AN: Just a little note here to say thanks to everyone that leaves reviews : I do read them (including the spanish ones even though I can't understand so I use google translate haha). It means a lot and it's what motivates me most to keep writing— aside from Astelle moments.
Also did you guys see the latest chapter spoilers?!!! Gyahhhh my ship is sailing.
Funfact: Chapter 103 is when Asta tells Noelle he likes her and now in 301 Noelle finally admits to herself that she likes him. Tabata you're an absolute genius 3!
Now to the actual chapter.
Asta finds himself starstruck when it came to his fellow newbie and royal teammate Noelle Silva.
The first time they met Asta was immediately starstruck, after all her shiny silver hair reflected enough light as if it sparkled and her irises were the most beautiful shade of amethyst he'd ever seen.
In usual fashion he gives his introduction by offering his hand to shake. As her fellow newbie he should get along with her.
But this was immediately forgotten after she slapped his hand away, insulted him and threw away the black bulls cloak he worked hard to obtain for himself.
The second time Noelle blew him away (figuratively) was when she obtained a new attack spell. They were in quite the depressing situation after witnessing both Kaito and Kahono injured.
And in response, Noelle had created the "Sea Dragon's Roar" to protect them. Of course at the time Asta couldn't afford to properly be speechless since he immediately had to deflect Vetto's counterattack and protect her.
Nevertheless, he had to let her know how proud he was of her achievement before going back to the battlefield with Finral and Vanessa's assistance.
The third time she surprised him was during their double date at the Stars Awarding Ceremony. Asta was about to approach the crying child and offer help but she beat him to it. Even moreso when people had recognized her and gossipped about the fact that a royal was mingling with commoners.
Noelle was different from her fellow noblemen so he knew how kind she truly was. However, he hadn't expected her to boldly declare that social class didn't matter so long as everyone enjoyed themselves.
It was then that Kahono asked him a question. What did he think of Noelle?
Well she was his teammate and a precious friend, she was strong and hardworking, a bit reserved so she expressed herself better through actions but above all else underneath her cold persona she was incredibly kind. Noelle was truly an amazing person, what else would he think?
So he sincerely answered with a big smile on his face. He liked who she was.
The fourth time he got speechless was when he saw her new transformation. He— along with his allies were free falling due to the dimension collapsing after defeating that word magic devil Zagred.
Despite the accelerated pull of gravity on him, all he could think of was how cool her water armor looked. Somehow in the short time they got separated she grew stronger again; she truly was amazing.
And he would continue to gush over her awesome Valkyrie Armor even to this day.
The fifth time she impressed him, was when he found out she had a Saint Stage Form. Everything about it was impressive: the elegant wings that increased her speed, the halo on her crowned head, the flowing hair which he always admired that somehow looked longer than ever,there was even an ethereal glow to her body. She was basically the personification of an angel at this point.
Oh and don't forget the badass sword she's got! He can just imagine how fun training would become and he thought that her original Valkyrie dress was already impressive.
A devil and an angel fighting side by side.
She was literally his counterpart at this point, they were already partners to begin with and the speech she gave to Megicula about never giving up filled him with pride. After all he could read ki, he knew how her heart was desperately seeking hope and he would gladly be that for her.
The sixth time he—is there even a point in counting anymore? Nevertheless, it was during the new Wizard King's coronation. After the whole Kingdom found out Julius reverted back to a teenager, a new King was needed to be appointed.
She didn't come with the squad before the event, apparently her eldest brother requested she be with the rest of the Silvas including her preparations so he hadn't seen her at all that day. Part of him kinda felt lonely but wasn't it odd to say that he missed her when it has barely been a day?
Asta had seen her in plenty of outfits before, so he knew how beautiful she was—objectively speaking. And he wasn't usually the type to pay extra attention to physical qualities but seeing her in a fancy blue mermaid tail dress with white accents and a fancy braided updo made it very clear that she was a princess.
Yes, she tended to remind him of that fact in every conversation for some reason and he was very much aware of how mannered and elegant she was. But seeing her in this way dancing with countless noblemen throughout the night had him realize the difference in their upbringing.
Asta wasn't sure why he suddenly felt insecure about that. He was never ashamed of who he was but then again she never felt so far away from him before. What did it matter if he was a manaless peasant? She would treat him the same way as always, so why did he feel as though he would lose her somehow?
"Just ask her to dance already." He jumps at the familiar voice and Liebe rolls his eyes.
"I don't—"
"Please, she's been silently wanting to escape this entire time. Didn't you know, those guys are just trying to win her favor since she's royalty and all that crap." Asta questions how the devil knew so much, although he suspected this was a result of Noelle secretly taking him from time to time. The antimage let her take the little devil since he knew she was fond of cute and weird creatures, not that he'd ever tell Liebe. The boy remains silent and the devil lets out a sigh.
"If not for that, then at least do it for the sake of shutting up your jealousy. Your brain is as loud as your mouth is."
"I'm not—"
"There you are Dorksta, what are you doing just standing here anyways?" She raises an eye brow at him. The entire night he could only see glimpses of her but now he could see her clearly,it only flustered him further.
"Ah just thinking."
"You thinking—sounds like I should be worried. About what?" She teases him with a small smirk on her face and his eyes are glued to the shine on her pink lips.
"How pretty you are." He says unintentionally but without being embarrassed, it was the truth after all. Instantly the smirk disappears and there was blush on her cheeks aside from just make up.
"Th-thanks." And he doesn't know what to say next, should he ask her to dance? What if she was tired though? Or what if he steps on her toes? He's never danced anything fancy before!
"Well are you gonna just stand there or are you gonna ask me to dance? You shouldn't make royalty wait, you know."
"Oh you want me to—but I don't really know how to dance properly." He voices his worries. If he was going to mess upat least she'd be aware before hand. But the water mage simply shrugs.
"I'm kinda tired from all of that anyways, we can just sway from side to side. I don't care, so long as it's with you." Asta was surely hallucinating at this point, did she just admit that she wanted to dance with him? Him, as in the guy who was a peasant with no magic?
"You sure?"
"Yup." She smiles and he forgets the insecurities that plagued his mind. All that is left was to enjoy the rest of his night.
The next time was most shocking to him. Ever since they danced he realized that he was in love with her. Normally he'd find a flower and immediately propose but something holds him back.
Noelle wasn't just anybody, she was his precious friend and she was royalty—he wasn't scared of rejection; this had happened to him plenty of times before. What he feared was the possible consequences she would receive. He was already a witness to how others poorly treated her when she lacked magic control. Now that she was a respectable magic knight, her reputation had spiked. Hence the multitude of nobles attempting to win her favor. Asta wouldn't want to cause her unnecessary problems once rumors start of a peasant courting a royal.
However his dilemma gets immediately solved after she decides to confess first. It was just an average day of training, exhausted and breathless they both rest next to each other against a tree. As his eyes start to droop down he hears her voice loud and clear.
"I love you." With the idea of a nap forgotten, he sits up and proceeds to stare at her dumbfounded.
The antimage never expected her to reciprocate, no matter how many times he imagined himself proposing to her. Asta was sure that the only response he'd get was a water blast and some variation of 'What do you think you're saying, stupid?'. So of course he didn't know how to respond!
"Why?" His question makes her flush, and she starts to explain the good he has done for her. And she tells him about the admiration she held that eventually evolved towards love.
"I know this is sudden and you don't have to respond. I just wanted you to know." Seeing as she was about to leave, his hand catches her wrist.
Emeralds meet amethyst and he can sense their heartbeats go in sync.
"I feel the same way."
They had decided to keep their relationship secret, at least for now. The only people that knew were the people they trusted such as his family, their squad and a few close friends.
For the most part they acted as usual, the only difference was the occasional exchange of affection. He found it rather adorable how easily flustered she'd get. And although she doesn't always return his hugs or kisses (only on the cheek because she was still shy), it only made the rare times that she does feel extra special. It was nice to be in bliss of simply enjoying their relationship, sadly all good things always came to an end.
Eventually her family had found out that Noelle had a secret boyfriend and requested her to bring him to dinner. This makes the girl worried because even if the Silva siblings had recently reconciled after Megicula's defeat, that didn't mean that they would easily accept her choice of a lover. Asta could tell just how nervous she was but he was sure to offer his reassurance.
"No matter what happens, I'm not letting you go." He promises to her while squeezing her hand.
As to be expected the dinner became a succession of shock, disagreements, belittling and the demand that they separate. Oddly enough, her eldest brother hadn't spoken a word and simply looked at the both of them. The same could not be said about the rest of her siblings that kept sprouting about scandals, backlash, shame or whatever else it would bring to their family name.
Asta wanted to defend their relationship, why should it matter that they were of different social class? They love each other and that should be enough.
However Noelle spoke first, with a voice so strong and confident that all he could do was listen.
"So what if he's a peasant? Or that he has no magic? He's so much more than that.
He's the guy that motivated me to get stronger, he's the one that saved me countless of times, he was the first person to ever make me feel valued. Something you failed in doing for your own sister.
And after everything, I thought you could finally like me enough to respect my decisions. But after tonight, it's clear that I thought wrong." Her disappointment radiated strongly in her ki.
"I don't care what you think, I'm not letting him go." She stands while looking at Captain Nozel in the eye. Asta places a hand on her shoulder to offer silent comfort. A few seconds pass in silence, she knows that her siblings weren't changing their minds and she grits her teeth in anger.
"Tch, you can disown me if you're that worried! Come on Asta, let's get out of here." He, along with everyone else was caught off guard with her outburst.And he immediately follows after her rapid strides, feeling a vast amount of guilt. This is what he exactly feared, that she would get hurt from the backlash. To think that she had just recently reconciled their relationship, now thanks to him they were back to square one.
When they reach the exit the still enraged teen stopped in her tracks and suddenly turns to him. "Don't you dare feel guilty."
"But—" A hand cupping his cheek halts the rest of his rebuttal. It was amazing to witness how her terrifying rage instantly shift to a gentle but determined expression.
"I meant what I said, all that name has ever caused me was suffering. When you saved me from my magic I was so miserable that I was willing to drown but ever since I met you everything got better. I was finally happy.
So I'm not letting you go just to please them." Asta realizes that the moonlight further accentuated her silver hair and magenta eyes, the same features that struck him when they first met. Except these eyes held no contempt, only her boundless love and it motivates him to express his own feelings in the only way he thought was appropriate.
With one hand on her waist and another on her cheek he pulls her towards him and closes his eyes. He hears her gasp in surprise as he captures her lips in a passionate kiss, hopefully letting her know that he loves her just as much. Eventually her tense shoulders relax and her hands reach behind his neck as she leans further, returning his kiss with equal fervor.
It makes him think that if he had magic,he wishes it was the power to stop time because it would be great for capturing perfect moments like this. Unfortunately their lungs were in need of oxygen so they had to separate but they kept their embrace.
"I'm sorry...I just wish being with me didn't cost you so much. I don't like you getting hurt." He admits to her in a quiet voice and the woman only scoffs.
"And I die with worry everytime you recklessly rush into battle but you don't see me beating myself up for it.
Just trust that I can handle it the same way I have faith in you." Asta smiles and nods, attempting to lean into another kiss.
"Ehem." They both stop and turn towards a familiar voice. Standing there was none other than Captain of the Silver Eagles and her eldest brother Nozel Silva.
"We were just leaving." He says as he instinctively pushes Noelle behind him. The antimage wished her siblings wouldn't further ruin their night.
"I didn't get the chance to speak back there.
I'd like to apologize for Nebra and Solid's behavior also for letting them speak so horribly, especially to you Asta. You were our guest and you didn't deserve to be disrespected like that.
I will be honest, I had my suspicions. I understand why you kept it secret seeing as many people will reject it. My siblings are a prime example of that." The elder man says, no hint of hostility in his voice.
"Then you aren't against it?" The youngest Silva questions, surprised by her brothers words. The elder male shakes his head in denial.
"If I was that would make me a hypocrite. After all, we are in the same situation."
"Hah?!" The two couldn't help but shout, bewildered expressions on their face as Nozel continues to explain.
"Dorothy refused to tell me no matter how much I bribed her but she reassured me that I would come to understand why. Furthermore, she gave me permission to tell you about us. So to make this simple witches originally lived in their Forest thus she is technically a foreigner. We've hid our relationship for years."
"Eh?!" The young couple gasped once more, finding it hard to believe how the stoic Nozel fell in love with the quirky Captain of the Coral Peacocks.
"You have no need to abolish the Silva name. It comes without saying but you have my blessing." In glee, the water mage leaps towards her brother and envelopes him in an emotional hug. Asta might be hallucinating from all the surprises that night but he swore there was a hint of a smile on the brother's lips. After the siblings separate, Nozel goes to the younger male and seemingly offers him a hug as well. But this is immediately proven false when he hears the older man whisper in his ear.
"Hurt her and you die." The threat reminds him of the way Captain Yami gives orders and it makes him sweat bullets.
"Wo-would never dream of it, sir!" He answers fearful of his life.
"Big brother Nozel, we talked about this." Noelle scolds with a cute pout. It makes him think that this definitely happens often.Asta concludes that his girlfriend had an overprotective older brother.
That night he wonders how many more times Noelle would leave him starstruck. He was sure it would be at least two more times, of course he's probably thinking way too far into the future but still. Why at least two? Well he was sure that he would get speechless when he sees her finally walk the aisle. The second being the moment she holds their firstborn child. Again completely hypothetical to assume that their relationship would even last that long but he honestly couldn't see himself with anyone else at this point. He thinks of how long that would take, would he be the Wizard King at that point?
An epiphany reaches him from the thought, a new motivation added to his ambition. If a Wizard King was to marry someone from the royal family surely no one would complain. He sleeps that night and dreams of becoming what he always wanted and being with the love of his life.