Weeks had passed and his mother's health was slowly but surely improving. Every day it seemed more color came to her face and she breathed easier. It was hard to believe a girl younger than him already had magic strong enough to heal a devil's curse. But the Rowan Tree magic, for all its strength, wasn't very combative in nature. As such, Silva began to hover near his mother's chambers when Emelda was tending her. He would loiter in the hall, or read in a nearby study. Occasionally he would sit outside, on a bench far below his mother's window. He wanted to be ready just in case something happened. His mother had sacrificed so much to keep himself and Noelle safe, he'd do anything in his power to protect her.
That didn't mean it wasn't tiring, Nozel found himself dozing off as he tried to read bored of sitting but unwilling to leave the hall outside his mother's door. He kept catching himself half slumped down the bench, grateful that no servant had found him in such a slovenly position.
Suddenly he jolted again, sitting up slightly he looked up the hall and realized the noise that woke him was Emelda herself tapping past him quickly in the silk slippers members of her family often wore.
"How is mother?"
She flinched, turning to him quickly, "She's...improving. I wouldn't yet call her well but, she's certainly not worse. More...there hasn't been much change lately. I'm afraid, my lord, I've only been able to keep her comfortable and no better for a day or so now."
He frowned and she flinched back which only made him frown more. She was skittish. She seemed fearful of everything in the Silva household. She ate her dinner quickly and quietly, she rushed to and from his mother's room. She would never be able to make Acier better if her nervous nature went unchecked.
"I'm sorry for not waking you," she said suddenly, surprisingly talkative, "but you wait outside the door so often I thought maybe you weren't getting enough sleep."
"I'm not the one you're supposed to be worrying about," he bit back.
Her expression melted from nerves to sadness, eyes casting down, "Of course, I'm sorry, your highness."
He sighed, glancing away from her. She wasn't like Fuegoleon who would argue back nor his siblings who would pout or yell when he got cross with them. She was reserved, demure in a way, her reactions were noticeable but controlled. Not unlike a rowan tree, he thought, yielding but surprisingly strong.
"I'll be on my way then, your highness," she said, bowing slightly and turning on her heel.
"Join me," he said suddenly, waiting for her to turn and give him a quizzical look.
"Pardon me?"
"For a walk. Join me. You'll be here until well after Mother is better and you're working hard. If you know your way around better perhaps you'll be less nervous," he said simply.
She lingered eyes glancing up the hall before she turned, "Very well."
She couldn't imagine what Nozel wanted. He watched her like a hawk every day she went to see his mother. Sometimes when she would leave his eyes would feel so cold on her skin that she was sure he mistook her for the demon that cursed his mother in the first place. She half worried if it was a test. Maybe he doubted her validity as a healer for his mother so sincerely that he decided to take matters into his own hands.
Whatever was going on Nozel didn't give anything away. Emelda glanced at him from the corner of her eye. She didn't think he was frowning, per se, more he had a very serious expression which in turn made his sharp features seem angry. When his eyes suddenly flashed toward her she quickly looked forward again, managing to keep her expression calm even though her heart was racing.
"The gardens are blooming right now," he offered, "that's where we are going. I've noticed you don't spend much time around the grounds when you aren't with mother."
Was he offended? Worried? She couldn't tell so she thought of her words carefully as she responded, "It isn't that the Silva castle isn't beautiful, more, enjoying its beauty while you're mother is ill in my care feels wrong. I am also often very tired when I am done for the day."
"And now?"
"I am well enough. Perhaps a little...woozy. I'm adjusting to the wear though," she said, looking at him as he furrowed his brow, "Do not worry, your highness, I am very capable of tending to Lady Silva, I swear."
He frowned and looked like he'd speak again but instead he turned and pushed a heavy oak door open and lead her own into the bright sun of the late afternoon. For a moment everything was blindingly white as her eyes adjusted and then the pale white stone of the walkway came into view. It made her homesick for the colorful wildflowers her parents let grow around their home. She felt out of place among the Silva family in her rust-colored pants, an article of clothing she'd yet to see a single woman of the house Silva wear. Her pale yellow shirt exposed the lower part of her torso and though the puffed sleeves and tight wrists of the garment seemed to fit with the Silva aesthetic her exposed skin coupled with her close-fitting pant made her feel underdressed and mismatched. She wondered suddenly if it was rude to not dress as they did, but then again, she was a guest so their aesthetic wouldn't matter once she was home among the bright flowers and colorful tile of the Luischamp manor house.
"Emelda?" Silva said from beside her, eyeing her suspiciously.
"Oh," she muttered, flushing with embarrassment at getting lost in her train of thought, "I'm sorry. I was just...taking it in."
The corner of his mouth tugged back slightly, "Yes, well. Come."
Then he walked quickly through the garden leaving no time for gazing or smelling. Emelda hurried after him, "May I know where we're going, your highness?"
"To the main courtyard," he said shortly, "I train with the Vermillion siblings most afternoons."
The Vermillion Estate loomed above them. It was aggressively square compared to the pointed spires of the Silva Estate. In front of it stood Fuegoleon looking off into the sky. Fuegoleon was a little older than Nozel, a little taller too. His long red hair was styled so it laid nearly down his back save a section of bags that waved over his forehead. Like most of the Vermillion family, his purple eyes were finger with burgundy makeup.
When he noticed them he turned, bowing politely to her, "It's nice to finally meet you, Emelda."
She could feel her cheeks heat up. A member of the royal family was bowing to her, "You as well, your highness."
"Please, Fuegoleon is fine," He said, smiling softly.
"Yes well," Nozel suddenly spoke, "Emelda will join us today."
"I hope you feel prepared, if my sister comes it can be...quite rough," Fuegoleon sighed.
"I'm afraid I'm not in sparring condition, I have little magic left."
Fuegoleon seemed confused for a moment, a thin eyebrow arching down at her in confusion. Before he could speak Nozel cut in, "She's been training with the healers all morning. Besides, her magic isn't meant for combat."
"Well, I don't think she'd enjoy herself much if we were training and she was watching," Fuegoleon frowned, "Perhaps we could do something else? What would interest you, Emelda?"
She turned and looked at Nozel, seeming to want his input on what they would do. Fuegoleon was right, of course, she probably wouldn't enjoy herself much watching them spar but he wished Fuegoleon hadn't said it first.
"The Luischamp Manor has quite an impressive garden, but I imagine you haven't yet seen the royal garden. We will go there."
Emelda smiled, eyes lighting at the mention of the garden, "I didn't know there was one, where is it?"
"Inside the walls of the Kira Estate," he said simply, "it's tucked away from view of the public but we can easily go there."
Suddenly her nerves returned, and she drew back slightly, "I don't want to be a bother…"
"It's none," Fuegoleon spoke, offering his arm to her, "Any member of the royal family can go in any of the estates that make up the castle."
She hesitated, hand reaching pout and hovering for a moment before she quietly took Fuegoleon's arm and held it at a distance with the lightest touch. Nozel looked at them, watching how her delicate fingers held Fuegoleon's sleeve and how easily Fuegoleon adjusted to her nervous nature. He frowned and turned toward the Kira Estate, "Come on then."
As they walked Fuegoleon made conversation with Emelda; asking her about her sisters, how long she'd be with the Silvas, and how she liked the palace. It was difficult for Nozel. He struggled to carry on these mindless conversations, he already knew of Emelda's younger sisters, he knew what she did with the Silvas. But as much as he knew about her he found it hard to ask her how she felt and he struggled more in the face of her discomfort. Fuegoleon didn't seem to face that challenge. He was warm and friendly and his polite questioning seemed to ease Emelda, making her smile and laugh as they spoke.
"My youngest sister, Candis, she had just learned before I left home. We would bring her out to the yard with us and watch as she toddled around, and one day we couldn't find her. We'd turned out backs to her for a moment because we heard a commotion up at the house and when we turned back she was gone!" Emelda said, more lively than he'd ever seen.
"Where did you find her?"
"She'd climbed a tree! I heard her giggling and I looked all around the brush and then I finally looked up and I saw her, clinging to a branch just above me!"
Fuegoleon laughed, "That sounds like something Leopold would do. Our siblings must be similar."
She grinned, "They must. So I have to offer my condolences."
Fuegoleon laughed, hard this time but no less genuine, "Nozel, Emelda must join us at the next gathering then. So she can meet the rest, my brother and sister. Do you know Nozel's younger siblings well yet?"
"She doesn't," Nozel answered for her, "Emelda often leaves her healing and goes to her chambers."
Her eyes cast down, avoiding him as Fuegoleon frowned, "Well, you'll meet them soon. And the baby of the family, Noelle."
She smiled softly, though she still avoided holding anyone's eyes, "That would be nice I...don't mean to avoid them. I just...I am tired."
Fuegoleon patted her hand, "I'm sure. Healing magic is difficult, I've not learned any yet. I hope I can see the Rowan Tree magic someday. I've heard of it often."
His words put her at ease, a soft smile on her face as she nodded, "I'll make sure to show you when I can."
"Here," Nozel said, turning into the hall and pulling the door open for them, "the gardens."
Emelda walked through first, both the boys flanking her. Fuegoleon gave Nozel a sharp look, an attempted shaming for his harmless words to Emelda. Nozel glared back. He wouldn't be chided by Fuegoleon. Not when he knew nothing of Emelda's true purpose for joining them.
In front of them, Emelda gasped, rushing forward and looking up at the marvelous garden, "Wow…" she breathed, turning to smile at them, "It's beautiful."
Nozel nodded, "Every plant that grows in the Clover Kingdom also grows here."
She continued to gaze around her and her foot moved sharply over the gravel as though she was about to run. Then she paused and looked at him cautiously.
"Go," he nodded, "Look around wherever you want."
"We'll catch up to you shortly, Emelda," Fuegoleon added.
She didn't wait for an explanation, instead, she rushed off, disappearing into the leaves. Nozel turned, raising an eyebrow at Fuegoleon, "Why are we finding her later, Fuegoleon?"
"Why are you being so cold to her?" Fuegoleon asked, frowning at him.
"I'm not," Nozel spat, irritated by Fuegoleon's presumtion.
"You are! You have her calling you 'your highness' when she's a guest in your home. She won't even go to the garden without your leave."
"She is from a lower house, and she is my guest. It's proper. You would know that if the Vermillion family wasn't so lax with their rules."
Fuegoleon huffed in disbelief, shaking his head as he spoke, "Have you considered she goes straight to her chambers because it's the only place she can relax?"
Nozel scowled, "I didn't ask for your guidance."
"Of course not, no matter how bad you needed it."
Nozel's frown worsened, "Bite your tongue."
"Or what?" Fuegoleon asked, looking down his nose at Nozel.
The air changed, tinging with their auras as they glared at each other. Nozel lifted his hand but before their fight could properly begin Emelda came barreling through the leaves beside him, "Lord Nozel!"
He dropped his hand instantly, turning to look at her, "What is it?"
"Come look!" she said, grinning and gesturing for him to follow her.
He eyes Fuegoleon coldly and turned to follow after Emelda, watching as her teal hair swayed through the brush around them, she smiled over her shoulder, "Have you ever seen these?" She pointed above them, a tall tree but normal looking to him. Brown wood, green leaves, and small white buds on the branches.
"...a tree?"
She smiled, reaching up and tapping a finger softly on one of the buds. Suddenly it sprung to life, white petals unfurling into the shape of a white bird taking flight. As one unfurled it brushed another which burst forth until the whole tree was a tidal wave of blooming flowers.
His mouth parted in shock, eyes scanning over the beauty of the tree that looked as though at any moment hundreds of small white birds would take to the air. He looked at her, watched how the joy and the beauty of the event seemed to relax her. When she turned to look at him she grew shy and blushed. This time it didn't seem because she feared him or that he made her uncomfortable but that she didn't expect him to watch as she marveled at the tree in front of them.
"It's meant to mean good luck. They bloom like this once in the year. The flowers will stay for a while as the seeds mature, then they'll drop but. I saw they were ready and I thought you might like to see them. They're white birds but...they're close to silver eagles. So..I thought-" She cut herself off, looking down shyly.
"I'll bring some to my mother," he said quickly, "Not enough to harm the tree but...just so she can see them now. When they're at their best."
He moved to summon his magic but she stopped him, "I'll do it, your highness. Mercury could make the tree sick," her eyes cast to Fuegoleon who'd stayed at the edge of the path, "so can fire."
She held her hands together and parted them, a whip of thorns shooting from her folded palms and swiftly lashing a branch, dropping it into Nozel's hands. He studied it, the fine soft-looking birds and the glossy green leaves. He hoped it would bring his mother comfort if not the luck Emelda mentioned.
"Thank you, Emelda," he said.
It seemed to surprise her, but she smiled back at him, "Of course."
"And…" he glanced away, conscious of Fuegoleon's stare as he spoke, "you may call me Nozel."
She didn't respond. He turned to look at her, straightening as he saw the happiness the simple gesture brought her. He could feel a burning sensation, Fuegoleon smirking at him from the corner of his eye. He was certain they would fight over it later but for now, he focused on the smile on Emelda's face.
"Thank you," she said, cheeks turning pink as she added, "Nozel."