She had adjusted to life with the Silvas though she didn't enjoy it, something she would only admit in her letters home to her mother. It was tiring if not outright painful to heal Acier and often when she returned to her room she'd wind up doubled over on the cool floor of her bathroom, muscles convulsing painfully as her body tried to handle the strain of her constant magic use. As if the constant strain of using her magic wasn't enough, Nozel often hovered around her, watching as she healed his mother,

Beyond his harsh eye, there were the other Silvas; Nebra and Solid that begged for only good news, the maids and butlers that gave her warry looks nearly constantly, and of course, Lord Silva who seemed unimpressed with her lack of progress because she couldn't tell him the truth.

She sighed, rubbing her neck as she opened the door to Lady Silva's chamber with the key Lord Silva entrusted to her.

"You seem tired," a soft voice called from the bed.

Emelda flinched, her head snapping up to look into the calm face of Acier Silva. Emelda's mouth gaped impolitely, completely frozen in shock in the doorway.

Lady Silva smiled, laughing softly, "Sorry, dear, I didn't mean to scare you."

"No, it's…I'm sorry! I…that was rude-"

"No," Lady Silva said, smiling softly, "not at all."

Emelda didn't know what to say so she stood quietly, waiting for some cue from Lady Silva.

Acier gently waved a hand at her, summoning her to the side of her bed. Emelda rushed over and stood close, "yes, your hig-"

"Oh! Oh, darling no, please," Acier took her hand guiding her gently to sit on the side of the bed by her, "Please call me Acier."

"I couldn't!"

"Well," she patted her hand, "I could allow Lady Silva if you must but. Really. You don't need to."

Emelda squeezed her hand, "I'm so glad to be able to talk to you–oh! Your family you-"

"Could you," Lady Silva interrupted so gently it made Emelda feel like she was the one who should have known to stop talking, "get Noelle for me? I want to see her."

"I…can Nozel help me?"

Lady Silva seemed surprised, but only for a moment, "Of course."

Nozel was barely even dressed when someone knocked on his door rapidly throwing the door open before he could chastise them. He felt his face heat up when Emelda rushed in, barely giving herself enough space to get through the door before shutting it behind her and leaning on it, "Nozel."

"...Yes?" he said, hurrying to finish tucking his shirt in.

She looked at him, flushing suddenly and looking away, "I'm sorry I-"

"Yes, well," Nozel grumbled, fixing his collar and reaching for the necklace that would keep the fabric high around his neck to hide the mark on his throat, "that is typically why those that knock wait for a response."

"Your mother spoke to me, she asked me to get your sister Noelle, I told her I would need your help though. That's why I rushed here, I'm sorry," she spoke quickly, eyes still tracing the corner of his room.

He didn't bother to inform her he was done, instead, he rushed across the room grabbing her hand and forcing her to look at him, "Let's go," he said, pulling her out into the hall.

"Do you think they'll="

"Stop us?" he asked, turning to look at her, "not a chance. Not if mother is up and asking to see her baby. We should just be quick in case she tires again."

"Right," she said, hurrying to keep up with him. Her steps were swift but close together and the metal heels of her slippers clicked loudly on the marble floors.

"How did she look?" he asked, not willing to look at her and have her betray something terrible about his mother's condition.

"Well!" Emelda chirped, "I mean…perhaps I'm just hopeful because she's been laying in her bed without speaking for so long that anything would seem wonderful but. She really seemed to just be relaxing. She said she was waiting for me."

Nozel nodded, squeezing her hand without thought, "that's good to know."

He stopped in front of Noelle's nursery, opening the door to the surprise of the nurses, "Mother is awake, she asked for Noelle."

The nurses looked at each other with shock, "Young Master that's wonderful news!"

"Has your father been told?"

"No," Nozel said, letting go of Emelda's hand as he walked forward to the crib where Noelle lay. She was a beautiful baby, with the same hair and eye color as all of the siblings but chubby cheeks and large wonder-filled eyes that lit up when she saw someone she knew as they did now when he looked at her. He couldn't help but smile, lifting her gently from the crib as she cooed, "we're going to see mother, Noelle."

"He hasn't," Emelda answered for him, "we wanted to get Noelle to Lady Silva before she grew tired since she hasn't seen her in a while."

"Shall we tell him?" a nurse asked.

Nozel glanced at Emelda, pleased she spoke up and answered the nurses like a noble now.

"Would you mind letting us call for him? I'm sure you understand she must want to spend some time with her baby alone, just for a moment and once he knows he'll want to rush to her right away I'm sure."

"Yes…okay that…does make sense," the nurse said, though her voice sounded unsure.

Emelda nodded, ignoring the mild concern the nurse was telegraphing, "Should we go, Nozel?"

"Yes," Nozel said shortly, hurrying out and back through the halls.

Lady Silva was still sitting up, calmly looking from the window when they arrived. Emelda stayed by the door as Nozel rushed forward bringing Noelle to his mother. Lady Silva smiled, holding her arms out to take the babbling girl.

"Hello, my love," Lady Silva cooed, brushing her nose over Noelle's forehead, "I've missed you."

Emelda smiled. Lady Silva was just how she always thought she was. Incredibly kind and loving to her children. Her eyes wandered to Nozel who stood by the bed, tears brimming in the corners of his eyes as he watched his mother with his youngest sister.

"Thank you for bringing her to me, Nozel," Lady Silva said, reaching for his cheek.

Nozel leaned in, letting his mother smooth his hair, "Have you been sleeping?"

"Yes," Nozel said, in a voice softer than Emelda had ever heard from him before.

Lady Silva leaned around him, looking at Emelda, "Has he?"

"Mother."

"I," Emelda mumbled, shocked to be addressed during such a heartwarming familial moment, "I couldn't speak to him sleeping at night but…he often falls asleep in this chair as I heal you."

"Emelda!" Nozel chided her, frowning as his mother laughed.

"Does he?"

"Well, Nozel almost always stays as I heal you," Emelda could feel herself blabbering, something about Lady Silva's kind eyes made her want to keep talking, "he wants to be here in case anything happens."

Lady Silva's face fell slightly, "And why hasn't it?"

Emelda looked at Nozel and found his eyes already on hers, "As my family explains it, certain…types of magic have very specific rules, and as I understood it…my magic allowed me to know without me having to 'hear' about it from Nozel."

"So it doesn't affect you," Lady Silva offered.

"As long as we choose our words carefully. Even then I'm not sure it would do anything to me, I-I mean," she held he hands up, "I don't mean to say that I'm so strong that it doesn't affect me it's just that… curse-breaking magic always makes someone-"

"Harder to curse," Lady Silva finished.

"Yes," Emelda nodded.

Lady Silva's brow creased, "That worries me."

"I can-"

"Mother," Nozel interrupted, "she can handle it. I'm sure. I've been watching. And if it seems to be hurting her, I will stop her."

Emelda blinked at him. She didn't expect that from him. If she were in his position she felt like she'd be tempted to do whatever it took. Let anyone else be cursed but not her mother.

Lady Silva smiled, "Good. Make sure you do, Nozel. I don't want anyone to suffer trying to help me. As much as I appreciate it, dear girl."

Emelda felt her face redden.

"Let the others know, would you? I want to see Nebra and Solid and your father," Lady Silva said, smoothing Noelle's downy hair.

"I'll get them," Emelda said, stepping forward, "so you can stay with your mother."

Nozel turned, he looked like he would say something else but then he nodded, staring at her for a moment longer before turning back to his mother.

They all visited for hours before mother began to tire. They left her sleeping peacefully as the nursemaids took Noelle back for her bath and Nebra and Solid skipped through the hall eager to make drawings for their mother. Nozel had hoped to point out the progress Emelda had made to his father but he briefly mentioned the work he had left to do and quickly headed back to his study.

Left alone Nozel stood in the empty echoing halls of the Silva estate. He wondered where Emelda had gone. He'd expected that when she got his father and siblings she would excuse herself, though he felt she should have joined them. His mother didn't know her well yet but he was sure they would become close, perhaps his mother could be a mentor to Emelda once she was better. He found himself imagining them both as adults in the gleaming feathered robes of the silver eagles.

He wandered out to the courtyard scanning around him for any sign of Emelda. It didn't take him long to find her, sitting on a bench reading a book. The evening night gleamed against her golden accessories. She'd taken her hair down from the unusual twists she often work it in and it hung loosely around her face forcing her to tuck it behind her ear repetitively. He ought to leave her be if she was reading. She deserved to have a break after all but he couldn't help himself.

"What are you reading?"

"Oh," she jolted, "ah…Fuegoleon lent it to me."

"...Did he?"

"Y-Yes," she blinked, turning it over to show him the cover, "he said it was one of his favorites. I told him that I forgot to pack anything to read and-"

"We have a library in the estate."

"...well…I'm sure but…he just. Lent me this one so I thought-"

"...right."

Emelda blinked, "Ah…do you not…like it?"

He flushed, "Like what?"

"...Th-The book?"

He felt his ears burning. He'd never read the book. He'd thought she meant to ask if he liked her talking to Fuegoleon which the somewhat obvious answer was, no of course not. Though, he wasn't entirely sure what bothered him about it so much. Perhaps he was just worried she would slip, mention something and get him killed. That at least made sense.

"I haven't read it."

She narrowed her eyes at him slightly. She looked suspicious, and then she smiled, "Well you could read it next. Then we could all talk about it."

He sighed and sat beside her on the bench, "Do you think I would like it?"

"No."

He laughed in spite of himself. She spoke so suddenly and when he looked at her she smiled softly. He looked away, watching how the setting sun made the plants around the seem to glow with golden hues, "why not?"

"It's…how do I put it? It's sort of a heroes story but…you know. The very hopeful kind. He's jovial and friendly and maybe a little-"

"Ridiculous? Childish?"

"...Like Fuegoleon."

He smirked at her slightly, enjoying how she rolled her eyes at him, "oh I see."

"I just think he sees himself in it and you wouldn't so you wouldn't probably like it," she said, shutting the book.

"I suppose that makes sense, but then are you enjoying it?"

"I am."

"You see yourself?"

"No. I wouldn't say that," she sighed, eyes going to the sky searching for something she couldn't see, "I don't think I see myself anywhere here."

He was quiet. He wished there was something he could do to change that. Every time he thought she'd become comfortable with the Silva Estate she told him otherwise. For the first time, he felt a genuine pang in his chest, a wish that he could change something for her and bring her some comfort. He decided then, as they sat in silence in the courtyard together until they heard the call for dinner that he would change that, he would make the Silva estate a place she could consider a home.