"Come on…"
"Not yet."
Her giggle tickled in his ear, but that didn't stop Nozel to pepper kisses on her neck and to softly caress her silky skin.
Earlier today, when he sneaked to the back entrance of Soie Velours' shop to catch a few Vanessa, it left them with a fiery passion which haven't left them when they have to part ways after some blissful minutes. Vanessa had already been there when he came back to the palace. Never had Nozel been so grateful to have given her a key to his balcony door.
Heavens, he needed this so much right now. The ball, Lac Silvas shadow, the ridiculous amount of proposals he was getting every day, Prudence Évantail and Athénaïs Vitrail… there was so much that could burden him right now. Nozel believed that without Vanessa now in his life, he might would have yield a long time ago.
Still, he didn't want to take her like some wild animal. As big as his thirst for her was, Nozel wanted to do it like usual. Taking his time, making the pleasure last, try to not give in to the occasional urgency and most importantly, to give Vanessa the respect and kindness she always deserved, in a sensual act.
And of course, she wasn't making things easy for him.
"You're very eager, hot eagle, I can tell."
"Will you ever stop taunting me?"
"Never, I just enjoy the effect I have on you SO much."
Oh yes, he could tell that. She has practically wrapped him around her little finger. And still, she never abused the power she had on him. She took advantage of it, but only to tease him or to push him out of his comfort zone. Which wasn't such a bad thing.
Nozel smiled at her, before putting his lips right on her pulse point. He might be eager, but she was as well. He could feel it under his lips. He had some effect on her as well and he would be damned if he wouldn't admit that he enjoyed it.
Nozel let his lips travel slowly across her jawline, reaching her mouth and pulling her into a deep, passionate kiss. Vanessa moaned against his mouth, crossing both her arms around him, pulling him closer. Nozel rolled them both over and honestly, they might have rolled quite a few times while they were making out. He couldn't tell, but that was because he had already lost any track of time.
Again, everything seemed so futile in her breath-taking presence. How could anyone even think that horrible women like Prudence Évantail and Athénaïs Vitrail were the perfect match for him when Vanessa was right there? So effortlessly perfect, even in her imperfections, so caring and full of joy.
How did he survive this long without her?
Of course Nozel knew the answers, but his mind was currently clouded with love and lust, so he couldn't think straight. And unlike all those lonely years before, he didn't regretted it.
Much to his displeasure, Vanessa broke the kiss, smirking at him in a seductive way.
"You know, handsome, I wouldn't mind you're a bit wilder with me from time to time. You're a god in bed in every way, after all."
"A god in bed."
His chuckle was heavy.
"It's true, though. You really are. And I mean it, you can be a bit wilder. Not that I don't enjoy your slow lovemaking, on the contrary. You're a perfect lover."
"Haven't you told me once that perfection didn't exist?"
"Oh, I did. But I guess I'm biased when it comes to you."
Nozel chuckled again. But he still wanted to take his time to love her, despite her teasing and his own hunger.
He kissed her again, slower. He could feel her smile against his lips.
"What is it now?"
"Could you please take of your shirt already? The fabric tickles me and as you certainly already noticed, I've been naked for quite a while."
Oh yes, he had noticed that. He could impossibly NOT notice her nudity. There was nothing here he haven't seen already since their first night together, but this sight was still having an effect on him that made him flustered in embarrassment.
And eagerness.
So, he sat up and took off his shirt, leaving him bare-chested much to Vanessas delight.
"You know, honey… I love that you don't sleep with a full pyjama and with your naked chest. It's such a sight to see."
"I… mostly do that because of the silk sheets. I can't really feel them when I wear a pyjama top."
"Never had I been so grateful for the existence of silk sheets."
Nozel chuckled. Well, it wasn't like she was wearing much to sleep either. Either naked or in her underwear. A fact that still make him blush since he learned about it for the first time. But he wasn't complaining.
So, leaned back down to her again, sucking on her collarbone. Her moan was needy and full of desire. Now, Vanessa even started to play with his pyjama pants with her slender fingers. If she continued like that, he might ending up taking her just like that. Terribly wild, like she suggested.
But she was like a lady. His lady. She deserved to be respected in any way.
His lips wandered again, finding their way to her mouth. Another long kiss started between them, deep and passionate. He felt Vanessas hand brushing to his hair. Nozel still has his braid on, but knowing his beloved, she would soon unmake it in the most sensual way possible.
The kiss would certainly have lasted very long… If there hadn't been a sudden knock on his door, making them froze in their movements.
"Nozel, are you asleep already?"
Oh no. Noelle.
Nozel had kinda forgotten that she was sleeping at the palace tonight. Apparently, Nebra had decided to take care of Noelles dress for the upcoming ball and to discuss it with more details, their younger sister came to spent the night at the Silva palace.
And to have an evening reading and discussing spooky novels. Nozel would never understand the passion for spooky novels his sisters had. Couldn't came from their mother, Acier had never been able to read even a chapter of a spooky novel without abandoning after mostly ten pages and hide under her blankets, even as a full grown adult.
He sighed. Usually, Nozel was always delighted when Noelle wanted to talk with him, it didn't matter about what. It happened a bit more often after the whole affair with the elves and it became so regular after their return from Spade.
But right now, it was really not the moment. Not that Noelle knew. She had no idea he was dating her squadmate, even sleeping with said squadmate.
Oh heavens, Noelle would freak out once learns about the relationship between him and Vanessa!
Was it too early to tell her? It definitely was. Nozel looked down at Vanessa, who managed to pout and smile apologetically at him at the same time. He caressed her cheek in a silent sigh. He didn't want to stop, but it was Noelle of all people at his door.
"Nozel, are you alright?"
The voice of his little sister sounded now concerned. Was she worried about him not answering?
Nozel wanted to say something something, anything. Tell Noelle that everything was alright, that will see each other tomorrow morning at breakfast and wish her a good night, then focus back on Vanessa. But his body and his voice were still frozen. Same for Vanessa, she even clinged now on him. Like him, she had no idea what he should say to Noelle. They both cared so much her.
"I'm coming in."
"No!"
But it was too late. Noelle already entered his room… and saw them. On his bed. In a very specific position.
Two things became clear to Nozel in this very moment. First, he forgot to lock his door. Second, his beloved little sister saw him on top of her squadmate and best friend. Said squadmate was naked and as for himself, he was only wearing his trousers. And they both were… In a position that could only mean one thing. They were lovers.
"Nozel, is that… Vanessa, what are you… Wait, is he… OH MY GOD!"
Now Noelle was frozen in shock, unable to do anything except automatically close the door behind her and stare at them like they have committed something terribly shocking, like a crime or a revolution.
But Noelle being frozen allowed Nozel and Vanessa to finally move. Nozel sat up, freeing Vanessa who rolled over the edge of the bed and immediately put on his shirt to cover her nudity.
"Noelle… You deserve an explanation. Vanessa and I are going to answer your questions. But it might take a while."
Noelle didn't seemed like she had hear him, just looking blankly at them with shocked magenta eyes. It pained Nozel to see his beloved little sister like that. Was she hurt because she saw him with Vanessa? A pang of guilt he hasn't felt for a long time stabbed his heart. Hasn't he hurt her enough already?
"Don't worry, honey. She's not hurt, she is just terribly in shock. Which is understandable, though," Vanessa said, putting her hand on his shoulder with a reassuring smile, before walking over towards Noelle.
Nozel just looked at her, stunned again by her entire being. How was she always able to know what he was thinking, especially if it had something to do with his guilt issues?
And why was she looking so perfectly hot wearing only one of his shirts?
No, stop! He couldn't allow himself to be horny in the presence of his baby sister!
Vanessa took Noelle by her shoulders and firmly made her sit on his bed. It looked like that it wasn't the first time Vanessa had to do this. Despite the rather embarassing situation, Nozel couldn't help but smile. He was so grateful for Vanessa to always have taken such good care of his little sister.
"Alright, sweetie. First of all, don't forget to breath calmly. And try to not freak out too much."
"I'm not freaking out!"
She clearly was.
Nozel just put a hand on Noelles shoulder. He had clearly no idea what to say and this was right now the only thing he was able to do to calm down his little sister.
Noelle was wearing a short nightgown, pale green with short puffy sleeves, and her hair was down. He hadn't seen her often without her pigtails, especially without the pink ribbons he had gifted her before her departure to the Heart kingdom. She really looked so much like their mother…
But this time, this resemblance didn't break his heart. He finally find it soothing more than anything. And this time, he was also able to see the difference between Noelle and Acier more clearly. It wasn't the eye colour, but more in their gestures and mimics. Nozel remembered that his mother always tried to smile way too brightly when she was shocked. On the other hand, Noelle was looking blankly at anything.
Maybe it wasn't so bad that Noelle wasn't completely like their mother.
"I mean… I'm not against it… but it's weird… NO, IT'S NOT, THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT! It's just… surprising, I guess… But not weird, not at all! I swear I'm not against… But I just never imagined… You, Vanessa, with Nozel, my brother… my brother… OH MY GOD, IT'S MY BROTHER!"
"I am very aware that this gorgeous hot man is your brother, Noelle."
"No, that's not why I meant! You… you said that your secret lover is a god in bed! AND THAT GOD IN BED YOU TALKED ABOUT WAS MY BROTHER!"
A… god in bed?
Nozel coughed and looked away, deeply blushing from embarrassment.
It sounded so much like Vanessa to say something like that. But why did it have to be in front of his baby sister?
Vanessa just shrugged. "Well, it's true and I had no reason to lie. Your brother is such a boyfriend material and I'm hopelessly addicted to him at this point. The way he takes me, I'm going to-"
"Vanessa!"
Both siblings had shouted in embarrassment, which lead them to look at each other with confusion. Only to look away with embarrassment again. Nozel kinda feared that he would never hear the end of it.
"Oh, look at you both. You truly are siblings, it's so cute."
"Don't change the subject Vanessa! You… you… are sleeping with my brother! Argh, why did I said this out loud? And… why… are… you… How and why and what and… how long?"
"We love each other."
He could feel that both Noelle and Vanessa were now looking at him. Nozel tried to give himself some composure, but without much success. Still, he turned around again to look at his sister and his girlfriend.
If he would repeat those words without looking at them, he would regret it for the rest of his life. As difficult as it was, he had to do it.
"Vanessa and I… We love each other."
Different emotions were dancing in their eyes. Both Vanessa and Noelle first had the same genuine surprise, but the next feelings were drastically different for both of them.
Vanessas amethyst eyes were slowly filled with a pure joy and at the end, she smiled so brightly at him that Nozel felt his heart racing faster than light magic.
Noelles magenta eyes were first filled with confusion after her surprise. Then, slowly she seemed to grasp his words and more importantly, what they were implying. In the end, the shock of understanding was seen all over her face and Noelle fell back on the mattress, overwhelmed.
"In love… you love each other… My brother and my squadmate… love each other… Love… You're together… in love… different circles… forbidden love… I had no idea… I had no idea…"
Noelles part-sentences with no relation to each other made Nozel worried about his sister. He took Noelles left hand while Vanessa sat back on the mattress, taking the other one and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Sweetie, sorry that we have shocked you. It really wasn't our intention. We aren't together for long, so we wanted to keep it a secret for a while. Especially right now, with the ball and the tension with nobility in the kingdom. We would have told you one day, really. We were just postponing and… we also haven't really talked about it yet."
"Wait a minute!" Noelle suddenly yelled, sitting up but without letting go of their hands. "You… you… you… slept together… but you aren't married yet!"
"Noelle, sweetie, in which century do you think you live?"
"I know, sorry… It's just, Nozel is… sorry, brother!"
"Don't apologize, Noelle. I don't blame you for having that impression of me," Nozel replied, giving his sister a gentle squeeze.
"So… well… I mean… I wait! Vanessa, you practically never spend a night at the Hideout since more or less a month. Because… because… you were in my brothers arms? In this room? In the Silva palace?"
"Not only. We also met up in his room at the Silver Eagles base, when Nozel had a long day."
"At… the Silver Eagle's base… of course…"
And with that, Noelle fell back on the mattress, looking up at the ceiling of the canopy, as if she was hoping it would have every answer to every question she was certainly asking herself right now.
Nozel sighed and in the end, he stood up, letting go of his youngest sister's hand. Opening his door to call for a servant, he ordered three cups of hot chocolate to bring to his room. With a bit cinnamon and with whipped cream on the top. He remembered that this was how Noelle always had preferred her hot chocolate.
The old servant didn't got a glimpse in his room and didn't ask anymore questions. She was one of those who was there for very long, probably even from the times if his grandfather. So, she was used to most weird things happening in the Silva palace and won't comment. This was good, because Nozel doubted he could even deal with obvious servant gossip right now.
After most of her shock had been over, Noelle had hundreds and thousands of questions, which Nozel and Vanessa tried their best to answer. When they were finished, all three porcelain cups of hot chocolate were almost empty and Noelle had been silence for a few minutes. She sat in front of them on the mattress, hands on her lap, looking down at the silver tray with the cups.
The silence wasn't really tense, but… Nozel would admit that it made quite uncomfortable. And anxious.
He felt also a bit stupid, because until now, he hasn't really thought how his siblings would react to his relationship with Vanessa. But now… It was actually a terrifying thought. Okay, maybe he was overreacting a bit, but still.
Hopefully Noelle wouldn't be against. She loved Vanessa and her relationship with himself was better than it ever was before. But would she feel betrayed? After all, both Vanessa and him have kept it as a secret. They had their reasons, but would Noelle consider this as well?
As for Solid and Nebra… Nozel knew that he will need to tell them eventually. Nebra, as she was now, would maybe be less of a problem. With her own relationship with Noelle being on better terms and despite her constant complaining about the Black Bull named Zora Ideale – to a point Nozel began to wonder if his sister was kinda enjoying being bothered by Zora – Nebra seemed to get along rather well with Vanessa. But if she would feel betrayed as well? She already felt that way when he finally told her the truth about their mother's death. But his relationship with Vanessa wasn't quite the same, right?
And Solid… Well, Solid was Solid and he definitely would be openly against it. At least at the start. Nozel had no intention to break up with Vanessa just because his younger brother would be against it.
"Noelle, sweetie, are you fine?" Vanessa asked after a while, clearly fed up with the silence.
"No, I'm not."
Nozel looked down, defeated and guilty. This had to be his fault again.
But his reaction must have triggered something in Noelle, because she looked at him in panic.
"I'm not hurt, brother, I swear! I'm just trying to understand, to… to grasp everything. But I'm not hurt, really, I swear!"
Vanessa took his hand, giving a gentle squeeze. "We still have some work to do with your guilt issues, honey. I'm helping your brother with this, Noelle. I promise you he's making progress, but well, we still have some details to work on."
"You're… helping him?"
"Of course I do, why shouldn't I?"
"That's not what I meant! I… I'm just… still trying to understand."
Noelle went silent again, looking down at her cup as the porcelain would help her with more answers. At least, to Nozels small relief, she seemed already to have calmed down a bit.
Nozel sighed. He needed to say something, anything.
"Noelle. I know it's maybe too much to ask, but would you please keep the secret for a while? You know what the upcoming ball is implying and given that our father has something to do with it… I hate keeping it a secret, but I can't take any risk that could make me lose Vanessa. I… will fight for her, even if I should lose my royal status for her."
He felt Vanessa giving him a gentle squeeze on his hand again. She knew better than anyone that it wasn't always easy for him to say such things out loud to anyone.
Noelle just stared at him again, but her glance was suddenly soft. "It's… So it's serious between you both…"
"Yes, it is."
"So… this means that you won't sacrifice yourself into an arranged marriage anymore?"
"Wait… How did you know?"
"I… well… I always suspected it. But it took me a while. After all, my royal lessons always taught me how important arranged marriages always were in history and still today. With that in mind, it was actually surprising that none of us four were married or at least engaged yet. And then, when you told me everything about mother and when I realized how much you… you practically sacrificed since then… I had fear that you would sacrifice yourself for us. And this perspective hurt a lot."
"I'm… I'm sorry…"
"It's not your fault, Nozel, not at all. I just never wanted for you to be a lifetime unhappy just so that I could have my happiness. But… now you have someone. I still can't believe it's Vanessa of all people! Sorry, still not used… But I wanted to say is that since you love someone and you're being serious, it means that you won't sacrifice yourself anymore."
"No, I won't… But I still refuse to marry you and Nebra and Solid off for political reasons, I swear! And I won't let our father… I mean, Lac Silva marry you off behind my back. This will be always out of the question."
"Thank you, brother. It's actually some kind of relief for me… After all, one of the reasons I still haven't started anything with Asta because I was scared you would sacrifice yourself into a loveless marriage for me."
There was a silence.
A heavy silence.
Nozel was frozen and blinked a few times. Did Noelle just mentioned Asta and her wish to start something with him?
Noelle looked like she didn't quite understood his reaction first, until she realized what she just said.
"I… I mean… Oh shoot! I didn't meant… At least not like that!"
And she jumped towards his pillows to hide her head under them, muttering and babbling nothing he could understand.
Vanessa laughed, as she was the only one amused by the situation.
"Sweetie, it was only a matter of time before your brother would find out about your heavy crush."
Heavy crush… Noelle and Asta… Nozel tried to think straight, but it was completely impossible due to what he just learned.
Now, he knew how Noelle must have felt when she saw him in a very sensual position with Vanessa.
His girlfriend now hugged him, in a clear attempt to calm him down. "Don't be too upset, honey. I haven't told you anything because for now, there's nothing yet between Asta and your baby sister. Noelle never admitted her feelings to anyone until now. And Asta… he's very dense, he never noticed anything about Noelles feeling and for some reason, he believes firmly to be in love with the nun that raised him."
A nun, really? While his sister was right there? And wasn't Asta able to read that famous Ki?
"Not true, Vanessa!" Noelle immediately protested, appearing from under the pillows. "I DID admitted to… myself. But only during the war in Spade and I never told anything to anyone since. Before that… I was always in denial."
"Oh, sweetie, you tell me nothing new. And you just admitted to us."
"But you both better than me! I know Asta for over two years and I might be in love with him for just as long. And all I managed to do was to admit it to myself six months ago and to you both just now, while getting jealous on Mimosa and Rebecca, being unable to talk properly to Asta since I accepted my love for him and still denying it to others! But you two, you know each other for not as long as I know Asta, and you're already together, you even got… intimate together! You're better than me on that topic."
"Don't say that, sweetie. We both know how dense Asta is, despite his ability to read Ki. You admitted it to yourself and you admitted to two people just now, one of them being your older brother. That's already a lot for you."
"But comparing to the both you-"
"Don't compare yourself to us, Noelle."
Both his baby sister and his girlfriend looked at him in surprise. In fact, Nozel was surprised himself that he was still able to talk despite his shock. But he continued still, "Mother told me one day that no romance is alike, each one is different. We're handling your feelings in many different ways, due to our personalities and due to circumstances. The fact that it took you so long to admit your feelings for… for Asta doesn't make you less than Vanessa and me."
"Mother… really said that once?"
Nozel nodded and he felt his heart being filled like happiness when he saw the small smile of relief on Noelles lips. She might not be totally convinced yet, but at least, part of her own love burden must have been taken.
Still, there was something he needed to tell her. "Noelle… Whatever will happen between you and… and Asta… I promise you that you'll have my full support. I know that you're aware that it might be not easy, given your different circles, but if that's your choice, I accept it. Besides, who am I to judge you anyway?"
He looked directly at Vanessa during his last sentence and the bright smile she gave him made his heart race again in high speed.
Noelle smiled as well. Seemed like she was more calm than when she saw them for the first time.
"Thank you a lot, big brother. And I promise to support you and Vanessa as well. I mean, I'm quite used to it yet… But I'm not against your relationship. And you are both two of the closest people to me. That in mind, it actually makes me that you of all people have found each other."
Nozel felt his eyes filled a bit with tears of joy. What Noelle just said touched him more than he could put into words. After everything that happened between them, having the support of his little sister meant the world to him.
"So…" Noelle said after a moment, "I'll leave you alone now. After all, I kinda interrupted your alone time. Sorry about that."
"It's okay, sweetie, you couldn't know."
"And I forgot to look my door, so it's on me."
"But in the end, I'm glad I learned about you like this, not any other way," Noelle smiled, while taking the silver tray with the cups and standing up. "I'll keep the secret, until you feel ready to tell more people. Does anyone else know?"
"Only our Vermillion aunt. And Soie Velours and her nephew found out… when I opened an account for Vanessa at her shop."
"Wait, what? You opened an account for Vanessa at the shop of the best modiste in the Clover Kingdom?"
"He did. Isn't your brother the best boyfriend ever?"
"Stop being too cheeky, Vanessa. Well, maybe I shall better go now. Sorry to have interrupted you. But please, don't make me an aunt just yet, okay?"
"Noelle!"
Nozel blushed immediately and despite her giggling, Vanessa seemed rather flustered as well. They haven't talked about children yet and despite the fact that Nozel sometimes had some fleeting daydreams about babies and little kids with silver or rosewood coloured hair, it was way too early to think about that!
"Sorry, you both! But still, as much as I loved to be an aunt, you should take your time with things like that. Gosh, sorry, I shut up, I promise. I really talk too much when I'm still a bit flustered. Well, I guess I see you tomorrow morning at breakfast, Nozel. And I'll see you later that day at the Hideout, Vanessa. Good night."
"Good night, Noelle."
When his sister left, Nozel stood up immediately and locked the door. He wouldn't make the same mistake to forget something so crucial again, even if it was thankfully Noelle who found out about him and Vanessa.
"That went better than I expected."
"Come on, honey. Noelle is a sweetheart and she loves you. Of course she won't be against our relationship. You'll see, once she's completely used to it, she's going to be our biggest supporter and threaten everyone who would dare to have some doubts about us with her Sea Dragon Roar."
"Wouldn't that be somehow overreacting?"
"Maybe? But who cares right now, I prefer to continue right where we had to stop, hot eagle," Vanessa smile in a seductive way, while immediately getting rid of his shirt.
His hunger for her was back in one second. Nozel immediately kissed her with all the passion he could manage and it didn't took long before he himself got rid on the rest of his clothes.
He wasn't as patient as some time ago, just before Noelle discovered them. It didn't matter. Nozel took Vanessa more wildly than usual, but still with all the respect she deserved.
Holding his beloved in his arms while loving her body and soul, with the new knowledge of his little sister's support, in a way it made him more daring than he could ever imagined. But Vanessa didn't seem to mind and in fact, Nozel kinda didn't mind as well.
"You're going to be more popular than me to my brats if you continue to spoil them like that, Blue Rose Mama."
"I don't think so, sir Yami. It is so obvious they all care so much about you despite your rather tough love towards them. Even lord Nacht seems to have you high regards, despite everything he says."
"Yeah, whatever. But you're practically their favourite auntie at this point and unlike me, you have every right to spoil them."
"But you gave them a chance when no one else would and a home. That's worth more than ball clothing and such."
Orchidea might be right about that part, but Yami knew that her offer to help most of the Bulls with their suits and gowns for the upcoming ball was worth more than the fancy clothes. Prickly Queens mother practically won the hearts of his brats the moment she came into their lives, just like Finesse before her.
Blue Rose Mama had come yesterday night with her offering and one thing leading to another, practically including herself spontaneously decided that their favourite auntie shall spent her first night ever at the Hideout. A proposition Orchidea had accepted happily without too much hesitation.
Yami had vaguely protested that the Black Bulls Hideout wasn't an inn, but honestly, it wasn't too much of a bother, to his surprise. First, his brats were stubborn and loved their auntie Dea. Second, he was rather fond of her as well. Third, Blue Rose Mama had a kinda shitty life before, so he would be damned to deny her anything good that could happen to her. Fourth, having intel about nobility outside of Magic Knights was always good to have, be it with Finesse or Orchidea.
And most importantly… She was Charlottes mother and loved her daughter truly. What else could he ask from the mum of his girlfriend?
Besides, it wasn't he had been there that night. Like practically every night since they got together, he came over to Charlottes room at the Blue Roses base in the evening, slept with her and spend the night at her place.
Best nights ever, he would never regret one second spent in Charlottes arms.
But of course, their relationship was still a secret. So, when he accompanied his Prickly Queen back to his Hideout when she decided to pick up her mum, he entered through a back door and made it look like as he just gotten up.
No one noticed anything, which was good. Charlotte and Orchidea had breakfast with the present Bulls, which has almost ended in a food fight or an eating competition and now, he had to wait with Blue Rose Mama until Luck and Prickly Queen had finished their so-called sibling talk.
Honestly, Yami hated every time when he had to part ways with his Prickly Queen. One of the downsides of a secret relationship. But he really shouldn't complain too much, it was something both of them decided, after all. Still, in moments like this one, Yami couldn't wait when he was officially not in a secret relationship anymore and having a clear future with Charlotte.
On one hand, he was glad that Luck was always so eager to talk to his sister, it always meant that he could enjoy her presence for a few more minutes. One the other hand, it also meant that Charlotte was more focused on her younger brother and by that, they couldn't have a few more minutes alone time.
What has he ever done in one of his previous lives to deserve that?
"By the way, where is lady Noelle? I haven't seen her yesterday evening and neither this morning."
"Noelle? She spent the night at her family's palace and has breakfast there. Apparently, her older sis' had decided to take care of her dress for the stupid ball and wanted to discuss some details with her."
"Oh, really? Well, I won't be surprise if Lady Noelles gown is going to be outstanding. Lady Nebra always had an exquisite taste in fashion."
Oh, really? Yami couldn't tell, with those stupid flowy clothes each Silvas was stubborn enough to wear.
Orchidea now watched how Luck was now jumping around Charlotte, probably telling her about his latest fight with Magna, while Prickly Queen laughed at his tales.
Her laughs were always so lovely.
"Isn't it wonderful how well they get along? Usually, within nobility, legitimated children are often so vain and some cases in cruel to their bastard siblings. You can see a good example of it with how most Évantails are talking about the bastard daughter of lord Cygnus. But Luck and Charlotte? It's almost like they were raised together."
"You wanted more children, Blue Rose Mama?"
"Oh, yes. I never had any siblings and within nobility, an only child grew up pretty lonely most of the time. Besides, for noble women like me, trapped in into a loveless marriage, children can often be the only blessing. But due to my condition, I was only able to have Charlotte and it was difficult to see her grew up the same way I did. Especially since most Roseleis aren't open-minded at all."
Yami groaned. Nobility sucks, even for people who were nobles themselves. It was really unfair that Blue Rose Mama wasn't able to have more children. She definitely had the thing for a loving mother.
In a way, Orchidea reminded him of his own mother. Just as loving and caring for her kiddos.
And married to a jerk.
With the difference that Blue Rose Mama never choose her jerk of a husband. While his own mum… Well, she had seen something in his heartless dad, but as much as Yami tried to think about something, he just couldn't see why his mother fell in love with his father. Did his father ever loved his mother or was she just someone he choose out of selfish lust?
It was unfair that she had to die pretty young and that Ichika never got any memories of their mum.
Ichika…
Seeing Charlotte and Luck having fun with each other, happy to be together, it reminded Yami of his past as a kid in the Land of the Sun. Him and Ichika being close… before the shit hit the fan.
He envied Charlotte and Luck a bit, for having found each other, to grew a bond. But Yami immediately scolded himself. Prickly Queen and his berserker brat deserved each other as siblings. And after what his jerk of a father did to them, especially to Ichika, he had reasons to leave.
Yami was sure Ryu took good care of his little sister. As for him… he took the blame upon himself to protect Ichika. He left to protect her.
Back then, it seemed like the only option.
But today?
Would he do things differently? Yami couldn't help but ask himself that when he saw Charlotte and Luck being happy to have each other.
Maybe he would do things differently… just to not be separated from his sister again.
But only maybe… because the life he found here in Clover, Nacht and Morgen, Julius and the Grey Deers, Goldie Guts and the other captains, his brats and his Prickly Queen… he would never give it up.
"Do you have siblings, sir Yami?"
"Huh? Oh, yes… Back in my home country. But I haven't seen her since… well, since I got in Clover."
He didn't say anything else. And Orchidea immediately noticed the sad undertone in his voice.
"Oh, I'm sorry to have asked. It's certainly a heavy subject."
"Gosh, ya have no idea, Blue Rose Mama. It's also not easy to talk about."
"I understand… But do you miss your sister sometimes? And your home country? You don't need to answer, but you if you want one day and if you feel ready, I'm willing to give you an ear."
Gosh, why did this auntie have to be so kind hearted?
"I'll keep this in mind, Blue Rose Mama. Maybe I'll catch up to ya, when my poor delicate little heart of glass can't take the past anymore."
"You're very welcome. And honestly, I'm quite curious to learn more about this famous Land of the Sun one day."
"No offence, m'lady, but you seem kinda curious about good ol' me."
"Well… You are practically my son-in-law, sir Yami and my daughter loves you. Isn't it normal that I want to get to know the man my now big girl has chosen to gift her heart to?"
Silence.
Charlotte was laughing at one of Lucks ridiculous imitations of Magna.
More silence.
"The hell?"
Orchidea immediately chuckled, clearly amused and Yami was too dumbfounded to even fake some offended mimic.
"Oh, dear captain of the Black Bulls, I know about you and my daughter since my first visit to your squad. Very bold of you both to make out right the next to the rest of us, I have to say. I suppose this was your idea, not Charlottes. I know my daughter."
Oh shit. Damn hell. Blue Rose Mama knew. Was this good or bad? She sounded amused, but what if she would threaten him if he would ever hurt Charlotte in some way? Not that he had any intention to, but everyone did that for the people they care about. And Orchidea was not only Charlottes mother, she genuinely wanted her daughter to be happy. By that logic, Blue rose Mama had EVERY excuse to threaten him.
But before Yami could even come up some kind of stupid defence, Orchidea put a reassuring hand on his arm.
"Don't worry, I have nothing against you being the one for my daughter. Of course, the different circles might be a problem. But are those really determined? I've already promised my daughter to support her, whoever she chooses as her beloved. Besides, she told me that you have saved her from her curse and for that only, I'm so grateful to you."
"It wasn't much and I didn't even done on purpose. I was just upset about my noodles that I lost due to Prickly Queens curse going havoc, ya know."
"In that case, I'm also grateful for the existence of noodles."
Orchidea giggled and Yami couldn't help but scoff as well. Damn, Blue Rose Mama was clearly one of the best nobles in the whole Clover Kingdom.
"Besides," Orchidea continued, "all things considered, if I have to choose a son-in-law, today I would definitely choose you. You are a good man, Yami Sukehiro."
All Yami could do was to look at the woman, mother of his beloved Prickly Queen, who practically just accepted to be his fricking mother-in-law.
But Blue Rose Mama just smiled amused at his shocked glance. "I'll support Charlotte and you, no matter what'll happen. I owe it to her and you would make her happy. Besides… I want to have grandchildren one day."
"What… Wait, Blue Rose Mama, Prickly Queen and I aren't there yet!"
He didn't say that he didn't want any children, because damn, one day he would love to have some with Charlotte. Little blonde boys or little black haired girls he sometimes more or less dreamt about when he was taking a dump. But it was not the time yet! It was already irritating when Luck asked them from time to time when he could become an uncle.
"I know that, I'm just teasing you… Yami. Good, now I'll try to get Lucks attention, so that you and Charlotte can have a proper goodbye."
With that, Orchidea winked at him, before asking Luck something and getting an enthusiastic answer.
Charlotte took the opportunity to walk over to him quickly and discreetly hug him. Yami was still stunned, but still found enough energy to say, "No need to be so discreet, Prickly Queen. Your mum knows already about us. Apparently, she saw us during her first visit here."
Charlotte didn't answered immediately, she felt rather stiff in her arms. According to her Ki, she was surprised but not as much as he would have expected.
She finally sighed, hugging him more directly. "I guess this was inevitable. But given what happen to her, I'm not surprised she's not against us. And she did promised to support me."
"Yeah, she said something like that. And she also somehow gave me her blessing by calling me her son-in-law or something. Still need to get used to it, though."
Charlotte was happy. He couldn't see her, but he felt her joy in her Ki. And that was enough to calm him down. He still needed to get used to it to this new blessing, but he would be damned to reject it.
"Yami…"
"Hm?"
"What are waiting for to kiss me already?"
Oh, she was asking him this like that, he better obey immediately.
Pulling her up, so that her feet where now in the air, Yami pulled Charlotte in a deep, passionate kiss. To which Charlotte responded as daring as she could, crossing her arms behind his neck and teasing him with her tongue.
Holy shit, if they had been alone, he would have brought her into some quite, lonely corner and take her immediately or let her take him. She was driving him crazy again. How did he survived ten long years without this woman?
Too bad that he had to hold back his passionate love, because Luck and Blue Rose Mama were present. Okay, both of them knew about him and Prickly Queen, but decency still had the kind of limits no one shall passed by, even by him.
But it didn't matter. Yami knew that while he gave Charlotte another fiery kiss. He knew that in every kiss they shared, every time Charlotte looked at him, be it with love or resignation when he was being stupid.
First of all, he would see her again this evening and they would have the whole night, just the two of them.
And second… Screw the nobles and the stupid trap engagement ball. Charlotte has chosen him and no one else to spent the rest of her life with. Screw old Reggie and the other suitors who just saw her beauty and a potential heir machine or a reputation level.
Charlotte was his, her mother gave him her blessing and they had people who would support them. Except seeing Ichika again one day, what else would he want?