Vanessa smiled as she looked into the double crib, where her adorable twin daughters were sleeping. At least, Nymphea was still slumbering in her afternoon nap, while Valentina had woken up, of course.

Nothing new here. Nymphea had always been the calmer twin, while her sister was the wilder one. It had been like that since the day of their birth. Nebra already joked that personality wise, Nymphea might take more after Nozel while Valentina probably would take more after Vanessa.

That might be true. It was even rather ironic, given that the twins had the same initials as their parents. But Vanessa was certain that Nymphea and Valentina also wouldn't be just mini versions of their parents. The twins will also be their own people and she was so looking forward to see them grow. They still had their whole lives in front of them.

But right now, her daughters were still babies, soon three months old. And they were so, so adorable! Vanessa could watch them for hours and still wouldn't have enough. She loved her twins so much.

Valentina babbled while trying to reach for her twin sister through the wooden barrier that separated them. Vanessa stopped her before she could touch Nymphea. This twin was always sleeping so soundly, but a simple touch was sometimes enough to wake her up. Valentina was the complete opposite. A very light sleeper, but somehow it always needed so much before anyone could wake her up.

"Let your sister sleep. Don't worry, she'll wake up on her own. Now, don't you want to spend some time with mama?"

Valentina was now smiling and that smile was always contagious. Vanessa laughed as she lift her baby girl out of her crib. She honestly loved that crib. It had been a bit difficult to choose the baby furniture for the twins. Nozel had once taken her to watch what kind was made for royalty. Her idea, not his, and she almost regretted her decision. Most of those royal furniture where so ridiculously grand and unnecessarily pompous. Especially those made for the royal babies.

Of course, Vanessa had refused that her unborn twins had to sleep in such gaudy cribs. There was still the one that had been made for king Augustus when he was still a baby. Damn, that thing was big enough for thirty babies.

Thankfully, Nozel had told her that there were also baby furniture that were less pompous, more normal. And that they could even order a set of baby furniture, with the material of their choices, especially for the cribs.

Vanessa had been relieved and today, she was actually more than happy with the one they had for Nymphea and Valentina. A double crib made out of olive wood, with little birds carved on the top, in oval form and even able to rock both halves individually.

One thing Vanessa had loved immediately about royal cribs where that they could have curtains. This was such an elegant touch that she absolutely wanted this for her babies. And not only that, she also wanted to sew them herself. As if she hasn't made more than enough baby clothes, tiny knight robes and little witch hats during her pregnancy.

She was very happy with the curtains she created. Made of a light and transparent fabric in bright purple, Vanessa had embroidered thousands of silver stars on it, with a few moons hidden here and there. The mobile Gauche had gifted them had been the perfect final touch. Black cats, eagles and stars in gold and silver were on it. Yes, it was perfect for her baby girls.

It was a rainy May late afternoon, but Vanessa didn't care. She loved the rain, Nozel as well. Even Nymphea and Valentina seemed to share the sentiment, despite being little babies. When it was raining, the twins would fall asleep the easiest.

"So, Valentina. Do you need your griffin plushie or is my hair enough to play?"

Valentina just babbled while grabbing one of Vanessas rosewood locks, which was the answer she needed. So, she sit down on the old Silva rocking chair, holding her daughter close to her.

Wasn't it kinda weird how well she managed with her new royal status, after she married Nozel? Maybe it was, but Vanessa had to admit that never once she tried to really meld herself into that stupid status quo and of course, her beloved husband would have never wanted that in the first place. She just learned all the scrutiny of that world when she had to make appearances or when she needed to deal with other royals and nobles. But that was it. For the rest, Vanessa and Nozel managed to have a nice domestic life, like any normal young parents and any spouses who got married out of love.

Her new life might be not perfect, but Vanessa would never change it for anything in the world. Perfection was overrated and boring anyway.

Valentina giggled as she grabbed her mothers locks. Vanessa felt her heart filled with love at the sight. Her daughters were so adorable! Okay, she might be a bit biased since she was their mother, but it was so true.

Both of her daughters got her amethyst eyes, which had made Nozel very happy. Her own eye colour was a trait he loved about her, but well, her sweet husband loved each one of her traits. Vanessa would probably reacted the same if the twins would have gotten their fathers metallic purple eyes.

But their hair colours were different. While Nymphea inherited the typical silver hair of the Silvas, Valentina somehow got a mix, her hair colour being a far brighter shade of Vanessas rosewood colour.

Dorothy once said that Nymphea and Valentina are going to be beauties with those eyes and those hair, that people would run after them. Vanessa liked to believe her. But for now, her daughters were still babies.

First Silva babies since Noelle, first royal babies since Noelle as well. Their Royal Presentation would be one of the greatest event within royalty and nobility.

Yep, royal babies always got some kind of ceremony when they were three or four months old. Vanessa didn't quite understood the reasons why exactly and neither Nozel nor Océane couldn't quite explain this to her as well. In fact, Nozel hadn't been so eager to have one. Noelles Royal Presentation hadn't gone so well and the memory was still upsetting him.

But as Océane said, it wasn't the end of the world and it might be also an occasion to show nobles again that it's too late to change the Silvas into some kind of marionettes. And this was something Vanessa was always happy to show.

Especially since she was a Silva as well, today.

"You're lucky that papa decided to keep the ceremony to the strict minimum," Vanessa told Valentina, who was still playing with her mother's hair, as if it was the most funny thing ever. "It still going to be long, though. But we'll survive that. After all, we are Black Bulls, Silvas, Silver Eagles and witches, it will be fine. I bet your sister is going to intimidate those stupid nobles by just looking at them. Nymphea already has a glare like papa. As for you… Maybe I shouldn't, but I allow you to throw any kinds of things at the nobles, even your windles if you want. Especially if they're full. Just giggle and look as cute as possible, then they won't dare to protest, since papa and me would be there to put them in their places otherwise."

Valentina just babbled. How lucky she was, still able to have no worries in the world, except having her windles changed, drinking her milk and getting cuddled.

Vanessa smiled, before looking out the window. May just started and it was a rainy evening.

If Nozel would have been here, they would probably already started to dance. Somehow, they always had to dance when it was raining. It was their couple thing.

Vanessa hoped he would be back soon. She hated knowing him alone with the two other royal heads. Usually, she managed to come with him when they were some stupid royal matters to discuss and other stuff like that. Being married to the Head of house Silva gave her a pretty good argument, even though it wasn't usual.

Just as this thought came to her mind, Nozel entered the twins room. He looked exhausted, but this was always the case after he had a talk with king Augustus and Achilles Vermillion, even when she was present.

"I apologize, Vanessa. It lasted longer than I would have liked."

"Come on, honey, you shouldn't feel sorry. If anyone should apologize, it's Auggie and that old wannabe lion. Don't think about them and look at your daughter. Papa is now here, cutie pie."

Valentina immediately babbled with enthusiasm, trying to reach for her father. Vanessa was relieved as Nozels worried frown disappeared, looking happy instead. He was such a loving father, seeing both Nymphea and Valentina always put him at ease. After everything he went through, it was only fair.

Vanessa walked over to him, putting their daughter softly in his arms, before she went back to crib again. Maybe their other daughter wasn't sleeping anymore.

Indeed, Nymphea was now awake, slowly opening her amethyst eyes and looking gravely up to her mother. Gosh, she was so cute with that already serious face, so much similar to her father's. Who would have thought that babies not only could have a serious face at such a young age, but also looking so utterly adorable with one?

"Well, kitty, you woke just in time for your papas return," Vanessa smiled, while taking Nymphea softly in her arms.

She had left Nozel her place on the rocking chair, so Vanessa sat down in front of him, on the fluffy, comfy carpet. A new addition, coming from auntie Dea, also known as lady Orchidea Roselei, mother of the Blue Rose captain Charlotte Roselei.

That dear woman became practically an honorary Black Bull at this point, with how she adopted each and every one of them, not only Luck. And since Vanessa married Nozel and since it was official that Nebra was dating Zora, Orchidea also practically adopted the Silvas, even Solid.

For a while, the young parents just enjoyed the comfortable silence, cuddling their daughters, happy to be in each other's presence. The rain just gave one more touch to this cosy feeling. Neither of them would have known that they wanted moments like a bit more than one year ago and today they cherished every moment of it.

Valentina babbled and giggled, playing with Nozels braid. Of course this was bound to happen, but he was actually rather fond of the gesture.

Nymphea wasn't as bold as her twin sister, she just touched Vanessas rosewood curls, looking at them as if her mother's hair was a rare animal or plant to observe very carefully. It was so adorable.

Vanessa might repeat herself with that word. But it was the only truth, her baby girls were adorable. And everyone who already saw Nymphea and Valentina always agreed – directly or indirectly – that they were so very cute.

She hoped that the nobles coming for their Royal Presentation would find them adorable as well. Okay, of course they would, even arrogant nobles can be weak for cute babies. It doesn't matter if they would say it out loud or just keep silent. Vanessa would glare at them if they would dare to say that her daughters won't be cute. She now was almost as good as Nozel to glare people down.

"We already went through all the candidates today," Nozel finally said. Now he was ready to tell about his difficult day.

"Already? Gosh, that went fast, honey. Did you and the other two speed checked on all the potential brides?"

"To be fair, Solid never got as many suitors like the rest of us. Even Noelle had more, despite her past reputation. Solid was sadly known very early for his… rather unsettling behaviour."

"A very polite way to say that your brother was an arrogant jerk, honey."

Okay, to be fair to her brother-in-law, he had made some effort this past year. At least, his bond with Noelle was definitely better. But Solid Silva was still a kinda difficult person to deal with. It took him quite some time to accept that not only his brother wanted to marry a witch and no one else, but that both his sisters were dating peasants, one of them with no mana or magic at all.

He was making serious efforts, Vanessa would be damned if she wouldn't give him that. And despite his attempts to hide it, Solid was so terribly in adoration of his two nieces. But there was still a way in front of her brother-in-law.

"Honestly, I'm still wondering why Solid was ready to have an arranged marriage," Vanessa continued, while rocking Nymphea gently.

"I have sometimes myself some hard times to understand his thoughts. Solid seemed rather convinced that falling in love was too much trouble, while he had Nebra, Noelle and me as examples. It was his idea to settle to an arrange marriage, after all. I tried to talk him out of it, but Solid was determined."

"Stubborn like a Silva. Although, I get him when it's about Nebra and Zora, those seemed to have mixed romance and arguments into one big disaster, but still made it work perfectly. But how can Asta and Noelle or you and me be bad love examples for your brother?"

"I don't know, honestly. Sometimes, I still can't understand Solids way of thoughts. I just hope he thought this through, despite everything. He should know that in reality, arranged marriages aren't a security against bumpy relationships, on the contrary."

Vanessa didn't reply immediately, observing her husband instead. He let Valentina play with his braid and even smiled at his daughter. But Vanessa knew her husband very well. Given his past, she knew exactly what was bothering Nozel.

"Nozel, honey, come sit with me, please."

He looked at her with a bit of surprise. But Nozel still stood up from the rocking chair, holding Valentina firmly in his arms and joined Vanessa and Nymphea on the fluffy carpet.

"What truly bothers you is that Solid settled for an arranged marriage after you did your best for years that your siblings won't get married against their will."

"Yes… Did I fail concerning Solid?"

"Oh no, Nozel, don't think like that! You did everything you could to give your siblings freedom about their future partners and in my books, you clearly did not fail. Look at Nebra and Noelle, they're both dating peasants. And Solids decision to get an arranged marriage, well, it was still his own decision. No matter his reasons and even if some are maybe questionable, it was still his own decision."

Vanessa leaned towards Nozel, poking his cheek softly with her nose, in an attempt to settle him. "You did not fail any of your siblings on this topic. Neither Solid nor your sisters. And even better you did it without sacrificing yourself into a loveless marriage. How better could you have done it?"

She heard Nozel chuckle softly, which satisfied her. He wasn't feeling too guilty about it anymore. And Vanessa will make sure that he won't fell over that edge again.

"You did the best you can and it's so much already. I don't think you have failed. It was Solids decision and if it was a mistake, it would be his. Then he'll drink his bitter wine."

Nozel chuckled, it was still sounding a bit sad. Vanessa couldn't blame him, as Solids decision certainly wasn't something Nozel had ever wished for any of his siblings. But at least, it wasn't burdening him terribly anymore.

"So, at least were there some girls that you could see entering the Silva family?"

"Sadly, most of them were like typical nobles. You could tell that their respective houses are desperate to marry into the Silvas, especially since Solid is technically the only one single at this point."

"Which is weird, after all you still got countless proposals for Noelle and Nebra each day."

"They're not betrothed to Asta and Zora yet and those two are peasants. This is the reason why nobles still send me marriage proposals for my sisters. But even the most stupid ones know that courting a royal who is dating already is not safe."

Vanessa sighed while rocking Nymphea softly. Nobles were always such a pain, even for royalty itself. If it weren't for the good people within nobility, Vanessa would have been ready to propose to get rid of this class altogether.

"How were the girls?"

"Some were a bit like Violet Vermillion, already standing in the shadows, ready to be on the side line and do what they're told to. Others were like wannabe versions of Athénaïs Vitrail and Prudence Évantail. Arrogant, looking down on the Silvas, but desperate to become a royal for some kind of power. You can imagine that I don't want any of them as a Silva. Those girls would have looked down on you, Zora, Asta and even our daughters because of your roots. I can't accept a wife for Solid who will look down on her in-laws."

"Of course not. We worked so much to make you Silvas a proper family again, a corrupt noble lady would just try to destroy all those efforts. And I don't want a bigot, close-minded auntie for my babies!"

Vanessa heard Nozel chuckle softly. Valentina was still playing with his braid and he even helped her to grab it. Nozel was such a caring father, so different than what was expected for a royal.

"There is one candidate, though, that stood out of the lot for me…"

"Oh, who was it and why was that girl so different from the other candidates?"

"It is someone we already know. Or to be more adequate, we have met her a few times in the past… I'm sure you remember Rosette Vitrail."

Vanessa nodded. Of course she remembered that young noble girl. She only met her a few times and she was still somehow a mystery to her. But the few times they had interacted, Rosette had gave Vanessa the impression of clever and even strong young lady, at least in her own ways. She looked so pale, had a fragile looking frame and seemed rather invisible, with a reputation of being not very healthy. But there were always seemed more to her than anyone would think at first.

Vanessa liked Rosette Vitrail, as much she could like a girl she haven't interacted much with. She met her sometimes at noble circles when she accompanied Océane Vermillion and they had a few talks sometimes.

But Rosette Vitrail was still a mystery. And yet…

"I've only interacted with her a few times, but she's one of those nobles I can accept easily to be around. At least, she was never disrespectful."

"She was also the only one out of all those candidates who actually was talking for herself. Her answers seemed genuine, all the others sounded like they were more or less repeating speeches her parents would have taught them. Rosette also never once subtly said anything bad about house Silva. All by staying humble. I don't know if it was her game or if she meant it."

"Maybe both."

"It's also very possible. King Augustus and Achilles Vermillion actually listened to her, even though I don't have the impression they realized it. And the most important part… Well, the betrothal time will of course take a while, but Rosette made a proposition. She suggested that during the betrothal time, she could already move and live in the Silva palace."

"What, really? I can guess that she wants to go away from her house, if she isn't happy there and given that she was always compared to her older sister. But is this even a thing? And would her parents agree, since it seems that it was her idea and not theirs?"

"I can't talk for lord Verre and lady Cristal. Rosette seemed acting more on her own than for the goals of house Vitrail. As for her suggestion… It had been a thing in the past, centuries ago. Back then, it had been more common to engage children already and the one who married into royalty was sent to live with the future in-laws, to learn how to be a royal for years before the final wedding. It's not common anymore, in fact it hasn't been done for over a century. But it was never abolished, otherwise Rosette probably wouldn't have suggested to live with us in the first place."

Vanessa wondered why Rosette would have suggested, on her own, to go through an ancient tradition that hadn't been applied since over a century. She must have her reasons and she certainly was still a bit of a mystery. Honestly, those details awakened Vanessas curiosity about this particular noble lady.

"Your verdict, honey?"

"Well… Whatever Augustus and Achilles consider, in the end it was for someone marrying into the Silvas. So, the final decision is mine, for a change. And I would only choose Rosette. But I told the other royal heads that I would announce my decision tomorrow. I hoped that I could still change Solids mind about the arranged marriage. It's also not something I want for Rosette Vitrail. But…"

"I know, Solid is stubborn. We both know that no one can't change his mind right now. Nozel, it was his decision, let your brother deal with the consequences of it. As for Rosette, with what you told me, she was definitely not doing this whole royal interview or hearing for the glory of her house, but more like for herself alone. And from her interaction I had with her, I'm actually very certain that she would be more accepting of me, Zora and Asta than any standard noble would. That is an auntie I would love for Nymphea and Valentina. As for how Rosette and Solid would be together… We'll see. Each of them also have us to support them, after all."

"I hope it will work somehow, then. It will be already a pain to deal with lord Verre Vitrail afterwards. He's certainly going to brag about how both of his daughters married into royalty, even the frail one."

Oh yes, that would certainly happen. Nobles were bragger, especially when they managed to marry one of their children to a royal.

Of course Vanessa remembered Rosettes older sister. Athénaïs Vitrail. Once being considered one of the best candidates to become Nozels wife and having been persuaded herself about that, her pride had taken a huge blow when Nozel refused to marry anyone who wasn't Vanessa Enoteca.

You couldn't say that Athénaïs Vitrail got nothing in the end. She still married a royal in the end and Damnatio Kira of all people. Although Athénaïs still didn't got the powerful position she had ambitions for, as not only was Damnatio not the head of house Kira, but also not a royal anyone could manipulate. Their marriage was as arranged as an arranged marriage could be.

"Don't think about it for the rest of the day, honey," Vanessa smiled, kissing Nozels cheek before rubbing her nose against it. "It was difficult so far for you. But you overcame so much difficult hurdles than this one. Rosette is a nice girl as far as we know and it's time that Solid learns to deal with the consequences of his decision."

Nozel sighed deeply, but didn't argue back. She knew that he was thinking the same. It's just that he still sometimes had the habit to overthink. But he was doing better. Allowing himself happiness after so many years certainly helped.

Vanessa giggled as she put her lips on his. The kiss was soft, but still passionate. She felt Nozel smile against her mouth, brushing it in a caress in the process. Even after being married and having two children together, it never stopped feeling like paradise.

"Ba!"

"Oh, looks like a little someone wants a kiss too," Vanessa laughed before kissing Valentinas forehead soundly, which the baby commented with a babbly laugh. Then she did the same to Nymphea, who just smiled.

"It feels so right…"

"What do you mean, honey?"

"The four of us together… just like that… enjoying the moment… It feels right. I never imagined that it could be like that."

"That's because you have been so used for way too long to not expect happy things ever happening to you, Nozel. And because your able to find reasons of happiness within the most simple things. One of the countless traits I love the most about you, handsome eagle husband. Now, come lying down, you need to relax."

Nozel obeyed and Vanessa made sure that his head lied on her lap. It was one of her favourite things to do with him. Nozel having his head on her lap, with their daughters with them… one of the most precious moments they always shared in happiness.

Her beloved husband was still holding Valentina in his arms, who lied on his chest and babbled in happiness, trying to catch the braid again and again. Vanessa put Nymphea softly next to Nozel and unlike her twin sister, she just put her tiny chubby hands on her father, patting it softly, as if she tried to determine how soft it was.

Nozel smiled, still holding Valentina with a firm softness on his chest, while slowly putting his other around Nymphea. That image was just so pure and beautiful. A happy smile spread on Vanessas lips as she let her hands go through her husband's soft and silky hair.

It was one of those happy moments she cherished the most. And she would do anything to keep moments like this for her family.


"This is stupid."

"It's not stupid, it's necessary."

"Of course it is, our son can lie in his dirty diapers forever. But it is also stupid that changing diapers is considered as a fucking bonding moment."

"Yami, language."

"Asahi is four months old, he doesn't understand cursing words yet, right son?"

"Weren't you contradicting yourself right now. Well, let's not talk about that, discussions won't bring you out of this task. It is truly a good bonding moment between parent and child. My mother loves doing it."

"But that's because Blue Rose Mama enjoys every aspect of being a granny."

"That is true. But don't forget that Nozel himself never complains to change the diapers of his daughters. And since you don't like this task, it would be surpassing your limits… and even though you give the special treatment about it, isn't surpassing ones limits something you always push others to do?"

Yami almost pouted but Charlotte knew that she won. Surpassing his limits was always a good argument to use if her husband refused to do a task – Charlotte sometimes wondered why the Black Bulls never thought of using it, though. Even more, the fact that Nozel, a proud royal, head of a royal house and who had a true stern aura around him, was not ashamed at all to change the diapers of his twin daughters himself, instead of letting his wife or some royal nannies doing it, irritated Yami enough that he actually considered to do the same with his own son. Despite how much he disliked that specific task.

The other task around the baby though, those were not much of a problem for him. Especially bathing. In fact, Yami and Asahi had their own routine for the baby bath, which only worked with the two of them. It was always such a joy to see them like this and when she could, Charlotte never missed an occasion to watch her husband bathing her son.

"Alright, son. Since your mother is being a boss and won't let me any other choice, let's get you free from your dump. And please be flexible with me, I can't handle diapers changes that well."

"Ga!"

"I will take this as a yes."

Asahi just smiled at his father and couldn't stop giggle when his diapers started to get changed. He always giggled during diaper changes and Charlotte suspected that it was somehow ticklish for him.

In fact, it seemed that Asahi was pretty ticklish already. Orchidea noticed it pretty fast and loved to tickle him. Just for the joy to hear her grandson laugh. And Asahis baby laugh was so adorable, so of course she believed her mother. At the same time, Charlotte dearly loved her son, each of his traits. As a loving mother, she was certainly somehow biased towards her own baby.

Yami struggled a bit, Charlotte could hear him curse a bit in a grumble. But he was still giving his best, since Asahi didn't seem to mind. On the contrary, he giggled, tried to catch his father's big fingers and moved his tiny chubby legs, showing that he was having his baby fun.

It took Yami of course a bit longer than normal to change his son's diapers. But in the end he managed to finish it without any problem, to his big surprise.

"Huh, this wasn't so bad… And it indeed felt like a bonding moment. Weird."

"See? I told you. And I wasn't the only one who told you that."

"Yeah, I know. Finral, Nozel, Asta, Blue Rose Mama and practically everyone told me that, even Jack that jerk. And he's an idiot who has no kids and I would be damned to let that Slice Psycho near my son. Or Miss Sleepy Hat, while we're at it."

"Come on, it wasn't so bad, Asahi had fun with her last time she came to visit."

"She kidnapped our baby into her fucking dream world."

"Language. And she brought us there with him. Plus, Asahi loved Dorothys Glamour World and the cow body she gave us for our son is actually cute."

Charlotte hold said body in her hands right now. It was indeed adorable, all in white with black spots, just like a cow. It even had a hood with little plushie horns on it. And Asahi looked so adorable while wearing it. Even Yami couldn't deny it. Besides, he easily accepted anything bull related.

Yami grumbled but he went immediately soft when Charlotte handed him the cow body and he got Asahi dressed.

The baby giggled and babbled, always trying to catch his father's big fingers. In the end, both father and son joined the mother on the couch, the enjoy the late rainy afternoon and the start of the evening.

Charlotte loved their cottage. Midway between both the bases of the Black Bulls and the Blue Roses, it allowed both captains to go to work and coming home in no time. Of course, they always needed someone to watch after Asahi. Sometimes one of them took a day off and sometimes it was both. And sometimes, they needed to engage a babysitter. Thankfully, Asahis grandmother was always ready to look after her grandson. Not to mention that within the Black Bulls and the Blue Roses, and even some other people in other squads, there was always someone ready to look after the little Horned Rose.

Even though they often needed to be careful about who they asked specifically to look after Asahi.

Plus, three older ladies from the small town right next to their cottage, all sisters, came almost every day to do some cleaning, taking care of the baby if necessary, helping with the cooking and even just to chat, to share the newest gossip. Yami was sometimes a bit irritated by them, but Charlotte liked all three of them. Gertrude, Geraldine and Germaine were a bit odd, but very kind. They didn't even wanted to be paid, they all this just because they adored the "absolutely lovely and gorgeous couple".

This cottage had been a wedding gift from Orchidea. While Yami and Charlotte had gotten headaches to figure out how to organize their life together – Vanessa and Nozel had it easier, she simply moved into the Silva Palace – Orchidea took the matter in her own hands, just told them to not worry about anything and surprised them with their new home the day of their wedding.

The cottage was a bit bigger than what was usual for cottages, but it was very cosy, with a big garden to Charlottes delight, near a small town and very close to a forest. Orchidea even went as far to add some Hino touches and rooms similar to Yamis homeland. Maybe this was why their cottage was bigger than usual ones.

"What are you thinking about, Prickly Queen?"

"Oh, just that we have a happy life right now."

"Well, yer not wrong with that. Blue Rose Mama did an amazing job with this home here. Oh, by the way, seems that this little Horned Rose here wants his Mummy."

He handed her their little son softly and Charlotte felt her heart with the purest tenderness ever possible. Asahi was waggling in her arms, clearly happy. He was so adorable with his chubby cheeks, his blonde hair and the dark grey eyes he got from his father.

"You know what the Blue Roses have told me recently?"

"Probably something totally weird, like always."

"Well, maybe… But they are all already so certain that Asahi is going to be a handsome man."

"Of course he's going to be, look at his Mummy."

"And that the girls might run after him."

"Oh hell no! He's still a baby and no woman is going to be good enough for my boy!"

"I thought fathers only had this kind of reaction about their daughters."

"Nope, sons too. It's only fair. And I don't want stupid girls longing for my boy. Will there ever be a girl good enough for him?"

"That would be up to him to decide, you grumpy Dad."

Yami just grumbled something, but still reached over to caress his sons soft hair. Of course, Asahi immediately took the occasion to try and grab his father's fingers.

"Isn't weird that he looks so tiny in my arms but bigger in yours?"

"There's nothing weird about that, Yami. You're terribly buff, of course Asahi will look extremely tiny when you hold him."

Yami only nodded. It probably made him think a lot that his own son looks so minuscule in his big arms. It was quite a sight to see and Charlotte had to admit that she loved when Yami hold Asahi with just one arm, while the baby looked so cocooned within those muscles.

"Okay, where is his plushie?" Yami suddenly asked while looking around him. But the plush he was looking for was just at the foot of the couch, so he could take it without. It was a huge plushie, gifted by Nacht, Asahis godfather. A rather big black bull, who also hold a rather big blue rose in one of his hooves.

Charlotte had no idea where Nacht found a plush that work so well with both of their respective squads and what he did to gain it, but she was certainly grateful to the vice-captain of the Black Bulls. Nacht was truly an excellent godfather for Asahi.

"Oh, before I forgot. Ichika will come back to Clover again."

"Really? But she came to visit not even a month ago."

"Whatever, I like to have her more around. Besides, she likes you and she probably misses her nephew."

He got a point, of course. As stern Ichika still could be, she loved Asahi deeply and never missed any occasion to spend some time with him. Not to mention that Asahi adored his auntie Ichika.

But still, Ichika seemed to came over to Clover more often than not lately. Oh, thanks to Spatial magic and to specific sea routes it was actually easy for both countries to visit each other. Especially since they got an alliance with each other, so it was really a good thing for Clover and Hino to be this good connected. And since Yosuga and Mereoleona apparently were a thing…

Charlotte stopped her way of thoughts all of a sudden. Yosuga and Mereoleona… They became a couple and visited each other pretty often. It was similar to Ichikas lately visits. Could it be…

"Ya thinking about something, Prickly Queen?"

"Oh, nothing much, dear," Charlotte replied casually. She couldn't tell Yami that she got the sudden suspicion that Ichika might be romantically involved with a Cloverian, as he could be a very overprotective brother with his little sister. "Will she sleep over at the Black Bulls Hideout or with us?"

"Don't know. We have guest rooms, but maybe I could also put her in Nachts bedroom. This jerk is often away for some reasons, for days even. Okay, it's not unusual for him, but it never happened that much after Spade. And it's really often lately."

Oh, really… Ichika came to visit often lately, Nacht was away often lately… So, Nacht and Ichika? Could it be?

Charlotte decided to not overthink this. Maybe she could talk to Ichika once she's here. Or telling her suspicion to her mother. Orchidea had a very soft spot for Yami Ichika. Okay, she got one for all the Ryuzen, but Ichika especially still.

But maybe it was better to not tell Yami. At least not yet. Not while it was just a mere suspicion and while Charlotte wasn't even sure. And Yami Sukehiro as an overprotective older brother was probably not something to dare so casually.

"If she will sleep in our cottage, I'm sure Germaine, Geraldine or Gertrude can help us prepare a room for her."

"Oh, the old triple G from the small town."

"Old triple G? So there's a young one?"

"Of course. Gordon, Gauche and Grey are so often together and all their names also always start with a G. So, they're the young G trio, while those three crazy gossip old grannies are the old G trio."

Charlotte couldn't help but laugh, which made Asahi giggle with her, even though he couldn't understand what was funny yet. This was just so typical of Yami, to give nicknames so easily as he was throwing Black Bull robes to so-called random people. Like her Prickly Queen or poor Finrals Wheels.

"Ichika will call over soon to tell when she will come and where she intends to sleep. Oh, my brats will be happy to have her around again, but I know my sis. If she wants to have more calm and I'm ready to bet my salary of the decade that she would want it, Ichika will probably stay with us during her visit. Not to mention that we have her nephew and the Black Bulls Hideout doesn't have that precious bargain."

"I can't believe that you called our son a bargain!"

"Come on, you know what I meant! Do you really think that Ichika will want to stay with my loud brats during her visit when she can see her precious nephew every day of her stay when she's with us? And she might be one of the best babysitter we could ask for."

But their cottage didn't have Nacht.

Of course, Charlotte wouldn't say that out loud and it maybe wasn't even true. But she was actually almost certain that it was.

"Don't bother yourself with that yet, Prickly Mama. Let's just have a family evening, all three of us."

"That sounds like an excellent plan."


It really did. Charlotte loved those calm family moments, when it was just the three of them. Just Yami, Charlotte and Asahi. There was nothing that could made her happier these day.

The night has fallen over the Clover Kingdom. No moon, no stars were shining, as the rain which started today hasn't stopped during the night and big, heavy clouds masked the night sky.

It wasn't a thunderstorm, just rain. All over the Clover Kingdom.

Also over the Noble Realm. Practically everything that should be asleep was sleeping. Of course, Magic Knights on night shift were awake, as well as those whit night jobs. But the rest was asleep.

Still, something felt off. Something wasn't normal…

In a typical huge noble manor, a shadow went out from one of the windows. It wasn't the secret lover of noble lady or the mistress of a lord, as they would have more probably would left in the morning instead of in the middle of the night, if they would have left at all.

No one was there to witness this shadow, no one passed by and found the whole scene odd. The shadow was wearing a dark cape with a hood, covered completely. Slowly, this person closed the window and jumped on the next balcony, where a broom was awaiting.

Apparently not caring about the heavy rain at all, the shadow took the broom and flew away from the noble manor.

The next morning, what was discovered in one of the noble chambers of this manor was actually the start of a darkness no one would recognize at first and which would put the Clover Kingdom into another drama, even though still different from the elves reincarnations and the devils in Spade.