Was it weird to look at an empty glass and hoping it would answer all your questions, even the ones you don't even ask or think about?

Yes. Yes, it was totally weird.

And still, Vanessa couldn't help but looking at her glass and hoping for answers.

They had just won over the Dark Triad and the devils, saved captain Yami and captain William, as well as the freed the Spade kingdom from years of a dark reign.

Right now, everyone was either healing, being looked after or looking after others, got some whole deserved rest or just, trying to calm down after all those fights.

Vanessa managed to gather a glass and a bottle of Spade wine somewhere, she didn't pay attention what place it was and found a nice spot under a tree. A bit away from the tents that were build up in haste, but still near enough to be there in a moment, if she needed to.

Vanessa would have liked to celebrate the victory with the Bulls and some others, but that would probably be for another time. They were all exhausted from the battle, some were probably asleep and others went to look after other people – she saw Finral helping Langris lie down on a bed not too long ago.

And maybe, just maybe, Vanessa needed some time alone for once, to get her thoughts in order.

Although, she didn't really know what those thoughts had to be about. While she drank her glass empty to refill it, she kept thinking kinda unbothered about the war within Spade, the fact the Black Bulls do have a vice-captain, the Dark Triad, the devils, the abduction and later the rescue of captain Yami and captain William, all those fights… and so many other things, basically everything that happened in a bunch of a bit more than a week.

But now that both glass and bottle were empty, Vanessa realized that in this very moment, her mind actually got a grip on only one specific moment.

Captain Charlottes' confession to captain Yami.

And more importantly… the fact that Vanessa neither felt jealous or betrayed or sad or angry or any similar feeling about it. None of these emotions have pierced Vanessas heart when she heard Charlottes teary and heartbreaking love confession.

In fact, nothing pierced her heart at all. Vanessa only felt her obvious worries for her captain, but also compassion, sadness for the captain of the Blue Rose Squad. Maybe also a bit of hope, but not for herself… Vanessa couldn't explain why.

And Vanessa was also unable to explain why she wasn't even surprised that she didn't even felt any jealousy. Wasn't it weird to be surprised about not being surprised? To not be jealous for something…

It was really stupid and probably also selfish that she was focusing on that right now, instead of other more important things. After all, a fiery raid against powerful enemies just ended and even though it ended in a victory for Clover, Heart, the Spade rebels and every one of their allies, how was everybody's physical state? And more importantly, how was everybody's mental state?

And still, all alone as she was right now, Vanessa couldn't help but think about how surprisingly different she felt about that confession than she would have thought.

She had a huge crush on Yami, right after he freed her from her cage and made a Black Bull out of her. Only to get heartbroken just a few days later, a very specific day Vanessa never liked to remember…

She never really thought to be over it, given that the few guys she shortly dated over the years were all buff men, like Yami. Now that Vanessa thought about it, was that almost like she tried to replace him in her heart?

Finral had said something like that to her, one day. Finral, her best friend, who always had disastrous flirting attempts with no success and who was so shy and respectable around the only woman he truly loves. He actually had such good romance advice for others, but those others, herself included, barely listened to him.

Which was probably stupid.

"There's a lot of buff men, Vanessa, but not everyone is like captain Yami. Heck, given how he is, no one is like captain Yami."

"Oh, I know that, Fin."

"I believe you, but do you also realized it?"

No, she didn't. Or maybe she did realized that fact, but she ignored it instead. Why? Vanessa couldn't really tell.

Maybe she couldn't accept that what she felt for her captain was more gratitude and the affection of a sibling than anything. Maybe she couldn't get over her first heartbreak and since Yami was out of reach on a romantic level, she tried to find a replacement, despite knowing that there wouldn't be a second Yami Sukehiro.

"I was really stupid," Vanessa muttered. Even more so that her crush on Yami was more like a lost sad puppy imprinting on the first nice person who cared about her and with her previous flings, she felt mostly excitement and attraction, which never really lasted long. And she flirted and teased left and right, because she find it fun.

But she never had been in love.

Which honestly sucks in her eyes. Vanessa was a romantic, she supported Finral in his quest – her words, not his – to become the man Finesse deserved. She tried to play the matchmaker for her squadmates. Without much success, granted. Asta was just as dense as Yami, Noelle too stubborn to even admit her own feelings to herself, Gray and Gauche were such a case on their very own and the rest of her squadmates were also such disasters when romance was involved. Also not very cooperative. And still, not always but pretty often, Vanessa continued to try. After all, she loved each one of her squadmates and wanted them to be happy.

There were only two Black Bulls she never tried to pair up with someone. First Nacht, but Vanessa only met him like three days ago and so never got the opportunity to play a matchmaker for him.

The other, was of course Yami. There were many reasons why Vanessa never tried. First, he was scary when someone put their nose in his privacy. Second, he was so horribly dense, he was so unable to realize when a anybody, man or woman, was interested in him.

And third… Charlotte Roselei, captain of the Blue Rose squad.

Did she actually never tried to pair up captain Yami with anyone because she still had that foolish, stubborn and stupid hope that he would choose her? Or because she knew that there was someone who actually loved him already?

But then, why did Vanessa never tried to help captain Charlotte to make her move on Yami?

Was it because Charlotte criticized Yami and didn't looked like she admired him every day? But Noelle also criticized Asta for many things and it was mostly to hide her own feelings, Charlotte had obviously a similar approach. Even though that unlike Noelle, Charlotte actually never seemed like she denied her feelings to herself.

As for the admiration part, what had Finral told her once?

"Vanessa, as much as admiring your loved one is always nice and most often sweet, it becomes problematic when you put your partner on a pedestal. This makes a gap in your relationship and it's worse if you're blind to your partner's flaws, even considering that person flawless."

Finral was right, of course he was right.

Now that Vanessa thought about it, it was actually pretty obvious that captain Charlotte didn't put captain Yami on a pedestal. No, by not being blind by his flaws and still loving him despite them, Charlotte embraced all of Yami, who he was. She didn't saw a strong, flawless hero, she saw Yami Sukehiro.

Vanessa actually admired that about captain Charlotte. Love must be strong if you embrace about the person you love, even the rather bad sides, but without denying them. Vanessa knew that back then, when she had that crush on Yami, she'd put him on a pedestal. Well, he saved her and took her in, she had been innocent and overwhelmed by her saviour, by the world outside the Witches Forest. But a relationship wouldn't have work, she knew that today.

"I should have helped captain Charlotte," Vanessa whispered, still looking at her empty glass.

She felt a bit empty as well, right now. The realization she made might have opened her eyes, but it also made her feel somehow lonely.

Vanessa hadn't felt lonely since the cage and she didn't like that this horrible feeling was back. But it was back… and it was strange. How could she ever felt lonely with the Black Bulls, when you weren't pulling a Nacht? How was it possible to feel lonely with Black Bulls, when everyone was there for each other, having fun together?

Vanessa wasn't against change, as long as it wasn't drastic. But she didn't want her current life to change, the Black Bulls current life to change. She lived in the present, her horrible past behind her, not caring for the future.

But would it change? Their lives already changed when Asta joined the Black Bulls. They were misfits with a home, but no perspective and Asta gave them hope, to become better, to become real Magic Knights. But their lives haven't changed that much due to that.

But wouldn't it have more drastic changes if Yami will go out with captain Charlotte? When Finral would finally marry lady Finesse and be on better terms with his brother? When Grey and Gauche would finally get together or Asta and Noelle? Or Noelle starting to be on better terms with her siblings, at least with her oldest brother? And Gordon visiting his family more to learn and to improve his skills? And Magna, and Charmy, and Luck, and Zora, and Henry? Even Nacht?

Vanessa was certain that her squadmates wouldn't disappear from her life like that, but their lives didn't always turned only around the Black Bulls. Changes are bound to happen, whether she liked or not.

All she hoped was that it wouldn't be fast changes, but she had no power over it. And changes could take many forms, could happen in so many different ways. She couldn't stop it and honestly, given how most of her squadmates wanted to change some situations in their lives, she didn't even wanted to.

Maybe it was time she tried something new, once they came back from Spade.

Vanessa didn't know if changes would come to her or if she needed to provoke it. But it wouldn't be today. She was still overwhelmed from the aftermath of the whole raid and exhausted. Not to mention consider all the topics she just thought about.

The noise of footsteps over the cold grass interrupted her thought. Which meant that she wasn't alone anymore. Vanessa didn't really mind. She surely wasn't the only one who had some thinking to do after everything that happened.

Looking up, Vanessa was actually surprised to see Nozel Silva, captain of the Silver Eagles, just stopping a few meters in front of her. Looking over the horizon, but not really seeing what was in front of him.

Was he in thoughts too? He always had that cold, emotionless glance whenever she saw him, but today, there was a crack in the mask, something that made him look more human, more vulnerable.

It suited him.

Vanessa had to admit that she had mixed feelings about him. On one hand, there was the whole situation with Noelle, but at the same time, Vanessa couldn't help but think that there was more about him than anyone would think.

Yami didn't liked him and made fun of his appearance, but Vanessa couldn't help but like the looks of captain Nozel actually appealing, even though he wasn't her type. She just wasn't blind and even though the frontal braid might be ridiculous, but somehow it wasn't on him. Captain Nozel wasn't buff, but he wasn't a string bean like captain Jack either. Vanessa had no idea if he had a muscular body or not, given the clothes he wear made it difficult to see that instantly.

He always looked so cold, so unbothered, you say arrogant, but not like the usual annoying nobles or royals Vanessa knew. And lately, he had tried to mend his relationship with Noelle and her squadmate was actually very happy about it. Unsure, yes, but nothing could hide the fact that despite everything, she still loved her brother and wanted to be on better terms with him.

And who was Vanessa to go against someone who was genuinely trying to make amends. It wasn't obvious, but saying that captain Nozel wasn't trying would be stupid. Vanessa still find it too slow, but given how Noelle was, it might be a Silva thing.

Noelle also told her that her new pink ribbons she was wearing now had been a gift from her brother and Vanessa actually find that gesture cute. Especially how Noelle was wearing them apparently every day now, she clearly loved those ribbons.

Nozel Silva didn't seem to realize that he wasn't alone. Last time Vanessa saw him, Noelle had been hugging him, awkwardly so, but still it was a hug. Why was he alone now? And how was her squadmate?

"How is Noelle? Last time I saw her, she was with you."

There was a flinch. Just half a second long and just a tiny one. Not everyone would have noticed it. But Vanessa did. It was nice to know that he had normal reactions, just like everyone else.

"Pardon me, I wasn't aware of your presence."

It didn't sound insulting. Not even prideful, just stating a fact.

"Don't worry, you couldn't. Usually I'm more the chipper type, but today is a bit a special case, for obvious reasons. So, what about Noelle?"

"She fell asleep not so long ago. Probably due to all the exhaustion from the battle. I brought her in one of the tents and staid a while. Until one of your squadmates came to take over. The one who can turn herself into a bird, Nero, I think? I left Noelle in her capable hands for a while. I… needed some time for myself."

"Sorry to have taken the spot then."

"Don't be, you were here first. I'll go somewhere else."

"Don't go, handsome. Just because I'm here alone doesn't mean I want to be lonely. You can keep me company, if you want."

Captain Nozel just looked blankly at her, before nodding and going back to his contemplation of the Spade horizon. Vanessa had to admit that he had a very nice profile and that jawline was worth to be noticed. His skin was pale, just like Noelle. But like his sister, it was a sick kind of pale, it was more like glowing, a bit like moonlight. Just like herself, he had purple eyes, in a more cold, winterlike and metallic shade. Considering what type of magic he had, it was probably normal that it looked metallic. Those were some gorgeous eyes, Vanessa had to admit.

His hair looked straight and rather spiky, but Vanessa wondered if the texture was more soft and silky, like Noelles. She wondered how he would like with a ponytail, a low one or how it would be if it was completely free, even without the braid. A braid that still looked pretty good on him.

"Noelle told me that you gave her those pink ribbons. She wears it all the time, apparently, she clearly loves them."

"I'm glad to hear it."

A slight smile appeared on his lips. Just a second, but it was there.

"You can show how much it makes you happy. It clearly means a lot to Noelle and honestly, she deserved that."

"Yes… she does."

It was all he said and Vanessa had a feeling that captain Nozel was talking more to himself than to her.

How deep was this man? How many emotions did he hide?

Vanessas curiosity was a bit awaken, but she didn't know if she should push. Nozel was such a distant man and he didn't seemed like the type of person who would open up if you teased and pushed him enough, he might even distance himself even more.

"What are you thinking about?"

"It is none of your concern."

"If it's about Noelle, then it does concern me, she is my squadmate."

Vanessa hoped she didn't sound too hard, even though that man might have deserved it.

"It's not only about her. I was also thinking about my mother."

His voice sounded sad, especially when he said mother. Now, Vanessa really hoped that her last sentence hadn't been too hard.

"Sorry."

"Don't be. You're… right. Noelle also concerns you. But my mother… it's a heavy… topic for me."

His voice was so soft all of a sudden. It was actually pretty clear how difficult it was for Nozel to talk about this topic.

Vanessa knew that Noelle still missed her mother, despite having no memories of her. She had been just a baby when Acier Silva died. But what about her siblings, what about captain Nozel?

They had memories about their mother, so maybe, just maybe, they suffered too from this loss? Vanessa couldn't tell for Nebra and Solid Silva, but captain Nozel… those few words, his soft and sad voice, it proved that like Noelle, he missed their mother too, he was certainly still grieving.

How old was Nozel when Acier Silva died? Vanessa did a quick math. Thirteen, fourteen, something like that… too young to even have his grimoire yet. Losing his mother at that age, it must have break something in him.

Vanessa looked at him, while he was staring at the horizon. The cold mask was still there, but Nozel didn't tried to hide the cracks. Why? She didn't know, but Vanessa tried to look a bit farther.

There was some kind of loneliness in his eyes. Resignation too. It looked somehow… like he was in a cage. Just like she was in the past. Vanessa almost gasped, because the familiarity with what she saw in his eyes was pretty scary.

And sad too. In what kind of cage was he locked in?

Vanessa sighed, compassionate. Who would have thought that she would feeling kinship for Nozel Silva of all people?

"I've been thinking a lot too, just now."

Vanessa didn't know why she said that out loud, why even she would tell him of all people. But somehow it needed to get out. Just a bit.

"What about?"

It's none of your concern, she almost said, just to tease him. But she didn't feel like it right now. Even though she probably wouldn't tell him everything.

"Probably some stupid stuff. I had a crush a long time ago, but that guy break my heart."

"Then… he probably don't deserve you."

"Well, I never ever told him and he's so dense, he probably never realized it. Well, he never realized when anyone, man or woman, is interested in him."

"My point still stands. If that man never realized what you feel for him, then he probably doesn't deserve you."

"Maybe I also don't deserve him. It was more like a lost puppy crush than love, if you understand what I mean. Actually, I felt more like friendship and sibling affection towards him. Also gratitude, probably. I just… never wanted to admit it. I kinda searched for a replacement, but I never felt something deep, just excitement and attraction."

"Oh."

Vanessa looked up to him. Captain Nozel just stared at her, his expression unreadable, but his glance wasn't unkind.

"And then… Let's say not so long ago, I heard another person confess to him. And I didn't feel anything. No jealousy, nothing that felt like dagger in your heart. Just… compassion for this person, because that guy is so dense. And hope, not for me, but for that person."

"That would mean that you have a good heart in my books."

"Not sure about that, but thanks still. But for me, it also meant that I was trying to reach something I didn't want anymore. Well, something like that. I've already gave up on him, I just never realized it. Maybe I ignored it? I just felt stupid, especially since I can't stop thinking about it. Love can make you really stupid."

"This is true."

"Oh, speaking from experience, handsome?"

"It isn't about me, but about someone I knew a long time ago. She… she had an arranged marriage, but fell in love with her betrothed."

"She was lucky, then."

"I wouldn't say so, because he didn't loved her back. In fact, that marriage was just a step to reach his own selfish ambitions. He married more the house, it's wealth and powers than the woman herself."

"Ouch. And did she knew it?"

"I don't know. Maybe she did, but didn't want to realized it. She spent years to claim that she loved him."

A bit just like herself.

Vanessa had no idea who this woman was, but like with Nozel before, she felt some kind of kinship for that person. Okay, Yami wasn't a scumbag like that husband, but still.

"Did she realized it one day?"

"Not for long, I'm afraid. I think the signs were there, but not clear enough, so I don't blame her. She wanted a bunch of children, but he just wanted one, to assure his position, I suppose. He never liked fatherhood."

"Then why wanting children in the first place? How would that have assured his position?"

"He married into his wife's house, not the other way around. Having heirs is often important concerning arranged marriages. The husband actually hoped that the child would inherit a magic similar to his type."

"Let me guess, that child didn't got the dad's magic."

"Exactly. Instead, the child got a magic type similar to his mother. Of course, the father wasn't happy about it and wanted more children. His wife was happy about it, so it took her some time to open her eyes. I believe she started to have some suspicions after they got their third child. And when she was pregnant with the fourth… it was a difficult pregnancy and I think she didn't had the strength anymore to uphold her delusion."

Nozels voice was sad, a little far away. As if he wasn't talking to Vanessa anymore…

Vanessa had no idea who that woman was to him. An unrequited love? A best friend he cared about? Whoever she was, she must have been important to him.

"I'm sorry for her. That awakening must have been tough on her. But she loved her children, right?"

"Yes… she did love them deeply. It helped her to live with that realization."

Vanessa hummed. Nozel talked about that woman in the past and she didn't know how she should feel about it. She decided to not push more, despite her curiosity. That story clearly weighed on the captain of the Silver Eagles.

"Well, that's life, I guess. Time to move on for me, I suppose."

"Will you try to search for someone else?"

"Don't know. Maybe this time I will just let it come to me. I won't search, that's for sure, you can find something without searching sometimes, you know."

"If you say so."

"What about you, handsome? Do you wanna find your better half as well."

"No."

"Ugh, why not? Not interested?"

"It has nothing to do with my own preferences. I just don't have that luxury to find someone. It is my duty, so that my siblings can have that freedom."

The tone was almost harsh, but not quite. Vanessa didn't liked how it sounded like he would sacrifice himself into a loveless marriage, so that his siblings could choose who and what they wanted.

At least, it meant that captain Nozel would not marry Noelle off against her will and that she could choose Asta – if she just finally stopped denying her feelings towards him. But Vanessa couldn't help but feel that the sacrifice of her brother's happiness would make it worth to Noelle.

After all, she loved her brother and she had a good heart.

But maybe Vanessa understood it wrong? Maybe the royal side of Nozel Silva didn't allow to spill any unroyal wishes in front of someone he barely knew? He already let his mask down a bit telling that sad story.

Vanessa hoped she understood his sentence wrong. It was never nice to know that people would sacrifice their lives and happiness for someone else. Even though she would do that too, like when the whole drama with Astas arms happened…

Okay, she better won't go that road again, because she really felt too exhausted for that. She already had her bunch of thoughts and she even got a kinda deep conversation with someone she barely knew, just after a life threatening raid.

"Sorry I pushed you."

"Don't be. You couldn't know."

Vanessa just hummed, before trying to get up. Sadly, she felt rather wobbly once she stood, to a point that Nozel looked at her with concern.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm maybe a bit tipsy. Probably due to the Spade wine I just drank. I don't even know why, Spade wine is worse than the cheap wine we have in Clover."

"Shall I accompany you somewhere?"

"Oh, so you are a gentleman, nice to know. Well… I would say no and that I'm fine, but… it's obviously not true. So, I better take the offer."

Nozel just nodded and walked over to her, putting an arm respectfully around her waist. Vanessa never knew that this gesture could ever be respectful and kinda distant in general. But it didn't bothered her right now. Actually, it felt nice.

As they walked slowly back to the camp, Vanessa couldn't help but take a side-glance at captain Nozel. The mask was back, but the cracks of it weren't invisible anymore. Vanessa found herself hoping that it won't be the last time she saw them.

"Captain Nozel?"

"What is it?"

"What you told me just a moment ago… Don't worry, I won't spill the beans."

"I… thank you. I also won't tell anyone about what you told me."

"I'm not forcing you to keep the secret. But still, thanks, cap'."

She really wanted take some more glances behind his cold mask…

Charlotte found herself stupid. So, so stupid.

What was she thinking? Why did she spur her love for Yami out loud like that, in the middle of a battlefield, for anyone to hear it?

Anyone, except the very person her love confession was meant to. Oh, the irony.

Okay, Charlotte knew why she said it out loud. Yami was on the brink of death and she had been so terribly scared to lose him. In the end, she didn't regret it to have screamed those words. After ten years, they had needed to finally get out.

Too bad that Yami haven't heard them. Even worse that Charlotte haven't found the courage to say them again. Instead, she just passed out. It was so embarassing. Well, only for herself, most people seemed to blame the whole battle and exhaustion for that.

She quickly came back to her senses and to distract herself, Charlotte helped to take care of others, to organize the camp, to rest from the battle… To do anything that would keep her from thinking about Yami.

She went to see queen Lolopechka and sir Gadjah, who actually looked like they wanted to try a romantic relationship. They were so lucky…

Charlotte also went to see Rill, who first ate some of this wonderful food cooked by Charmy Pappitson and then went straight to sleep, she also looked a bit after William, who was deeply asleep, with Mimosa Vermillion, Yuno and Langris Vaude watching over him.

But now, she was in front of the tent where Yami was and instead of going in, she just stood in front of the tent, completely frozen.

She couldn't just go away without seeing him, after what he'd been through, after everyone came to save him and William, after she just blurted out his feelings for him out loud.

But that last part was the very reason why Charlotte couldn't find herself moving. Really, how pathetic was she? Charlotte finally found herself the courage to yell her feelings out loud and just because Yami didn't heard her confession, she felt like she went three steps back instead of one step forward.

Not to mention that she had no idea who had heard her confession and Charlotte hated uncertainty on many, many levels. But on the other hand, after everything that just happened, who would give some deeper thoughts about her confession?

Charlotte find it very selfish of herself to even think that anyone would care enough of her confession to give it more importance than it had right now. And still, Charlotte wished that there would be someone she could talk about it, maybe to try lighten to heavy burden on her heart. But no knight of her squad was here right now and Charlotte didn't know with who else she could have a heart to heart. Maybe Dorothy, but the captain of the Coral Peacock went back to sleep just after the final battle was over and Charlotte knew better than to wake her up.

And it was better to focus on more important things than her feelings, after all.

Was Yami awake, even? Would he ask her again what she said?

Or was he asleep, getting some whole deserved rest? And would Charlotte just be back where she was before her confession?

Right now, none of those possibilities seemed appealing to the captain of the Blue Roses, but she wouldn't get any answer if she just stood in front of the tent.

"It's alright, Charlotte, take a deep breath. Don't overthink this, you just going to check on him," she whispered to herself.

But of course, her own pep talk wasn't enough to make her move.

"You can come in, captain Charlotte."

Charlotte flinched and let out a small yelp. Deep in thoughts as she was, she hadn't realized that Asta came out of the tent and stood now in front of her.

The young magicless knight frowned a bit and took a closer look on the blonde woman. "Are you alright, captain? Your Ki is kinda weird."

"What… Oh, no, no. I'm fine, don't worry. I'm just fine. Well, as fine as one could be under those circumstances. A lot happened."

"That make sense. You came to see captain Yami, right?"

"Yes, well… not too long, I just wanted to check on him."

"Come in. He's asleep, but he would surely be happy to know that you came to see him."

Asta took nonchalantly her arm and guide her into the tent. Yami was resting on a bed, looking deeply asleep and even snoring a bit.

Why did she find his snoring so adorable? Was it what love made to her? Well, at least she didn't mind it at all.

Another Black Bull was also there, sitting on a chair. With sunglasses and bicoloured hair, it could only be Magna Swing. Charlotte remembered that he first also came in the Heart Kingdom to train, but left pretty quickly. She also heard that he defeated Dante Zogratis and that was actually very impressive.

Magna didn't turned his head when Asta and Charlotte came in. "If it's vice-captain Nacht again, tell him that if he's came again to say negative things about captain Yami, he better leave right now."

"It's not our vice-captain. And Magna, please be nice, Nacht isn't that bad. He's just… unique, like captain Yami."

"You're just nice on him because you're obviously his fav- Oh, captain Charlotte! I haven't seen you, sorry!"

"It's alright."

"Apparently, Magna had an argument with our vice-captain just like half an hour ago. I don't know about what, we only known vice-captain Nacht since a few days and still barely, but well…"

"It's alright, Asta. I understand."

Charlotte just smiled at the two Black Bull knights. She could understand their somehow mixed feeling about their vice-captain. Charlotte herself didn't know what she should feel about Nacht Faust, but she barely knew him and it would take some long time to see more deeply into him.

And right now, it wasn't the vice-captain of the Black Bulls that she wanted to focus on, but on their captain.

Magna offered his chair and Charlotte gave him a small, grateful smile before looking at Yami.

He looked so peaceful while he was asleep, almost like a child. Which was quite the paradox, since he already looked older than his 29 years.

Charlotte hoped with all her heart that Yami will have all the rest he deserved, after everything that happened in not even a week. She wanted him to rest, to come back just as strong and brutish and still caring as he always, just like before.

But would everything come back to normal afterwards? Charlotte doubted it. If she knew one thing, it was that changes were inevitable and that it would hardly ever be like before. A lot changed after the attack of the Eye of the Midnight Sun, a lot would change too after the raid of Spade.

Charlotte continued to stare at Yami. She wanted to caress his hair, to slick it back, to take his hands and intertwine their fingers. But they weren't alone. Heck, they weren't even a couple, she had no right to do those such simple things.

She sighed. Where does she exactly stand after her desperate confession?

"Hm, captain Charlotte?"

"What is it, Asta?"

"About what you said to captain Yami before he was healed."

Charlotte forced herself to not flinch, doing her best to stay calm. Of course Asta and Magna knew. Of course the Black Bulls knew. Basically all of them were there, they heard her blurting out that she loved Yami.

Now, Charlotte feared what they would say. She had no reason to be afraid. And yet she was. Would they be upset at her for it? Did they hoped that the witch would be the one Yami chooses? Or would they be understanding? Or something else entirely?

"We love him too, you know."

Wait, what?

"Yeah, just like Asta said. He's like a father to us, he gave us a home, he took us in when almost no one else would. Of course we love him. But it's nice to know that people outside of our squad appreciate him too. We make sure he knows that you love him too."

Hold on a minute? Didn't Asta and Magna took her love confession as one?

"I knew from your Ki that you didn't dislike captain Yami, but that you trust him. You just had some difficulties to say what you feel. It's nice that you finally said out loud that you appreciate captain Yami."

"Yeah, it sucks that he didn't hear you. We'll tell him what you said. Well, he probably won't believe us that easily, but who cares? We're actually happy to know that captain William isn't the only captain to like him the way he should be."

Charlotte looked from Asta to Magna and back, trying to recognize if they knew about her love for Yami and where either making some fun of her or just didn't use the most direct words. Or if they were clueless and just dense as Yami, genuinely thinking that she like Yami as a friend and colleague, nothing else.

Looking at those two, Charlotte quickly conclude that it was the latter. She didn't if she should be upset that she got the two Black Bulls that didn't get her love confession despite having heard it first-hand. Or if she should be relieved that Asta and Magna were just as dense as Yami, that she fell on them and not a Black Bull who actually got her confession right and who maybe would have tried to talk with her about it.

Charlotte decided to have mixed feelings about it, but she still thanked Asta and Magna. They were dense, yes, but goodhearted and that was more important for her.

The three went silent, watching over Yami, every one of them focusing on their own thoughts and listening to Yamis snoring. It was really adorable.

After a while, Charlotte heard soft footsteps outside and turned her head towards the entrance of the tent.

She was quite surprised to see Nozel Silva together with the Black Bull witch, Vanessa Enoteca, holding her a bit like she needed help to walk. The witch was probably exhausted too. Maybe she also came to see Yami. It hurt Charlotte just a little, but Vanessa Enoteca was a Black Bull and had surely more right to check on Yami than the captain of the Blue Roses.

But just when Charlotte was about to stand up from the chair, she saw Nozel and Vanessa pass the tent without stopping. That wasn't what she expected and Charlotte just looked at them until they disappeared, before she focused her eyes back on Yami.

Somehow, Charlotte couldn't help but think that she just witnessed the beginning of something.

And so, it began…