Hey, what's up? This chapter is my first attempt at full romance. More specifically, love realization. Tell me how you like it!
Vanessa absently rubbed the rim of her glass of wine after the Star Reward Festival. She hung her head in reflection of what she had done.
—X—
2
That number seemed to be a recurring theme in Vanessa's life.
Twice had she been taught the string of fate wasn't absolute. Twice she had been given faith.
First, was when she met Yami: the captain of the Black Bulls. True to his squad's name he rampaged through the forest of witches eventually leading him to burst right past the cage she thought was unbreakable, a cage she had long given up hope of escaping.
He had given her courage, the courage to ignore fate. The courage to step out of her cage and defy her mother. The courage to not let someone else define her life down to the minute details.
Vanessa followed him right out of her old life and into a new one.
A new one of drinking the day away in her underwear in stark rebellion against the harsh work-til-you-drop life her mother had forced upon her. No one stopped her, so she thought it was okay. She wasn't hurting anybody.
Occasionally, she questioned if it was a way to spend her life, but another glass of wine often convinced her that it was her life and that she could do what she wanted. If she wanted to spend it living against everything she used to be, then so be it, it was her choice.
The second time she regained faith was when he joined the squad. He was an oddity in every sense of the word. His ash white hair, his emerald-green eyes, his use of weaponry. Plenty set him apart from the others. But most importantly—his lack of magic. By lack she meant none. She had never come across anyone who didn't possess even a drop of magic. Yet he was determined to climb the ladder in a world where magic was everything.
One by one he gained the approval of the rest of the squad. First, it was Magna, then Luck. He even managed to win over Gauche of all people! The Diamond Kingdom, their arch-rivals respected him.
To say he piqued her curiosity was an understatement.
This magicless boy was dealt such a shitty hand by fate it made her own look like a royal flush! She had followed Yami, but she found herself slowly but desperately trying to imitate Asta.
Vanessa found herself putting down the bottle and picking up her grimoire.
She started out small. Little things around the kingdom such as supply movement and armor repair—Things that were expected of some who could use strings as part of their magic.
Every once in a while, she'd go bandit hunting with Magna or Gauche hoping to learn what exactly they saw in the newest member of the squad. Both of them replied with a variation of the phrase "Talk to him yourself."
If it was that easy, she would've done it!
She was pretty sure he saw her as just a drunken lush who lounged around the hideout. Especially considering her first impression was her vomiting after flirting with him in a drunken stupor.
Her opportunity didn't take that long to come.
Unfortunately, it was at the hands of Vetto: The Despair.
What was supposed to be a fun exercise against the Seabed priests, turned into a desperate fight against the Eye of The Midnight Sun.
Vetto made quick work of a short-handed Magna and Luck, and the brother-sister duo of Kiato and Kahono. Even their father Gio fell at the elf's sheer power.
Asta, Finral, and herself were the next up to bat.
She talked a big game and got Finral fired up with the promise of a hug, but underneath it all, she still had her doubts and fears.
Vanessa and Finral quickly found themselves with Asta's life in their hands thanks to the ridiculous fighting style they came up with of Vanessa dragging and flinging Asta through Finral's portals for a guerilla hit-and-run strategy.
It was working! They actually had the upper hand! They could win! Against an opponent that even Jack and Yami struggled to beat.
Then Vetto started speeding up.
He got closer and closer to catching Asta.
Unhesitatingly, Asta declared his faith in her and Finral.
Hearing him say it so honestly and innocently made her chest heat up with emotion she thought was reserved for only one man.
That made it hurt so much more when Vetto captured Asta and broke his arms in front of everyone.
Despite the overwhelming odds against them, he still pulled himself back up to keep fighting. He wouldn't quit until he was six feet under.
That's when she saw what the others did.
A boy, so unlike the rest of them, determined to make his mark on the world no matter what the world said in kind.
She knew that one day Asta would be a person precious to many—a world-changing influence. Not just the Clover Kingdom. He couldn't do much by himself, but it was his power to draw others to his cause that would be the agent of change.
Vanessa also knew her role was to guide him when needed. She would be an advisor by his side as long as she was able to.
She weaved him a sling for his arms and watched him do the rest. He (and later Yami) finally showed Vetto that hope was always possible and gave him the rest he deserved.
When she hugged Asta afterward, she didn't want to let go.
Unfortunately, the battle had its consequences. Asta was left without permanent use of his arms. A final curse from Vetto beyond the grave.
He hid the fact from the squad, but they found out anyway. They watched him declare to the night sky that not even a lack of arms would stop him.
The other Black Bulls, willed by his motivation and determination, set off on separate journeys in secret to find a cure for the curse laid upon him.
Vanessa was different, in private she blamed herself. If she had yanked him away from Vetto, none of this would have happened. A single glance at Finral and she knew he felt the same way about his own inadequacies.
At that moment she knew what she had to do. There was a surefire way to heal him.
The catch?
She had to go back to her mother—back to the cage.
Vanessa grabbed her broom and her witch's hat and took off before dawn. She knew Asta liked to run in the early morning and if she saw him, she might not have been able to keep it together.
As she flew back to the forest on her broom, she mentally grieved. Her heart clenched at the thought.
She allowed herself to think that maybe just maybe together with Asta; she and Finral would be a trio. A trio of those deemed failures determined to rise to the top.
Alas, things weren't meant to be. She knew what she had to do. If it allowed him to be free, she didn't mind being caged for the second time.
Her mother, the Witch Queen, was all too happy to have her back, even though she didn't show it on her face. Apparently, she had predicted the outcome that she'd come back.
She shamed her for allowing a man to tempt her heart into leaving. She shamed her for being weak. Vanessa endured it all. If it meant she could learn how to dispel hexes, then it was worth it.
Vanessa had steeled her heart, ready to be locked away again when the world went black.
When she came to, a familiar figure was standing over her. She thought it was Yami coming to sweep her away for the second time. But when she focused, she saw it was Asta instead. Broken arms and all he made his way into a place that was forbidden to men. The second one to do so.
He was accompanied by Finral, Noelle, and a man named Fanzell.
She and Asta got into an argument over why she was there. She begged him to let her do this as she thought it was the only way to get the queen to agree to her request. Asta vehemently opposed her as if she wasn't free, it meant nothing if he got his arms back.
As good as that made her feel, she chastised him on how sometimes fate was inevitable and the Witch Queen could see it all.
For the second time that day, he rejected her claim, pulled out his Anti-Magic sword, and started beating himself with it!
She started arguing with him harder, partially out of fear and partially out of grim acceptance.
Asta proclaimed to her that he didn't care, he would keep fighting until he defeated fate. When he said that it reminded her of that fateful day Yami freed her from her cage. She couldn't help the warm smile that spread on her face. She also didn't miss the questioning looks Finral and Noelle gave her.
More importantly, the Witch Queen suddenly agreed to heal him! She even made them more 'robust'. Whatever that meant. They quickly found out he didn't feel their attacks anymore when Finral, Noelle, and herself attacked him out of frustration over worrying about him.
Vanessa had her suspicions why but had to put them on hold considering the Diamond Kingdom and The Eye Of The Midnight Sun chose then of all times to attack. Including Fana who wielded Salamander.
Noelle went to quench the fires, but Vanessa was determined to stand by Asta's side as they engaged the enemy.
Together with Finral, they decimated the troops from both sides that were destroying her homeland.
Mars had defected to their side leaving the last left standing as Fana.
Mars and Asta managed to beat Fana. Turns out Fana was Mars' childhood love. Vanessa's heart melted at the sight.
That's when Ladros appeared, launched a blast, and knocked her lights out for the second time that day.
When she recovered this time, she was bound to a cross made from blood, staring down a snarling Asta with a wing and horn made of Anti-Magic.
Even worse, he was under the control of her mother. She was controlling him via his blood.
She commanded him to kill Noelle first, but Asta resisted. Even under immense pain, he still fought for his friends.
Seeing him struggle inspired Vanessa to give it her all. She wouldn't let her friends—her family hurt each other! She couldn't let Asta despair!
A cat made of thread appeared on her head. When her mother commanded Asta to kill Noelle, the cat leaped onto his head and Asta missed his sword thrust not once, or twice, but three consecutive times. Next, she tried to have him kill Finral, but the same result happened.
Even when Asta tried to attack the cat itself, being made of thread it simply slipped through, allowing Asta to hit himself in the head dispelling the magic that had a hold on him.
The Witch Queen tried to take control of Vanessa herself but with a single touch of the cat and all her spells disappeared.
Vanessa walked over to her defeated mother and told her the magic would only work for those she had a bond with, and she considered the Black Bulls family.
Later on in private, her mother told her she was sorry for how she treated her. Also, that while she believed that her newfound fate magic only worked for those she had a bond with, it awoke because her bond with someone ran deeper than the rest.
"You're in love with the Anti-Magic boy. Your magic would have had the same outcome no matter the person that cat touched. Yet you continuously chose him. Yami Sukehiro may have swayed you, but Asta has obtained your heart. Treasure that bond. That feeling. Never forget it."
Those were her mother's exact words.
The Witch Queen left her dumbfounded in a back room.
The more she thought about it, the more it made sense.
She….
Was in….
Love.
With Asta!
Her face went so hot, she thought they could use her as a beacon. Noelle would have competition by how red she got.
Noelle.
That thought instantly sobered her up.
It was very clear that Noelle had a crush on Asta, even if she didn't acknowledge or even recognize it.
She considered the girl like a little sister, so how could she not know?
This was bad, very bad. On multiple levels.
She felt like she was betraying Noelle.
First, it was Charlotte, and now Noelle.
She was the big sister. As in: Supporting Noelle. Not falling for the same man.
It was so wrong, but it felt so right.
Vanessa refused to let the others see her face as they flew home. Things were made complicated as Finral insisted Asta ride with her on the way back. He had the sound argument that he and Noelle carried Asta there, so she had to return the favor. She didn't miss the smug expression on his face. She silently promised herself to make his life hell later.
Vanessa had to keep her hand on the brim of her hat to keep from exposing her face. Also, to ignore the feeling of the strong pair of arms around her waist and the feeling of his fire-forged body every time she happened to lean back. Also, the curious questions about why she wasn't talking.
After the non-negotiable victory party for their return and the healing of Asta's arms. Vanessa, in an ironic twist of roles, found herself cornered by Finral.
She tried to brush him off, but he was surprisingly insistent. He asked her about Asta, and she tried to deflect, but he ignored her and told Vanessa the real reason he wanted to talk with her.
"If it's clear to me you have feelings for him, eventually it'll become apparent to everyone else. You just can't keep stuff like this bottled up inside. It'll destroy you. You flirt with Captain Yami, but I can tell–This time it's real. I know Noelle feels the same way about him; we all do….and it's bound to get messy at some point. Love usually is. But you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you do absolutely nothing. Even you just letting him know will do a lot for your conscience."
His piece said he walked away leaving her speechless. He had spoken from his own heart. Vanessa would never forget the sad, longing expression on his face. She reached her hand out at his retreating back but found it pointless.
Vanessa quickly found out Finral was right, though not in the way she expected. The cat she named Rouge was simply put–A reflection of her feelings. She ran away from Magna and loud noises and towards catnip and alcohol.
Rouge was generally friendly with most of the Bulls (except Magna). But she actively gravitated towards Asta and sought his attention and affection, often competing with Nero, the Anti-Magic bird that often sat on his head. When he petted her, she was in a state of absolute bliss.
Thankfully when asked about her behavior, Vaness could use the excuse she had a mind of her own. Everyone but Finral bought the explanation.
When she was stressed, she turned to the bottle. She always did, it made her forget her problems, even temporarily. She quickly cleaned out the entire supply. She got blackout drunk if not close to it almost every night. As if the universe was mocking her after every time, it was Asta who volunteered to carry her back to her room and put her to bed.
If that was what having a boyfriend was like….Then it wasn't so bad.
The problem was that it still felt so wrong. She couldn't even look Noelle in the eye, and she could tell the younger girl had her suspicions. While ignorant of matters of her own heart, she was quite perceptive to that of others.
She spent the remaining time until the Star Festival trying to wrestle with her emotions, often hiding in her room. She took missions sparingly and usually either solo, with Finral, or with someone completely oblivious like Gauche.
Eventually, the Star Festival rolled around. That's when things came to a head.
Somehow, Vanessa found herself in a drinking competition with Charlotte of all people.
Charlotte was clearly trying to impress Yami, but Vanessa wasn't about to say no to free drinks.
Charlotte was a lightweight compared to her, however, by sheer determination Charlotte kept up with her. That's when things got… heated.
"Why do you *urp* flirt with Yami all the *hic* time?" Charlotte slurred out. "It's—It's unbecoming of a *hic* magic knight."
"Sho is public intoxichcation….Yet here wesh are." Vanessa replied with a frown and drunken blush on her face.
Turns out, drunken Charlotte was a belligerent Charlotte.
"You never answered me queshtion…" she said. Despite being drunk and fumbling over her words, the Blue Rose captain's glare still held a degree of sharpness.
"My flirting doesn't mean anything. Nothing you should concern yourself about." Vanessa shot back cattily. On her head, Rouge meowed indignantly then hissed.
Around them, the onlookers started to back off sensing the icy atmosphere. Sol was tugging in vain at Charlotte's shoulder.
"Then why do you do it if it means nothing!"
"What afraid I'll steal your precious Yami dearest?"
"Don't act like you don't love him too!"
"I don't!"
"Then who do you love because you sure don't act like it!"
Vanessa finally snapped.
"I love Asta! So why don't you butt out of my business!
The clearing went silent.
A cough came from the side prompting the two women to look around. The other festival goers were now face first against various walls and surfaces in mock ignorance. That wasn't their concern, however. Standing in the clearing were an astonished Yami and Asta. The cigarette had fallen from her captain's mouth in sheer amazement.
A short distance away a stupefied Noelle looked like she was about to faint. Next to her, Finral had his hand on his face, shaking his head while chuckling emptily.
On Charlotte's side, Sol had the strangest mixture of embarrassment, anger, jealousy, and sorrow on her face that Vanessa had ever seen.
Vanessa locked eyes with Charlotte, both sobering up.
Charlotte's face had an expression of helplessness on it that she was sure was reflected in her own.
A moment passed between the two…..
And Charlotte bolted.
Charlotte knocked over her stool and took off into the distance. She left the scene running so fast, a huge gale was left in her wake. Not even Luck would have been able to match her speed.
"Dang it!" Sol turned to Yami with a glare that could melt steel. "This is your fault!" She then ran off after her captain.
Vanessa unwillingly swiveled her seat to face the music. Rouge, on the other hand, jumped onto Asta's shoulder.
Asta stepped forward and opened his mouth to say something when the voice of the Wizard King over the intercom magic interrupted him.
"Attention, please! May I have one member of the Black Bulls on stage, please? Let us celebrate their second-place finish in the Star competition!"
Whether on purpose or by instinct, Yami grabbed Asta by the head and threw him towards the stage, Rouge and all who clung to his shirt screeching.
Yami then faced the crowd with his usual delinquent face plastered on.
"What do you guys think you're lookin' at? This ain't a soap opera—So. Scram!"
The various onlookers were stumbling over themselves to escape the pressure of Yami's wrath. They almost cleared out as fast as Charlotte did.
Once they were gone, Yami picked up the stool Charlotte had knocked over and sat next to her. Vanessa grabbed the brim of her hat, unable to look at him directly.
"So, you and the kid, huh?" He said absently, pulling out another cigarette. "Never would have guessed. Though looking back, you are pretty close to him."
"What do you think he's going to say?" She asked as the acrid smell of burning tobacco hit her nose.
"Beats me. That kid is mostly muscle for brains. I doubt he's even thought of a romance seriously until you blurted it out at him."
Vanessa let out a quiet groan. Yami gently put his hand on her shoulder reassuringly. "I can tell you this. He'll at least give you an honest answer. It's not his style to let an issue like that fester for too long."
"You're right, Captain. I just…didn't think it'd come out like this."
Yami shrugged. "Does anybody really?" Yami then got up and stretched his arms. "Welp, I guess I have to go after the Prickly Princess and deal with my own matters of the heart."
Yami started walking off in the direction Charlotte went then pivoted and headed the opposite way. "On second thought, Ima go to the bar all the Captains promised to meet up afterward. The princess is too stiff to break a promise like that no matter what she's feeling. Also, I get to take a nice dump while I wait."
Vanessa sighed in exasperation as she watched his retreating figure. Undoubtedly, he and Asta were cut from the same cloth. No wonder she nursed feelings for him.
Vanessa got up from her seat and walked over to the remaining members of the crowd.
"What happened to Noelle?" Vanessa asked Finral who was holding onto the fainted silver-haired noble.
"Beats me," he said, marking the second time she heard that phrase. "She lost it as soon as Captain Yami started yelling at the crowd. I told you it was gonna get messy at some point. Didn't expect it to blow up publicly though."
Vanessa blew some of her pink bangs out of her face. "Fine, you were right….How did you deal with it if you don't mind me asking?"
Finral's wry smile warped into a despondent frown. "Who says I did? I ran away." He continued without giving Vanessa a chance to respond. "That's why I didn't want you to end up like me."
"Mission accomplished, Finral."
"Hey, don't take that tone with me. Technically I am your superior!" He rapidly exclaimed in a high pitch. "In my defense, who could've predicted Charlotte had a thing for Yami of all people!"
Against everything that had happened so far, Vanessa laughed. "It was clear as day to me. You've still got a lot to learn about a girl's heart."
Finral rolled his eyes. "Ugh, anyways, it's probably a good thing this whole fiasco happened now. The Star Reward Festival is supposed to be a time of recognition and beginnings." He then picked up Noelle bridal style and brought her over to Vanessa. "If there was ever a time to confess it would be now. Especially since after this, it's almost a guarantee it'll be war against the Midnight Sun. Not to jinx it, but the last thing you want is for stuff to go unsaid. You know….In case something happens."
Vanessa turned around as Finral put the still unconscious Noelle on her back. She willed her thread magic to wrap around the girl to hold her in place.
"I guess that means her too…."
"Yep, I'm glad I'm not you right now. Her magic is pretty powerful."
"Yeah, yeah. If my cause of death is drowning, then we know who did it."
Finral flashed her a mocking smile "Glad we can agree on something, Vanessa. Good talk." He pointed his fingers at her as he stepped through a portal, deliberately leaving them behind.
Vanessa shook her head while smiling. Finral clearly had his fair share of unresolved issues, but that never stopped him from trying to make everyone else feel better. An aspect that was brought out in spades for the whole crew thanks to Asta.
Vanessa started walking back to the base, stomach tensed in knots for the moment Noelle woke up.
—X—
Vanessa first heard Noelle start groaning back to wakefulness when they were about halfway across the forest.
"Huh….? What—What happened?" Vanessa then felt the girl's hands clutch her robe in realization. Her threads snap under Noelle's sudden burst of mana. "The-The Star Festival, and you! You l-l-l—"
"—ove Asta. Yes, I know." Vanessa finished for the clearly overwhelmed girl before she could faint again.
"How? Why?!"
Vanessa decided to answer her question with a question. "Why do you fall for him?"
"Because he's kind…. and patient with me. He doesn't look down on me for not having control over my magic. He makes me feel like I'm not alone in this world. And not to mention he never gives up!"
"Don't forget he has a smoking hot body," Vanessa added, looking back with a smile.
"Yeah, there's that too, and—Hey! Wait a minute, what am I saying?! I don't love Dumbsta!"
"Careful Noelle, you keep saying that and he'll end up taking my last name instead of yours. Asta Enoteca does have a nice ring to it."
"Wha-?! Why would I ever want him to be named Asta Silva?"
Seeing Noelle get so flustered was absolutely adorable. Vanessa lamented the fact she had to kill the mood.
"It's unhealthy to deny yourself like that, Noelle. Look at what happened to me." Vanessa put her hand to her cheek mockingly. "How embarrassing. A drunkard like me blurting out her feelings. Probably one of the funniest things to happen all day. Go ahead and laugh at me."
"…..I don't think it's funny."
"Huh?"
Noelle clutched the back of her robe again; it didn't last long as it swiftly gave way to a hug. Vanessa felt Noelle put her head on her back and her arms around her midsection.
"Even if you were drunk, those were your honest thoughts and feelings. What kind of friend would I be if I laughed at you?"
"Oh, Noelle…" Vanessa cooed, putting her hand on top of Noelle's.
"If-If you like him then so what. I-I do too…."
Vanessa strained her ears; Noelle was barely audible.
"Come again?"
"I said that I like him too…"
Vanessa still didn't catch it; the girl had her face buried in her back.
"I still can't hear you."
"I said that I LIKE ASTA!"
Noelle accidentally waved her wand and summoned a spout of water, causing her to almost fall off the broom, forcing Vanessa to pause.
"Was that so bad? We're just two girls talking about our feelings in mid-air." Vanessa said after managing to stabilize both her broom and the flustered noble.
"No….I guess not…." Noelle said, averting her eyes sheepishly. "It actually feels…kind of good."
Vanessa swiveled around on the midair broom and hugged Noelle.
"I'm so happy for you!" She squealed.
"Me?! You're the person that confessed to him directly."
"I did, didn't I?" Vanessa mused. "I guess big sister is a step ahead."
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what I said. Big sisters are supposed to set the example for the little sisters, so watch me as I claim Asta's heart."
"Like I'd let you! Big sisters are supposed to give things to their little sisters!"
The two then broke out into snorting laughter.
Eventually, the laughter started to die down and for the first time, Noelle looked her in the eyes.
"I'm not going to lose to you, Vanessa. I may be behind in magic and now in love too, but I promise I will not lose in either!"
Vanessa was about to open her mouth to reply in turn when the feeling of a big mana source hit her. In the distance, something bright was moving fast their way.
Noelle's face soured as the mama washed over her. "This mana….It feels familiar."
"Umm, does it have to do with that fireball heading right toward us?" Vanessa said, nervously pointing at the incoming supernova.
Noelle craned her head around and her eyes went wide. Panic overtook her as she faced Vanessa again.
"Vanessa, we got to go! If that's who I think it is, we should really—"
At that moment a giant fiery cat paw made its home on Noelle's head.
"Too late!"
Noelle slowly shifted around to her captor.
"Mereoleona….What a coincidence to see you here…"
The current captain of the Crimson Lion-Kings was flying next to them. Also accompanying her caught in cat paws were Yami, Charlotte(back in captain gear), Sol(hanging onto Charlotte), Yuno, and Asta.
On top of Mereoleona's head was Rouge, who seemed absolutely content enjoying the literal heat that came off her.
"Oh, hey guys…" Asta said casually while waving. Vanessa did note he made an effort to not meet her eyes and was slightly blushing causing her to blush in response.
"Why me…" Yuno chimed in next.
"We're going on a training expedition. You're coming along." Meroleona said, as her magic hoisted Noelle off the broom.
"Uh, am I allowed to say no?"
"NO." Mereoleona barked then maneuvered Noelle in line with the others.
Mereoleona then set her hot gaze on Vanessa, who started to sweat under the intensity. "You're coming too."
"Kidnap my whole squad, why don't ya? You she-lion psychopath." Yami protested.
"I think I'll pass…" Vanessa said meekly.
Mereoleona ignored both remarks as another cat pat came from her aura and reached for Vanessa.
On top of Mereoleona's head, Rouge meowed, and the paw miraculously missed its target.
Mereoleona merely raised an eyebrow and tried again, only for the same result to happen. And again. And again.
"Fate magic. Interesting. I guess you won't be going. I'm taking the cat though."
Vanessa could only smile absently at her sudden turn of fortune.
"Huh? So, she gets a pass? That just ain't fair. Make up your mind if you're going to go around takin' hostages n' crap. Don't half-ass it."
"Please be quiet, Yami. You're making my headache even worse."
"Yeah, you filthy man! You leave Char alone!"
"Call me Captain, Sol."
"Rodger, Char!"
"If you're supposed to be the big sister then you should come along with us."
"Have fun, Noelle."
"I thought you were supposed to set a good example!"
"If I convince her to go, can I go home?"
"Unhand Yuno, you big mean cat lady!"
Rouge meowed and waved her paw as Mereoleona then flew away with the cacophony of personalities in tow.
Before they got entirely out of earshot Asta yelled at her. "Vanessa, I promise when I come back we'll talk!" He then gave her their kingdom's three-finger salute with a smile. Vanessa put her hand to her breast, unable to stop the emotion from welling up inside as she watched them fly away.
If push came to shove, Rouge would protect him, she was sure of it.
—X—
Vanessa smirked as she drowned a glass of wine in her room. In hindsight, it was hilarious and refreshing.
It had been three days since that night, and they still hadn't come back yet.
Occasionally she'd feel her mana drain as Rouge's magic activated. Also, it turned out she could pick up concepts via osmosis through Rouge. Imagine that. She had picked up how to do mana skin.
Wherever they were must be ludicrous on the body.
She worried for Asta. That black form of his could certainly help, but without it he was defenseless against the elements.
Then there was the fact he promised to talk to her.
Despite Yami's words, doubt began to creep in.
The suspense was killing her. She was pacing around the base so much, Finral warped her back to her room.
As usual, she turned to wine to ease her troubles. No getting drunk though, the Star Festival taught her that lesson. A single glass should be enough to ease her nerves.
—X—
Vanessa picked her head up, her reflection finished. True to her word she hadn't exceeded her imposed limit. As a matter of fact, she was rubbing an empty glass at this point.
She was about to call it a day when she heard a soft knock at her door.
"Come in, it's open."
The door slowly creaked open, and Asta took a step hesitantly inside, Rouge meowed on his head.
Vanessa's eyes widened upon seeing who it was.
"Can I—Can I come in?"
"Y-Yes, sure you can, Asta," Vanessa replied, setting the glass down and smoothing out her hair. She wasn't expecting him to come directly to her—Not at all, she wasn't ready in the slightest.
Ignorant of her internal dilemma, Asta fully walked inside and closed the door behind him. Rouge leaped off his head and onto her bed.
"Let me start by saying thanks for sending Rouge with me." He said as he faced her, an excited smile on his face. "Fate magic came in pretty handy at the Volcano Trail. She even let me get a hit in Mereoleona!"
"I'm glad she was able to help out." she said, bending over and petting the magic-cat.
Asta's smile melted into a look of curiosity. "By the way, Mereoleona wanted to talk to you. What about? I don't know. She did seem very attached to Rouge though. Captain Yami called it 'cat-instincts.' "
A shiver of fear ran up her spine. A meeting with her couldn't be anything good. That woman was way too intense.
"Anyways that wasn't what I came here to talk about. Back at the Star Festival and you blurted some stuff out. Did you really mean what you said?"
A moment of silence passed between them while Vanessa gathered her courage.
"Yes….I've found myself falling….in love with you…"
She meant to sound confident but somewhere along the line she turned into one of those schoolgirls that royals send to academies.
Asta looked as if he was at war with himself after hearing confirmation from her.
He gathered himself and spoke. "I'm sorry, I'm just a bit…overwhelmed by all this," he said, rubbing his hand behind his head sheepishly. "Back in Hage Village, I was an orphan, so I didn't get much attention from girls to start. Throw in being magicless on top of that and…well I know you can imagine how that went. I latched onto Sister Lily because she was the first woman to ever believe in me!"
Vanessa inwardly sighed and leaned back. Asta was so tough and light-hearted that you forgot he had more than his fair share of troubles. Sister Lily was to him, that Yami was to her. But judging by his words he was trying to move on, she didn't want to force him to do anything by selfishly forcing her feelings onto him.
"I understand that you don—" she started but was then cut off.
"Hold on, I didn't get to finish. It's not that I don't have feelings for you. It's just that it's all coming at me so fast between you and Noelle."
A bud of hope blossomed in her chest. Then her mind latched on to the last part he said.
"Noelle?" Vanessa tilted her head.
Asta's face went pink as he realized his slip-up.
An evil smirk spread across her mouth, as she recognized the rare chink in his armor.
She stood up and started poking his cheek. "C'mon Asta, you can tell me what happened,"
"Alright, alright," he said, halfheartedly trying to slap her hand away. "After we finished trainin' she pulled me to the side and confessed, after saying she wouldn't stay behind you, or whatever."
"Aww! That's so adorable! What did you say to her?"
"The same thing I'm going to say to you, Vanessa."
"Hm?"
Asta suddenly bowed deeply at his waist to where he was almost parallel to the ground.
"I can't commit to either of your feelings just yet. I know it's selfish of me, but please wait until I become the Wizard King. I want to become a man you can always rely on!"
Vanessa let out a sigh of relief. She tapped him on his shoulder causing him to stand back upright. Not allowing him to react, she hugged him.
"You're already a man I can rely upon. No matter the situation. That's why I started loving you to begin with."
She let go of him and before he could process, she kissed him. She leaned into the kiss and to her surprise….. he kissed back.
Vanessa ended the kiss so as to not let it become too passionate, she had a point to make. Pleasure came after purpose.
Asta had a look of wonder etched onto him.
"Let that be my promise to you, Asta. I promise that I'll be right by your side when you become the Wizard King. Whenever you need it, I want you to rely on me the same way I rely on you. I'll always be there for you."
Asta gave her a confident smile and a thumbs up.
"I'm counting on you!"
On her bed, Rouge meowed in glee. That's when Vanessa realized; Rouge literally was the red string of fate. She was the string that bonded her to Asta, tied her heart to his.
Maybe they were both right.
Fate for some was just a prediction too late. For others it was a representation of a glorious moment they would never forget. A person wouldn't fight against something they enjoyed, right?
One thing was for certain however, fate had binded her to a man who would change the world. A man would bend even fate itself if it got in his way.
And she didn't have any qualms about it.