"You're late."

"Just by twenty minutes, Prickly Queen."

Yami knew himself that he was very late, but seeing Charlottes offended face was just worth it. Besides, he did warn her. He was pretty much unable to be on time without Finral and this luckily wasn't a captains meeting.

But maybe he should have put some efforts and tried more to be on time. Because this talk and this meeting with Charlotte were very important for him. Why? How much? Yami had no idea but it was important to him and that alone mattered. The details were just future Yami's problem.

Charlotte just sighed in resignation. Probably she wasn't in the mood to bicker back. Sadly, because Yami really enjoyed bickering with her. But maybe it wasn't the right time now.

Strange, that would be the first time Yami would feel that way.

"Alright, Yami. Let's go."

"'kay."

The restaurant Charlotte choose was one Yami actually knew. It was the same one she invited him for dinner too, months ago, when he wanted to ask her about her curse while the Black Bulls were investigating devils.

She acted pretty weird that day too, jumping out of a window in her nightgown even before he could ask her about her curse and run through the entire city. Only to invite him for dinner the same day.

What a troublesome woman. Her Ki was very unique, but never did Yami ever had that many difficulties to understand said Ki. Even old Julius was easier to read than Charlotte and that alone means something.

They ordered their meals and got their drinks, tea for Charlotte and of course a good beer for him.

Should Yami have ordered beer, though. After all, he knew very well that Charlotte couldn't hold her liquor. But it wasn't like she would take a sip from his beer, although maybe it would have been polite.

Why was he thinking about fricking policy in the first place? He usually never do that!

So, why with Charlotte?

Said woman that awaken some complicated thoughts in him had been awfully quiet since they got in this restaurant. She only raised her voice when it was to order their meals and drinks. But now, Yami was met with silence.

That wasn't what he came here for in the first place.

But she probably was a bit nervous and unsure as well. She invited him for dinner, despite the fact that she probably couldn't stand him.

Yami decided to not push her. At least not too much.

Just like that other dinner almost one year ago, she let her hair free, only the tiny braid fell at the side of her face.

Yami liked when she had that hairstyle, even with the braid. He usually didn't like braids and Nozel just reinforced that fact. But Charlotte, that simple braid in her free falling hair, he liked it. Maybe he should tell her to have her hair more often like that. But given how Charlotte couldn't stand him, maybe it was better not to. She wouldn't get that hairstyle anymore if he said that.

"Well, Yami…" Charlotte finally said and Yami felt himself flinch for some reason. Was her opinion of him really that important for him?

Charlotte took a deep breath and finally said, "You should stop thinking that I hate you. It is not the case. I thought you realized that while reading my Ki."

"Well, to your info, your Ki is very unique and complicated, even for me. And you never miss an occasion to point out how much I got on your nerves."

"You do, I won't deny that and I highly doubt that you'll ever stop. But even though you're getting on my nerves, it doesn't mean that I hate you."

"You sure?"

"Of course I'm sure! Heavens, what do you need to finally believe it."

"Just kidding, Prickly Queen. You know how much I love to do that."

"Of course I do, sadly."

Charlotte almost looked like she pouted and for some reason, he found that really fricking adorable.

She was a really complicated woman, the most complicated he knew and damn, Yami actually doubted he would ever understand her. But one thing for sure, he didn't want her out of his life.

"I was sick worried about you and William, when you two got kidnapped by the Dark Triad," Charlotte continued, twirling her silver spoon in her tea. "Not only because you're both very valuable and irreplaceable knights for this kingdom, but also for your squads members and because we're colleagues. Everyone was worried about you, even Nozel was ready to take the Dark Triad to get you and William back. Yami, for the very least you're respected by us other captains and I… have more than respect for you. You said it yourself, we've known each other for years and as captains, we went through a lot, especially those last two years."

"You can say that out loud."

"Yes, and… after everything that happened… I don't want you to continue to think that I hate you. Well, since you couldn't figure it out with your Ki reading, of course I had to tell you directly, even though you're stubborn enough to maybe not believe me."

Why did Yami had the feeling that Charlotte knew him better than many others all of a sudden?

"I'm sorry for every time I hurt your feelings, it wasn't my intention, it never was. I just think… Well… It's difficult to say, but… I… I don't want us to be like it was before the war in Spade. I mean, not entirely… I guess you will never stop getting on my nerves and you will never stop teasing me. I just… well… how can I put it?"

"You want us to be on better terms. Am I right, Prickly Queen?"

"What? Uh, yes. That is one way to put it."

One way to put it? Yami had no idea what she exactly meant by that. But at least, he got the basis idea of what she wanted to say. Maybe.

"Honestly, I wouldn't be against us to be on better terms. I mean, you're a troublesome woman and definitely kinda stick up your ass."

"Excuse me?"

"But you're also obviously one of the best knights I've ever known, including Asta. And you care more about your squad, your girlies and this kingdom than most people I know. I will definitely continue to tease ya and I'll admit, I kinda enjoy getting on your nerves. But I guess that something colleagues do and friends too. At least, old kid Julius says that."

Charlotte just looked at him. She seemed kinda surprised and maybe she wanted to say some more things? Yami really couldn't tell, but well, no surprise here. Charlotte always had been difficult to read, Ki or not.

After a short while, Charlotte sighed. Somehow resigned and defeated, but also determined? Yami had no idea how to feel about it, but he decided that this would be future Yami's problem.

"So, if that's what you wanted to tell me, why did you acted so weird? Especially at my wheels wedding, you were really weird back then, y'know. Still waiting for an explanation for that. Ya wanting to be on better terms with dear old me couldn't be the only thing bothering you. I have a delicate little heart of glass that's breaking easily, y'know."

"Delicate little… Whatever. Well, obviously I didn't had an easy time since we returned from Spade. You were only part of my worries and not all of them are squad related."

"Oh?"

Yami didn't had the time to ask more, as the waiter arrived with their ordered meals. A whole roasted chicken with peas and onion rice for Yami and two roasted egg toast with mild cheese on a salad bed for Charlotte.

For a noble restaurant, this one wasn't really snobbish and fancy over the food, something Yami really appreciated.

They started eating in silence, enjoying the food. But just as Yami was about to ask Charlotte about the worries she mentioned, some noble asshole appeared at their table.

"Lady Charlotte, what a surprise to see you here! And what a delight too, honestly."

Yami clenched his fists. He knew it would be bad to attack a noble in a public restaurant, he had to hold back. It wasn't even about him, Yami was used to be practically ignored when it wasn't insults.

No, what Yami didn't liked right there was how this stick-ass noble asshole was talking to Charlotte like she was some kind of fancy prize or a delicate princess that needed sickening sweet words to not break in thousands pieces. She was more than that and she was anything but a fragile little princess.

"Lord Reginald, good evening," Charlotte just replied politely, taking a sip from her tea.

Reginald, then. Such a stupid fancy name, Yami decided. Reggie would it be then, a stupid nickname for a stupid noble asshole. He bright pink hair with some grey strands, his turquoise eyes looked a bit dull – which was a rare thing to manage with such a bright colour – and everything in Reggies appearance screamed that he tried to look younger than he really was. What a loser.

Still, Yami couldn't help but admire Charlotte. He could tell that she was upset by this intrusion and yet, she kept her cool, was polite but with a cold distance, clearly showing that she didn't like Reggies presence. Yami would never been able to put up that act and with such a patience.

A troublesome woman maybe, but surely an amazing one.

Reggie seems taken aback by Charlottes distant attitude, but sadly, it wasn't enough to get him to walk away.

"I would have loved to talk to you during the royal wedding a few days ago, but sadly, there was never an occasion."

"No wonder, it was a big ceremony and given my family told me, you were quite busy searching for potential spouse candidates for your children, lord Reginald."

Did Yami just heard some kind of sarcasm in Charlottes voice? Damn, she really didn't like Reggie. A small proud smile appeared on Yamis lips.

"Ah, yes, I was. You know, a royal wedding is one of the best occasions to find potential betrothed and since you know, I have twelve children."

Twelve kiddos? Geez, Yami felt pity for Reggies poor wife.

"Isn't your oldest daughter already married, though?" Charlotte asked, still cold and distant.

"Yes, my dear Ursula married last year. I was actually worried that she would end up as a spinster, given that she was over thirty when she finally married. But thankfully, she married into house Vitrail and there is good hope that she will give her husband an heir soon. But it doesn't change the fact that I have eleven other children and most of them are in marital age already. Ah, where does the time fly?"

That sounded so fake that Yami had to take a big sip from his beer in order to hide the face he was making. And Charlotte did the same. Geez, would Reggie leave already?

"But you know, I'm also searching for a wife as well. You know, my dearest Franziska passed away last year and well, you might be aware that widowhood never suited me."

"Indeed, wasn't the late lady Franziska your fifth wife, lord Reginald?"

Yami hold up a surprised groan. Does that mean that Reggie was married five fucking times and was now even searching for a sixth little wifey to make him more children. That sounded so fucked up, even for standard nobility. Yami already pitied Reggies future wife number six, whoever that might be.

Wait a minute!

Did Reggie have plans to make Prickly Queen said wife number six?

Those sickening sweet words, his complete ignorance of Yamis presence, the uncomfortable glance he gave Charlotte, as if she was a prize for him to win… Not to mention his snobbish, arrogant Ki.

Yami felt himself boiling. The mere thought of Charlotte married to this piece of crap that was Reggie of house Who Cares made him angrier than the whole thing with William and his ties to the Eye of the Midnight Sun.

Who did Reggie think he was? He wasn't a Magic Knight, just a mere noble with a typical noble attitude, typical noble daily life and typical noble crap. He was just a fly compared to Charlotte. She suffered from a curse and never let said curse getting to be boss over her life. She was one of the best knights and captains Yami ever knew since he came to Clover, she was a strong and independent woman who doesn't to be told to surpass her limits, she was doing this on her won. She was not only respected but also loved by her girls and even knights from other squads admired her. She was strong and powerful, she wasn't afraid to train to get better with her magic. The Blue Roses became a strong and fierce knight squad under her leadership.

Not to mention that Charlotte was as clever as she was beautiful, strong on the battlefield as she was sensible when her knights had problem, she was true to her morals unlike other nobles, she knew who to respect and who not, even though she won't get herself into an unnecessary fight. She said directly what she thought, was loyal to this kingdom, never looked down on people out her circle. She knew how to help herself in a fight and even got new spells during the war in Spade.

Charlotte Roselei was an amazing woman and Reggie didn't deserve her, even more since she was certainly just a prize in his dull eyes.

Reggie of course didn't realized the dark Aura around Yami as he continued with his sickening sweet voice, "You know, your aunt Rosamund talked to me recently. And I have to agree with her, we should talk more, lady Charlotte. Since we met on a nice coincidence, would you mind if I join you?"

Reggie already made attempts to sit down at the table. Yami was this close to dimension slash that bastard into hell.

"As much as your company would be… delightful, lord Reginald, I can't enjoy it this evening. You surely noticed already that I'm not alone and you'll understand how impolite it would be to let my dinner partner alone."

What a satisfaction to see Reggie flinch heavily and finally realizing that Prickly Queen wasn't alone. Yami could barely hold back a snicker.

"Oh, um… Yami Sukehiro, captain of the Black Bulls. I guess… good evening."

"Yo, lordy, how's it going?"

The face Reggie was making was priceless, but Yami still hold back his laughter. Not that he mind to get problems with arrogant nobles, that was practically daily business for him. But Yami didn't want Charlotte to get troubles.

It was still nice to see how she needed to hold back a smile as well.

"Fine, thank you. May I ask what is your business with lady Charlotte?"

Reggie should better don't act as if Prickly Queen mattered to him. Yami could tell from his Ki the arrogance of this jerk and the insecurity Reggie wasn't probably even aware of. Great, he really was a loser without even realizing it.

"This is a professional dinner, lord Reginald. You might be aware that both Yami and I are Magic Knight captains. The Wizard King is very entitled to have the squads work more often together, which is beneficial for the safety of the kingdom. So, of course Yami and I are discussing such matters while having dinner."

"Ah, yes, of course. I almost forgot that you're a Magic Knight captain too, lady Charlotte?"

What was that supposed to mean? Yami really wanted to throw a powerful Dimension Slash at Reggie for disrespecting Charlotte. What was wrong anyway with her being a captain, she was one of the best in the whole kingdom of Clover!

And why did Yami felt so protective of his Prickly Queen anyway? He knew first hand that she's able to handle herself!

Wait… why his Prickly Queen?

"Well, in that case I won't disturb your… professional dinner any longer. Captain Sukehiro. Lady Charlotte, send me a letter the next time you have some free time on your schedule, I would really love to talk to you once in a while."

Geez, doesn't Reggie realize how fricking unsubtle he was right now? What a poopy pants.

"Good evening, lord Reginald."

Charlotte of course was so calm about this whole scenery. She didn't even looked at Reggie who somehow finally realized the coldness in her voice and finally got his ass out of here. Well, by Yamis books, he shouldn't have come here in the first place.

"This… is basically another one of my worries from those last three months," Charlotte sighed after a minute or two of silence.

"What, is Reggie bothering you? Do you want me to do something about that?"

"What? No, it doesn't have to do with him specifically. It's just… You did heard that a lot of betrothals happened and weddings are being planned after we returned from the war in Spade?"

"Yeah, Finral and Noelle said something about anyone freaking out to hook up within nobility. But those two always have a tendency to overreact, so I don't really care."

"Well, you're lucky then. As for me, I can't just ignore it. My whole family became so determined to finally getting me married since I return from Spade. It was more bearable before, when it was just my mother and some of the nicest aunts to deal with it. But now… Well, even relatives from other houses are suggesting some candidates to me. And lord Reginald Évantail is one of them, of course."

"Crap. Can't they just leave you alone? I mean, I don't know how it works with you higher-ups when it comes to marriage and shit like that, but still. Can't they let you choose?"

"Sadly, even though arranged marriages aren't so much anymore like golden cages as they were hundred years ago, they're still too important in my circles. The more scandals a family has to her name, be it like secrets or official, the more they search marital alliances to put stand better in front of other noble houses. And my family, house Roselei… sadly has a lot of scandals bond to the name."

"Never knew about that. That's rough, Prickly Queen. So… since your relatives are on your back like that, you're one of the best marital candidates of your house?"

"I'm surprised you came to that conclusion, but you're right."

"Yeah, I'm not as dense as my brats believe I am."

"Not so sure about that, but well, I'll give the benefice of doubt. After all, you're right. Despite my curse, I'm one of the very few Roseleis with no scandals, which makes me one of the best marital candidates for my house. It is really frustrating, because I don't want to get married against my will. I love some members of my family, but… I feel really alone on that matter."

"You're not alone, Prickly Queen. 'kay, I don't know how to help you to not get married away, but I know you. You won't bent that easily, that much I know. Besides, I'm right behind you, your girlies too and others as well. Heck, I'm sure even Braids would help you to not get wed away. Especially not to a poor loser jerk like Reggie. You won't be his wife number six and you won't be the wife of someone who doesn't value you like you should be."

"I… thank you, Yami."

Charlotte smiled. A soft smile, but for some reason, it lit a strong fire in his whole body.

Okay, Yami knew that Charlotte didn't smile often, but still, his reaction to it was too much.

Why would he react like that anyways?

"Besides, I don't get why you need to more or less pay for the wrongs other members of your family did, probably even years ago."

"It's not logical, I know. And despite what my family believes, a marriage won't erase like that what they did wrong. But they would rather contradict themselves five times in the same sentence than stop ignoring the consequences of their scandals."

"Don't be so worked up about them, it's not your fault, after all. You shouldn't care about those scandals."

"I know that, I know that very well even. Most of them, I can put them behind me very easily. But there's one… It's been at the back of my mind for years, even though it's nothing I can do about it. It… involves my own father."

"Ouch."

"Yes. I've never told this to anyone."

"You don't need to, y'know."

"I know that. But I also know that I can trust you."

Why did his heart started to beat furiously when she said that?

"When I was eight or nine years old, my father had an… affair. With a woman from the Common Realm. A child was born from their liaison. That poor woman came one day to the Roselei Villa to speak with my father. I remember what happened that day rather well. Not everything, though, I was so young. My mother wasn't there, so she never knew. My father probably send her away for that day, for a big shopping trip or something. I don't recall, but I know that I was supposed to come with her. My father probably counted on it, so that neither or my mother would learn about his mistress and his bastard child."

"But you didn't go with your mom."

"No. I didn't felt well that day, so my mother went without me. So, I witnessed how my father's mistress came to the villa and asked to meet my father. She had her baby in her arms and from what I gathered, she begged my father to help her and their child. I think that she was alone, no family to help her out. Otherwise, she probably wouldn't come and ask my father for help. She didn't even ask him to elope to some far away place with her or to divorce my mother and marry her instead. She just asked him to help her and to take care of their child. But my father refused, telling her that he couldn't waste his time on a bastard and such horrible things. My father basically throw that poor woman out and her child with her. I remember how she cried as she left our villa. I felt so bad for her and wanted to give her some comfort. But I was afraid. Afraid that she wouldn't want my comfort, given that I was the legitimate child and not hers. Also, afraid of my father, for what he would do if he ever learned that I knew. I never heard from that poor woman and her baby since then. And well… you can tell that I lost my affection and trust towards my father since that day."

"That's brutal. For that woman and for you, to learn something like that so young. Is that the reason why you don't trust men most of the time?"

"It is one of the reasons, yes."

Charlotte sighed and looked outside, where the first lights of dusk started to paint the sky in purple, yellow and dark red.

"I often thought about that woman and her baby. I wish I could have searched for them, giving them the help my father refused them. But I have no idea where to start, I don't know that woman's name and I have no idea if I have a half-brother or a half-sister. All I know is that they came from the Common Realm. But who knows if they're still there today or somewhere else entirely. Be it the Forsaken Realm or another country. Maybe even another continent. And… I am an only child, as you know. But somewhere out there, I have a younger sibling, a brother or a sister and I know nothing about him or her. It pains me, because… I would have loved to know my half-sibling."

Yami didn't know what to say. But he could relate, probably more than Charlotte realized. After all, he also had a sibling somewhere out there.

Ichika.

It's been such a long time since he thought about his younger sister. And even much longer since that fateful day… It wasn't something Yami liked to think about. It hurt too much, especially since he would never see her again. Which was better for her. Ichika started her life again, like he did in Clover. Yami knew that Ryu took care of his sister and he was certain that Ichika became a strong warrior today. This was at least certain and Yami couldn't ask for more for her.

But while he had this certainty, Charlotte didn't had that. She didn't even know if she had a brother or a sister, she never got the chance to be an older sibling. Yami knew that she would be a great sister. The way she takes care of her own squad was enough proof.

He knew he wouldn't see Ichika again. But Charlotte… there was a slight chance that she would met that mysterious sibling one day and maybe have a bond with that person.

Yami softly put a hand on hers. Charlotte looked at him with surprised and for some reason, she was blushing.

"Prickly Queen, I can tell that this bothers you. Which is fair. Your old man acted like a prick and you deserve to know more about your lil' bro or lil' sis. Spade is over, so you can start to try some personal quests. I'll help ya."

"You… you would… But… But I told you I have no clues about their identities."

"Just details, Prickly Queen. Just details. I think we can manage that, even though it won't be really easy and it might take some time. But we had it worth, with those elves and those shitty devils. Searching for your sibling is a piece of cake compared to that. And well, you wanted us to be on better terms, wouldn't that be like a perfect occasion?"

"I… I'll accept your help. Thank you, Yami."

Charlotte smiled so brightly at him like she never did before. And his stupid heart was beating even faster for no reason.

But who cares? Yami would help her, with her secret half-sibling and those suitors as well.

After all, she was important to him.

"You see that tree there, Nozel? Just at the pool. This tree is called a willow."

"A will-o."

"Almost. It's a beautiful tree, isn't it? Willows are like shelters, with those branches that flow around them like a waterfall. And this one is especially like this. It's one of my favourite places."

"Favo…?

"You'll learn that word soon enough, my sweet baby boy."

Nozel couldn't tell if his memory was accurate. He had been only two or three years back then, when his mother brought him at the parc of the royal capital for the first time.

But as he saw that willow his mother loved so much, right at the pool full of water lilies, he felt that the memory which just popped into his mind was true.

Why was he even there in the first place?

A matter of circumstances, honestly. Grenadine told his vice-captain that he left work earlier yesterday to go out and Agatha told him she should do that more often, because apparently it did him good.

Nozel would admit that leaving work earlier and allow himself somehow a relaxing evening did him good indeed. Today, he worked calmer like never before since he became captain of the Silver Eagles and he had been less stressed. A foreign feeling for him. Not uncomfortable, he'll admit, but still unusual. He didn't know if this would be efficient every time for his duties. But maybe he needed that.

It had been a shock yesterday when Vanessa took him to his mother favourite café. A lot of memories had come back to him. Happy ones, but they still hurt nonetheless. Every one of them hurt and just made him felt more guilty for all of his mistakes. But when Vanessa brought him to this café – what a coincidence she knew the café his mother loved so much – Nozel felt like he couldn't continue like this anymore. Fleeing those happy and painful memories… in the end, it hadn't helped.

So, today he took his vice-captains suggestion – much to his knights shock – and left work earlier as well. But instead of going back to the Silva palace, his feet led him to the parc of the royal capital and more precisely, to the willow at the pool with the water lilies.

Another one of his mother's favourite places. Not to mention that willows were her favourite trees and water lilies her favourite flowers. She was the one who installed a little pool with water lilies in the Silva flower garden, the most beautiful flower garden in the whole kingdom.

Another favourite place of Acier Silva.

How strange. He hadn't thought about all those places his mother loved for so long and now, he couldn't stop thinking about them. Thanks to a person that has no bonds whatsoever with his mother at all, how peculiar.

Would Vanessa love to know this place as well? Would she love it?

Why did her opinion somehow mattered so much to Nozel?

It was fair to say that since the return from Spade, some unexpected things happened in his life. Some were welcome and even needed, like his better relationship with Noelle and the fact that Nebra also wanted to mend her bond with their youngest sister. Still a work in progress and he still doubted that he deserved it. But it was nice and it made Noelle so happy. He couldn't take that away from her.

Then he finally accepted someone as a Silver Eagle who wasn't a royal or a noble. Which brought him a lot of critics from most royals and nobles, but they always were subtly on his back behind closed doors, he was used to it. Besides, Grenadine was a bastard, so she had noble blood. But still, she wasn't a royal or a noble and Nozel felt a bit proud to have let go some of his prejudices and chose her as a new recruit.

But those were things he was able to plan his future steps, to get ready for any eventuality. Vanessa barging like that into his life… he had no control over it, no possibility to plan his next steps. It had been so fast in a way. It overwhelmed him, but not in a way of drowning. It felt… nice. To have someone to talk to, who seemed to understand him, who told him things he didn't even know he needed to hear.

It was thanks to Vanessa somehow that Nozel got a grip on himself and stopped fleeing the happy memories he had of his mother.

Was this how gratitude felt like? He had forgotten the feelings so long ago.

Slowly, Nozel walked down the path to the willow. He still felt this apprehension to come back to this spot. Should he have taken all of his siblings with him or was it too soon to have all four of them peacefully in a place? Should he have taken his sisters? Only Noelle? Only Nebra?

Nozel was so used to make things wrong since his mother died, he wasn't able to tell anymore if it was really wrong or actually right. Was he still strong or did his maintenance of house Silva, of the legacy his mother left behind and of his controlled, tasteless life starting to have some cracks?

It was so blurry, he couldn't tell. But he needed to figure it out, one way or another. Maybe starting to finally live a bit more for himself would help, even though he probably didn't deserve it. But living for impossible expectations… He didn't want this anymore. He lived like that for over a decade and it never had been enough in the eyes of nobles and most royals.

Nozel quickly shook his head. He didn't want to torture himself with those kind of thoughts today, he did that every other day already. He wanted to remember his mother, maybe cry a while and learn to calm down his guilt, not completely, but a little bit.

He started to walk slightly faster.

"Oh, lord Nozel, good evening!"

Nozel just stopped, holding back a groan. It wouldn't have been very royal to do so. But still appropriate, somehow.

"Lord Reginald Évantail."

And of course, it had to be one of the members of house Évantail, the very same house of Grenadines father. Would he try to subtly complain that Nozel took the bastard daughter of this noble house as a new Silver Eagle? Wouldn't be the first time and his answers started to come automatically at this point.

"What a surprise to see here, do you have a free evening?"

Yes, and he would highly appreciate to not have it tainted by a snob, thank you very much.

"Yes, it is something I need once in a while."

"Who would have known, I always thought you were always at work. But I can understand that you need a calm evening from time to time, I know that duties can be so exhausting sometimes."

Nozel turned away, because he couldn't fight his urge to roll his eyes. He knew that duties could be exhausting, he followed them every day. Which wasn't the case for lord Reginald and other nobles like him.

"For example, searching for an appropriate spouse for my children," lord Reginald continued, with fake casualty. "You know, my oldest daughter married last year. Well, it was time for Ursula, almost to late even, she was this close to become a spinster. But I still have eleven other children and most of them are in marital age. Lady Bianca, my Head of House, is of course a big help, but it is still so difficult to find the best candidates for my poor children."

Which was worse, complaints about Grenadine becoming a Silver Eagle or nobles trying not very subtly to get someone married into royalty?

Nozel knew that it was his duty to get married one day or another and by doing so, allow his siblings the freedom to choose who they want. A duty he never appreciated and for some reason, he started to hate it more and more. He didn't know why, he didn't know how, but the thought of marrying someone out of duty and conceive an heir – a very touchy subject for the Silvas, since there was only four of them left – became unbearable with each passing day.

Did this also started since he came back from Spade? Maybe even in Spade? Nozel remembered he had mentioned a bit to Vanessa during their talk three months ago.

Vanessa… her again.

As if saying it out loud for the first time and to her made him realize how disgusting this duty was.

Lord Reginald of course continued his speech. How many times did he rehearsed it? "I think I might have mentioned that my second oldest daughter, Prudence, is younger than you and very available. Not to mention that she is prudent, a good quality for a Head's spouse. And my oldest son, Reginald the second, might have taken some interest in lady Nebra. Oh, and my twins, Victor and Victoria might be interest in lady Noelle or in lord Solid, if it must be. And well, as you know, I'm a widower since last year and I wouldn't mind to change my name into the one my sixth wife would wear."

I would myself become a Silva if you let me marry either lady Nebra or lady Noelle. Of course lord Reginald didn't say that, but it was like he did. This couldn't be called subtility anymore!

Nozel never liked lord Reginald, like honestly most members of house Évantail. The only one who had a very positive impression on him was Grenadine and she was a bastard daughter.

There was no way Nozel would let that old man who still tried to appear young marry one of his sisters, he was old enough to be their grandfather! And none of his children would be Silvas either. The other Reginald was just a copy of his father, the twins were snobbish devils and Prudence Évantail was maybe calm, but also extremely submissive and arrogant. Not to mention she had been one to always have harsh words speaking of Noelle.

No, none of them would be perfect fits to be Silvas, despite how much lord Reginald and his children thought that they had the key to make house Silva great again. Like all those other nobles who sent him marriage proposals day after day.

Nozel was sick of it.

He would have to choose a spouse one day, for his siblings. But not today and certainly not someone from house Évantail.

"I'm sure you will find potential spouses for your children, lord Reginald. Nobles are always good at such things."

His voice was calm, cold and distant, hiding the sarcasm and sounding like he was stating a fact. Good. That might do the trick.

Reginald Évantail was taken aback, but sadly he was a stubborn noble.

"I mean, there was no Silva marriage since your late mother with your dear father. And there's now only four of you, which is almost scandalous. Not to mention one is not a Silver Eagle, but still a Silva."

"Have you any objections about how I lead my family and my squad, lord Reginald?"

"I wouldn't dare to say that."

He just did, but Nozel had no intention to back down.

"This is good, because you are very much aware that it is not your business how I handle house Silva or the Silver Eagles. After all, you aren't even a Head of House yourself, but your mother, lady Bianca. If she has a complaint that involves both our houses, she can demand for an audience and we'll see if I have time for her."

"But didn't she demanded an audience not so long ago? About that Silver Eagle who is unworthy to wear the robe…"

Nozel knew that lord Reginald talked about Grenadine. But the description didn't apply to her and Nozel wasn't stupid, it was the perfect occasion to make this prick shut up for good.

"I'll admit that I have a lot of concern about Samuel. He is your nephews son, isn't he? Well, you're right, he is very unfit to wear the Silver Eagle's robe, and worse, he has a nasty habit to avoid his duties. Sadly, the safety of the Clover kingdom and it's citizen is something he doesn't seem to care about. I know that we have a century-old agreement with house Évantail to take one member of their house as a Silver Eagle, but if we could change Samuel for a member of your house who would make a serious Magic Knight, I will gladly grant lady Bianca that audience."

The face lord Reginald was priceless. He knew that there was nothing to say without being ridiculous. He quickly nodded as goodbye and walk away quickly.

Nozel smiled. It was just a small victory and he knew house Évantail would come to bother him again, but it really did feel so good. The occasions to shut up disturbing nobles like that were rare, but very sweet.

"What a jerk, really."

Nozel almost jumped as he recognize that voice.

Vanessa.

Was she popping into his life like that every day now? Not that he mind, on the contrary, he was forced to admit that she was great company. Not to mention that he thought about her more often than he probably should. But he couldn't help it.

"He clearly wanted to insult you and yet, he still hoped that one of his children would marry you or your siblings, after what he just said? Geez, and then he wanted to insult you and Grenadine, just because she became a knight of the Silver Eagles. You shut him down perfectly, handsome, he deserved that lesson."

"Did you heard our talk?"

"Welp, I saw you and since I was here too, I wanted to say hi. So yeah, I heard most of your talk. Gosh, shouldn't that jerk respect you more? You're royalty and you are more honourable and respectful, he's nothing of that! Okay, I don't know him, granted. But still, whether I know him or not, I know disrespect when I see it. And why did he need to give pink such a bad name? A nice hair colour and nice eye colour as well and such a jerk behaviour, those colours are wasted on him!"

Vanessa seemed so genuinely upset and Nozel couldn't help but find her beautifully adorable.

Wait, did he just thought that? Well, it was true that she was, but why was it so easy for him to see it?

"Is it true?"

"What do you mean?"

"That your squad has an old agreement with this jerk's family to accept one of their members as a knight for the Silver Eagles."

"Sadly, it is. It's a common occurrence for old squads, especially those of royalty. Noble house heads mostly use those kinds of agreements to send their most useless or most scandalous members to the squads, so they won't have to deal much with them anymore."

"Oh… So that's what you meant when you say nobles use your squad as a trash bin."

"Well… It is crude to say like that, I admit. But it is also pretty much accurate."

"Hm. So, now that this jerk is finally not bothering you anymore, can you tell me what brought you here?"

She smiled at him. That cheeky, but incredibly gorgeous smile. She was such a beauty…

It took Nozel a few seconds before he realized that he needed to answer her.

"Just a walk… and also memories of this place."

"Oh, really? What exactly, handsome?"

"You see that willow tree over there? The one at the pool with the water lilies. It was my mother's favourite place in this parc. I haven't been there since years…"

"Like with the café."

It wasn't a question, it wasn't teasing. Just a soft compassion.

Nozel just nodded.

"It looks like a pretty place to be. Your mother surely knew good spots when she saw one."

"Shall I show you?"

The words left him before he could even think about him. Which never happened to him before. Except in Vanessas presence, for some mysterious reason.

Vanessa turned towards him, her eyes full of surprise. She didn't answer immediately and during those seconds, Nozel find himself scared. Scared she would refuse, scared she would feel offended by his offer. He had no idea which one was worse, honestly.

The she smiled again and Nozel felt like a heavy burden fell away from him. Seriously, why was he so worked up when it came to her?

"I'd love to. Come, sugar."

Will she ever stop giving him flirting nicknames like that? Nozel doubted it.

When they came under the willow, Nozel felt himself getting slowly emotional again. This spot almost didn't changed. The tree was a bit bigger, of course. But for everything else… the evening sun shining softly through the leaves of the willow, the light reflecting on the water, the green of the tree and the blue, pink, white, orange and other colours of the water lilies, it was just like he remembered it.

Just like his mother always loved it.

"Gosh, no wonder your mom loved it here. It feels like a secured place or a sanctuary," Vanessa laughed, turning around a bit before she sat down on the grass.

"I think it was somehow for her," Nozel replied, as he sat down next to her. "She liked to come here, preferably with one or two of her favourite novels. Willows were her favourite trees. And water lilies were her favourite flowers."

"Those are very beautiful flowers, I have to say. Tell me, captain, since you're a Silva, can you tell me what they mean in flower language?"

"How do you know that we Silvas get education of flower language?"

"Noelle, of course, silly. She's even the only Black Bull with that kind of knowledge, which always upsets her. But she is kinda helpful. Finral wanted to offer some kind of dark purple flowers and Noelle said that those were mostly to put on peoples grave, so he got her others instead. I mean, the purple ones looked pretty, but I'll admit that they had a gloomy touch, especially when Gordon held them."

"Well… Not even the Kiras and the Vermillions learn flower language, it was always us Silvas. I can't tell were that tradition came from, it must be centuries old. But we do have a beautiful flower garden, with all sorts of flower varieties."

"Hm, having a flower garden doesn't mean you have to learn flower language, but why not? So, back to my question, what do water lilies mean?"

"They have different symbolism, like every flower actually. Most of the time, they are a symbol for enlightenment, given of the conditions they grew from. They're also a symbol for purity, especially the white ones, and majesty. In some cases, water lilies symbolizes as well rebirth and resurrection."

His mother particularly loved those last symbolism. Nozel never knew why, but if he had to guess, maybe it was because she lost her younger sister to another royal house and her three older siblings who died young. The two uncles and the aunt Nozel never met…

"Nice symbolism, I'd say. And they're pretty too. No wonder your mother loved them."

"Yes, she did. But my mother had the habit to call them by one of their other names."

"Oh, which one?"

"Nymphaea."

"Nymphea…?"

"It is a variant of the term, but Nymphaea is the correct one."

"Meh, sounds similar to me and both sounds pretty. Would also be a good name."

Nozel couldn't help but chuckle.

"Oh my gosh, you can laugh! And such pretty laugh too. What is so funny that you couldn't hold back that lovely sound?"

Nozel blushed, but still answered, "I just… remembered something. When mother was pregnant with Noelle, she had a hard time to decide between a dozen names. Two were her definite favourites. Noelle of course, but also Nymphea."

"After her favourite flower… And another N name?"

"My mother had such a weakness for names starting with N. I have no idea why, though, so don't ask me why. When she was expecting Noelle, all the names she thought about started with that specific letter. It was the same when she was pregnant with Nebra and according to my Vermillion aunt, it was also like this with me. Only Solid was the exception, his name was chosen by our father."

And that man was someone he would not think about, especially not when he was with Vanessa.

"Nymphea Silva," Vanessa said thoughtfully. "It does have a very nice ring to it. Noelle is nice too, obviously. So, how did she choose that name in the end?"

"Mother told me she choose Noelle in the end, because… because it was so similar to mine."

"Really? That's a weird reason."

Nozel couldn't deny that. But maybe his mother hoped he would bond with his new sister and be less lonely, if said sister had a name similar to his.

A comfortable silence settled between them. The only things to be heard were the soft breeze blowing through the branches of the willow, some birds singing, the blurry sounds from the capital, sounding so far away even though they weren't out of town at all.

It was peaceful, so peaceful. Mother must have knew it too, when she came here to read her favourite novels, when she had some free time.

Why did he stop doing that? Because he still felt like he didn't deserve it. But Nozel didn't want to feel like that right now. It was so peaceful and it felt so… right. As if it was meant to be since very long.

One day, Nozel promised himself to bring Nebra, Solid and Noelle here too. I won't be for soon, of course. But one day, he wanted to bring them here, one of mothers favourite places.

And for that, he needed to move forward and work to mend their broken bonds even more.

Suddenly, Vanessa shifted beside him and Nozel was shocked as she actually lied down, her head on his lap.

Never had someone been this bold with him! Okay, nobles were bold, but this here… This was another kind of boldness. And it didn't felt disrespectful at all. More like gentle teasing and care.

"You really should go out and relax like this more often, honey. It visibly does you good, you look more handsome than usual when you let go of your burden," Vanessa smiled, winking at him before closing her eyes, clearly enjoying the moment.

If anyone would see them like that in this very moment, they would… think that Vanessa was his mistress or something like that. Which she wasn't at all and Nozel hated to connect such an insulting word to Vanessa.

It was one second of panic. Just one second. But looking at Vanessa, lying so relaxed on his lap, eyes closed and smiling, enjoying the moment… It was enough to calm Nozel down.

No, he wouldn't panic and destroy this moment. No one was at the parc at this hour and even if there was someone, the branch of the willow hid them enough, they wouldn't be seen. He knew that he would get worried about it later on, of course he would be. But for the first time, Nozel wanted to enjoy the presence.

Nozel couldn't help but look at Vanessa again. Slowly, very slowly, he moved his right hand, caressing her hair, soft like a touch of a tiny butterfly. Maybe she hasn't realized it.

Her rosewood locks were soft, almost like silk or satin. She was beautiful, both on the outside and on the inside. Nozel didn't understand why she became such a part of his life in just three months and he had no idea what role she played in it. It was so strange and he was almost afraid to try to understand. Would it be over if it wasn't a mystery anymore?

But Nozel didn't want to have Vanessa out of his life again. He didn't deserve that kindness, but for once, he hoped to keep it. He also wanted to know more about her, everything.

Maybe she became a bit more than just a friend for him.