Shading it All

by Ennael

Eve thinks she's discreet. Unfortunately, if Sheryl kept her at the mansion, it's not because of cosmic luck... Too bad for her, she can't know. However, it is easy for us to come and observe the inhabitants of the manor and their thoughts at key moments. Side-fic to "Shade the Black" and "Shade the White" for the 100,000 words of the fic.

3. Chapter 33 to 54

Story: A touch of Colour in the Gray

Book 3: Shading it all

Date: 25 October 2024

Beta: Nobody

Fandom: D Gray Man

Disclaimer: No, I do not own D Gray Man and I am not making any profit from this story.

Summary: The Noahs' take on the story from chapter 33 to the end of NlN :)

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The third bonus chapter covering the entire end of the story from the Noahs' point of view! Containing the extract that made me want to write this bonus story: Eve's tuberculosis.
Enjoy your reading!

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Chapter 34: The bycicle

It was hilarious: Tyki riding his new bike with such confidence, only to fall headfirst into the gravel... Of course Road had had a field day. What had been surprising was that Eve had joined in, letting out a loud, out-of-character laugh. The girl was usually always the first to scold them or, more often, look disapprovingly at them when they made fun of someone. But Road supposed it must have surprised her, the proof being that as soon as the first exclamation sounded, she had put a hand to her lips, eyes wide open and looking suitably repentant when Mother had scolded them. Nevertheless, the corners of her lips were still turned resolutely upwards and her eyes sparkled with joy. This expression had left its mark on Road and had quietly lingered in the back of her mind. So it was hardly surprising that it was this image that came back to her when she saw it exact opposite just a few hours later.

Road was having tea with the Prince when the incident happened. They were enjoying the summer sunshine in the small west garden of Kamelott Manor, a pretty French thing that was well symmetrical and, above all, isolated. There was no possibility of a servant stumbling over their conversations. Not that it would bother them too much, but it would be a shame to lose one of the manor's inhabitants for good. Or worse, Tricia and Eve. So they took precautions, talking quietly with only akumas as witnesses. Of course, they could always have talked at Campbell Manor or in the Ark, but Adam had a new-found passion for Kamelott Gardens since they had eaten there with Mother and... Road lived to serve the Prince.

"I really don't think we should leave him idle any longer." Said the seemingly young girl as she watched with eternal fascination as Adam added again and again sugar cubes to his tea.

"I agree, he needs stimulation and an occupation to think about something other than his Memory, but I confess I don't really know what to entrust to him." He replied, and Road shook her head.

Skin Bolic was... a complicated case. Of course, the Memory of Anger had always been one of the hardest to carry, with such strong feelings distorting its hosts mercilessly, but it wasn't usually this extreme. A host was usually in control for the most part, with occasional spikes of anger. But Skin Bolic... was certainly not. Of course, there was always the difficulty of the awaken to take into account, which always got better with time, but in this case, improvement was slow in coming. Skin had been in this state for weeks, even months, barely able to string a sentence together and emotional outbursts that made him break everything he could get his hands on. While Road hoped that his condition would be brought under control, it was clear that it wouldn't happen on its own: he needed a goal.

"Even if he regains all his social faculties, I doubt he will be of much use in politics." Noted Road. "Perhaps we should keep him by our side for the time being and later advise according to his wishes as well... perhaps as a servant? He responds well to orders... as long as there's sugar with it."

The Prince shook his head disapprovingly but a thin smile grew on his lips. "I noticed that. You shouldn't have given him so much candy while he was waking up." Road scoffed, as if he hadn't given him just as much. It was painful to see one of their own suffer and any comfort was hard to refuse. "How about something more combative, like a guard?"

"It seems reasonable to me." Road nodded and Adam smiled, seeming pleased to have found a solution.

"Let's do it that way, then. He can do his arms at Campbell Manor befo-..." He stopped dead in mid-sentence, suddenly turning his head to the right, Road barely a second behind him.

"What the..." she murmured.

"Tyki." Confirmed the now clearly concerned Prince. "He wasn't planning on training, was he?"

"Not until tonight and certainly not in the manor forest." Road confirmed. Remaining unsaid being the huge source of power that was certainly not within Tyki's current capabilities. No, it was... a loss of control.

With a single movement, they both stood up, Road opening a door which they immediately passed through. In record time, they were hundreds of metres away, in the forest of the manor house, and it took them only a few seconds more to find the source of the enormous oppressive power. Even if they hadn't felt it, it was visible: a sphere of dark matter engulfing everything on the dirt path leading to the lake. And at its centre... Tyki and Eve. The two young adults were floating in the sphere, Tyki curled up on himself, his fingers buried in his dark curls, and Eve in front of him, her hand strangely outstretched towards Noah and her hair dancing around her head.

They didn't need to speak to divide up the tasks. It was the patriarch's job to look after his Noahs, after all. So Road left him to it, simply hurrying to catch Eve as soon as Adam had broken the sphere. Laying the girl gently back on the ground, she surprised herself with a sigh of relief when her little finger felt a pulse. Weak, but there. Using her own powers, Road tried to wake Eve up. She wasn't Wisely, but she had learnt a few tricks in her long years of life and, fortunately, a few seconds later, the girl's eyelids fluttered.

"Ro...ad?" The human hiccupped, her throat understandably dry.

"Eve." She said in return, more relieved than she cared to admit. If she was able to recognise her and name her straight away, Tyki probably hadn't done too much damage. "What happened?"

Eve's eyes opened wide and a spike of panic passed through them, her breathing quickening slightly before a dizziness made her head spin. "Je suis...fell off my bike." She stammered half in French, her eyes losing focus. "I think...Tyki m'a attrapé? Il va bien?"

Road turned her head, looking at her Noah brothers a few metres away. Adam was kneeling in the dirt, seemingly paying little heed to his destroyed trousers for the benefit of the young Noah of Pleasure. He was holding him firmly, but gently, murmuring what Road assumed were reassurances. Tyki, for his part, was clinging on to the patriarch, his fingers buried in his jacket as if he were afraid he would disappear. He already seemed more conscious than a few seconds before, but... barely. If he'd been in full possession of his senses, he'd never have been sobbing like that, with fevered eyes and bloody scars. Road saw double for a second, a dusty attic and a much younger Tyki superimposed on the forest. The only constant was the Millennial Earl kneeling around the Noah of Pleasure.

"He hurt himself too, it was a bad fall..." she murmured, feeling her Noah react to the distress of one of their own. It was becoming more and more complicated not to transform to protect the Pleasure Noah even though, rationally, Road knew there was no danger. There was no reason to fight that instinct, though, not when Eve was the only witness and easy to dispose of. "But he'll be fine." She concluded before turning to Eve.

The girl looked as confused as she was terrified, tears beginning to clump in her eyes. No wonder, even if she didn't know exactly what was going on, the aura of a Noah was unsettling for a human. "Shhhh..." breathed Road as she placed her hands over Eve's eyes. It only took a few seconds for the moans to die down, giving way to deep breathing.

Road removed her hands, looking at the trail of tears down Eve's cheeks before sighing and standing up. The human was already on the ground, leaving her there a few minutes longer wouldn't do her any harm and she had more urgent things to do. So that's what she did, leaving Eve lying in the dirt as she turned to crouch in front of the Noah of Pleasure. His sobs had barely subsided and he was still clutching Adam's jacket as if his life depended on it, but his eyes looked a little more aware.

"What happened, Tyki?" She asked softly, her hand coming to rest on his shoulder to get his attention.

He jumped at once, barely seeming to notice Road's presence. Then she asked again, but he shook his head violently, cowering in on himself. Worse still, he buried his face in Adam's chest, hiding himself in his coat in a gesture Road hadn't seen him do for years.

Road and Adam exchanged a look, feeling more lost than they had in a long time. They were, wondering what to do, when Tyki raised his head slightly, as if he'd just remembered something. Looking up at Road from under his black curls, he seemed to hesitate for a second before asking the question.

"E-...Eve is...?" He murmured, his voice breaking at the first syllable.

"She's fine." Road confirmed and Tyki nodded slowly, his eyes jumping behind Road, surely where Eve was lying.

"Okay." He whispered and loosened his iron grip slightly, even letting one of his hands fall to his lap. Road wasn't quite sure what he was agreeing to, but he seemed to have made up his mind, trying to steady his breathing even as the blood from the stigmata trickled down his nose.

Adam, now with one hand free, took out his handkerchief to stem the flow.

"Tyki?" The patriarch called softly as he closed his eyes. But no matter how hard they tried to make him talk, he simply shook his head, looking exhausted.

"Could you open a door for the Ark, please Road? I think Tyki needs some time at home. I'll call Miss Barnes and Eliott to look after Miss Campbell." Adam asked as he stood up, lifting Tyki effortlessly with him.

Road nodded, taking one last look at Eve's boneless form on the floor before setting to work. She wondered what the ramifications of all this would be for Eve and Tyki.

---

Chapter 36: Impossible or Improbable

"No, no, it's more like... do, fa, sol." Says Eve, scribbling on the sheet music as she leans over Tyki's shoulder. "Try it?"

The Noah complied without complaint, his fingers spinning over the keyboard. "It sounds better already." He concluded when he had finished. But Eve didn't look convinced, her arms crossed, her lip chewed mercilessly and her eyes fixed on the piano as if it could give her all the answers.

"There's something missing, it's not the same..." she muttered and, by reflex, Tyki shifted a little on the bench to make room for her. It was no surprise when, less than a second later, Eve was leaning over her shoulder again to press keys before grunting and doing it again. It was always exactly the same pattern when Eve and Tyki worked together on one of these transcriptions. Eve would try to find the music she could remember by ear and Tiki would help her play it and suggest alternatives when she got stuck. Like now, when no matter how many notes she tried after the series she was sure of, none sounded right to her.

"How about this? That would make sense with the previous verse." Tyki suggested as he played six notes on the keyboard.

"That's nice but..." Eve frowned before sighing and dropping onto the bench next to Tyki, her back to the piano, as if sulking at it.

"You know it's okay if it's not precisely what you have in mind, right?" reminded Tyki, leaning back to meet his gaze. "It'll still be nice."

Eve laughed mockingly. "I doubt it... but anyway, they're not my compositions, I don't want to disfigure them."

Tyki hummed to show that he had heard, but said nothing more. It wasn't the first time the two of them had talked about it, far from it, and Tyki wasn't sure why Eve insisted it wasn't her music. He'd believed her without a care the first, second, even tenth time she'd said it... but over the last few years, she'd filled pages and pages with music she'd supposedly listened to as a child that Tyki himself had never heard in his life. Admittedly, he wasn't a professional musician, he just had the classical education of a nobleman specialising in the piano. However, when Eve complained that she couldn't find the title of one of them, Tyki consulted an Akuma. It was a machine created from a famous composer and, curiously, Tyki had asked it if it recognised Eve's music. When he couldn't name any of them, even the classic sounding ones, Tyki had to face the facts: this was another of Eve's quirks. Another of those things that made no sense and that Tyki swept under the carpet every time they appeared. And that's exactly what he'd done this time too, because far be it from him to confront the girl. The consequences could be... unpleasant.

So, even if Eve was adamant that it wasn't her work and Tyki was inclined to believe her if only because she was such a bad liar, well... As far as he was concerned, given that nobody in the world seemed to know about them, she might as well do what she wanted with them. In any case, given Eve's vivid imagination and memory problems, it wouldn't even surprise Tyki if she'd just dreamt it all up instead of actually remembering it.

"Let's move on to another one, it'll probably come back to you later." Tyki encouraged her with a nudge. Reluctantly, Eve placed their draft scores in one of the many folders on the round table. Her round table, to be honest. It had been months since she had bothered to take her files back to her room after each work session. As she and Tyki were the only people in the house interested in using the music room, it wasn't a problem, but the fact itself was notable. It was interesting to see that Eve was becoming more and more comfortable with them. She would never have left anything lying around outside her room in her first year at the manor.

"I think we've reached the end of the current projects." Says Eve after flipping through a few pages. "Yes, the rest is just music that I really can't remember any part of."

"We managed to finish off two of them, that's not bad." Tyki smiled and Eve automatically gave him back one of hers.

"Especially the one for 'Up', it really bothered me that I couldn't remember it. And now I've got a whole new project." She said contentedly as Tyki stood up to observe the project in question.

Like most of her other work, it was a book that mixed media. There was both a written story, which Tyki remembered well as it was he who had cleanly copied it out of Ivy's chicken scratch, as well as drawings illustrating the story and two scores of music stuck at the end. The whole thing was carefully hand-stitched and would soon join his other finished projects on the shelf in his office. Tyki was always impressed by the care she took with these things without doing anything with them afterwards. Besides...

"What about this one? You are not going to publish it either? The story is short and interesting and I'm sure Adam has one or two publishing houses under his belt that might be interested." Or ten or twenty. It was one of Adam's hobbies to publish books he was passionate about. What's more, it never hurt to control information and books and newspapers were the best way to do that.

But without much surprise, she shook her head, her lips pursed. "I can't, they're not my stories. I'm just redoing them for me, so I don't forget them. I mean... no more than I already have." She mumbled the last sentence in a bitter tone, but Tyki had no trouble hearing her with his enhanced genes. "Anyway! I've remembered some new music that I think you might enjoy. You liked the fast Jazz last time, didn't you? Well, in Lup-... I mean, it reminded me of another band I'd heard, wait a second..." And without further ado, she returned to the piano, humming the music before trying to press the keys.

Oooh, not bad, thought Tyki before moving curiously closer. Only Eve could introduced him to such different kinds of music.

---

Chapter 38: To push up Daisies

"And the doctor said remission was unlikely at this stage?" The Earl murmured, looking away from the living room. As if in reply, a faint cough sounded and Tyki flinched. He'd never thought he'd miss the fat, thundering cough that had shaken Eve's body all last week, but... At least she'd reacted to it, wincing as she massaged her throat, smiling at Tyki when he gave her a glass of water... Now she wasn't even waking up, her body merely shaken by the wave, remaining lax as if waiting for another. "Sheryl, I understand she has little chance of getting better on her own, but it's just as dangerous. And, even if it works, she won't be human any more."

"I don't see the problem with that," Sheryl scoffed. Tyki remained silent, he didn't know what to think. He didn't want to think about it. Unfortunately, it wasn't as if the problem could wait for him to gather his courage. "Either she dies or she survives, but I don't have time to wait for her to make up her mind. All I care about is Tricia! The more she worries about the girl, the worse she gets. I'd get rid of her myself if I was sure Tricia could get over it, but unfortunately they've become so close over the last few years that..." He sighed. "So yes, if there's a possible solution, let's use it. If Miss Campbell recovers: fine! If not, at least Tricia will be able to grieve instead of letting herself die slowly by her side."

The Prince nodded before looking at Road as if asking for her opinion.

"Her condition is only worsening, she's not going to make it." Road said matter-of-factly. "I don't think there will ever be a better time. Her body has to be weak enough to accept the change, but strong enough to go along with it. It's probably even too late." Road replied calmly. Too calmly. Tyki wondered again if he was the only one really worried about Eve. But Road wouldn't have bothered to come and see her and look for a solution if she didn't care... Would she?

"I'm aware of that." The Prince murmured before suddenly looking at Tyki. Immediately, he stood up straighter, his face set, looking as neutral as he could. "And you Tyki? Are you aware of what might happen if this fails?"

Tyki wet his lips. "Road told me," he murmured. The oldest of the Noahs had explained the risks when she told him about this solution.

But instead of continuing as he had hoped, the Prince listed the possibilities, his golden gaze fixed on Tyki. "She's going to suffer terribly, and after that, she's just as likely to die from it as turn into Akuma or Skull as she is to recover from it. Maitora even theorised once that it could trigger a Noah awakening even though the case has never arisen the few times we've tried the experiment."

"I know, but... Road said it had succeeded before, right?" Tyki asked, well aware that he probably didn't seem very calm at the moment. Not surprising given that he wasn't feeling calm at all.

"Twice out of eleven attempts, yes. But that's not nearly enough to establish a pattern," he declared before placing a hand on Tyki's shoulder. The Noah of pleasure immediately felt himself going back eight years, when this same man had come to look for him in the depths of the dingy attic of the Mikk house. He'd had the same sweet, worried expression that Tyki had drunk from without embarrassment. "Miss Campbell is a lovely young lady, and I know you appreciate her a lot, Tyki, I just want you to think about what you're going to do in the likely event that it fails."

Tyki didn't hesitate for long, he'd made the decision the second Road had told him about the possibilities. "With your permission, if Eve becomes an Akuma, or a Skull, or whatever... I'd like to release her soul."

The Prince looked at him, pained, before murmuring softly, "You won't try to keep her by your side?"

"What's the point? It won't be her any more. Not really." Tyki murmured, lowering his head. But, not enough to miss the Prince's pained smile.

"No, indeed." He sighed more to himself than to the other Noahs as a cough was heard. The Prince turned towards the door of the makeshift room, silent. He scanned it for a few seconds, as if the grooves in the wood might give him the right solution, before sighing and turning back to his Noahs. In a loud, imperative voice, he declared: "I'll think about it" and turned on his heels, heading off into the corridors of the manor. Sheryl didn't miss a beat, rushing after him, already talking about a political matter that was probably very important for the Clan.

Tyki wanted to bring him back, to shake him, to ask him why it was so complicated for him to make this simple gesture for a human that even he liked... But he didn't, all the more so when Road's little hand slipped into his.

"I know it's hard for you, Tyki, but it's even harder for him, you know?" She murmured, her eyes taking on a sudden golden hue, making Tyki jump. She, who always had an impeccable grip on her powers… for them to escape... There had to be a painful history behind this solution. "There were so few cases because Adam only used it on people he really cared about and... they almost all died. Even if they had died without his intervention, he was still the one who finished them off by trying to save them."

Oh. Tyki realised, but Road hadn't finished.

"As for those for whom it was successful... despite the resilience it gave them afterwards, one still died shortly afterwards and the other... well, he's not really what you'd call a friend now and his extra skills certainly don't help us deal with him."

Tyki grimaced. Suffice to say that every attempt was, in a way, a failure. A failure that weighed heavily on the Prince. Tyki understood better, but all the same... He couldn't help hoping that Adam would give Eve another chance, however slim. And if he didn't... Tyki formed a dark sphere between his fingers, the furious training he had gone through over the last few months finally bearing fruit. There was no reason to make her suffer any longer.

He would do the right thing.

---

Just walking into the room was incredibly depressing. Despite the best efforts of Sheryl's Akuma servants to keep the room as clean and hygienic as possible, the nagging smell of disease was definitely present. Gently closing the door behind him, Adam approached the bed. Most of the armchairs in the small sitting room had been pushed against the far wall to make way for the bed, but one had remained at the girl's bedside. This was probably where Road and Tyki sat when they came to see her. Taking a seat himself, he glanced at Miss Campbell.

If it was possible, she looked even worse than the day before. Her skin was waxy and drawn, her hair greasy, her breathing difficult... She hadn't even woken up when Adam had sat down, and yet you couldn't say that he was naturally discreet.

What a waste.

Miss Campbell was a nice girl, one of those humans Adam could appreciate but... he sighed. He didn't want to see the pain in Tyki's eyes or the grim acceptance in Road's when he told them he wouldn't do anything.

That was why he had come to see her. He had to at least witness the end of this life that he refused to try and save. And also to extinguish it. Because Adam knew that if he took this last hope away from Tyki, he himself would come and end Miss Campbell's life. The young man couldn't let a loved one suffer and Adam understood that. After all, he couldn't let him suffer either.

A cough made him raise her head. Tyki was going to be angry, no doubt sad that he hadn't been able to say goodbye. But Adam had plenty of experience of grief, both his own and those he came across in his role as Millennial Earl. And seeing a loved one so diminished, so far from their usual self, was never a good last memory. It was better for him to remember her as she was.

Yes, that was better.

Raising his hand, Adam laid it compassionately on the girl's forehead, caring very little for the sticky, burning sensation. But before he could muster the power to end her life as peacefully as he could, Miss Campbell's lips parted.

"...Papa?" She murmured as a crack opened slightly between her eyelids, blurry eyes trying to focus on Adam.

Surprised, he immediately let go of the young girl.

"I... Miss Campbell." He stammered, caught off guard, all the more so when he felt a weight brush against his knee. Looking down, he saw the girl's pale hand dangling limply from the bed. Puzzled, Adam took her hand in his to put it back on the sheets, but immediately, with a strength he would not have suspected, Miss Campbell entwined their fingers, not letting him go. Meeting the girl's gaze again, Adam felt his eyes soften as he saw her tired, but real, smile.

"Papa?" She whispered again, her smile giving way to confusion when Adam said nothing.

"I... I'm not..." He began reflexively, stammering, hesitating, before stopping short when he felt a faint pressure on his hand. Lowering his eyes again, he stared longingly at their entwined fingers, tracing the contrast between his tanned skin and Miss Campbell's sickly white. Without him even being aware of it, his thumb had begun to make lazy circles on the back of her hand. Like he did when Road was angry. Or when Tyki was worried. Or when Lulubelle was tired. It would be so easy to grant her this meagre comfort... so easy that Adam hesitated no longer before answering, "Yes." He sighed, squeezing her hand. "I'm here... Eve."

As soon as the name passed his lips, Adam knew that he would not be able to continue with his previous plan.

The rest was quick. As if dreading changing his mind again if he waited too long, without letting go of her hand, he got up and sat straight down on the bed. He was well aware that, after the first stage, he would have to hold her back so that she didn't hurt herself. With his other hand, he quickly formed a thin blade of Dark Matter on his index finger and closed his fist, immediately creating a sizable wound on his palm. As if answering his call, the blood immediately clotted in the palm of his hand and he cursed himself for not having taken a cup. There was one on the bedside table, but he'd have to let go of Eve's hand to take it and... Adam didn't have the heart to do that. No worries, he'd done it more often like this, anyway.

"Eve? I know this isn't very pleasant, but I need you to drink, okay?"

Her eyes still unfocused, it took a few seconds before she seemed to understand what Adam was asking of her, but she finally unclenched her lips in obedience. Adam didn't waste a second, bringing his fist up to her lips before tilting it, letting his blood trickle down into her mouth. Unsurprisingly, Eve winced reflexively. She was probably about to try and get rid of the iron taste when Adam covered her lips.

"No, no, you have to swallow, please." he murmured and with an unhappy noise Eve complied.

Nothing happened for several seconds, enough for Adam to withdraw his hand, leaving behind cheeks painted red. He held his breath, that was the first step. If she reacted, then there was a chance. Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long, because shortly afterwards, tremors began to shake Eve's body, and Adam sighed with relief.

Nothing was won yet, but it was a small chance and it was enough for now. Determined, he held her shoulders. It was the only thing more he could do, now it was up to her to fight and emerge victorious... or not.

---

Chapter 39: A Christmas à la Eve

Jasdero grabbed another small sandwich and ate it in one bite, chewing slowly to prolong the pleasure. He had to admit, it wasn't too bad.

Jasdero hadn't been entirely convinced when Tricia had said she wanted to do everything like Eve had done in her previous family. She wanted to cheer her up, make her feel at home. Jasdero agreed with the idea, but he didn't really see why they had to do what her previous family had done. It would only bring up unnecessary memories for Eve when she would be better off forgetting them altogether. But in the end, Jasdero liked it. That idiot Sheryl had been horrified when Eve had said they were cooking dinner as a family. Tricia had been a little uncertain too, but when Eve had said that it didn't matter, that they didn't have to do everything, Tricia had immediately decided otherwise and forced Eve to tell her how. Jasdero had already cooked a few times with Eve, enough for Devit to know that this time she had specially chosen things that were extremely easy to do. But Jasdero thought it had been a good idea because Sheryl had been staring at the chopping board like it was one of the twins' hard maths problems. Tricia and Tyki were no better, looking at Eve confusedly every time she asked them to pass her a tool. The Prince hadn't had any problems though, but he was the Prince after all, so it wasn't surprising.

They had made little sandwiches, pies, soup and various salads under the watchful eye of Berthe, the cook. Jasdero had always thought she was rather nice, but Devit's esteem for her had risen sharply when she had stood up to Sheryl. Berthe was no joke in the kitchen and, although she disapproved of them doing the work themselves, she hadn't hesitated to rebuke Sheryl when he tried to put a loaf of bread that hadn't been properly kneaded to rest.

While Jasdero doubted that they would ever see Sheryl in the kitchen again without him having to, he wasn't so sure about Tricia. Once she'd got over her doubts, she seemed to enjoy preparing the dishes beautifully. She complimented Eve well, given that the younger woman liked to cook, but as long as it was good, she didn't mind if it all looked like mush. In any case, Jasdero really enjoyed it, especially when he could lick the dishes Eve gave him behind the Kamelotts' backs.

They hadn't done everything exactly as Eve did, though. Eve had whispered to the twins that they usually nibbled on what they'd made in the living room while they played games. But she was too afraid Sheryl would have a heart attack, so she hadn't said anything to Tricia and they'd gone into the dining room. It wasn't a bad idea because it had already been difficult to get Sheryl to eat a buffet, especially when they'd moved on to the games.

It was with great difficulty that the twins had managed to restrain themselves from bursting into laughter when Sheryl had started mimicking an ostrich. And only because they knew that even Road's gentle eyes wouldn't be enough to convince him to continue if they saw them laughing. But despite all their efforts, it had been too hard to hold out for long, especially when Jasdero saw Eve's face. Her eyes were round and her mouth was just a dark line. As close as the twins were to bursting, she prevented herself from making the slightest sound, her hands clutching her knees. Even that idiot Tyki was looking at his big brother with ill-contained joy.

The twins knew it, of course, it was they who had chosen the word, taking an animal they had once seen at the Zoo with the Prince. They told themselves it was an easy win, as the others might not even have heard of this exotic animal. But better than that, no one had made the effort to look, preferring to let Sheryl continue his mime for as long as possible. Well no one... no one except Tricia. Frowning very slightly in confusion, she had hazarded "A chicken?" which forced Eve to quickly hide her red face in Tyki's shoulder. The twins and Road had no such leniency, immediately laughing out loud.

That idiot Sheryl stopped immediately, remaining in his stupid position for a good second, crouching slightly and folding his arms before jumping up and standing up straight.

"A... a pigeon?" Tricia hesitated, sensing that her husband was losing patience.

"A turkey!" Road shouted as she jumped onto the sofa, bouncing Eve. Not that it seemed to bother her too much, she still had her head buried in Tyki's arm, her shoulders shaking with silent throbbing.

"A sparrow", Tyki didn't even try, making Devit snigger. Sheryl gave his brother an outraged look and loosened his lips, no doubt ready to spill the beans when he was interrupted again.

"Hmmm... how about an ostrich?" The Prince suddenly exclaimed, his gaze fixed on the twins.

Devit immediately grunted and Jasdero groaned even louder, but both their reactions were immediately drowned out by Sheryl's shrieks of victory as he pointed at Adam with a maniacal laugh. Tricia gasped in surprise and this must have woken Sheryl up because he immediately lowered his arm, coughed slightly and pulled on his waistcoat with dignity.

"That's it, yes." He said simply before moving resolutely towards the second sofa where Tricia was waiting for him.

Adam rose gracefully to his feet, moving towards his top hat which had been left on the small round table by the tree. This was the container for the little papers and the Prince slipped his hand into it with gusto. He was undoubtedly the person most motivated by their game and he hastened to read the next paper.

"Oh, I think there's a duplicate word, what happens then?" He asked, looking up at Eve.

But Eve was still half-hidden behind Tyki's shoulder and it took Tyki patting her on the head with amusement for her to decide to face them.

Jasdero had never seen her so happy. Neither had Devit. She was incredibly red, redder than the poisonous mushrooms they had seen in the forest, and her cheeks were wet. Tears were still streaming from her eyes as she tried desperately to wipe them away with the handkerchief that Tyki had so elegantly provided. He should have kept it to himself, thought Devit, Eve had left two round stains on his shoulder. Yet he didn't seem to mind, whispering something in Eve's ear that drew another hiccup of quickly suppressed laughter.

"Sorry, sorry, um... the double mime... er... you can put it to the side if you prefer, or do it anyway, it doesn't really matter," she managed to stammer out, pushing Tyki away as he leaned over to say something else that would surely make her giggles again.

Devit would have bet that if Tricia and Sheryl hadn't been there, Eve would have put her hand over the Noah's mouth or put her hands over her ears and shouted "lalala" as loud as she could. She was funny like that, and that was just one more reason to be angry with Sheryl for depriving them of this gag.

The Prince smiled indulgently and picked up a second paper in all seriousness. Jasdero settled back comfortably, ready to continue this unrealistic evening.

---

Chapter 42: My favourites things

"I'm going to adopt Miss Eve."

The sentence sounded like a bombl, internally at least. Outwardly, Sheryl confined himself to pushing his pen into his desk. It was a shame: the pen was a gift from Tricia and it was extremely annoying to find such a beautiful desk, but... at least the destruction was minimal.

"Miss Campbell?" Sheryl replied without bothering to hide the scepticism that oozed from his voice. Understandably, Miss Campbell wasn't much of a nuisance... but she certainly wasn't an asset either. Of course, she could be used as a new political marriage, perhaps with a high dignitary from India, but linked to the Duchy of Campbell? When there was no male heir? It would only lead to obscene rumours and wars of succession. No, the previous plan of waiting for a young male Noah to be reincarnated to become the official heir was always more appropriate.

However, considering the soft look in her eyes and the sudden use of the girl's first name, Sheryl doubted he would be able to change her mind. That didn't mean he wouldn't try though. Carefully setting down his ruined quill, Sheryl intertwined his fingers, ready to face the new frustrations that were soon to come.

"Come on my Prince, her adoption is of no use to the Clan." Admonished Sheryl before painfully softening his voice. "You've already done a lot for her by saving her life, there's no need to go that far."

The patriarch Noah looked pained before his mouth soon formed a pout worthy of the Noah of the dream. "It's so rare for a human to survive my blood... What's more Sheryl, the dark matter is already multiplying all along her meridians, it won't be long before she's capable of practising magic."

"Being able to doesn't mean she'll use it." Sheryl swept. "Even we Noah's don't bother with magic most of the time. Would it even be possible for her to activate magic without outside instruction?"

"Well, it's unlikely, it's true... dark matter would have to produce a considerable amount of energy and even then I doubt it would take form without formula unless she was in some extreme emotional danger." The Prince hesitated, immediately creating a satisfied smile onto Sheryl's lips.

"So there's no reason to use Miss Campbell in any other way than the way we have up to now."

"I suppose Eve looks happy with Tricia." The Prince reflected, which wasn't at all the point Sheryl was trying to make, but... if it convinced him, he could take Miss Campbell's happiness into account. Unfortunately, the Prince was back at it again. "Aren't you always saying I spend too much time looking after the affairs of the dukedom? A future Noah heir would be too busy to look after them too. Whereas a human... As heir apparent, it would be only natural to delegate the duties of the dukedom to her, which would leave me more time for the Clan."

Sheryl raised a dubious eyebrow. "Nothing would please me more than to see you delegate a few more tasks. Indeed, the management of the Duchy does not deserve your attention. However, if you are finally ready to concede, the Akuma who looked after the Duchy two years ago is still active. It's a very good steward, and would be a far more appropriate choice than a young girl who can't even attend a ball properly."

The Prince gave a small, amused smile at the words of the Noah of desire. "You're harsh, Sheryl, she was fulfilling her role wonderfully until Tyki knocked her out."

Sheryl shamelessly ignored this point, putting his cup back down with a piercing clink. "Miss Campbell knows nothing of the world, either of the Noble or of the citizen, the only advantage she could possibly bring us is, unlike an Akuma, her ability to age which might allow her to appear in society in the long run. Even so, we've never had any real problems with that before. An Akuma would obviously be much more efficient, discreet and above all loyal."

The Earl nodded slowly, but there was a gleam in his eyes that Sheryl knew well: he could present the most logical arguments, but the Prince had decided and that wouldn't change anything. "Still, I feel responsible for her now and I'd like to get to know her better. She already has my blood, it seems only natural to make it official."

Sheryl held up two fingers to adjust his monocle, restraining himself from massaging his temples as he did so. The Prince wasn't going to give up. He was even more stubborn than Sheryl and, well, as Noah, he had to obey him. Still, that didn't mean he couldn't turn this to his advantage. "So be it." He agreed before opening the drawer to take out a new quill. "Adopt Miss Campbell!"

The Prince smiled radiantly. A smile that soon turned into a shy one as Sheryl placed a blank sheet of paper on his desk.

"Ah. I assume you have conditions?" Smiled the Prince, waddling nervously.

Sheryl let out a smile worthy of his Noah and dipped the quill in the inkwell before wiping it clean.

Let it not be said that Sheryl didn't know how to adapt.

---

Chapter 43: Trials and errors

Adam looked up precisely one second before a piercing scream bounced off the walls. However, he wasn't the fastest to get to the source. No, that record definitely went to Tricia. From the end of the corridor, he saw the master bedroom door open with a bang and Tricia run to the next door with a speed he hadn't suspected.

"Eve?!" Tricia exclaimed as she pushed open the door, suddenly seeming to have forgotten her manners in the face of urgency. Trotting over to her, Adam passed Jasdero poking his head out of his room and nearly ran into Road as she emerged from hers. A deft side-step later and he was peering into Miss Campbell's room over Tricia's shoulder.

The girl was frozen in place, one leg on the floor and the other tucked under her blanket as if time had stopped as she got out of bed. With her mouth slightly open, her skin as white as her sheets and her hand slightly raised towards the fire, she didn't react. At least not until Tricia called her again. At the sound, she jumped violently, falling awkwardly onto her bed before looking at them with wide eyes.

"Eve, are you all right? What happened?" Tricia asked again as she cautiously entered the room.

Still outside, it wasn't difficult for Adam to hear the girl's heart beating far too fast. Yet she pretended admirably, swallowing hard before a "It's nothing, I just... um... saw a spider in my bed. I wasn't expecting it, I'm really sorry to have disturbed you" fell from her lips.

"It must have been huge for you to scream like that." Road scoffed and Adam looked down to see her beside him. She and the twins had gathered in the doorway, attracted by the shouting. Fortunately for Miss Campbell, Sheryl and Tyki were in the former's office and although they couldn't have missed the scream, it didn't look like they would join them either.

Road's teasing was not enough to make the young girl regain her colour. With a weak, slightly twisted smile, she merely nodded as Tricia gave her daughter a disapproving look.

"Pfft, a spider," muttered Devit before turning around. Jasdero stayed a second longer, smiling at Eve before trotting behind his brother. Seeing that the girl was in good hands and well aware that Tricia wasn't going to be very happy to see him there once the crisis was over, Adam didn't delay either. Making for the guest wing, he wasn't the least bit surprised when a small hand slipped into his.

"A spider, eh?" Road murmured and Adam nodded.

"It's a little surprising but not outside the realms of possibility." The Prince murmured, squeezing the small hand between his fingers. "Let's see if our new eight-legged friend visits us again before any hasty decisions are made," he added. Road made only an indistinct noise before jumping up to plant a kiss on Adam's cheek as a goodnight wish.

Adam was very surprised when thirteen whole days passed before another 'spider' appeared. In fact, he had expected another magical explosion the very next day, six at the most. So when a week had gone by without the slightest whiff of the supernatural, Adam had thought that the young girl was either too scared to try it or that she simply hadn't understood how to do it again. However, in the latter case, knowing Miss Campbell and her astonishing acceptance of family powers, he had expected her to experiment. That was why he had spent a few days at Kamelot Manor, trying to be there when Road couldn't be.

Although, Miss Campbell had seemed very shaken by her first visit to the paranormal... Adam did wonder how she had triggered her magic. Without an object or formula to channel it through, it wasn't usually an easy force to invoke without being in immediate danger. Which, as far as Adam knew, had not been the case, given that they had found her at the bottom of her bed.

Finally, it was during a conversation with Sheryl, when the latter was updating him on his latest political projects, that the Prince of Noah felt a new wave of magic. It was something raw, shaded, that didn't go into detail. It was as if the young girl had pushed the energy out of her like a well-shaken champagne cork. A faint chime sounded in the distance and Adam wondered what had given way in the face of that.

However, he could hardly dodge away to satisfy his curiosity without alerting Sheryl. The Noah of Desire had barely reacted: just a slight frown and a wave of his hand before continuing to talk. Adam couldn't blame him, it was the patriarch who hadn't thought it necessary to provide for his magical culture. That had seemed less important than languages, manners, his Noah powers and politics at the time. Now Adam wondered if he shouldn't have mentioned it at all. At least let the poor man know what was going on under his roof.

Anyway, it wasn't as if Adam couldn't handle the incident himself. It was his responsibility, after all, he was the one who had chosen to give blood and deal with whatever might come of it.

What had emerged was a young girl who could barely keep her head off her soup. Not surprising, given the brute force she had used to smash the library windows. Even Tyki's remark about the said windows barely managed to make her eyes widen. And only for a second before she left them closed for far too long, seeming to have all the trouble in the world to open them again.

Adam wasn't the least bit surprised when she deftly slipped out of the family party that evening to crawl into bed early. Fortunately for her, Tyki had also made a dash for it, probably to meet up with a belle. Tricia had looked at the empty sofa with a satisfied smile and Adam hadn't deigned to break her expectations. No, he'd gone for a walk in the inner garden instead, Road dangling from his arm.

"That's the second time." Noted the Noah of dream after Adam had told her the events of the afternoon. "Knowing her, now that she's figured out how to manifest it, she's bound to do it again. And without instruction, it could be very dangerous for her, as it could be for others."

"Indeed." Adam murmured. Although, in this case, the others only concerned Tricia and the human servants in the manor. The Noahs risked very little unless the girl managed to compress her magic so tightly that it exploded. As she didn't seem to mind using it, the option seemed unlikely. All the same... "I have some old beginner books back at the manor... maybe it's time to invite her over?"

But Road shook her head. "I don't think confronting her directly is the best idea. Eve's a mouse, if we chase her, she'll run away. Better to leave the cheese out in the open and let her discover it on her own."

Adam nodded slowly. It wasn't such a good analogy, especially given the girl's genuine distaste for fermented milk. But he could see what the Noah meant: the status quo was terribly important to Miss Campbell. She may have known about Tyki's powers for months, but she hadn't said a word. At least not until it had been so obvious that Tyki had had to corner her in the library to force her to discuss it. Giving her the resources to better understand this new force on her own, while at the same time implying their knowledge and support, seemed the most appropriate approach.

"In that case, I'll show her the balcony." Adam replied resolutely. He'd said it almost without thinking about it, the reason surely being that he really didn't want to think about it.

Road stopped dead in her tracks, taking the prince with her. He knew what he was going to read in her eyes, which is why he stared over her shoulder at a very pretty rose. It didn't save him from her words, though.

"It won't be the same if she goes and touches the books, you know?"

"It's already not the same." Adam murmured. A sudden tiredness assailed him. Yes, it hadn't been the same for decades. Perhaps it was time to let time run its course. These books deserved to be read, after all.

Adam started walking again. Drawn by their knotted arms, Road followed suit. One small step, Adam thought, just one. Enough to help them both. Eve with her future and Adam with his past.

---

Chapter 47: The debutantes

It wasn't usual at Kaamelott Manor for everyone to eat breakfast together. Sure, it happened from time to time, and in recent months they'd been doing it more and more often. But almost every day for the last two weeks? Unheard of. Even at the very beginning of their marriage, when Sheryl tried to be as present as possible, he was at least one day out of three in business. But now he made a point of religiously attending every breakfast. Tricia wasn't sure whether he was doing it for her, to make her forget Eve's absence, or to try and sort out his troubled relationship with Tyki. Probably a bit of both.

As it was, Tyki wasn't very receptive to his brother's attempts at conversation, playing absent-mindedly with the contents of his plate. Tricia didn't have the heart to admonish him, even considering the pitiful state he'd got his eggs into. The atmosphere was so heavy that even Road, who usually tried to reconcile everyone, seemed on the verge of leaving early for her classes.

"Lady Kamelott, a letter for you." Eliott suddenly announced, handing her his tray where a note lay.

A respite! Tricia hoped for a second, but was soon disheartened when she saw the handwriting. These letters, which were far too round and surprisingly separated, could not belong to anyone other than Eve. In other situations, she would have been delighted, but now...

Holding back the sigh that weighed on her lips, Tricia opened the letter with a quick movement and looked it over quickly.

"A letter from Eve, Mother?" Road asked.

"Ah, yes dear." Tricia smiled distractedly as she tried to decipher a particularly badly written passage. We'll really have to add calligraphy lessons to Eve's curriculum. Although later. There was no way to squeeze that into her already tight schedule.

"What's the news? Is there a message for me?" Road insisted.

It was only years of practice that prevented Tricia from letting out that itchy grimace.

"No sweetheart, it's a business letter, it answers a few questions I had about the wedding." Tricia replied vaguely as she reread the letter more carefully.

Road said something but Tricia was again too focused to hear. Only a month ago, Tricia was pretty sure that a letter from Eve would have been quite different. Polite, yes, but playful, awkward, full of good feelings. Now it was... flat. As impersonal as it was possible to be. There wasn't a word above the other, in fact it was almost excessively polite. Yet, hidden between her short, to the point sentences, Tricia could easily feel all the girl's frustration.

The letter was so... cheeky. It was strange to think of Eve with that word but it was true, at least at that moment. She had certainly always been a little... free, but never mean. Tricia couldn't help thinking about her own marriage and comparing their two very different reactions. She herself had gone to great lengths to marry Sheryl, her own mother not liking the idea at first. However, with the death of her elder brother and the misfortune that had befallen her father's business, they had not been in a position to refuse much longer. Tricia praised her good fortune every day that it was Sheryl who had finally won her hand and not one of the rich and mostly old Nobles who were courting her at the time.

All this to say that Tricia had jumped into her own marriage with all the determination in the world, confident in her choice and ready to fight elegantly against all Sheryl's other followers.

She had already had the impression of being a heroine in a romance novel, winning the hand of her handsome Prince, but there was no comparison with Eve's story. For better or worse, it had turned into a real fairy tale. A sweet young girl of good birth tragically losing her family and everything she knew in a devastating fire. A damaged memory and then suddenly a kind hand, allowing her to find work at the manor. Two years, which Tricia dared to think were fabulous considering the bursts of laughter bouncing off the walls, before suddenly being adopted by a Duke. And then a marriage, albeit a quick one, but to a dear friend. Finally, after all the drama: a loving husband, a caring family, a title... all that was missing were the children and then wouldn't it be a perfect story?

So why was Eve so... so... hurt?

Tricia herself would never have dared send a letter like that to her mother. Of course, she wasn't Eve's mother, but she liked to think of herself as a comforting older sister and, up until the auction, she liked to think that Eve saw her as one too. But now...

Tricia sighed.

"What is it, darling?" asked Sheryl and Tricia gasped slightly, not even realising that Sheryl had finished his sermon. "Miss Evelyne is being unreasonable again?"

Tricia was about to reply, but Tyki was quicker, putting down her fork with a little jerk.

"If you're referring to her dress, I don't see how it was unreasonable for her not to want to parade around in one of those impractical bags. She would have suffocated under her million veils before the first hour was even over."

"You know very well why Tyki, it's important to show that neither the Duchy of Campbell nor the Kamelott Marquise is in any kind of financial difficulty." Sheryl replied immediately. "The dresses Miss Evelyne favoured were far too simplistic. You know how important appearances are."

Tyki pursed his lips but, surprisingly, he didn't answer, preferring to fix his eyes on his plate. Tricia would have bet that he would have gone off on one of his tangents about being bored with appearances. This must have surprised Sheryl too, because he immediately gave Tricia a confused look. When she could only shake her head slightly, he turned back to his brother.

"Speaking of clothes, don't take too long or we'll be late for the tailor."

"What do you mean 'we'?" replied Tyki, freezing. "You don't need to come with me, you've already chosen the model and sent it off, it's just touch-ups."

"Of course I'm coming, I want to be the first to see you in your wedding suit." Sheryl insisted with a proud smile.

A smile not shared by his little brother. All this must have been too much for him, because instead of simply rolling his eyes as he normally would have done, he stood up suddenly, his chair scraping hard against the floor.

"I'll get ready in that case." he said curtly before leaving without an apology.

"Tyki!" Sheryl immediately exclaimed, a frown immediately replacing his smile. "Don't be childish! I don't understand why you're always taking..."

"I'll stop you right there, I don't see any point in having this fruitless conversation again. But if you insist, let's at least wait until we're in the carriage so as not to disturb the ladies."

Sheryl pursed his lips, shook his head but finally nodded. "Good."

"Good." Tyki repeated and he turned around, disappearing into the hall.

Tricia gently folded her towel, limiting her sudden movements so as not to provoke her husband. She had been so sure... Of course, Tyki and Eve had always skilfully avoided the idea, but they were so close that it would have been sad to lose such a friendship. And they would certainly have lost it at their inevitable wedding, because being so close to another being of the opposite sex was unseemly. A marriage was inevitable, at least for Tyki. As for Eve, she could certainly have stayed at their service indefinitely but... no, that wasn't a life.

So yes, a wedding was inevitable and Tricia couldn't think of a better outcome than that. However, seeing Tyki's back disappear through the door and Eve's letter in front of her, Tricia couldn't help but fear that she had handled it badly. Should she really have pushed so hard for this wedding? Pushing for it to happen so quickly? Leave Eve at Campbell Manor? Forced Tyki to attend to her social duties? Separate them?

With trembling hands, she placed the napkin on the table. She was terrified of losing them. Unfortunately, she wasn't sure that her attempts to reconnect with them would be any more effective than Sheryl's.

---

Chapter 48: The Wicked Wedding

The first strangled cry passed her lips as the wedding became official.

To be honest, Sheryl had expected to be screaming a lot sooner. Oh sure, he had every confidence in Tricia's impeccable organisational skills, it was one of the many reasons he'd chosen her after all. However, he was also always amazed by Miss Campb-... Evelyne's ability to turn things around. Road's ninth birthday ball was a good example.

What was happening in front of him was another matter. Had a woman ever kissed her husband like that in public in high society? With an initiative and eagerness that Sheryl could have sworn the young girl didn't possess. Hadn't she made such a fuss because she refused to marry Tyki? Sheryl couldn't understand it any more.

Road cackled with joy at her side and her whistle covered Sheryl's. His little darling was always there to help him, Sheryl thought with emotion. That was enough to calm him and he took a deep breath, quickly regaining his composure as Tyki and Miss Ca-... Evelyne turned to the audience to polite applause. A hand slipped into his and Sheryl squeezed it lightly. Very lightly, with barely a hundredth of her strength. Still, for Tricia's delicate hands, it must have been quite enough.

"Don't worry so much, sweetheart, the worst is over," his companion whispered in his ear.

Sheryl nodded, but he certainly didn't agree with her. The wedding was over, but there was still the evening with the cream of European high society. Knowing the more than dubious social skills of Tyki and Mis-... Evelyne, Sheryl wasn't very confident.

That's why he never let them out of his sight afterwards, following them like a watchdog. The bride and groom had undergone fairly intensive training over the last few months and fortunately Sheryl didn't have to intervene very often. Contrary to what he had feared, Evelyne was the least problematic of the pair. Quite simply because she had decided to stick to Tyki like a barnacle to its rock and not to open her lips unless she was specifically addressed. An incredibly effective strategy considering that she already had the reputation of a shy young girl over-protected by her father thanks to Sheryl's good work. So, fused as she was with Tyki, the women circling around them like sharks couldn't catch her alone to start their political game. Sheryl wondered whether it was a conscious effort on the part of the young girl or just her instinct for self-preservation that saved her. Or their, really. Even with her intensive classes, she certainly wasn't ready to fight on equal terms with ladies like the Countess of Tuny or Lady Grey and what a shame that would be for the Prince.

Thus, only influential old men or couples with mute wives would approach them. In this situation, the only words directed towards Evelyne were simple comments about her beauty or the Duke, to which she easily responded with a smile and a thank you.

Polite to the lady-in-waiting, the wolves immediately turned back to Tyki, who had barely been able to catch his breath, and attacked again. Tyki, who until then had only needed to entertain young girls because of his dubious status as younger brother of the Marquis Kamelott, was now taking the full brunt of his new status as heir presumptive by marriage to the Duchy of Campbell. The poor man was sweating profusely, but in the end managed to cope rather well, much to Sheryl's relief. Of course, nothing less was expected of Sheryl's outstanding upbringing over the last few years, but knowing the savage state her mother had left her little brother in at the age of fourteen, it was still a commendable achievement.

Iit was a good thing that Tricia was elegantly controlling the conversation, because Sheryl was so focused on the bride and groom that he couldn't think about the political game for more than a few minutes at a time. It was a perfect opportunity though, between this high-flying wedding and his work as a minister, all these humans were throwing themselves between his sons. It doesn't matter, he thought, Tricia was careful to leave the door open and then Sheryl would just have to wait for their proposals later. In the meantime, Sheryl gracefully avoided the judging glances of the Prince, himself beset by humans. He wanted Sheryl to leave the bride and groom alone. Ridiculous. They would make mistakes and, of course, they had enough akumas in their pockets to avoid unfortunate consequences but, well, if they could-... The Prince!

Sheryl didn't flinch when Duke Campbell slid a hand on his shoulder, but that was only because his Noah instincts couldn't react negatively to the patriarch. He knew it wasn't the Prince's style, but Sheryl nevertheless mentally prepared himself for a whispered reprimand for his behaviour.

"We have an exorcist visiting us." Adam murmured.

Sheryl immediately stiffened. An exorcist? Here? His gaze glided nonchalantly over the crowd, lingering only a little longer on the various members of the Black Order. A cardinal accompanied by three officials, including an undercover Raven and two notable members of the Luberrier and De Chemoine ancestral families. All were on the guest list and expected, even if not welcome.

"Don't worry, it's Bookman Junior. He came without Bookman, disguised as a waiter. I suspect he's here for the important political wedding side of things and not the holy war."

Sheryl nodded, his eyes jumping from waiter to waiter until he felt a faint itch run up his spine. There. Medium height, red hair, and now that he was paying attention, the stench of innocence was wafting from his apron. He had hardly noticed the exorcist when Evelyne ran into him.

It was deliberate, completely deliberate and Sheryl restrained himself from screaming only because the Prince still had a firm hand on his shoulder. What on earth was she doing now? And now they were causing a scene! The commotion and the profuse apologies had invariably attracted all eyes. Sheryl took a step, ready to intervene, but Tyki was quicker, guiding his wife towards the exit, the exor-... Bookman junior on his heels.

"Ah, looks like they needed a little break." The Prince murmured. Sheryl gave him an incredulous look but he didn't have time to say anything as Baron Felworth waddled over to him. Ah, of course, with the guests of honour gone, the guards were even more important. He plastered a smile on his lips, held out his arm to Tricia and launched himself back into battle.

Fortunately, the bride and groom soon returned. By then, the evening was getting a little too full of drunk for the Kamelot couple's liking and Tricia wasted no time in temporarily limiting the alcohol and bringing in the pièce montée. The timing was impeccable, because Evelyne seemed to have forgotten her armour of shyness and was now talking animatedly to her author friend and his wife. It was the most relaxed he'd seen her all day, but she was making too much noise. She didn't even seem to notice that all the conversations around her had dropped off sharply, everyone straining their ears to listen to the bride. Sheryl pursed his lips and hurried towards her. The subject at hand, something about a novel, didn't need much discretion but it was better not to leave the slightest crumb of information to the vultures.

Unfortunately he was accosted again before he could reach her and to his horror, it was the Black Order group that joined the girl. Where the hell was Tyki?!

He was struggling to rid himself of his company when a loud crash sounded behind him. With horror, he turned around to see the cake on the floor, the icing dripping onto the ground and the twins slowly walking away.

Sheryl remained stilled for a second, coming back to himself only when a sharp prick and noise sounded. Looking down, he saw that he had accidentally crushed his glass of champagne, which was fortunately almost empty. His glove had protected him somewhat and his Noah skin had done the rest, so fortunately there were no wounds. But Tricia's little hands were quick to remove what was left of the glass from his hands.

"It's okay, sweetheart, we have other desserts just as impressive." She assured him before turning to Eliott and handing him the glass. "Instruct the servants to bring the Chou pyramid quickly."

"A what?" He asked, taken aback. Chou… Cabbage, like the vegetable?

"It's a dessert Eve asked for, she said it was a tradition at her family's weddings." Tricia explained.

He blinked before remembering that he had a situation to deal with. However, when he turned around, everything was already almost settled, with an army of servants wiping up the last remnants of the cake and the twins nowhere in sight. One more look at the bride and she too had taken advantage of the situation to escape, leaving her friends to the wolves. And there was Tyki! Sheryl hoped he hadn't dared spend his disappearance with some young girl at his own wedding... The thought made him grab a new glass but he hadn't even had a sip when Tricia was grabbing his fingers again.

"That's enough, isn't it?" She asked and Sheryl grudgingly let her. With his Noah's genes, it certainly wasn't 'enough' to do anything, good or bad, but he could hardly explain it to his wife. All the same, he was itching to have another drink all evening. Every time one of the two protagonists got bogged down in a situation, his eyes sought out the nearest waiter. Tricia must have noticed, because when she took Evelyne outside she gave him one last look, announcing that he had certainly no interest in smelling of alcohol when he joined her later.

In any case, all this potential political disaster was coming to an end and Sheryl hurried to join his brother. With the Prince, they soon said goodbye to each dignitary, hurrying the most imbibed towards the exit.

Two hours later, he found himself, mentally exhausted, between his sheets, his wife looking far too satisfied at his side. He'd signed two new deals, planted the seeds for a dozen more and apart from the kiss incident the rest hadn't gone as badly as he'd feared. In short, if not a resounding success, it was far from a disaster either. And with Tyki and Evelyne involved? He'd be happy with that.

---

Chapter 51: The end of the (almost) normal life

"Thank you, Lucie," Evelyne replied warmly, her features pulling into a tired smile. "I couldn't have done it without you."

Lulubelle nodded, patting her pile of papers back into shape. "Put the documents you've completed on one side and the ones you have questions about on the other and I'll look at them tomorrow. Good evening."

"Have a nice evening!" The young human replied with a final smile before turning her attention back to her pile of paperwork. A stray lock of hair slipped from her ear and she put it back absent-mindedly, once again concentrating.

Lulubelle passed through the study door just as the Akuma assigned to Evelyn turned the corner of the corridor. "A door." she ordered.

The akuma bowed, moving quickly against the wall to make room for Noah.

"Mistress Road is opening one in the study." he informed her.

Lulubelle nodded sharply. She didn't even stop to make any final recommendations: she didn't need to. The Prince had chosen one of the best Akuma servants to accompany Evelyne. A level 3, quick-witted accountant in the well-trained body of a house maid. Simple, efficient, the Akuma had risen through the ranks at Edo before being recruited to Campbell Manor to help with internal affairs over three years ago. He was certainly more useful in processing information than in personal service, but in any case he was the first person Evelyne needed at the moment. That and a bodyguard, should she fancy another impromptu excursion.

Lulubelle stopped in front of Sheryl's office, holding back a disgusted pout as she knocked on the door. She barely waited for the "enter" before pushing open the door, not bothering to be polite to him. She received an annoyed look in reply but ignored it, closing the door behind her before walking briskly towards the small adjoining library without a word. There, hidden behind heavy curtains, not far from the telephone, was, when Road wanted it, the door to Campbell Manor. Passing the pink monstrosity, Lulubelle found herself instantly in the reception room of Campbell Manor.

It was a small living room, the sofas artfully arranged around the door, as if waiting for a guest. There was no need to hide it here, no human could trip over it. Not since Evelyne had returned to Kamelot Manor, anyway. With a brisk step, she crossed the room towards the door leading to the main entrance. Just as she was about to go through, an Akuma opened it for her, bowed and told her that the Prince was waiting for her in the garden. She might have guessed, he rarely left his terrace when the sun came out to grace them with his presence in these remote parts of the countryside.

Indeed, there he was, sitting in one of the small, delicately crafted iron chairs, looking at the flowers. Behind him, two Akuma dressed as maids stood guard, ready to jump at their master's slightest need. A quick glance at the Prince's profile aroused Lulubelle's caution: he had vague eyes and a drawn, melancholy smile... chances were he was lost in the past again.

"My Prince." She saluted when she was a comfortable distance away.

The patriarch Noah blinked slowly, his eyelashes caressing each other before revealing a gleam in his pupils.

"Ah, Lulubelle! What brings you here?" he suddenly exclaimed as if nothing had happened.

Lulubelle sat down elegantly beside him, waited patiently for the Akuma to serve her tea and replied:

"A simple visit between two tasks. I was with Évelyne to explain some business to her and I'm about to go to Thailand regarding the brokers you asked me to deal with."

"Ah yes, sad story... It's disappointing to part with so many brokers so suddenly, but then, humans are like that, always so stingy..." The Prince shook his head, his lips curving into a sad pout. Although true, this expression did not linger for more than a few seconds, immediately replaced by a cheerful curiosity. "And how is Evelyne doing? It must be complicated to get used to all this without proper training. Poor thing, we keep throwing her into new challenges, when she would rather spend her life reading in a corner."

The description was apt and the corners of Lulubelle's lips twitched upwards slightly. "After the last few weeks, the day-to-day running of the business is going well." She reported before frowning slightly. "However, she is still very anxious when a new task approaches."

"I'm not surprised. Evelyne has a deep-seated fear of disappointing others," Adam agreed.

"That's absurd, the Akuma you assigned her is there to help her, and I'm guiding her too. What's more, even if a mistake were to happen, that's not what would put the family at risk."

"You know that, Lulu, but Evelyne doesn't quite have that information. Let's look at it from her point of view: she's signed enough papers to know that we're moving finances between the Kamelots and the Campbells without acare. So not only does she have to worry about the Campbell Duchy, she also has to worry about Sheryl, with whom she's still not very comfortable. We've only given her responsibility for legal matters that are strictly related to the Duchy. So she doesn't know that we have other considerable resources thanks to the akumas and our less legal affairs." The Prince explained before taking a quick sip of his tea. "Evelyne is an intelligent young girl and she is therefore well aware that she does not currently have the capabilities to deal with the task she has been given. So she probably feels that the slightest mistake would have much more impact on both our families than it actually would."

"So be it, but even she must know that there are no serious consequences to approving the slaughter of four or five pigs for the village fête."

The Prince smiled, his lips pressed together in a calm, avuncular curve. "Speaking of the party, we should show her the consequences of all her hard work. Evelyn needs to see a bit more of the world than the inside of mansions and books. Yes, let's the three of us go."

Lulubelle pursed her lips, not very enthusiastic about the idea of mingling with the crowd of duchy subjects. Humans crowding around them, begging for subsidies or, on the contrary, the ignorant in favour of alcohol, dancing wildly. Still, the Prince loved this festive atmosphere and it would be a good learning opportunity for Evelyne. So be it, she thought. All the same, she was still hoping that something would come up.

---

Chapter 53: Epilogue

The Millenium Earl watched Evelyne pedalling down the central alley. Soon she would reach the gate leading to the Kamelot estate. He didn't think she'd given a second thought to the fact that the guard was certainly not supposed to let her out in the middle of the night unescorted. Anyway, one thought from the Earl and the akuma was already opening the gate.

In the back of his mind, he could feel the akuma he had assigned to Eve following her at a distance. Fighting wasn't its speciality, but an Akuma didn't get to level 3 without a certain amount of skill. It would be more than enough if Evelyne had a bad encounter. In the meantime, it would follow her at a distance, keeping an eye on her for the Earl. Well, not just one eye. The big cities were teeming with Akuma and Adam doubted that Evelyne would stray far from them. Not right away, anyway.

"There's still time to catch her." he murmured.

Only the wind could be heard, and the dark mass behind him did not even make a move. Yet there was no doubt that Tyki was not asleep. His breathing was short and silent, very different from when he appeared under the duvet in other circumstances. Through the window, he saw Evelyne glance back. It was as if, for a second, their eyes had met. Yet at her distance and in the night, he doubted she could have seen him, even with her blood-enhanced senses. Adam let the curtain fall, turned his head towards his bed and insisted.

"She's not far away, all you have to do is call her and..."

"What's the point?" interrupted Tyki this time, his voice rising, bitter, from behind a cushion. "She remembers now."

Adam barely had time to untie his lips before Tyki sat up to look at him, his tongue suddenly unclenching.

"The worst thing is, I barely remember that night. If the akumas hadn't found them together in the forest, I'd never have known I'd murdered her family. I've killed dozens of humans, her sister is no more memorable than anyone else. I still have a vague memory of the baby, but Eve herself? I know there was a second girl I didn't have time to kill, but her face is just a blur in my mind. Eve is sick just looking at mine."

Adam didn't know what to say to that, thankfully Tyki didn't seem to be expecting one, running a hand through his messy hair with a sigh. "Not only would an apology be useless, it would be dishonest: I can't even bring myself to regret killing her sister because otherwise Eve would never have come to the manor."

Adam approached the bed, sitting down gently beside Tyki. The boy looked up at him, even his dark curls looking tired, resting loosely on his forehead.

"I wish she'd never remembered." He admitted half-heartedly.

If Wisely had been awake, the option of erasing her memories of her previous life would have been available. For the first time, Adam was glad that his brother was still asleep: it was a choice he wouldn't have envied Tyki for making.

Adam placed a hand on Tyki's shoulder, guiding him gently until his head rested in the hollow of his neck.

"You know Tyki... despite all this, I think you're still the most important person to Evelyn. It'll never be exactly the same as before and it'll take time, but I wouldn't be surprised if she forgave you."

Tyki froze in his arms before a faint sigh passed his lips. They stayed like that for a few minutes, Adam running his fingers through Tyki's curls until a much calmer question passed his lips.

"Where is she now?"

Adam looked inwards for a second, instantly sorting through the thousands of links intertwined in his mind before pulling up the one of the akuma following Eve.

"On the road to the village, she'll soon be turning to go to London."

"Already?"

"She took your bike," he explained and when Tyki grimaced, "She must have thought you wouldn't miss it."

"Good riddance... Is she even going to make it this far on that thing?" he said weakly.

The Earl smiled slightly, reassured to see Tyki trying to return to his usual tone. It didn't last long, however, and the boy immediately fell back into his silence. Adam gave him time to form his thoughts, playing absent-mindedly with his curls. That's what always helped him tell them apart, he'd never worn them so long, not giving the curls a chance to take shape and... no, no, this wasn't the time.

"What's she going to do now? Join her older brother?" breathed Tyki as he rose to his feet. Adam let him go, dropping his arms, a little disappointed.

"It's likely. Evelyne is cautious, she doesn't like unfamiliar situations and has few contacts outside the manor. She has both a very pessimistic and optimistic view of humanity. It always amused me that she feels more at home with us than with humans." Adam laughed, but when he saw that Tyki wasn't following him, he finished more seriously. "Mr Doyles and, maybe, the landlady of that inn you go to play at sometimes are her only other options."

Tyki frowned, lifted his lips and then closed them again before nodding slowly. Adam looked at him curiously, wondering what he was holding back from saying. Well, if it was important, he'd tell him later.

---

Less than a day later, as Tricia was pacing back and forth, Eve's note announcing her departure clutched in her fingers, Clarisse Barnes slipped in like a shadow to inform him of an urgent phone call. Leaving Road to try and calm his mother, Adam had the displeasure of having Mahulda on the line. Having news of the akuma he had assigned to Evelyn was not, in itself, a bad thing. What she had to tell him, on the other hand, was.

It seems that in the last few hours, an over-zealous exorcist had done some serious house-cleaning in London, getting rid of a sizeable number of akumas in the port, the East End and the surrounding areas. It was in one of these areas that Evelyne had ended her night after cycling to London.

In this kind of situation, the majority of his akumas would have laid low, leaving only those not in important positions to throw themselves into the battle. Only, Mahulda had informed him, it was as if the exorcist was able to discern them, destroying them before they could even shed their skin. The akuma hadn't needed to describe his claw of innocence for the Earlto know who it was: this new young exorcist he'd met two months earlier... Walker? Yes, Walker.

Like many other high-level akumas occupying strategic positions in London society, Mahulda had chosen to flee. The akuma had assumed that leaving it charge alone for a few hours would be less dangerous than leaving her completely alone until the Earl realised. With so much on his plate and relying on his akumas to inform him of any problems, it could have taken days. So it was a perfectly sensible decision.

But when the exorcist had finished his massacre and left, Mahulda had returned to the inn where Evelyne had taken refuge during the night and the young girl was no longer there. Mahulda spent the next hour looking for her, but without success, preferring to inform the Earl.

It didn't matter, Adam told himself, Evelyn couldn't have gone far: Tyki's bicycle was still in the courtyard of the inn. However, when a few more hours passed and she didn't return, Adam took matters into his own hands and ordered a few Akumas from the nearby neighbourhoods to go and look for her. The next day, almost twenty-four hours after Mahulda's first report, there was still no news of the girl.

Evelyne Campbell had disappeared.

---

And here is the third and errr should have been the last but the Allen's excerpt got out of hand so… I scraped it and there will maybe be a fourth one after all, only on Allen and the evolution of his relationship with Eve throughout NLN and a bit after too.

I hope you liked this and got some answers we didn't got with Eve's only pov!

We're approaching the 10th anniversary of NLN, so I'm curious, are there still any old readers? People who have been reading this story since 2016? 2017 ? Anyway, whether you're an old reader or a new one, I'd love to hear your thoughts; what you liked or didn't like, what surprised you, what you didn't understand etc... with a comment!