There was never something special for his birthday since his mother died and Nozel had no intention to change that. It was his way to punish himself. Besides, except Fuegoleon, no one actually remembered his birthday, not even Nebra and Solid. Only for them to get in a panic during the last day of the year afterwards and getting him last minutes presents on the first day of the new year. Plus those presents he got each year since a decade, only put on his bed with any message.
There was no reason why his birthday this year would be any different. But when Nozel entered his bedroom after a long day of work, he heard a strange noise coming from his balcony, as if someone had a rough landing.
Opening his balcony door quickly, what he discovered surprised him greatly.
"Noelle?"
"Hello, brother… Ah, sorry I landed so unfitting for a royal, I actually got better with flying a broom, but not really, but I couldn't take my Valkyrie Armour this time, in case I lose control, plus I had to transport things that are easier to transport with a broom than an armour spell, although I still don't understand why, but Vanessa said that and I know I should have taken my own opinion about it, but-"
"Calm down and come in first."
Nozel hold his sister the door open while Noelle gathered all her stuff. It was strange to see her, but he refused to complain. Their bond had gotten better after Spade and Nozel refused to let slip any occasion he could spent with his baby sister. He did so many mistakes before. Not anymore.
It meant the world to him. And to his biggest surprise, it also meant the world to Noelle. During her last visit, she bluntly told him that she loved spending time with him and Nozel had seen in her eyes that she didn't lied just to make him feel better. She meant it. He still believed that he didn't deserved her kindness, but making his beloved little sister happy was now more important than punishing himself.
Noelle put a cake box on his office table, a big present and a strange, almost creepy tissue doll that looked exactly like her. Nozel frowned. What was that supposed to mean? Should he be offended that someone dared to sew such a thing with the image of his little sister or would he offend Noelle if he would point it out?
Noelle turned towards him and took a deep breath, as if to give herself some courage. "Happy birthday, brother. I know you don't celebrate your birthday, but I actually find it sad since I got birthday parties with the Black Bulls and I really wanted to give you my birthday gift personally this year."
"Wait… during all those years, those secret presents… They were from you?"
"Yes! I really hope that you'll liked those. Besides, you also gave me birthday gifts in secret during all those years, it's only fair I show you the same kindness. And I really wanted to give you something on your birthday, since only captain Fuegoleon seemed to remember that the 30th December is your birthday."
"You knew it was me?"
"I saw you once sneaking into the palace in secret, when I was seven years old, with a huge bunny plushie. And I got that very same plushie for my birthday the day after. So, yes… I knew from quite some time. Does it bother you?"
"No, not at all."
Nozel just didn't know what he should say. For so many years, Noelle actually knew that he was the one giving her birthday gifts in secret during all those years, even after she joined the Black Bulls.
"The Black Bulls were always surprise when I got secret birthday gifts, they are even taking bets. All of them already lost those, but they don't know. I only told Vanessa, because she noticed that I never was surprised about those gifts and she tickled me, until I spilled the beans. She was surprised when I told her it was you, but she promised me to keep the secret. Vanessa actually finds it cute, so-"
Noelle suddenly interrupted, because Nozel pulled her into a hug. It might be awkward, but Nozel didn't know what else he could do to thank her. And his mother always hugged him when she wanted to thank him for something, so there was that.
He felt his little sister freeze in his arm for a second, but she immediately gave in the hug. Nozel could tell that Noelle was happy. He made her happy with this hug. This was more than he ever dared to wish before.
The hug lasted a while, before they sadly had to break it. But Noelle absolutely wanted to give him this year's birthday gift.
"Sorry for the doll, but when Gordon somehow found out that I was going to make you a birthday gift, he insisted that I give you this creepy doll. It's not a spell or anything, it just looks creepy and Gordon always means well."
What Noelle didn't told her brother yet was that Gordon also made her a Nozel doll and that she was sleeping with said doll in her bed. Along with an Asta doll.
"Well, mother always said that the gesture means a lot, so it would be rude of me to refuse that doll."
And having some kind of Noelle plushie didn't seem so bad in Nozels books, even though it looked kinda creepy. But if it was made with love, the doll also seemed a bit comforting, thank goodness.
Nozel sat down on his bed to open the gift, Noelle right next to him. She seemed pretty excited and also nervous. It was clear that she certainly put a lot of thoughts in this gift.
Three books appeared soon after. Three books from the same writer. And not just any writer. It was from Aciers favourite novelist. Romance novels, but certainly some of the best ones.
Pride & Prejudice, Persuasion and Sense & Sensibility.
Did Noelle knew that the writer of those novels was their mother's favourite?
"I really hope it's okay for you. I saw you once read a novel from this author so I thought it was fine? Except Finral and Gordon, no one of the Black Bulls men appreciates romance novels and make even fun out of it. And I wanted to get you the other three from this writer, but sadly I couldn't find them at the bookstore. Okay, I could have searched in other bookshops, but I'm sure I couldn't find prettier covers like those and I wasn't really patient, and-"
"Noelle, it's okay. I love this writer. Actually… it was the favourite novelist of our mother. And Persuasion was her favourite novel."
"Really?"
The happy on his sister's face was one of the most beautiful things Nozel ever saw. He couldn't help but hug her. She gifted him so much more than three wonderful novels.
"Nozel, are you ready for the cake? Charmy made it and it's one of her latest creations. Lavender cheesecake. Trust me, it is delicious."
"I would love to try."
Noelle was right, that lavender cheesecake was one of the best cakes Nozel ever tasted. Sweet and soft and even refreshing.
It was a nice birthday, just staying with his little sister in his bedroom, chatting a bit more openly and eating a delicious cake. Nozel wasn't sure still if he deserved it, but Noelle was so happy and he couldn't help but feel happy and at ease too. It wasn't bad at all.
Maybe one day, Nebra and Solid could join them. Maybe one day, they could heal enough to have proper birthday parties.
They still had a long way in front of them, but… maybe one day, they could become the family they always should have been, like their mother always wished.
