Vanessa giggled. Her giggles were so lovely.

It just encouraged Nozel to continue what he was doing. Peppering soft kisses along her neck and her jawline.

He knew that he was unusually bold. But it felt so right in this moment. And he had nothing to be ashamed about by loving this wonderful woman. She was a witch? Well, she still had more nobility in his heart then most noble had in their veins.

They quickly got behind the shelter of one of the golden pillars after their waltz had ended. It had been so wonderful, to dance with her, to not care about anyone else. Especially not about Lac. Nozel was kinda surprised that he didn't interfered to stop them, but maybe they had managed to shock him. Lac Silva also seemed to have been pretty sure that Vanessa was just a mistress, just a bed companion, nothing else, and that Nozel would never dance with someone out of his circles.

Maybe aunt Océane was right. Maybe Lac Silva only saw the things in people he wanted to see and when they don't acted like he planned they would, he was shocked. Of course, that man was still not to be taken lightly. But it filled Nozel with satisfaction that Lac Silva was not able to plan everything after all.

Right now, he was just happy. Incredibly happy.

"Oh my gosh, honey. I love it when you're so bold," Vanessa whispered in a sensual and needy tone, holding his shoulder while her free hand got behind his head, diving in his hair. Nozel heard the happiness in her voice.

"You teached me well, Vanessa…"

She giggled again, before she put her lips on his for a slow, deep kiss. Nozel smiled softly against her mouth. This felt like paradise.

He felt his mind clouded and the potential perspective of leaving the ball right now seemed so terribly tempting. Not to mention to be finally alone again with Vanessa. He knew that they could find an empty room nearby or even an alcove if they were impatient. At least, he felt impatient right now.

But despite his impatience, Nozel didn't want to find himself alone with Vanessa in a room he didn't know or in an alcove where there was a risk someone could get a glance of them. He would never forget how Noelle found out about them.

No, Nozel knew that if they would leave this ball already, he would bring Vanessa to the Silva Palace. The wait strangely always strengthened his desire for her and more importantly, she deserved to be treated with respect, like the queen she was for his heart. Not to be taken in an alcove or an empty room like a fling.

Vanessa stroke slowly on his chest, over his ceremonial suit, clearly teasing him. She was so good at teasing, in every way possible.

"Tell me, handsome eagle prince…"

"Hm?"

"Now that we have this very specific waltz, does this mean that were more or less betrothed already?"

She was teasing him, of course she was. But Nozel still hear a subtle, unsure undertone in her voice.

"I prefer to propose to you properly, like you deserve. Not because of a dance that people are trying to use as an engagement trap. Although, maybe the proposal would just be a formality at this point."

"I'm happy to hear that, honey. Honestly, I prefer to be it that way as well. I love how romantic and sincere you are during those kind of occasions."

Vanessa kissed him again and Nozel could swear that time stopped altogether just for them.

But sadly, their blissful bubble couldn't last.

"Excuse me, could you please stop this… whatever this is?"

Nozel broke away from the kiss and couldn't help but make a face as he recognized the two people who dared to interrupt them.

Prudence Évantail and Athénaïs Vitrail.

Out of all people in this ballroom, it had to be the two royal ladies that were considered by nobility the top candidates to become his future wife.

What has he done specifically to deserve this?

He felt Vanessa flinch in his arms, becoming tense. She must hate those two noble ladies a lot. Nozel couldn't help but hold her closer immediately. He didn't if it was to reassure her or to calm himself down, probably both.

Lady Prudence and lady Athénaïs were looking sternly at them with a hint of anger. But he had to admit that Athénaïs was at least holding it back in a polite manner. Prudence wasn't so controlled of herself, clearly fuming.

She was even the one who spoke again, "Lord Nozel, we need to talk."

Her voice was way calmer than her mimic, he'd give her that. But nothing else.

"Can't you see we're busy?" was all Nozel replied, before kissing Vanessa again. Deeply, putting all his love in it.

She was a true breath of fresh air, compared to Prudence and Athénaïs within her gaudy dresses.

"No, it is important!"

Oh, Prudence Évantail was starting to lose the calm in her voice.

Nozel sighed before turning back to them again, but without letting go of Vanessa. "Then make it quick."

"To you alone, the b-"

Nozel glared at her, one of his cold glances, which immediately intimidated Prudence, who flinched and kept her mouth shot before she could say the word she was about to let out. Good, because Nozel would have slapped her immediately she had dare to call Vanessa a bitch.

His glance seems to have frightened Athénaïs as well, but it was only her eyes. After a superior glare at her companion, the blonde woman said in a distant but polite tone, "What our dear Prudence wanted to say, is that what we have to say to you, lord Nozel, is for you alone. It doesn't concern the witch, so she can go."

"No."

Vanessas voice was calm, but as sharp as a blade. The two noble ladies couldn't help but flinch, especially as Vanessa glared at them.

"If it concerns Nozel, then it concerns me as well. It's rather simple why, but I won't explain it to you, since you two obviously won't even try to understand. And also… Nozel had dealt with the kinds of you alone for way too long and I refuse to leave him alone ever again. So, either you leave or you say what you need to say to the two of us. There will be no in-between."

Nozel had to hold himself back to kiss her again. Why was she always giving him more reasons to love every time?

Prudence and Athénaïs seemed rather offended by Vanessas bold reply to them, but seemed smart enough to not fight against it. Whatever they wanted to tell him, they seemed a bit desperate about it despite their certain attitude.

Nozel had a suspicion about what they wanted to say.

"Lord Nozel, you can't marry this… you can't marry her!"

Yes, there it was.

"I don't know how it concerns you who I intend to marry, lady Prudence."

"It does, because-"

"Dear Prudence, you're not holding back. We had agreed to be rather cautious, remember."

"How can you talk about being cautious, Athénaïs? A witch is involved!"

"Oh, now it actually concerns me as well? Nice to know."

Nozel sighed. At this point, this was going nowhere at all. But as much as he wanted to take Vanessas hand and leaving those two despicable right here, if didn't make some things clear, it would come back to bite him later. Even worse, it could also come back to bite Vanessa and Nozel refused to let her pay something nobles did.

"I still don't know in what way my future marriage should be a concern for the two of you. And before you argue, I am very much aware that you both are viewed as the top candidates to become my future wife within nobility. Are you surprised I actually know about that? Just because I'm clearly not into gossip doesn't mean that I know nothing, that my so-called ignorance can be used against me. Don't forget that I have a sister who is a true force within noble circles. Nebra has made a point of honour to always inform me when there are some unpleasant rumours within noble circles."

And Nebra informed him without he even asked for it. But well, Nebra wasn't big on asking for permission anyway.

Prudence and Athénaïs seemed to be surprised at his words. Well, they probably were certain that the Silva siblings weren't close at all. Which had been true for years, Nozel had to admit. But it wasn't the case anymore. He and his siblings were finally growing closer, healing and moving forward. Even Solid started to come along these days!

"But just because you are considered to be the best potential future Silva ladies by nobility doesn't give you the right to decide over my future marriage. You don't have my approval and this should count more than the opinion of the whole Clover nobility. I have never considered any of you two as options considering marriage. A marriage with anyone of you would be hell for me and even though you might not realize it yet, it would be hell for you as well. You think you might be in control, that you would form house Silva into the image you want, that you would have the power over my house. But not only would I fight to protect my family and my mother's legacy, you two would never have that much power as you think. You would end up only as the marionettes of someone else."

He didn't mentioned Lac Silva, because Prudence and Athénaïs would never believe him about this. But the mere mention of someone using them as puppets for his or her own ambitions might lead to something. Nozel didn't know what exactly. But nobles hated being marionettes for someone else's ambitions, even though most of them were it in a way or another already.

Indeed, his last words, lightened some kind of fear in their eyes. But Prudence, in a ridiculous attempt to not lose the face, argued back immediately, "But she's a WITCH! She is someone so far away from royal circles and nobility! Don't you see that she's a Black Bull, that she's ambitious to gain power through you? Everyone knows that-"

"Don't accuse me of doing something you're actually trying to achieve yourself, lady Prudence Évantail!" Vanessa immediately replied with anger. But in her attitude, she was acting more noble and mature than Prudence. "I am a witch, yes, and I have nothing to be ashamed about it. I know some calming potions that could help you a lot with your current temper. I also know that I'm a Black Bull. I know our reputation, but unlike you, Nozel cares less about the reputation of our squad and more about how we are as knights. Why do you think he let his youngest sister joined us? And unlike you, I don't want to be with Nozel because of the position he has. Heck, you know what? He could lose his royal status, nobles like you can turn their back on him, he could lose everything, he could become less than a peasant and I would still choose him over anyone else! Because I love him. That's why I'm with him. I know that love isn't something worth for many of you nobles. But it is to me, it is for Nozel and it is for many other people, more than you probably realize. Even for other nobles. If you unhappy with that, fine, it's your right. But leave Nozel in peace. You don't realize how much he sacrificed himself for his house and his squad, not to mention this country. He always puts others before himself, do you really think he would have married someone who would do the exact opposite? Think again. In my case, I intend to help him, to support him with his duties and to make sure he would never be dealing alone again. Deal with it."

Prudence Évantail looked like she was about to pass out, fuming like she was. Nozel found it almost amusing. She looked at the other three for a short moment, before she turned around abruptly and walked away in a quick pace, her pink hair and her dark green dress with golden patterns waving behind her.

Nozel almost sighed in relief. One bother was away, now they needed to get rid of the other.

Athénaïs looked at Prudence disappearing between the pillars, calmly shaking her heart, before she turned back to the couple. "I apologize for Prudence's behaviour. She never takes it well when something doesn't go like she had planned."

Nozel noticed that this apology and the fake sorry smile were only for her, Vanessa was rather ignored.

His girlfriend noticed it as well, as she replied with a cheerful fake smile, "Of course, we're all like that. It is not a privilege of nobility, I understand."

Athénaïs seemed kinda irritated to be replied by a witch, but she had enough hold of herself to not snap back. Instead, she said with a deep sigh, "Well, this is not going anywhere by just walking away from the problem. I'm not like Prudence, I have more flexibility."

"Oh, really?" Nozel couldn't help but remark. Most nobles he knew weren't flexible at all, especially when they wanted something. Or when they were Lac Silva.

"Well, as far as I can conclude, the two of you have your mind too much clouded by lust to think properly. But well, most men are like that, not to mention commoners and peasants in general. Honestly, I wouldn't care that much that you have a mistress, lord Nozel. Isn't that rather common within nobility. I can accept that. As long as she doesn't get any influence or power and as long I can have my word to say about house Silva, I'm fine with it. Your witch mistress can even have her own chamber within the palace, I can have something be prepared for her. But of course, she has to be as discreet as possible. And no bastards should be born out of this, of course. As a witch, she certainly knows some anti-fertility potion, if it exists. Isn't this a fair deal? I marry you, lord Nozel, I give birth to your heirs and have my own words about house affairs, while your little mistress can live within the palace and you can live your lust whenever you want. Maybe it would also be a good idea to give her a position. She could be a nanny for the future children, maybe even their gouvernante. It's not common to have a witch in such a position, I admit. But well, since being more open becomes quite in fashion these days, it could be makeable."

"No."

"No? You mean you're going to give up on your fling to marry me? I'm glad to you come back to your senses so quickly, lord Nozel."

"You haven't understood me, lady Athénaïs. I refuse your disgusting deal. Vanessa is not my mistress, she is the woman I love. I love her so much that I'm even ready to give up on my royal status, if it means that I can be with her. I'll marry her because I love her and I don't care if it's not what people expect of me. I lived for expectations for way too long and all those people like you still think that I never did enough, that I'm just an idiot you can hurt in order to manipulate. But I'm not what you think I am. And I am sick to do what people are expecting me to do. Now, I'm going to do the right thing and to do what I want. And I'll have a wife at my side who is going to support me with everything she has and I'm going to do the same for her. My wife will be Vanessa, I will only have children with her and no one else. And we're going to raise them ourselves."

"What are you talking about? It's a fair deal and-"

Athénaïs was interrupted as Vanessa slapped her. Hard. And very loudly. It was a miracle no one heard that sound, but maybe it was really that loud in the ballroom right now. Especially since a tanga was played in this very moment.

"Know your position, lady Athénaïs. You are just a mere noble. But Nozel is a royal and not just by title, but he is one in his heart, in every inch of his being. You already trespassing so many limits by talking to him like that. As for me, I'm not married to him yet, but I will be and then I will be a royal as well and above you. You better start to get used to it, as I'm not going to leave him alone, especially with the kinds of you. Now, would you mind to go? Or shall I slap your other cheek as well? It looks kinda weird, when one is shining pale, while the other is shining red. But maybe someone like you is going to make it a fashion style appearing like that."

Athénaïs has now lost all her cool, fuming just like Prudence before her. She turned away immediately, her golden curls waving behind her, her blue and golden mermaid dress floating behind her down her knees.

Once she disappeared, Nozel immediately hugged Vanessa tightly.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

They went silent for a moment, just holding each other tightly. Then, Vanessa talked again. "You really mean all that?"

"I meant everything."

"Even the part that we're going to raise our children ourselves?"

"Yes. It's not common for royalty, usually princes and princesses are left with nannies until they got their grimoire or at least one or two years before that. But my mother wasn't like that, she always made sure to spend time with us and to take care of us herself most of the time. That's the kind of parent I want to become."

"And you're going to be, I just know it. But it's going to be not for now for us to become parents, right? Let's wait for a bit, we still have some things we need to put behind us before that."

She chuckled and he couldn't help but chuckle as well, before he pulled her again into a kiss, to which she gave in immediately.

They lost all track of time and place again.

Until another voice interrupted them.

"Ah, Nozel, you're here, I… Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know that you weren't alone! Although, I should have, I saw you dancing, after all."

Nozel sighed deeply. But thankfully, it was only Rill this time. A far better company than Prudence Évantail and Athénaïs Vitrail.

"Oh, congratulations to the both of you," Rill said with enthusiasm, shaking both their hands rather wildly. Typical Rill.

"Thanks a lot, captain Rill," Vanessa said cheerfully. Nozel only nodded. As much as Rill was a really nice person, he really would prefer to be alone with his beloved right now. But his young colleague was just too nice to be mad at him.

"Well, I better leave you alone, then. But, before I forget, have you seen the Wizard King lately."

"Nope, not at all."

Nozel just shrugged. "You know Julius, he might went somewhere because he saw some exciting magic or something. Why do you want to know?"

"Oh, it's because Charlotte had found a piece of paper on the ground, apparently one of her aunts had lost it."

Okay… Nozel had no idea why the Wizard King should know this.

"But when Charlotte read it, she got all weird and said that she hoped to be wrong or something, but that she needed to follow her gut feeling. That's what she said. But then, Charlotte also mentioned that maybe something relating to the thievery in the Common Realm is happening right now. And I know that this is important. She asked me to find the Wizard King and to at least warn the other captains if I find them. But that's all she told me and once I have done all that, I don't know what else to do."

"Getting to find Charlotte might be one of the first things to do afterwards," Nozel replied, his brain went immediately into crisis mode the second Rill mentioned the thievery happening in the Common Realm.

Did it really had something to do with this ball? What was happening right now? What did Charlotte suspected and which one of her aunts was involved.

Had Lac Silva something to do with it?

It was Vanessa that interrupted his train of thoughts. "Let's hope captain Charlottes wish is right and that it's just a false alarm. But let's also not take any risk. Captain Rill, maybe you should continue to search for the Wizard King and for the other captains, maybe also for some Magic Knights. I think I'll go search captain Charlotte immediately. You, honey, try to find captain Yami specifically. He is her boyfriend, after all."

Wait, what?

"Exactly, Yami wouldn't like to know that Charlotte would be in potential danger while he's not at her side. See you later," Rill replied, before he disappeared like a rainbow lightning between the golden pillars.

Nozel turned towards Vanessa, arching an eyebrow. "So, Yami and Charlotte are finally together?"

"Finally? Gosh, was the sexual tension between them so obvious during captain's meetings?"

"Obvious is an understatement in this case. So, how did you found out?"

"Not even a week ago, at the shop of Soie Velours. When I went to try this amazing dress for the first time. Captain Charlotte was there as well, for the same reasons. So, we found out about each other's secret love life. Sorry I haven't told you before. Charlotte and I agreed to not tell Yami and you before the ball. Because I thought that both your reactions would be funny. Are you mad."

Nozel chuckled as he kissed Vanessas forehead. "Being mad at you would be a waste of time."

"Aw, thank you, handsome eagle. I have to say, it is rather funny that you're not surprised that they're a thing."

"Would there be anyone within the Magic Knights who would be surprised about them being together at this point?"

"Maybe Asta and Magna. They can be just as dense as captain Yami most of the time."

Nozel nodded. Asta must be really dense if after all this time and despite his Ki-reading, he still hadn't realized that Noelle was in love with him. In a way, Nozel felt compassion for his baby sister to be in love with someone like that. But on the other hand, he also knew that Noelle would have someone loyal and caring when she and Asta would get together. What else could he wish for his beloved little sister?

"So, you agree, honey?" Vanessa asked while cupping his face. "I go search for captain Charlotte and you go find captain Yami, telling him about what his girlfriend might have discovered and you will join us later?"

Nozel sighed, leaning in into her touch. "I don't like knowing you alone when there might be an unknown danger roading."

"I won't be alone, captain Charlotte will be with me. We are both strong women, we can defend ourselves. And our boyfriends will be soon at our side, having our backs. Don't worry too much, Nozel. But don't make me wait too long as well."

She kissed him, passionately and deeply. Nozel hold her tightly as he could, kissing her back. It felt desperate as if they wouldn't see each other for so long. But at the same time, so full of hope, for their future, for their will and courage to fight to be together.

Vanessa smiled at him as they break the kiss, gently poking his cheek before she turned around and disappeared between the golden pillars.

Nozel wished he could hold her back, so that she won't leave his side. He loved her, wasn't it normal to worry at least a bit?

But at the same time, he knew that Vanessa was also strong, that she could handle difficult situations better than anyone he knew. So, he trusted her as well.

Now, Nozel needed to find Yami. And quickly, so that they could be at the side of their girlfriends as fast as they could. Determined, Nozel walked back into the crowd of the ball.

Damn it, where was Prickly Queen?

She hadn't appeared during his talk with Goldie Guts – who had been relieved and happy altogether to learn about their relationship – and even afterwards, he hadn't seen her amazing black and gold dress anywhere in this fricking ballroom.

He hadn't seen her with Blue Rose Mama and Luck, who were clearly having fun together, with some small eating contest about those caviar toasts, added with something that looked rose syrup. Yami decided to not question it.

He hadn't seen Charlotte with some of her own girls. That Fat Angel Wing – Puli, he remembered – was laughing with Henry Gordon, Gauche and Grey. Okay, Gordon and Henry laughed, Grey was hiding her face behind her silver gloved hands and Gauche looked done for some reason. And that Giant Fangirl – Sol Marron, if his memory wasn't playing with him – had some eating contest with Magna and Fuegoleons shiny cousin. What was his name again, Cousingoleon?

She was also nowhere to be seen with any of his brats. Noelle was pouting at Asta who looked beyond confused, Nero was a bird again, Nacht was in the gambling room, that lucky bastard, Zora was for some reason talking with Braids other sister, Finral and Finesse were talking with Langris, who looked like he was eating some cherry tart and Charmy was next to him at the buffet, eating cupcakes and beignets. And grilled cheese sandwiches in form of stars. And confit fruits. And practically everything that was on the buffet tonight. Except the cupcakes, this was her own food she brought with her.

Vanessa was nowhere to be seen. As well as Nozel. They were probably snogging behind one of those stupid golden pillars. Or maybe they found themselves a nice corner to make out more properly.

Yami groaned. He would really prefer to be at their place with Prickly Queen. He wanted to give her a good, passionate snog and then find a nice corner or an empty room to have some beddance again. That would be such a better way to spend his time than being present on this stupid ball without any Prickly Queen to love.

"You seem moody, captain Yami. You want a cupcake, la?"

No, he didn't want a cupcake, he wanted his Prickly Queen. But he also knew that refusing food from Charmy would end up badly, even for him, despite being her fricking captain. So, Yami just shrugged and took the blue cupcake Charmy was handing to him.

Dancing with Prickly Queen or making out with her behind those golden pillars had been the best things on this ball so far. Were there also some empty rooms or guest chambers in this part of the castle?

"Oh, hello there, captain Yami."

Sadly, that wasn't his Prickly Queen as well, but one of her girls. One of the two who already knew about them. The one with the azure corkscrew curls and turquoise hair. Shit, what was her name again?

Yami had nicknamed her just Corkscrew, that should be fine.

She was in the company of a young boy, barely older than fourteen or fifteen, with the same hair colour and the same eyes. That one looked shyly up to him, but well, Yami was used to it. At least, it was just a shy glance, not a disgusting or a hateful one.

"Hey, Corkscrew."

"The name's Églantine, captain Yami. Églantine Évantail."

"Still complicated with the name, I see."

Yep, he almost forgot that Corkscrew was an Évantail, and by that a member of that jerk Reggie's family.

It also reminded him that the Black Bulls were the only squad without an Évantail. And even though it shouldn't be such a big deal, since apparently most member of this noble house were snobs and arrogant jerks, it still didn't sit well with Yami. There were some rare good and kind hearted members in this noble house and the fan magic the majority of them has could be quite useful when it was too hot in the Hideout.

"Tell me, Corkscrew, have you seen Prickly Queen lately?"

"Well, I saw her dance with you, then I saw her talking with captain Rill for a moment. But I haven't seen her since and her dress is one of those you notice anywhere, even between other beautiful ball gowns."

Yami definitely agreed on that. He saw a bunch of pretty dresses tonight. Noelle, Vanessa, Nero and Grey were rather elegant tonight, even Charmy was looking more pretty than adorable in her lemon yellow dress with the mint green bow on the back. Blue Rose Mama had made them more than a favour with helping them choose their gowns. Speaking of, his future mother-in-law was quite dashing in her storm dress, Braids other sister had a good look as well, Finesse was a sight in green and silver, Sleepy Hat had made quite the choice with a dark purple dress with silver patterns and Corkscrew here looked rather nicely in her pale pink dress with embroideries of white roses and snowflakes.

But none of them could hold a candle to Charlotte and her black dress with golden embroideries. She was the true queen of the ball.

A queen that made him wait for some reason.

Why was Glowing Hair talking to her, anyway? Did he wanted to make a portrait of Charlotte wearing that black dress? Wait, that wasn't such a bad idea. Where does he need to sign so that Rill would made such a portrait of Prickly Queen.

"Hello, you both," Charmy said to the turquoise-eyes siblings. "Do you want a cupcake, la?"

The two siblings accepted the pink and the yellow cupcakes his little chef was handing them, Corkscrew with enthusiasm, her brother more shyly. Well, speaking of…

"Hey, Corkscrew, don't ya want to introduce me to your lil' bro here?"

"Oh, I apologize. Candid, as you might know, this is Yami Sukehiro, the captain of the Black Bull squad, and if I remember correctly, this cutie pie is Charmy Pappintson, one of his knights. Captain Yami, miss Charmy, may I present you my younger brother, Candid Évantail. And also, the only brother I get along with."

Yami hold back a snicker. Candid, really? Who the heck called their own kiddo Candid? That was almost as stupidly weird as the Silvas and naming three out of four children with names starting with N. At least, it fitted his rather shy personality.

Also… the only brother Corkscrew got along with? Does this mean that Candid was actually one of the rare good Évantails? Interesting to know. Maybe Yami would get his Évantail after all.

"Tell me, kiddo, how old are you?"

"Me? Well… I will turn fifteen in one week, sir."

"So, you're going to get your grimoire pretty soon then. Do you want to become a Magic Knight?"

"I'd… I'd love to, sir! But… Sadly, I'm not fit to become one."

"Oh, you have some serious illness or somethin' like that?"

"That's not it, but-"

"Oh, Candid, how many times have I told you to not listen the bullshit Samuel tells you?" Corkscrew immediately interrupted her little bro, before turning to Yami. "You have to know, captain Yami, Candid and I have an older brother who is a knight, with the Silver Eagle squad. But he's not a good knight, he's rude to our bastard half-sister who is also a knight over there and at this point, it's rather an open secret that captain Nozel waits for the right moment to kick him out of the Silver Eagles. But that's another topic. Anyway, Samuel never stops telling Candid that he's not fit to be a Magic Knight, because he loves to write poetry and a poet can never be a fighter."

"Well, yer older bro is telling bullshit then," Yami replied and Charmy nodded, while eating another beignet. "You can fight AND love something as soft as poetry. I admit that I'm not very fond of it mostly, but I appreciate good art when I see some. And some of my brats are also into arts and have sometimes no-fighter hobbies, so no big deal."

"It's also… I have to train to use my fan magic accordingly to different situations."

"Meh, we Black Bulls are on good terms with training and hard work, even of some of my brats are kinda some slacker, so that's not a problem."

"And… I'm more of a defender, not quite an attacker."

"Details, defence is just as important as attack and most of my idiots are more attackers. Having another defender would balance all this out."

"And… I learned first aid in secret. First aid that doesn't need magic, but…"

"Well, that's actually a good point, kiddo. Grey has learned some healing with her magic during the whole shit with Spade, we have Charmy here with her mana reinforcing food, Vanessa with her potions and Gordon with his new knowledge of curses and how to fight them. But none of my idiots, except maybe Finral to some extent, has some complete first aid knowledge and using it without magic is rather a rarity these days. Old Owen is rather sad about it and having someone knowing first aid with no magic and being a knight shall start to be not a rarity anymore. Okay, kiddo. As soon as you have your grimoire, yer in."

"Wait, what?"

"Ya don't need to listen to your jerk bro, listen to yer sister instead. And to me. As soon as ya have yer grimoire, I make a Black Bull out of you. Forget the selection exam, kiddo, most of my brats become knights through the back door anyway, so one more won't change anything, ya know. Like Charmy here. Ya have potential, alone with everything you just told me. And you obviously have a good heart, a rarity for a noble. And you can still grow, we Black Bulls are expert on that since two years especially. Besides, I haven't got any new knights since Asta and Noelle, it's time for at least one new face. Not to mention that the Black Bulls still have no one from house Évantail within the ranks and I don't wanna be left behind by the other captains on that. And apparently, a nice Évantail is a rarity, so I better not let ya go. And I will finally have some personal fan when it's hot. I'll inform my brats about it, so they won't attack you when you show up after ya get your grimoire."

Candid looked at him with surprise at first, than as if Yami just gave him the whole world, if he interpreted the boys teary eyes and bright smile correctly.

"I… I… What can I say? I mean, of course I accept your offer! I won't disappoint you, sir, I promise!"

"Just show up after ya get your grimoire and always surpass your limits, that'll do it."

"La, once you're a Black Bull, I will cook you delicious food. You need to tell me what meals and dishes you like the most when you come next week, I'm going to cook them for the welcome party. In the meantime, have cupcake, la."

Candids hand were trembling when he took the cupcake, but from his Ki, Yami could tell that it was out of joy. Corkscrew was also very happy for her brother, she thanked Yami at least three times for offering Candid to become a Black Bull and the siblings happy Ki was still to be sensed when they disappeared in the crowd.

Yami smiled. This was actually another good thing for tonight's ball.

"I like him, la. He's nice."

"He definitely is. Finral is going to be happy to have another just nice lad in the squad."

"La, and he's also cute. Not as much as my boyfriend, of course, but still cute."

This made Yami frown. Since when did Charmy have a boyfriend? And why hasn't she said anything to the Black Bulls?

But Yami couldn't continue this train of thoughts as Nozel came right to the buffet. And given the recent event with the dance, this was actually way more interesting and entertaining than Charmys sudden secret boyfriend.

"Ah, look who's here! Bird Braid, aka the royal who chooses to have a witch and a Black Bull as his dance partner instead of some standard noble."

"And it's one of the best decisions I have made in my life."

Oh. Yami hadn't expected this answer to his teasing. Even worse, Nozel didn't look like he felt like he needed to be upset or to go all snobby. That was something new coming from Bird Braid and for some reason, it kinda pissed Yami.

Well, maybe another attempt?

"By the way, where is Vanessa? Did she had enough of you already?"

"I can ask you the same. Where is Charlotte, did she had enough of you already?"

Yami was really, really grateful he didn't drink anything right now, because he would spit it out either on Nozel or on Charmy or some passing noble. The first option would be tempting, but Vanessa and Noelle would have been certainly be very mad. The second option was half a death sentence and the third one… Okay, the third one was actually not only tempting, but depending on the noble would also be justified. Especially for Reggie or auntie Rosabitch.

"Wait, Bird Braid… How do you know that?"

"Vanessa. She told me not even ten minutes ago."

"Oh."

Why did this sounded like an answer to everything?

"I have to say, it's about time you two finally got together. It was really upsetting to see the sexual tension for all those years, without any conclusion for so long. And lately, Rill, Jack and Dorothy had those stupid bets about you getting finally together or not."

"For fuck's sakes, why is no one actually surprised that Prickly Queen and I are finally together? Was it so obvious?"

"Yes, it was."

"La, and you always looked at each other like you're going to eat each other any second. I saw that when captain Charlotte came to visit, la."

Of course Charmy found out about the tension between Charlotte and himself in a way that reminded her of food. What else was new?

Nozel looked at him as if he found him pathetic to react like this. But then, he sighed with resignation. And was this some compassion or understanding in his Ki?

Bird Braid being nice? What was going on?

"If it can reassure you, Asta and Magna are certainly going to be surprised when they learn about you and Charlotte. Vanessa had told me that those two were a bit dense."

"You can say that. Wait, Vanessa told you that? And you listened to her?"

"Of course I do, she is my girlfriend?"

"Nice to know that you had some talking between your make-out sessions."

"We don't only have talks and make-out sessions. We also way more than that."

There was a silence.

Yami tried to understand Braids last words. And haven't Vanessa mentioned once that her so secret lover was apparently a god in bed?

Yami looked blankly at Nozel, who looked back at him with the same glance.

"Wait, Bird Braid… You aren't prude?"

"Are you Yami? I honestly expected a more crude suggestion coming from you."

"Yeah, what the hell," Yami just replied, clearly done. Nozel seemed more than serious about Vanessa, to a point that he wasn't ashamed and didn't gave in to his teasing.

It was still very upsetting, but what else could he ask for one of his brats?

Charmy suddenly moved, went pass Yami to plant herself in front of Nozel.

"You want a cupcake?"

Nozel arched a brow in surprise, but still accepted the lilac cupcake with a nod and started to eat it. Charmy nodded with satisfaction.

"Captain Yami, Noelles brother is perfect for Vanessa."

"And how did you came to that conclusion?"

"He accepted my cupcake, la."

Charmy really had the weirdest reasons to accept someone. And it was always food. She went pass him again and went back to eat some beignets and other things.

Yami sighed. If everyone would accept Nozel for Vanessa as easily as Charmy did, he would probably never hear the end of it.

"Okay, Bird Braid, seriously. Why are you doing here, without Vanessa?"

"Actually, she sent me. Rill told us something that might be concerning. Charlotte discovered something that maybe, just maybe, has something to do with one of her aunts and the thievery happening in the Common Realm. She went to investigate this and Vanessa went searching for her, while I have to find you before joining them."

Nozels tone was really serious and his glance had some worry. Probably for Vanessa. To be fair, Yami got tense immediately when Braids mentioned the thievery of the Common Realm and one of Prickly Queens aunts. That could only be auntie Rosabitch!

Yami had no idea why this was happening, he had no idea what the ties were. But everything here smelled fishy and for him, this was enough to take action.

"Come, Nozel. Let's have the back of our girlfriends."

Nozel just nodded. Damn, Yami never had seen such determination in Bird Braids eyes before. He must really love Vanessa deeply.

Maybe he wasn't so bad as a boyfriend for one of his brats, after all.

Both captains left the buffet immediately, walking at quick pace through the ballroom and the crowd. As if they would let anyone stop them to be there for their beloved girlfriends. They were both capable, of course. But they would be bad boyfriends to not have their back at least.

Barely did Yami and Nozel realize that someone has noticed their quick pace and the worry in their eyes.