Hello again! I hate my job and I hate taking the train every freaking morning!
More importantly, this story is starting to branch out from canon, and there will be heavy manga spoilers from now, so take care not to spoil yourself if you aren't up to date!
Anyway, please tell me if you see something weird in that chapter so I can correct it. (review, message or w/e) :)
And thank you for all the favs/follow! I didn't even realize we're past 150. ^^
Enjoy the chapter!
At the same time, in an undisclosed location…
"How long has it been since we last saw you, though? Fifteen years? Twenty? I can't believe you never told us about her! And you were even married! She truly had to be some special lady, right, Brother?" Vanica was walking beside Zenon and their eldest brother, whom she was talking to, a bit eager to break the silence.
"She was indeed one of a kind. My time with her ultimately allowed me to find the answers to the questions that always plagued us. A time cut unfortunately far too short, and also why you're here today."
"... Is it linked to the fact that our niece can use Time Magic too?" Vanica asked her brother in a surprisingly careful tone.
"It is."
"What do you mean? What happened?"
"... Soon, this Kingdom will come under attack, and we had originally intended for Julius to "die" there. That's the path we chose, and that's also the only realistic way for us to push our agenda. However, I believe the spell he ingeniously placed on Aurora may be undone simultaneously."
"What kind of spell?" Zenon asked calmly, looking up at his brother, who led them even deeper into the facility they were in.
"... A Time Regression spell. Julius sealed a part of our daughter's life to completely remove her memories from that time for her to have a new beginning. Since then, however, reading her future has become somewhat complicated. Which is both a blessing and a curse. Moreover, while I was despairing over my naiveness then, he took it upon himself to seal her powers with an ancient elf curse… With his life as a bargain. Hence the problem."
"If he "dies," then she will literally cease to be who she is… and her power risks to run amok, is what you're saying."
"... It's what I fear. To allow Aurora to live a relatively normal life, her memories and power had to be suppressed for her heart to stay dormant. Her power is beyond anything I've ever experienced… The very fact she's alive and full of life after everything she was put through as a baby and toddler is proof enough."
"So, is there no other way?" Vanica inquired, frowning.
"... We have an idea, but this is going to be relatively hard to pull off."
"Do you mean to say she could be liable for our plans?" Zenon said as they descended some stairs in some sort of underground passage.
That made his brother chuckle. "Our plans… They were already bound to fail the moment I met Diana. But thanks to this, I can tell the two of you that my eyes have been opened; as I said, thanks to her, I finally know who I am… Who we are… And what we're meant to do on this Earth. On that, Julius and I agreed totally."
"Diana... For her to be in love with the both of you simultaneously, she had to be quite the weirdo..." Vanica muttered, and her brother heard her.
"You have no idea..." He couldn't help but chuckle.
He could still remember when she discovered the truth about them...
"And when you said she opened your eyes, what was it again…?" Vanica inquired, cutting him from his reminiscence. That fact made him glare lightly at his younger sister, not that she realized it. "I remember it now! When you came back after years of vague letters… To tell us to proceed with the coup. 'For the sake of a happy world'... Blergh, I find it cringe even when I say it like that." Vanica shivered in mock disgust. "But as long as I have fun, I don't care! Ruling over Spade has become boring lately, so I'll gladly relinquish it to the first idiot willing to do it in our new world."
Zenon side-eyed his sister disapprovingly. "We did what we had to do as a stepping stone for a more powerful and glorious Spade and, ultimately, usher in a new world order. How can you find that boring? You're not even trying…"
"Wow, seriously, what a stick in the mud! Even when we were with Aurora, you were like that! Not a single hint of having fun!"
"I was having fun. I'm just serious by nature."
"Boring is more like…"
"I'm glad you still got along well into adulthood… How is Dante doing, by the way?"
Vanica and Zenon sweatdropped at the devil-may-care attitude of their brother. "Still busy preparing the next part of the plan… When he's not busy doing something less productive."
"Good. And to answer your question, Zenon, my daughter will never become a liability. Even if she were to oppose us - which I doubt - I think she already had an inkling about my existence. The truth is, I never intended for her to come back like that, but… Fate can be fickle, sometimes." He thought about Yuno and Asta. "Anyway, I don't plan to force her to do anything because I'm doing all this for her, first and foremost. Besides… She's already starting to see the world for what it is… When she manages to see it for what it could be, then… She, too, will yearn for a better world."
"And to that end, we'll use anything and anyone to reach our goal… Right, brother?" Zenon turned towards his brother.
Like Vanica, he remembered the last time his brother returned to Spade. They talked about what he did, but he had been highly secretive… And he didn't talk about his wife or daughter back then. All he told them was that he knew what they had to do and their family's destiny.
Becoming the architects of a new world, with Spade at its center.
And that plan was to be spread over more than a decade of careful outlining and actions.
"Indeed. We're near the true starting line now. Once the situation in Clover is resolved, I'll ensure Aurora comes your way. I can't predict what will happen with her, but I will ensure she gets the last three relics." Stopping before a door, he retrieved from his pocket the disk they got from the labyrinth and showed him to his siblings. "One of these disks should still be in the royal vault in Spade."
"What's this?" Vanica asked, looking at the device with slight curiosity.
"The Key of Gnome. One of the four keys required to unseal the Spirit King of Time, Janus."
His two siblings blinked, their eyes widening in surprise. "You learn something new every day. I thought Janus was supposed to be some kind of legend!"
"He's not. That key is proof enough. Anyway, as for the other two, there are located in Heart and Diamond. So, they shouldn't be that complicated to get. With Janus's power, she should be able to save herself." The man said cryptically, turning towards them. "And she'll need all the help she can. I probably won't be able to do much, so I'm counting on you two."
Once more, both siblings were taken aback by the affectionate gesture when their big brother gently put a hand on their head.
"Sure. Aurora is our niece, after all."
"Right."
Taking in the sight of his two youngest siblings nodding without even having to compel them in any way made their big brother smile in turn.
"Right. Family is the most important thing." His smile didn't waver as he uttered those honeyed words.
"You and I both, Julius… We're this world's greatest hypocrites, it seems."
"She'll need some allies too, and I've got my eye on some people already… Zenon, you don't mind if your spy's allegiance were to change?" He opened the door they were standing behind, leading them to a solitary room bare of any furniture, where a man was currently asleep, his head resting on the pillow he was given.
"Oh, you mean Klint Urgos? He could be useful to my niece. From what I was reported, she's the one who caught him anyway, so it's only natural."
Hearing people talk, the man stirred in his sleep. Blinking several times, he stood up straight when he recognized two of his visitors.
"M-M-My Lord Zenon! And Lady Vanica! What - How -"
"Enough." Zenon's command shut him immediately. "Klint Urgos. Being captured as a spy is a failure punished by death. However, your unique skillset is in need again. You have served. You will be of service. Understood?"
The Spade's spy didn't know if he was dreaming or hallucinating or if it was reality, but his liege was there, in Clover's cell, telling him he wouldn't kill him as he needed him.
… "Yeah, it's a dream. Has to be. But if it's real, then…"
"... By your will, Milord! I swore my life and magic to you…!"
"..." Zenon didn't answer and simply nodded to his brother, who approached the bound man and released him from his magical bounds with a snap of his fingers.
"Than-thank you very-" his words died in his throat as he took in the sight of who exactly freed him and accompanied his lord and his ladyship.
It was a man with the same face as the one who called that brat to bypass his magical defenses and see his every memory. The man congratulated his two subordinates on a well-done job as they extracted his secrets.
The one ruling the Clover Country. It was that man.
And yet, at the same time, it wasn't.
Before Klint Urgos could utter another word or have another thought, the man put his index finger on his forehead.
"...But for Diana, our daughter, and the happy world we wanted to create… If we are to be this world's worst hypocrites and liars, then so be it."
"From now on, you will devote your very being to another person. Your life, your death, your body, your grimoire. That person is my daughter and Zenon and Vanica's niece. Her name is…"
"- Aurora? Are you alright?" Yuno asked the girl after seeing her staring into space, lost in thoughts.
"Mmmm? Ah! Don't worry! I'm just savoring this delicious bun, after all!" Aurora answered him with a giggle, brandishing the sugary delicacy and waving it in front of her face. "You had the right idea for us to stop to eat a bit. After standing on this scene, I craved something sweet." She admitted, taking a bite of the bun and resisting the need to sigh in pleasure. "And we didn't even have to pay for it! So good."
Indeed, the vendor recognized them and urged them to take the pan for free. At first, both Yuno and Aurora insisted on paying but had to relent when the stall owner shoved a package full of pans in their hands with a big smile.
"Glad you like the initiative, then. But, as I recall it, you don't like being in the spotlight that much, so it was a bit strange saying you standing so tall and straight. You usually try to be as small as possible, at least when there's no magic involved." Yuno commented with a smile, content with watching Aurora filling her cheeks for now.
"...True. But at that moment, I knew I had to say something, and besides, my father was here, you and Asta were there too… Somehow, it all felt natural to me. It's probably because it had to do with both of you. Anytime someone says something derisive about one of you, I need to correct them or make them admit they're wrong." Aurora said between bites, confirming what Yuno thought earlier. "Even more when it was that other idiot."
"That other idiot?"
"I think I recognized the one who shouted. You remember the guy who tried to ambush Asta back after the entrance exam?" Yuno shook his head, not even remembering Fu-ah. "Well, never mind him," Aurora made a dismissive gesture, "what are we doing next? Are we going to have our showdown?!"
"Someone is eager."
"Well, I was looking forward to playing with you! It's been a while since we did!" Yuno nodded to Aurora's words, but he could feel there was something else.
He raised an eyebrow, expecting her to continue.
"..."
"..."
"... And I want to win so much! Before the announcement, I met two people who completely crushed me at those games! I wanna win!"
Yuno bit back a smile at the admission. While most of the time, her reaction escaped the realm of his understanding, he could read her like an open book during moments like that. The part about the two people made him curious, however.
"Two people? Who were they?"
"Total weirdos," Aurora answered him with certainty, crossing her arms. "They were from Spade, apparently. They paid for my food, challenged me to play with them, and beat me at nearly everything we did! It was so frustrating!"
"And yet you had fun, right?" Yuno guessed correctly again.
"I did! And that frustrates me even more! And I had to call her 'aunty' and 'uncle' because I lost!
"That's oddly specific. And kind of creepy." Yuno commented, surprised.
"Well, that's the thing. For some reason, I didn't feel creeped out at all. During all the time I spent with Vanica and Zenon, while they were definitely weird, some part of me felt more than okay with all of this. And that's what I find the most strange, you know." Aurora tried to explain, her bi-colored hairs attracting Yuno's gaze.
"Well, you know what Father Orsi always said: "Birds of feathers flock together." It takes a weirdo to recognize a weirdo, I guess." Yuno deadpanned, to which Aurora giggled cutely.
"I guess. They were pretty funny siblings, so I hope to meet them again one day. I'd even introduce you! I'm sure you'd get along really well with Zenon-san!" She claimed with a smile.
"Who knows? I've been trained to get along with weirdos since I was but a boy. I'm confident in my ability to get along with them."
"Hey! That's mean to Asta!"
Yuno bit back his retort as he shared a laugh with Aurora.
Her bell-like laugh never failed to make his day. As he was enjoying the sound, he took notice of her bi-colored hair, as the black hair, mainly on the back and the side of her head, seemed to become even more prominent, especially when she tied them just like she did now in a loose ponytail. It felt like forever since the time Aurora's hairs were totally blonde. He first saw them when he visited her in Owen's infirmary, back after her disastrous mission.
He never really minded them until now; now, it was as if something tickled his mind most obnoxiously.
However, broaching this particular subject right now could end their good atmosphere for the night.
"Say, Aurora. I never did ask you for details, but your hair became like that after that one mission before the attack on the capital." He still decided to take the plunge, wanting to get to the bottom of his thoughts. "Did something else happen there?"
That took her totally by surprise, and if Yuno was correct, something else did indeed happen, and she didn't tell him.
"That came out of nowhere, Yuno. But you're right; I don't have to hide it from you. Don't hold it against me; I forgot to tell you." She admitted freely, scratching the back of her head.
"I don't mind at all." 'Well, maybe a little.' " What happened, then?"
Aurora told him everything her mother and father did to protect her everyday life. The fact she was born with too great a power, power her parents decided to seal in six layers to allow her to develop her emotions and ability properly.
And the fact that during her mission, the one who attacked her managed to break through the first two layers, unlocking a part of her powers she managed to control after training with her father.
"Did you tell someone else?"
"Only Captain Vangeance knows about the layers; I didn't tell him anything about my past, although perhaps my father told him something. However, you're the only one I told about my past personally, though."
That sole sentence made him happier than it probably should.
"You should probably tell Asta too when you got time." Aurora nodded at his words. "That explains why you're getting that much stronger than anyone else… In fact, it explains a lot." 'Even her emotions seemed to go haywire sometimes for no reason.'
"Yeah. As I said, it's apparently casually done to elven children to help them get accustomed to their powers. I guess I was amongst them too!" Aurora told him cheerfully. "And I think they were right! My magic felt so weird back then, like a glass of water filled to the brim and about to be spilled if I went too far. It's a lot better now."
"Is it the only reason there was….? I can't put my finger on it, but I don't think simply being powerful as a child would wager having your power being sealed that much…"
"Your magical power has only increased since you were a toddler, so it was definitely a good thing." Yuno conceded carefully.
"... Did they really only seal her power…? Is her hair turning black really unrelated?"
"Yuno? Is there something wrong?" Aurora jolted him out of his thoughts, but he didn't voice his doubts this time.
Doubts about whether Julius Novachrono told his daughter the whole truth.
"I'm fine. If you're done, shall we go and have our duel?" He asked her with a smile, to which she eagerly nodded.
"Best to keep that to myself for now."
After that more serious-than-intended little break, Yuno and Aurora walked through the festival street, trying and failing to have a duel using the festival's multiple game stalls as intended for one little reason.
Everyone recognized them.
As the Golden Dawn's top rookie and the Wizard King's daughter who was in the spotlight mere moments ago, they were unfortunately easily noticeable.
"This is tiring…" Aurora whispered to him as people approached them for the umpteenth time. At first, they didn't mind, but it was getting old quickly.
After getting through the last pack of people and sneaking into a street relatively less populated to take a break, Yuno scowled and cursed his lack of insight.
"This is not how I pictured our time together. Sorry, Aurora."
"For you to say sorry… This is a historic moment, Yuno!"
"I can be sorry. Especially in moments like these."
"That's the first time we have had such a moment."
"And I'm making it extra special by proving I can be sorry too."
That made her giggle. "You're impossible sometimes."
"Oh, only sometimes? I'm even better than I thought."
She pounded his arm in mock frustration, still giggling at his antics. "But still, this sucks. What would be the easiest way to go on unnoticed?" She asked him as they were slowly walking down the little street.
As Yuno pondered that idea, a voice raised behind them. "How about a mask?"
Surprised, the two knights swiveled, coming face-to-face with a woman Aurora knew and an older woman smiling gently at them.
"Good evening, Aurora-chan."
"Sarah-san! You were here too!" Aurora greeted her energetically. "Ah, I should introduce you! Sarah-san, this is Yuno, my childhood friend and squadmate at the Golden Dawn!" She introduced Yuno to the older girl. "And Yuno, Sarah-san owns the bookstore I always go to!"
They both politely bowed to each other. "Pleased to meet you, Yuno-kun."
"And who is this?" Aurora asked, "Good evening!"
"My mom. Mom, this is Aurora, my best customer, and Yuno, her childhood friend."
Sarah's mom smiled, bowing slightly. "I'm Sarah's mother, Reina. Pleased to meet both of you. We've seen you during the ceremony; you were both very impressive." The older woman added, her face crinkled with mirth.
"Ah, thank you, Reina-san!"
"But that's also why I don't understand why you're trying to attend the festival now. The both of you are very important people now, you know?"
"Ah, er…" Aurora looked at Yuno, who shrugged. This time, they shared the responsibility.
"They come from the boonies, so they had difficulty adjusting, to begin with, and now suddenly everyone knows they're big deals; no wonder they're taken by surprise when no one truly paid attention to them. Then again, you're from the Golden Dawn, so…" Sarah surmised, shrugging.
"We didn't expect something like that, no. But what did you mean by masks?" Yuno answered her, puzzled.
"Well, a mask could at least hide your face. And, as luck would have it, I have two here you could use." To prove it, she waved them both, one on each hand. Both were simple and cheap white masks with a false face drawn on them. It didn't look like much, but it could hide their faces - provided some other people were using it. But that wasn't enough by itself.
"Don't worry, people are festive tonight, and no one will pay much attention to two masked peasants," Sarah said, grinning as if reading Aurora's thoughts. "As for your uniform, perhaps you could help them, Mom." Sarah turned towards her mother, her grin widening slightly.
"I can help!" Summoning her grimoire, Reina quickly cast a spell on the two, changing their clothes into something more unremarkable.
"Uwaaaaah!" Aurora's eyes shined in wonder after that demonstration. "Amazing, Yuno! Our clothes have changed! The illusion is perfect!" Sarah's chest puffed in pride as she took in the words.
On his end, Yuno had to admit it was slightly impressive. The speed and result of the spell certainly talked by itself.
"It'll last until midnight, so about an hour and a half. After that, your clothes will change back to how they were."
"And here we are, masks for two!" Sarah handed the mask to both of them, taking the time to demonstrate how to correctly put them.
"All right, it looks like you're all set. Have fun tonight; you both deserve it."
"Thank you very much, both of you!" Aurora bowed at the waist, Yuno mimicking her.
"Don't worry. Just like my daughter said, you deserve it. I have no doubts the coming days will be hard on you, so seize the moment and have fun, you two." Reina told them, smiling gently.
"We will. Thank you again." Yuno answered and thanked the older woman earnestly. Reina nodded, and after Sarah said goodbye to Aurora, they left the two knights alone.
"Well, that happened. You really know some skilled people, Aurora." Yuno admitted, and Aurora proudly smiled at him.
"Yep! And now, let's put all of this to the test!" She gestured to their new clothes, looking more real than ever. "Today, I'm defeating you!"
Yuno merely smirked at Aurora's declaration.
She honestly thought repeating something could change the outcome…
You can't be serious.
'This is fun.'
Aurora and Yuno were enjoying the festival like two ordinary people. They were left alone, free from their uniform and faces hidden by masks. From then, they enjoyed whatever a festival like that could offer.
Whether it was games, food, or just basking in the atmosphere and the cheer surrounding them.
And most of the time, they held hands as if it was natural. Sometimes it was to pull Aurora towards him as she seemingly had trouble navigating with everyone around.
And sometimes, Aurora drew Yuno towards something catching her attention.
For the first time in forever, Yuno felt his competitive spirit waver. Even Aurora didn't seem like she was really motivated to keep up their competition anymore.
"Aurora." He called out to her.
"Mmh?" She turned towards him, but he couldn't see her face because of the mask.
"How about a truce for tonight? Let's roam around and do whatever catches our interest… Basically, what we're doing now, in fact."
Her eyes seemed to shine from behind her mask. "I was about to ask you the same! I'll crush you another time!" She clenched her fists with determination.
Yuno just found it bizarrely adorable.
"Oh look! It's Captain Vangeance!" Aurora grabbed his attention as she was pointing at something on his left. Yuno turned his head but didn't see anything.
"Where?" He inquired, curious.
"Right here!" She grabbed his hand and walked over to a stand, where a little plushie of a Vangeance lookalike was on display.
"... Is this even allowed?"
"Well, no one ever said it was Captain Vangeance outright, right? I just said it looks like him."
"I see…" Yuno muttered; although he didn't quite understand the appeal of a little plushy doppelganger of their captain, Aurora seemed to be quite taken.
"...Let's go get it."
"! Yeah!" She answered enthusiastically. They went and paid for a turn. The goal was simple: you had to poor mana in the rifle, and it would shoot harmless mana bullets. The goal was to aim, touch and knock your target down. If it fell, it was yours.
However, this game had a gimmick: namely, it was rigged as hell. If a peasant or a commoner were to pull the trigger, it would be challenging for them to win, as they didn't simply have enough magic power to knock anything but the lowest price here.
Even a noble would be hard-pressed to manage to topple something great. Only someone as powerful as a royal would be.
But why would a royal bother with such rabble?
"Hehehe… Sorry, brother, but you won't be making your girlfriend swoon here..." "...Bwuh?" The stall owner rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
This masked man managed to topple one of the plushies his wife loved to make quite easily, even though they were amongst the most protected pieces of his stock.
"Uwe! Amazing, Yun- I meaaan, Oyun!" The girl's voice startled him. "Right…. Here…" He gave the plush to Yuno. "Congratulations, young man. You must be quite the mage."
"..." Yuno didn't answer because he didn't see the connection between winning a plush at a simple game and being strong, but he took the compliment anyway. "Thanks.". His little smile, while hidden by the mask, was grateful. However, when he turned to Aurora, she wasn't looking at him but straight at the clerk.
"How about you give us that Definitely Not Captain Roselei while you're at it, too? Free of charge." Aurora asked him. She was definitely smiling that smile behind her mask.
The shopkeeper turned towards the girl, scandalized. "Like hell, I'd do that! You must be crazy if you think I'll let you have one more!" He declared hotly to a still-smiling Aurora (of that Yuno was sure.).
Yuno knew this smile and knew the shopkeeper was not about to have a good time.
"By asking my friend Oyun if he's a great mage, you basically advertised you were cheating your customers."
"Wha- What are you talking about?!"
"You know what I'm talking about."
"No, I don't!"
"If this game were fair, then you wouldn't have praised him for his strength but his aim." Aurora deadpanned.
"Oh, that's what it was," Yuno mumbled, vaguely impressed.
"Besides, I could smell your greed. I get these plushes are important to you but don't sell them if so. Now," Aurora extended her hand, "I believe I'm owned something. Else you want me to shout?"
The shopkeeper gritted his teeth so hard he could have broken some of them.
After touring the stalls some more, they reluctantly decided to return, as their disguises would soon get undone. Hence, they got out of the vicinity of the festival, and soon enough, they were alone.
"Hehehe…" Aurora smiled contently, hugging her two new plushies in her arms. "Thanks for giving me yours, Yuno!" She expressed her honest feelings to the boy beside her, her face the epitome of joy. They decided to remove their mask, seeing where they were currently.
Giving her the plush had been the right decision, after all.
"Kyuuuu!" Now that there were in a more deserted area, Gaius made himself known and started to paw at Vangeance's plush.
"Eh? Ga-chan? What is it?... Hey, stop it!" Aurora scolded him when the little spirit didn't relent, biting the plush.
"I believe he's jealous." Yuno came to the rescue. Blinking, Aurora giggled and handed Vangeance's plush wordlessly to Yuno, who took hold of it.
"Oh, Ga-chan!" she gave him a one-armed hug and booped him with her own nose. The little spirit looked delighted, as much as his mistress herself.
Yuno looked at the plush in his hands a bit despondently.
He wasn't jealous. Not one bit.
Afterward, Gaius took back his place on Aurora's head, content, and she took back Vangeance's plush from Yuno.
"It's almost time," Yuno mumbled, a bit downcast. Time went by so fast it was as if someone had manipulated time.
Time…
He stared at Aurora until she gazed back. "Why are you staring at me like that as if I did something wrong?!"
"You didn't. I just always wondered why time passes so quickly when you're having fun. And this hour and a half went by in a flash."
"That's true." Aurora nodded, squeezing the plushes tighter. "Time passes quickly when I'm with you… Or Asta, too! Speaking of which, I wonder how's doing?" She quickly caught herself, changing the subject. Fortunately, it seemed to do the trick as Yuno was left pondering.
"Well, knowing that hard-headed guy-"
"ONE HORN BULL THRUST!" Asta shouted as he pierced yet another elemental on his way to the top.
"I can't believe these two traitors left me alone!" He thought as yet another elemental appeared. Thanks to his black form, he was progressing well, but he still had difficulty controlling it.
"You want some too? ONE HORN BULL THRUUUUUUUUUUST!'
"-he's definitely fine. A lioness won't be enough to kill him." Yuno declared, and Aurora nodded.
"You're right. Still, this tournament, one week from now… How do you feel about it?"
"I'll win."
"No hesitation!"
"Of course."
"And what if you face me?"
Yuno deadpanned. "I'd win. Easily, even." Her arms being busy, Aurora lightly kicked his shin.
"Now, you're just being cheeky. And what if I was in Asta's team, and we ended up double-teaming you?"
"You can't be serious. I'd laugh at you for being desperate to etch a win." He tried to keep his poker face, but hearing Aurora's laughing nearly broke it.
"And let me guess! Then, you'd win."
"And then I'd win super easily. You forgot the 'super easily' part."
"Of course, my mistake." They both shared a laugh. The spell Reina cast on them got undone at that exact moment, their clothes reverting to their original appearance.
"Oh! Well, we made the good decision, getting away like this." Aurora spoke lightly. "Here, can you hold this?" She all but shoved the plushes in Yuno's hand. "I need to take my broom." They had walked back to headquarters, where she had left it.
Once she had settled, Yuno gave her the plushes back. Aurora spoke again as he was about to summon Bell's power to fly. "Thanks for today. I was full of apprehension this morning because I didn't know if everything would go well," She admitted, raising her eyes to meet his. "But it went a lot better than I could have hoped. A whole lot better. I can now proudly be myself!"
Yuno stared at her. It's true that because of what happened today, he didn't stop to think about Aurora's situation. Being introduced as the Wizard's King's daughter to the Kingdom had to be terrifying for her, but she handled the situation incredibly well, all things considered.
"That's right." He put his hand on her head and rubbed her scalp. "Well, I think you're the same magic nerd from before, though. Now everyone knows it's a family thing."
"Yep!" Her sunny smile blinded him. She gazed at him "... Don't move, Yuno. You've got something on the cheek."
"...?" He did as he was told, and she took the opportunity to close the distance and kiss him lightly on said cheek.
Backing off quickly, he vaguely noticed her face to be red. "Umm… Thank you for today! I'll see you later, so good night for now!" Before he could process what truly happened, she flew back to their base, quickly gaining distance.
Even as Aurora was nothing more than a point on the horizon, Yuno stayed rooted to the spot, lightly touching the cheek where she had kissed him.
"So? How much longer will you stand there like a moron? Bell appeared at his side, sighing.
"... How much longer do you think I should stay?"
"Not even a second more, idiot!"
"You're right. Let's go, Bell." Coming back to his senses, Yuno used his magic and Bell's to fly back to the Golden Dawn's base.
"It's obvious she isn't ready to take the next step, you know," Bell told him after a little while.
"I know. That's why I won't press her. Besides, I don't plan to. We've got more important things right now."
"The tournament, right?"
"Yes. No matter who our enemies are, or even if Asta and Aurora end up being our opponents - no, especially if they are; we're winning this, Bell." Yuno declared with assurance.
"Of course, Yuno! Let's show them the power of the future Wizard King!"
"And yours. And I think I know how to take our combined strength to the next level."
"How?" She asked him, curious.
"... Instead of adding your strength to mine, like we're doing, we should multiply it. For example… Absorption… Or fusion." He looked straight at her while saying this.
She gazed back at him before understanding what it meant.
A dangerous smile made its way to her face. "I see. If that's the case, we should practice immediately come tomorrow. Let's win this, partner!"
"Asta… And you too, Aurora. You better be ready for the ass-kicking of your lives."
Done! I tried not to use the eldest's name, but that's because I wanted to use it later on.
Next time, we get to the tournament part! I'm not good at all at fight scenes so I'll use this as training to make it the best I can!
Then perhaps one last chapter before the most important part!
... I'll have to cut this story into two parts because otherwise, It'll go up to 500k words. Hahahahahahaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa sigh
Thank you all for reading up until now! I'll see you next chapter!