Three months later…
"Oh my, look at this fine looking groom."
"Would you at least stop teasing me on my wedding day?"
"Sorry, that's impossible knowing me. And because I'm a nice best friend, I actually did hold back a bit. Couldn't you tell?"
"No, not really."
Vanessa laughed and Finral allowed himself a chuckle. He was really looking good in his white smocking, and the bottle green bow tie. Vanessa just knew that lady Finesse was a very lucky woman and given how the bride looked at the groom whenever she could, it was clear that she knew it too.
The wedding ball was still in full swing, the buffet was well visited – somehow, Finral managed to convince the Kiras and the Vaudes to let Charmy help with the food – and the dancefloor never looked empty, the orchestra never stopped the music. There was some nice dances, but Vanessa was kinda disappointed that there weren't any more exciting dances, like some slow dances. She would have tried to meddle a bit to pep the music up, but Finral had explicitly asked her to not try anything that could angry the Kiras.
Vanessa didn't understood why, but it seemed important to Finral and she surely wouldn't try to ruin one of the most important days in his life.
"I can't believe they managed to organize such a wedding in just three months, just after the war in Spade and while there's still consequences from the Eye of the Midnight Sun's attack."
"Well, it was arranged and planned for a long time, which probably helped to get everything ready on such a short notice. Also, it's probably to show that royalty, in this case the Kiras, are still strong and that despite everything, there is nothing to worry about. Basically that nothing had changed in their power."
Change…
That brought Vanessa back. To a discussion that happened in Spade, just three months ago…
Vanessa couldn't help but search for Nozel in the crowd.
Since their discussion, she tried to keep in contact with him, somehow. Vanessa more often than not took the Black Bulls communication device to reach Nozel, since they wouldn't cross path each and every day.
At the beginning, he just cut the communication immediately after realizing who was calling him. But he slowly started to listen to her rants and even answered back. Vanessa often had the impression that she was bothering him most of the time and that thought make her sad for some reason.
But she still hasn't given up the hope to took another look behind his cold mask. That discussion she had with him in Spade, the cracks she saw, it had make her curious about him. Vanessa wanted to know more about Nozel Silva, she wanted to know what made him wear that cold mask. In Spade, she started to believe that he was deeper than he looked at first glance. She had no idea why she was this curious and what it would gave her to find out. But Vanessa remembered the moment where there was that specific crack in his mask, when she felt kinship towards Nozel, when he looked like he was in a cage…
Whatever her still unknown reasons were, she wanted to continue what she started.
Which was easier said than done, because normally there was no reason for their paths to cross again. Calling him per communication device was the closest thing Vanessa could do, but she couldn't see him that way. One reason why lately often volunteered if there was a document, a report or something else to deliver at the Silver Eagles Headquarters. Vanessa sometimes got a glimpse on him, even got a greeting when she was lucky, but most of time, she didn't got the chance to see Nozel, because his vice-captain was usually the one she needed to bring those reports and documents to.
Then, there was Noelle who went visiting her oldest brother more often since they came back from Spade. Their relationship was clearly on the way of betterment and after the discussion she had with Nozel in Spade, Vanessa was more happy about it than she maybe would have been before, given how protective she was about Noelle. There was still a lot of work to do, especially considering the other two siblings. But with Nozel, it was already a lot and it meant the world to Noelle.
Vanessa always asked her squadmate news about Nozel and even though it surprised Noelle every time, she always answered. Not much, especially that she was somehow convinced that Vanessa disliked Nozel a lot, but at least, it was another way to keep in touch indirectly with the handsome captain of the Silver Eagles.
Another dance started, probably a waltz or something. Vanessa tried to discover Nozel in the crowd, but there were too many couples dancing and she didn't recognize most of them.
"Why are there so many nobles? I don't think that even your parents know this many people."
"They don't, but it is actually normal."
"Normal? Really?"
"For a royal wedding. The finest families of high nobility are always invited to a royal wedding, medium nobility also sometimes and if they're lucky, some families from low nobility with a house older than three centuries. I think it's mostly to renew the alliances with the three royal families and it is also an occasion to discreetly show of their own candidates as future royal spouses."
"What? But your wedding shouldn't be a place to discuss future royal weddings! Geez, this is supposed to be a party!"
"This is how it works, a royal wedding and an arranged marriage. I'm lucky that Finesse and I are in love, not everyone got that chance in royalty and nobility. And there's the fact that house Calmreich is a secondary royal branch of the Kiras, otherwise they would have gotten the same name as the main house."
"Okay, don't start with how it works with noble and royal lineage, I never got it and honestly I don't want to get it," Vanessa groaned while she rolled her eyes.
Finral laughed. "I know, sorry. I won't go into details. But well, as a secondary branch, there less interesting for marital importance. Most nobles rather would like get married into one of the main royal branches, especially now, most of them are still single."
Like Nozel… Vanessa couldn't help but remember again what he said in Spade. It hadn't been direct, but he clearly had the intention to get an arranged marriage for himself so that his siblings would be free. Vanessa still didn't like that thought and after three months, maybe it wasn't even only for Noelles sake anymore.
Speaking of…
"Do you think some nobles are also after Noelle?"
"Yes, of course."
"What do you mean, of course?"
"Don't get mad, Vanessa, I didn't meant it like this. I don't like it just as much as you. But it's not only Noelle, all the Silvas are within nobles radar when it comes to a potential marriage. There's only four of them left and none of them are married. There are rumours that house Silva is cursed, because most of the members either die young or in celibacy, often in tragic ways. At least, that's what my mother-in-law told me. I don't think that it's true, but well… given that there's only four Silvas left and how nobles can be disrespectful to even some royals, that topic might be a bit tense sometimes within noble circles."
"Well, it's not like the Black Bulls would let Noelle get married against her will."
"Of course not. But thankfully, we probably won't even need to intervene, as captain Nozel surely won't force an arranged marriage on her. As for any of his siblings."
Yes, Vanessa already realized that. But she was also almost certain that it was deeper. And hidden also, even though she couldn't really say why. For now, it was just a feeling.
"Um… and why do you believe that?" Vanessa asked carefully.
"I thought you weren't interested in nobility or royalty mess like this."
"It concerns Noelle, so it's an exception."
At least, she didn't need to lie by saying that. Even though it wasn't the whole truth.
Finral just nodded. "Yes, that makes sense. Well, let me try to explain at least the base to you. Within nobility and royalty, usually future marriages are arranged very soon, usually years before. Sometimes while the future betrothed are still little children. Don't look at me like that, it is a reality! As for the wedding itself… Usually, when you're a noble or a royal, you're getting married around the time you got your grimoire. Maybe one year afterwards, maybe two sometimes, especially when you're a woman, it is always a bit later for men. There are some exceptions, like Finesse, the reasons can be various. But considering Noelle, normally she should at least been already engaged or having some suitors to court her when she joined the Black Bulls. And lady Nebra should normally have been married like a decade ago. And since none of them have the luxury of being Mereoleona Vermillion, well… Nozel Silva has the reputation of being the perfect royal, but even though he is not one of the most open-minded royals, I believe that he still won't marry Noelle and his other siblings off. The fact that none of them are betrothed or married already speaks for him."
"Hm."
Vanessa had no idea what to say, but her thoughts were racing right now.
If what Finral said about to common married age for nobles and royalty was true – and she had no reason to doubt her best friend – then it certainly would confirm that captain Nozel will never marry Noelle off and neither his other siblings.
She has no confirmation though, if he would really sacrifice himself or not. Given what Nozel had said in Spade, Vanessa of course suspected that he would. But… He was now 31 and still not married. Granted, Fuegoleon Vermillion was about the same age as him and not married either. Damnatio Kira as well and whoever the other royals that age were, some of them surely weren't married either.
But if he wanted to sacrifice himself for his siblings, why wasn't he married yet? Wouldn't it have taken a burden from him?
Maybe her suspicions were wrong, maybe he had no intentions to get married into a loveless marriage. But with what Finral had just told her… Vanessa still didn't understood all those royal and noble complicated duties and mess and whatever. But she came to understand that it was definitely pressuring.
Since when do I even care about that kind of stuff?
A question she asked herself quite often since she came back from Spade. But Vanessa never really tried to find an answer, because she would have started to overthink and she hated overthinking.
"Um, Vanessa? You're still here with me?"
Finral waved a hand in front of her face, which made Vanessa laugh.
"Of course I am, Fin. Why should I be anywhere else, when my best friend is getting married to the love of his life?"
"What did I say about the teasing? You just felt a absent for a moment. And it's not the first time since we came back from Spade. Did something happened that bothers you?"
Vanessa bit lips softly, not answering. Finral knew her well and he was observant. Of course he would realize that something was on her mind. But Vanessa didn't think she could tell Finral yet. She hated having secrets on her best friend, but at the same time, that secret was also something totally new for her and something she still needed to figure out. What it meant to her, why she cared, why her curiosity was racing…
Vanessa decided that she would tell Finral one day. But not today, not on his wedding day.
"Nothing worries me. I just decided something, but if I tell you know, you might get worried, knowing you. And it's your wedding day, not the time for you to get married."
"I admit that this is a good argument. But even though I'm married now, it doesn't mean that you can't come to me when something is bothering you. And you can also talk to Finesse, she likes you a lot."
"Why, thank you, I like her too!"
During those three months, Finesse Calmreich visited the Black Bulls a lot. It wasn't a duty due to the betrothal and upcoming wedding, she just wanted to meet the people so close to Finral. The Bulls liked her so much that she was quickly called an honorary Black Bull. And given that there wasn't any paperwork to do to give this title, Yami had nothing against it.
Speaking of Yami, Vanessa hadn't seen him since the ceremony in the cathedral of the royal capital. She wondered if he was at the buffet or if he went to the toilet, taking a dump even on Finrals wedding.
Thinking of Yami made her think about another squad captain. She saw him at the ceremony in the cathedral, sitting next to Noelle.
Noelle hadn't come with the Black Bulls to the wedding, which honestly sucked, as a royal wedding, she had to come as a royal. Especially since it was the first royal wedding since at least twenty years. Finral had told Vanessa that Nozel actually tried to get his sister out of this duty for the day, but king Augustus and the Head of House Vermillion had protested against it.
Finral didn't know more and Vanessa wondered if there was more to that. Another little thing about Nozel that she was curious to know more about.
At least, it meant that Nozel was indeed working on being a better brother for Noelle and even though he couldn't get her of duty for Finrals wedding, Vanessa did saw how he was standing at his sister's side during the ceremony, clearly carrying her when Noelle looked at lost with all the royal things to do.
"Did Asta actually asked Noelle for a dance already?" Vanessa asked suddenly.
"As far as I know, he didn't. I saw him not too long ago at the buffet with Magna and Noelle, well, she danced with captain Nozel once. Otherwise, it looked like she was avoiding Asta."
"What is wrong with her since we came back from Spade? I don't get why she tried to avoid Asta sometimes or why she can't hold a normal conversation with him anymore most of the time! Argh, it really sucks. She probably still denies her feelings for him and Asta is still so dense like before Spade. I had hoped that it would change after our return, but nope, this still hadn't changed!"
"Give them time. You know how stubborn Noelle is and Asta, well, I don't think he's in love with anyone in general."
"Except with the nun that raised him."
"I don't think that this counts, it's a childhood crush and Asta is just too stubborn to let go of it for now. But I think that he will one day, he matured since his first day as a Black Bull. But you can't force him to be in love with someone else just like that. Be it Noelle or anyone else."
"I know."
"No, if you'll excuse me, I promised the next dance to my mother-in-law."
"You seem to get along very well with Finesses mother."
"Lady Douce is honestly the nicest one in Finesses family and at least, she likes me truly. Can't say the same about the rest of the Calmreichs and Kiras, though."
Finral waved to her before he disappeared in the crowd. Vanessa sighed, searching for another person to talk to. She hated to be alone within a crowd.
She still hoped to get at least one glance at Nozel. Maybe talk to him even, but that seemed a bit like too much to ask. Surely he had duties on this wedding, as one of the three royal house heads. Vanessa had no idea what those duties were, but surely there had to be some.
She also hoped that he was fine. It was strange that she slightly started to care about him. Not yet as much like a Black Bull, but still more than someone from outside the squad she was friends with.
Was he looking at the invited nobles, searching for a candidate for an arranged marriage? Could he still choose as a head of house or was it something he had no power over?
Or was he instead trying to get his siblings away from possible suitors? Was Nozel trying to protect Noelle, Nebra and Solid from manipulative nobles?
Any of those possibilities didn't felt out of place to Vanessa and she really didn't like it. Hopefully he would also have good time on this wedding.
But does Nozel allow himself to have a good time in general?
Vanessa just continued to walk, looking at the crowd, searching for Nozel or someone else she knew and could talk to.
Charmy was at the buffet, of course. She probably ate at least half of it all by herself, knowing her. Asta and Magna where not too far away from Charmy, Luck was with them, trying to fight Magna who tried to avoid a fight. Asta just seemed to have a good time, smiling as he was. He was such a kind hearted person.
She saw captain Fuegoleon dancing with a purple haired woman she didn't know. Maybe another noble lady, maybe one of the eligible candidates to be wed off to a royal. But that lady's smile didn't looked fake, so maybe it was a nice noble. Leopold Vermillion was dancing too and probably stepping on the feet of his dance partner, given the girls face.
Vanessa also saw captain Charlotte, looking gorgeous in her blue dress, standing with a group of women, near one of the tables. The captain of the Blue Roses looked kinda done, while the women around her seemed to be babbling happily. Vanessa hoped that they weren't making fun of Charlotte.
Three months since the confession and there was still nothing new between Charlotte and Yami, as far as Vanessa could tell. It wasn't even a topic talked within the Black Bulls, Asta and Magna even firmly believed that Charlotte loved Yami the same way the Bulls did. Only Finral and Gordon seemed to do something about it, as they started to visit the Blue Roses headquarters quite often since a few weeks.
It was frustrating, but Vanessa also felt guilty about it. She was over Yami, she realized that she didn't loved him in a romantic way and even hoped that captain Charlotte would get together with him. But Vanessa hasn't done anything to help Charlotte. She had no reason to not help her and still she didn't. And she had no idea why she didn't, she didn't even disliked captain Charlotte, she didn't even thought that the Blue Rose captain wouldn't be the right one for captain Yami.
Maybe it was another thing she needed to do, after the wedding. Get a grip of herself and finally talk to Charlotte Roselei, offering her help to win over Yamis heart.
Suddenly, Vanessa discovered Noelle at another table, sitting with her cousin, Mimosa Vermillion. Noelle looked like she was complaining about something – Vanessa wanted to bet that maybe it has something to do with a certain magicless peasant and member of their squad – while Mimosa just listened to her with a comforting smile.
Probably she could sat with them. Vanessa always loved to spent time with Noelle and Mimosa Vermillion was such a nice girl to talk to. Besides, the pastries the cousins were eating looked really delicious.
But first, Vanessa would get herself a bottle wine and a glass. She still haven't got the occasion to drink the whole day and given her reputation as the Drunken Witch, that was almost a crime.
But just as she was to get to the buffet table with the drinks, he just appeared right in front of her. Nozel Silva.
Vanessa just froze, as if she an ice magic user just put a spell on her and it looks quite the same for Nozel. His metallic purple eyes looked at her, but without the cold mask. Surprise was glowing in his glance. He kept his mouth shout, but somehow he looked like he was trying to say something.
Vanessa definitely wanted to say something, but her mind was kinda disconnected from the rest of her body. That never happened to her before, with anyone, especially if she wanted to say something teasy.
It somehow felt like a cruel irony. She didn't find him while she was looking for him and when she wasn't, he appeared right in front of her!
And why the hell was he looking so good?
His hairstyle hadn't changed, even for the wedding, still that braid covering his forehead, but Vanessa definitely didn't found it ridiculous anymore. Probably since Spade…
Nozel didn't wear a smoking like Finral and like literally almost everyone else. It was a dark blue ceremonial uniform, with silver buttons and some silver embroidery on the sides, the sleeves and shoulders. The silva emblem was marked on the buttons, but the embroidery had a vaguely feather and bird theme. Maybe it was supposed to symbol eagles? It looked so simple, with the unicoloured dark blue trousers and the black boots, and still so royal. But the best part was probably the short one shoulder cape, in the same dark blue as the uniform, with a simple silver border and silvery like fur attached to the shoulder, a bit like most of the Silver Eagle robes.
Gosh, why wasn't he wearing darker colours more often? It suited him so well, he looked pale but not in a sickly way, he was more like glowing. He looked definitely more royal than the king, who was covered in jewels and such gaudy clothes that it hurt the eyes.
Just for a second, Vanessa regretted that she was just wearing a second hand and simple dark burgundy dress and that she decided to let her hair down and free. It couldn't hold a candle to the colourful satin and silk dresses and the complicated hairstyles of the noble ladies. It was her best dress, she loved having her hair falling free on her shoulders and she looked actually pretty well for her best friend's wedding, but it still wasn't on at least low nobility level.
Just a second… But one more look at Nozel made her forget those silly issues. There wasn't disappointment or reproval in his eyes and behind the surprise in his eyes, Vanessa hoped that he liked what he saw.
Wait, why do I even care about that?
Vanessa barely paid attention to the people around them. She heard some coughing and whispers, some music in the background, but everything was so blurry in her ears. And her eyes too, only Nozel was perfectly visible.
Holy witch hat, what was happening to her? That wasn't normal, she hadn't felt that way in Spade either. Or did she? She couldn't tell. For some reason, the memory was blurry, while it had been so perfectly clear during three months.
For a pretty long moment, at least in her shoes, they were staring at each other, the tension almost thick enough to be cut with a knife.
But just before it definitely would have become awkward, Nozel finally looked away, breaking… whatever that tension was. But after a short cough, he put his eyes back on Vanessa, looking somehow determined and a bit scared at the same time. And was that a slight blush on his cheeks?
But before Vanessa got a grip on herself and tease him about the blush, Nozel bowed curtly in front of her and extended his hand.
"May I have this dance?"
"That would be lovely."
Before Vanessa actually realized what happened, her body and her tongue already acted on their own and Nozel was leading her to the dancefloor.
"Come on, Charlotte, my dear. Just because this is a royal wedding doesn't mean that there can't be some eligible lords or even royals for you to choose."
Charlotte tried her best to hold back a role of her eyes, not bothering to answer Florence Roselei, one of her countless aunts.
"She's right, my sweet cousin," lady Cunégonde added, a distant relative from house Ceres, who was actually over twenty years older than Charlotte. "You're so close to thirty and not married yet. Oh, I heard that lord Aquarius from house Seashell is actually finally looking to find a wife and since you're about the same age… I heard that he is quite handsome."
And lord Aquarius Seashell was probably also searching for a wife with a very important dowry, in order to pay his countless gambler depts. It reminded Charlotte almost of Yami, but lord Aquarius was still someone of a different kind. Yami still has respect, while Aquarius was always a jerk, it didn't matter if he win or lose.
Once a member of the Silver Eagles, Aquarius Seashell lost both his Magic Knight robe, his salary and more than half of his mother's jewellery in just one hour of gambling and betting. Nozel kicked him out of the Silver Eagles three days after, rightfully so. After all, it was not every day that Nozel got the occasion to get rid of the Magic Knights who just had the title, never came to work and let more capable knights, even their own captain, overwork themselves to compensate their own lack of work.
Charlotte wasn't interested in gossip, but you just couldn't avoid them when you were a noble, even if you wanted to. Not to mention that most of the Blue Roses loved gossip and often told her about every kind of rumour they heard. But to be fair, the gossip of the Blue Rose knights were far more joyful and fun than the ones Charlotte heard from other nobles.
"Not a bad choice, I have to admit," lady Rosamund Roselei replied, an aunt married to one of Charlottes father's many brothers. Or cousins? "But I think that lord Reginald of house Évantail is the better choice here, he was widowed last year, the poor man. A new wife would surely cheer him up."
Which would be wife number six and given that the previous four always died at some point or another, it wasn't really a comforting perspective. Not to mention that lord Reginald had already children from each one of his marriages and his oldest daughter was five years older than Charlotte.
"Oh, what about lord Cumulus from house Wolke?" asked Josephine, Charlottes fifteen year old cousin, who was naïve and rather nice, but already got one of the worst snobbish attitudes in the family.
"Impossible, my dear," Florence replied, "He's already married and if I remember correctly, lady Ludivina, his young wife, is pregnant with their first child. Sixth or seventh months, I think, after all she isn't present today."
"Ludivina can still die at childbirth, it wouldn't be a big miss within nobility and lord Cumulus would be free for a new bride," Rosamund said, subtly clothing her words with venom.
Charlotte clenched her fists. She always hated her aunt Rosamund and her viper tongue. Always trying to paint others dirty in all subtility, most of the time just for her own joy.
But just as she was about to reply, lady Orchidea Roselei, her own mother, said, "Those are all mostly eligible candidates, I have to say. But those are nobles and I still hope for my daughter to get married into royalty."
Oh, please, not THAT topic again!
"Charlotte, my dear child, given your reputation and how far you came as a Magic Knight, I actually think that marrying into royalty wouldn't be too much for you. And imagine your suitor would be lord Nozel or lord Fuegoleon. You already know them, so the usual period to get to know your future husband would be short and you could get married quite rapidly."
Charlotte wanted to say no, to scream no. No, she couldn't possibly marry either Nozel or Fuegoleon. They were her colleagues as squad captains! At best, they were friends, but she couldn't consider any of them as a potential spouse, someone to spent her life with!
Not to mention that she wasn't in love with any of them both. But love was never considered important for nobility when it came to arranged marriages. And the only captain, the only person Charlotte could imagine spend the rest of her life with, was a foreigner, considered almost less than a peasant, captain of the Magic Knight Squad with the worst reputation and he was dense, so dense…
"That is actually such an excellent idea, Orchidea!" Cunégonde said enthusiastically. "Marrying into royalty would be such a great opportunity for house Roselei and house Ceres as well, given our relations."
"Oh, I know that, cousin."
"But which one of the two?" Florence asked, letting her pale green eyes wander over the dancefloor, probably searching for either Nozel or Fuegoleon. "Lord Nozel is already Head of House and still not married. But lord Fuegoleon is so in charge, so charismatic and he even got chosen by the Fire Spirit Salamander himself. But Nozel has such a reputation of a prefect royal. But Fuegoleon has done less questionable decisions for his house. But lord Nozel has more admirers within the kingdom. But there's no scandal involving lord Fuegoleon. But-"
But Nozel, but Fuegoleon… Florence had the questionable talent to find any potential flaws within others, especially when it came to royals. Charlotte looked away for a second, in order to roll her eyes without any of her relatives seeing it.
"Is lord Fuegoleon still available, though?" Josephine asked. "I've only seen him dancing with Lital Lys during the ball and this is their third dance."
She was right. Charlotte took a quick look at Fuegoleon, who was indeed waltzing with lady Lital of house Lys, a beautiful young woman with dark purple hair and nacreous eyes.
Third dance already? Charlotte knew that by noble society standards, it would mean that a serious courting was taken place. But Charlotte had no idea that Fuegoleon intended to settle down and get married. And if a royal was courting a noble lady, the Head of this lady's house would at least brag about it. The Head of house Lys, lord Basilio, was known to be a great bragger and to use anything to his advantage to make himself and his house shine in society.
But Charlotte didn't hear any rumour or gossip about lord Basilio Lys bragging about captain Fuegoleon Vermillion courting a member of his house. Would it mean that Fuegoleon and Lital didn't go the usual way, maybe they were even directly dating? Given how they smiled at each other, it was probably true.
Charlotte hoped that it was true. And she also hoped that they could make it official and be betrothed soon, so that the women of her family would have one candidate less to try to pair her up with. If Nozel could find someone too, it would be perfect.
But of course, Rosamunds venomous tongue had to intervene again. "House Lys might be from high nobility, but it is an open secret that Lital is a bastard. She can't be a candidate for a royal. Goodness, I'll never understand why lady Corazòn took her husband's bastard in to begin with."
Maybe because lady Corazòn Lys was one of the rare noble ladies with nobility in her heart and who didn't put the blame of her husband's infidelity on a child, like someone else I know?
Charlotte would have loved to say this out loud, but she knew from experience that it would end ugly for her to directly counter Rosamund Roselei.
"But isn't lady Lital the only one of Basilios grandchildren to have inherited his late mother's star magic? You know how he loves to brag about the family hero of their house."
"Just a detail, Florence. Just a detail. Lital only has that and nothing else. I mean, look at her."
"I actually find her very beautiful, even if her dress isn't from Soie Velours" Charlotte replied as neutral as possible. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I really need to powder my nose."
Which meant that she needed to flee this uncomfortable family circle before she went mad. Charlotte immediately walked away before any of those ladies could hold her back.
"Don't take too long, Charlotte dear, I still need to present you to lord Reginald."
"Do you want me to reserve a dance with lord Nozel or lord Fuegoleon, my sweet daughter?"
Charlotte heard Rosamund and Orchidea very well, but she refused to answer them, she just walked away.
She only stopped when she found an alcove in an empty corridor, just near the toilets. Hopefully she would be left alone. She would need some time before having the nerves to face her mother and her relatives again.
Charlotte always hated those talks about her getting married, but after Spade, she got to endure more of them than all those combined since her fifteenth birthday.
Somehow, there were more marital talks within noble circles than before the raid. As if nobles were afraid to lose any chances of good alliances, especially marital ones, if something like the Spade raid happened again. Charlotte couldn't understand such a stupid fear and even if she wanted to, she probably won't be able.
And of course, those talks also didn't stop with house Roselei. Lady Orchidea always wished for Charlotte to get married into an advantageous alliance, another noble house or even into royalty, and now that aunts and cousins and any other relatives came on board, Charlotte had to drown herself in work in order to keep those talks to the strict minimum.
Charlotte wasn't against marriage, not at all. But the vision nobility had of it was something she despised. It was just alliances between houses, political, financial, to hide some scandals. Love never had a place within arranged marriages. Those were always concluded between the houses, the newlyweds never had a say. Or at least one of them, if the other one already had some kind of power.
Having been in love for ten years, Charlotte knew that she couldn't accept to marry someone she didn't love, despite all the advantages house Roselei could gain from it. It just wasn't right in her book. But she certainly was the only one in her family to see it that way. Even Josephine, despite her naivety, already got her say on which houses the Roseleis should get an alliance through marriage and which ones they shouldn't.
Being one of the most renown single members of her house – and also one of the rare Roseleis to not be tainted by any scandal, despite the curse – Charlotte had the most pressure about those kinds of talks. She almost missed when it was mostly her mother talking about it. At least, lady Orchidea cared a bit that her daughter has to find some kind of happiness with her future spouse. But now that the rest of her relatives pushed their own agenda on the subject, Charlotte felt like a tool in their schemes.
House Roselei was from high nobility and financially pretty stable. But they were also one of the noble houses with most scandals to their name. One reason why a prolific, advantageous marital alliance was needed in their eyes.
Aunt Rosamund, who cheated on her husband because he cheated on her – honestly, it was hard to definite who started it and both were so selfish people anyway – to a point that one of her children was not from her husband, but from another noble. And that was just a normal scandal for house Roselei.
As well as her father's own scandal…
Charlotte hid her face behind her hands. She hated to remember, but she still didn't want to forget that fateful day. When that woman from the Forsaken Realm came at the Roselei mansion with a baby in her arms. Her father's bastard. That poor woman demanded to speak to lord Fidel Roselei, probably to help her and their child, but Charlottes father just throw her out, calling her with names she didn't deserved.
Lord Fidel never knew, but Charlotte learned that day that her father cheated on her mother, that he had a bastard child and that he just throw the mother and said child away, like a broken toy. He never knew that Charlotte learned that day that she had a sibling out there, somewhere and that his behaviour was the reason why she became distant towards him.
Charlotte never knew what happened to that poor woman, she never knew if she had a brother or a sister. She had no idea what their names were, if they were still alive, if they still lived in Clover or in another country.
Her father's scandal, her own curse… Charlotte had many reasons why she tried to be strong on her own, without the help of any man. She was proud of what she had accomplished until now, as a Magic Knight, as a captain. She lived like that for long…
But something changed after Spade… something that couldn't be seen, but it was there. Her family's talks about to get her finally married, it still was getting on her nerves, but not like it did before.
Her love for Yami just got stronger and deeper after the tearful confession. And she still hasn't do anything to make a step forward. Yami was still so dense, almost nothing changed between them. A notable change was that Finral Vaude and Gordon Agrippa actually got that she confessed her love and were now visiting the Blue Roses quite often, in order to help Charlotte to get closer to Yami. Much to the Blue Roses joy.
Asta and Magna were still talking to her as one of captain Yamis friends, but the rest of the Bulls never mentioned the love confession and Charlotte had no idea what to think about it. She also refused to overthink that fact, because he would freak her out and that was the last thing she needed right now.
Between her family trying to get her somehow to the altar and how she had no idea how to continue with her feelings for Yami, between the afterward of the war and the duties as captain, Charlotte felt lost.
She couldn't continue like that. Uncertainty didn't help her and she really needed someone to confide in. She really needed to lean more on people she trusted.
How ironic was it that Yami of all people never stopped to tell her that?
Charlotte sighed deeply. She really wanted to finally settle things with Yami. She couldn't continue to live like that, her feelings locked inside of her. It was easier said than done, but Charlotte wished every day more and more to finally get that burden out of her heart.
Of course, she couldn't tell if Yami would love her back or not, she had no idea how she would take it if her love was only one-sided. But she felt herself also unable to think that far.
Am I somehow contradicting myself?
She really needed to make a decision, whatever this decision might be in the end. But would she be able to make it now, in her nervous state?
"Prickly Queen?"
Charlotte yelped and turned around, even though she recognize that nickname and that voice immediately. There was only one person in the entire world to call her that way.
Yami Sukehiro stepped out of the toilets, facing her with an unreadable glance.
What was he doing? What was he thinking?
Nozel couldn't help but ask those two question again and again while he danced with Vanessa Enoteca, the Black Bulls witch.
And also immediately felt ashamed to have those thoughts, because it sounded so impolite in his books. Especially since he asked her.
"You're alright, handsome?"
Vanessa just looked at him with a teasing glance, but also a bit of concern. The same concern he saw in Spade…
"I'm fine. I apologize for being distracted."
"Distracted? Couldn't tell, you're still leading perfectly."
Not that she mentioned it, it was true. Nozel was still leading her perfectly through the waltz. There had been no out-of-step chaos coming from them. Unlike his cousin Kirsch, who couldn't help to pose during his own waltz, to the utter irritation of the noble lady he was dancing with and the other dance couples near him.
Nozel had made sure that Vanessa and he wouldn't waltz near Kirsch.
Glancing back at Vanessa, Nozel couldn't help but remember again their talk in Spade. Honestly, their encounter after the raid always came back to his mind since those last three months. It didn't help that she called him every day directly on his own communication device and she became mostly the one the Black Bulls sent when the needed to bring a report for the Silver Eagles. During her visits, Noelle even mentioned that Vanessa always asked about him when she came back.
Whenever she talked to him, be it through the device or on the rare occasions they crossed paths at the Silver Eagles headquarters, it was always teasing, probably also what others called flirting. But behind that playful tone, Nozel also believed to hear some concern.
The same concern he heard in her voice during their talk in Spade…
And Nozel didn't understood that. Why would a witch feel concerned about him? Their status were too different, their ranks as Magic Knights as well. She was part of Yamis squad, who didn't care about status and reputation – one of the reasons why he sent Noelle to Black Bulls in the first place. Speaking of Noelle, the witch definitely knew… She had a good reason to not talk to him, to hate him even.
But she didn't.
In Spade, she made him talk, she made him open up a bit, to let go partly of his mask. Nozel wasn't used to that. Not since he lost his mother. But Vanessa talked to him in a way that he wanted to confide to her.
At least partly. Nozel was so used to keep up his cold mask for over seventeen years, it was impossible to let go of it. Or so he thought.
It just had been a bit. Just a bit of letting go. Just a bit… and Nozel had felt something melt within him.
Which wasn't good. He didn't deserve it. That kind of concern, the invitation of confide in, to let go of his burden, to open his heart to someone. After everything he had done, after making Nebra, Solid and especially Noelle suffer, for all the mistakes he'd made, he didn't deserved it. Nozel knew that, he knew that for over a decade. He lived like this since his mother died, since he became Head of House. He had no other choice than to continue.
But something changed since Spade. After he returned, it became more difficult to live like that. Oh, Nozel continued to try to make amends with Noelle and despite everything, it meant a lot to him that his little sister seemed to love to visit him more often. It was still awkward, but they were both trying.
Nozel also wanted to make amends with Nebra and Solid, to finally tell them the truth about how their mother. Something he should have done a long time ago. Another mistake on his countless list. At least, now that the curse had been lifted, Nozel didn't need to send them to Dorothy and her Glamour World. Besides, he needed to do it by himself.
Solid didn't quite understood, he probably still didn't. Nozel always found that his younger brother was difficult to talk to. Solid didn't really changed his attitude since then, something Nozel clearly didn't liked.
Nebra, on the other hand, had caused a tantrum and had been extremely mad at him for never telling her, rightfully so. But she still forgave him, just like Noelle. Something Nozel still tried to understand why his sisters had forgiven him, especially since he didn't deserved it. Nebra also tried to make amends with Noelle. They weren't there yet, for now his sisters only met when he was present as well, but Nozel wanted to believe that it was already better since they discovered their common secret passion for spooky novels. Why did Nebra and Noelle liked this kind of literature in the first place.
But those were changes that needed to be done. What Nozel felt was another change, something he didn't realized was taking place. It was within him, but he couldn't tell what exactly. Except that he has to do with the Black Bull's witch and how there was always something like care in her teasing voice every time she talked to him.
Nozel tried to ignore her calls and her attempts of small talk at first. It was less because he couldn't accept that someone out of his circles was acting so casually with him, more because… he didn't deserve that kindness, that care. In fact, it even scared him a bit. Which was so utterly pathetic of him. Being afraid of kindness someone was showing to him. It still didn't change the fact that he didn't deserved it.
He really was pathetic.
But Vanessa was stubborn, she wouldn't let go, so he not really had any other choice than to give in. Maybe he also didn't defend himself that much against that kindness. Maybe he couldn't help but wanting that.
But he shouldn't, it was selfish of him, his duty and his guilt didn't allowed it.
He felt so contradictory. What was wrong with him lately?
Vanessa was giggling, making Nozel looking at her. She was so clearly happy to be here, she was enjoying herself.
With him of all people.
"What is so funny?"
"Nothing, cap', nothing at all. It just happens that I giggle without any reason."
"Is that even possible?"
"With me it is. Just ask Noelle next time she visits. Speaking of Noelle, she told me that she's starting to meet with her sister as well. But she's not telling me much details. Is it fine?"
The tone changed so suddenly that Nozel almost stopped waltzing. There was concern for Noelle in her voice, but also some distrust. Surely towards Nebra, but probably also towards him.
He didn't liked that.
"It's getting better, from what I witnessed. They discovered a common passion, which helped. But for now, Nebra and Noelle only met in my presence. They're still quite unsure around each other and honestly, I'd rather stay with them until they feel more comfortable around each other."
"That's good to hear. I'm sure those meetings won't go south under your watch."
Nozel would have expected sarcasm, the same distrust. But there wasn't any in Vanessas voice.
"You think so?"
"Yes. You're trying and you already got some success in my books. And it means so much for Noelle. I just hope you're not too harsh on yourself."
She gave him a gorgeous smile. Not a smirk, no teasing or anything, a real smile. One of the most beautiful smile Nozel ever saw.
I don't deserve it.
But I also don't want her to stop.
The waltz continued and they danced silently, just enjoying the music. It felt so peaceful, Nozel almost wished that this dance wouldn't stop. It was such a nice feeling.
A feeling he didn't deserved, Nozel reminded himself.
From the corner of his eye, he saw some random nobles standing beside the dancefloor. Looking at him. Judging him, frowning. Because he was dancing with the Drunken Witch of the Black Bulls.
Nozel was used to be judged, to be criticized by nobles and most royals. It had been like this since he was fifteen, since he took over house Silva the very same day he got his grimoire. Those judging eyes of nobility always had been subtle, he still managed to get a reputation of perfect royal and Head of House. But Nozel could still feel the glances, he always had and it would never change.
They could judge him all they wanted, he didn't care anymore. But he didn't like that Vanessa was also judged. For some reason, it even made him sick.
To Nozels dismay, Vanessa did saw those glances as well.
"Geez, what's wrong with those people? This is supposed to be a happy party, not to look like cats that got their milk stolen."
"Maybe because they wanted me to dance with one of their daughters or nieces, I believe. Nobles always try to marry some member of their houses into royalty. Especially my family."
Nozel sighed in resignation. He got marriage proposals for him or his siblings every day and if wouldn't have been vital to maintain good relations with many of the noble houses, he would have threw all of them in the fire.
Sadly, this was also something that just got louder after Spade. He got surely ten times more marriage proposals when he returned, for Nebra and Solid, for Noelle too, although the reasons were different, but still despicable. And for him… Worse, king Augustus and Achilles Vermillion, Fuegoleons grandfather and head of house Vermillion, came to talk to him about that topic personally. Especially Achilles couldn't help to do one of his favourite hobbies… putting shade on house Silva and subtly pointing all the mistakes Nozel made in his opinion, while also referencing how perfect his father was, despite that he only married into royalty.
Nozel closed his eyes for a second. He refused to think about his father. He always refused to think about his father and today was no exception.
"You seem to dislike it, handsome."
Nozel opened his eyes quickly, focusing back on Vanessa. She eyes were on him, looking concerned.
Again.
Nozel swiftly swallowed his guilt. He was so used to that feeling for years, but now he could feel it heavier on his heart.
"That nobles wants to marry into your family. You already hated it back in Spade."
"I always hated it. Ever since I took over the house and I was fifteen back then. Some nobles are even bold enough to send the same proposals at least five times in a day."
There was it against, the urge to confide, to open his heart a bit. Why did she have that trusting aura around her? And why didn't he mind it?
"No respect for boundaries, I see. It's weird."
"What do you mean?"
"I always thought that nobles respected royalty. But the way you tell me this, it seems that they have the same disrespect for royalty as for peasants and commoners."
"I won't say that it's the same kind of disrespect."
"It's still disrespect. I had no idea, because it never looked like it."
"It is more complex behind the scenes."
Vanessa just hummed. She looked thoughtful. Nozel didn't liked that they had this kind of conversation during a waltz. He didn't want to think about despicable marriage proposals, he didn't want to think about his duty to get married and give heirs to house Silva, in order to give his siblings a freedom he would never have. He just wanted to enjoy the dance with her, forget the world around them.
What was wrong with him?
"Have you find someone new?"
He couldn't help but ask. Nozel never forgot what she told him back in Spade. How she had a crush on someone and got her heartbroken, how she never realized that she already moved on and cling on it, just to realize that she wasn't in love as someone else confessed to that person.
That realization seemed to be still a lot to process for her. Vanessa clearly needed to think about it deeply. Nozel couldn't but feel compassion for her, more than he should have.
For the first time in his life, he cared for someone who wasn't a member of his family or at least one of his knights. He didn't know why, even if he should. But Nozel couldn't help but feel for her.
Vanessas story reminded him more than it should the relationship between his parents. It wasn't really the same situation, but like Vanessa, his mother was in love with his father and despite the fact that he clearly would never returned her feelings, Acier hold years onto that delusion. A memory that pained Nozels heart, he would never wished something like that to anyone else.
Nozel looked more closely at Vanessa. She was definitely a beautiful woman. Objectively speaking. Her eyes purple like his, but a different shade, shining like amethysts between those perfect eyelashes. She didn't have a complicated hairstyle like most women today, her curls fell freely on her shoulders, in the most beautiful rosewood shade Nozel ever saw. Her skin was soft as silk and softly pale like porcelain, while her cheeks had the colour of pale pink rose petals. She even smelled like roses, a subtle perfume. The dress she was wearing clearly didn't came from Soie Velours, the most renown modiste in the Clover kingdom, but she looked so much better in that simple burgundy dress than many noble ladies in their overly frilly and complicated looking gowns. Her smiles were gorgeous and most importantly, she was also kind and caring, so free.
If she wanted to be in a relationship, she deserved someone more than good for her.
"No, I haven't," Vanessa answered, a small smile on her lips. "I have decided to put my love life on a different path, that's for sure. But I take it slow, I won't stress myself about it. Besides, it's my best friend's wedding today, so I didn't really had the time. Which is not a bad thing."
"Finral Vaude is your best friend?"
"Yep. I'm really happy that he got to marry the love of his life. I know it's an arranged marriage, but they're so lucky to be in love still."
"They are. It is sadly a rarity."
"Maybe, but I hope it will be the same for you, if it happens."
Nozel looked at her, surprised. But Vanessa just smiled at him, maybe a little sad, maybe compassionate, but genuine. Nozel had no idea what to say, so he just nodded.
They continued to dance, not talking anymore. Nozel wished again for the waltz to not stop. This was actually the best thing of this royal wedding.
But of course, the music had to stop.
The other couples around them left the dancefloor, leaving it for other dancers. But Nozel couldn't go away. He couldn't leg of that moment, a rare instance of peace in his life.
But he needed to. It wasn't proper and he didn't deserved it in the first place.
"Um, honey?"
"Hm?"
"Don't you think you should let go of my hand?"
Puzzled, Nozel looked down, only to discover that he was indeed still holding her hand. He really should let go. Vanessa couldn't spend the whole ball with him, she said that this was her best friend's wedding and she surely wanted to celebrate with the Black Bulls more than with him.
But…
Bringing her hand up to his mouth, Nozel softly blow a kiss upon the back of it. It wasn't more than like the touch of a butterfly, but somehow it felt like a spark through his entire body.
"Thanks for the dance… handsome."
"You're welcome, miss Enoteca."
Usually, Vanessa laughed and said that he should called her just "Vanessa". But this time, she didn't. Did she felt it too? Or was it just an illusion?
Nozel didn't even wait for an answer, as he turned away, leaving the dancefloor. And holding his hand. He could still feel something electric in it, pulsing right into his entire body and it just wouldn't stop?
What is wrong with me?
"What are you doing here, Yami?"
"Attending one of my brats wedding?"
"That's not what I meant!"
Charlotte looked away, clearly offended. Yami couldn't help but smirk at this sight.
"Well, wedding or not, a fearless battle can't wait and I haven't taken a dump since yesterday evening, not to mention that a boring dance party like that is the perfect occasion to go take a shi-"
"Don't say that, you disgusting brute!"
"Hey, that hurts my delicate little heart here. And you wanted to know."
"I don't need to know the details of your… your… bowel habits, thank you very much."
"Why so grossed out about something very natural, Prickly Queen? It's not like you don't do it at all."
"Just because something is natural doesn't mean that it needs to be told in public."
"But we're alone, Prickly Queen."
"And? Doesn't change anything to what I just said!"
Charlotte crossed her arms and turned her back to him. Yami smirked again. Now that was the reaction he was looking for. He clearly missed that.
Back from Spade, Yami had the unsettling feeling that something changed. Not on the surface, so first he thought it was just his imagination. But the unsettling feeling refused to leave him, so maybe the changes were more under the surface.
It was mostly due to the fact that Finral and Gordon started to visit the Blue Roses quite often and somewhat tried to talk to him about Charlotte. Given their Ki's, they wanted to say more than they actually did, but Yami couldn't pinpoint what they could want from him.
Maybe something like Asta and Magna? Those two were quite direct and somehow got the idea that Charlotte didn't hate him and wanted to be his friend. Apparently, Charlotte did say something like that back in Spade. But no one else were talking about that, not even Finral and Gordon. Plus, Asta and Magna were such idiots, so Yami didn't really paid attention about what they pretended.
Still, during those three months, Charlotte became quite distant with him, speaking so rarely even at those boring captains meeting. Heck, even Braids had been less distant than her after the whole Spade raid. Yami had feared for a moment that he did something wrong.
But given her reaction, it clearly had nothing to do with him and that was a real relief. Maybe she had a lot to do with the aftermath of the raid. Charlotte always took her job as captain way too seriously for his liking, she really needed to chill out more.
Charlotte was wearing a blue dress he already saw once. Wasn't that the same one of the dinner party a few months ago, when she jumped out of a window after touching him?
"Still having this one, huh? I already told you that must get chilled in this frilly dress."
"No, I don't get cold. And I don't care if you don't like it."
"Hey, I never said that I don't like that frilly thing, don't get insulted! It does look good on you at least, don't get the wrong idea."
"Why haven't you told me that back then, at the dinner party?"
"I thought it was obvious that it looks good on you, no one said that to you?"
"My knights told me, it was even them who chose it in the first place."
"Well, then I didn't need to say it, you can trust your girls."
"Haven't you even thought about that a compliment would have still felt nice?"
"Nah, not my style."
"Sadly."
She turned her back to him again, arms still crossed.
Yami was stunned for a moment. Did he upset her somehow? That wasn't his intention. He liked to tease her, since it was so easy to, but never would he dare to upset Charlotte.
"My mother wanted to get me a new dress, especially for the wedding, but I refused. I'm the only one in my family who didn't want a new one, everyone else had spent days at the atelier of Soie Velours to get a new gown for the occasion."
"Soy… who know?"
"Soie Velours, the most renown modiste in the kingdom, at least for nobility."
"Ah? Never heard of her. No wonder if she's working from stick-ass nobles."
"Didn't at least Finral Vaude talked about her?"
"Maybe, but I don't wear dresses, so I probably didn't listened."
Charlotte sighed again and given her Ki, it could either mean she was still upset or understanding. Knowing Charlotte, Yami was sure it was the first.
"This dress here isn't from Soie Velours," she suddenly spoke, caressing her dress. "But my family doesn't know it. Otherwise they would have never allowed to wear it. But I only wear it once, at the dinner party and I'm quite fond of it. There are some good memories bond to it."
"If it's a dress you girls gifted to you, no wonder you have some good memories of it."
"I wasn't talking about my knights! Well, not only."
"Huh? Don't tell me that you have good memories of that dinner back then."
"Well, of course I have!"
Geez, why though? Surely not because of him, Yami was certain. The food was definitely good, so there was that. Good food were always bond to become good memories, it might be definitely the food.
"Did you enjoy the wedding?" Charlotte asked suddenly. Yami frowned a bit, since when was she the first to try small talk with him?
"My wheels is happy to finally get married to his lady love, no one can't take that away. But else… it's a stick-ass royal noble party and if it weren't for Finral and his girl who's quite nice, I don't think I would have shown up. My brats were excited though, nothing can hold them back to celebrate. Maybe I should've let them present the Bulls and staid at the hideout. Missed occasion, really, it is rare to have a calm moment at the hideout. For once, no one would have disturbed me while taking a dump."
"Yami, please!"
Yami just laughed. Gosh, he really missed that attitude of hers. In the end, nothing had changed between them.
Right?
But before he could have any doubts, Charlotte spoke again, "To be honest with you, I don't like being here either. More because my whole family is here as well and the other single members of house Roselei always hope to snatch a potential future spouse during such an event."
"Well, can't be you, then. After all, you're married to the battlefield," Yami laughed, happy to use this old joke again.
Even though it felt somehow out of place right now.
"This is not true, Yami, and you should-"
Charlotte froze.
Yami froze.
He hadn't realized how close they were. In fact, he never had been this close to her in his whole life. Geez, this close, Yami couldn't help but just stare at her.
Did she always had those perfectly full lips? Had her jawline always been so delicate? He already knew that she had a rather pale skin, but never did Yami realized how shining it was, especially with those red cheeks, just like red roses. Her was looking like bright gold or vanilla cream or a winter sun, depending on the lights…
Okay, since when was he so corny? Did he took not enough dumps for today? Had there been something in the food Charmy made for the buffet? Of course he knew that Charlotte was pretty, objectively. Noelle and Vanessa were pretty too, and Sleepy Hat as well. Yami knew plenty of pretty women, Charlotte was not special on that just because she had… such big beautiful eyes, between perfectly long eyelashes and in a very special blue that seems… kinda familiar? And her smell, geez, it was nothing too much like roses, surprisingly. A more spicy note was more covering the roses, somehow.
"Do you have a new perfume, Prickly Queen?"
"What? No, no I don't!"
And with that, Charlotte just run away screaming, like she usually did. Only that Yami wasn't that reassured about her reaction. More like confused. And maybe a bit hurt.
So much for nothing changed, he thought as he went back towards the ballroom. What just happened between them, while there were so close… Somehow it was a spark, definitely new, but what kind of new. Yami had no idea and he didn't liked it.
Something had changed since his return from Spade. There was no denying about that anymore. But what exactly? Yami had no answers right now and it really pissed him off.
Back to the ball, Yami started to look for Charlotte. He really wanted to talk to her, even though he had no idea about what. Just that something needed to be settled between them. But she was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, Yami saw Vanessa kinda turning and dancing around, probably drunk, but not her usual drunkenness. Weird. And wasn't there Nozel on the other side of the room, holding his hand like he was hurt or something?
Okay, Yami definitely had the feeling that he was missing something and of course, he had no idea what it was. In the end, maybe it was better to not pain his head with complex thoughts for today. He was already feeling worn out and the ball wasn't even over yet.
"I'll better deal with that stuff later. This should be future Yamis problem, not mine."