Summary:
Chapter takes place right after chapter 9 (because of you) but before chapter 5 (a catantastic birthday party). After the fight they had with McCallister, it has taken Akko a while to be her usual self. Nevertheless, a ball will make Diakko question their bond.
Notes:
I'm back! With finals and getting a summer internship, I haven't had time at all to write. This will be a two-part mini story! Thank you all for the constant comments and kudos! They're really appreciated.
"I was not expecting an invitation." Croix says while grabbing an envelope from Diana Cavendish herself. "Neither for it to be personally delivered by the hostess of the event. How did you find me?"
Diana smiles politely.
"As the new head of the Cavendish family, it is not difficult for me to ask a favor to the Ministry regarding the current address of one of my former professors." she chuckles.
Croix smiles knowingly.
"Of course. You challenged Daryl and defeated her." Croix reminisces. "Are you ready for all the responsibility that will come from said decision?"
"I have to be." the blonde says firmly. "Challenging my aunt in order to keep the integrity of our family wasn't a difficult decision to make."
"Then I wish you luck." the inventor tells her honestly. "Specially now that you'll have to organize your first ball. Without the aid of your aunt."
"It shouldn't be much of an issue." Diana replies simply. "Not after successfully organizing the Samhain Festival."
"Indeed." Croix smirks. "Those old witches at Luna Nova have gotten quite lazy."
Diana nods in agreement because it was the truth. Were it not for Professor Ursula and her then nothing would get done.
"Still I wonder, why are you inviting me to the ball? You must know that my family and I are not on the friendliest of terms."
"True, but you are my friend. And Akko's."
This makes Croix smile softly at the girl.
"Thank you Diana." she says honestly. "For trusting me and for inviting me to the ball. Alas, I don't think I'll be able to attend. The Ministry is not exactly known for its tolerance and flexibility with their paroled witches."
"I understand." Diana tells her softly. "To be quite honest, I already knew you would not be able to attend."
Croix chuckles.
"Yet here you are..." the older woman says knowingly. "What do you need?"
"Advice."
"Me, give you advice? Certainly my current situation shows that I should be the person you should least seek advice from. Surely Char can help you better than I can."
"In this case not really." Diana says solemnly. "Because the advice I am seeking from you has to do with an aspect of life we share in common, Miss Meridies." she finishes and the use of her last name makes Croix understand that Diana was asking for her counsel in regards to an olde family issue.
And certainly, Croix knew quite a bit about those types of events since she herself was part of an olde family.
"Does it have to do with the invitation you're handing me?" Croix guesses. "Because we both know that if you've just started handing these then that means you have just enough time to organize the ball."
Diana nods in confirmation.
"The timing does not concern me. I know everything will be ready before the end of the week." the blonde says confidently. "What I've come to ask you has to do with a decision I've taken in regards to the night of the ball itself."
"Oh really?" Croix is intrigued. "Well, tell me what you plan to do."
"I have decided to ask Akko to come to the ball with me as my official date." she says without pretenses and Croix can't stop herself from opening her eyes in shock.
That, she was not expecting.
"Are you sure that's wise to do?" she recovers. "Because once you do this, there's no going back."
Diana nods determined.
"I have thought about this ever since I got the letter from back home reminding me about my responsibilities as the new head of the Cavendish family." she admits to the older witch. "And I know very well what inviting Akko as my date will mean to them. To everyone."
"Then why still go through it?" she can't stop herself from wondering. "You two are so young. No one is pressuring you and you have time."
"I can't explain it." Diana confesses shyly. "I just have this feeling that asking Akko is what I am supposed to do. I know that we have time. Yet, I still want to ask her to come. Because I need her there with me."
"That sounds quite selfish of you." Croix says honestly and sees the way this makes Diana react.
She already knows this... the inventor thinks while staring at the younger woman standing in front of her.
"It does sound selfish, doesn't it?" the blonde heiress chuckles bitterly. "I've recently noticed that when it comes to things that concern Akko, I'm quite selfish. Wanting her to be with me all the time, being the main reason she smiles, wanting to help her feel proud and happy… It is like I want my whole world to revolve around her."
Croix gives her an understanding smile.
"That's because you're in love."
"But don't get me wrong." Diana interrupts her passionately. "Akko's happiness will always come first to me. No matter what." she promises. "Which is why I feel I need to ask her."
"As reassurance?" Croix wonders.
She knew that ever since the incident with Sarah McCallister at Luna Nova, Akko had not been feeling well. Her usual spark, what made Akko be Akko, had dulled and was taking time for her to recover.
Yet for Diana to consider doing this was still too extreme of a reassurance for the brunette witch.
It could even put on Akko more pressure.
"As a promise." Diana says instead. "I know very well how it will be seen if Akko comes to the ball as my date. What my level of commitment towards her will mean."
"And you still want to ask her."
"I still want to ask her." she agrees.
"But why Diana? Why do all of that? Akko is recovering well and she will get there."
"I know she will." Diana tells her obviously. "It is Akko we are talking about. I think you're misunderstanding my intentions. I'm not asking Akko to be my date for the ball with the belief that doing so will improve her confidence or help her heal. I know Akko can achieve all of that by herself."
"Then why are you asking her?" Croix is honestly confused.
Why go through all of this?
"I'm asking her because I love her." Diana smiles. "And because Akko is the only person I wish to be with." she finishes explaining to Croix.
"You're not here for my advice." the older witch realizes. "You're here because you wanted to see how I would react."
The heiress smiles apologetically.
"I am here for advice." she chuckles. "Just not in regards to my decision to ask Akko to be my date. Instead, what I was hoping you would help me with was seating." she closes her eyes. "To be quite honest with you, it has been awhile since I've attended an olde family event."
"And you're scared of sitting together people that don't like each other." Croix surmises. "Well then, since it seems that no matter what you'll go ahead with your plan and ask Akko to the ball… Let's instead make things easier for you and fix the seating." she makes space for Diana to sit at the table and gets a thankful look from the blonde witch.
All Croix could do was hope she was making the right decision in not getting further involved.
LWALWALWALWA
"You want me to come to a party with you?" Akko asks a blushing Diana.
The blonde heiress can't help but chuckle at how simply Akko was describing an event that was currently making her feel very nervous.
After the brunette witch confessed her feelings to her, Diana had been determined in making Akko realize how much she cared for her. She knew that her girlfriend, although she didn't show it, tended to feel insecure about herself. Specially after her incident with McCallister, it had taken a while for Akko to act like herself and feel relaxed around Luna Nova.
Diana, of course, didn't blame her at all. Instead, she decided to do everything in her power to make Akko feel proud of herself. They practiced magic together, they went out to town and held hands.
In a way, Diana had started showing everyone that Akko and her were together.
Because Diana was proud of her girlfriend and all she had gone through.
Still, the blonde heiress knew that what she was doing was not enough. That there was something else she needed to do in order to make Akko realize how serious Diana was about their relationship.
Because to Diana, it was pretty clear that Akko meant everything to her.
And almost as if the universe had heard her wish, a letter from Anna had arrived asking for her immediate presence at the Cavendish Manor since she needed to take part of the preparations for the Cavendish Ball.
And she had completely forgotten about it!
Usually, Diana always prepared in advance for this party. It was paramount for a Cavendish to always participate in the event and this year she had gotten distracted and was currently panicking about being ready for it.
The Ball, which hadn't been a ball at first, was a tradition that started with Beatrix Cavendish, one of the olde nine witches and founders of Luna Nova. The event, which at the time helped the olde nine witches meet and plan the new lunar year, had slowly become an extravaganza where the most powerful and wealthy families of the magic community always made an appearance. Usually, the event was organized by the head of the Cavendish family, who had previously been her mom and aunt. And, when her mother died, her aunt Daryl had been in charge of it.
Yet, after Diana challenged her aunt for the leadership of the family and won said challenge, this year it was her responsibility to act as the hostess of the event.
And that scared her.
Not because she had to organize the event. She had already organized the Samhain Festival quite successfully and knew that this party could be done similarly. What was scaring her was what this party could do in helping her show Akko how serious she was about them.
Because this party could be the perfect opportunity for Diana to officially introduce Akko as her partner.
To show everyone in the magic community the intentions Diana Cavendish, head of the Cavendish family, had towards Atsuko Kagari, Luna Nova student.
Nevertheless, she didn't know if Akko was ready for such a thing or if Akko would understand what this could mean for them. Specially because Akko had not been a part of the magic community until recently and still had to learn the customs and traditions of the olde families.
And, when the head of an olde family presented a partner to the magic community, it tended to mean that said head was serious about said person.
Serious as in marriage serious.
And Diana had still asked Akko to come.
"Well, it is not exactly a party." Diana tells her warmly. "But a ball. Similar to the event Andrew had for his birthday."
"I see. Will you be inviting the rest of girls?" the brunette asks her.
"Yes, they are my friends and I wish for them to be there." the blonde says confused.
Why wasn't Akko more excited about this?
Does this mean that she doesn't want to come?
"And, will I be going as your friend?" Akko whispers and Diana finally understands.
Akko wasn't sure in what capacity Diana was inviting her to the party.
"You will be coming as my date." she tells her girlfriend confidently and this makes the Japanese witch look up immediately.
"As your date?" she asks surprised. "But, from what you just told me this is a very important event for you and your family."
"It is." Diana reiterates. "The Cavendish Ball is the one event where my family has the opportunity to show the rest of the magic community that the legacy of Beatrix is an important one."
"Then if that's the case, are you sure that it's wise for me to go as your date?" Akko whispers.
This makes Diana get closer to the brunette and hold her cheek tenderly.
"Of course I'm sure." she smiles and kisses Akko's lips softy.
"But what if I screw up? What if I make you look bad?"
"You are my girlfriend, Akko, and I will never be or feel ashamed of you. I'm crazy about you." Diana tells her without hesitation and notices Akko believing her. "But before you tell me your answer, I want you to understand what going with me to the event will mean to the rest of people that attend."
Akko nods and waits for her to explain.
Diana takes a deep breath and hopes for the best.
"Since I am the head of the Cavendish family, the Cavendish state and traditions are all under my control. My aunt and her children, though they are Cavendish as I am, must obey my rules and do not have a claim to the family fortune until I die and I have left no heir behind."
Akko nods in understanding.
"Because of this, heads of families are very careful when it comes to dating. It's not uncommon for them to do so, but when it comes to formal events, if they're not serious about their partners then they tend to go alone." Diana stops to look at Akko and sees her completely focused on what she is saying. "Hence, if I were to attend this event, which will be my first as the head of the Cavendish family, with a date; it will send a message to the rest of the olde families. It will mean that I consider you a serious partner and will be a formal presentation of you as part of the Cavendish family." she finishes her explanation and waits for Akko to fully grasp what this means.
What it could mean to her and them.
"So, if I went with you to the ball, to the rest of people there it would look like I was your fiance?" Akko asks her and Diana smiles because it was typical Akko to oversimplify things.
"Yes, in a way it is similar to being engaged to each other."
"And you're still asking me to go with you." Akko states.
Diana nods and grabs Akko's hands.
"I… I don't want you to feel pressured because of this." she whispers embarrassed. "I know we're very young and we still have so many things to do." she continues saying. "But if there's one thing I'm sure of, is that my feelings for you will never change. I adore you Akko and in every scenario I've thought of, I always see you standing next to me."
Akko smiles and squeezes Diana's hands.
"Which I guess is why I'm asking you to be my date for the ball. You've been supporting me since before we became a couple and I want you to be with me when I take my role as head of the Cavendish family. It just doesn't feel right to be there without you." Diana murmurs and looks away from Akko because she's too afraid of seeing how Akko will respond to her request.
"Look at me Dia." Akko whispers and softly pulls her face up. "I love you." she tells her surely. "And it will be my honor to be your date for the ball." she promises her and Diana can't stop herself from squealing and hugging her girlfriend tight.
"Really?!" the blonde asks excitedly. "Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure." Akko laughs when Diana squeezes her tighter. "You do know that this whole scenario feels like a proposal." she chuckles and Diana can't help but do the same.
"It does feel like one." Diana then smirks. "But believe me Akko, when I ask you to marry me, you will know."
"Oh really?" the brunette teases her and pulls Diana close to her. "That is quite forward of you, Miss Cavendish." she doesn't let her girlfriend say anything else and instead kisses her on the lips. "I like it." she whispers and again kisses Diana.
And Diana, of course, doesn't complain.
LWALWALWALWA
"Metamorphie Faciesse!" Akko says and smiles when her spell successfully transforms a rat into a cat.
"Good job Akko!" Ursula tells her student happily and returns the mouse to its natural form. "You have improved your spell casting tremendously since we last had a lesson."
"Diana has been helping me practice." the Japanese witch explains to her mentor while sitting down on the grass. "I swear sometimes I don't understand what she sees in me."
"I bet she sees a very determined, kind and beautiful girl." the red-haired witch says confidently.
Akko blushes.
"Sensei, you can't say stuff like that out of nowhere!"
Ursula laughs.
"Then you better stop being so tough on yourself." she gets close to Akko and sits down with her. "But seriously, I'm really proud of you and all you have achieved."
"Thanks Sensei." Akko smiles softly. "None of it would have been possible without the help and support of my friends."
"Speaking of friends…" Ursula says knowingly. "How is Diana doing? Is she ready for the ball?"
The Cavendish Ball, Akko had learned very quickly, was the most important event of the year and every witch in Luna Nova seemed to know about it. Besides, it also didn't hurt that all of Akko's friends had been invited to said ball.
Friends which included Ursula-Sensei.
"She is pretty confident about it." the Japanese witch chuckles. "You know Diana, she doesn't tend to get nervous about things like these."
Ursula laughs because she does know how Diana can be when it comes to organizing events.
The blonde witch had quite the talent for it.
"That does sound like her." Ursula agrees with her pupil. "She invited me."
"I know." Akko smirks.
"Of course you know." the red-haired woman replies teasingly. "To be honest with you, I was surprised when I got the invitation."
"Why? Diana cares about you and considers you a very dear friend. Scratch that, she considers you more than a friend."
"The feeling's mutual." she agrees immediately. "It's just that this type of events are pretty exclusive and witches like me don't tend to be invited to them."
"You are a great witch, Ursula-Sensei. One of the best there are." Akko tells her passionately.
Ursula smiles warmly.
"Thank you, Akko. But what I meant with my comment was that my type of magic is not seen as true magic in the magical community. It is considered an insult to true witchcraft and witches."
"Then they're wrong. And I know Diana agrees with me because we both grew up watching your shows and wanting to do the type of magic you do."
The red-haired woman huffs.
"I won't be able to change your mind about this, correct?"
"Correct." Akko smiles and squeezes her professor's hand assuredly. "If I'm not allowed to criticize myself then neither are you."
"Ok, ok, that sounds fair." Ursula gives up and silently waits for her pupil to continue the conversation.
She knew there was something the brunette wanted to tell her. It was the whole reason they had met tonight and had a lesson.
"Diana asked me to be her date for the Cavendish Ball." Akko tells her suddenly and this makes Ursula stare surprisingly at her favorite student.
Akko chuckles.
"She explained everything to me. What going with her as her date would mean to the rest of the magical community and how it would be seen. And even after knowing all of that, she still asked and I still said yes."
"Akko…" the red-haired woman doesn't know what to say.
She knew Akko and Diana loved each other. After everything they had gone through, it had not been surprising for her to learn that the two witches were dating. But, for Diana to ask Akko to be her date for the Cavendish Ball and for Akko to accept her invitation...
She didn't expect things between them to be that serious so quickly.
"I know I should feel scared of what going to the ball with Diana will mean." Akko says to her softly. "Of what going with Diana will say about us. But for some strange reason, I am not afraid."
"I didn't know things between you two were that serious." is the only thing Ursula can think of saying.
"Neither did we." the Japanese witch chuckles. "Trust me, the last thing I was expecting of coming to Luna Nova was to suddenly be seen as the future wife of Diana Cavendish." she takes a deep breath. "But then again, no matter how much I try to, I can't see a future without Diana in it."
Akko stands up from her spot next to Ursula.
"I don't know when I started to feel this way." she admits. "Perhaps it was when Diana tried to leave Luna Nova and I went to the Cavendish Manor to bring her back. Or maybe it was when she found me all alone near the fountain of Polaris and brought me back to Luna Nova." she smiles warmly. "But what I do know is that I love her and I want her to be happy. I want to support her and I want to be with her for as long as she'll have me."
Ursula simply stares at the young witch, surprised at the level of passion, commitment and love she could hear from her student.
"Or maybe I said yes just because I love her. I mean, it all comes back to me being crazy about her." Akko laughs heartily. "Because what I am about to do is pretty crazy."
"That's an understatement." Ursula can't stop herself from saying out-loud. "What you two are doing, it cannot be easily undone."
"And who says we will want it undone?" Akko asks simply and perhaps it was that comment what made the red-haired witch truly understand that the decision the two young witches were doing went beyond a simple school crush.
Something else was happening to them. A bond that was not solely based on normal feelings of love and lust. The depth with which the two young girls felt about each other, their understanding of each other and how it seemed like they were capable of doing strange magic when the other was in danger (with Diana facing 12 senior witches and Akko using magic without a wand); it was all making Ursula believe that magic was also a part of the equation.
And just like Akko had said to her, the former performer had an idea of what seemed to be the catalyst that brought the two young witches together. Ursula knew pretty well what it was because it had also been what had brought Croix and her together.
The Shiny Rod and the Grand Triskellion.
LWALWALWALWA
"Char?" Croix is surprised to see the red-haired woman standing outside her door. "What are you doing here?" she asks but then blushes because she had been really rude. "Not that I'm not happy about you being here…" she starts rambling.
After her conversation with Diana a couple of nights ago, Croix had been expecting a phone or video call from the red-haired woman. She knew the way Chariot would take the news when Akko told her about it and was not surprised about the brunette's apparent answer to go to the ball as Diana's date.
What was surprising was the fact that Chariot had come all the way to town to talk to her about.
Which means she must feel really worried… Croix thinks and stops her weird rambling when Chariot raises her hand.
"Croix." Ursula gives her a soft smile. "I understand." she promises. "And the reason I'm here unannounced is because I was hoping we could talk?"
"Of course, please come in!" she doesn't know how to greet Chariot because the last time they had seen each other they've had sex and then promised each other to talk once Croix was free to return to Luna Nova.
Which currently made things between them feel a little awkward.
Ursula, noticing how unsure and shy Croix was behaving, decided to take the initiative and got close to the lilac-haired woman, grabbing her hands softly and squeezing them.
"I have missed you." she confesses and kisses Croix on the lips tenderly, smiling when she feels the inventor relaxing.
"Me too." Croix admits and smiles thankfully. "I didn't know what to do. I mean, I know last time we did all that and then talked. But still…" she blushes.
"I know." Ursula soothes her. "I'm sorry I haven't been able visit. Things at Luna Nova have been quite hectic since the incident with McCallister and making reforms to prevent something similar from happening again."
"I understand." Croix closes the door behind them and takes Chariot to her small living room. "Please take a seat." she says while going to the kitchen to grab some coffee. "Luckily, I was making myself some coffee." she brings out two cups of steaming black coffee.
"Coffee sounds great." the red-haired says thankfully and takes a sip. "I swear your coffee is the best."
"Thank you, Char." she smiles and drinks a sip. "Since you're here, I want you to tell me how Akko is doing? Based on the talks we've had on the phone, she sounds happier."
"She is happier." Ursula assures her. "Slowly, but surely, she's regaining her confidence and her spell casting has tremendously improved. Similar to what happened with Diana, it seems like with practice, she will be capable of recovering all her magic."
"That's great news." the lilac-haired witch says honestly. "I know how worried you were feeling about that." she then takes a closer look at her friend. "But that is not the only reason you're here, right?"
"You know me really well." Ursula chuckles. "No, I came here because I need to ask you about the Shiny Rod."
"The Claiomh Solais?"
"I, I don't know how to explain this. But I think it has been affecting Akko and Diana."
"Affecting them in what way?" Croix asks seriously.
"Do you know what will happen in two days?" Ursula asks her instead.
"The Cavendish Ball?" she answers confused because that was the only thing that came to her mind.
Chariot was confusing her with her line of questioning. Still, she knew that the French witch was just giving herself time to fix her ideas.
Hence, Croix decided to answer her questions as they came.
"Were you invited?" the red-haired woman asks.
Croix nods in confirmation.
"I was." she smiles softly. "But since I'm on probation I won't be able to attend. Which now totally sucks because you were invited as well. We could have danced and been together."
Ursula chuckles and kisses her friend on the lips.
"We'll have more balls and parties to attend." she promises but then turns serious. "Akko will be going to the ball as Diana's date." she tells her friend and watches her reaction.
Which is not one of shock like she had expected it to be.
And, if Croix had been invited to the party a couple of days ago…
It matched with the day Diana asked for permission to leave Luna Nova for the day.
"You knew this already." Ursula says and the inventor nods in confirmation.
"Diana came to personally invite me to the ball a couple of days ago. She informed me of her intentions to ask Akko to attend the ball as her date. Seems like Akko accepted."
"And you're fine with this? Even with knowing what doing so entails? What it means?"
"Knowing Diana, I trust she explained everything to Akko when she was asking her to attend." Croix says and watches Chariot nod. "If that's the case, then who are we to question their decision?"
"It's not that simple." Ursula closes her eyes.
Croix huffs.
"Trust me, when Diana told me, I was just as surprised as you are. I wasn't expecting them to be so serious about each other so quickly. Then again, they have gone through so many things that normal couples will never have to."
"I'm aware. But then I started thinking about the way they grew closer, how it was all tied by the Shiny Rod. It wasn't until the two of them started working together on finding the seven words that they got along."
"Well, apart from that they had nothing else in common, Char." she doesn't know what Chariot is trying to tell her with all of this.
"I know." Ursula huffs. "But even then they were still friends. It wasn't until they used the Shiny Rod together that things changed. Not only in the sense of their relationship, but also in their capacity to use magic."
"I have been curious about that. " Croix agrees. "Technically, only the chosen one can use the Claiomh Solais. But in their case, the two of them were able to wield it at the same time." the inventor then correlates that with the rest of information she had gathered. "You think their bond has been affected by the Claiomh Solais?"
"It would explain the quickness with which it has evolved. It also explains how they're capable of doing extraordinary magic when the other is in danger."
"Perhaps… But even if that was the case, why are you scared? I thought you trusted the magic of the Claiomh Solais because it's good magic. Pure, non-corrupted magic."
"I am scared that this bond is unconsciously forcing them to do something they're not ready for. And of what it could make them do in the future. We don't know much about the Claiomh Solais and how it affects the witches that use it."
"Is it really unconscious?" Croix asks. "Because I don't think it is. I know those two spend most of their time together. Their relationship, and however they see it, hasn't started out of the blue."
"I know that." the red-haired performer agrees. "But their magic, and the Shiny Rod, that's also not a coincidence."
"Maybe it's not. But it isn't the main reason those two are together. And I think deep inside of you, you know this." Croix says softly. "Which makes me wonder why you're still reacting this way. Aren't you happy about them being together?"
"Of course I am! They're perfect for each other." Ursula says ashamed. "I just can't stop thinking the Shiny Rod has something to do in all of this. And…" she then closes her eyes. "And if it does, I don't want them to suffer the consequences."
"The consequences?"
"The consequences of blindly trusting the Shiny Rod."
And the moment Chariot says that is the moment Croix finally understands why the former performer was so afraid of the magic of the Claiomh Solais being involved in Diana and Akko's relationship.
"You're afraid they will end up like we did." Croix summarizes what Chariot is trying to tell her and notices the red-haired woman flinch.
"I... " Ursula stutters. "I don't want them to experience what we went through." she looks at Croix. "I don't want them to blindly trust the magic of the Shiny Rod and expect it to fix everything. Because we know firsthand that it's not that simple."
Croix gives her a sad smile.
"They are not like us." she says surely. "Perhaps they started the same way we did. Trust me, I see the similarities just like you do. But the main difference, and what it seems you have forgotten, is that I was never capable of using the Claiomh Solais."
"Huh?"
"I never used it, Char. And perhaps the fact that I was unable to meant that we still needed to grow before we could be together. To be quite honest, when you got the Claiomh Solais I was really jealous of you. From what you told me, Akko got it during the first day of class and she didn't have any friends at that time. Diana met her afterwards. That, to me, makes quite the difference."
"It… It does." Ursula agrees.
"Perhaps the Claiomh Solais learns from its past mistakes and realized that it needed to be with a witch right from the start of her magical training. Perhaps it understood that it needed to find a person that was completely new to magic in order to succeed. Someone who had no reason to but truly believed in magic. Someone that would be capable of showing a witch like Diana the simple wonders of magic."
"Croix…"
"Like you, I have had time to think about the mistakes we did." she smiles sadly. "Yet, I've come to the conclusion that the reason why the seven words were found now was because it needed a relationship like the one Akko and Diana have. And in a way, because they succeeded, the Grand Triskellion rewarded them."
"A reward?"
"Unlimited and powerful magic to defend the person you love from any kind harm? That sounds like quite the reward for all the trouble those two had go through." Croix chuckles and sees that Chariot is finally getting what she's trying to say.
"So the magic hasn't been affecting them. The magic was given to them. It has been helping but not influencing them."
"That's the way I see it." the inventor shrugs. "I cannot be 100% sure without performing some tests on them, but from what I have seen, those two being together was just meant to happen. With or without special magic."
