phoenix, huh?" He rubbed his chin. "If these tribespeople really said this, then that's surprising."

"Why?"

"Well, for starters, actual Phoenixes and not a Celestial Spirit, are extinct," Octavius told Eros.

"I thought there had been a Phoenix in Veronica?" Eros recalled.

Octavius shook his head. "No. That Phoenix was created from Alchemy to recreate an actual Phoenix and it's abilities. From the records I saw, someone connected the von Hohenheim bloodline to its creation, but no one could find concrete evidence. It was justified to pin it on them since their family started Alchemy, but that's not enough validation."

He folded the newspaper back and shoved it to Eros. "Actual Phoenixes were seen a thousand years ago, I think. I'm not great at magizoology. But they were the type of creature you saw once in your lifetime if that. It was said their flames, when threatened, burned hotter than the sun. But when they were peaceful, their blood, their tears, their fire—all of those had such extremely powerful properties. Normally, when a Phoenix dies, it's reborn from its ashes."

"So then, they exist?"

"Hypothetically? Yes. Realistically? Not really," Octavius answered. "It's why an Alchemist made that Phoenix before. It's not like Phoenixes couldn't die, but they had the option to be reborn from their ashes. Then, a thousand years ago…they chose to become extinct. People say the Black War made the entire race go extinct and not want to live in this world. That's why it's hard for me to believe locals think a Phoenix saved them."

Though, it's not impossible, Octavius thought. I'd have to speak to one of the Sorcerers, but it's entirely possible for an extinct magical species to reintroduce itself if the conditions are right. Seeing that Ice Devil on trial proved that much. But why are such powerful species coming back into the Current Era?

Eros tapped the paper. "My orders are to provide navy support. My fleet will intercept pirates and slave traders and providing transportation. We won't be in the fight. So don't concern yourself with my safety for the time being."

Octavius still did not look happy, but he muttered, "Sure, fine. Whatever you say."

Eros peered down at the headline. But it is curious. If the military isn't there to fight the radicals—the words EL FENIX imprinted in his mind—then who is this vigilante? And why is the Council relying on them to get the job done?

---

Silver and Ena could tell something was wrong.

No, it was not because Luna rejected breakfast (although it helped confirm things). No, it was not that her hair was a mess, or that she was still in her pajamas this far into the morning. No, it was not because she had skipped on her morning conditioning and stretches.

But they knew something was wrong.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Hotel Nimbus

Ao's Paradise

Caelum, Ishgar

10:25 AM WIT

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Both surrounded her on her bed, worried, as she stayed tucked into her blanket with puffy eyes and a haggard face. Both glanced at each other as though silently working out who would go first.

Ena was up. "L?" She swept Luna's hair to the side. "What's going on?"

Luna remained silent.

Silver curled around her and thumbed her cheek. "Lulu?" he murmured. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Luna shook her head.

Ena and Silver met eyes, even more concerned now. It was Ena who beckoned Silver to follow her out of the room. Once she closed the door, she whispered, "I don't know what's wrong. I left this morning to train and when I came back, she looked so…listless."

"I know." Silver glanced at the bedroom door. It's just like before, how sad she'd look. I was so hopeful she'd feel better with this trip, but now…

Ena brought her Compact out from her pocket when it beeped. Silver asked when her brow furrowed, "What's wrong?"

"Gigi wanted to meet with me since Vos is making sure they stay together," Ena told him, fingers flying. "I need to stay here with L—"

"You should go."

Ena gave him a firm glare. "I'm not leaving her alone while she's upset."

"I'm staying," Silver told her. Before Ena could bite an argument, he added on, "I'm not saying you'd abandon her, Mistress. I know how much you love Lulu, don't worry, and I'm not trying to be a jerk about it. But you know how she is. If we're both here, she'll be upset we're 'wasting' our day with her."

"And why are you deciding to who stays?" Ena questioned, testy. "I'm perfectly capable of staying here while you leave."

"Well, I…" Silver looked down. "I just thought… You seemed upset too, Mistress," he confessed in a mumble. "I just thought… Hearing you were going to meet up with Gigi, I guess I thought he could cheer you up a little."

That struck Ena by surprise. "Oh." Now all her offense and bristling felt foolish and shameful. "I…" She looked away. "You…don't need to worry about me. If this is about last night, I apologize," she murmured. "I was being irrational emotional. I'm sorry I made you feel bad in the process. But I'm fine."

"No, you're not." Silver came closer to thumb Ena's cheek, but he made the comment, "You can't even look at me."

"I…" Ena swallowed. "I can, I just…" Even as she said that, her stare stayed averted.

Silver pressed, "'Just' what?"

Ena took two beats before she looked up with her remorse browns meeting his firm blues. "I…" Her gaze slipped away as quickly as she had found his. "We shouldn't be talking about this when L needs us more," she excused, albeit feebly.

"You're avoiding it."

Ena flinched, but she had no excuses this time.

Silver did not step back, but he remarked, "You always say what you want to. What's so hard about it now, Mistress?"

Ena kept her mouth shut as a blush spread across her face. It's because… Her trembling fingers clutched the material over her heart. I… I don't want to…

Silver asked, soft, "Did I cross a line last night? Did I break a boundary?"

It took Ena a moment to slightly shake her head.

The relief within Silver was palpable. Oh thank goodness. His hand feathered down her hair. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable, Mistress," he swore to her. "I know Lulu's upset. I know you want to be there for her. But you're upset too."

"Why aren't you upset?" Ena asked him, almost bitter.

"Who says I'm not?"

Sad browns met resigned blues.

"I am upset," Silver told her. "I feel like I'm going to explode half the time. But I can deal with that later. You and Lulu need me right now, so don't worry, Mistress." He silenced her bubbling protest by kissing her forehead. "You both come first right now, okay?"

"And who do you come first for?" Ena questioned, weak.

Silver had no answer. Instead, he stepped back and to Ena, it felt like she had said all the wrong things. "You should call Gigi and tell him you're on your way," he advised her. "I'll stay here with Lulu. It's okay." He looked away to the door with a smile that did not reach his eyes. "It's a bad night for a friend-date anyway with all the stuff we had to go through. So I don't mind." He turned back to her and nodded. "I'll wait to come in once you're done." And he moved away.

Ena's mind raced. I… I don't want to leave it like this. I… Her fingers tightened.

It perplexed Silver when Ena's hand on his wrist stopped him. "Mistress?" He turned back to see her head down and her bangs shielding her eyes. "What's wrong?"

"H-Have…"

Silver's eyebrows rose when he witnessed Ena's flush and the mixture of agitation and embarrassment on her face.

"H-Have…dinner with me," Ena got out. "W-We can still have dinner."

"Are you sure?" Silver asked. "It's okay if we don't. I understand, really."

Ena fumbled, fidgeting. "No, it's… Well…" She huffed as she drew back her hand to flick her hair. "Well, you already went through the trouble of making reservations. It would be a shame to waste them." She summoned her fan and spread it out to cover the bottom portion of her face. "And it's not like you could afford to eat at such a nice restaurant, anyway. Think of this as me doing you a favor and letting you taste food you could never try with your budget. This is me being kind and generous towards my assistant."

"Yes, of course, Mistress. You're so kind." Internally, Silver sweatdropped as the pour of wealth and arrogance flowered around Ena. She just has to remind me how rich she is, doesn't she? He smiled to himself as Ena carried on about how generous she was, even though her ears were stark red. She's certainly adorable. I can't deny that. It's cute watching her make excuses like this, but…

"Why, it would take you a century to get to my level of wealth."

Silver smiled through his dark aura as Ena sparkled in riches. If only she didn't make me feel so dirt poor. He sighed. Even so…

Ena's haughtiness faltered when Silver came in close. "What are you—?"

Silver held her still as he pressed his lips against her fan, right where her lips were. Chu!

Ena dangerously reddened as lightning struck. What is he doing!

He pulled back with a lopsided grin and half-lidded eyes. "You were being too cute, Mistress," he told her. "And you told me you'd take responsibility if I couldn't resist your looks, right?"

"I-I… Well…" With a hair ticked, Ena remembered how arrogant she sounded on Lily Street. Her eyebrow twitched. "I…" A defeated and shamefaced aura burned her. "I did say that."

Yes, you did, My Lady, Lunagr'an unhelpfully thought to her.

And you sounded so proud of yourself too, Soledia remembered, amused.

TICK!

Ena groused, Just because you can talk doesn't mean you have to, understand?

She snapped her fan shut and prodded Silver's chest with the end of it. "Listen here. We are going to dinner and we are going to talk about your inappropriate conduct." She lifted her chin. "You're quite lucky you have such a patient and generous mistress. If I was anyone else, you'd have my swords at your throat."

"Then I'm grateful Mistress is only this kind to me!"

It irked Ena to see how sparkly Silver had become (she would dismiss any abashment). "Don't misunderstand me!" she barked at him. "You aren't special."

A fangy smile. "Hm. Maybe not." He took hold of her wrist to bring the back of her hand up to kiss. "But I'm still excited to have dinner with my kind mistress." His smile widened. Intense blues held her captive. "That alone makes me feel special."

Ena's breath hitched before she muttered, "Yeah, you're all sorts of special."

"Thank you, Mistress!"

A dreary aura came over Ena while Silver looked too bright to stare at. That's not a compliment. She snatched back her hand and fan. "Don't think I'm not onto you." She bunched her fan under his chin, but her sudden proximity made him forget how to breathe. "Don't act cute when you still have much to answer for." Her free finger dragged down his chest. "And don't think I won't punish you for acting so foolish. Understand?"

"Y-Yes, Mistress." Inwardly, Chibi-Silver was a steaming red mess with tissue paper stuffing up his bleeding nose. Hot! Hot! I can die happy now! This is amazing! My fantasy is coming true!

Ena's eye twitched in disgust witnessing Silver short-circuit and drool with an inappropriate blush on his face. I should've worded it differently. I don't like the face he's making. She shoved him away to spread out her fan. "Forget it. I'm not punishing you."

SNIFFLE!

Ena gawked seeing how glassy Silver's eyes had gotten like she was seeing a whimpering puppy. What kind of relationship does he think we have?

Clearing her throat, she whipped out her fan. "I expect you to dress appropriately upon my return for dinner. And if I am not thoroughly impressed with where we're going, I'm leaving you behind. And there better be dessert."

"Of course there is!" Silver chirped. I probably shouldn't tell her all the researching Lulu and I did. They looked mad in his memory of Luna educating him on all the do's and don't's when it came to Ena's likes and dislikes. She'd forgive Lulu, but she might step on me. In his mind, he was dreamily drooling at the thought. But I could live with that.

"Hmph!" Ena shot him a cursory look. "We'll see about that." She waved him away. "I need to go and get ready then—"

"Wait!"

Ena huffed. "What?"

"W-Well…" Silver resolved himself. "You really liked the kiss?"

Colored, Ena tried to control her shock and hide much of it with her fan. "I…didn't mind it," she supposed. "But you—"

"Can I do it again?"

"Excuse me?"

"One more time." Silver looked determined. "If that's okay with you."

"Well, it's…!" Her eyes turned away as red crawled up her neck. Why can't he remember he has someone he's already in love with? And why is it harder and harder for me to remind him of that? She hedgingly pulled her fan down. "This is because I'm nice."

Silver did not waste a second to descend upon her. It felt greedy to be so eager where she felt uncertain. Maybe it was because of his eagerness that it encouraged her to reciprocate, but that promised one kiss turned into two turned into three turned into a lengthy fourth that had him desperate to make a moment last forever.

I'm sorry, Mistress. I really am…selfish with you. Please forgive me.

Her slight pull away had him follow her for one last kiss until she broke them apart, flustered and panting. Her lips tingled and her nerves felt more frazzled than ever. What in the…? She touched her lips. "Y-You said it was one kiss." Almost an accusation if she could find her voice.

Flushed himself, Silver told her, "R-Right. Sorry." But he would not apologize as he swiped her bottom lip with her tongue. Maybe I really am a Dragon. All I want to do is kiss her again. His nostrils flared. And she smells so sweet again.

"Yes, well…" Ena swallowed. "I need to get ready." She ducked back into the bedroom and shut the door.

Silver stayed outside.

Three, two, one…

Steaming red, panic crossed their faces. What did I do!

Silver crouched as he clutched his hair, eyes swirling. No, no, no, I wasn't supposed to do that! I just wanted a peck, not a make-out session! She probably thinks I'm a pervert! What if she thinks I can't control myself? She'll never want to be around me again!

I was supposed to let it last for a second! Ena cried, covered her face. Now I'm acting like some wanton lady of the night! What is wrong with me? He even has his own love interest! He probably hates me now that I'm turning him into a dishonest dog! He'll probably give me his two weeks at dinner now!

Luna rolled over and pulled up the comforter over her head. My friends are idiots.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And then…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The lunch rush was never fun to endure, unless you had smartened up to send someone to grab a table early. Tourists, Young Nation fans, and locals alike had packed into the bar and booths for a chance at the delicious macaroni and cheese, salmon sliders, pineapple burgers, and one of the happy hour cocktails.

"Come on, Gigi, why won't you let me feed you?"

TICK!

Gianni looked downright murderous as a pouty Vos tried to feed him one of his salmon sliders (and an oblivious Vydia looked happy to be here). "Vos, I'm not a child," he gritted.

It irked him more when Vos stroked his arm and cooed, "Oh, I know. You have a beautiful body, baby boy." His hand slid down to Gianni's hip. "And it's so beautiful that I just can't help myself."

SCRAPE!

Gianni stood up. "I'm leaving."

"Wait!" Vos latched onto him, comically teary. "Don't go! Not when I just got you back! I won't tease you anymore, Gigi, I promise, okay? Please stay here." He kissed Gianni's hand. "Baby?"

Irate and drained, Gianni sat down again. "Fine." His eyebrow twitched with Vos shining his bright aura. Why do I always fall for it?

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

The Bait

Haleakalā City, Ao's Paradise

Caelum, Ishgar

11:30 AM WIT

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Sorry I'm late."

Gianni looked relieved Ena had intervened to the point where he got up to greet her. "Ena, darling." They exchanged cheek kisses and a meaningful hug. "It's good to see you again." He grinned. "No assistant today? A pity. I was beginning to think you grew fond of him waiting on your hand and foot."

Ena colored and cleared her throat. "Not today." To Gianni, she murmured, "L isn't feeling well, so he stayed with her."

Gianni frowned. "Oh, dear. Well, I do hope she feels better." He guided her to her seat. "Come sit. We only ordered appetizers." He made sure she was set up and went to sit beside her—

"Oh no you don't!"

Gianni flailed until he knocked back into Vos' lap. Vos stroked Gianni's chin with a pout. "You should be sitting by your future husband, Gigi. You're hurting my feelings." He nuzzled Gianni's neck. "I thought we were done playing hard-to-get now that we're back together."

TICK!

Gianni tried and failed to pry a clingy Vos away from him, flustered. "I-I never said that!" he tried to sternly reason. "Let me go! I told you I had a moment of weakness!"

"Oh?" Vos smirked. "Then how come that moment repeated ten times…and all this morning?"

Steam puffed from Gianni's head. He had no answer to that.

Ena asked a chipper Vydia (and ignored how Gianni tried to get away while Vos clung to him), "How are you handling this, Vydia? I saw the, um…" She cleared her throat. "Well…the errand Vos had you run."

"Oh, it's not a problem at all!" Vydia chattered sunnily. "It's an honor to work under Mister Summeur! This is the first job I've been able to keep for more than two weeks! And I even got a bonus because I ran his errand quickly!"

Dreary, Ena wanted to facepalm. That's because your boss was probably desperate to tie Gigi down before he came to his senses.

When the waitress came by, Ena quickly placed in her drink and appetizer order before telling Vydia, "I apologize for them. They're a bit…eccentric. You shouldn't have to deal with this."

"Oh, I really don't mind!" Vydia assured. "I've known about Gigi since I started this job. Mister Summeur had me buy him a lot of presents to win him back. And he even put me in charge of finding a wedding planner as soon as possible."

Ena had a flat face as she stared at Vos cooing at an embarrassed Gianni. I need to warn Gigi before he wakes up legally wedded.

Vydia scratched her cheek with a finger. "Honestly, I was pretty worried about Mister Summeur. He seemed pretty down Gigi didn't want to speak to him."

Ena sat back with her legs crossed as she stirred her water. "Well, it's his own fault," she claimed. "Gigi got tired of Vos being frivolous."

And to think about it… All those moments of a flirty Vos around the young models of the industry flipped its head when he was left a comical mess of Gianni storming away from him. Gigi put up with a lot because of Vos.

She sipped her water and watched Gianni and Vos' exchange. It made her smile a little when Gianni caved to a quick peck before turning away with Vos satiated and Gianni a little softer in his ire. But maybe Vos has always been serious about Gigi… Gigi always said Vos was the only partner he had who adored him. Maybe…

Vos frowned when he saw his Compact go off with the name ANDREW WYNTOUR coming up. He knows I'm on vacation. What does he want now? Sighing, he mumbled to Gianni, "Sorry, but I have to take this call. Wait for me?"

"I'm not a child," Gianni bit, grumpy. "I'm older than you."

"But you're still my baby!" Vos peppered Gianni's face in kisses and coos. "My delicious baby who I can't get enough of!"

Lightning struck Ena as she endured this display of affection while her drink and plated appetizer came back to her. I forgot how much he liked PDA.

"Stop it!" Gianni scooted into the booth with a huff and crossed arms. "Just go answer the Com, Vos."

Vos pleasantly hummed. "I'll be back." He leaned over with a tight smile and a threatening vibe as he told Vydia, "Chipmunk, if he leaves this table, you're fired, understand?"

Vydia saluted him. "Yes, sir! I won't let him leave!"

Vos' eye twitched. Maybe I should fire her now. With a sigh, he claimed his Compact, though his greeting to the person on the other end sounded annoyed as he left the table.

Ena simpered when Gianni glanced to watch Vos leave and she teased him, "So should I expect you to change your relationship status back to in a relationship?"

"Of course not," Gianni huffed, pink around the ears. "This is… This is a moment of weakness is all."

A moment of weakness? Browns glinted as Ena recalled both kisses she shared with Silver. Yes. I know all about that. She went for her cocktail. Maybe I am a weak person, just like Mystogan always said.

Gianni noted the sudden dejection on Ena's face. "What's wrong, darling?" he probed. "You looked like you were given Cipanguese-buffed diamonds instead of machine-polished ones." He scooted over to be in front of her, concerned. "Everything okay?"

Ena sighed, sitting her cocktail. "I don't know."

"Then how about we drink and you can walk me through it?" Gianni proffered as he got back his own mule. "Or we could leave and—"

"Oh, I'm sorry." Ena and Gianni sweatdropped when a beaming Vydia carried a lethal aura as she twirled around her knife. "I can't let you leave."

She's threatening us and it's working, Ena and Gianni gaped.

Gianni coughed into a fist. "W-Well, I suppose we could talk here." He garnered a soft look as Ena looked at her drink. "What's going on, darling?" He added in question, "Is it about your assistant?"

Ena sighed again. "I'm…confused, Gigi. I don't…!" She stopped messing with her drink. "We… We kissed—twice."

"Oh." Gianni's eyebrows rose. Well, now. I knew about the boy's feelings, but I didn't expect this. He felt like a proud parent. But this is good too. I'm glad to see he took the leap. I'm sure this conversation is about her feelings.

"And I know what you're thinking," Ena muttered. "I'm becoming the other woman."

Gianni blinked. What?

"I feel so…horrible about this," Ena lamented. "I'm well-aware he has someone else he loves and I still…kissed him. I've become comfortable around him. And it's not my right, I know."

No, darling, it is your right because you are the one he loves, Gianni wanted to say.

"I just feel so…strange around him," Ena explained, face downcast.

Gianni hummed. "What do you mean by strange?"

"Well…" Ena thought about it.

Gianni sipped his mule, content. Perhaps having her speak about her feelings will help her realize she likes him—

"I feel sick."

Gianni nearly spat his sip and hurriedly swallowed it. "Pardon?"

"I feel sick," Ena deadpanned. "It feels like I go through an allergic reaction when I'm around him, but that's impossible because I went through an allergy test and I'm very resilient to even strange allergens. I also feel very flushed and warm around him, but I've been thorough in my health and I don't have a fever, and my body temperature hasn't increased. I tried to see my guild's Healers about my arrhythmia, but they told me I was fine."

"Is…?" Gianni's eyebrow twitched as he tried to smile. "Is that so?" Now I feel worse for this boy. This might take a while. Patiently, he asked her, "So after making sure you weren't sick, what did you determine next?"

Ena cocked her head. "That I feel strange around him. What else?"

Silver, child, please be patient with her. Gianni took a deep breath. "All right. So we know you feel strange around him when he's close to you. But are these strange feelings positive?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you like how you feel around him?"

"Of course not," Ena dismissed, shaking her head. "He irritates me with me comfortably he treats me, especially in a professional setting. It's entirely inappropriate. He's tried twice to meddle with my business deals. His etiquette is severely lacking…"

Gianni nodded when he needed to as Ena vented her frustrations. Oh, dear, perhaps I should've asked a different question.

"And he's horrible at listening to me," Ena shot off. "It's so frustrating how he fights me at every turn—"

"Shut up!" Angered blues. "I see you!"

"You knew, but you didn't understand." Warm blues. "And now you do."

"You're first for me, Mistress. Always."

"Why do you let Silver win?" Luna's question and the solemn look in those brown eyes. "Silver doesn't push back, like a hard limit. But he can tell when you need a little push. He doesn't break your glass, but he taps it so it cracks."

The next insult died in her throat, and her frustration melted into something she could not put her finger on. Is what she said true? Does he really…push me? And…do I let him? She listed, murmurous, "But as frustrating as he can be… He's very kind and sweet and thoughtful. He cares. He cares for his friend and his family. He cares about L."

"And he cares about you," Gianni added.

Her mouth worked before she backed down.

"And…you care about him?" Gianni prompted.

"That's…!" Ena looked at her untouched appetizer. "I… Well, of course I care about him," she softly confided. "How could I not? He's…a person I want to protect, but…" Her fingers pinched her straw. "But that's it, right? That's why I care about him"—she looked lost when she looked at Gianni for confirmation—"right? Because he's my friend. And someone I want to protect."

"I can't answer that question for you," Gianni told her. "Only you can, darling. Of course you should always care for your loved ones—"

"I don't love him!" Ena blurted without thinking, but she regretted it almost instantly as more confusion muddled her mind. "I-I don't…" She swallowed.

Gianni softened. "I'm not saying you love him," he assured her. "But…would it be bad if you did?"

"I…" Browns glinted. "I'm not…supposed to love someone like that. It's not possible. It just leads you to be miserable and alone. I can't…" She ate her words, closing her mouth.

Oh, my. Gianni suppressed his sigh. I understand. His eyes sparked as he recalled glorious scarlet hair and running tears. She truly is like her, isn't she? He pushed aside his mule and told Ena, "Darling, it's okay that you can't love or don't want to love. But have you considered you liked him?"

"Of course I like him," Ena said, perplexed. "If I didn't, I wouldn't be speaking to him."

Gianni pinched the bridge of his nose. "I should've worded that better." He tried again, "Have you ever had a crush on someone?"

"No."

Gianni blinked. "Really?"

"No." Ena thought about it. "I suppose I thought I had one on L when we were far younger. But it turned out I thought she was unreasonably adorable, and that's why I kept her."

Internally, Gianni sweated. Dear me. She is like her more and more. He coughed into a fist. How do I explain this?

"Do you like Vos?"

Gianni, caught off-guard, spluttered, "O-Of course I don't! And we're not talking about me, are we? The subject is you and Silver." It was not like he meant to, but his eyes flicked around until he found Vos away from the crowd as he angrily spoke into his Compact, stressed. "Liking someone isn't the same as a friendship," he told her. "Perhaps it starts as a friendship, a deep one. You might feel…connected to him, in some way."

His gaze softened on Vos. "Maybe he has dents and quirks, but all his flaws are what makes him work—what makes you want to be near him. Maybe…you think about him often and you can't help but want to go to him when you do. And you feel a little silly going to see them when you don't even have a reason, but you simply missed having them around."

His cheeks burned when Vos caught his stare and blew him a kiss, but he quickly looked away, clearing his throat. "That's just from my speculation…" He trailed off seeing a flush across Ena's nose and ears. Oh. He smiled. I think she's understanding it. He saw the waitress coming back and gently waved her away.

So I… Ena reassessed her memories. That's why I've been feeling strange? Because I…like him? But I've never…

LUB-DUB!

Her lips trembled. "I… I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I've never…" She looked up at Gianni. "What do I do now? Can't I stop feeling like this?"

"Do you want to?" Gianni asked her.

Ena thought she had the perfect answer, but she hesitated. "Of…" Browns swept down. "Of course I do. He…has someone else. I shouldn't interfere with that. I-It would be inappropriate and very disrespectful, even more so than how I've conducted myself—"

"Ena."

She stopped when Gianni cupped her hand.

"Darling." He squeezed her fingers. "Do you not want to like him?"

"I…" Ena's shoulders dropped. "I…don't know." I'm so confused. I shouldn't feel this way. So why do I…? "What am I supposed to do now?" she asked him. "How do I talk to him anymore?"

"Do you want my honest opinion?"

Ena nodded.

"If you'd like…you could always tell him how you feel."

"What?" Ena looked at him like he was crazy. "That's… That's not…!" She tried again, "Didn't you hear me? He has someone else—"

"I heard that part perfectly," Gianni assured her. I can't tell her outright Silver is in love with her. The way she reacted mentioning love, I don't think outing the boy would mean anything positive. But I should say something…

"I'm back!"

The moment was jarringly interrupted when Vos came next to Gigi and peppered his cheek in chaste kisses. "Did you miss me, Gigi? I missed you…!"

TICK!

Gianni tried and failed prying a smooching Vos away from him, flushed. "Get off me!" he snapped with no real heat. "If you don't stop, I'm finding my own hotel room!"

Vos made a moue, but he stopped trying to lay kisses all over Gianni's face. "You can be so icy to me sometimes." He crossed his legs and laid his chin on a propped fist, grinning. "But that's what I love about you, my ice king."

Gianni's eyebrow twitched. Forget every nice thing I've said about him.

"So!" Vos slurped some of his drink. "What are we talking about?"

Gianni took note of Ena's stiffness. I should divert the subject. "We—"

"Gigi was about to give Ena advice on how to win the heart of a man who loves someone else," Vydia chirped.

Gianni and Ena glared at a merry Vydia. Snitch.

"Oh!" Vos clapped his hands. "I can help with this, love." He whipped out his fan. "All you need to do need to do is make yourself the better option," he suggested.

Ena blinked. "The 'better option'?"

"Of course! Make your man an offer that makes him want to crawl to you," Vos advised. "Make yourself self the most desirable steak in a steakhouse. Be a goddess and so perfect for him that he'll have no choice but to lay down his life for you." He popped in a potsticker. "That's what I would do."

Gianni ground his teeth. What the Hell sort of advice is that to give to an adolescent!

Vos caught Gianni's displeased look and winked at him. "That's how I snagged this one. I made him an offer that he couldn't turn down. All those stupid young models wanted him for a daddy, but I knew he was a baby boy at heart."

"That's not what happened!" Gianni rubbed his temples. "Ena darling, don't listen to Vos' nonsense. He clearly doesn't understand romance, so you shouldn't take his suggestion—"

"Make myself the better option…"

Gianni's eye twitched at how focused Ena looked. Oh, dear. This isn't good, but she won't break from her concentration. He sighed. Silver, dear boy, please be patient with her. She really is trying. She just received terrible advice.

"All right." Ena looked determined. "How can I make myself the better option?"

Vos gave a devious smirk. "Sweetheart, by the time I'm finished with you, he'll be begging to lick your heels. Chipmunk," he called, "clear any plans I had for today. This is more important."

Vydia whipped out her tablet. "Of course, sir!"

Gianni felt a headache coming on. This is going to be a disaster. His eyes glanced out the window. But then again… She really is Titania's successor.

°•°•°•°

It had been a while since Silver had a do-nothing day, but he cannot say he did not mind it.

He lay in bed with Luna curled up under the covers. That was fine. He had opted to keep himself busy reading one of his favorite ongoing Webtoons Beware the Villainess! and was sniffling as he got to Nine and his lady Melissa went on their first date. This is so cute.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Hotel Nimbus

Haleakalā City, Ao's Paradise

Caelum, Ishgar

12:03 PM WIT

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

He scrolled as he caught Nine's blushing of being mistaken as a couple while Melissa the Villainess gawked at him. I'm jealous. I want to go on a cute date with Mistress too and get a couple's meal.

• — • — • — •

"Say, 'ah'!"

The restaurant in his fantasy looked like the pinnacle of a romantic restaurant with pink and red and hearts everywhere. He lovingly held out a chocolate-covered strawberry to a blushing Ena. "Come on, Mistress. Let me feed you as your boyfriend!"

A shy Ena blushed even more. "Oh… Okay…" She opened her mouth. "Ah…"

• — • — • — •

Silver flushed as he kicked his feet. What a dream come true! Me going on a date with Mistress! A notification from his app dropped, and he clicked it to see one of his other favorite subscribed series had updated titled:

The Newlywed Diary of a Witch and a Dragon

Silver gave pause. Oh, right. He paid for the new episode with his coins to see the love story of Aiden the Black Dragon and Sorceress Miss Wendy unfold. I lucked out with this story since I liked the premise. He's a crazy-strong Black Dragon and she's a workaholic witch. Aiden waits on her hand and foot and likes it Wendy she orders him around. And she's pretty prickly around other people.

He internally sweatdropped thinking about Ena's distaste for being swamped with people and how eagerly he served her. Yeah… I can relate.

He paused seeing an intimate scene between the Dragon and the witch, blues glinting. I wonder… In his mind, he imagined him and Ena taking the place of the characters as he basked in his mistress' soft care. It'd be nice…to have that with her someday, but…

He clutched his tablet. I'm still not sure what being like this means, a Dragon or...or a Slayer or whatever I am. I just know that I need to figure it out so I can stay by her side. I just…don't know how to do that.

He exited his web-comic app to go into his portfolio within ⟪ Procreate ⟫. He hesitated for a moment opening one of his works-in-progress, but he clicked on it. His illustration filled the screen with his tools pushed to the side. He had some more editing to do, but he had illustrated the sea and the underwater city that invaded his dreams. The blues had taken him a while to perfect, but it was easier for him to add a soft luminescence to the building. Schools of fish and exotic creatures of the deep traveled to this city as though it was the place to be.

Blues sparked. This place… I keep seeing it in my dreams.

He elected his next page to see—

Glowing blues.

It still made Silver's breath stilt seeing the Dragon he had drawn. Magnificent was the creature with royal horns and fins and a winding serpentine body. The tribal design on his face made sense to Silver in a way he could not verbalize. He should have looked dangerous, but that was not how he looked to Silver. He could see a strength in those reptilian blues and something more.

"My son—I miss you."

Silver's inhale fettered and his blues dimmed. I can't ignore it. In my vision…he called me 'his son', but… How is that possible? Am I really not my family's son? Was I stolen from my real home? And my parents were the thieves?

He let his tablet drop to his chest as he rubbed his face. This is so confusing. I turned into a Dragon. I have this power, but… Who did I get it from? Why do I have this?

• — • — • — •

"Your mama is Taema?"

The focus was back within Kapa's private dressing room within the troupe tent.

Kapa shook her head. No. I have human parents.

The focus shifted onto Holland when he explained, "The gods had children, of course, with each other or with mortals. And that would make minor gods or demigods, depending on if the parent acknowledged them. But times have changed. The gods abandoned this world. But in doing so, they passed on pieces of their spirits into a generation that could fight in their war. Taema is Kapa's spiritual mother."

The memory shifted to Wednesday night with the Lyrid shower above.

"A Spirit." The focus shifted to Ena. "Spiritual Power isn't something sealstone can negate. It's not even Ether. Penelope might be able to answer this better than me, but I don't think you overrode the sealstone with Magic. I think you overrode it with Spiritual Power—a Dragon Spirit."

• — • — • — •

He rested his arm against his forehead as he looked up at the ceiling. Spiritual power… A Dragon Spirit… Is that even possible? Yeah, transforming didn't feel like Magic, but… I don't know anything about spiritual power.

His other hand thumbed his tablet, only for him to pick it up and look at his illustration of the Water Dragon. Mercuphobia… The name alone gave him gooseflesh. He was the Water Dragon God, but my dad said he was defeated, wasn't he? So why am I seeing him in my dreams? Is he…? His hand clenched. Is he…my dad? No, that can't be right. But then…

His insides knotted as he stared into those deep blues. Are you…my spiritual dad? My Dragon dad…Mercuphobia?

Silence.

He dropped his tablet to close his eyes. I don't want to think about this anymore. I feel like if I do, my head will explode.

His lashes parted with the lights shining to make his blues sparkle. Still though… I know I need to. I need to talk to my parents, but I don't know how. It's not like I can turn to anyone else. I doubt I could talk to Uncle Gajeel about this or Uncle Natsu. There's Miss Wendy, but I don't want to burden her.

Burning rubies.

Vibrant emeralds.

Silver frowned. Gale and Igneel… I mean, Olivia and Galileo and Luke—they all inherited those super senses. But didn't Gale and Igneel do separate training with their dads? And the way Igneel looked at people…

Feral emeralds filled with War.

A spark realized within Silver. Could he be one too? And Gale… He sighed. Well, it's not like I could ask them. Igneel's gone and even if he was here… He tried not to tremble remembering how baleful Igneel's eyes would turn. He'd probably burn me alive if I annoyed him with my questions. And Gale…

A fanged smirk. "Don't be such a crybaby, Fullbuster."

His thoughts hedged. Blues dimmed. Yeah. I doubt I could ask him anything. He'd probably make fun of me. His heart sank. Like always…

A stir.

Silver turned as he saw the lump beside him twitch and shuffle. His own lips twitched hearing Luna's moan, and he peeled back the comforter to take a look at her slightly puffy eyes and sleepy face. "Hey. You awake?"

"No," Luna mumbled. She barely opened her eyes. "I want to sleep some more."

"What about taking a shower first?" Silver encouraged. "Or maybe eating a little something, yeah?"

Luna closed her eyes. "I'm fine. I just want to sleep a little longer."

Silver frowned. It's already the afternoon. She's just been sleeping. I don't want to push her, but she needs to eat something. He set aside his tablet to get under the comfort and curl around Luna. She smells so sad.

He brushed back her hair from her face. "Just eat a little something?"

Luna groaned and buried her head in his chest.

Silver chuckled. "Is that you saying, 'no'?" He laughed even more when Luna nodded. "Do you want me to stay here then?" She nodded. "Then you have to eat something—" He chortled when Luna tried to turn around, and he smothered her in his cuddle. "No, no, no, c'mere, Lulu, none of that." He tucked her under his chin and ran an absent finger down her back when she relaxed. "I won't force you to talk if you don't want to, I promise. I'm just worried."

Luna mumbled, "I know. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry."

Luna did not know what to say as she leaned into Silver's familiar warmth. I can't tell him about Alvarez. But I… She clutched his shirt. I just…want to talk to someone about it. I can't talk to Nashi or Luke or Gary. And Mister Kyler is in Bellum. And I don't want to bother Miss Tesla after last time. I hate this. She shook. I hate feeling like this… I'm just going back to being pathetic.

Silver heard Luna's sniffle, and his heart broke. Oh, Lulu. He held her tighter. "I'm right here," he promised her.

Luna sniffed again. "M'sorry," she told him. "You shouldn't have to worry about me. You have your friend-date—we were supposed to—"

"That can wait," Silver soothed. "You're more important. And Mistress would say the same too. You know we both care about you. And from what I was told, you went through some stuff in Kohala."

"So did you."

"Yeah, but I had an epic battle with a lava monster as a Dragon," Silver boasted in good humor. "I think you and Mistress got the short ends of the stick."

Luna remained quiet for a few moments. "Do you think…we'll see Akamu again?"

"Hard to say, but probably not." A change to Luna's scent did not ring clear the emotion, but Silver made a presumption. "It's not like we can stay in Caelum forever. And he's not someone you should worry about, Lulu. I mean, he came to kidnap you and held Aloha hostage. And the fact he's from a crime organization like Deathhawk and his mission was for you—that makes me even more worried."

Mistress and I both agreed we'd tell Aunt Lucy and Uncle Natsu about this and about Atticus when we got home. Blues sharpened with threatened War. It's pretty clear someone knows who Luna is. But we still don't know why they'd want her. And with her Magic more defensive and for healing, if someone had kidnapped her…

His blood ran cold. Just thinking about it pisses me off.

"I know he came to take me, but…" Luna trailed off.

Silver sighed. "You're too kind, y'know that? He wasn't going to change his mind just because you were friendly towards him. The power of friendship isn't that strong."

A stark realization made him sweat as he recounted some of his parents' stories. Oh my gods, that's like a running theme of our lives, isn't it?

He tried not to spiral with the meta realization. "And anyway, even if he did turn good, it's not like you should be friends with him. He was lookin' at you all funny."

Luna giggled. "Igneel would have rioted."

No, he would've burned him alive, but I can't tell her that. He jested, "Honestly, he reminded me a lot of Gale. Y'know, psychotic, moody, freaky earth powers—"

"I thought that too!" Luna laughed. "It's neat about all the people we meet, don't you think? I mean, we met God Slayers and a Guardian Spirit and Custodians and Young Nation… I wonder who else we'll meet if we travel?"

Glowing blues.

Silver's lips pressed together. Yeah… Just who else will we meet? Dismissing the thought, he complained, "I'm hoping the person we meet next doesn't fall for your cuteness. We need at least one immune person. It's so not fair everyone either wants to be your friend or…"

"Kidnap me?" Luna supplied, dry.

Silver snorted. "You said it, not me—Hey!" He snickered when Luna pinched him. "Is that the best you've got?"

"I'm not falling for it," Luna muttered. "I don't have the energy to fight you. I'll let Gale kick your ass instead."

She sensed Silver's shift in mood as she peeked an eye out. I know I can't tell Silver, but to be honest… Gale could help him the most. I want to tell Gale, but this is Silver's secret, not mine.

She sighed into Silver's chest. "So you're staying with me until camp? Luke and Gale are taking me up there."

"I know. And I'm fine with that." Silver meant it.

"Are you sure? You're not considering my brother as your love rival, right?"

Silver colored. "N-No!"

Luna simpered. "Good. Because he's not your love rival, I promise." No, he… He's bound to someone else. Someone that Mama Faven says is a bad person. Her heart twisted. "Gale's taking us in his truck." She wiggled her toes. "I'm still not sure if going to camp is the right call, but Luke said you meet a lot of cool Mages."

"You do," Silver told her. "Honestly, camp brings in a bunch of really chill people." And also… His smile twitched. There are the weirdos too. "Lulu, if anyone asks to massage your feet, say, 'no'."

"Ah, okay?" Bewilderment caught Luna. "Why?"

"Uh, well…" Silver stroked down her back. "There's, um…someone at camp with a foot fetish. And also stay away from anyone who says they're Igneel's number-one fan and rival. And you'll want to not talk to…"

Luna sweatdropped as Silver kept listing people with more and more troubling quirks (Did he mention that one of the mentors has a whip and leather fetish?). Is there anyone I should talk to?

"But outside of them, everyone else is cool to see," Silver told her. "I'll have to teach you some of the camp traditions. New people sort of get hazed, but you'll be safe."

"How come?"

"Well…" Silver sweated remembering Igneel's fiery wrath and how nervous everyone looked seeing how intense and high his flames would become. Igneel made sure no one would mess with you and nearly destroyed the entire campus. But I can't say that. Instead, he reasoned, "Because you're too cute, of course."

"Oh. I guess that makes sense."

She bought it! Silver silently sighed his relief. "The closing ceremony barbecue is always fun, and the opening ceremony is pretty standard. Since our campus is by the lake, there's always a party the first night. The mentors look the other way about it. I never really went, but I heard it's nothing bad. If you don't want to go, we don't have to. I'm pretty sure Luke skips out."

"Figured," Luna murmured. "Does…? Does Gale go?"

"Maybe, but don't let him decide if you want to go," Silver said warily. "It's for some of the older campers. He, Cane, Dash, and Julia hang out with, like, Archie Cheney and some other people." He hurried to add, "Oh, but Gale doesn't, like…hang out with other girls or anything."

Luna puffed a laugh. "It's fine." Her smile felt melancholic. "We're not together. He can do what he wants. And I doubt I'd be up for a lake party, anyway. I'd rather hang out with you and E." She snuggles into him. "Who's your roommate, by the way? E and Mary Jane are mine."

"I normally room with Gambit. He's this chess-playing prodigy, and we get along really well," Silver explained. "He has this really cute Sphinx cat named Queenie, and I always knit her sweaters. She stays with us in the dorms too. I think Gale and Luke are rooming together this year, right?"

"Yeah. Igneel used to room with both of them," Luna recalled. "But Gale and Luke got a double instead."

"Which means he'll know if Gale slips out because he's craving his princess," Silver teased, laughing when Luna pinched him again. "Hey, I'm not happy about it either!" He pouted. "I can't snuggle Mistress at night for all of camp, even if I wanted to. I'm going to be so lonely!"

"You survived many years not snuggling E. You can do it again," Luna told him dryly. "And you're lucky Auntie Erza doesn't mind you crash at her house ninety-percent of the time."

"It's easier to sleep there," Silver mumbled. "It's so weird sleeping alone now. My bed always feels too big and it takes me so long to fall asleep if she's not there."

"Aw. Tear."

Silver tickled her, red-faced. "Shut up! Or else I'm not hiding you in my room when Gale goes on a man-hunt for you. You know he's trying to cram what he can get away with before Igneel comes home."

Luna snorted. "Yeah, I—"

Affection emeralds. The glint of a thimble. "I love you, Lu."

Silver noticed Luna stilled. "Lulu? You okay?"

Luna frowned. "I think…I saw Igneel in my dream. But it wasn't a dream. It was so real, but I can't remember it all."

That troubled her. Maybe I was dreaming because I missed him, but that doesn't seem right.

Silver hummed. "Y'know, Mary Jane's got herself a boyfriend. I always wondered if Igneel left because of that. I was so sure they'd get together."

"I know," Luna murmured. But…he needed to leave, I guess. "Speaking of boyfriends, we should plan for your date tonight so you can confess and then you and E will live happily ever after."

Silver chuckled then sighed. "I don't think confessing is the right thing to do right now." Blues glinted. "I don't want to overwhelm her or make her uncomfortable. And she has that thing with Nora too, so…"

Even if I can sense things changed between us, what right do I have disrupting everything? Just as long as I can be by her side… That's enough for me—

"But it shouldn't be!"

It startled Silver when he was roughly thrown on his back with a stern Luna on top of him. "Lulu—"

"I'm sorry. Your thoughts and emotions were really loud, but you can't say that's enough when I know it isn't," Luna scolded him. She softened her frustration when Silver looked away. "Look. Maybe I'm saying this because I can feel both of your emotions. And maybe I shouldn't butt in or anything. But the way I see it, you're both being too selfless and that's what's keeping you guys apart. If you really want to be with E, you have to be a little more selfish for once. Stop thinking about everyone else. Think about only the two of you."

Silver opened his mouth only to pause. "But what if she turns me down? Or she rejects me?"

"I highly doubt she will," Luna soothed. "Trust me on that. She might be a bit of a scaredy cat with you, yeah, but that's because this is all new to her. If you take it slow, she's not going to run. She might be a little shy, but she trusts you a lot, Silver. I don't think you understand how much trust she has for you to…to do her make-up and cuddle with her and kiss her."

He flushed a little and weakly defended, "She's kissed other people."

"Not like that," Luna shut down. "Where did Confident, Hopeless Romantic Silver go?"

"He died in a marching accident," Silver muttered. "I just… I want to do this right, y'know? I mean I'm a mess and she's strong and talented and confident—"

"And she can be a mess too," Luna reminded in, gentle. "Yeah, E is an eleven. But so are you. Don't make that face at me. I see how all those girls and even some guys go crazy for you—you, Silver Fullbuster, defending national swim champion and!" She tweaked his nose. "One of the best knitters ever. You're amazing in so many ways. And E thinks that too."

Silver softened. "You know, you're pretty amazing too. I hope you know that. Bleu was stupid to break up with you, and Gale even more so because he lost you."

"Yeah, well…" Some of Luna's brightness faded. "Things just happen, I guess…" She shook off her drowning feelings before they consumed her. "But that's beside the point. We're talking about you and E. Even if you don't confess, you have a date in a new country. You should make it special, yeah?"

Silver frowned. She's changing the subject again. She's never wants to speak about Bleu and she says she's over it, but… A twinge of sadness came about seeing Luna's smile not shine as bright. I wish she'd talk about it more.

He messed with his hair. "Yeah, and I will, but you know I hate you're going to your ex's birthday thing, right? I don't get why you should."

"Y-Yeah, well…" Luna rubbed her arms as she tried to keep her smile. "I did make a promise and everything. And you know how Celestial Wizards are with their promises, I guess…"

Browns glimmered. I know it's strange, but I can't back out now. And I'll have Gale with me too. Her fingers tightened on her arm. I might not be dating Bleu anymore, but I can at least do this.

"If he tries to win you back, make sure you reject him," Silver instructed her as he scooted up to prop himself better. "And don't be alone with him either."

"I know, I know…" She imagined Chibi-Gale barking mad at anyone who dared approach her. It's not like Gale will give me a choice. She clapped her hands. "Now, c'mon, enough of that. We need to get you ready for tonight and make you look so beautiful that E will want to keep you forever."

Silver's imagination ran while the thought of him being a lovestruck obedient hound with Ena the tyrant holding his leash. Pink-cheeked, he mumbled, "Why not handsome?"

CLAMP!

Luna might have beamed but a dark aura loomed. "You have a babyface, Silver, so let's stick to your strengths and not reach for the impossible, oh-kay?"

Silver wanted to weep. "O-Okay." I know what she said was true, but that hurt. It hit him. "Oh. There's something we have to do before that."

That took Luna back. "Sure. What is it?"

---

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Fairy Adventure

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

---

The drawing room might have looked a little opulent, but it had its unique touches. Rosy pinks saturated the walls and transferred onto the gold-encrusted crouches as satin cushions. Even the drapes had been touched in this charming pink with gold accents and the rug complimented with a mellow blue. With the curtains pulled back and the windows showing the open veranda and clear lawn, the light twinkled onto the luxurious chandelier and all the gold paint accenting the decorations. A portrait of a smiling prince dressed in rosy-pink took above the fireplace mantle.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is the Rose Satin Drawing Room. This drawing room sits west and was crafted in honor of a long-deceased prince who enjoyed rose satin and often commissioned it for his wardrobe. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Oh, look how gorgeous everything is!"

Irina looked entranced with the drawing room and looked every part of a marchioness. Tea had been served with two maids on duty and Trinity standing behind the couch to attend to her lady. "Isn't this beautiful?" she enthused. "I'll have to ask Denver if we could remodel our drawing room this color. Don't you think, Trinity?"

"I'll put it in the notes, My Lady," Trinity assured.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Saturnus Palace

Akane Beach

Fiore, Ishgar

2:47 PM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Irina looked at her three children who sat across from her. Sylvie had not touched her tea and gave poor posture as she sagged against the couch in her dress and played with her Compact. Odette and Nora had remembered their manners with straight backs, relaxed shoulders, and even handwork to tuck in their tea.

"So," Irina started as she lifted her teacup, "how have you all been enjoying your stay at the palace? I've hardly heard from any of you since you left for holiday." She gave Odette an eager look. "I heard Duke Alexandreux made sure to clear his schedule for an outing with you, Odette. The ladies at the parlor couldn't stop talking about it!"

"A-Ah." Rather than blush like she would with Eros, Nora, and Octavius' teasing, Odette gave a strained, awkward smile. "Right, yes, he…did, Mother."

When it became apparent Odette would not go into her outing with Dreux, Irina turned her smile onto Sylvie. "Sylvie, have you—?"

"Nope." And Sylvie scrolled Insta.

"I…see." Irina cleared her throat and looked more excited to speak to her son. "Nora, I'm sure you've heard from Ena. How's her trip to Caelum?"

"It's going well," Nora reported. "She had a successful deal with Sky Adze and the other night, she treated two of her closest friends to a concert."

"She's so business savvy," Irina gushed. "Beautiful and brainy, isn't she? All the ladies were positively envious we had the honor of hosting her. They've been put on the waiting list for even a consultation with her; can you believe it?" She sipped her tea. "The ladies were also curious if Ena traveled with that gorgeous model she brought with her to the Yule Cotillion. Would you know anything about that?"

Nora paused, but it was unnoticeable he tightened his fingers around his teacup. "I wouldn't," he murmured. "I am aware she took Silver with her on her trip."

"Oh, yes, him." Irina pursed her lips as she set down her tea. "They looked a little too close for assistant and superior, don't you think?"

"They are friends, Mother," Nora reminded.

"Well, yes, I know that, but you know how it is," Irina said with a wave of her hand. "I just don't see him being very professional towards Ena. I'm hoping she'll set some boundaries the closer you and her become. Having someone of the Fullbuster boy's standing wouldn't look good for her image." She tapped her chin with her fan. "Although, that older brother of his is a card. And he's around Odette's age…"

"Yeah, and he's dating someone," Sylvie said icily as she glared at her screen. "So, no need for us to concern ourselves with him, right? Mother?"

Irina laughed, uncomfortable. "Oh, yes, yes, of course! I wasn't trying to insinuate something so sinister, Sylvie! It was just an observation."

Sylvie rolled her eyes. "Hmph."

Irina coughed. "So, Nora, you don't know if Ena's model accompanied her? Rumor has it the pair are close. And that the model is close to Misses Heartfilia-Dragneel and Saint Layla's headmistress Anna Heartfilia." She dramatically sighed. "The ladies at the parlor keep hoping I'll drop more information about her for their children to meet her."

When it became obvious neither Nora nor Sylvie would contribute, Odette cut in, "That's wonderful news, Mother. I'll be sure to ask Ena about her exclusive model during mine and Sylvie's second dress fitting in May."

Irina clapped her hands. "Wonderful! My tea group will be so ecstatic!" She turned back to her son. "Nora, speaking of, you should choose which club you want to join. You're the only son from my tea group that hasn't joined a men's club, so I was thinking—"

"Ah, Mother," Odette interrupted again. "You'll never guess where the Duke took me for our outing."

"Oh?" Irina looked hungry for the news. "Tell me where. I want to hear everything!"

Nora blocked out Odette's woven tale of her and Alexandreux's date to attend to his tea. It's always like this. She's always like this. Not a day goes by she wants to talk about high society. For as much as we've progressed, nobles still like to be treated like they're Middle Era nobles. Grayed yellows stared into his half-cup of tea. And Mother is desperate to fit in with them at all costs.

His gaze raised to study Trinity. I still find it odd. Enid might've served the former marchioness, but Mother hand-picked Trinity. And I could tell from the moment we met that Trinity had no loyalty to the Gosling name and only loyalty to my mother. But why?

He blinked when he felt a tap on his leg. Looking over his shoulder, Sylvie gestured to his Compact before showing him her ⟪ Notes ⟫.

« Am I the only one who wants to ask your mom WHY she came up here to visit? »

Nora subtly shook his head.

Sylvie took back her Compact to type another message for him to read:

« Seriously, no offense, but why is she trying so hard? »

Grayed yellows darkened. Yeah. Why, indeed?

"Oh, that reminds me. Sylvie?" Irina called. "I know Atticus has offered to escort you and be your dance partner for your debutante ball, but have you considered who you will dance with after Nora and your father?"

"No." Sylvie looked bored and kept scrolling. "Can I go now?"

"Sylvie, please," Odette scolded while Irina flushed, nonplussed. "Mother came out of her way to visit us. Show some respect."

"Oh, Odette, please, it's fine," Irina rushed to assure. "Sylvie, please, go ahead if you have any plans—"

"Cool." Sylvie got up and made an abrupt exit.

And then there were three.

Irina took up her teacup with a shaky smile. "Well then. I…apologize for my unannounced visit to see you all. I hadn't seen anything listed on your official schedules, but I should have called ahead first."

"Oh, it's fine, Mother," Odette assured with a hint of reluctance. She was done with tea. "I should check on Sylvie. She's been in a terrible mood for a little while. May I be excused?"

"Of course, darling," Irina permitted, her smile strained. "Go on."

"Thank you." Odette curtsied. "Excuse me." And she gracefully left the drawing room.

And then there were two.

Nora finished his tea and set down the cup. Moving to get up, he murmured, "Mother, if you would excuse me as well—"

"A-Actually," Irina halted him. "Could you sit with me for a bit?"

Nora sat down obediently.

Irina glanced at Trinity and that was all it took for her assistant to herd both maids on duty out of the drawing room and to give the marchioness and young lord their requested space. Irina re-crossed her legs and adjusted the skirt of her dress. "Nora, be honest with me. Are you truly making progress with Ena? You know the Holy Mother and Father Johannes are hopeful you're making a meaningful match with her."

"I consider Ena a cherished friend, Mother," Nora told her, giving no inflections away. "Whether or not anything more happens isn't something I can say."

Irina sighed. "Come now, Nora, you have to play up to your strengths," she chided him. "I saw how close both of you were during her visit to our estate. There's no reason for her to reject if you offer her companionship." A pause. "Unless…there's someone else close to her."

Nora could not help it when his hands clenched, but he kept his cool. "And what do you mean by that?"

Irina's eyes darkened. "Don't play coy with me," she sternly scolded. "That Fullbuster boy"—she gripped her fan—"is he an obstacle?"

Nora played his silence carefully. I was wondering when she would ask that. What has the Holy Eye been whispering in her ear this time?

He kept his tone even as he said, "Silver Fullbuster is Ena's trusted friend and then her assistant. It's natural for them to be comfortable with each other—"

"Oh, please," Irina scoffed. "You saw him just as I did."

"And?" Nora asked. "Even if they are close in that way, that's not something to be interrupted. I'm content being Ena's friend, Mother. I should hope Holy Mother and the Fioren Primate are content with that as well." Grayed yellows sharpened. "It's not like they could do anything in their discontent with the development, is there? Considering both Ena and Silver are Mages, you'd think Mother Clarion wouldn't want to cross any lines with the Magic Council."

Irina gave him a disapproving look. "What's the matter with you? You've never been this insulting towards Mother Clarion."

Ah. Nora forced himself to relax. I'm losing my temper—something I can't afford to lose.

He bowed his head. "Forgive me, Mother. It's been a…trying holiday. I'm simply restless since I don't have a Magic Weapon and I need one to become a Holy Knight. Mother Clarion has been like a grandmother to me. I apologize for offending her name."

Irina expanded her fan to cool herself. "Well, I can't blame you for being uneasy. But we'll make sure you become a Holy Knight, Nora, don't worry. Mother assured me you'd be a knight for the Holy Eye and one day, a Champion of the Church, just as we always wanted."

You. Nora hid his gritted teeth. What you wanted.

"Hopefully, Ena tells you more about that dearest model she has in her back pocket," Irina wished as she got to her feet. "See what you can find out. We need to have an upper hand against these other families. And securing a friendship with someone close to a bloodline like the Heartfilia's would be all the support we needed."

Plotting made her eyes spark. "Could you imagine it? Denver had a good relation to Dame Erza and Jellal Fernandes, but if I managed to make a friendship with the last Heartfilia's, we'd have more reason to involve ourselves in the Magic Community. Holy Mother would be so pleased with us, Nora, just like we want."

All Nora could say was, "Yes, Mother."

"Oh! I probably should get going. I have another party to attend." She quickly rounded the table to kiss Nora's cheek. "I'll see you when you come home." And she strutted away.

Nora waited for the door to close and a minute after. "Bye, Mother."

He sighed, resting his mouth against clasped and propped hands. I need to warn Ena. It sounds like the Holy Eye is seeing her and Silver become more intimate. And if their relationship is official, I don't want to think what the Holy Eye will do. His jaw went taut. They're relentless. I wish I could understand why they've hyper-focused on Enchanters. If I knew their motive, I could plan for better protection. But only a Champion of the Church would be privy to that information.

He summoned, "Blue Shade."

The Shade landed behind him, kneeling. "Yes, Master?"

"I have an additional task for you that will take priority for now." Grayed yellows flared. "Conceal Ena Fernandes and Silver Fullbuster's movements, if you can. Not all of it. But any sort of intimacy. I can't allow the Holy Eye to confirm Silver is a threat to their plan."

Blue Shade bowed their head. "Yes, Master."

"And one other thing." Nora looked at the floral arrangement on the coffee table. "If Atticus makes any suspicious moves towards the third companion on Ena's journey…report it back to me. Don't interfere for the time being."

As much as I'd want to, if I did that, Atticus' Shade would alert him of what I was doing. For now, I need to be observant without tipping him off. His hands tightened. I pray he doesn't touch her.

Nora said, "That's all. You may go."

"Yes, Master." And Blue Shade vanished without a trace.

A deep sigh made him bone-weary. All right then. He looked outside. Time to play Mother's game.

---

You're sure you're okay with it?"

"Gray, I told you, it's fine."

Lucy slipped out to balcony attached to her hotel suite. The sun was doomed to die in blazing orange glory and sink into the horizon any minute now, but that did not stop the festivities of the beach. Many would stay on the white sand tonight for the volleyball tournament for all couples, and the amusement park would have its firework show when the sun went down and the moon hung in the sky.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Akane Resort

Akane Beach

Fiore, Ishgar

7:13 PM FST

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Gray sighed. "I'm sorry for bothering you with this."

"Don't worry about it," Lucy dismissed as she sat on one of the accent chairs. "You know Natsu and I are more than okay to have Silver over." She wryly commented, "And this isn't the first time I've had a Fullbuster take shelter in my house."

"Juvia's mood swings were a nightmare with Gary," Gray muttered.

Lucy hummed her amusement. "True. And Gary was more than happy to stay over if it meant he irritated Nashi. You don't know how happy I am none of our kids inherited yours and Natsu's rivalry."

"That's because they're traitors," Gray chuckled. "I have up on Gary because it was easy to tell he liked Nashi. Lady J never really interacted. And Silver and Luna became instant best friends the moment they met." He added thoughtfully, "I would've thought Igneel and Silver would be rivals."

"No. Igneel made Silver too afraid of him for that," Luna sighed. "Remind me to ask Gary to keep Igneel from burning everything when he comes home. He's the only one Igneel would listen to. Or maybe the only one who could actually threaten him."

Gray snickered. "The second Igneel was back to his old self, Gary was ruthless building Igneel's strength back up. But all he said was he knew what he was doing and had first-hand experience this would work."

"Yeah…" Lucy flexed her toes. "It's silly, but I wish sometimes that Gary had gone with Igneel."

"You sure Igneel went to find Ignia?"

"As much as I wish otherwise, I do," Lucy murmured. "I still don't know how to feel. I know things have changed. But I still remember how panicked we were when Igneel was gone and Ignia tried to steal him." That old scar ached fear into her. "I know Igneel's older. Natsu told me he could hold his own against Ignia, but…"

"Yeah, I know. That bastard can be unpredictable at best," Gray grunted.

Lucy agreed. But one thing is for certain. When Ignia met Gary, I'd never seen him look so cautious. Is it because Gary's an Ice Devil? Even so, if Gary can keep someone like Ignia on edge and reluctant to fight, I wish he had gone with Igneel in case Ignia tried something.

"By the way," Gray called, pulling Lucy from her thoughts, "have you heard anything from Luke? Does he like being on Galuna Island?"

"We haven't heard a word, and that makes me nervous," Lucy admitted. "I know when you and Natsu took Gary, it felt affirming for him, but… I know how uncomfortable Luke is, and I don't want to push him—"

"That's because you're treating him like your son and not your student."

Lucy puffed a cheek. "He is my son."

"And he can be both your son and your student," Gray reminded. "He's fine. For once, I agree with your jerk of a husband. Seeing Galuna will help him a lot more."

Lucy worried her bottom lip for a moment. "He's fifteen."

"And you should know by now the world isn't going to wait for him to be an adult. It didn't for Gary and it didn't for Silver."

Lucy sympathized with the defeat in Gray's words. "I know. Just give Silver some time, Gray. Natsu promised not to bother him too. When he comes home from Inter-Guild, you'll have all of May for you to explain and have things cool down."

Gray heavily sighed and the shuffling sounds came from his portion of the call. "Yeah, yeah, I know." More noise. "All right, I'll leave you to it then. Sorry for the call."

"Don't worry about it, Gray, seriously."

"You still comin' back tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I—"

"Ugh, why do you care?"

Lucy tittered when Natsu stole her Compact with an annoyed pout. "Natsu…! C'mon, give it back!"

Instead, Natsu joined her on the accent chair and pulled her to sit across his lap. "Go deal with your wife, stripper, and stop bothering mine. We're on vacation."

"It's amazing how clingy you've gotten in your old age," Gray snarked. "Lucy, we can always put his ass in a hospice. I'll pay for it."

TICK!

Natsu growled, "You jerk!"

Lucy snagged her Compact back. "Gray, I'll talk to you later." She combed through Natsu's hair when he huffed smoke through his nose and teased, "I have to deal with this old man. He's getting harder to take care of since he's up there in age."

Natsu gaped. So mean, Lucy!

Gray laughed. "All right. See ya."

"Bye." Lucy hung up the call and tittered when a grumpy Natsu would not look at her. "Oh, don't be so sour, Your Majesty—" She full-out laughed when Natsu nuzzled her. "I'm forgiven then?"

"Mmm." Natsu kissed her jaw. "Maybe." He laced his finger with Lucy's. "Just got off the Com with Sting and Rogue."

"I see." Lucy looked up at him. "Anything?"

Natsu shook his head. "Sting said Haku and Kumono are the only ones with his senses, but they don't have any signs of being a Slayer. Howl, Archie, and Helena are the same. But Sting and Rogue said they'll come to sniff Silver when he's ready." His jaw clenched. "It's making me on edge to wait. Igneel and Gale knew what they were getting into. But Silver's never had to handle this—"

"And that's why you need to be a lot more careful," Lucy emphasized. "I don't think a certain King of the Sea would appreciate you pushing the Prince of the Sea. And Gray and Juvia wouldn't appreciate it either." She stroked Natsu's cheek. "Be patient."

"I hate being patient," Natsu mumbled. "When's Igneel coming home? He's the only one I can fight when I'm on edge."

"It's saying something that you want to vent your frustrations out on our son," Lucy said, wry.

"He's the only one willing to fight me!"

"Natsu, it's because you purposefully antagonized him." Lucy recalled all the times Natsu prodded the sleeping bear, and Igneel would wake up with a vengeance and his flames burning hot. She and Luke had learned to keep their food clear whenever Natsu taunted Igneel while he doted on his younger sister.

She did not know what was worse: Natsu's smugness or the murder in Igneel's eyes.

"It's called bonding," Natsu waved off. "And it's not like I'm doing anything different from how my dad trained me."

Yes, and that's what makes me worried. Lucy sighed. "Are you sure Ignia teaching Igneel is the right call? Are we positive that's where Igneel even went?"

"There's no doubt in that," Natsu murmured. "Don't worry too much about it. He'll be fine with Ignia. He's my big brother, y'know."

"Both of your brothers turned out to be mass-murdering, very twisted villains," Lucy stressed.

Natsu laughed it off. "But they changed, so it's all good—Ow!" He flailed when Lucy stretched out his cheeks. "Lushi! Stah it…!"

"I'm serious, you jerk," Lucy scolded him. She let him go to huff and cross her arms (and Natsu was left to squish his sagging cheeks back into shape). "I'm really worried." She lost some of her annoyance for motherly concern. "I know how Ignia is. I don't want Igneel getting hurt."

Natsu hugged his wife and laid his chin on her shoulder. "I know. But Igneel can carry his own weight as far as Ignia's concerned. He might act like he's a bad guy, but I know he's not like that. You saw how he was with Luna."

Lucy snorted. "Oh, yes. I remember that. And I remember the look on Anna's face when you and Ignia nearly started a war in her house. I don't think I've ever seen Ignia back down from a fight. I can't believe her threats worked." She tossed him a teasing grin. "Maybe Fire Dragons can't resist the Heartfilia Clan, huh?"

Natsu flushed, petulant and abashed. "Yeah, well, it's only 'cause you smell good." He sniffed her neck.

"You dummy," Lucy laughingly sighed. She leaned into him. "Here's to hoping everything goes in the right direction for our kids, huh?"

"Yeah." The burning orange brought out the green flecks in Natsu's eyes. "Here's to hoping."

---

DING!

The hallway had a few unruly guests, but Ena did not bother with them, too caught up in her own mind.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

Hotel Nimbus

Haleakalā City, Ao's Paradise

Caelum, Ishgar

7:51 PM WIT

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Make myself the better option, Ena repeated. Vos gave me some good advice today about how to do that. She remembered how studious she had been listening to Vos' lecture (while Gianni looked like he needed several drinks and an aspirin, and Vydia was happy to be included). But will it be enough? Silver is clearly infatuated with this woman.

• — • — • — •

"Oh, Mistress, I love her so much!" Fantasy-Chibi-Silver looked too precious as he dreamily went on about his love interest. "She's so beautiful and kind! I don't even deserve her, but I'd worship her!"

Tick marks piled on her head as Fantasy-Chibi-Silver started squirming, clearly in love. "She's just so perfect! I want to be her house husband so badly!"

• — • — • — •

Ena looked up in flat thought. Then again, from the way he words it, she's very…lax with his hobbies…

• — • — • — •

"Oh, Mistress!" Fantasy-Chibi-Silver frolicked towards her in his frilly apron and sparkles all around him. "My lover said it's okay for me to serve you for eternity! Would you like a rose petal bath? Maybe a massage?" For some reason, he tripped and fell to her feet.

"Mistress…" It all caught up to reality with a cutely blushing Silver looking too beautiful and shy for his own good. For some reason, his apron was gone and the front buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned to show his Fairy Tail tattoo. "She said it's okay that you own me. So please treat me gently, Mistress." He kissed her ankle, blues half-lidded. "Okay?"

• — • — • — •

It startled a worker to see Ena dead-stop as steam waved from her head with her face red.

She covered her lips. I'm thinking dangerous thoughts again. If he knew what I thought of him, he probably would think I'm nothing more than a pervert.

A heaviness dragged her down as the red left her face. Maybe…I shouldn't say a word. It's obvious he has someone. I could offer him everything, but what does that matter? If he doesn't share that same feelings as me… Browns shimmered. Then I'm left all alone again.

She closed her eyes with a tired sigh. "Is there something you two wanted to say?" She turned around to see both her swords kneeling before her. "I clearly didn't summon you."

"We sensed you were wavering, My Lady," Soledia said, monotone. "And if you seek us for advice, we will gladly give it to you."

Ena raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think I want advice?"

"You were eager for it this entire day," Soledia deadpanned.

Ena sweated. "Well…" She coughed, caught red-handed. "Y-Yes, that's…true…" Flicking her hair, she commanded, "Fine. Speak your piece. And if I deem your advice useless"—a chilling look crossed Ena—"I'll put you in the same place I store Sheol."

Both women shivered imagining enduring that Hell scythe. So cruel, My Lady.

Soledia cleared her throat. "Well, I haven't been with you long, My Lady, to observe you and His Highness, so I believe the Blade of the Moon can speak about this better. I'll take my leave."

"What!" Lunagr'an looked betrayed her solar sister abandoned her. You traitor! Don't leave me here—!

"Well?" A coldness swept around Ena as she lifted her chin. "Speak, sword."

Lunagr'an sweated. She can be so malicious.

SNIFF!

Lunagr'an wipe away a tear and blubbered, "Oh, My Lady, you are just like Titania. I'm s-so proud of you."

Ena sweatdropped as Lunagr'an dabbed her cheeks with a tissue. Why do I invite so many weird people into my life?

Lunagr'an smiled. "My Lady, I've watched you and His Highness for quite some time." Her eyes gentled. "You have nothing to fear. I am confident your feelings will be reciprocated. I've seen the way he cares for you. How could he not?"

Ena faltered. "You don't know that."

Lunagr'an smiled wider. Yes, My Lady, I do.

• — • — • — •

As a blade, Lunagr'an had been propped up within Kāne's hollow at Kohala. Through her moonstone, she watched as Silver cared for a distraught and sleeping Ena, lying beside her among the leaves and feather and clumps of fear.

'It would seem His Highness, the Prince of the Sea, has managed to break his fever and recover,' Lunagr'an thought. 'As expected of a Dragon. Belserion will be most pleased one of his own takes care of My Lady so well.'

"Lunagr'an?"

She straightened her blade, her moonstone flashing.

Silver had called for her as he watched Ena start to calm down as she curled against him. "You can hear me, right?"

Lunagr'an flashed her moonstone. 'What is it he wants? He has never spoken to me before.'

"Thank you."

That certainly surprised Lunagr'an. 'He is…thanking me?'

Silver brushed Ena's hair to the side. "For a long time now, you've been at Mistress' side, haven't you? I'm sure it was frustrating for you to see how your master was treated all this time. You had to endure Mistress thinking she was nothing and alone. I'm sure you wanted to comfort her all those times too."

Lunagr'an could not deny that. 'Yes. It has been frustrating to not be able to speak or transform.' Her moonstone glittered. 'I've had hatred for My Lady's eldest brother for years. He tried to keep me from her. And he has made her think she is a burden. But she's not. And every day, I wished I could console her. But I'm stuck in this useless form until she has enough power.'

"But even so," Silver murmured in continuation, "you stuck by her. She trusted you to be her sword. And when you think about it, she trusted you to protect her and fight for her." He smiled a little as he caressed Ena's cheek. "And I'm so happy she had someone like you on her side. So I hope we can work together, with you and Soledia as her swords and me as her shield. I'm going to work hard to protect her and fight for her, just like you."

He looked at the moonstone with deep gratitude. "I hope I have your approval to keep caring for her. I don't think I could win against either one of you, honestly. But I'm going to get stronger. And I'm going to be a proper shield for her." Blues flicked down to Ena lovingly. "So I hope you'll watch what I can do and trust her with me. Because just like you…"—he kissed Ena's temple—"I consider her precious to me."

• — • — • — •

Lunagr'an clutched her tissue over her heart. He reminds me so much of him… His Majesty… My king… They both had trouble with the ones they loved. But I would see it every day, their care for their ladies. That's why I can say with confidence His Highness, the Prince, will happily accept My Lady's feelings.

Ena blinked when Lunagr'an stood. "Yes?"

"My Lady." Crest moons softened as Lunagr'an took Ena's hands into her own. "You've spent so long following your mind. And that's served you well. But once in a while, it's good to follow your heart as well."

Ena looked down. "My mother did," she murmured. "And look at her now."

"Oh, My Lady." Lunagr'an lifted Ena's chin. "I have looked at her. Your mother knows strength like no other. And I know she has no regrets in loving your father. Love did not make her sad. She misses your father dearly, but that's not a bad thing. Her love for him hasn't hindered her in the slightest. It gave her strength to push forward. Can you blame her for missing his presence? Is there not someone you once cried over because you missed him? A certain Prince of the Sea?"

Ena started before she sweatingly scowled. "N-No! I didn't cry over Silver. I would never. It was just…raining that day."

Lunagr'an hummed her mirth. She's so much like her that it's amazing.

She's not her, Sister, Soledia reminded.

I know. Lunagr'an drank in Ena's irked blush and denial. I know that she's not her and we were hers… But we knew what it means to love her. And she reminds me so much of her. I can't help but be grateful to have waited this long to meet her.

Her eyes skittered to the intersection to the next hallway. And you, Your Highness… You're so much like him.

Flowing hair of scarlet and tamed blue locks. Equal loving smiles.

Lunagr'an stepped back to gracefully place a hand over her opposing side and bow. "I have spoken my truth, My Lady, and shall take my leave. But please consider my words. And know we, your loyal swords, support you." And she poofed away.

Ena huffed. What worthless advice. But even as she said that, she knew her ears and cheeks ran hot. What does she know? Love not making you miserable. That's ridiculous.

She flicked her hair as she turned around and marched down to the next hall to get to her room. This entire plan is ridiculous. Why am I getting so emotional about it? He's my friend and he's loyal because he's my assistant.

Once she got to her door, she wrestled out her keycard from her clutch. I'm not going to overthink this anymore. It's not like me to be hesitant. I'm just going to make sure he retains his loyalty to me. That's it.

She pressed her keycard against the fob—

BEEP!

Ena grabbed the handle, but she did not go in. Yes. That's all it is. It's not that I…that I like—

CLICK!

Ena stumbled forward when the door opened without her authority. Hands caught her as she tried to figure out what had happened.

"Mistress?" Silver had caught Ena, concerned. "Are you okay? I heard the door open, but when you didn't come in, I got worried…"

"I…" It registered to Ena about Silver's apparel. "What are you wearing?"

"Oh." Silver made sure she was steady before stepping back, rubbing his neck. "I, uh… Well… I packed this away before we left and thought it'd be good to wear tonight." He looked at her from beneath his lashes. "Do you like it?"

"Like it?" Ena echoed. "I…"

To say Silver looked different was an understatement. His hair has been mused and tussled just enough for a sporty messy style. But it was his outfit that would make people taken aback. The high-waist slims and his blazer matched in off-white with a pink and yellow floral print and the occasion scribble of vines and leaves. The black shirt he kept underneath was a stark contrast to his white high tops. He even had yellow-tinted sunglasses hanging from his neckline.

He looked…

Ena squinted. "Who are you?"

Lightning struck Silver. Do I look that different? Pouty, he played with his cuffs and mumbled, "You're so cruel sometimes, Mistress. I know how to dress myself too—"

"Justin had you buy this, didn't he?" Ena sighed when Silver sweated. I knew it. She came forward to inspect him. "But you misunderstand me. You looked very sharp."

"You could've said that before," Silver complained.

"I'm saying it now. Stop whining." Ena grabbed his wrist to inspect the cuffs of his blazer. Hm. No cuff links. Not a necessity with a suit like this, but done right, it could complement both the print and his eyes. "Remind me to commission you a pair of cuff links. I should have thought of that sooner."

"O-Oh!" Silver scratched his cheek. "I-I can buy them next time—"

"No, that won't work," Ena shot down. "A man should never buy his own cuff links. Consider this a charitable act from me. You're a young man now. You should have your own cuff links." An idea came to her. "Why didn't I think about it before? The House of E could offer customized cuff links. It's not like they're out of style. We could promote them the same way the Middle Era did…"

Silver sweatdropped as he could see ideas run through Ena's head. And she's back to working. Of course.

CLAP!

"Okay!" Luna took hold of Ena as she pushed her to the bedroom. "C'mon, c'mon! We've got to get you ready too, right?"

"Wait, me?" Ena shot Luna an incredulous look. "I'm fine the way I look right now—"

"Silver!" Luna trilled. "We'll be back shortly once I get E dressed, 'kay?"

"I do not need help getting dressed!" Ena grabbed hold of the door frame to stop herself from being shoved into the bedroom. "L, this is ridiculous! I am not—!"

"Listen here, Ena Rosemary," Luna hissed with a tight smile and deadly aura that made Ena gawk. "You are going into that bedroom and you are going to do that now, oh-kay?"

Ena blinked.

Luna looked sunny and gay as she herded a defeated Ena into the bedroom. "We'll be back out soon!" she sang to Silver. And she shut the door behind her.

Silver stuffed his hands in his pockets, chuckling. She sure can be scary when she wants to be. Blues sparkled. Let's hope all that shopping Lulu and I did is put to good use.

°•°•°•°

Ena huffed a little as she allowed Luna to do her hair in the bathroom. "This is ridiculous," she grunted. "I don't need all of this, L. It's nothing more than a friend-date."

"You like it when we dress up for our friend-dates," Luna reminded. "I know you're only protesting because you're shy about tonight."

Ena flushed. "Why would I be?"

"Because the mood is different," Luna reasoned. She stopped with the curling iron and picked out a big-toothed comb like her uncle Cancer had taught her. "It feels like more than a friend-date, doesn't it? Like it's a date-date, right?"

"Stop talking nonsense," Ena muttered, even with her ears burning.

Luna giggled. "Oh, come on, don't be like that. You totally feel it too." Her eyes softened as she worked through Ena's girls with her comb. "It's different, y'know? I've been on plenty of platonic dates too, with you or with Silver or Cane. But it's different when you go on an actual date."

Ena looked at her lap. "How…? How do you know if it's different?"

"You feel it." Luna traded her big-toothed comb for a narrower one. "I know it sounds silly, but it's true." Her chocolate browns gleamed in wistfulness. "When I'd go out with Bleu… I'd just want to be close to him. We'd be holding hands, but I'd want to be closer than that. And yeah, we'd do something fun and exciting, but at the end of it all, I was just happy to be with him."

Ena frowned. "And did you feel that way with Gale too?"

Luna slowed to a stop on her combing. "Mm. I did," she softly confided. "And I still do, sometimes, but… I'm not…ready to be that close to anyone that way right now." She grabbed Ena's shoulders so they could look at each other through the mirror. "And if you're not, don't force yourself, okay? But I think you should go with that feeling tonight."

Ena touched Luna's cheek. "Are you sure you want to stay in?"

"Yeah. I'm not really feeling going outside. Icarus had something to take care of in the Celestial Spirit World today, so I'd rather stay in. So don't mind me and go have fun." Luna pressed her cheek to Ena's temple, grinning. "But you and Silver better come back at a decent time."

"Oh, quiet you," Ena laughed. "If we're going to come back at a decent hour, then I need to speed this along. Can you go into my suitcase and bring me—?"

"Oh, I already have a dress and shoes for you."

Ena frowned, suspicious of Luna's cat-who-got-its-cream look. "What's that supposed to mean? I have suitable clothes for an evening outing. You know that."

"Yeah, you do," Luna conceded with a glint in her eyes. "But I have something even better."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

— • — • — • —

And then…

— • — • — • —

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The night was young, it was a Friday night, and the last weekend of spring break—meaning plenty of people sought the opportunity to make the most of their final nights in paradise.

The stars glittered the deep blue curtains of the sky, but none of the six Paradises were ready for sleep yet. Music bounded down the street as the club scene became swollen with sloppy tourists and cunning locals. Street dancers and musicians took this opportunity to busk and show off their skills, collecting crowns in cases and hats. A few tipsy tourists were encouraging the drivers of fancy Stellian and Bellum sports-luxury cars beside them with teases of cleavage and blown kisses. Lily Street's festival had become elbow-to-elbow jam-packed this evening with solo cups and good food everywhere.

The restaurant was atop on the hills and looked like a one-story mansion considering its divine layout and extensive build. The terrace had been well-lit with pearls worn and suits and dresses pressed. Some were dazzled seeing the edge of the Ao's Paradise and the bleeding ocean leagues downwards. Valets were swift as cars circled onto the curb. Some were fancier than others. Sky transport had their own pads to land on while others had gone old-fashioned with a horse, carriage, drive, and footman. But you always had those others who had come in their roaring luxury car to impress their dates.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« 55 By the Sky is a chic and glass-walled fine-dining restaurant with a terrace and beautiful bay views. It serves creative meat and food dishes and a variety of fresh and handcrafted cocktails and spirits that infuse Caelun culture, Giltenan culture, and Cipanguese culture. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Silver gulped as he came out first. This is it. He paled a little seeing all that glittered and glowed with the restaurant. Misses Fernandes, my mom, and Lulu had me get a reservation for this place, even when I argued Mistress wouldn't like it. But here we are.

"Are we going in?"

Silver jolted. "A-Ah, yes, Mistress, of course." He played the part of the gentleman and offered his hand.

A smile. "My, my, perhaps your etiquette classes haven't been such a waste."

Silver smiled back. "I'm happy I could impress you, Mistress, but that night's still not over."

"I guess not." A red lace glove slipped into his hand. "Then I hope you impress me further." Ena stepped out of the car with Silver's aid, doused in her signature scarlet. A mermaid dress was rare on her and a style she abstained from, but the pinched slit and backless portion made her more at ease. The off-white faux fur shawl she kept on her arms matched Silver's off-white.

Silver tried not to look like an awestruck idiot, but it was hard. She's…so beautiful.

Ena raised an eyebrow as she took in the restaurant. "So. I take it we'll be dining here?"

"A-Ah!" Silver panicked a little and fumbled for the right words. "W-Well, I know you don't like fancy places like this, and, um, we can go s-s-somewhere else if you want to and—!"

Ena tittered. "It's all right, Silver."

He fidgeted, uncertain. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Ena assured. "It's true that I'm not a fan of luxury places like this. But on occasion, I do like them." Browns tendered. "With the right company."

Silver blinked before pointing at himself. "Like me, right? Did you mean me, Mistress?"

Part of me wants to tease him, but… Ena saw Silver with dog ears and desperate puppy eyes. He looks too adorable. She squeezed his bicep. "Yes, Silver, like you." She kept her amusement to herself when she could have sworn she saw a wagging tail. He really is too cute. "So then. Dinner?"

"Ah, right, yes, Mistress—"

"Stop that."

Silver froze. "Stop what?"

Ena sighed. "You can't call me 'Mistress' anymore."

SNIFFLE!

Ena sweatdropped seeing Chibi-Puppy Silver already teary-eyed. He's already ready to cry?

She explained, "For the duration of our dinner, you are to call me by my name. It's inappropriate to use that sort of moniker in an establishment like this."

She tried not to think about Silver's loud use of the name and how heads turned. I already put up with the stares we get. I just want one night where people don't think I'm his other type of mistress.

"Oh." Silver blushed a little. "Okay…Ena."

A pit of pink touched Ena's cheeks, but she put her closed fan to her lips. When he says it like that… She turned away, hiding her gulp. I'm thinking something dangerous right now.

Silver had led her inside. A light-hearted atmosphere comforted them both with the hosts ready to greet them and pianist's live concerto backing all the friendly conversation spinning around. It impressed Ena a little that they had gotten their own private half-circle booth near one of the glorious windows to overlook down the hills and to the edge of the Paradise.

She smiled when Silver had played his part of gentleman helping her inside and taking her shawl to hang on the book. She crossed her legs and tapped her fan against her cheek. "Who should I thank for your impeccable manners?"

"That would be you, Miss—um, Ena," Silver amended as he scooted in beside her, still pink-cheeked. "I told you I was getting better with etiquette."

Ena hummed. "What a shame that doesn't extend to your grades."

"I-I'm doing better!" Silver stammered as puffs of anxious steam came from his head. "I've bumped up a lot of my grades and I'm even turning my work in early and—!"

Ena chuckled. "I know, Silver." Her eyes twinkled in amusement. "Your mother is more than happy to tell me your results."

Silver's eye twitched as he imagined his mother excitedly calling Ena. Mom, how could you?

Their server came with waters and silverware, but Ena spoke not a word considering Silver was ready to place not only their drinks but their appetizers and their entrees for each course. She made the comment, "Getting cocky with my tastes, are we?"

Silver rubbed his neck. "N-N-N-No, not at all, I just…" His blush deepened. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Ena dismissed. "It's fine. You practically are my live-in chef. If anyone knows what I like and dislike, it would be you. Have some more confidence in yourself. No one else knows me the way you do—" She snapped her mouth shut. I said too much.

Silver looked on cloud nine. "I'm glad to hear that."

"Yes, well." Ena flared out her fan to cover part of her face. "I'm sure L knows me better."

"Right. I'm sure she does." Silver withheld his laughter seeing Ena's red ears. I should get her to slip up like this more often.

He glanced down to see Ena's gloved hand on her lap and gulped. Okay. Here I go.

Carefully, he slid his hand onto hers. A few moments of pause was a given when Ena froze, but he was relieved when she relaxed a little and let him intertwine their fingers. Just holding hands like this makes me happy.

Blues dropped longingly to Ena's lips before darting away, shy. I really want to kiss her again, but I don't want her to think I can't control myself.

Silence birthed between the pair, and both thought, This is awkward.

I can't understand why, Ena tried to comprehend. This is a normal outing between us. It's never been this awkward before.

Luna's words came back to bite her. "The mood is different. It feels like more than a friend-date, doesn't it? Like it's a date-date."

LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB!

My heart is beating fast and I feel…warm inside, Ena noted. So this is…liking someone? It makes me feel sick, but… She spared Silver a glance. But…I don't think I mind it that much…

"Are you Mistress Ena from The House of E?"

Ena and Silver looked up to see two gorgeous people eagerly looking at Ena. She smiled. "Yes, that's me."

"It's an enormous honor to meet you," one of them whooshed. "Your boss collection changed my entire life! I couldn't believe I got a hand of two of your originals!"

"And your Heart's Day line was magical," another could not wait to get out. "It was so inspiring and empowering and…!"

Silver could not hold back his disappointment as he tuned out the raving and praise. I should've known. Even though we're the same age, she's been famous for a while. Blues downcast. And I'm…not really anything. What am I doing here with a person this amazing? He loosened his hand-hold—

Ena refused to let him go as she spoke delicately, "I'm sorry. I'd love to talk more, but I'm on a date right now."

Blues widened. She…?

Both people flushed when they noticed Silver and tripped over themselves to apologize. "Oh, we're so sorry! We'll leave you both alone then!" With shy waves and glances back, they scurried away.

Ena sighed. Ha… What a pain to deal with.

"Why'd you do that?"

Ena glanced at a perplexed Silver. "Do what?"

"You know. Send them away. Why'd you do that?" Silver looked at his lap with a lackluster smile. "You could've spoken with them more. It's really okay. I wouldn't have minded."

Ena slightly narrowed her eyes as she examined how crestfallen Silver looked. Wouldn't have minded, huh?

She hmphed and subtly fanned herself. "Well, I minded it," she declared. "There's a time and a place for me to meet admirers of my work. Now isn't the time." Her shoulders relaxed a bit. "To be honest, when The House of E was first gaining traction, it was difficult for me to separate entertaining the public and retaining my right to privacy. I'm lucky Gigi and my mother taught me well. Had we been out in the street walking around, I would've spoken with them more. But I sent them away because…"

She cleared her throat. "Well, because our date is more important."

Silver blinked, awestruck. Mistress…

She lifted her chin. "And it's not like I need them to praise me when I have you right here. It's your duty to shower me in compliments."

Silver's lips twitched. "I guess so. Then…"

Ena started when Silver kissed her cheek. "What are you—?"

"You're the kindest and most talented person I've ever met, Ena," he murmured against her cheek. "And I'm really lucky you chose me as your shield."

LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB-LUB!

Ena felt like Silver could hear her fast heartbeat and attempted to regain control. Yet all she could say was, "Ah, well… You are…kind too. And you're talented, even if that talent is swimming in filthy water."

Silver snickered and nudged her. "It's not 'dirty'. And you had no issue letting me give you your first swim lesson."

"'First'?" Ena looked at him like he was insane. "You mean there's more?" Disgust coiled within her imagining a swimming pool. I have to step into that filth again? She scowled (more like pouted) when Silver laughed at her expense. "Hmph! Don't laugh at me. I don't need any more lessons. I learned plenty that night."

"All you did was cling to me while I did all the work." Silver could not help dreamily sighing as he remembered being in the water holding Ena. Then again, I'd still say that was a win.

"Well, considering you dared to throttle me off a waterfall, I'm not sure I trust you to teach me," Ena said, flat.

"I jumped in with you," Silver corrected. He grinned against Ena's huff and nuzzled her cheek. "Don't be mad. C'mon. Just a few more lessons with me and you'll be swimming in no time."

"Why would I want to swim?" Ena scathingly snipped. "It serves no purpose when you're an Enchanter like me."

"You're just grumpy because you're bad at it," Silver jested. "You always get grumpy and give up when you're bad at something."

Ena snapped her fan shut, offended. "I do not. And I am not 'bad' at anything."

"Do I have to remind you about bowling?"

That ruffled Ena's feathers. "It's a stupid waste of time and energy."

"A waste of energy that you tried and you got angry you were losing to me so you threw your bowling and broke our lane—"

Flustered, Ena sniffed, "I did that place a favor. The entire place reeked of the seven-hundreds. I even gave them enough jewel to remodel their entire establishment. They should be thanking me."

Silver's smile twitched as he remembered he had to profusely apologize to the gaping owners that their pride and joy had been destroyed while Ena huffily stalked away, cursing the place. Yes, but we have a lifelong ban from there, and my swim team uses that place. "

Okay, fine," he conceded, knowing when to throw in the towel. "What about air hockey? You destroyed an entire table at Level Up."

"Well, you're giving me too much credit there. I didn't destroy it." Ena added in a mutter, "I simply put my sword through it. It's not my fault it wasn't durable."

Silver remembered hoisting an angered Ena over her shoulder while children looked on in comical horror Ena had demolished one of the two air hockey tables into metal and static (and he had to speed-walk so the Guard would not identify them). "Ah-ha… Of…course it wasn't your fault," he haltingly supposed. "What about Uno?"

Ena hesitated. Oh, right. There was that… She sweated a little remembering the intense game of Uno she had been roped into, upon Silver's request, with some of his swim teammates. Though she was two cards away from Uno, one of the teammates had gotten the drop on her and she ended up with sixteen cards.

And she might have, only slightly…threatened them at sword point.

(And Silver had to nervously laugh as he tried to get her to put her sword away in front of non-magical people.)

"Ah, well…" Ena coughed into a fist. "He clearly cheated and had no honor."

"You can't even say you made a mistake, can you?" Silver accused dryly. As Ena sweated, he sighed. "It's fine. No real damage was done."

His memory was slightly altered as he remembered his teammate looked a little too enthusiastic about Ena doling punishment. She was lucky that jerk gets excited around strong women. Thank goodness I stopped Mistress before anything happened. I don't know what's worse: unlocking a fetish or being hit with a felony.

The server brought out their drinks and appetizers. Honey macadamia nut shrimp, crab cakes, and Hamachi ceviche all had astounding and creative presentations. The mixologists had been crafty with their specialty cocktails too.

As Silver divvied up the portions, Ena remarked, "And I thought it was your duty to praise me. Now you're trying to slander me? Some loyalty you have."

"I am loyal," Silver laughed. "And it's because I'm loyal that I'll tell you you're bad at something. You hate it when people praise you for something you didn't deserve, right?"

"Hmm." Ena gave him a once-over. "Well. Aren't you cheeky." She set down her fan in exchange for her silverware when Silver gave her a snack plate with her portion. "Well, I'll have you know that you're bad at things too."

That humored Silver. "I know."

Ena turned sour. "Well, you don't sound all that broken-up about it."

"Because I know I'm bad at things," Silver patiently explained. "Like, I'm really, really terrible at card games. I'm horrible at Band Hero and puzzle games. I mean, puzzles alone get me frustrated and stressed out."

Ena gave an incredulous laugh. "Seriously? When I was little, my mother and I would do five-thousand-piece puzzles as a bonding exercise."

Lightning struck Silver. 'Five-thousand'? Are they even human?

He forked some crab cake. "Well, we'd do way cooler stuff together than that." He was eager to share. "Actually, this one time we…!"

The conversation felt effortless from thereon. Exchanges of precious memories, teases that incurred blushes, thoughtful debate—it was harder for them to finish their meals with all the words to be said and shared. Sometimes moments of quiet would thread in, but it was nothing they needed to chase away immediately. It was that affable and warm type of hush that had them bashful and aware. Maybe he would brush back a stray curl from her face or she would brush against him with her heel accidentally touching his leg. It was those little things that made tonight feel so different and new.

Silver fed Ena another piece of chocolate coulant with vanilla bean ice cream and could not help admiring her as she covered her mouth to tell him more about a mission gone south that she and Igneel had been forcibly paired on. This really feels like a date. Blues sparked. Maybe…I really can confess to her.

• — • — • — •

Silver fidgeted as the focus showed him before a full-length mirror in his suit. 'Oh, I hope I look okay. I bought this back in February when Justin and Ellie took me shopping. They said Mistress would think I look handsome and cool.' Inwardly, he was praying at a shrine. 'Please let Mistress think I'm cool and handsome even more than Nora!'

"Hey, Silver!" Luna called. "Can you go get some more ice?"

"Yeah, sure thing." Silver headed out and grabbed the empty ice bucket. 'I hope Lulu's really okay with staying here. I'll make sure to bring her back something sweet.' He grabbed his keycard and came out of the room—

"My Lady, I've watched you and His Highness for quite some time."

Silver silently closed the door and paused, puzzled. 'Is that…Lunagr'an?'

"You have nothing to fear," Lunagr'an continued from the other hallway as Silver crept down his own. "I am confident your feelings will be reciprocated. I've seen the way he cares for you. How could he not?"

'Him?' Fear flashed within Silver and a pinch of envy. 'Does she mean Nora?'

Ena responded weakly, "You don't know that."

He clutched the ice bucket as he hid just before the corner-turn of the corridor. 'So…they're talking about Nora? She has feelings for him?' All his hopes traded for bitterness and jealousy but worst of all, despair. 'So she…she really fell for him.'

His lips trembled. 'That's… That's fine then. It's not like I should've expected her to love me back' Still, a heat backed his eyes. 'I'm just a no one. He's the knight in the fairy tale. We're not the same. I should've known Mistress would want a knight.'

"Yes?" Ena asked this.

"My Lady," Lunagr'an murmured. "You've spent so long following your mind. And that's served you well. But once in a while, it's good to follow your heart as well."

'Yes.' Silver willed himself not to cry. 'You should…follow your heart, Mistress. I'm sure you and Nora will be happy together.'

"My mother did," Ena muttered. "And look at her now."

Lunagr'an laugh-sighed. "Oh, My Lady. I have looked at her. Your mother knows strength like no other. And I know she has no regrets in loving your father. Love did not make her sad. She misses your father dearly, but that's not a bad thing. Her love for him hasn't hindered her in the slightest. It gave her strength to push forward. Can you blame her for missing his presence? Is there not someone you once cried over because you missed him? A certain Prince of the Sea?"

Blues widened. 'Wait. The person they're talking about…'

Ena said defensively, "N-No! I didn't cry over Silver. I would never. It was just…raining that day."

LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB!

Silver stood still. 'They were… They were talking about me? That means Mistress is worried I won't reciprocate my feelings? And that means'—his face turned stark red, and he covered his mouth before he gave himself away—'she loves me back? Me? She chose me?'

Lunagr'an proclaimed lowly, "I have spoken my truth, My Lady, and shall take my leave. But please consider my words. And know we, your loyal swords, support you."

Silver panicked. 'Crap, crap, crap, I need to get back to the room!' He hurriedly slunk away, cursed a little that the beep! from unlocking his door somehow sounded like it could vibrate a cavern, and he slipped inside, shutting the door behind him. His breath was a little flighty, as were his heart and mind. 'She's worried if I won't feel the same as she does. They were talking about me. Mistress…loves me.'

He clutched the ice bucket to his chest. 'She loves me… Out of everyone in the world, she loves me.'

He looked down at his faint reflection in the lid of the ice bucket to see a thoroughly flushed boy in love. 'My mistress…loves me back.' How warm did that make him. 'Mistress… Can I finally tell you what I've been wanting to?'

• — • — • — •

"Silver?"

He blinked out of his thoughts to see Ena's concern for him. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"

"You zoned out a little. Ena hefted a withering look. "Have I bored you that much already?" She whipped out her fan and hmphed at him. "Perhaps I should cease my story as it appears I'm making you dissociate from reality."

"Oh, c'mon, don't be like that," Silver goaded, nuzzling her. He kissed her cheek. "Please don't be mad at me, Mistress. I didn't mean to zone out, honest."

"Hmph!" Ena still did not look at him.

Silver smiled and teased, "If it helps, I was thinking about you."

Ena snapped her fan shut. "Well, of course you were," she huffed. "I'm sitting right next to you. Your mind should be solely on me." Trying not to be too curious, she cleared her throat and inquired, "And just what were you thinking of that involved me?"

That I'm badly, madly in love with you. But now's not the time for me to say that. "Well…" He swallowed her in his arms with his chin on her shoulder. "I was thinking…we could go for a walk after we finish dessert?"

"Hmph! It's standard to go on an evening constitutional after dinner," Ena told him in a sniff. "If you hadn't thought of that prior to this date, then you aren't the professional scheduler I thought you were."

"Uh-huh." Silver grinned. "So we can?"

"Of course we can. Isn't that obvious?"

Silver chuckled and drank in Ena's scent. She always smells so sweet even she's embarrassed, but it's different. I think I'm starting to understand the little differences. And I'm grateful I can. He took in another lungful and—

Ena blinked hearing that sated purr to hiss at him, "Silver!"

"Hmm?"

She prodded him with her fan. "Stop that!" she whisper-hissed. "We are in public! You can't start purring randomly and touching me so familiarly. Have some class and dignity, you daft Dragon."

"But you smell really good, Mistress," Silver mumbled between purrs. "And I can't control the purring. It just happens around you for smelling so sweet. So you should take responsibility for this." And he nuzzled hear as his purring increased.

Ena's eyebrow twitched. I didn't realize 'Dragon' was synonymous with 'house-cat'.

She sighed and threaded her fingers through his hair. Well, we are away from most of the crowd… She gave a quiet sigh and a small smile. I suppose…we can stay like this for a little while. And for a few moments, she felt herself relax as she listened to Silver's vibrating purr.

°•°•°•°

Love and romance were on the brain for everyone tonight.

Couples had come out on the greenery to meander, have a late-night picnic, and some had creative methods to shield their intimacy. Some couples had taken to an after-dinner walk in their street clothes or evening gowns. It was a cute display to see someone gift their cold companion their suit jacket. Flirty smiles, shy glances, suggestive touches—with the last day in this tropical haven upon them, everyone wanted to make their precious moments count.

Ena and Silver walked along one of the open paths beneath the sky to share their evening constitutional. Their hands occasionally brushed together until Silver had made the subtle decision for them to join hands.

LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB!

Silver tried to keep his deep breathing. Okay. We're holding hands and we're talking. I just need to set the mood before I confess, right? But what do I do? It hit him witnessing a girlfriend in a suit putting her blazer on her grateful and slightly chilly girlfriend. That's it! I can give her my jacket!

He awkwardly coughed and commented, "I-It's, um…getting a little cold out here, huh?"

"Not really."

Silver could have fallen over. It didn't work! He tried again, "Well, if you get cold, Mistress, you can have my jacket, i-if you want." He scratched his cheek with a finger. "I don't mind giving it to you."

Ena's brow scrunched, confused. "Why would you do that? You already commented you think it's cold tonight. You should keep your jacket on for warmth. I'm perfectly fine. I can Requip a thicker jacket for you if you're cold—"

"No, no, it's okay!" Silvern nervously laughed. "Forget I said anything! The weather's fine!" Internally, Chibi-Silver was weeping. Well, there went my plan to be romantic.

Ena frowned. If he's cold, why would he offer me his jacket? That's foolish. I could simply Requip into my own jacket.

But realization slammed her when she saw a couple, and one partner helped his significant other into his jacket. Glass cracked. Oh, no. Was he…trying to be a gentleman? And I ruined it? She sweated a little. Dammit. I should give him another opportunity.

"Silver."

"Yeah?"

"I"—embarrassment made Ena's eyebrow—"am cold. Give me your jacket."

"You're cold?" Silver wanted to pump his fist. Yes! I can be romantic! Dreamily, he cooed, "Of course, Mistress, I—!" He sweatdropped seeing Ena's intense aura and fiery eyes. Is this being romantic or am I being threatened?

Ena felt proud of herself. There. That should have done it. It startled her with how delicate Silver was in putting his suit jacket on her shoulders, but it warmed her the same. She murmured, "Thank you."

Silver reaffirmed their hand-hold. "It's fine. It's etiquette, remember? Aren't I being chivalrous?"

Ena's eye twitched when Silver reeked of desperate praise-me-tell-me-I-did-good-Mistress energy. He really enjoys fishing for compliments, doesn't he? Amusement welled up inside her. Well, I can indulge him.

Silver froze when Ena rubbed his head with that charming smile of hers. She remarked, "You did well, Silver. You're as chivalrous as a knight. Thank you."

A full-body flush worked through Silver as his eyes dropped to his shoes. "Mmm-hmm." She makes me excited just when she pats my head. But I need to control myself. Swiftly looking away, he tugged her back into their stroll. "Let's keep walking."

Ena stayed at Silver's side with ease, keeping her simper to herself. He's so adorable like a puppy. Her smile faded. I'm sure the girl he loves thinks so too. She must find him being so submissive charming. Wait a minute. A stark realization slapped her. Submissive?

• — • — • — •

"M-Mistress, wait—Nnngh…!"

Fantasy-Silver had his wrists restrained in a tie with a blush on his face and tears in his eyes as a high heel pressed against his cheek. He panted when a crop touched his chin. "Mistress," he whimpered, "I can take more punishment, please, ah…!"

• — • — • — •

Ena was spiraling within her mind. What if she's caught onto his weird interests and plans to indulge in them? I don't even know how old this young lady is. What if she's older and tempted him into this?

Her mind was made up. That's it. I need to make myself the better option for his loyalty. Even if he doesn't like me back, I can't willingly give him to some strange woman who will make him a masochist.

"Ahem." Ena cleared her throat. "Silver?"

"Yes, Mistress?"

"Well." Ena coughed into her fist. "I just want you to know that…I have a lot of money."

Silver's mind froze. What?

"I'm very wealthy," Ena continued. "I could buy you anything you desire if you'd like. Money is no option for me. If I wanted to, I could buy a castle and still have an absurd amount of jewel leftover. It's a nonissue for someone of my standing."

Silver's smile twitched. "Y-Yes, I…know that…" What is this? What is happening? Why is she making me feel poorer than dirt?

"You would never have to take a job again or lift a finger," Ena went on. "I could make it so you could do whatever you wanted. You would live very comfortably. I could even have your own personal…pool built."

It hurt her to say that, Silver absently recognized.

"You wouldn't want for anything," Ena guaranteed. "I could make it so you live to your last days as a very happy person."

But you make it sound like you're planning my death! Silver cried. He stopped their walk and brought her off the path to the closest tree. "Mistress, what's going on? I know you're rich." He added dryly, Honestly, I feel like a gold digger whenever she wants to spend money on me.

"I just wanted you to know that you have…options," Ena informed. "I can provide you with a comfortable life. I'm very well-educated and have a high income. And I'll be very respectful of your"—her eyebrow twitched—"extracurricular activities."

Silver cocked his head. "What do you mean?"

"Well." Ena's check twinged. "You know. I will be respectful towards your…pleasurable interests."

Three.

Two.

One.

DING!

In reality, Silver froze. But in his mind, glass shattered and Chibi-Silver went white as a sheet. Someone kill me. Mistress knows I'm a pervert. Where is the nearest cliff I can jump to?

She coughed again, flustered herself. "I understand you have needs, but I'm willing to compromise so you can have that sort of"—her cheek twinged again—"satisfaction."

Please someone kill me now and then kill my ghost! Silver wept.

"I understand your hesitation," Ena proceeded (oblivious to Silver's panicked spiraling and death wishes). "I know I am not the lady you are in love with. I'm sure she would be more willing to provide that sort of…satisfaction for you. But I can still give you a life where you would never lift a finger. I can promise my support in your hobbies and interests and you will have my strength in any battle you're in. So I…" She cleared her throat. "I hope you will take that into consideration and that I am the better option."

I think I did that correctly. Ena remembered her insightful lecture from a devious Vos, a tired Gianni, and a cheery Vydia. Vos told me to play my strengths.

"'Better option'," Silver murmured, dazed. "Yeah, that's…" He blinked, head clear. "Wait. 'Better option'? What are you talking about?"

"Ah, w-w-well…" Ena's gaze darted around, unable to meet his. "I'm sure this is rather…presumptuous of me, but…!" She sighed and let her stare drop down. "I understand you are very fond of your love interest. But…" She gritted her fan.

It startled Silver when Ena grabbed hold of him with a resolved look. "M-Mistress—"

"You can't possibly think such an air-headed cougar is better than me!"

Silver went blank. What?

"She's completely incompatible with you!" Ena laid on thick. "How could you allow yourself to be tempted by a woman who doesn't even care if you're intimate with another woman? I know you're monogamous! She's tempted you with deluded fantasies because you're too naïve to see it! She doesn't even care about you if she's pushing you to be with someone else! That's why I'm the better option because I—!"

Silver blinked when Ena faltered. "You?"

"I…!" Ena left him go, hugging herself. "It's…nothing." She looked away. "Please excuse my outburst and forget all I said. I shouldn't insult your taste in women. That's unbecoming of me." I'm acting like such a fool. Why? She tightened her hold. Why does he make me feel so foolish?

Silver tried to piece together what had happened. So wait… She's talking about being the better option…against the girl I like? But that's her. It clicked. But if she doesn't know that, then she was accusing herself of being… His lips twitched.

To Ena's shock, she heard laughter.

LUB-DUB!

Her eyes clouded as she gritted her teeth hearing Silver's chortles. I should've known better. This is what I get for coming onto someone taken. She shut her eyes. I'm so foolish. Feeling her heart break, bit by bit, she turned away, ready to bolt—

"Wait, don't go!"

Ena's escape was hindered when Silver latched onto her from behind. "Let me go."

"No." Silver smiled as he held her taut. "I can't do that, Mistress."

"Then you've made a grave mistake," Ena venomously hissed as she tried to hide her face from him. "You'll feel both my blades—"

"I like you."

Browns widened.

Silver pressed his lips into her neck. "I like you, Mistress. I like you a lot. Actually, I've liked you for a while. Because for me…there can't be a competition between you and someone else if there isn't anyone else."

That made Ena go rigid. There… There wasn't anyone else?

"I don't like you because you're rich. I already know that about you," Silver murmured. "I like you because you make me want to push myself to be better. You're so strong and confident and independent—it's amazing to be around you. Yeah, you can be stubborn and maybe a bit of a sore loser and a workaholic—but I like all of that about you too. I like it when you pat my head. I like it when you look so cute when you're embarrassed. And I like who I am…around you, Mistress."

Ena held in her breath, still astonished. He likes me…? There really…wasn't anyone else? Someone…likes me? I'm someone's first?

DRIP.

A magenta tear zipped down the air.

DROP.

And it splattered into Ethernano.

Silver loosened his hold when Ena turned in his arms. He cradled her wet cheeks in his hands, blues loving. "Oh, Mistress. I didn't mean to make you cry. So I'll"—he leaned forward—"take responsibility this time, okay?"

And it surprised him when Ena was the one to cross the distance and kiss him first.

Kisses fresh from a confession felt like one of the most emotional and affirming kisses you could receive. The raw feeling poured out from all parties heightened throughout the kiss because this act of intimacy was different, new. It was not a simple kiss you doled out to convey hidden meanings in the hope the person you kissed understood. These kisses meant everything you had said. They did not have to convey a thing—they cemented what was spoken and already there.

If the words were a spark, then the kisses were the growing flames.

Neither of them had thought their first slightly wet kiss would lead into the next and the next and the next, but she pushed on his chest to break them apart. Breaths puffed between them with their tingling lips only centimeters away from each other, and their racing hearts in sync.

This was the start of something new.

Silver held Ena, so relieved and full he could cry. "I like you, Mistress. I'll tell you as many times as you need me to." He kisses her nose. "I like you." He kissed the corner of her mouth. "I like you." A kiss to her jaw. "I like you." A kiss to her temple. "I like you—"

"That's enough." Ena could not keep the unsteadiness from her tone, too shaken, too raw, to drudge up her dignity and walls. Is this really happening? What if this is a dream? What if he's pitying me? Is he telling the truth? What if he doesn't mean it—?

"Mistress, please look at me."

Teary browns connected with half-mast affection blues.

"You're probably doubting me," he assumed correctly. "But I'm telling the truth. And I'll keep telling you until you believe me when I saw I like you. I'll tell you every day. But I really do." His hand dropped to collect her own, and he pressed a kiss to her fingers. "And I'm sorry. But please don't ask me to stop liking you. Because I can't stop." He held her hand to his cheek as happy tears cornered his eyes. "I really like you, Mistress. You'll always be first to me. I just can't help it. You're too sweet for me to resist."

Ena opened her mouth only for her bottom lip to tremble. The words felt clogged in her throat. She could not speak a sound.

Silver's blues twinkled. "It's okay, Mistress. I already know. You can say it back when you're ready, okay? But for now"—he leaned close again for their lips to brush—"can I be yours now, Mistress?"

Ena still could not speak. Swallowing, she gave a tiny nod.

Silver felt his happy tears curve down his cheek. "I'm so grateful to have a kind mistress," he breathed. "And I'm so happy…to have a mistress who likes me back." He sniffled a little. "I'm sorry. I really am a crybaby. I'm just really happy." His smile widened when Ena wiped his tears. "I know I have so much more to explain. But I… I really want to kiss you again, Mistress. Is that okay?"

Ena could only nod again.

He did not kiss her right away. "I promise I'll explain everything. Thank you"—he moved closer—"for liking a pet Dragon like me back…Ena." And he pushed them into another heartfelt kiss.

How she wished she could talk back. How she wished she would speak the words she never thought she would say. But as his dizzying kisses consumed every scrap of thought from her, all she could do was pour her words into action and match his tenderness with her own. Not the shooting stars, not the laughing wind, not the tree behind her could pull her away from this sensation of rightness.

I… I…

In the depths of her mind, she no longer saw a person she had never met standing in the doorway to light that led out from her darkness. She was not swallowed in that blackness. A hand reached for her—a hand she could take—and that man changed to a smiling young man with loving blue eyes.

I…like you too.

And this light never felt so warm.

---

— • — • — • —

Ah-ah-ah-ah-akkanbe—

Yodonda sekai to te wo tsunagu no sa

Wo ai ni, wo ai ni

•

Ah-ah-ah-ah-akkanbe—

kibanda sekai ni mo itte agerusa

Wo ai ni, wo ai ni

•

Wo ai ni, wo ai ni

Wo ai ni, wo ai ni

Wo ai ni, wo ai ni

Wo ai ni, wo ai ni

— • — • — • —

---

DING!

Luna stepped out from the hotel elevator in her hoodie she had comped from Igneel's room long ago and her hood up. Activity was abuzz tonight, but she did her best to stay out of everyone's way and keep her head low. She checked her Compact to see her delivery was only a minute away.

I know I could've ordered room service, but I was really in the mood for Chef Duke's again, Luna lamented. She practically salivating thinking of her lunch from Wednesday. It was so good!

Leaving the hotel was not as necessary, considering how spacious the entrance was, but she settled on waiting on the stone steps. The terrace for the in-house restaurant was bustling with conversation and tasty aromas of food that made her mouth water.

She shuffled from side to side, keeping watch of both the street and her Compact screen. I'm really glad Luke could teach me spells to check my meals now. A chill went down her spine. It was hard to eat anything out of the house for a while because I was afraid Alvarez would happen all over again. But at least I won't be drugged again.

Chocolates softened in appreciation. And Nashi kept her promise. We left without anyone getting hurt. I'm happy my visions can be wrong. Miss Miriam, Miss Salma—even if I should hate you…I hope you're both living a happy life in Alvarez right now.

Her Compact made a honking noise with confetti shooting off to announce the driver was here. Yay! She bounced down the steps. Late-night snack, here I come—!

THUD!

Luna stumbled and hit the railing when something large checked her. "Ow…"

Sluggish steps. "Watch where you're going, bitch." A slurred snap.

Luna rubbed her side, wincing. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "Are you okay—?"

"Hey!"

Luna felt her heart lock up when someone snatched her wrist with a large hand and bruising force. The culprit was a man who looked the part of a drunk spring breaker. Hurriedly, she plead, "Pl-Please let me go—"

"You think you're fucking sorry ass apology is worth something?" he sneered at her. "I could've fallen and broke my nose, you stupid bitch."

Luna tried to get the words out, but all she felt was overwhelming fear and pain on her wrist. "Pl-Please," she hoarsely got out. "I'm sorry. Y-You're h-hurting me—"

"And you could've hurt me!" he barked at her, yanking her close, and she could smell how much he had to drink. "Why do sluts like you think you can get away with anything!"

Her throbbing, Luna bit her lip to try not to scream with how tightly his hand clenched her wrist, even as she teared up from the agony and anxiety. "I-I-I-I'm sorry," she beseeched, threatening to cry. "Please, I'm so s-sorry—!"

His drunken seethes faded as all Luna could hear was her own heartbeat and her shallow breaths. Her eyes darted. She saw his mouth moving in angry vowels and sharp consonants. She saw the bystanders who would rather watch and record than intervene. She saw her wrist being forcefully grabbed.

LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB!

"Don't fucking lie to me!"

Luna saw Gale before her with those wrathful red eyes of his that threatened War.

That threatened her.

No, she faintly whimpered. I'm over this.

The sharp shouts from the man holding her hostage overlapped with Gale's furious image. "You stupid little bitch! I should teach you a lesson!"

She needed to breathe. She needed to think. But her breath felt stolen and her mind felt blank. Her legs locked up, unwilling to help her. The past and the present blurred together in a horrifying distortion that made her want to curl up and leave this reality.

Gold eyes.

A soothing smile. "Relax, Your Highness."

The present slapped her back into it when she was harshly shoved against the railing, and her aggressor sneered at her with a look in his eyes he should not give to minors. "If you're really sorry, then—"

"I think that's enough."

It shocked Luna in the midst of her shaking and nerves that someone had made a clean punch to her assaulter's face. He stumbled and awkwardly landed against the other railing to keep himself from falling, but that punch must have scrambled his rage for pure intoxication.

"I'm so sorry you had to endure that, Layla. I'll make sure he never touches you again."

Cradling her wrist, Luna looked up—

Warm grayed yellows.

Atticus stooped before her like a gallant knight before his lady. "It's all right, miss," he assured her. "You won't be hurt like that again."

Maybe it was because all the emotions she kept sealed were leaking. Maybe it was because he was a familiar face amongst these strangers. Maybe it was because he was the hero against the villain and the accomplice bystanders. Or maybe it was those fatal words.

Luna's knees gave out when she sniffled and collapsed into him.

Atticus held her and rubbed her back as he listened to her muffled cries. "There, there," he soothed. "No one will hurt you like that again, miss, I promise. You're safe with me." Grayed yellows glinted as he twirled a lock of her golden hair.

Oh, yes. I'll keep you safe. Delighted darkness made his eyes gleam as he watched how the moon painted Luna's hair into an ethereal gold. My delicate cereus.

---

Voices of Characters in Order of Appearance

— • — • — • —

Luna Dragneel – Brynn Apprill

Ena Fernandes – Xanthe Huynh

Silver Fullbuster – Yuri Lowenthal

Hemlock – Alex Organ

Gary Fullbuster – Griffin Burns

Nashi Dragneel – Laura Landa

Sylvie Gosling – Leah Clark

Eros Normandy – Travis Willingham

Octavius Normandy – Kyler Hebert

Vos Summeur – Caldwell Tidicue (Bob the Dragon Queen)

Gianni "Gigi" Gieves – Billy Porter

Vydia Lichtenstein -

Gale Redfox – Greg Cipes

Irina Gosling – Pamela Merrick

Trinity Delacour – Rachel Lillis

Odette Gosling – Tia Ballard

Nora Gosling II – Brad Swaile

Gray Fullbuster – Newton Pittman

Lucy Heartfilia-Dragneel – Cherami Leigh

Natsu Dragneel – Todd Haberkorn

Soledia – Skyler McIntosh

Lunagr'an – Ariel Graham

Atticus Gosling – Steven Cannon

• — • — •

Additional Voices

Opening Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Description Narrator – Mary McGlynn

Closing Narrator – Melissa Fahn

— • — • — • —

⌜OPENING SONG

⟪ Star Train ⟫

Hi-Fi CAMP

Lyrics by

Hi-Fi CAMP⌟

•

⌜ENDING SONG

⟪ Champon ⟫

hockrockb

Lyrics by

堀胃あげは⌟

---

•

•

•

•

— • — • — • —

Next time, on Fairy Adventure

•

Episode 131

•

ALOHA 'OE

— • — • — • —

•

•

•

•

TO BE CONTINUED…

---

Chibi-Luna bursts into the class with a Lacrima Magic Lantern. "Good day, class! I have a new—! Ah!" She flinches back, shocked to see the violet and dreary mood over all her class. "Wh-What happened this time!"

Her students groan.

She scrambles inside and tries to keep her sunny attitude. "Oh, c'mon, don't be like that!" she weakly encourages. "I know the episode ended on a bit of, um…bad note… Uh, but! I have a cool lesson for you guys!"

"Ugh…" her students groan, their depressive auras intensifying.

Chibi-Luna hurries to turn off the lights and start up her Magic Lantern. "Um, w-well, uh, let's get to the Fairy Lesson, shall we?" She clears her throat and inputs the first glass slide to show line art of the Middle Era with women in corrects and parasols and men in suits. "Today's Fairy Lesson is a little bit more about nobility in Fiore and how it's come to be."

She takes out the glass slide to put in another one to show a map of Fiore with territories sectioned off. "Insofar, Queen Hisui has no first cousins, but she does have second cousins. Those cousins are or were the head of nobility households. Technically, the Duke of Bacopa is the only royal duke as he is the last second cousin alive and he still carries the title 'His Royal Highness'. That's why the House of Harlequin would be heirs to the throne. There are rumors Her Majesty is considering giving royal status to Alexandreux. But altogether, there are thirty dukes, each with their own official dukedom."

She goes to the next slide. "Technically, there are fourteen marquises in Fiore, however, only two of them still possess land and all the rights that come with being a marquess. The other twelve only have their title. Some have their own land, but it's not the same as the halls both Marquis Denver and the other marquis have that were inherited."

She goes to the next slide to show a ball. "While the Current Era is progressive in some ways, many Middle Era traditions still exit, such as coming-of-age ceremonies, parlor parties, men and women's clubs, tea ceremony, etiquette, and, of course, ballroom dancing. However, unlike Minstrel, the Fiore monarchy has never instilled any sort of law or decrees to segregate genders. Sexism and misogyny were actually something the royal family cracked down hard on. But of course, that doesn't mean they didn't happen."

She pushes in the next glass slide to showcase line art of a renaissance knighting ceremony with a former queen bestowing the honor onto a dame. "Even so, Fiore has made sure to connect old traditions with new ones. It's still hard to navigate at times, but Her Majesty Queen Hisui is trying to make sure nobility remembers their people come first. And we can't be more grateful for it."

She plops in another slide. "And now, a quick word from the author!"

— • — • — • —

『 We have reached a partial confession. But there is still much more for Silver and Ena to navigate. Ena has yet to say back the words. And love is still a forbidden concept in her mind that may cause this couple future strike. Not to mention both of their independent journeys learning about powers they have inherited.

And Luna's own mental arc has been one I personally struggled with. Confronting the pain of the past is much harder than pretending it never happened.

If you have not kept up with Fairy Tail: 100 Year Quest, I will not spoil the most recent chapters, but I am most excited to see a certain Mage make their return since I had them slated to make an appearance in this story as both teacher and family. And I am equally excited to introduce new Mages during Inter-Guild, some you have met, some mentioned, and some complete and new faces.

Next episode will be the last main episode followed by a short side-story, then onto our next arc. I hope to post the final episodes before the new year, but if something happens, thank you for your support. My two cats and I wish you happy holidays. And prepare for a lot more of the fiery and slightly psychotic Igneel and Ignia next year.

End of speech 』

— • — • — • —

Chibi-Luna ends the slide show on the magic lantern. "That's all for today, class!" She sweatdrops as her students groan. I really hope these future episodes end on a happier note…