"Here is the masterpiece made especially for you, lady Charlotte."

Soie Velours smiled at her before taking the blanket away from the dressmaker dummy, revealing her ball gown.

Charlotte was not much into fashion in general, but in this case, she was taken aback by work made by Soie Velours, her nephew and her workers.

"As you can see, the finest black silk was chosen, making the shine of the skirt really exceptional in every light you can imagine. Your shoulder and arms are free, only a small ringlet of a black and golden sleeve on your upper arms. Black is the main colour, but as you can see, there a few golden patterns on the fabric. Not much, which makes all the gold even more special and truly standing out of the black, without taking away the purpose of the main colour. Please admire those golden embroideries left and right on the bodice, leaving the front and the back just black, which will underline your fine waist. The same embroideries are found at the bottom, going up more or less to the height of your knees in a rather irregular way. Observe how those golden embroideries have the shape of golden leaves and golden vines with thorns, waved into each other, accenting the theme of the rose. Speaking of, you may have noticed those little black roses on the golden patterns, on the bodice and down the skirt. Those roses are made out of silk as well, for the shine of this particular fabric. We also took the liberty to add some subtle golden threads within those roses as well, to give them a small golden glow. And the cream of the cream, it is a wide skirt that will turn around you like a big black rose, the golden patterns are going to look like golden dew."

"That last part was my idea," Lin Velours timidly added, but his eyes were shining with pride.

"It's a wonderful idea," Charlotte whispered, slowly reaching her hand to touch her dress. The silk was incredibly soft under her fingers. She really hadn't imagined concretely how her ball gown would look like, but this expected all of her expectations by far.

She could only hope that Yami would at least like this beautiful dress as well.

Somehow, Charlotte was glad that she came alone to Soie Velours' shop today, without anyone from her girls and more importantly, no one from her family. Of course, she would have loved if her mother would have accompany her. But today, Orchidea had decided to give herself a mission and find some proper ball clothes for Asta, Magna and Luck.

Still, having no one with her in the private salon of the Roseleis, it made this moment really special for Charlotte.

"I… I have not enough words to say how happy and grateful I am."

"Oh, don't worry about that, lady Charlotte," the dressmaker replied, flicking her hand. "Your happiness is our biggest thanks. Besides, it's better than the nitpicking, scared and stupid worries of some noble ladies who are only satisfied after a whole ocean of flattery."

Charlotte could imagine that. A lot of nobles were actually more insecure than anyone would thought at first.

"Would you like to try your dress on, lady Charlotte?" Lin asked timidly.

Charlotte thought about refusing first, but she hold back. She had some free time and she knew that it was one thing to see a ball gown on a dummy, but something else entirely to wear it herself, looking in the mirror.

Besides, Lin Velours was way too cute to say no to him.

"Oh, gladly. But you don't need to call one of your workers, I can put it on by myself."

"This kind of dress is pretty easy to put on and you can go behind this paravent. It's a bit heavy since it's silk, but I believe this won't be a problem for you, as a Magic Knight and a strong squad captain."

Soie Velours handed Charlotte the black gown and the captain of the Blue Roses disappeared behind the paravent covered with pink clouds and dark green birds.

The dress was indeed easy to put on, but Charlotte still took her sweet time. Just enough to run her fingers over the silk, the golden embroideries, the silky little black roses.

Charlotte wondered again how Yami would feel seeing her wearing such a beautiful dress. Would he say again that she must being cold wearing it? Or would he actually subtly compliment her?

After all, it wasn't like Yami cared if she was dressed elegantly or not. Sometimes, when lust clouded their minds, it happened that he ripped her clothes of her in the heat of the moment. Not something she appreciated, clothes weren't always cheap and there were not eternally repairable. But at least he was trying to hold himself back and not destroy her clothes.

Most of the time.

Still, as surprising as it sounded, Yami had some art knowledge. He just didn't care most of the time. But maybe he would see that this dress was a true work of art. And that it suited her. Hopefully.

When Charlotte finally put her ball gown on, she realized that it fit her perfectly. The bodice lied perfectly on her, but without feeling suffocating, underlining her frame perfectly. As for the skirt, it really flowed around her practically like a giant rose and the dress didn't felt as heavy as when she hold in her arms, compared to wearing it.

Soie Velours and Lin had the most admirative glances when she finally appeared from behind the paravent.

The modiste said with a knowing smile, "That dress, which I decide to call Black Rose, is truly a masterpiece. But if I'm being honest, lady Charlotte… I think it's actually you who accentuate this dress and not the other way around. It wouldn't have the same effect on someone else. Well, of course not, it was made especially for you, after all."

"You look like a true princess."

Lins little awe compliment made Charlotte blush and she offered him her brightest smile. This was after all true admiration and not superficial flattery.

But before she could even reply, a little bell was heard. A little system Charlotte came to know during the days she was on duty here. When a new customer entered, even those who were in the atelier, in one of the offices or working in one of the private salons could hear it. Very practical when it happened that no one was in the shop, which apparently already happened before.

"Lin, my dear boy, would you please go see who it is and maybe, help poor Camilla and Iris if it's a terrible noble lady? Thank you. And lady Charlotte, if you wanna get a better look at yourself, there's a mirror behind you."

While Lin left the private Salon of the Roseleis immediately, Charlotte turned around to take a look in the mirror, probably the largest mirror she ever saw.

Usually when she had to wear something elegant because of reasons, Charlotte usually didn't recognized herself when she looked in a mirror. But in this case and despite her non-existent sense of fashion, she had no difficulties to see herself. And the dress was not even blue, her most usual colour.

She wondered if it was because it was the first time she wear a dress from Soie Velours, a modiste who built her reputation upon the fact of knowing exactly what people should wear to be look at her best.

Or is it because for the first time, she didn't wear blue, but decided to wear the colours of the man she loved?

She turned again and now, she even see better in the reflection how much it looked like a big black rose with golden dew.

"You truly breath taking, lady Charlotte. You're certainly going to be one of the true stars of this upcoming ball."

Oh, yes. The ball…

She actually forgot it for a moment, given the how the dress amazed her. But this ball was also the reason why she got that dress in the first place.

And given what this ball was implying… Oh, she wished she could forget this again, but Charlotte just couldn't. Not with everything that's going to play that night.

The nearer the ball way, the more upsetting aunt Rosamund became and her endless talks about that betrothal with lord Reginald Évantail. It was now such a pain that Charlotte really wondered if Rosamund had something else in mind than just marry of her niece, the most eligible member of house Roselei, to someone who already had been married five times before.

But if there was indeed some conspiracy between Rosamund and Reginald, for what reason? What was the goal? Should she trust her feelings or her guts, like Yami said? Or was she just imagining things? It was true that with this ball and her secret relationship with Yami, she might get a bit worried more than she should. She would fight for him, to be with him and she was also scared to lose him in any way possible.

Charlotte remembered the coded letter they had found during their mission in the Common Realm, with Sol, Asta and Finral. She really hoped it was something that could help them put a hold on whoever was behind those thievery acts. As if the kingdom didn't had enough to deal with since two years.

Charlotte found it frustrating because it was such a mystery still. They had no idea about the reasons, who could be behind it and assuming things in precipitation rarely lead to the right conclusions.

Not to mention this whole ball. How was it related to the thievery in the Common Realm? Was it really related? Charlotte was not sure, maybe it was only a coincidence. But given how nobility demanded it soon after the thievery acts started and given that in the background, that ball was that specific ball to trap innocent people into some betrothal behind their backs. In the past, it had been obvious, now it's more subtle.

Which was somewhat worse.

"Miss Velours?"

"Yes, lady Charlotte?"

"Do… do you actually know… what this ball is implying?"

"Oh, that it's basically a trap for trappy engagements? Yes, I do know that."

Charlotte turned towards Soie Velours, very surprised by how casually she said those words. But the modiste just shrugged. "I learned about the Three Leaves Glory ball through history books, not the so-called official ones. I was a still a young apprentice back then and since I had to deal with nobles for this kind of business, I had to learn how nobility was ticking. History books, observations while making myself invisible, that kind of stuff. If you want to be successful in your business, you have to know how you customers tick in any, really any way possible, individually and in general. Why do you think I became this successful as a modiste? I had a lot to deal with, to came where I am today. Trust me, it wasn't easy, even more so since I'm a commoner working in the Noble Realm."

"So… you know-"

"That there's something fishy with this ball, yes. I'm not an idiot and that fishy is something I really despise, trust me. But I'm also a business woman, responsible for many workers and indirectly also of their families and even more, I'm also responsible for my nephew. If I refuse to sold and sew dresses every time something fishy or an occurrence I don't like shows up, all I can do is closing my business. As a business woman, I have learned to compromise in order to achieve all of this. To achieve my dream. Compromises aren't so bad if they're done right."

Soie Velours sighed, looking more serious in a personal way than she ever was. "This atelier, this shop, creating dresses in any way possible… It was my dream since I was a little girl. It's now also my nephews dream and I choose my workers not only for their craftmanship on this domain, but also because of how much they love what they do, what they create, what they're realizing. No matter of their backgrounds, I'm also ready to welcome some nobles if they want to work here. I don't want to give up on that. And besides," a smug glimmer appeared in Soies green eyes, "in a way, I can also fight against unfairness in society with my shop and my dresses, even though I'm not a Magic Knight. I'm worthless against devils or terrorist groups, of course. But against bigot nobles who want to have more what they deserve, I'm weak to think that I'm rather an expert."

Charlotte had come to appreciate Soie Velours during the mission for her. But after that speech, she came to respect her deeply.

Soie Velours might not be a Magic Knight, but that didn't make her less a warrior in her own ways. A strong and independent woman with a business, which in a way was more to just to create pretty dresses.

"Thank you, Miss Velours."

"Oh, no need to thank me, lady Charlotte. I'm sure you also one of those who need to be cautious during this ball of traps, given the odious rumours I heard about your future marriage."

"Indeed, especially since I have a secret-"

Charlotte immediately put her hand on her mouth, afraid to have already said too much. She still didn't want that her relationship with Yami would spread like wildfire in every circle. At least, not before the ball.

But Soie just smiled smugly and kindly. "Oh, you also have a secret lover who isn't a noble, am I right? Goodness, is this a trend these days, to fall truly in love with someone from not the same circle? Well, if it is, I hope this trend never goes away."

Charlotte frowned at those strange words. But before she could ask, Lin entered the private Salon again.

"Auntie, it's lord Nozels secret lover, miss V… Oh, oopsie daisy."

Lin Velours immediately put both his hands on his mouth, as he realized that Charlotte was still here.

His aunt gave him an affectionate scolding glance, but Charlotte understood immediately what all of this was implying.

So, Nozel had a secret lover as well. Someone who was neither a noble nor another royal. Charlotte smiled. He who was always so strict and loved discipline, allowed himself finally some happiness.

And if she understood correctly, Nozels beloved didn't had any private salon to have some calm to try her dress. But was she able to afford such a ball gown?

Maybe she was another Magic Knight. Or maybe Nozel would pay for her, maybe he even opened an account here for his beloved.

"Miss Velours?"

"Yes, lady Charlotte?"

"You can tell Nozels beloved that she can use the Roseleis private Salon to try her dress on. Given that I'm in a similar situation, I won't spill her secret in any way and I would love to support her."

"You have a really noble heart, lady Charlotte. Come, Lin, let's tell lord Nozels girlfriend to follow us here."

As aunt and nephew left the room, Charlotte turned back to the mirror, but not really to admire her dress again. Her thoughts were now focused on who Nozel fell in love with.

Nozel wasn't the easiest person to be around. But as a captain, he had some qualities that would be also welcomed as a lover. He was loyal, true to his words and even though it was only subtle in appearance, deep down he was also a very caring man. His beloved certainly was lucky to be with him.

Maybe he was more open with her, whoever she was? Lin almost spilled her name, starting with a V. Veronique, Virginia, Valérie, Valentina, Victoria, Vivian, Violet, Venus, Verena, Valencia, Verona, Verity? There were a lot of possibilities of names with V. It reminded her of her dolls when she was a very little girl and searching for the most rare names for them.

Her train of thoughts was interrupted when the door opened again, revealing Soie Velours, her nephew and…

"Vanessa?"

"Oh, hello captain Charlotte. Thanks a lot for letting me use your private Salon. Oh my gosh, that dress looks dashing. I didn't know that black was as much your colour as blue, it really suits you!"

"Wait… you… you're…"

"You're Nozels secret lover?"

Vanessa immediately stopped to be in awe of captain Charlottes gorgeous black dress, as surprise and shock washed over her.

How did the captain of the Blue Roses know? Well, not really know, since her exclamation was definitely a question. But did she know that Nozel was secretly in love with someone out of his circles. Captain Charlotte was clever and not as dense as captain Yami. She might have saw some things and conclude others.

"Forgive my nephew, Vanessa," Soie said with a sorry smile. "He half spilled the beans not even five minutes ago."

Lin stood behind his aunt, timidly poking his two fingers against one another. Oh, he was so adorable and he certainly didn't mean it bad.

His aunt continued, "But lady Charlotte is a kind hearted person, so she offered you private Salon of the Roseleis. And if we spilled some beans already, she also did it as a fellow who also has a secret lover."

Wait, what?

"So, Lin and I will bring you your ball gown. We'll be back in a minute."

Aunt and nephew left, leaving Vanessa alone with the captain of the Blue Roses. A few seconds, there was some awkward silence between the two women.

Until Charlotte actually moved, taking Vanessas hand and leading to the couch, for her to sit down.

Vanessa was grateful for the gesture, because a lot of thoughts were currently racing in her mind. Captain Charlotte just learned about her and Nozel. And Vanessa understood Soie Velours' words correctly, it would also mean that…

"Are you and captain Yami finally together?"

"My goodness, is it so obvious that we have to be a thing?"

"To be perfectly honest… yes. Only idiots and dense people would be unable to see the signs. And… I was right next to you when you confessed to captain Yami back in Spade, remember?"

"Oh, Heavens… I haven't thought about that confession for a while," Charlotte moaned, hiding her face behind her hands.

Well, Vanessa hasn't thought about it for quite some time as well. The thing that first came to her mind every time she remembered Spade, was her very first talk with Nozel.

How everything between them started then…

But captain Charlottes confession to captain Yami in Spade also had somehow an impact on herself. Vanessa remembered that by hearing this desperate I love you, she finally realized and admitted that she had never been in love with her captain. That her lost duckling crush on Yami had actually disappeared a very long time ago.

She had a lot of thinking to do back then, which was why she had searched for a quiet place to think peacefully about her new realizations. To think, to decide to take her love life in a new direction, without delusions of a crush that she shouldn't had cling into it in the first place.

And then, Nozel came to her spot.

Without his cold mask, looking more vulnerable and human to her, like she never dared to imagine before.

And probably without realizing it, Vanessas decision to take her love life onto a new path was already put into motion that day.

Looking at captain Charlotte, who still hiding her face with her hands, Vanessa believed that back in Spade, it was not only the start of what was between her and Nozel. But also between Charlotte and Yami.

What a small world…

"Since when are you and captain Yami a thing?"

"A thing? For a bit more than one month at this point."

"Oh, same here for Nozel and me. And you kept the secret, even to us Bulls?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, but we wanted some peace before telling anyone. And with everything going on the kingdom… the ball, the boldness of nobles and everything that implied all those things… Yami and I thought it was better to keep it a secret at first."

"Does anyone know?"

"Except you? Puli and Églantine, two of my knights, and Luck. But those three find out due to… reasons that I rather not explain further."

Vanessa grinned. Given the deep blush on captain Charlottes face, Luck and the two Blue Roses must have surprised the two captains in a very sensual position. Kinda reminded Vanessa on how Noelle find out about Nozel and her, not so long ago.

"Oh, and my mother knows as well. She even gave us our blessing already."

Ha, Vanessa always knew that auntie Dea was one of the best nobles in the whole kingdom of Clover!

"And does someone know about you and Nozel?" Charlotte asked, after taking a bit of her blush under control.

"Océane Vermillion knows, Nozels aunt. And besides Soie Velours and her nephew, it's only Noelle. But in her case, she stumbled on us while we were… in a very sensual position and it took her some time to calm down from the shock."

"Poor girl."

Vanessa smiled, but it didn't last long, as a more serious topic came to her mind. "We kept it a secret for similar reasons than you and captain Yami. Nobles are very determined to marry one of their own to Nozel. And learned recently that some noble ladies called Prudence Évantail and Athénaïs Vitrail are considered the top candidates for his future wife."

Charlotte made a face at the sound of those names, which made Vanessa grin for a second.

"And… his father seems very determined to marry him of. He was the one who spread those rumours about Nozel wanting to get engaged during this ball and getting married shortly after. It's not true, of course. But Nozel and I… we want to fight to be together, that goes without doubts. But there are heavy hurdles on this way."

"I get that," Charlotte said softly, before taking Vanessas hand again. It was a very comforting touch. "Lac Silva… Is not someone to take lightly, no matter how much you despise him. I don't know the story between him and the Silva siblings, but I understand that there's a big shift between them. And… I can't say the details, it's not my secret specifically and it's very disgusting to think about. But Lac Silva had insulted my mother in way that I just can't have any respect for him."

Gosh, what did that jerk of Lac Silva did to auntie Dea? Vanessa was very close to ask, but given Charlottes stiff glance in her eyes, she preferred to hold back.

Besides, captain Charlotte continued, "As for Nozels situation with the kinds of lady Prudence and lady Athénaïs, I also can relate. You have to know, somehow I ended up being the most eligible match of house Roselei, despite my curse. The members of my house are trying very hard to find a suitable fiancé for me. Especially my aunt Rosamund."

"The one who is more shambolic than me? Auntie Dea told me about her during her first visit at the Hideout."

"If only she could be as shambolic by trying to marry me of. But sadly, Rosamund is stubborn and determined to a point that even being sick with the highest temperature can't stop her for trying to get what she wants. And for some reason I still ignore, she seems to have only one specific lord in mind to be my future husband. But… lord Reginald is old enough to be either my father or my grandfather and he has been married five times before. He has children from each on his marriages and still wants to find a wife number 6. Which shall be me, according to Rosamund."

"That's sounds fucked up."

"I wouldn't choose such a crude word, but it's fitting, I admit. Not to mention that lord Reginald is also the father of lady Prudence. But I don't remember anymore if she's a daughter from his first wife or from the second one."

"Another Évantail?"

"Their family tree is pretty chaotic. Sometimes nephews and nieces happened to be older than their uncles and aunts, for example."

Vanessa hold her snicker back. This was just so ridiculous. And this were JUST the legitimized Évantails. If they would add Grenadine and any other potential bastard to the bunch, it would surely be more complicated than it already was.

Nobles were for the most part really either complicated, stupid or arrogant, if not a mix of those three words and others.

Thank goodness there exceptions like Finesse, auntie Dea and Océane, Nozels adorable Vermillion aunt.

Speaking of…

"Do you and captain Yami have some plans to avoid the traps during the ball?"

"You mean except holding Yami and probably also myself back to beat up any of my suitors, because this would have consequences and it wouldn't really help us in the end?"

"Oh, I can relate to that," Vanessa chuckled, remembering how close she had been to slap Prudence Évantail and Athénaïs Vitrail because of how they talked about Nozel. But maybe it was also good that she didn't slapped them. Yet.

Charlotte smiled, before continuing with a serious voice, "Honestly, I'm quite unsure. Even Yami isn't that laidback about this whole ordeal. But he's still more laidback than I am. My mother told me to avoid any of my suitors as much as I can and to listen between the lines, in case they invite me for that betrothal waltz."

"Auntie Dea is right, this is already something to do. Nozels auntie, Océane Vermillion, also suggested us to only dance with each other, not with anyone else. Not only would it avoid any hidden betrothal with other nobles but at the same time, giving a clear message to the nobles and especially Lac Silva. Probably also to Prudence Évantail and Athénaïs Vitrail."

"So… you want to come out of secrecy?"

"More or less, it won't such a big announcement with trumpets and all the drama. But Nozel is sick of secrets of any kind and the more we are together, the more I see that he doesn't want to hide me. It's not like we were extra cautious before, but we were still pretty secretive. And given everything I learned about him since Spade… I understand that. And… I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I don't know if I can fit into this life, of being a royal. It seems rather scary. But I can't let insecurities be stronger than what I feel for Nozel."

"I understand, Vanessa. Yami and I would love to come out of secrecy as well. We just… Well, we quite enjoy the peace we have now, but once we're out in the open, the storm will

come onto us. And I'm not talking about nobility only, but also about you Black Bulls. No offense."

"None taken. You're right, after all. We Black Bulls are nice people, but we tend to get a bit to wild, it doesn't matter if we feel insulted or if we're excited. Especially since my comrades are going to be overprotective over you against our captain, most certainly. Gosh, I haven't thought how the Bulls are going to react to Nozel and me!"

She indeed hasn't thought about that. At least, barely. The Black Bulls would indeed have the shock of their lives. Vanessa liked to think that at least half of them wouldn't make too much of a drama. But the other half… and given Noelles past… Oh shoot, not only the Black Bulls would be shocked, but Nebra and Solid as well! Okay, with how she was today, Nebra might take it kinda good. But Solid maybe not so much.

Nozel might rubbed off on her, because now she almost started to overthink just like him.

"I'm actually glad that Noelle already knows about Nozel and me. She's a bit like our biggest supporter today."

"That's good to know."

Both women went silent, each of them lost in their thoughts.

Vanessa observed Charlotte. She wondered if the colour of her dress was a way to honour Yami. Black with some trimmer of gold, it was practically the colours of the Black Bulls. A bit like she choose Silva typical colours for her dress.

That dress truly suited her. Her porcelain skin was practically radiant against the black silk. Vanessa really hoped that captain Yami would at least be in awe once he would see captain Charlotte and that he would SHOW it for once. In her own case, Vanessa knew already that Nozel would show his appreciation. Hopefully he would love the dress.

Suddenly, an idea popped in her head.

"Wanna make a deal, captain Charlotte?"

"What? What kind of deal do you mean?"

"Just to support each other and our boyfriends during the ball, in any way possible. We're kinda in the same boat with our love lives. So, why not support each other? Both our couples are going to need every help they can get in this situation, don't you think?"

Charlotte hesitated just for not even one second before a bright smile appeared on her lips. "Agree, let's help each other."

"Pinky oath?"

"Pinky oath, if you insist."

Soie Velours and her little nephew entered the private salon just when Vanessa and Charlotte let go of their pinky fingers.

"Sorry for the wait, lady Adelheid Sandler made a real fuss about one little embroidery on her Winter Apple dress," Soie laughed, before opening a box right in front of Vanessa. "And here, lady witch of the Black Bull squad, is the masterpiece created especially for you."

A purple dress came out of the box, professionally hold by both aunt and nephew. Vanessa was immediately amazed by her new dress.

"For this particular gown, we have opted for a sheath shape, which will not only accenting your gorgeous frame, but will also flow freely and gracefully around you. Unusual for the sheath, the shoulders are free with just a small, flowing ringlet of fabric around your upper arms, which you won't even notice. We choose satin as the fabric, for its particular shine, as you can see here. Please notice how the satin slowly becomes more transparent starting from the knees. The transparency will not be fully, only subtle, but enough to show your legs in a small, timidly naughty way. Adding a bit of transparency is not an easy task with satin, since it's not a fabric used for this kind of work, unlike chiffon, fine silk or georgette. But it is possible for my nephew and me, since we have fabric magic and learned how to do the most impossible things in our craftmanship with our magic. As you ordered, the main colour is a bright and metallic purple, adding more to the shine of the satin. Observe also those silver embroidery which delicately go around the bodice and the skirt, starting from your right shoulder and ending at the bottom left of your dress, without covering them and hiding the beautiful metallic purple. Those embroideries have the form of vines, covered with frost thanks to the silver threads. You may have noticed all those little rose blossoms scattered on the silver vine embroideries. Some in an immaculate white, the others in the palest pink possible. A bit of silver had been added on them as well, to give a subtle illusion of frost and winter. My dear nephew gave this dress the name of Rose In Winter, as a little delicacy. You certainly want to try it on, Vanessa dear, you can go behind the paravent."

"This is the most beautiful dress I ever saw," Vanessa whispered in awe, while taking her ball gown delicately from Soie and Lin. "I have no words, I… It definitely will inspire me for my own future needlework!"

"And this is the kind of compliment a dressmaker always loves to hear," Soie Velours said with pride while Vanessa disappeared behind the paravent.

It was not difficult to put the dress on. In fact, it was pretty easy. But Vanessa had to stop every ten second to admire the shine of the satin, the subtle transparency, the white and pale pink roses, the silver embroidery, the softness of the fabric, just everything…

When Vanessa finally appeared from behind the paravent wearing her flowy dress, Lin Velours looked at her in awe, while Charlotte smiled with admiration, still wearing her own ball gown, and Soie Velours nodded with pride.

"Another masterpiece, indeed. Please, Vanessa, come admire you in the mirror."

Seeing herself in the mirror was something else indeed. Vanessa was amazed how perfectly this dress fitted her and she couldn't wait to see Nozels reaction seeing her like this, like a true princess.

Despite the fact that this ball was all bad news, there were still some things for Vanessa to look forward to. And that was somehow comforting.

After a while of silent admiration, Soie Velours spoke up again, "Ah, before I forgot, there is something else for you, for the upcoming ball."

And from behind her back, she handed both Charlotte and Vanessa two little boxes. It looked like jewellery boxes or something, but Vanessa didn't know enough about jewellery of nobles and royals to call herself an expert.

Charlotte took a closer look at hers, frowning. "But… I can't remember to have ordered-"

"Oh, it's not from you, lady Charlotte. Even though it is for you. But your mother, lady Orchidea, brought it to us earlier today. I think she had it ordered by one of the finest jewellers in the kingdom the moment she learned what you wanted for your dress."

Vanessa couldn't help but smile. Auntie Dea was definitely more than a good mother for Charlotte.

The captain of the Blue Roses still frowned, but opened the box still.

A diadem was in it. A golden diadem in the shape of thorny vines, with black gems, probably obsidians. Even better, those obsidians were formed in a way to look like roses. A black rose to the fullest.

"Oh… it's… I…"

"Can I put it on your head, lady Charlotte?" Lin timidly asked. "It would be like to crown you."

"Well, then crown me, little one."

With a smile, Charlotte went softly on her knees to let Lin put the diadem on her head, doing it even like a professional.

Vanessa smiled at this adorable image – Charlotte Roselei would do a good mother as well, just like auntie Dea – before she focused on her box and opened it.

There was also a diadem, a small but also a very ancient one. Only that it was silver and the shape looked like leaves and water drops. The gemstones were probably crystals, in the palest shades of purple, pink and blue, also white.

Silver, purple, pink, blue, white… Some typical Silva colours.

The gems were also formed into flowers, but strangely enough not like roses, but like water lilies. The favourite flowers of lady Acier…

Vanessas eyes widened. Could this be a Silva diadem that once belonged to Acier Silva?

There was a little letter in the box and Vanessa quickly to took it read.

Dearest future niece-in-law

I suppose that miss Soie Velours gave this box to you once you have your surely breath taking ball gown. I wanna see Nozels face once you wear it.

This diadem belonged to my late sister, lady Acier Silva. I'm sure my dear nephew told you once that those were her favourite flowers. She wore that diadem on her wedding and when there was an occasion, she put it on her head again. It was her favourite jewellery and she didn't lots of those. In her will, she stated that Nozel should have it until he gets married and gave it to his beloved.

I know you and Nozel aren't married yet, but at this point it's only a matter of time. Still, my nephew wanted you to have it now, not only for the ball, and I agree with him. You deserve to have it and from now on, this diadem is yours. Consider this as a gift from Nozel and from my dear sister, who would have loved you. It might not fit entirely with your dress, but I think this doesn't matter, given the symbolism of this diadem.

Océane Vermillion, né Océane Silva.

Tears of joy filled Vanessas eyes. Nozel actually gifted her something that belonged to his mother, something of great emotional value. This was worth more than the silver and gems.

When Vanessa put the diadem on her head, she had the feeling for a second that it was Acier Silva who placed it delicately, as if she was giving Nozel and Vanessa her blessing from the afterlife.