Everyone watched with surprise Rosette Vitrail entering the room. Which means that no one was expecting her to be here. Not even Lac Silva.
That fact alone was at least a bit enjoyable for Nozel, to know that his father couldn't plan every strategy on his game. But even so, he couldn't imagine any reason for lady Rosette to be here. Maybe it was just a coincidence?
Nozel didn't know Rosette Vitrail that much at all. Even Nebra couldn't tell him a lot about her and his sister was the expert on noble circles within the Silvas. Rosette Vitrail was always pale compared to her glorious and arrogant older sister Athénaïs, had a reputation of being frail and not very healthy, which didn't help with her appearance. Pale in skin, eyes and hair, thin frame and always so quiet.
But at the same time, Nozel remembered the small lively glimmer in her grey eyes, the day he bumped into her, her mother and her sister in Soie Velours' shop, when he opened an account for Vanessa. He remembered that it was Rosette who managed to pull her mother and her sister away from him, he remembered how she somehow smiled at him before leaving the shop.
Still, her appearance was something he didn't expected in this situation.
"What is going on here?" Rosette asked quietly. Nozel would have said innocently, but something in the tone of her voice didn't matched with innocence. Although he wasn't certain still and he didn't know if the others did catch on it as well.
Lac Silva definitely didn't. "Nothing of importance, lady Rosette, so do not worry. Although I don't think that this is a place for a young noble lady as you are."
"I'm almost seventeen, I got my grimoire two years ago. By the logic of our kingdom, I'm already old enough to deal with unpleasant topics."
This was a good argument and Rosette said it in such a factual way that even Lac Silva couldn't say anything against.
With a little bit of petty satisfaction, Nozel observed how the man his mother married kept his mouth shut, looking at Rosette as if he couldn't determine if she was stupid or if it was just a coincidence that she made good arguments. Nothing in his magenta coloured eyes showed that he even considered lady Rosette Vitrail as someone intelligent. Seeing Lac Silva not able to judge someone was such a sight.
But Nozel also knew that he shouldn't focus on that. At least not too much. Rosette might be in danger and if lady Rosamund was capable to accept with nonchalance that someone like lord Reginald marries Charlotte – at least, this is what he understood so far – then it was rather fair to assume that she was also capable to take someone hostage to protect her crime organization. Especially someone as frail looking and with a reputation of not being healthy like Rosette Vitrail.
They were four more than capable Magic Knights present in this room, including three squads captains. Nozel knew that it was their job to protect anyone from a possible hostage situation, especially if they might be able to be a hindrance to it.
And lady Rosette Vitrail was maybe one of the rare non Magic Knight nobles worth protecting.
"Lady Rosette," Nozel spoke, gathering every pair of eyes towards him, even the little boy hiding behind the baskets. "May I ask you to come nearer to us Magic Knights? It might be safer."
Lac Silva, Reginald Évantail and Rosamund Roselei looked at him with surprise for some reason. But Rosette just nodded and hold up her dark grey dress with the pink lilies with her hands to walk carefully between the baskets. For a second, Nozel was ready to bet that her pale grey eyes seemed observant.
When Rosette finally stood pretty close to both couples, she looked again over the baskets, before she asked in the most innocent voice Nozel ever heard, "Are those all the goods that have been stolen from the Common Realm?"
"W-w-wait, h-h-how do you know that, lady Rosalie?" Reginald Évantail asked with such a ridiculous stuttering.
"My name is Rosette, lord Reginald. You must be really getting old if you don't remember names properly."
Yami laughed loudly at this and Nozel couldn't help but smile a bit himself. Somehow, Rosette managed to sound really naïve.
"I'm not old! It's just not my fault that you are mostly invisible."
"Oh, thank you for reminding me. I'm so invisible that even I have the frequent tendency to forget it myself," Rosette giggled innocently. She didn't even sounded offended at all. In fact, there was a happy undertone in her voice. Nozel observed her discreetly. Did she use her frail, very pale appearance and her reputation to be unhealthy like a shield or a weapon?
Charlotte looked like she came to that conclusion as well, given how she glanced at Rosette with big eyes. Yami seemed that he read her Ki and Nozel saw surprise, as well as a bit of admiration in his dark grey eyes.
Nozel looked at Vanessa, who he was still holding closely, with no intention to let go of her. His beloved was also glancing at Rosette, with a lot of surprise, but her small smile was cheery. Like always when she witnessed something new and came to already like it. Behind that mask for pale fragility, Rosette Vitrail might be a very fascinating person.
"Well… I… How… Me… How… I beg your… pardon, but… Well, anyway, you still haven't answered my question, young lady!" Reginald Évantail protested. He tried to sound like a scolding father, but it was more like a spoiled little child who tried to sound like an adult. "How do you know about all those thievery?"
Rosette just shrugged with her shoulders, giving a perfect impression of a rather naïve noble lady. "Many members of my house always talk about it over lung or dinner, or during tea time. Not to mention that it's also a frequent topic among noble circles lately. Oh, you're surprised about it, lord Reginald? To be perfectly honest with you, I share that sentiment. So many of our fellow nobles claimed that they don't have any interest about those thievery acts in the Common Realm. But they still talk so much about it that it proves actually the opposite. Quite unfitting of nobility, don't you think, lord Reginald? People with sense like you and me have of course truly no interest in that, but given how many others are talking about it, we're sadly learning a lot about it."
"Why is this girl a simple noble?" Vanessa whispered teasingly in his ear, so that no one else could hear her. "With that kind of acting skill, she should be in the theatre or something."
Nozel couldn't help but smile with amusement.
Sadly, he couldn't reply, as Lac of a people present has now to talk. "A very good point, lady Rosette, I must say. It is rather a complicated situation, after all…"
He didn't realized Rosettes true colours. It was satisfactory and upsetting at the same time.
"Complicated? Allow me to disagree, lord Lac," Charlotte replied coldly. "Even children are able to know that thievery is a crime. And this is not the simple thefts of hungry children, orphans mostly, that have to steal so that they won't starve. This is a criminal organization, even selling the stolen goods to another country. Not to mention that lord Reginald here was very much aware of the whole crime. But he didn't report it to the authorities, be it us Magic Knights, the Wizard King or even the parliament. Damnatio Kira is not known to close eyes when a noble or even a royal does something illegal. Shall I remember you that he even didn't stop to put his own father in prison?"
"Charlotte is right… father," Nozel continued, trying very hard to not make a face. It was so difficult now to utter the simple word father. "Nothing is complicated here. We have a clear crime here and it hurt a lot of people in the Common Realm."
"Since when are you caring about anything that's not from the Noble Realm, son?" Lac asked in a mocking tone.
"Since mother teached me what it means to be a knight, to be knightly. And even more since I became I Magic Knight. Just because nobility had a false image of me for so many years doesn't mean I'm like how they want to see me. Or how you want to see me…"
Lac Silva looked at him with the superior, harsh way he always looked down on him. But Nozel glared back as fiercely as he could. He would never yield to his so-called father ever again. Yielding to him would mean that he would yield to nobility, to sacrifice himself again and again. And he refused to exist like this.
He was finally on better terms with his siblings, especially with Noelle, most of his knights actually not only respected but also liked him in a way, he was finally taking his life in his own hands instead of denying himself every kind of happiness.
He was finally starting to heal from the loss of his mother. Of course, he would always miss her, but he was able to remind her more without guilt or without feeling to cry. He finally knew that Acier would never wanted him to be unhappy for the sake of others.
And most importantly, he now had Vanessa at his side. He was deeply in love with the most wonderful woman in the world, the best spouse he could have to face hardships and joy.
He was Nozel Silva and no one would take this away from him.
"But, lord Nozel," lady Rosamund said, with some fake offense. "You shouldn't talk to your father like that."
"I don't think that you're in a position to protest about this, lady Rosamund," Vanessa replied immediately, holding his hand in an encouraging way. "You don't know how deep the gap is between lord Lac and each of his children. Especially Nozel. You're not private with the Silvas and besides, you're the head of a criminal organization. So, shut up."
How did she managed that, to make him fall in love with her all over again?
Rosamund Roselei now looked like her eyes might pop out of her holes in anger. "Shut yourself, you… you… you witch! You're not even a peasant or a commoner, you're just a witch! Nobility and royalty doesn't concerns you at all!"
"Let me disagree, lady Rosabitch," Vanessa replied, her glare harsh but her tone like a small talk. "Some of my friends and squadmates are nobles and royals. Heck, my best friend Finral married lady Finesse Calmreich a few months ago, who is a royal related to the Kiras. And my boyfriend is even the head of house Silva. It does concerns me more than you realize and I'm learning still more and more each day because of that. Besides, since I'm going to be his wife one day, it's a good thing that learn how nobility and royalty works, so I can learn how to deal properly with the likes of you."
"WHAT?"
Reginald Évantail, Rosamund Roselei and two of her lackeys looked at Vanessa as if she just lost her mind. But Nozel didn't care about them. His focus was on his so-called father.
Because for the first time in his life, he witnessed Lac Silva fuming. For the first time, someone played a strategy against him he always refused to consider, because it went so much against the status quo of royalty and his manipulation.
Nozel tried so much to not smiled smugly at him. He knew from experience how well Lac was able to use someone's smugness to his own advantage, even if it looked like the opposite. Nozel refused to be smug, he wanted to be serious, so that he could show his father that he was his own person and that he took his own decisions.
And he took the decision to spent the rest of his life with Vanessa.
"Son, you can't be serious," Lac said, a vein pulsing on his forehead. "Didn't I told you enough what your duties are?"
"I always knew my duties… Lac. I was so much aware of them that I sacrificed myself so many times since my mother died, in order to keep what she left behind intact. The squad, the house and most importantly, my siblings. I've made many mistakes, I know. But not those you, the other two heads and most nobles believed I did. Other mistakes, against others and myself. But I'm making amends for them and I stop being lonely, like you wanted me. I'm not alone anymore, I have the Silver Eagles and my siblings, my colleagues from the other squad, my relatives… And most importantly, I have Vanessa. I won't be judged for this."
He could tell that everyone in this room looked at him with surprise, but Nozel couldn't care less. What only mattered was Lac Silva fuming while glaring at him, his ambitions around Nozel starting to fall into dust, and Vanessa holding still his hand tightly, feeling how happy she was for his speech, her love giving him the strength he never had before.
The image and the cold reputation he had hold onto for years since his mother died might crumble after this ball, but it didn't matter. It never really mattered.
"This… this is outrageous! A royal and a witch, this is… is so unfitting!"
"Hey, don't insult one of my brats, auntie Rosabitch! And one of my captain colleagues as well, I guess."
Rosette, who kept quiet until now, actually said in a really candid way, "I don't know what you have against it, lady Rosamund. I find them beautiful together, I already find them beautiful when they danced the Three Leaves Waltz together."
Beautiful? Rosette found them beautiful together? Nozel really hoped that he wasn't blushing right now, especially in front of two arrogant nobles, Lac Silva, Charlotte and even worse, Yami of all people. He would never hear the end of it.
Vanessa, on the other hand, seemed delighted. "Oh, thank you, young lady. That's such a nice thing to say. Shall I engage you as one of my bridesmaid, just in case?"
"Being invited to the wedding will be more than enough, thank you, lady Vanessa."
Lady Vanessa… How sweet this sounded.
"Oh for Heaven's sake, Rosette!" Rosamund squeaked, dropping the policy nobles had usually for each other. "How can you even DARE to pretend something like this? Lord Nozel Silva with a… with a…"
"I think the word witch is the one you're searching for, lady Rosamund," Vanessa said politely, but her smirk was very smug.
"Yes, thank you! Rosette, how dare you think that lord Nozel is looking beautiful with a witch at his side when your own sister, the lovely lady Athénaïs, is actually the perfect candidate to be the future lady Silva!"
"Excuse me, Rosamund! The top candidate to become the future lady Silva is obviously my dear and sweet daughter Prudence, not that arrogant beauty lady Athénaïs! Oh, um, lady Rosette, I didn't meant-"
"To insult my older sister in my presence? Of course not, usually other nobles are only insulted in the absence of the members of their houses. But to be fair, you said nothing wrong concerning Athénaïs."
Rosette didn't even seemed upset, neither happy though. As if what she just heard about her sister was a mere fact. Nozel wondered if he should be concerned about the family relations between the members of house Vitrail.
But he couldn't continue this train of thought, because Rosette continued immediately in her really convincing naïve voice, "But the same also applies to your daughter, lord Reginald. Lady Prudence has some similarities with my sister, being a true beauty and both are from high nobility. Not to mention a pride that gives a royal aura, for some reason. I can't really tell as I never really understood it, but who am I to decide? I don't know much what determines for someone to become a catch for a royal or not. But my older sister is more pragmatic in her approach, while lady Prudence gives more importance to emotions."
Was Rosette just stating facts or did she insulted Prudence and Athénaïs in a very, very subtle way?
Both Reginald and Rosamund seemed very insulted, but couldn't say anything that wouldn't make them sounding like the bad guys compared to Rosette, who sounded like she was stating facts in a very neutral way.
Sadly, there was someone else who actually was more an artist on never sounding like the bad guy…
Lac Silva stroke his moustache in a refined way, before adding, "You make some good points, lady Rosette, I have to admit. At least, you seem to be able to learn a bit of proper etiquette, compared to other noble ladies in your age."
Rosette only nodded, not responding to Lac.
"But at the same time, we need to consider that all those factors are actually playing in the favours of your dear sister Athénaïs and Lord Reginalds lovely daughter Prudence. If only my son could choose one of those two charming ladies as his wife, house Silva might be finally saved from doom."
"But do Prudence and Athénaïs actually care for house Silva?", Nozel replied calmly and cold, looking Lac Silva right into his venomous magenta eyes. "I don't think so, marrying into royalty is more a game than a true desire to become part of the family."
"Oh, they do care about house Silva, son. Just not the way you do and everyone in this room knows that your way of caring is not the right one."
"No, you're not one to judge. Do you really think I'm stupid? Since my childhood I was very much aware that you never cared about house Silva, only about your own ambitions. Mother, my siblings and me… all the other royals, all those nobles who think so highly of you… We were just tools for you, so that you can reach your goal, whatever your goal is. If destroying house Silva would be the way to make your ambitions true, then you would do it without any regret or hesitation. The Silvas were on the brink of falling when mother died, but you didn't do anything against it. On the contrary, you secured your own position while putting me down and blaming Nebra and Solid for grieving for their mother. And you were even ready to throw Noelle out of royalty because of her already bad reputation, even though she was still a baby."
"And you were stupid to fight against me because of a baby."
"She is my little sister, why wouldn't I fight for her, despite my overwhelming grief and all my mistakes?"
Nozel felt how Vanessa was still holding him tightly, holding him together. Which was good, because he was about to lose it while facing this horrible man. And he shouldn't lose it or Lac would win again.
He heard gasps and other surprised sounds from the people in this room, but he didn't care. He was done hiding how he really felt about what his so-called father did.
"How outrageous!" protested lady Rosamund after a few seconds. "Talking in such a disrespectful way towards your own father, especially someone as wonderful and amazing like lord Lac Silva! This is practically a crime!"
"Less than thievery, Rosabitch," Yami replied in a groan.
"Okay, that's it! All of you stupid younglings need a proper warning! Robin, throw your dagger!"
"On the scary captain of the Black Bulls? Now, thank you, lady Rosamund, I don't want to get killed."
"I wasn't talking about Yami Sukehiro, you idiot! Throw that dagger at Rosette Vitrail! Kill her or wound her, I don't care, it would be enough of a warning."
Wait, what?
"Okay."
Before anyone could even say anything, the lackey called Robin already got a dagger out of his pocket and was already ready to throw. He only waited one second before taking into action. One second that was too short to for any action taken, but long enough to notice everyone's reaction.
The lackey girl was snickering, while the huge buff man seemed not caring at all. Only the little boy seemed scared. Rosamund looked like crazy, Lac unbothered, as if this wasn't a crime occurring in front of his own eyes. Reginald started to whine, overwhelmed by the situation.
Yami was reaching for his katana, which he didn't had with him because of the ball. For once, Nozel would have really appreciated to have him going against the dress code, given the situation. Why today of all days?
Charlotte took a step forward, Vanessa gasped and Rosette took a step behind, a hint of fear in her pale grey eyes.
Then, Robin throw his dagger at her.
And Nozel got in front of Rosette in the exact same time, shielding the young girl, ready to take the dagger for her.
He closed his eyes, thinking only of Vanessa and his siblings, the most important people to him, while he waited for the upcoming impact.
Which didn't came. Instead…
"Meow."
Yami looked with incredulity at Rouge, who just manifested in front of Nozels feet, meowing and even started to rub against Bird Braid. The dagger of that Robin duded fell a bunch of feet away from Nozel and that little Ghost Girl in the dark grey dress.
Vanessa let out a heavy breath, proof enough that she had stop to even take some air for a few seconds. In fact, come to think of it, he held his breath as well.
Yami took a long breath in. Damn, breathing really felt great, especially after those crazy tense seconds. It went so fast that he even didn't had the time to take his katana. Well, better doing it now.
But… there was nothing.
Crap, he had forgotten about it! Because Blue Rose Mama and Nacht and Finral and Finesse and many others had told him that having such a large weapon wouldn't work with his suit, according to dress code and yadda, yadda.
Fuck, why could he had just don't listen to them, like he always does? But now, for once he actually took an effort and there they had the bullshit. But okay, who would have thought an attempted murder on this crappy ball? The biggest threat did apparently came from jerk nobles who wanted to engage innocent people behind their backs. Not from assassins! Damn, how bored was auntie Rosabitch that she was ready to go this far to protect her hobby? Even he and Nacht wouldn't have gone so far during their scoundrel days! At least, he hoped so. Yami admitted that he had been a bit reckless back then.
One or two second of complete silence passed, except for Rouge meowing and rubbing against Nozels legs.
Then, Vanessa screamed and actually fell in Bird Braids arms, practically crying in relief. "Oh, honey, this was way too close for comfort!"
"I know, I'm sorry. But you still saved me."
"And you saved Rosette."
This was the moment when Prickly Queen snapped out of it and took his arm to lead him towards Vanessa, Bird Braid and Ghost Girl, who looked blinked a bit, but seems otherwise fine. It didn't stop her to hide behind the still hugging couple, though.
"Are you alright, lady Rosette?" Charlotte asked quietly, taking Ghost Girls hand, stroking it in comfort.
Yami rolled his eyes slightly. Who in their fucking right mind would gave such a pale kiddo a blooming, happy name like Rosette?
"Rather fine, more fear than pain, I suppose," Ghost Girl replied, still blinking a bit, but otherwise already posed and calm, even according to her Ki.
Yami had to give it to this kiddo, though. She looked frail and naïve and honestly acted almost a bit like a stupid young noble bitch. But according to her Ki, she was just acting that part. Honestly, he had been kinda impressed how she managed to make her point come across while sounding naïve and innocent, just stating neutral facts. Kinda strange coming from a noble.
That Robin guy looked at his stupid dagger in astonishment, just like all the others by the way. Only that Lac scumbag and auntie Rosabitch looked at the red cat, as if it was some kind devil or somethin'.
"How… How… HOW!"
Damn, could Rosabitch squeak a bit louder, so that his old homeland could hear her?
"Rouge is a simple spell," Vanessa replied, her face still hidden in Nozels neck. "It prevents to protect people against death situations, but only that. And it only works on people I deeply care about. And…" now he could hear the smile in her voice, "I care so much for Nozel and I love him deeply, that's why it worked on him."
Oh, crap, Yami almost forgot about that! Rouge worked on the people Vanessa cared the most about, which included all the Black Bulls, even Nacht. But… this would meant that it was more than serious between her and Bird Braid! Otherwise Rouge wouldn't have worked on Nozel, even though he isn't a Black Bull.
But does anyone need to be a Black Bull specifically for Rouge to work? It was enough that Vanessa cared a bunch about that person and Nozel was her boyfriend. So, would this mean that her fricking Fate-binding spell would also work on Finesse and Blue Rose Mama?
And Charlotte?
Okay, that was something to think about and something that was actually quite appealing for Yami. Honestly, it would take a long, long, long while before he would even think to admit it. But having his Prickly Queen growing closer and closer with his brats was something he would clearly love, especially if it means that Rouge might end up working on her as well.
Maybe he should also get to know more her squad and her girls better, not only that fat angel and Corkscrew. The Blue Roses meant a lot to Charlotte, they loved Luck. And maybe they would less getting on his nerves than his stupid brats.
Yeah, that sounded like a plan. For after the ball. Because first, they needed to deal with this bullshit here.
Charlotte turned towards her aunt and damn, if glares could kill anyone, Rosabitch should have been dead at least five times at once right now. "And now, we can even add attempted murder to your crimes, Rosamund. And before you ask, yes, asking someone to do the dirty job for you also counts as attempted murder. You can ask Damnatio if you dare or you can read all the laws, if you want and if you have the patience. Which I doubt, honestly."
"Excuse me, you stupid niece-"
"I wasn't finished! Also, lady Rosette Vitrail present here is now under the protection under the four of us. Black Bulls, Blue Roses and Silver Eagles will have this young girl under your wings until you and your lackeys are dealt with. You will not attempted to hurt or kill her again. Not on our watch."
Yami had all the hardships in the world to watch at Prickly Queen like she represented seven world wonder in one body. She was really such an amazing woman, handling a tough situation like it was a piece of Charmys cake.
Grinning, he turned towards their young new protégé, still hiding behind the four Magic Knights. "You hear that, Ghost Girl? If this shit here isn't finished tonight, you might have us as your personal bodyguards for some time being."
"Ghost Girl?" she replied, arching an eyebrow, confused.
"Oh, don't take any offense in it, lady Rosette," Charlotte said with a sorry smile.
"Yeah, captain Yami gives any kind of nicknames to anyone, but it's isn't meant as an insult, don't worry," Vanessa giggled, poking at Nozel, who just sighed.
"He calls me either Braids or Bird Braid and captain William Vangeance is Goldie Guts. It's just normal for Yami Sukehiro."
Ghost Girl nodded, still looking a bit uncertain.
"Oh for Heavens' sakes," auntie Rosabitch squeaked again, making everyone turn towards her again. "Why are everyone so against about some little thievery? I just did this because I was bored, there is nothing wrong with that! Tell them, lord Lac. You told me like one year ago that I should make something I find exciting if I find my life too boring! And I did!"
Lac Jerk looked quite annoyed. Well, he better be since Rosabitch pulled him into her bullshit now. And Yami hoped for him that he had a good explanation, because if that scumbag also has something to do with this thievery crap organization, it might be over for him. Which Yami honestly hoped, for Noelles sakes and her siblings, especially Nozel. Not to mention Blue Rose Mama.
Yami still wanted to punch him for what he did to Orchidea all those years ago.
"Well, my dear lady Rosamund," that jerk replied, not even hiding his annoyance. "When you complained to me back about how boring your life was, I merely suggested to you to find an activity that could making you excited. I never would have thought that you would organize a criminal activity of all things and that's certainly not a thing I would have suggested for you to do."
Damn, that scumbag was good. Yami concentrated on his Ki and he could at least assume that it was true, that he would have never suggested Rosabitch to become the head of a criminal organization. But maybe he would still know about it in secret, using it as a blackmail handbag?
"Why am I not ever surprised?" Yami heard Nozel whisper. His fellow captain looked like the embodiment of disappointed but not surprised, while Vanessa discreetly pecked his cheek in comfort.
Damn. Bird Braid must have some real, deep beef against his old man. Okay, Yami wasn't surprised about that, but the Ki between father and son had been so full of grudge and everything, like years of resentment.
For some reason, Yami had to remember of his own old man and what beef he had against him, especially concerning Ichika. So, was it the same for Nozel with his own father? Geez, now he actually felt bad for him. At least a bit.
And damn, Nozel had been pretty awesome, facing his father like that not even five minutes ago, without even yielding once. Yami that this could take some courage, to stand up against problematic family members. And Nozel did, having maybe even surpassed some limits back there. And he did for Vanessa as well.
That might be a bit cruel to think, but it was quite a shame that papa Silva here wasn't dead as well as papa Yami. Maybe Yami would make less fun of Nozel in the future. Just a tiny bit less. But still less.
Auntie Rosabitch didn't look quite so certain anymore, now that Papa Jerk over here was obviously not going to support her. And her lackeys were still here, waiting for her orders. Yami was kinda surprised that they haven't committed some kind of mutiny in the time being. Was she paying them this good?
"I… I really have no more time to waste," auntie Rosabitch suddenly yelled, trying to sound like badass again, but failing at it. "The shipping is tomorrow and all those goods still need to be brought to the ducks!"
"Shipping?" Yami asked, on guard. It was never good when a criminal organization has also their foot set in another country. How did auntie Rosabitch organized all that in not even a year?
"Well, then it seems that we'll need to get into contact with the government of this land, so that we can find an agreement to handle this affair more efficiently," Nozel said in matter of fact. "That is, unless said government is also involved with this organization of thievery. Which I dare to doubt, given that lady Rosamund Roselei is the head of said organization."
"Excuse me!" auntie Rosabitch squeaked, clearly offended. But Yami couldn't help but snicker. Okay, he might like that side of Bird Braid, if only he could show it more often, it would make captain meetings less boring.
"Of course not, who in their right mind will have a criminal deal with any government? They're all the same in every country, just a bunch of jerks," the female lackey exclaimed, somehow offended that this was even considered an option.
Weird. Did she had a beef against the higher-ups? Okay, it was understandable concerning that shiny good-for-nothing king or that scale jerk with the stupid mole. But why old man Julius too?
"Daisy!" Rosabitch squeaked again. Damn, her fucking sound was really getting on his nerves. Couldn't she properly yell like any normal fucking person?
"What? It's true, Mylady! Every government is the same. Not caring for their country while acting as they do and forbidding the really cool stuff. No one ever forbid boring farmer life and prostitution is still considered bad. It shouldn't, because it's cool."
"You know that farmer life is actually really important for the country, right?" that dude Robin asked in a cold tone, but Daisy just shrugged.
"That's why it's boring. I didn't disown my parents and their stupid farm for nothing, it was so boring, unlike crimes and prostitution."
Okay, what was fucking wrong in Daisy's mind? It was one thing to want to do something else than farmer life, okay. But why were prostitution and crimes the better option in her mind? How old was she even? She sounded young, but looked way too mature, with that kind of heavy make-up.
All things considered, maybe Yami didn't want to know. That Daisy lass didn't seem like she would want to share her life story to Magic Knights and other higher-ups.
She even continued to talk. "Don't act like you don't agree with me, Robin. You also joined lady Rosamund because she was actually giving you something exciting to do."
"Well, honesty brings you nowhere. You can only achieve something with crimes."
Shit, that Robin dude clearly wasn't being sarcastic, according to his Ki. What did go wrong in his life that this was his perception of the world? Worse, he seemed to believe it in such a natural way, which was concerning in such a young age. Actually, Robin and Daisy might need some help, but would they even want that help? Yami honestly didn't know how bad he should feel for them. It was kinda sad.
No wonder auntie Rosabitch engage them, given how they think and act.
Yami saw Vanessa holding Nozels hand tightly, while both looked sorry for some reason. Ghost Girl seemed to be deep in thoughts, while Prickly Queen whispered, "How can you help people who don't want any help in the first place?"
This was his Prickly Queen, kind hearted under her armour and feeling true compassion when people weren't fine, no matter the situation. Yami took discreetly her hand in a comforting hold, to which she responded immediately.
"The Land of the Sun."
Wait, what?
Everyone turned towards the little pale boy who hide himself behind the baskets until now. That kiddo had a very quiet voice, maybe he wasn't use to talk much in the first place. But his pale blue eyes were shining with a hint of determination, for some reason. Maybe he was engaged into this mess against his will?
"Our contact and where those things are brought… It's a land called Hino, also known as the Land of the Sun, apparently."
"Alban, you little traitor," Daisy hissed, while Robin seemed ready to throw another dagger, at little Alban this time. The buff giant just grumped.
"Is that how you're thanking me, Alban?" auntie Rosabitch asked, now sounding more like an arrogant and cold noble again. "For taking you out of that dreadful orphanage, where you had only one meal a day? I expected more gratitude from someone like you."
"But I never wanted to be a thief," Alban protested, still with a quiet voice. "I just have no place to go after you all took me from the orphanage." Turning towards the Magic Knights and Rosette, the little boy continued, "Daisy has found a way to go to Hino and there are some captains that are navigating there. Not many, though, and that route isn't known, apparently. I don't know more, but I saw that ship go there and coming back two times already."
Yami was not just surprised by the news. He was shocked. Beyond shocked even.
For all those years he lived in Clover, he had been convinced that there had been no way back to the old Land of the Sun. Okay, he didn't search for it, but given what happened back there with Ichika, with the whole Yami clan and what he decided with Ryu, it seemed normal to him to not search. At least, back then…
Plus, he was only thirteen back then, without a grimoire, in a land where he couldn't properly understand the language at first. He had no capability to find a way back to Hino, even if he wanted it. And he never asked Julius even if he might knew a way back to the Land of the Sun. But to be fair, such a magic nerd like that old man that was their current Wizard King would have probably told him, without even asking, if there was a way back. Old man Julius has done enough nerdy research, but he didn't know a way to Hino.
So, with all of those circumstances, of course Yami assumed that there was no way back to his old homeland, starting from Clover. Anyone would have assumed the same fucking thing in his shoes.
And today, not only did he just learned that there is actually a way to Hino, a way old man Julius didn't know about, otherwise he would have told Yami… But also, there were actually a few not well known captains who actually went there and back, with their ship and their crew and anything they might transport there. And that the bitch aunt of his girlfriend, of his Prickly Queen had actually a contact over there, in the Land of the Sun, to sold all the goods she and her lackeys have stolen in the Common Realm those last few months.
Why was this fucking world so small? Why did he only learned about that way back to Hino after living in Clover for almost a decade and a half? And why was he so worked out about it?
He had thought about that old Land of the Sun lately, more than during all those years spent in Clover. Especially concerning Ichika, when Charlotte and Luck found out that they were siblings and started to get closer. He couldn't help but think again about his own little sister from time to time. How he missed, how he wanted to see her again, but couldn't, because he had made an oath to protect her.
There was a possibility for him to go back to Hino, to Ichika, to Ryu. But was it the right decision? If his little sister sees him again, she might hate him and try to fight him. Which was good, because it would meant the plan worked and that she won't feel any guilt about the massacre of their clan.
But at the same time… Could he allow himself to continue to ignore his past? Should he face the consequences of his decision to protect his sister? And didn't he decided that he would one day tell his past to Prickly Queen? And maybe Blue Rose Mama as well?
Argh, why were tragic pasts always so complicated to handle in the present?
He felt Charlotte holding his hand very tightly in comfort. Gosh, he truly needed her. Where would he be without his Prickly Queen?
"Robin, would you please kill Alban for his treason?"
"As you wish, Mylady."
"Oh hell no!"
Before anyone could react, Vanessas threads grabbed Alban by the wrists, pulling him faster than a shooting star next to Ghost Girl behind them.
Yami grinned. This was a damned good job, Vanessa. Well, it was always difficult to admit, but he was always so damn proud when his stupid brats were doing something good. And by the looks of it, Bird Braid was also pretty proud of her. It was really damn difficult to be more or less against their relationship when Nozel had some surprisingly a bit of boyfriend material.
"Another attempted murder? You really are digging your own hole, aunt Rosamund," Prickly Queen commented in a sigh. "This young boy is now also under the protection of the four of us, just like lady Rosette, until all of you are dealt with."
"But… But… what is the land called Hino?" Reggie whined from his corner. Yami groaned. Damn, he had forgotten that Prickly Queens wannabe suitor was still here. Not so much of a presence despite pink hair and the turquoise eyes.
And it was that damn Papa Jerk that answered with a smug yet polite smile! "Oh, a faraway land, with a completely different culture than the kingdoms of Clover, Heart, Diamond and Spade. One of the lands I haven't visited, but maybe, now with a way to reach it, I can have a diplomatic mission there, for the sake of the kingdom of Clover."
"More like your own sake," Yami heard Nozel muttering. Damn, the father-son bonds between them were like almost worse than with his own father and himself. At least, his jerk dad sadly had still some hopes for him. Which papa Silva over here didn't seem to even have to his own son who was fucking captain and royal Head of House.
Lac Silva acted as he didn't heard, instead he continued with some sick sweetness, "But we have someone here who comes from the far away land of Hino, but never returned back there, despite the now known possibility. Maybe we could have already been on friendship terms with the mystical Land of the Sun years ago. But maybe captain Yami Sukehiro doesn't want to return to his old life, to his home country? What do you think, captain of the Black Bulls? Don't you want to see Hino again or are you really that happy in Clover?"
Damn, that jerk was terribly smart. Smart nobles were the worst. He politely talked, which made the insults subtle, which meant that if Yami snapped, he would be the bad guy in the situation.
Yami could feel the Ki's of Vanessa, Nozel and especially Charlotte getting all tense, as well as Ghost Girl behind them. They all had more patience than him, but if one of them would snap…
"Dunno, might be nice if it's really possible," Yami replied in his usual easy-going tone, even though he didn't felt like it at all. "I was shipwrecked here before I even got my grimoire, it been a bit too long since I was in ol' Land of the Sun. But well, I have a life here in Clover, so it's not that important."
Actually it might was, but Papa Jerk didn't need to know that.
Lac Silva wasn't taken aback by Yamis response, sadly. "A life, indeed. Pretty bold indeed, if I may say so. After all, you got yourself the favour of lady Charlotte Roselei, who should be way out of your reach."
"This what I said!" Reggie said again, but Ghost Girl immediately made some kind of gesture that made him shut up.
Papa Jerk continued, "In fact, it seems that some nobles and royals seemed to forget their position and prefer to choose partners out of their circles. Seems like a phase, though. It already happened before in the past. And as we all know, it never ended well, rather tragic. Right, son? I know you have a thing for witches, but do you think you can go through that? It is not the status quo, you might risk to lose your royal status."
Shitty Papa Jerk, did he started to talk with Yami just to get back at his own son in a roundabout way? No wonder that Bird Braid was distant most of the time, if he had to grew up with that kind of shitty dad.
But Nozel didn't yield, as he said while looking in his father's eyes, "Well, then I shall give up on being a royal."
"What?"
Everyone, even his father, looked at the captain of the Silver Eagles as if he just lost his mind. Well, maybe he didn't, but still! Yami knew not much about royal and nobility crap, but it was still enough. At least, enough to be aware there was no royal before who ever, ever choose to give op on royalty. That much that it would most likely have heavy consequences for royalty of this would happen and Braids was the fucking head of house Silva. Damn, Vanessa must meant that much to him.
Just in this moment, some kind of wool ball suddenly floated out of Yamis jacket pocket. Everyone observed stunned how that ball slowly became bigger, until a little girl or woman, wearing a lemon yellow dress with a mint green bow on the back popped out of it.
What the heck was Charmy doing here!
"Okay, I think this enough, la!"
"Charmy?" Vanessa asked, looking at her squadmate as if she started to have only five meals a day.
"Hi, Vanessa. Captain Yami and captain Nozel looked kinda worried when they left the buffet a few minutes ago, so I needed to check out what's going on, la. Oh, by the way, you have chosen an excellent boyfriend. He accepted one of my cupcakes."
Vanessa and Nozel muttered something like an uncertain thanks, but Charmy didn't focus on that. Instead, she now turned towards Rosamund, her lackeys, Reggie and somehow even Lac Silva, looking very angry. "Aren't you all ashamed? I have to abandon some of the most delicious food I ever eat in order to find out what was going on. Couldn't you not being thieves? And you weren't even stealing food, which would have been very understandable, la!"
Damn, they all looked so confused that Yami couldn't help but laugh loudly. Charmy was Charmy and it was amazing.
Speaking of, his little chef now turned towards Ghost Girl, looking at the young girl with a lot of compassion. "Oh, you poor thing, la. You look so terribly thin. Here, take a chocolate-vanilla cupcake. You too, little boy, this one is a chocolate-caramel cupcake."
Both Rosette and Alban had literally stars in their eyes as Charmy gave them her cupcakes, even more so when they took each their first bite. Honestly, it sounded like both of them never had cupcakes or chocolate before. Might be normal for Alban, who was a poor orphan, but kinda surprising for Rosette, who was a noble girl.
"And what do you think you're going to change, you little… lemon?" Rosabitch asked, fuming. Yami rolled his eyes. She was really bad at insulting.
"Little lemon? Thank you for the compliment, la. Actually, I almost forgot this."
Okay, how did Charmy just making a communication device appear in her hand all of a sudden? And since when did she even own one? Those were rather expensive. And… why was it lighting up, as if Charmy was calling someone-
Oh. OH. Yami couldn't help but grin at his sudden realization. This was clever, so damn clever. And auntie Rosabitch, as well as two of her lackeys realized that too, given how pale they suddenly became.
"You might come in now, la!"
Not even a second after, the door opened again and Rill entered first, immediately joining Charmy. Weird, but Yami couldn't focus on them more, as Fuegoleon came in right after with his girlfriend, followed by Prickly Queens fangirl and Braids vice-captain. Then Asta and Magna came in, Noelle and some old lady after them. Followed by mushroom head, some knights from headquarters and old man Julius, who ordered, "Rosamund Roselei, Reginald Évantail, Robin, Daisy and Stein… You five are all under arrest."