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Chapter Text

Nozel anticipated there was a chance his sisters would resent him, but as it was he had little choice. While one grew more and more isolated by the day, the other continued to make a fool of herself over a commoner. Albeit he quite liked Asta, admired him even, but the young man clearly held no intentions for Noelle. All the fellow seemed occupied with was improving his prowess or traveling to the Spade Kingdom to test that very prowess against the prince.

And so, as Lord of House Silva, Nozel set out to find proper matches for his two overwrought, but precious, younger sisters.

Prospects were none the wiser as he approached nobleman and distinguished Knights alike. To the outward eye it seemed as if Nozel Silva had grown social. While entertaining for the older generations, whom always seemed attuned to such delicate matters, his peers and subordinates—and no doubt the perplexed suitors themselves—were caught unawares by Nozel's sudden interest in them.

Though interest was too tame of a word. The encounters were rigid interrogations, where the interrogator himself had no real care to hear the answers to his questions.

The younger Silvas, noticing this change, thought perhaps their brother had grown ill (or at the very least that something was wrong). They confronted Nozel one afternoon in the North wing's drawing room, where he usually took his tea and read the newspaper. Both anxious, Solid and Noelle stood in the middle of the room trying to explain themselves. Meanwhile Nebra was distantly concerned, perched on the edge of a chaise, back straight, ankles crossed and hands neatly folded on her lap. Her intense gaze never wavered.

By the grand piano, Nozel found little reason to keep them in the dark. He placed the black and white gazette on the glossy surface of the piano lid. After explaining his intentions for their family, he patiently waited for their reactions with little expression.

Noelle immediately began to cry, but the tears were silent.

"What?" Nebra said under her breath and nothing else. It was the first time in a long time that Nozel heard such an unladylike response from her. In the last few years, Nebra had overcome a great deal of her bitterness. She had grown closer to Noelle. Though by no means less regal, his sister softened into a more maternal character, at times surprising even Nozel.

Solid was in shock, glancing between his sisters. He, too, would one day find himself in their shoes. Fortunately for him, he was born a male aristocrat and required a good deal more of gentlemanly maturing before taking on a wife. He was also House Silva's heir presumptive and was not allowed to marry until Nozel did.

Resigned silence filled the room. The truth was, his sisters would not fight him on this. All their lives they knew their marriages would be arranged and love matches were rare for people like them. That being said, he could tell they were not quite happy about this new marriage endeavor. For a moment, Nozel questioned himself.

Was this the proper thing? Instead of deterring him, their unfavorable, resigned responses spurred him on to find the most ideal candidates. No brother was more devoted than he and they would know without a doubt that this was out of love and little else.

After months of research, and confused expressions from several gentlemen, Nozel narrowed the suitors down. He was not particularly satisfied with the end results. Any older brother with seeing younger sisters marry would never be completely satisfied with their matches. Yet the two soon-to-be suitors were the most logical options.

They were powerful Knights as well as distinguished noblemen. And personally, Nozel knew no better men.

Chapter Text

Julius Novachrono enjoyed retirement. He had all the time in the world to dedicate to research and traveling. His favorite thing was teaching at the academy of education for nobles. How best to sway prejudices and learned behaviors than to educate the young?

Imagine his surprise when Nozel Silva visited him one morning and declared his intentions.

"I'm flattered, truly, Captain, but you see—I don't quite see you in that way. And," Julius added politely, "relations between two noblemen is not condoned." This was not Diamond, after all.

A sort of hue rose on Nozel's stoic face, but Julius would not call it blushing. Annoyance, perhaps.

"Nebra, sir. Not I."

Chuckling, Julius raised his teacup to the red headed maid, Rebecca Scarlet. She attended to them out in the Novachrono courtyard with professional detachment. Julius leaned back into the wrought iron chair and thanked Rebecca. He hired her a couple of years ago at the request of Asta. She was diligent and had a plethora of very cute siblings that lived in the servant quarters. They were from Nean, a town just outside the Royal Capital.

Julius wondered what she thought of the conversation. She did well in hiding every emotion but he knew the chit was curious and would ask him about it later. She and her siblings were funny like that. Nozel clearly had no qualms divulging pertinent family business in front of her–the help was often overlooked in this way by nobles. They were something akin to wall art, useful but mostly decorative.

"I am 46 years old."

"She is eight and twenty." Nozel said it as if it did not sound bad. He added, "You did not decline," as he offered Rebecca his cup.

If it were anyone else, Julius would have thought this was a prank, but he was not ignorant to noble mating rituals. He was, after all, a noble himself (despite the roundabout way in which he became one).

"Will no one else have her?" Julius carefully asked this. The question implicated many things. It could be seen as a criticism that Nozel's dear sister was not only an undesirable spinster, but that perhaps she had been ruined. It was not what the once Wizard King was asking.

It was no secret that Nebra Silva was a stuck up brat. That went for all the Silvas.

"My sister's personality, like mine, leaves much to be desired. But I assure you she is a lady. There have been suitors, Julius. One was…of such rank that it had been difficult for even me to dissuade his pursuit." Julius raised a curious eyebrow at the succinct comment, but Nozel continued, "Few are worthy of my approval."

"Why is that?"

Nozel lifted an arrogant brow.

"Right," Julius conceded. "And does Nebra have a say in this?"

"She will not go against me."

"Good heavens, Nozel, this is her life! Does she even know of the suitors you've lined up?"

The House Lord turned his head. "There is only you, Julius. No one else will do."

"You've got quite the flattering tongue, Captain. Shouldn't it be me doing the wooing?"

"Quite right." Nozel stood. "It's settled then. You will host me and my sister for dinner tonight. Good day, sir." He bowed with one hand on his chest and then with a sweep of his robe, he proudly made his way toward the double glass doors that would lead through the manor and out. He waited for Rebecca to service him and open the doors.

In her attempt to catch up with his long strides, the tip of her strap shoe caught the edge of an old cobblestone and she plummeted forward. Before Julius could call forth his magic to freeze her, Nozel caught her.

"I'm so sorry, my Lord," Rebecca righted herself and curtsied. Her face was nearly as red as her hair.

Julius privately chuckled. Those two could not be more opposite in social status, and yet, how similar they were when it came to the well being of their younger siblings. Being the oldest sibling was a grave burden. One could guide a younger brother to lead a good, decent life–or drag them straight to hell.

Did not Julius know it well? He touched his abdomen. Right below layers of expensive fashion, on his skin, there was an ancient seal that repressed exactly that–a failed, older sibling that sold his beloved siblings' souls to demonic beings.

After the Rebecca returned from escorting Nozel out, Julius called, "Miss Rebecca, it seems we'll be relying on your cooking skills tonight. Just this morning I gave our dear cook leave to visit her poor mother. She's taken ill, it seems."

Rebecca frowned. "Mrs. Addams didn't say just how sick her mother was. It sounds serious."

"It does, doesn't it?"

"I should send Isaac and Marco to bring the family something."

"Wonderful idea."

The girl grinned.

"Will you be able to handle dinner?"

Rebecca comically patted one of her biceps. "There's no meal I can't cook–even fancy ones for royalty. I won't let you down, Master. I'll run by the market once Pem wakes up from his nap."

"Very well. Purchase enough for the children to also enjoy this fancy dinner you're thinking of. And get whatever you need for Mrs. Addams's family."

That evening he dined with the two oldest Silvas. Julius was an expert at small talk, and while often associated with being cold, Nozel had impeccable manners and responded accordingly.

With Nebra, Julius was unsure if she gave short answers because she was acclimating to the idea of marrying him or because she found him dreadful. She often glanced at her brother before speaking.

After dinner they endeavored to take a stroll around the rose garden, with Nozel chaperoning ten paces behind.

He said, "Do you find yourself happy these days?"

"Happy?" She felt the need to repeat. "I am…content."

"What do you suppose would make you achieve happiness?"

She hesitated. Perhaps the trailing shadow of her brother was too large to answer honestly.

"I would say for my siblings to be happy, sir." Or perhaps she enjoyed her brother's shadow. The younger Silva trio would likely do anything Nozel asked, with heart and speedy results. "But happiness…"

"Yes?"

"Happiness is a fleeting emotion." Her pink gaze went far off. "I think what is better is to have a heavenly joy that is unwavering."

"Nebra, I'm surprised. Since when have such things interested you?"

She stopped walking and Nozel feigned interest in a bird bath.

"After Judgment Day, we started attending our family's Royal Cathedral. My brother said it would be good for us."

Julius's eyes softened. "Has it?" His voice took on a gentler tone and it seemed to throw her off.

She stiffened in her lavender stola. A glint of moonlight from her clothing caught his eye. A belt lined with miniature diamonds draped around her hips. It gave the loose toga more of a shape. Similar jewels adorned her ears and wrists. In formal dinner attire, the royal family made even nobles look like commoners.

"You're asking all the questions." Nebra repositioned the shawl hanging off of her forearms.

"I suppose I am." He considered her words. "Feel free to ask me anything. I am an open book."

She lifted her chin and gave him a once over. "Is my brother wasting his time tonight?"

That wasn't really a question, but more of a demand. It had nothing to do with Julius as a person. Newly-interested in the mysterious of the heavens or not, this was a Silva—the sun rose and fell on Nozel's—

"Nebra," Nozel cut in, "it is getting late. Let us go. Sir." In tandem he bowed and she curtsied. She trailed behind the man with unrelenting poise. It seemed an exit strategy had been devised.

They'd grown up well.

That evening, the retired Wizard King took a good look within himself, there in the rose garden. Should he accept House Silva's bountiful offer? Nebra was intelligent and a talented mage. How would the Scarlet children receive her, if he accepted? She would be a capable Mistress and efficient mother. What she lacked in warmth, however, Julius Novachrono could more than make up for.

If he accepted, the Novachrono name would continue…he could finally pay back that darling old gentleman that had taken him in all those years ago. 'Memory loss' Julius had told the prior Lord of the Novachrono family. Not only did that old Lord take him in, but he made him his heir and a Grey Dear Knight. Yet...

Accepting Nozel's offer also meant that the Zogratis bloodline would continue—and that very notion gave Julius his answer.

Chapter Text

It was a cool, crisp morning in the Novachrono manor. Julius reclined on an armchair with slippered feet on an ottoman. His eyes glowed, taking in the contents of a new research paper from Spade that had just been delivered. Its pages described in detail theories on Spirit magic. The seminary professors and students were going to be thrilled at tomorrow's conference. Everyone expected the research to take a few more months but lucky for them it had been completed earlier. Now the paper was quite thick so he would have to study all day. He would, of course, combine the theories with his existing ones to make sense of the inconsistencies he had already spotted—

"My Lady—please stop!" Rebecca tried to prevent Nebra Silva from storming into the parlor room. But what could the servant do against a royal mage?

"Explain yourself," Nebra stiffly demanded under the arch of the room's threshold. She was in more casual wear than the night before, but still a class above all other Magic Knights. Julius glanced past her and wondered when Nozel would appear. Surely Nebra had not come unchaperoned into the home of a man she was nearly engaged to?

Julius set the research paper down. He calmly stood, as it was bad manners to sit while a royal Lady remained standing.

"Lord Julius—"

"As you can see," he cut her off, "I am not dressed for company."

Nebra looked him up and down, To her growing horror, he was as he said. Underdressed in a burgundy velvet robe and slippers.

"I need just a moment." Unhurriedly he left her there in the parlor room with her face aflame. He returned while buttoning up his vest. She was in the exact same spot. Her brow was pinched together in discontent. Poor Rebecca, she nervously looked between the Master of the house and the unhappy woman.

"Good morning."

"I assure you, a good morning it is not," Nebra shot back, hands balled at her sides, a letter crumpled in a fist. She was upset but quite collected nonetheless.

"You've gotten my answer then."

She must have intercepted the bird carrier meant for Nozel. Her eyes were glassy. He knew there was no sadness or disappointment behind those tears—but a wounded pride.

"I don't understand," she tried to explain, "why you do not want me." Nebra glanced at Rebecca. The Silva was uncomfortable she'd said something vulnerable in front of a third party. Both ladies' faces became flushed.

Was…was Rebecca glaring at him?

Dear heavens this was quite the early morning melodrama. "Miss Rebecca, if you would give us a moment."

A war battled itself out on Rebecca's face. It seemed his attendant was a champion of women. Ultimately, she curtsied and left. She did have to ready the children for school.

"Please take a seat." He gestured toward the upholstered sofa. Nebra squared her shoulders and perched herself at the edge of the quatrefoil seat, back straight and ankles crossed.

"You are offended by my rejection," he started. "Truth be told—I am not sure why. I thought you would be relieved."

"You assume I am putting on a brave face. That I am doing this to please my brother."

Julius sat across from her. "Aren't you?"

Nebra brushed a knuckle against her mouth before putting that hand back on her lap. "In part, yes. Lord Silva is someone I strive to honor and hold in high esteem." That was certainly one way to say she loved her brother. "But I am 28 years old, Lord Julius. I'd like a husband. You are worthy."

He wryly smiled. "You think too highly of me."

She turned her head, curious, reminding him of Nozel. "You are more worthy than I deserve, Lord Julius, which is what my brother believes I need. If you'll have me, I shall work very hard to be worthy of you."

Julius was surprised at the candidness. It was a sweet compliment. She was straightforward, something he already knew, but she was different from her younger years. Less stiff necked and more…agreeable.

"You are aware of my past."

"We all have our vices."

Julius had no rebuttal, as he wouldn't call what Lucius did a 'vice'.

"In the letter," Nebra said, "you write you're unsure if you want children. I think you will be an excellent father. Likely more than I'd be a mother. I know you could help me with that…and I will do my best to follow your lead. Having a wife and trying for an heir is not bad. Granted, it is also not a grand thing."

"It is a normal part of life."

"Yes, exactly. We are a good match for it."

It dawned on Julius that Nebra might be fond of him. Nothing like love, but her feelings of admiration were enough for her to find marrying him a sort of achievement.

How interesting.

A twisted part of himself wanted to be punished for all the wrong his ego had done. He sought penance for the punishment that was never dealt to him. Instead, punishment was rendered upon the necks of the other Zogratis family members. Everyone excused him, Julius Novachrono, of every crime, because he was possessed, because he was not himself—because because because.

And so he was a canon that had not gone off. A grimoire that was never bestowed. A man forgiven by God and country, but not his own soul. Few really knew the truth of what he was: a Fragment of a Split Soul.

"I can see that," Nebra pulled him out of his reverie, "if I force you to answer me now, it will still be a no." She brushed a knuckle against her mouth again. "Could you think about it a little more? Maybe a week."

He leaned back and considered her. "I do not need a week."

There, under her controlled demeanor, an emotion flashed for a moment. His words hurt her. Rejection was a terrible sting.

He stood. A sort of anticipating dread overcame her. Her chest rose and fell ever so slightly. She was good at hiding her emotions—but Julius was better at reading them. Her reaction stirred something in him. A memory of a woman that had once loved him flashed across his mind.

He said, "I'd like to take a walk in the garden. Will you join me?"

Confusion marred her brow, but she rose and took his elbow. Once outside in the courtyard, Julius said, "It's a beautiful morning."

"Yes," she said, distracted with impending disappointment.

"Do you like roses? They were my adoptive father's favorite."

"I like these in your garden," she said with more focus. "Since they're not all red."

"No red roses then."

"There's nothing wrong with red roses, but they're overused." She seemed to be remembering something. "If I had to choose a preference, then the blue ones will do."

Julius easily reached out and plucked a blue rose from a bush. He used his magic to deform the thorns into part of the stem. He offered it to her. She took it and held it to her nose.

"Do you…" she started carefully, "keep the rose garden to remember your father?"

Julius smiled. "You've found me out."

"My brother said that the prior Lord Novachrono was a man of good character and deeds."

"He was."

"Like you, then," she said offhandedly, looking at a passing butterfly.

In silence they continued to stroll the garden's winding design. After about half an hour, he led her to the double glass doors of the manor, signaling the end of their walk. He released her hold on his elbow and faced her.

"Nebra," he spoke.

She lowered her gaze to his vest. The sides of her eyes tightened. "Yes, Lord Wizard King."

"I've changed my mind. I'll speak to your brother."

It took her a moment to understand his meaning. When she did, her gaze brightened. Instead of saying anything, anything at all, she bowed in a quick curtesy. A small smirk of victory settled on her face. She subconsciously brushed the rose petals against the smooth slope of her neck.

"If not roses, then what?" He felt the need to ask.

"Oh...tulips."

"Hmm. If Nozel discovers you've come without a chaperone—well, I don't need to tell you. He's your brother." He said it mostly to tease her but her eyes widened.

"I should go," she said, trying to keep cool.

He opened the glass door with a polite smile and nodded when she curtsied again. "I'll be right behind you."

As she rushed in, she pulled her grimoire from her satchel and began to read a flying spell. It must have been a new page. Julius couldn't remember studying it while he had still been the Wizard King.

Nebra flew on to the palace balcony in the form of a cloud of fog. Once her misty feet brushed against the marble tile, she manifested back into human form and nearly collided against the doors. The spell was still new.

She swung the doors open and carefully hide the blue rose in a jewelry box. She quickly took off her tunics to kick them under her four poster bed. Grabbing her chiffon nightgown, she pulled it over herself and climbed into bed.

Realizing her hair was pinned up, she expertly removed all the cross clips and hid them under one of the pillows. Just in time, as someone knocked on her door.

"Enter."

Nozel stepped in, already dressed in regal uniform. "Good morning."

She made a show of stretching. "Good morning."

"The Wizard King is here to call on you. He..."

"Yes?" Her heart was pounding.

"I think he's considered our proposal."

"How can you tell?"

Nozel, stoic as ever, slowly turned his gaze toward the open balcony doors. "You will see for yourself. Nebra, I prefer you didn't sleep with the balcony open."

"Yes, brother."

"I would rest easier."

She felt her cheeks warm. "Yes, brother."

"Make yourself presentable and join us in the dining hall. We'll take breakfast there today."

"Yes, brother."

Once dressed and in the dining hall, Nebra understood why Nozel assumed Julius had accepted her hand.

On every surface of the hall, even on the long dining table and chairs, there were hundreds of multicolor tulips. They lined the walls and windowsills. Several servants were carrying large vases in and out of the room, trying to organize the flowers in a way where their masters could eat on the table but also enjoy Julius's very beautiful demonstration of acceptance.

"My Lady," said mage appeared by her side. He lifted her hand to bow over it, but did not kiss it. There was a twinkle in his eyes when he straightened. "You're looking well this morning."

She suppressed the sudden, ridiculous urge to laugh, lest her brother be on to them. But her mouth did curl in a very small smile.

Pleased with himself, Julius addressed Nozel and then began a very long winded tirade about some sort of foreign research.

In the Nean town square, outside of Sister Theresa's church steps, two friends sat and caught up with current events in each others lives.

"What's this?" Asta took the floral envelope with a purple wax stamp.

Rebecca sat beside him with a basket full of market goods. "It's a wedding invitation."

"For who?" Asta snapped the wax seal open.

"Master Julius."

Surprised, Asta read through the invitation. "Nebra Silva?!"

Rebecca giggled. "That's right."

"Wow."

"It'll be a private ceremony. Which apparently is not normal for nobility. Master likes his privacy these days."

"Why would he want to invite me then?"

"You're like his favorite person."

Asta laughed. "Did you just make that up?"

"Yeah," Rebecca teased. "But he does like to bring you up now and then. I think he admires you. So will you be able to make it?"

"Hmm. I can't. Me and some friends will be traveling to visit Yuno."

"That's too bad." Rebecca knew Julius would play it off but would definitely be disappointed Asta couldn't come. "You're not scared of him or anything, are you?"

Asta narrowed his gaze, trying to gauge if she was messing with him again.

The church bell rang.

"Oh!" Rebecca jumped up. "'Gotta pick up Pem! See you around, Asta!"

They married in a small, stain-glass cathedral on the outskirts of the capital. It had once been the church of the very first royal family, before the great palace was built. The church was maintained by House Silva and it was the one they attended as a family.

The guests were few.

On the bride's side, the younger Silva siblings stood regal in the pews. They all wore purple toga picta and tunica palmata, embroidered with gold. Their aunt that married into the Vermillion family was also there with her husband and two adult children, Kirsch and Mimosa.

On the groom's side, Marx stood with tears in his eyes and two distant Novachrono widows. Behind them were Rebecca and her siblings. They wore the best clothes Julius could buy them. Rebecca had initially been so shocked that they received an invitation. Julius had been a little offended then. He considered them all his charges and he hoped they had all come to rely on him.

Now all the Scarlets stared toward the alter with happy expressions—except for Pem. He was only three and fast asleep in Rebecca's arms.

Up in the gallery, in all his glory, Royal King Damnatio Kira peered down with little emotion. Julius speculated not for the first time if the King had been Nebra's suitor of such rank that Nozel had by the skin of his teeth dissuaded.

Finally, the church doors opened. Nozel appeared with Nebra at his side.

Julius considered the bride as she, behind a dark saffron veil, made her way towards him. Her yellow tunic was layers and layers of chiffon. Its length bellowed behind her and dragged down the aisle and up the alter steps, like water over stones. Her arms were decorated with golden jewelry. Her veil was dyed the color of sunsets and topped with a wreath of flowers.

Nozel took both her hands in his and kissed each one. Nebra released a shaky breath causing her veil to tremble. "May you be blessed, forever," Nozel said and looked at the groom.

Julius held out a hand. Nozel placed Nebra's hands in his one palm. He held them there a moment, cupping them together.

"Take care of her."

"I will."

Nozel excused himself to sit with Solid and Noelle.

With the priest's direction, Julius placed the Novachrono ring on her finger. The band itself was a diamond, imbued with magic to fit whoever wore it in holy matrimony— its most distinguishing feature was the black marquise gem as its centerpiece . She gave him a silver ring embedded with superdeep diamonds.

"You may kiss your bride."

He lifted her colorful veil. Her moonlight hair was untied, curling around her features, softening her usually serious look. And notably, a deep blush adorned her cheeks as he leaned down to kiss her.

Chapter Text

Nebra's new room was lined with pearl colored wallpaper with silver floral prints. It had a balcony but nothing as grand as her old one at the palace. The canopy bed was pretty, with its flowing drapery and pale colors, but could only fit two adults and was not as big as she was used to.

The chambers did smell nice. All the wooden furniture was new and the rugs and linens had a very clean fresh scent to them. Her dresses and shoes were nicely organized inside two floor-to-ceiling wardrobes. Even the new vanity had been meticulously stocked with her potions and powders.

On a white fluffy rug in front of the bed, Nebra shuffled her weight from one bare foot to the other. She touched the ties at her shoulders for the umpteenth time. The toga was sheer and left nothing to the imagination. It was a Silva tradition to wear for one's wedding night. She felt ridiculous. Her hair was untwisted and curled around her head in soft waves.

She could wear her hair down now that she was married.

The golden bands around her arms and wrists shimmered in the surrounding candlelight. The Novachrono maid had set up candles around the room. It was a romantic idea, really, but Nebra was already missing the Silva palace. Her new room needed more color.

Was Julius going to say anything? He'd come in through the conjoining corridor of their separate chambers, politely saying "good evening". He took one glance at her figure in the middle of the bedroom and made a hard turn towards the wooden cellarette beside the balcony door.

She felt ridiculous.

She wished her mother was alive so that she could have prepared her better, instead of the scroll Nozel dropped off at her quarters last week. 'For marital rites' he mumbled and left her to self-study.

At the cellarette, Julius took out a bottle and filled two glasses. The carafe was a pink crystal that darkened with wine.

"Here, this will help with the nerves." Julius smiled that smile she grew up seeing. Gentle, warm—encouraging. Somehow the tilt of it indicated he knew something you didn't.

She took a sip and immediately her chest and belly warmed. "Thank you."

Julius could tell she was nervous. That was why he averted his gaze, sparing her of any mortification, despite the fact that he indeed wished to look.

He understood that her state of dress, or rather undress, was for his benefit—that he might find her desirable. She did not need it. With or without a stitch of fabric, Nebra was a noble beauty.

But appreciation for beauty and actual attraction were two different things. Though her nudity in his peripherals was quickly convincing him there was no difference. Perhaps that tunic was doing its job after all.

He recalled how she had, without salacious intent, brushed the blue rose's petals against her creamy neck.

In Nebra's mind, she was not so sure what Julius thought of her body. She was not foolish. She understood, for all her brother's veiled assurances, Julius was a much older man and found her childish. Not completely, as he wouldn't have married her, but he was once her commanding Wizard King.

"Tell me," he said, taking her drink and putting it aside. He took her hands in his. "Have you been counseled in these matters?"

Mothers of the nobility usually taught their daughters, or opted for their husbands to. But Nebra was a Silver Eagles Magic Knight and had heard enough side commentary, at the base or on missions. The notes Nozel gave her had been somewhat helpful.

"I have," she said bravely.

"Good," his thumbs rubbed her palms, his eyes lowering to take in her lack of dress, "I will take care of you tonight."

"Me, too," she replied dutifully. They were husband and wife now. These promises were good to make. "Shall I remove my tunic?"

Julius smiled, as if finding a secret joke in her simple words. "If you'd like."

Her hands trembled more than she was willing to admit. Each hand touched the ties at her shoulders and with one little tug they came undone and the scant material feathered down breasts, past her hips and to the carpets. She stood there without covering herself.

The man raised a hand to caress the side of her neck. "You're lovely," he confessed, stepping forward. His clothes brushed against her bare skin. She closed her eyes, thinking he would kiss her.

Instead, the back of his other hand slid down the front of her arm.

"Lord Jul—"

He covered her mouth with his. It was a soft kiss, unhurried. In a daze she tilted her chin too high, causing their lips to part. "Like this," he spoke in a lower tone and gently repositioned her jaw.

Julius let his gaze open to gauge his bride's participation. She had no idea how to kiss. Nozel assured him that she was a Lady through and through.

When he had been the Wizard King, he remembered how adamant Nozel had been to only ever assign Nebra missions where either he or Solid were included. The leaps that man had gone through to keep his sister sheltered even as a Magic Knight was impressive—if not a little neurotic.

"I'm going to touch you now," Julius mumbled against her mouth before letting a hand wander to her bare hip. It circled around to drag the tips of his fingers up the smooth skin of her spine.

To say her little shiver excited him was an understatement. He wound his arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him, holding her neck in place, deepening the slow kiss.

Finally he felt her touch him—his upper arms but at least she was participating. He responded in kind by lowering his hand for a handful. The little breaths she released against his lips were endearing. He could feel her raise herself on her toes and back down a few times.

He was a little disappointed when she parted from the kiss. Her lips were swollen and wet.

"Isn't there more?" She whispered in a bit of a daze.

Julius kissed her cheek and then her nose. "Are you not enjoying my kisses?"

"I am," she said, voice muffled by a soft kiss to her mouth.

"There's no rush, my dear. Come," he took her hand in his and walked them to the canopy bed. "Sit with me. I want you to enjoy these moments." He sat first and spread his knees apart. "Come," he said again, leading her to sit on his thigh.

Chest rising and falling, Nebra stiffly perched on him. Before she could get in her head, Julius scooped her knees over his other thigh. The bangles on her arms clinked together. At the same time he pulled at her neck and kissed her longingly. Having a naked woman sit on his lap while he was fully clothed was enrapturing.

Julius, with a shadow of a touch, palmed her ribcage.

"You are very beautiful, Nebra."

"Th-thank you, Lord Wizard King."

A wry smile touched his mouth. "You should call me Julius. You know I am not the Wizard King anymore."

Nebra pressed her knuckles to her lip as his fingers trailed up. "Julius—hmm," she hummed when he began to caress the sides of her breasts.

He maintained eye contact with her, but she often glanced between him and his wandering hand. His knuckles guided over her with such gentleness it almost tickled.

At moments where his demure touch was stronger, her body would twitch, as if electricity suddenly coursed through her. Her hips arched upwards. Julius's gaze lowered at the generous layout writhing on his lap.

She gasped when his knuckles slithered down her torso. Her legs had to give him room.

"You're doing great, my dear."

My dear. He said it again. She sort of liked that.

The feathery massage on her thigh was nice. She leaned her head on his neck, feeling terribly relaxed. His massages reminded her of her frequent spa days. Though the masseuses generally kept to her back and neck lest they lose an arm.

It wasn't enough and she wished—oh she wished he would do something to alleviate that strange feeling that was building.

"Wonderful," he encouraged. But she had done nothing except sit there like he wanted.

She gasped when finally-yes finally-he touched her. She was sure there was no remedy except that one. She pressed her forehead against his neck, muffling a cry.

Julius was himself growing more pleased with Nebra's reactions.

When she came to, she had a forearm loosely resting at her waist, silver hair tumbling in half-curls around her face and shoulders. She looked at him as if she were seeing him for the first time.

"Julius," she said, "is there not more?" Her hand touched her lower belly.

He loosened his collar and unbuttoned his shirt. "Would you like to continue?"

"Of course," she said, duty poking through the bashfulness, or perhaps, and he hoped this, true desire for physical intimacy with him.

Julius smiled, assuring her he had full intentions of fulfilling his role as a husband. She was a 28 year old woman but she blushed like a maiden at his directness. He supposed his influence held a magnetism for her—he had been her superior all her life, and now he was seducing her.

Though he wondered what she would think of him, of marriage, after tonight. He had all his memories now, from both soul fragments. There were so many nuisances to who he was—how long could he maintain the image of him she thought she knew? He warned Nozel…

Impatient, Nebra stared at him with that ever present knot at her brow and he poked it, surprising her. "Lie down, my dear, and we will proceed."

Flushed, she did as he bid as gracefully as she could, thighs crossed and a forearm covering her chest.

With slow movements over her, Julius parted her legs and settled them over his thighs. She got antsy, trying to bring her knees back together so he pulled her hips closer, flush against his pants.

"W-wait—" she implored.

"Trust me," he said, leaning his forehead close.

"I do."

The two stared at one another in the candlelight. The draped canopy bed caused fleeting shadows to pass over their features.

For a moment Julius was puzzled when she puckered her lips with closed eyes. My darling girl, he thought as he leaned down to kiss her.

His kiss teased her bottom lip and enjoyed the soft little breath she breathed when he did it a second time. He pressed more fully against her mouth. She sighed for him, dragging her hands down his hair, bangles clinking. She enjoyed kissing.

His hand disappeared between them. "Shh," he comforted when she expressed some discomfort at his touch. Her thighs brushed against his sides. He maintained a slow pace, mindful of the intrusion.

His lips lowered to her breasts, especially the one with a pretty beauty spot off to the side. Shirt still on but unbuttoned, Julius pushed his trousers down, closing in, testing the capacity of her.

"Oh," she whispered. Her voice was hoarse against his mouth.

His lips sought hers again. "My darling, look how brave you are," he said, breathing askew as he was strangled. Her thighs pressed at his hips again, tantalizing him.

Nebra tightened her hold around his shoulders. Her whiny intonations encouraged him that she was pleased. He kissed her jaw and she lifted her chin, submitting herself, wanting more. His mouth concentrated on one side of her neck and she quite enjoyed that.

This part of an arranged marriage was not so bad.

Suddenly, and wholly unwelcomed, he felt the outline of the seal prickling on his skin, manifesting, first his heart, then his limbs. He quickly put a palm over her eyes, pushing her head back, just in time before his hair turned black and his soul mark moved to his right temple. His teeth bared themselves on her throat, scraping the surface of her delicious skin.

"What a beautiful little wife we have," a deep voice tumbled from his lips.

Nebra was too lost in rapture to fully understand what he said and for that he was grateful.

Be gone damn you!

And so Lucius's fragment went back to sleep and Nero's seal withdrew into his gut. His hair lightened and the forehead mark transferred back to its safe place. Julius, though momentarily sidetracked, maintained a gentle way above his wife, keeping a hand over her eyes, her arm jewelry jingling against his movements, consumed with the feel of her under him—she was—they both—Julius pressed his forehead against her shoulder.

I could get used to this, Lucius sighed from deep within Julius's mind, as if stirring from one sleeping position to another.

What the hell.

Filled with warmth she had never felt before, Nebra stared open eyed at the darkness of the palm over her face, mouth agape. This was what all the married ladies whispered about behind closed doors—this was the act that made children and the vice worldly people made fools of themselves over.

Somehow she completely understood it now and regretted every judgmental thought she ever had for those who gave in to their base natures.

This was…this was wonderful!

When Nebra excused herself to the washroom, Julius looked for his clothing. It seemed there was an impromptu visit he had to make.

He waited for his bride. Thankfully he didn't wait long before she returned refreshed, wearing a long silk robe. After what they had just done, he had a feeling her beautiful figure would now permanently occupy his thoughts, whereas before her body had held little interest to him.

His gaze rose from her ankles to see she was staring at him with a slight pink to her cheeks.

"I must go," he prompted, righting the end of his sleeves. He wasn't sure what emotion flashed across her face. But he was in a bit of a hurry.

Having little clue how to treat a wife in these sort of departures, Julius stepped up to her and kissed her cheek. She seemed shocked, but he did not have the time to understand why. They had just done a great deal more than a peck on the cheek.

"Have a goodnight, my dear."

He exited through the private corridor door that led to his room before he could see the look of utter disbelief on her face.

Julius flew to the Black Bulls' base in desperate need of Nero. In the lounge area a few of its members were arm and arm kicking their legs in a dance. He found a drunk Yami in a corner laughing at his compatriots. Julius had to hound the man until the Captain realized Julius was not there to party and instead needed Nero's immediate services.

"This is probably going to hurt," Nero said in the privacy of the dungeons. "A lot."

Julius was quite aware of the pain. It had rendered him bedridden for two months. Yami prepared himself behind Julius.

With her grimoire floating above one hand, Nero drove her other hand through the seal in his abdomen. A neon green flame engulfed Julius. Yami quickly looped his arms under his, holding him up as a bout of excruciating spasms brought him to his knees. He tightly fixed his jaw. He only had to will himself to endure-

But then another burning wave slashed against each and every one of his bones. Overcome, Julius threw himself back, headbutting Yami.

"I'm too drunk for this," Yami mumbled, nose bleeding.

Elbow deep in a gut, Nero's head turned to the side. She blinked slowly. Minutes passed as she seemed to be determining something quite seriously.

Julius and Yami waited with bated breath.

"The seal is intact."

"What?!" Both men shouted at her nonchalance.

She pulled her hand out of Julius and he nearly threw up. The ominous flame flared brightly before disappearing. The pain subsided as if it never happened, surprising him.

Yami, inebriated and now bleeding, whistled as he helped Julius stand.

"Nothing's wrong with it," she repeated.

"How can that be? I heard him. I de-transformed."

"Did he have control?"

"No," Julius answered, thinking about it. "He said a few words out loud."

"Maybe you made it up in yer head," Yami offered. "What were you doing anyway?" Yami and Nero stared at him expectedly.

Julius coughed into a fist. "I was with my wife."

Nero trilled, "Noelle did say something about her sister marrying you. Were you practicing magic?"

"One could say."

Yami grinned. "Who won?"

"I did of course."

Yami choked on a laugh, confusing Nero.

"I should be heading back. Get that looked at." He pointed at Yami's face.

"Aw shit," Yami pinched his nose and scurried up the dungeon's stone stairwell.

About to follow after the Captain, Julius caught Nero staring at him with big red eyes. It reminded him of a baby owl with horns.

"Something on your mind, Nero?"

She blinked, a small tint of color touching her pale cheeks. Maybe she finally realized what had been meant. "Lord Julius, if the seal gives you trouble, you can always send for me."

Julius made his way to the stairs. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Nero. And do tell Asta I said hello."

"He's not back from his trip yet."

"I see." That's right. The boy had not been able to attend the wedding. "All the same. Have a good night and thank you again."

Chapter Text

In the courtyard, the newlyweds sat across one another at the wrought iron table.

Rebecca and Luca dutifully served their new lady—a lady which was quite dazed. Instead of taking in the pretty breakfast spread between them, she was spaced out toward the manor's large windowpanes that led to the parlor room. Julius was still getting used to seeing her hair unbound. For all their acquaintance she kept it in a twisted Silva upswept. This new style was quite distracting.

Rebecca and Luca exchanged private grins.

Julius narrowed his gaze at the girls. Perhaps he and his little wife had not been so discreet last night. Or the two oldest Scarlets had been sneaking around. He would have to put up sound wards.

What did these young ladies know about such goings-on? They had grown up in Nean. Although their status was low and, before meeting Julius, had little access to education, in many ways the Scarlet girls were more intuitive than Nebra.

Nozel had, perhaps, sheltered his sister too much.

"Thank you, ladies," Julius said with some strain and it was enough to make the girls quit fussing over Nebra. It seemed they were quite happy to have a mistress. "Luca, shouldn't you be on your way to the academy?"

"Master Julius," Luca curtsied and strutted towards the manor. Julius chuckled and Rebecca shook her head.

"My Lady, is a sweet breakfast not to your liking?" Rebecca smiled when Nebra finally noticed her. "Would something more savory please you?"

Nebra passed her knuckles once over her bottom lip, a thing Julius noticed she did when coy. "I would enjoy that far more than this. Do you by chance know what a quiche is? I prefer them in the morning."

"Do I ever! I'll be right back, my Lady!" Rebecca excused herself.

"You should try what was prepared," he suggested. The girls had worked hard on this breakfast. It was not the typical menu.

"No, thank you." Nebra sipped grape juice from a crystal glass.

"Miss Rebecca has five younger siblings to feed and prepare for school. We're not the only ones in her care."

"But we are her masters," she said offhandedly, "we are priority."

Julia set his tea down. "You must understand something, Nebra, and understand it very clearly." Her eyes widened at his tone. "The Scarlet children are under my protection, therefore they are now under your protection. I only agreed to have Miss Rebecca's services if she brought her siblings here and allowed me to endorse their schooling."

"We endorse them? Involving ourselves too much in their lives is meddlesome. People must learn to fend for themselves or they'll never learn."

He knew she was spoiled rotten but this ignorance was out of line. This sort of woman was his wife now.

"Excuse me," he proclaimed. Her words did not sit well with him. "In this house, status and privilege end at the threshold. I suggest learning this or we won't get on well."

"Perhaps another servant will suit us then," Nebra snapped, "Who is the help besides that girl?"

"There is none."

"None?!" She was scandalized. Her eyes were on the verge of tears. His rebuke had either embarrassed or infuriated her.

"I usually maintain a cook but she's been gone for family reasons. As you know my primary residency was at the Magic Knight's headquarters. Everything was taken care of by Marx and the servants there. After I retired and returned to Novachrono manor…well it had been vacant for sometime, and that was when Asta recommended Miss Rebecca and Mrs. Addams."

"Mrs. Addams?"

"The cook."

"Who is gone for family reasons?"

"Correct."

"Rebecca is our only servant," Nebra realized. "She cannot maintain this place on her own."

"She is capable. Her brothers and sisters assist when they can, but they are still children."

"As the mistress of this manor, I'd like to take on more workers."

"That is…" Nozel had not discussed the conditions. "It's not what I want for this home. It's not as grand as the Silva palace."

"Are we poor?"

Julius had to hold back a laugh then. "No, my dear. Between the Scarlet children and our magic, it's more than possible to maintain this place ourselves."

She stared at her plate. "I have no appetite."

"Oh." Rebecca was at the entrance of the courtyard, holding a covered plate, unsure what to do with it now.

Nebra stood. "Excuse me." She strode past Rebecca and paused beside her. She seemed to want to say something, but couldn't get it out so instead she grabbed her skirts and scampered off.

Julia rubbed his forehead. Perhaps he'd been too indelicate.

That afternoon he was surprised to find Nebra helping Rebecca clear out several of the long forgotten guest rooms.

"For when her siblings come," Rebecca happily explained without prompting.

Nebra did not so much as glance at him. She wore a pink bandana over untied hair and had foregone a palla. Her lavender tunic exposed the creamy slope of her shoulders and collar. Her nudity ran across his mind, skin against skin—the way she—

"Shall I help?" he cheerfully offered.

Rebecca handed him a dusting feather. "The green room could use more dusting."

"Very well. Ladies." He bowed his head but only received a giggle from Rebecca.

Later that day, at the Black Bull's base, Asta sat at the bar in the dining hall. He was talking about his travels to Spade when Fuegoleon suddenly entered in cape and noble pizazz. The new Wizard King. Or somewhat new. Three years under his belt was nothing to sneeze at. No matter how incredible he was, Julius had left pretty big shoes to fill. It was also true that Fuegoleon hadn't quite been tested like the former Wizard King had.

No one Asta knew had. And that was saying something.

After Fuegoleon happily greeted everyone, and everyone happily greeted him, the charismatic leader of the Magic Knights took a seat by himself at one of the long tables. Before Asta could ask, or maybe join him, Noelle appeared at the foyer where several halls led to different parts of the base.

What was she wearing? A long pink toga flowed behind her as she walked. It reminded Asta of water. Even her hair was different. It was in a tight topknot, held together by a gold clip. Two pieces of hair framed her face. She looked like a noblewoman. Oh right. She was. But why…?

Asta felt his eyes widen when Fuegoleon walked up to her, grabbed her hand and leaned over it, pressing his forehead to her knuckles.

Something in his gut twisted. Then the two of them sat down and started talking, but they were too far away for Asta to hear. Charmy suddenly showed up, pushing a food cart with silver trays loaded with layers of colorful pastries and teas.

"Isn't it romantic?" Vanessa sighed beside him, hand in cheek, sipping on—was that water?

Asta's eyebrows rose in curiosity. "What do you mean?"

Magna cleared his throat behind the bar counter and lifted a hand around his mouth. "Lord Fuegoleon is courting Noelle. They're 'soon to be' engaged."

"Nothing's official yet," Vanessa leaned in to whisper, "since her older sister just married the Wizard–err I mean–Lord Julius. The nobles have all their little rules on when, who and how. It would be improper to be engaged at the same time as a younger sister."

Magna nodded. "That's right. That's right."

"She looks," Asta started, "bored out of her mind." Noelle was sitting straight, hands folded on her lap, nodding here and there.

"Aren't they cousins?" Charmy chimed in from somewhere. Asta and Vanessa had to peer over the bar counter, not having noticed when she snuck back there to chomp on the leftovers from the food cart.

"Not cousins," Magna corrected, "more like extreme distant relatives. They maybe shared a great grandparent 400 years ago. Miss Mimosa is their mutual first cousin, believe it or not. Noelle's aunt married Lord Fuegoleon's uncle."

Charmy swallowed. "I'm pretty sure that makes them cousins."

"Nah I don't think so." Vanessa thoughtfully said. "Probably. Also, if you thought that, why would you encourage them by making them snacks?"

Charmy's mouth opened a little, unsure what to say. Then she shrugged and kept eating, making Vanessa laugh.

Asta vaguely remembered hearing something like that before. He glanced at Noelle and Fuegoleon again. Noelle was going to be engaged? To the Wizard King? He didn't understand. What would that mean for the Black Bulls?

What did that mean for them?

In the evening time, Julius paced his room, glancing at the wood door that conjoined his and his wife's chambers. Should he go to her? They had a disagreement today, but he hoped…

He opened the door to his side of the corridor. He had to duck to avoid the miniature chandelier overhead. In the narrow, seven foot hallway, there was only a painting of a lake and corner shelves beside each of their doors. Rebecca had put little vases on the shelves, filling them with roses from the garden. Without much thought, he raised his hand and changed Nebra's flowers into tulips. The transformation magic would last until they had to be changed.

His hand smoothed the front of his robe before knocking on Nebra's door. No answer. She might have been asleep.

No.

He could feel her presence right behind the door. Why wasn't she saying anything?

He cleared his throat. "If you'd like…come to my room tonight. I'll be awake for a bit longer."

Before marrying they both agreed to hold off on a honeymoon. The idea of being alone with someone they hardly knew seemed uncomfortable. Now Julius thought they had been wrong to do that and should have aimed to have time alone.

He had given her the invitation but was still surprised when a soft knock rapped at the door.

Before he could speak or grab his robe thrown over the leather chair, the doorknob turned and Nebra peeked in.

He set the research paper aside on the side table by his bed. He thought to ask if she needed something, but he withheld from asking as the blush on her cheeks was perhaps enough of an indication.

She stepped fully into the room, revealing another pretty negligee. Instead of a tunic design, it was more traditional to Clover. The nightgown was a blue silk that draped over her every curve like water. The sleeves were two lacy strings that rested on the edge of her shoulders, ready to slip off.

He said nothing as she walked towards him—swayed really.

At the side of his bed, Nebra maintained eye contact with him as she slowly lifted her skirt until it was over her knees. She placed a knee on the edge of the bed and carefully raised her other leg around until she was sitting on his lap.

Julius watched as she maneuvered the comforter away from his thighs to sit on him.

She gasped. "Your clothes…"

Julius placed his hands on her thighs, sliding them up beneath the nightgown and to her waist. "I hoped you'd come to me, and," he raised the nightgown over her head, "I'm glad I didn't hope in vain."

She sighed when he cupped her breasts. She leaned her hands back just above his knees, twisting her hips. Perhaps their arguments during the day could stay outside the bedroom, and in doing so they could enjoy nightly passions. He hoped very much…

Julius fixed his jaw when she lifted her hips. Her features grimaced. "Nebra," he soothed, bringing her lips down to his, "why are you rushing?"

Nebra shook her head in a small gesture. Why was it hard for her to be open with him? She pushed down and made little progress.

"Did you enjoy yourself last night?" Julius kissed her chin.

She nodded, cheeks pink.

"There are other ways to be intimate than just this." He reached between them to lift her. His hand lingered, caressing her. "It will be better for you."

Nebra's eyes widened but said nothing. Pride was a stronghold. But a part of him guessed this might not be pride—yet he knew not what to call it. Bashfulness, amateurish longing for affection, or an inability to confess deep feelings. He did not know her well enough yet.

"Shall I show you?"

With barely another nod from her—he did wish she would speak up in these moments— he pushed her back. She was startled at how quickly he positioned them so that his face was between her legs and her hair dangled off the bed. His strong fingers held onto where her legs met her hips, indenting the flesh. He kept having to redirect her hips downward.

She had little choice but to cry into the air, not understanding how something so derogatory could bring her body such fulfillment.

"I'll be gentle," he whispered, turning her limp body on its side. He straddled her leg that was on the sheets and tenderly bent the other so that he could have access to her.

Nebra wondered why it felt so different than when she had tried.

"Beautiful," Lucius's voice rumbled from his mouth but neither Julius or Nebra noticed, both enraptured by one another.

After they finished, Nebra quietly slipped out of bed.

"My dear," Julius called, "you don't have to leave."

She held her nightgown in front of her chest. It draped down her lap. Her gaze was lowered. Her pale eyelashes were quite long and rested prettily on the tops of her cheeks.

"Nebra?"

"You left last night. Is that not normal?" She said it innocently but the words were veiled. She meant it as an accusation.

"It…I had some business to attend to and when I returned I didn't want to bother you."

"Were you with another woman?"

His eyes widened. "Good God, no!"

A vulnerability shone in her eyes he had never seen before. His next words would be very important.

He approached her carefully. They were both still naked with only a nightgown piled in her arms separating them. "Nebra, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left like that. It was wrong of me. Please, come lay with me and I'll explain as best as I can."

She blinked rapidly, maybe attempting to stop the angry tears from falling.

He cajoled her to bed. Head cushioned on a satin pillow, Nebra raised the comforter to her chin and glared at him.

"Do not laugh at me, Julius."

It was hard not to laugh a little. So her irritation this morning was more than just the size of their household staff. And she looked quite cute glaring at him with wild, silver hair tossed on a pillow he had just been making love to her on.

"Forgive me." He meant it. He joined her under the covers.

Instead of pulling her closer, he settled for lying on his side and propping his head up on his hand. He would need to keep to the narrative that was presented after Judgment Day.

"I visited the Black Bulls last night."

"Why?"

"You know what happened three years ago, correct?"

"Everyone does." Not wholly. "I was there."

"There was a moment yesterday that reminded me of when that man… interfered with my life."

Her brow scrunched. "Isn't he dead?"

No. "I asked Captain Yami and Secre Swallowtail to check. Everything was as it should be here." He tapped the blue star on his forehead.

"Okay. It would be very inconvenient if that man returned."

He chuckled. "Agreed." A concerning thought crossed his mind. She had thought he'd run off with another.

"Nebra…" He placed a hand on his chest. "I was not with a woman. I may fail as a husband in other ways, but not in that. I will be faithful to you."

A vulnerable flush overcame her face and actual tears escaped her eyes. She turned her back toward him.

He wished she would feel more comfortable with him—or really say something—anything. He had done his best to be honest just then, to what the Royal King had commanded of the Captains and Asta and his friends.

"Me, too," she finally said, "I'll be faithful, too."

"I'm glad to hear that."

He felt pleased. Slowly, so that she knew what he was planning, he lowered the comforter to her hips.

"Again, Julius?"

His face felt a little warm, now above her. "If that is alright with you."

Her hands cupped his neck. The little nod that was obviously her preferred method of communication was enough for him.

Chapter Text

Rebecca happily hummed to herself in the kitchen, kneading and rolling cookie dough. All was right with the world. She enjoyed working for the Master and the new Mistress (being a spectator for two months of a marriage between two very different people was fun). She and Luca were cheering the couple on from the sidelines, though Luca was much more invested, associating their Master's marriage with her love stories.

Yes. All was right with the world. The kids' bellies were full and they were doing fairly well in their studies this semester.

Granted the Master was always hiring tutors for Luca and Isaac. Since they had started going to their fancy school as teenagers, the material wasn't as easy to pick up as it was for Marco and Ellie. Those two little cuties were like sponges. Rebecca couldn't wait to see how Pem did when he was old enough to go to school. He would blow them all out of the water.

"Good morning," a man's voice came out of nowhere.

"AHHHHH!" she screamed bloody murder and immediately threw the wooden roller toward him.

Captain Nozel Silva of the Silver Eagles pivoted his neck just so and evaded the weapon. He summoned a hand of mercury to catch it and slowly place it on the kitchen table. The grimoire at his side glowed.

"Lord Nozel!" Rebecca leaned over the table, breathing deeply. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"

The nobleman stood there, not quite sure what to say. After a moment, he commented, "That was not my intention."

Rebecca eyed him oddly, and then she laughed. "That was a loud scream, wasn't it?"

A small smirk touched his mouth before disappearing. The man was rather serious, wasn't he? The Mistress looked a lot like him, but of course, she was way prettier.

Rebecca glanced at the general area behind him. "Are you lost?"

"No."

"Is there something you are looking for?"

"There is."

"…would you like some help?" She didn't really have the time. Her fingers were gooey with buttery flour.

"I have found it. Thank you."

"…"

"Good day then," he said and left just like that.

Rebecca was a little beside herself with what exactly that was about, but it didn't take her long to refocus on her current culinary endeavor. The Master and the children would love this new recipe. Pumpkin cookies!

She had to make sure to pack some for Mistress Nebra. She would be going on a lengthy mission for the first time since being married. Maybe that's why Lord Nozel came.

Cutting out the cookie pieces, Rebecca mentally noted to make extra for Mrs. Addams and her family. They were mourning a loss, after all.

Feeling Asta's presence, Julius quickly stood from his work table in the wine-cellar-turned-laboratory. The boy was here! He excitedly climbed the stairs and made his way to the vestibule, surprising Asta and Rebecca with his sudden presence.

"Old man!"

Julius grinned. "Asta! How are you?"

Asta grinned back wider. "Hey! Long time no see." He eyed him up and down. "Everything good?"

Julius spread his arms open. "I am all intact. No persona non grata should be joining us, I am afraid."

Asta nodded, his smile becoming more gentle, "That's good to hear. Or I'd have to fight you again."

"Haha," Julius nervously laughed, "I hope not. I barely recovered from last time." He touched his diaphragm's phantom wound. "Though I deserved it."

Asta beamed. "You did!"

Julius shook his head at the young man's candor. "Will you be taking Miss Rebecca out?"

Rebecca giggled beside them. "Master, he's here to see you."

"Yeah!" Asta confirmed, all sunshine and smiles. "Got a moment?"

"Do I ever," Julius said. "Come to my lab."

Despite Julius's nonchalance at the visit, he was puzzled. Asta hardly visited him (and honestly avoided him), though the young man did stop by pretty regularly to visit the Scarlet children. The kids seemed to be popular with the Black Bulls. The Knights often came to whisk them away to festivities.

The two settled in the laboratory teeming with books and vials. Julius made intentional conversation, wanting to know every update in Asta's life. Asta sort of just went along with the questions and answered as candidly as he approached most things. Suddenly, Asta sidelined Julius with quite the request.

"You wish for me to speak with Captain Nozel to stop his sister's engagement?"

"Well—"

"Is she the one asking for this?"

"No, not really—"

"Does Miss Noelle's engagement displease you?"

"Uhhh, yeah I guess. Fuegoleon is a great guy. The best actually. But he's so…so…old?"

Julius contained his laugh by biting the inside of his mouth. "Asta. The Wizard King would be a good match for Noelle. Outside of being Knights, they are both nobility and have a duty to marry well."

Asta frowned. "But why?"

"Oh," Julius leaned back in his seat. "To make strong babies."

The young man looked troubled and glanced at one of the shelves, as if a way to stop the engagement could be found in one of those books.

"I am going to ask a delicate question."

Asta looked back at him, brow creased.

"Do you have feelings for Miss Noelle? Feelings like the ones you had for your nun friend. "

A blush came upon Asta and Julius was quite amused.

"Don't be shy," Julius teased.

"I'm not sure," Asta admitted. "It feels different than with Sister Lily."

"How so?"

He looked up, contemplating the right words to illustrate the conundrum in his heart. "Noelle's annoying when she's moody, but I kind of like it."

"You like it?"

"Yeah, I guess I do. She's pretty when she's mad. Most of the time I think she's just being shy." He shrugged, running his hands down his pantlegs. "Training with her is nice too. Even if it used to be hard for her, she's become…patient."

Julius smiled kindly. "I think you do have feelings for her, my boy."

"Maybe," he mumbled softly.

"To be honest, nothing would change if I asked Captain Nozel to stop the engagement."

"Is it because you married Noelle's big sister?"

"That and it's ultimately up to what Miss Noelle wants."

Seemingly defeated, Asta leaned back in his chair in a certain way and the familiar gesture moved Julius to say more.

"I'm no expert in the art of romance, but you should tell her." He gestured with his hand, as if introducing his next words on a stage. "Before it's too late." The window of opportunity would close soon. Royals weren't exactly known for their long engagements. Nebra had certainly been in a rush before Julius could change his mind.

Asta's eyes widened. "You're right." He shot up, alarming Julius. "I have to go."

"Wait, Asta!" Julius followed close behind him up the cellar steps. "It should be in a private setting."

"Got it!" They passed the parlor.

"In a genteel manner."

"In a what?"

"It must be done with tact, laying out the lady's options before her and not pressuring her one way or another." They went out the front doors.

Asta skidded to a stop on the winding cobblestone in front of the manor. "But I want her to feel pressure."

"Dear God."

"I like her. She should be with me."

"But what if she does not like you?"

Asta narrowed his gaze at him. "But why wouldn't she? We're squad mates."

Perhaps Julius had been too rash in his advice and the poor boy was about to get his heart broken.

He placed his hands on Asta's shoulders. He'd grown so much in the last few years and was near his height. "Make sure to ask what she feels. And prepare yourself for a rejection, just in case." It was the sound thing to say.

"Hmm. Thanks for the advice. But I got it from here. Bye Mr. Not the Wizard King Anymore!"

"I'm not the…oh never mind." With a sigh Julius watched Asta run down the long cobblestone road and hop over the huge iron gate like it was nothing.

What Asta said about Noelle reminded Julius of his wife. 'She's pretty when she's mad. Most of the time I think she's just being shy.'

A few more days and Nebra would be home. He found himself missing her. Certainly their nightly escapades were fulfilling, though they did take away time from his research. With little in common, sex seemed to be the area of interest he gravitated towards when left alone with her. He wasn't sure if that made him optimistic for his marriage, or just a deviant.

Rebecca made it a point to have all her siblings properly dressed and lined up in the foyer to welcome home their Mistress from her long journey. She had wanted to make a nice feast for everyone to enjoy together. However the formal clothing was a little excessive.

Julius chuckled as Luca wrestled Pem down to the rug, trying to get him to wear a bow tie.

"She doesn't even talk to us at dinner," Isaac mumbled off to the side, wearing a cravat lace neck ruff that made him look like a turkey. "Why'd I have to wash my hair again today? I already did yesterday."

"She'll talk to you even less if you smell bad!" Rebecca snapped. Marco snickered, in identical wear as Isaac except his pants cut off at the knee like Pem's.

"We have to dress to impress," Luca declared. She was still holding Pem down on the floor. She wore a similar green, mid-sleeve dress as Rebecca.

Julius offered, "Nebra will come around." He hoped. The Scarlets joined them for dinner now and then, and Nebra didn't seem to mind as much anymore.

After helping get Pem on his feet, Rebecca stood by the door. The small boy made to run away but with one sharp look he froze and grabbed Luca's hand. The older boys looked resigned to their fate while a nine year old Ellie was positively radiant in her bubble gum dress.

Julius really did hope Nebra would come to like the Scarlet children. They were all very fun. Nebra had only lived with them for two months so far, and she'd been gone a few weeks. Perhaps Julius should plan activities. Though he had to admit his wife's potential reaction to frolicking with commoners made him a little hesitant. She was quite the stubborn ass.

Hearing conversation outside, Isaac and Marco opened the double doors in perfect sync. They had practiced about 100 times and were quite proud of themselves.

"Nebra, that is enough—"

"—not a child—"

"—you must know I only wish—"

"—don't want to go on missions with you—"

"—then with Solid—"

"—I am a married woman now—"

Julius made it a point to loudly cough into a fist. Nozel and Nebra both whipped their heads around to see Julius and six well dressed gingers staring back at them.

The kids all scrambled to bow or curtsey, except Pem. He escaped, giggling down a hall.

Rebecca covered her mouth in worry, reading the room. She whispered for Luca to fetch Pem and take everyone back to their rooms. As for herself she went to Nebra and took her bag.

"Pardon, Mistress," Rebecca curtsied and made a swift exit. Nebra didn't say anything back. Instead, she had that dazed expression she usually wore when she was too preoccupied with her internal thoughts.

Julius assumed since Nebra was his wife now he could pry. "My dear," he said, "I'm glad to see you're all in one piece. Nozel, you too." He nodded his head at the Captain whose brow was pinched in vexation.

Nozel swept his forearm to his chest, bowing. "Good evening."

"May I ask what you two were just discussing?"

Nebra lifted her chin in a scoff. "You may not."

Nozel narrowed his gaze. "Nebra, do not speak to your husband that way."

Ignoring both of them, Nebra raised her skirts and walked past Julius.

Julius's close eyed smile fell once his wife was out of sight. He pointedly stared at Nozel. "Maybe another time, as a family, we can broach the subject of keeping your personal and professional lives separate. It's time, Nozel."

The serious royal considered Julius. "Are you saying you'd allow your wife to travel the kingdom unchaperoned?"

"I don't see why not. She's been a Knight for almost 15 years. She has other squad mates besides you and Solid."

Nozel was clearly weighing what he wanted to say to Julius the man versus what he couldn't say to Julius the prior Wizard King.

"Speak freely."

"I won't allow it. And you're wrong to allow your royal blooded wife to do as she pleases."

"I don't understand." Julius meant that. "You give Noelle many freedoms with the Bulls, but why not Nebra? They are both your sisters."

"I, as well as Nebra and Solid, are still paying for our past foolish behavior with Noelle. She is happier with the Black Bulls than she ever was with us. Even now, as united as we may seem, she prefers them. She is and has always been as safe with them as Nebra has been with me. I have come to live with that."

"You are too used to having your way, Nozel."

"Perhaps," Nozel said, "But at least my siblings are alive. Good day." The man summoned his magic and flew away on a platform of mercury.

Julius did not expect the rush of feeling that filled him. He leaned a hand on the doorframe. Was it anger? No. It was guilt.

'At least my siblings are alive.'

A memory of three raven haired children staring up at him flashed across Julius's mind. They had been so young then and Lucius chairbound. So full of anger. So full of foolishness.

"Master?"

Rebecca's worried voice pulled him away from dark thoughts. Julius straightened, "Yes?"

"Do you think Mistress Nebra will want to join us for dinner? I think maybe we should reschedule, but Ellie keeps asking." Rebecca suddenly became emotional. "She's crying...and, well, Pem lost his bow tie, I burned the roast and I think the Mistress is crying too." The young woman promptly burst into tears.

Feeling overwhelmed himself, Julius said, "Get the children. We're all going out. No arguments. I'll get Nebra."

After much convincing, an untoward remark from Nebra's end, and a passionate kiss from Julius, a solemn Nebra joined them in the foyer. Ellie was the first to run to her Mistress and curtsy. She then spun around twice in her pink dress, eyes sparkling from renewed excitement and dried up tears.

To everyone's amazement, Nebra smiled softly, her own eyes red and puffy, and grabbed the little hand the girl offered.

"Stop staring at me like that, Julius."

"Yes, my darling." He extended his elbow and she resignedly took it. "Come now, children. I'm sure you're all very hungry." Once outside, Julius summoned a large Chrono time bubble, encasing all eight of them.

Nozel returned to the palace instead of the Silver Eagles' base. He needed a moment to himself. He would address his Knights tomorrow and report to the Wizard King then.

With long strides he entered through the north entrance. Several servants immediately appeared. They took his robe, they unstrapped his sandals while he briskly walked. Closer to his chambers the maids stopped following but two butlers continued at his sides. They picked up after him as he removed his tunic and trousers.

He could not remember a time where Nebra contradicted him. And Julius, rightly defending his wife, was encouraging such careless practices.

The doors to his royal bedchamber were opened at the precise moment he got to them. He passed the loft and headed toward the grand bathing chamber. The large porcelain tub was already filled with hot water. Fresh towels were folded and a wine bottle placed on a golden side table within arm's reach.

What a dismal end to the week. Worst of all was her.

Nozel sank into the scented water. His knees spread and arms lined the tub's edges. With one sweep of fingers his braid was undone and hair swept back. His preferred butler Caius served him a glass of a dry red.

"Would you like further assistance?"

"No. You may all retire for the night."

Nozel was left alone to think over the mission, his sister and her. She was nothing. Long auburn hair, freckled face, green eyes, always jumping to help. He downed the glass and served himself another.

Rebecca Scarlet.

He doubted she meant for him to notice what she had done. Or maybe she had. As she fetched Nebra's travel bag, in a dress that could hardly be considered an evening gown, that maid had sent him a scathing glare. It was normal for servants to be partial to their royal masters, but what did that girl know of his business with Nebra?

Nozel leaned his neck against the tub's edge. He pressed a thumb and middle finger against his closed eyelids. All he could see was her, wearing a dress that high society would find tasteless. She was glaring at him no less—memories filled him of her baking out-of-season cookies, smiling at his sister's wedding, throwing a damned rolling pin at his head.

Most notably, he recalled Rebecca falling into his arms the very day he approached Julius to marry Nebra. Nozel stared at the mosaic ceiling.

Rebecca Scarlet was nothing.

Chapter Text

Shooting across the sky in a Chrono orb, the younger Scarlets pressed their noses against the transparent magic barrier. They were enthralled with the below scenery of spread out towns and fields and finally the congested towers of the Royal Capital.

Nebra was unsatisfied with every dinner suggestion so she chose a high scale, maximum star restaurant.

Julius tried to talk her out of it. He was hesitant only because he did not want the Scarlets to be uncomfortable or some mean spirited noble to treat them poorly.

"Julius, they have dressed for the occasion. We must go," she declared as if it was the most obvious thing to do. That was that.

He had forced her to join them for dinner. It was only right she chose the place of dining.

They had a fairly uneventful dinner out on the town. The serving staff was wonderful and accommodated all eight of them in a private dining room. It seemed Nebra was a regular there and knew no emotional harm would come to the children.

They returned home in good time. Julius and Nebra stood by the grand staircase as each child took a turn going up to them to thank them with the usual bow or curtsey. They all marched towards the servant quarters, but Julius stopped Rebecca from following the little ones.

"You're doing a fine job with them." On his arm, he felt Nebra turn to stare at him.

Rebecca got teary eyed. "It's all thanks to you. Where would we be without you these last few years?"

"You were doing well before you came here."

Rebecca sadly smiled. "I was trying. The nuns were really helpful then. But," she took a big breath, "I'm so grateful that right before Luca and Isaac reached adolescence we moved here. It's given them way more stability than we would've had in Nean." She addressed Nebra specifically then, "And I'm much more grateful now that you're here, Mistress. Luca and Ellie get to see what a Lady looks and behaves like. The boys, too. That'll be very important for them later on."

Nebra turned her head with a deep blush. She nonchalantly said, "The Lady they first look to is you, Rebecca. And then me, of course."

Shocked at the compliment, Rebecca's face turned as red as her hair. Julius looked between the two and then laughed.

"Oh Julius, you always laugh at me!" Nebra glared at him.

"My dear, I wouldn't laugh if you weren't so funny."

Nebra seemed as if she were questioning his sanity. Meanwhile Rebecca was holding back an obnoxious guffaw.

"Well then, Miss Rebecca," Julius said through chuckles, "Off you go. Have a good night."

Rebecca curtsied and left the couple alone.

"I wish you wouldn't poke fun at me in front of the children—!"

Julius stopped her by enveloping her in an embrace. Nebra's eyes widened against his burgundy ascot.

"Thank you."

Momentarily dazed, Nebra placed her hands on his vest and peeked up. "For?"

"Trying." He leaned down with clear intent. "You've impressed me tonight. With Nozel. With dinner. With the children." He kissed her mouth once. "I've missed you. The nights have been long without you."

The same passion he was feeling reflected in her light pink gaze. Their kiss was languid. Julius took his time to explore her, recalling what she liked. It had been a few weeks since they'd been intimate. His body had grown accustomed to having a woman nearby. He missed this.

"Oh," she whined into the kiss, "not here, Julius." She parted from him, wrapping her arms around herself, questioningly looking at the direction of the servant quarters. "What if the children see?"

"Come."

She took his extended hand and up to the second floor of the mansion they went. They didn't make it to the bedchamber. He enclosed her in his arms, passionately kissing her against the wall just outside his main door. The hallway was dark.

Her arms were wrapped around his neck. His hands lowered and with a few upward scoops, he gathered her skirt and tunic over his forearms. He pushed her frilly, short drawers down enough on her thighs until they fell on their own.

He lifted her behind her thighs. He had already undone the button fastenings of his trousers. He pressed against her, taking her there in the hallway.

"Oh!"

He covered her mouth with his, moving, moaning himself at the nature of her. It was like her anatomy forgot him.

"Undo your tunic," he whispered.

Nebra leaned her head back against the wallpaper. Her eyes were closed. With one hand she blindly reached to her shoulders, keeping her other arm anchored at his neck. Once she untied the bindings, the chiton flapped forward revealing a cream bandeau.

Julius wasted no time in hooking a finger at the front of it and pulling it down. "That's right, my darling." Julius had no idea who had said the words. He or Lucius. Not that it mattered. They both seemed to be on the same page when it came to Nebra. It was only with her that he could hear him.

He used magic to swing the doors to his room open. He laid her on the edge of the bed to take her there, her chiton twisted around her waist. The seductive image was a welcome one. Above all she seemed so pleased to find herself in these circumstances with him. Perhaps like him she felt a sense of intimacy they otherwise did not have outside the bedroom.

They only had this…

"My dear," he said between breaths, "tell me how pleased you are." She tried to speak but could not. He slowed down for her benefit. "Tell me," he encouraged.

There Nebra's shyness rose to the surface, despite the act they were in the middle off. She curled her fingers into her palm and rubbed her knuckles against her bottom lip.

"I am," she said, "pleased." Her gaze met his for a moment and then dropped away.

Julius felt something stir within him. At first he thought it was the seal again, weakening, and it could very well be—but the feeling was not only taking root in his heart, but also in his mind and somehow behind his throat.

He slowly leaned down. What did this younger woman really feel for him? She had accepted her fate so easily. At times she even seemed as if she were satisfied. His biggest worry had been the Scarlets. But even that Nebra took on with enough tolerance that it could pass off as being welcoming.

What was the Novachrono manor compared to the Silva palace? What were the Scarlet children compared to a hundred servants? What was Julius compared to a true royal blooded, younger man?

He wrapped an arm around her waist. She looked at him in question when he hoisted them higher on the bed so he could lay her on a pillow. Gently he removed her furled chiton over her head.

He softly kissed her. He felt her fingers on his vest and he helped her take it off and next his shirt. "These too," she whispered in his ear, using her foot to nudge his pants that were already mid thigh. He happily obliged.

So much had changed in barely three months, all thanks to the lovely woman underneath him—he began to move again. He had made a cozy, isolated life for himself after Judgment Day. The Novachrono manor was far out from the Royal Capital. It had given him the space he needed.

He turned his head so that the side of his forehead pushed against the pillow she lay on, causing her to turn her head, too, deepening the kiss while they moved together in slow tandem. They were both cupping each other's faces, cradling each other's necks, massaging scalps, languidly kissing—her fingertips ghosting over his shoulder blades.

Of course he finished then. His pressed his full weight into her, mouth suddenly useless and arms frozen around her. Meanwhile Nebra continued to press kisses to his stunted mouth, licking and nipping and lifting herself in miniature waves.

The seal prickled at his skin. Julius renewed his kissing and covered her eyes with his palm. She was quite used to her sight getting shielded during these moments. Perhaps she had even come to enjoy it.

Yet Lucius did not take advantage of Julius like he usually did by de-transforming to their base form and flapping his mouth. Instead, Lucius stayed in the background, quiet and unmoving.

Perturbed at what he had just discovered.

Rebecca was in the parlor room with everyone else. She was finally sitting down to eat breakfast even though it was almost midday (Master had scolded her for not having eaten already).

Luca and Ellie were sitting on the upholstered sofa on either side of the Mistress. She was teaching them how to sit and drink tea like a Lady. Pem was sprawled near their feet playing with a wooden train set, eyes drooping (it was almost nap time).

Isaac was in a corner, reading a huge tome that Rebecca had a feeling had a magazine behind it. Master and Marco were right outside the window panel in the rose courtyard (practicing magic!). Only at eight years old Marco was a natural.

Curiously, when Marco stepped further away to perform a spell, Julius turned to peer through the large window. How sweet! Hands behind his back, his gaze was solely for the Mistress. He had a pretty good view of the inside of the parlor room. His usually soft gaze was softer. But why was there sadness, too?

And then, wholly unexpected, his blond hair darkened. And lightened. And darkened. Like a fireworks show of two colors. Rebecca's mouth fell open slightly and she felt her eyes widen. The blue sun on his forehead kept switching from left to right.

Without making a sound, Rebecca slowly raised her hand high in the air, praying the others inside didn't notice.

Julius briefly glanced her way, fully raven haired now. Were those red eyes? Rebecca pointed to her own head, back stiff and peering at the Mistress, hoping she hadn't noticed her charades.

The Master was puzzled at first at Rebecca's shenanigans. But then he realized what she was miming and touched the top of his head. Immediately it went back to a soft blond. He gave her a cheesy thumbs up.

Rebecca sat at the table, dumbfounded. What the…

The magic doorbell rang throughout the manor. Rebecca shot up to her feet. "Children, go to your rooms. We seem to have an unexpected guest!" The last thing she ever wanted was to assume that the free reign of the manor the master gave them was endless. She never wanted to be an inconvenience, especially when people visited that did not understand their easygoing dynamic.

So like proper servants, Rebecca made sure to make herself and her siblings scarce.

"Nonsense, Rebecca," Mistress Nebra said, back straight as always, "They're fine here. Relax, children." She then proceeded to stand. "You finish your meal. I'll attend to the guest."

Rebecca sat down. The Master and Mistress were being very weird today.

Nebra returned to the parlor room with both Asta and Nozel behind her. Asta seemed to lack his usual excitement but he greeted everyone just the same. Nozel was as stoic as ever, standing there, regal. He hardly spared anyone a glance even though everyone stood to formally greet him before getting back to their activities.

"Nozel, you wait here," Nebra said, "Asta, come with me. You can speak with Julius first." It seemed two people had coincidentally come to speak with the Master at the same time.

Rebecca felt antsy as Nozel sort of just stood there after his sister left, but she stayed seated per the Mistress's orders. Luca and Ellie resumed their giggles as they were making up tea party scenarios.

"That child is asleep," Nozel flatly pointed out.

Rebecca glanced down at a sleeping Pem. His face was smushed against the rug, arm stretched out still holding a train.

"Don't worry, sis," Isaac said, "I'll take him." He put his suspicious book down and gently picked Pem up.

Rebecca quietly ate her breakfast. Nozel must have gotten tired of standing. He waltzed into the room and sat at the one person sofa right across from her. It was likely the least annoying spot for him. Luca and Ellie were yapping away on the other side of the room.

Similar to the regal way his sister sat, Nozel had his back and shoulders straight. She wondered if ever in his life he had relaxed. He was rather handsome, wasn't he? Straight, aristocratic nose, full eyebrows and sharp, pale magenta eyes. Getting a better look at him, Rebecca thought maybe he was prettier than the Mistress after all. He was as tall as the Master, too.

His Magic Knight's uniform was also a nice look on him. At the wedding, he and his siblings had been the most beautifully dressed with their traditional wardrobes. She wondered what the history behind House Silva was. They dressed so differently compared to the other nobles.

Nozel caught her staring. She would have looked away but he said, "Good Morning," right as he turned to address her.

"Good morning, sir."

"How are you?"

Rebecca was experiencing quite a few surprises that morning. "Very good, thank you…you, sir?"

"Well, thank you."

"…Would you like me to check if Master Julius is done with Asta?"

"No need. My sister will come when she deems I have waited long enough." Hesitation was an odd thing coming from Nozel. "She is…only punishing me for yesterday's indiscretion. I overstepped. "

"Oh. That." Rebecca took a small bite of her breakfast potatoes.

"Perhaps I owe you an apology as well. You were offended by how I spoke to your Mistress."

She was shocked once more. "She is your sister —I mean, you don't have to apologize!"

"You are right. I do not have to. But I would like to. Will you accept it?" He seemed sincere albeit terse.

Rebecca felt her face heat up. "Of course, my Lord."

He nodded then, seemingly done getting his point across and back to ignoring everyone. Nebra came a moment later to fetch him. Once he exited the parlor room, Rebecca finally felt like she could breathe again. Nobles were just full of pent-up emotions, weren't they? Even the Master with all his smiles hid behind his own good nature.

It's a little sad, Rebecca thought.

Asta came to find her later. She was at the side of the manor hanging laundry, where the servants' entrance was. Of course Master Julius didn't care what door she or her siblings used. This was just where laundry was done.

"Hey, Rebecca!"

"Hey, Asta!" She wrung out a towel before pinning it on a line.

"I'm surprised you're not making lunch." Bless his heart. He scooped up a bedsheet and began hanging it up.

"Oh! Mrs. Addams is back. You doing okay?"

Asta sighed. "Girl trouble."

Rebecca's mouth opened slightly. Girl trouble? She thought he looked a little sad earlier. "Sister Lily?"

He actually laughed at that. "That ship sailed before I met Sister Lily."

Rebecca giggled. "Yea it did."

The two continued to quietly work. An old theory came to Rebecca. One she hadn't thought about in a while.

"Is it Lady Noelle?"

His face got very red, very fast, and then Rebecca's did too. "How'd you know?!"

"It was just a guess! She liked you when we first met in Nean. I think she was stalking you."

"Right?! That's what I tried to tell her but she's not listening."

Scandalized, Rebecca shouted, "You threw 'stalking' in her face?!"

"Well, I didn't mean to. But after I told her how I felt she didn't want to break up with the Wizard King."

"MASTER JULIUS?!" she screamed.

Asta jumped behind her and slapped a hand over her mouth. She flailed her arms for dramatic effect, holding someone's underwear. "SHH NO!" In a whisper he said, "The new Wizard King. Fuegoleon Vermillion"

Oh yeah. Duh. Rebecca laughed behind his hand.

On the other side of a hanging white sheet, the Master's voice called, "Miss Rebecca?" And at that moment the wind picked up the blanket to show the Master and Nozel standing there. Asta was behind her with an arm around her waist and a hand to her mouth. Of course, like a buffon, her arms were still in the air holding drawers. Nozel looked at them as if he'd found a dead fly on his windowsill.

Julius chuckled. "We heard shouting from the Courtyard and came to see what all the noise was about. What are you two doing?"

Asta laughed a little and let her go. "Just talking 'bout some things."

Rebecca quickly put her hands behind her back (they were her drawers). "Sorry about that! We'll keep it down."

Passing them one last amused glance, Julius led Nozel back around. Asta sighed heavily beside her.

"I guess it'd be bad if Lord Nozel found out."

Asta nodded, hands on his hips, hanging his head. "At least for now until I can convince Noelle to cancel her engagement. What is she thinking?" He had that sad look again and Rebecca pitied him.

She patted his spiky head. He'd grown taller than her a couple years ago. "I think she'll come around."

"You think so?" His eyes sparkled and it reminded her of someone, but she couldn't quite place it.

"Yeah. Definitely. A girl never forgets her first love."

Rebecca would know. After chatting a bit longer and finishing the laundry, Asta left. She stared after him with a sad look of her own.

Something was wrong with the seal. Before, Lucius only seemed capable of appearing when Julius and Nebra were in the throes of passion. But now anytime he was in a room with her, Julius found himself briskly exiting with black hair.

He sent for Nero and presently found himself in the wine cellar with her. Hesitant to experience crippling pain again, Julius transfigured one of the study tables to have bondage restraints.

Her checkup was as painful as ever. Elbow deep in his gut, Nero stood there with a blank expression. The flame that engulfed him created dancing shadows on her face. He breathed hard through his nose and bit down hard on a leather belt. He begged heaven that she'd finish quickly.

Yet once again when she completed her analysis, she assured him everything was in place.

Nero began to untie one of his wrists.

He was frustrated, undoing the rest of his bindings. "Nero, you have wonderful magic, but I am perplexed that you do not see how Lucius manifests. I am not senile."

"This started when you married."

"Yes. It feels like I am maintaining a transformative spell but it keeps getting disrupted."

"This is my thought," Nero spoke in a monotone trill, "that you are falling in love with your wife and it's that love that's interfering with the seal."

"True love's kiss?" He said it without believing it. "That is ancient magic."

Nero shrugged. "My magic is ancient."

"But it is a seal—not a curse."

With little expression, she advised, "Sealing away more than half your soul is a curse. My Lord, you cursed yourself long before I sealed the evil part of you."

"That's right!" With a sparkle in his eye, curiosity welled up inside him as it usually did and gave Nero a once over. "That's right." Then he felt a sudden dread. "The seal will break."

Nero was deadpanned. "Maybe. Maybe not. It's just a theory."

"Yes, a theory."

"It only happens with Lady Nebra so she's probably the trigger."

"I sleep beside her every night. We take breakfast and dinner together."

Nero stared at him for a long while. And then, she shrugged. Julius dropped his face into his hands. He was doomed.

Nero left and Julius went upstairs to freshen up. He stared at himself in the mirror. He placed his hands on the sink and then bowed his head, thinking of his conversation with Nero.

A theory, she said. A potentially very dangerous theory.

Lucius Zogratis had become subdued after being beaten by his own child. His radical idealism, his whole purpose, had reduced so much that the only way to live was for Julius to reawaken and permanently rule the body. The truth about his son had been the real pacifier that harbingered the subjugation of Lucius Zogratis.

What man would Julius be by the time love wholly took his heart? A split man he now was, but he was still himself. He was Julius, son of the prior Novachrono head. He served as a Magic Knight and as the Wizard King for countless years.

In reality he was both Julius and Lucius, melded into one, with memories, good and bad—but mostly it was the good part of Lucius "Julius" that now ruled the mind and the body. It was Julius that had a heart—a heart to love someone like Nebra Silva.

But it seemed that, despicable as he was, Lucius was capable of falling in love, too. They had done it before—no, they were not they. They were he. Lucius and Julius were one. Singular.

He had loved once before. In a forest cabin, in the middle of nowhere, so long ago. An entire spring of intimate nights, frolicking in meadows, and bathing in rivers together.

Sweet Licita. Short and curved and bold.

At the end of the season he would come and go to her, going about his schemes in Spade and Clover. But once she discovered his devastating plans, she wanted nothing to do with him. She was pregnant. The baby was dying due to her magic-depraving womb. Desperate, he'd gone back to Spade to put an end to the treacherous plot he and his family orchestrated, hoping she would forgive him. That God would spare his child.

But when he returned, too many months later, she was already dead. Astaroth had revealed to him who killed her. Lucius doubled down on his vision for the world and made it a priority to eat Lucifero's heart, if it was the last thing he ever did.

Back then, he had been so sure the child died.

On Judgment Day, he even disrespected Licita's memory when he summoned a fragment of her soul and body from the dead to distract Liebe. He knew she had cared for the dark creature before she was killed. But instead of saying the little demon's name first, she recognized Asta.

Lucius stopped everything.

'What is this boy to you?' he had asked the undying body of the woman he once loved.

With her hands around Asta's throat, she smiled and said, 'Our son, silly.'

The one person Lucius thought was the flaw of the world, was the one person he should have protected the most. Licita's womb hadn't killed their baby. It had stolen all his magic.

How had he not realized?

Julius Novachrono raised his head to look in the mirror again. There reflecting back at him was a split image of a man half blond, half brunette. One violet eye, and one red.

Chapter Text

Three Months Later.

"Get up!" Lucius urged from Julius's sleeping mouth.

He shot up from deep slumber as the words were spoken. He was breathless and disoriented. He was in Nebra's room tonight. He had stayed in the cellar studying up on a new magic element and joined her hours after she fell asleep.

Nebra's pained weeping immediately got his attention. He quickly turned on the lamp on his side of the bed. His breath caught in his throat. She was pressing a hand between her legs, kneeling on the mattress, hunched over in agony.

"No, no, no!" she cried from the very depths of her soul.

His heart raced. "My darling," he said, reaching out. His knees pressed into something wet and that was when the smell of blood hit him. His hand hovered over her, not quite sure what to do.

What is this? It was not normal womanly bleeding.

"I waited to tell you until I was sure," she wept, "I'm with child—but something's not right! Julius !" She pressed her face into the pillow and groaned.

In milliseconds, he appeared in Owen's medical ward in the Royal Capital, with his wife in his arms. She was still holding herself, panting into his neck, breaking his heart with every sob. He tried to set her down on a cot but she spasmed and latched onto him.

She was in a cold sweat and was truly horrified that he would leave her, as if he'd never come back. She was as pale as a ghost.

"Please, Nebra," his voice was strained, "let me get Dr. Owen. I'll only be a moment." She let go enough for him to summon a Chrono stasis bubble around her before he flickered away.

He appeared outside of Owen's private quarters in the tower and pounded on his door. This was not the first time the good doctor had been disturbed from sleep. When he opened the door, Owens had his coat and glasses on, albeit hair disheveled.

He was surprised to see Julius covered in bloody pajamas and barefoot.

Julius grabbed Owen's shirt and warped time and space, appearing by Nebra's side. Before he froze her, her body had already darkened her blue nightgown with blood. It clung to her thighs. Her wrists were stained in blood, her hands still between her legs, trying to keep whatever was coming out inside.

Owen immediately rolled up his sleeves. "Remove the spell."

Julius was on the verge of weeping. "I am frightened, my friend."

"Disperse your spell, Julius! You must!"

Turning his head with his eyes shut tight, Julius willed the Chrono bubble away and Nebra's screams returned.

Julius was sitting on the stone floor, head between his knees. Over and over he kept imagining Nebra's pained expression and her cries. Had that amount of blood been normal in her circumstance?

He wanted to pull out his hair. Why this? Why now?

And why did the thought of Licita giving birth all alone in the Forsaken Realm keep intertwining with the image he saw of Nebra?

Julius laced his fingers together and brought his hands to his forehead. What was a prayer from a man who had eaten the devil's heart? He stayed in that position for what felt like hours.

"Heard you been here since this morning."

Yami walked up to him in the stone hallway. He and his Black Bulls had just come from a mission and were getting treated down the hall.

"Yami…"

"The missus gonna be alright?"

"Yes..." Physically.

The Captain squatted down in front of him, an unlit cigarette hanging from his lips. "You look terrible."

"I feel terrible."

"Yea." He offered a hand. "Come on. You don't want yer woman to see you like that."

They returned home in silence nearly twenty hours later. Magic had healed her body but could do nothing for either of their grim dispositions.

Mrs. Addams, a short and stout middle aged woman, and Rebecca had everything prepared in Nebra's room. New mattress, fresh linens, sheets pulled.

Julius stood to the side as the women helped get an exhausted Nebra into bed. Once laying down, Nebra turned her back to them all.

"You just give this here bell a ring when you need us, my Lady," Mrs. Addams said, and she left with Rebecca in tow.

Julius convinced himself that it was not personal that Nebra locked both doors to her room, the main one and the one to their private corridor.

He could understand in a way. He was exhausted and did not want to be disturbed himself. Oh but he wished she would let him hold her. How else could he comfort her? How else could he ease his own mind?

That night his sleep was fitful. He kept awakening, thinking he heard Nebra crying, but there was no sound in the darkness of his room. There was nobody beside him.

A child? He knew eventually they would conceive but he had not known its whiplash, sudden existence and vanishing would feel so much like torment. Or that it would bring with it a torrent of suppressed memories of a pregnant Licita spurning him for his treachery.

For the next couple of days, Rebecca tried to coax Nebra out of her room to no avail. Julius himself was either in the laboratory or sitting somewhere staring off into space, with stubble growing around his mouth.

The week passed and Rebecca found a macabre Julius in the parlor room. The floor to ceiling curtains were closed. He was leaning back into the sofa. His fingers were loosely holding a glass of golden brown liqueur on the armrest. Off to the side the dinner Mrs. Addams made was left untouched.

She approached him slowly. "Master?"

He briefly glanced at her. "Has she eaten?"

Rebecca's bottom lip trembled. "No."

"I see."

He didn't seem like himself anymore and Rebecca was frightened. Why weren't the Mistress's siblings visiting? Did they not know? She was trying the best she could to keep the children away and the house running as smoothly as possible, but she was so worried.

Mrs. Addams advised to leave the noble couple alone. That the help shouldn't involve themselves. That it was none of their business. That for some losing a child was too terrible a thing to bear.

Rebecca kneeled by the sofa and brought her hands up together in supplication.

"Please ."

She begged him to do something—that her Mistress needed to eat—that it had been too long since she had a proper meal—that he needed to also eat.

Julius considered the girl at his feet. She was beside herself with empathy for her masters. She wanted to soothe their agony for them but she could not. He was not sure he had ever seen the girl so miserable.

He, too, felt emptied of all joy and civility. There was no line between him and Lucius anymore.

"What shall you have me do, Miss Rebecca?" The girl was holding back her sniffles but tears still fell. It moved his frozen heart, if only a centimeter.

"Lord Nozel—let's inform him. He's her big brother. She needs him."

Yes, his wife was more partial to her brother, wasn't she?

Weary, Julius finally rose from the armchair and placed the dry scotch down. He had assumed to leave informing the family to Nebra, but she did not.

He made the call through a magic compact mirror. It was connected to the Silva palace. The servants there had means of communicating with their Master.

The Royal Magic Knight arrived within the hour. Without hesitation the Captain used mercury to unlock Nebra's chamber door.

Stoic and in a flurry of silk fabrics, Nozel entered his sister's bedroom as Julius and Rebecca waited outside the open door. Nebra lay on her side with her back towards them. Nozel calmly spoke to her.

The shoulder they could see above the comforter began to shake.

Rebecca watched as Lord Nozel's serious expression softened and, so sweetly, he swiped the Mistress's hair back from her face.

A few moments later Nozel approached Julius and the maid. He'd gone back to be as phlegmatic as ever.

"She will take the meal," Nozel said, glancing at a puffy-eyed Rebecca. "Go on." The maid dashed into the chamber with a soup tray at the ready.

Then Nozel addressed Julius. "I shall remain here for a few days."

"I see," was all Julius could say. His eyes felt ready to fall out of his head.

"You should rest," Nozel said with his attention turned to his sister. He watched the maid help Nebra sit up and then meticulously set up the tray over her lap.

The hand Nebra used to lift the spoon shook too much. Rebecca was there to mindfully take it from her. With a determined look she held the spoon close to Nebra's mouth until her Mistress accepted the offering.

In the parlor room, Nozel finished relaying the details to Solid and Noelle via their magic communicator. It was a small, silver eagle on a pedestal. It could fit easily in a pocket or travel bag. Solid had made one for each of them.

The youngest two of his siblings were rather emotional beings and Nozel remained on the device until they spent themselves with worrisome utterances at the tragic news. A niece or nephew lost.

When finally they finished, Nozel advised that their attendance was expected tomorrow morning. With that he bid them a goodnight.

"Excuse me, my Lord," Rebecca entered with a curtsey. "Your room has been prepared." She looked to have been crying. For his sister's plight, no doubt. It made sense. Servants often empathized with the masters they so closely cared for.

Nozel followed the servant girl to the third floor of the manor. The maid took the lead up the steps and Nozel watched her movements.

As usual, and no doubt due to Julius's facetious regard for proper society, her auburn hair was not tied and instead of a formal maid's uniform, she wore an apron over a plain, unassuming green dress. Nozel's gaze lowered. The apron ties were wrapped around her waistline multiple times. It accentuated the curve of her hips. The ends of her hair brushed against the bow at the small of her back.

He pictured himself lifting a strand of that vibrant hair and pressing it to his lips. He even imagined her falling backwards on the stairs, so that in catching her he would feel her body press against his. If just for a moment...

Rebecca Scarlet could not be more than five and twenty, and yet she claimed the stage of his dreams from the moment she tripped and fell into his arms. Not quite six months ago…

Unbeknownst to anyone, he came to savor the times he came across her. Family dinners hosted at the Novachrono manor, mission reconnaissance… every opportunity afforded to him was a victory where he could appreciate her form.

Of course, he had no intention of pursuing the poorly placed attraction. But after watching how gentle she was with his sister, he was no longer sure it was only physical desire.

Rebecca curtsied by the guest chambers and remained with her head bowed. She would not rise until he entered. She knew at least this.

Perhaps the events of the evening had weakened his titanium self possession, for Nozel found himself gently lifting her chin. A flame sprouted from where his knuckle touched her freckled skin and constricted his arm.

"Will you treat me so formally?" he whispered, "are we not friends?"

Rebecca's eyes widened, lips slightly parting. "How," she swallowed, "could someone like me possibly be your friend?"

He allowed a small smile to touch his mouth. "You think too little of me."

She straightened, unsure of his direction of topic. "Of course not, my Lord." Composing herself, she smoothed out her apron. "Do you," she asked carefully, "do you not have friends?"

"I'm afraid not. Being a nobleman and Captain is time consuming."

"Then you're lucky to have so many siblings," she gently offered. "They make the best of friends. I have five younger brothers and sisters myself."

"Yes, I know."

She awkwardly stood there, unsure what else to say. Dissimilarly, Nozel felt relaxed, content to linger in her vicinity for once.

"My Lord-"

"Nozel," he challenged her only because he could.

"Nozel sir," her mouth pursed at the informal mention of his name, "if you'd really like a friend I could be that for you." She smiled albeit tired from the straining week. "I love having friends."

"How is it done?"

"Oh," Her face brightened up a bit. "I do work a lot, and my Mistress needs me right now, but usually friends have things like lunch together and share personal information."

"Personal? Even private matters?"

She blushed slightly. "Well, between male and female friends there are still boundaries." For example, Rebecca thought, he really shouldn't have touched her face like that.

"Are there other men who are your friends?" The idea of it was distasteful.

None the wiser, Rebecca replied, "Yes—you know him. The Magic Knight Asta."

"And what is it you do with Asta." She did not realize that he had not uttered a question but a command.

Her gaze searched his face. "He's really great with my younger siblings. They love playing with him."

"Do you play with him?"

"Sometimes but I'm too busy for that," she said, looking back towards the staircase, oblivious to his envy. Was she in a rush to be rid of him?

"You share personal details about your life with him?" He stepped forward. Her lack of focus on him was irritating.

"Th-that's—yes, sometimes," she said, leaning back to make room for him. It crossed Rebecca's mind that maybe they were having two different conversations but her street smarts weren't fully activated tonight.

"I see. Outside of attending to Nebra's needs this week, I'd like to call on you."

Her brow slightly knitted together. "Can you walk and talk at the same time?"

Taken aback, he said, "I am not an invalid."

She actually smiled then and the sight of it was like a silk blanket running over him. "Okay, you can follow me around while I work."

"Follow you—"

She did not allow him to reply, scandalized as he was, for she ran away from him mid conversation.

Noelle visited the next morning. She had hardly any sleep the night before from worrying for her older sister. Why had she and her brothers not been notified earlier?

Being sleepy hardly mattered when she saw how pale and frail Nebra seemed. She had never seen her sister like that. Nebra was always poised and regal and matter of fact. Now she seemed so…dazed.

Noelle and her brothers sort of hovered around the Novachrono manor. They took turns sitting with Nebra throughout the day. In the evening Noelle proclaimed she would stay over.

The Master of the house, that was Julius (now her brother in law, the prior Wizard King), didn't seem to mind. And honestly he hardly really spoke to anyone when usually he was so welcoming.

Noelle supposed it was a loss for him too.

That night Noelle laid next to Nebra, who seemed already more alive than she had that morning. The two sisters chatted softly into the night.

Sometimes while Noelle was talking, Nebra would reach a hand out and pet the side of her head. Noelle looked the most like their mother. She had a pretty, soft beauty. Her voice was higher, too, and still carried a youthful fluctuation. She was only 19 after all.

"Nebra?"

"Yes?"

"Are you going to be okay?"

"…I hope." She never felt a void quite like this. "I feel dead inside."

A tear fell from Noelle's eye and slid sideways into the pillow. "I'm sorry." Copying her older sister, she lifted a hand and caressed Nebra's wavy hair from her face. She then moved closer to rest their foreheads together.

Nebra closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth and life from a most beloved younger sister. Three years ago she never thought it possible that they would be this close. Forgiveness was a gift from Heaven.

A thought crossed her mind. There was a wedding coming up soon, wasn't there? A very important one.

"How is your engagement with the Wizard King?"

"Oh," Noelle seemed surprised with the topic of conversation. She leaned back a little and carefully said, "It's fine. Next month we…well you know. But we don't have to talk about that."

Nebra searched her gaze. There was something off. "What are you not saying?"

"Well…I don't think he likes me."

"Do you like him?"

"Not…sure…I'm trying. Fuegoleon…well he certainly says and does all the right things but they feel empty. I think I probably seem the same to him. He's also very busy with being the Wizard King and all. Maybe after we marry we can be like you and Lord Julius."

"Julius is…he is much older. He understands our situation." Nebra's cheeks felt warm suddenly. Blushing felt like something she hadn't done in forever, even though just last week, Julius made love to her any chance he could get her alone.

"Yeah, maybe being older makes arranged marriages easier," Noelle thought about it, "But he clearly loves you." She gestured toward her own face. "He always has this smile when he's looking at you."

"You think so?" Nebra was sure after this week he wouldn't want anything to do with her and her weak womb.

Noelle nodded. "Why wouldn't he? You're so beautiful."

"That is true."

"Things with Fuegoleon are kind of boring."

"Oh." Nebra blinked. "Maybe you need more time."

"What time? Brother Nozel and the others expect the wedding next month. I don't want to let them down, especially Brother."

Nebra considered her sister then. Truly, the girl did not want to marry into the Vermillion family. Nebra would go as far as to say…Noelle seemed uncomfortable, whereas Nebra had thought it a great opportunity to marry an excellent nobleman like Julius.

The words that came out of Nebra next surprised both sisters. She said, "I will talk to Nozel. I'll ask him to postpone the wedding until spring."

Noelle's eyes widened. "Really?"

"I doubt he'll deny me anything."

"Are you sure?"

"That way you can have more time to know Fuegoleon before marrying him."

Sighing, Noelle turned to lay on her back and stared at the drapery above the bed. "'Till spring, huh? That might be good. It takes the pressure off."

"But you must promise to try to get to know him truly. Fuegoleon is a good man and an excellent Wizard King. He's made House Vermillion and House Silva proud. Marrying you will establish the Silvamillion name, like our aunt." A familial pride brightened Nebra's downcast face. "I know your children will be better than Kirsch and Mimosa in every way."

Noelle suddenly looked a little pale herself. "Okay pressure back on."

"I'm sorry," Nebra meant it. "But it is something to think about."

With renewed resolve, Noelle sat up. "You're right! I'll do my best!" She pumped a fist in the air. The gesture reminded Nebra of common folk and she sighed heavily. Nozel might have really messed up sending her to the Black Bulls. But alas. This was her sister's fate.

"Lie with me," Nebra said and patted the area Noelle had just been laying on. "Let's sleep."

Smiling, Noelle made herself comfortable, once again facing Nebra. "Thanks for the advice."

"It's no trouble. Now sleep."

"'Kay!"

Chapter Text

Julius was surprised to feel the void that was Asta closing in on the manor. It was past the midnight hour. All were likely asleep but not an hour ago Nebra and Noelle had stopped chattering (the corridor was evidently a conductor of sound and Julius unintentionally now knew of their illustrious plans to postpone a large scale wedding).  

He hadn’t heard from Asta since the summertime, after Noelle’s apparent, and very clear, rejection. 

Once the young man was close enough, the senses always dulled because of the event horizon surrounding him. 

He was the singularity of a magic world. 

Julius wondered if anyone else could feel Asta’s presence as acutely as he could. Then again, who/what else was like Lucius Zogratis’s body in all the world? He was as full of mana as he was of foolishness. 

He put his scotch aside and opened the balcony doors. He crossed his arms and leaned over the thick wrought iron railing. There Asta stood on the winding cobblestone. His brow was furrowed and eyes teeming with thoughts. 

What a sight for sore eyes.

Take a good look at this child , Lucius , Julius said to himself. This is the one that lives. This is the one that will never be yours .

“Asta,” he called, “what brings you here?” He offered a smile. “If you’ve come to serenade Miss Noelle, I’m afraid it’s a bad time.”

Asta eyes glanced to the right to Nebra’s twin balcony but ultimately he focused his gaze on Julius. 

“I’m not here for her.”

“As you know, I am a married man. But go on. I will hear your songs since you came all this way.”

Ignoring the teasing, and with heavy exposition, Asta called up, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Hm.” Julius looked out toward the long road to Novachrono manor and the surrounding, immaculately placed sweet gum trees and beyond the property gate. The fields of moorland and woodlands and the spread out dwellings of the nearby town Worcestershire that House Novachrono owned. In the day everything was reds and yellows and would soon brown and fall for winter. 

“I was there with Captain Yami… that day at the medical ward.” Asta was deeply frowning. “I almost had…that was…I could have had…”  

“I’ll come down.” It was best that whatever the boy had to say be heard in private. No one else knew what Asta was to Lucius Zogratis.

Only the boy, Julius and Liebe. 

The two walked the length of the property. For over three years Asta did not broach the subject. But tonight, it seemed that was all the boy was capable of talking about. 

Julius answered every question he could. Especially about Licita. What child didn’t want to know about the mother they never met? 

“Why did you leave her?”

“I was a fool…” On and on Julius was an open book. “…I thought if I could make things right…the web had already spun too much…when I returned Lucifero had…” On and on Julius laid everything out on the table and made no excuses. 

“Why would you seal away the part of you that was good?”

Because it silenced his conscience and the still small voice with a partiality towards righteousness. It was the only way to achieve the difficult path Lucius had set for himself. 

Asta and Julius walked and spoke late into the evening until dawn broke across the sky. And that blissful ray of first light was the first sign where finally Julius felt a semblance of peace. 

Rebecca was surprised to see Asta visiting two days in a row. He came in through the side servant door in the kitchens. He checked in on how she and her siblings were doing. He also told her how, just now, Noelle evaded him at the front of the manor. It made him feel like garbage. 

“She…might not change her mind, Asta.”

“Yeah.”

“I wish I could tell you something different. These nobles…” She thought of Master Julius and Lady Nebra. “Once they get something in their head, with all their rules and all their honor, they stick to it.”

Asta seemed so down. Rebecca felt a little guilty for not being as optimistic for him this time around. But it was probably better to be realistic. It had been a while now since Asta confessed his feelings for Noelle and she hadn’t budged. 

“Is the advice Master Julius giving you helpful?”

“Huh? Oh. It was good.”

Curious, Rebecca said, “Isn’t that why you’ve been visiting? Lady Noelle has been staying here.” 

“Well, that’s because…” Asta looked a little conflicted, only making Rebecca’s curiosity grow. If not for Noelle, why was he spending so much time with the Master when before she was pretty sure Asta avoided him. 

She heard Mrs. Addams coming down the steps to the kitchens, so she walked Asta out to the side of the manor and then to the front. They sat at a stone bench close to the giant black gate of the property. A street gum tree provided shade. 

“What is it, Asta?”

“I don’t know if I should be saying this.”

“…” She tried really hard not to push, because him saying that made her more curious. 

“The Wizard King—err, I guess just Lord Julius now, isn’t it? So…he’s my Dad.”

Rebecca stared at him for a long, hard minute. “Your Dad?”

“Yeah…”

She had to force herself to breathe. “WHAT?!” She jumped to her feet. Her expression was something akin to disbelief and unadulterated shock. “HE’S YOUR WHAT?!”

Asta lunged at her and slapped a hand over her mouth. Why was this always the situation with them?!

Rebecca was in the beginning stages of hyperventilation. Because. What. WHAT. What ?!

“Okay,” Asta whispered, “I’m going to let go.”

She wildly shook her head. She was absolutely not ready to not scream. Asta waited a moment longer, also looking like maybe it had been a bad idea to disclose his deepest darkest secret. 

“Now?”

She counted to ten and then nodded. He slowly let go of her. 

“You have to promise not to say anything.”

She plopped down on the stone bench. “Oh my gosh, Asta. How? When? Why did the Master abandon you?”

Asta looked pained then. “I can’t tell you everything but he didn’t know I existed until three years ago.”

Her throat tightened when she saw his eyes tear up. “Oh Asta! That’s why. You helped me get this job to help out both me and the Master, but you were always so weird about seeing him. It…it makes sense now!”

Asta sat beside her, leaning his elbows on his knees. “Yeah.”

“What changed?” He had come every day for the last two days to stay by the Master’s side. 

He didn’t respond. 

“Oh.” She understood. Feeling how sad he was, she hung her own head and leaned her side inside his. “I’m so sorry.” 

Nozel watched the two from Nebra’s balcony. What was Asta to Rebecca? Were they truly just friends, as she proudly claimed the other night? 

He had been too rash in offering his friendship. She worded it perfectly. How could someone like her possibly be his friend? He had too much status and too little time. Even being here with Nebra, his attention was split between his duties as a Captain, his noble duty to his lands, and his love for a suffering sister. 

In two days Rebecca and he had hardly crossed paths. Apparently the Novachrono’s cook was back and was often by her side. Rebecca also busied herself with other chores of the mansion and keeping her siblings away from his siblings. And what little time she had to herself, Asta robbed her of it (why was he at Novachrono manor?)

There was no way for Nozel to…to insert himself in Rebecca’s life. 

And there was certainly no way for her to be in his. 

Asta sighed. “I kind of wish I could do something to cheer up the old man.”

Rebecca leaned her palms back on the bench. “You being here has helped.” The Master seemed more like himself now that she thought about it. 

“You think so?”

“I know so!” 

She’d never seen the Master as depressed as she had this week. He had been a totally different person. He and the Mistress still hadn’t spent any time together, which made Rebecca sad because she was so sure that was the best way for the couple to heal. Maybe there was something Asta could do. 

“Have you noticed…the Master and his wife haven’t been seeing each other?” Rebecca said. 

“Now that you mention it…is that normal for them?”

“Not really. They usually eat together and hang around one another, even if they don’t talk. Though Master Julius fills the silence in any room with research talk.” Rebecca giggled. “He likes to tease her too and she gets so worked up.”

Asta laughed a little. “That sounds like him.”

“But they haven’t spent any time together. They need to.”

Asta crossed his arms and looked up, thinking. “What do you suggest? You know them best.” 

“Well,” Rebecca admitted, “I can’t involve myself too much. I might have already pushed it with getting Lord Nozel to come. But you can involve yourself.” Though it was a secret, what wouldn’t Master Julius let his newfound son get away with?

“We can ask Noelle, too!”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Hey, Noelle and I can set aside our differences any time, anywhere. We’re still a team. If there’s a problem to be solved, we can do it.” His green eyes shone with renewed confidence and Rebecca suddenly felt pumped.

She matched Asta’s large grin. “Then I know just the thing!”

They proceeded to hunt down and corner Noelle in the manor. She took one look at Asta and clearly panicked, face impossibly red (okay she had it bad). She tried to run away but Rebecca tackled her down. 

“Noelle, what are you doing?” Nebra said from her bed.

Noelle rummaged around the massive wardrobes (making a mess). Nebra didn’t have the heart to tell her sister that the manor wasn’t like the Silva palace or the Black Bulls’ self cleaning magic base. 

“Try this on!” Noelle pulled an old number out. “Let’s play dress-up.”

Smiling, Nebra decided to humor her. 

Julius followed a persistent Asta into the courtyard. His eyebrows rose at the tiered trays of colorful pastries on the table where he usually took breakfast. The ground surrounding it was also packed with floor vases full of flowers. 

Asta stood there looking proud with sparkles in his eyes. 

“How lovely, Asta,” Julius teased, “With the way you’ve been attending to me, Yami will think you’ve quit the Black Bulls and become my butler.”

“Hahaha,” Asta rubbed the back of his head. “I’m just trying to cheer you up before I get back to work.”

Moved, Julius responded, “I do appreciate that. Should we call the others? This is a lot of food.”

“Erm. Actually I wanted to ask you something.

Blindfolded, Nebra allowed Noelle to hold her hand and lead her down the stairs. She had convinced her to dress in a silky purple chiton that dragged behind her only a foot. Noelle added multiple vertical braids on each side of Nebra’s head, puffing up her curls in a stylish Mohawk. 

At first she was sure Noelle had done this in an attempt to play dress-up (unfortunately a game they never did as children). The girl was wearing one of Nebra’s dresses that her slighter figure couldn’t fill in. 

However, walking around the manor with no sight was an odd game. Was this how the Black Bulls did it? A door opened and Nebra felt the cool breeze of autumn. Noelle didn’t lead her outside but waited. Nebra was about to demand what was going on when she heard the voice of that anti-magic Knight that liked to follow Julius around.

“Soooo what is it you like about your wife anyway?”

“That’s very random,” Julius’s deeper, friendlier voice spoke. 

“I gotta know.” 

“…”

“ Pleaseee .”

“Hmm. Since you insist then. I am often impressed by her.” Nebra’s breath got stuck at her throat. Why was Julius telling that boy such personal things?  

“What do you mean by that?”

Yes. What did Julius mean by that? 

“To be perfectly honest with you, I had my doubts about her soon after we married. I scolded her for how I’d like the Scarlets to be treated. Instead of raging or holding it against me, she listened. Truly listened. She took into consideration my words, my advice, and she changed that behavior. It was not a change that only lasted a day. Or a week. But it became a new part of her character. 

“She’s now fond of those children, I am sure. Who would you say is capable of true change like that, with only one conversation being had?”

“Hmm,” came Asta’s thoughtful voice, “not a lot of people, I’ll tell you that!”

“Yes I think so too. Impressive, isn’t she?”

“Oh yeah! Definitely! Wow look AT THESE DESSERTS!”

“Asta, you’re being quite loud suddenly. What on earth is the matter with you?” 

Nebra’s heart was racing as Noelle pushed her forward. She stumbled but caught her footing. She reached for the blindfold, starting to grasp the situation she was put in. 

“Nebra?” Julius’s voice said. Nebra froze with her hands near her face. “Why are you blindfolded?”

“Run, Noelle!”

Nebra felt Noelle dash away and heard a loud thud on the roof, that may or may not have been Asta escaping. 

Squaring her shoulders, Nebra arrogantly raised her chin and clasped her hands in front of her lap, leaving her eyes covered. 

“As you know this is something I enjoy,” she said but already felt embarrassed about it. 

Julius coughed and she could hear him approaching. She smelled his lovely scent of pine and linens as he stood right in front of her.  She wanted to lean in…

She felt his fingers at the back of her head, untying the scarf Noelle had used. 

Julius’s easy smile came into view. “I know you enjoy it in the privacy of our chambers. But why are you walking around the manor with Miss Noelle like this? I doubt you’re up to the same things we usually are.”

Unable to reply, Nebra felt her face heat up more. 

He chuckled, pocketing the scarf. “My dear, I think we have both been tricked.” 

Nebra glanced behind him to the wrought iron table. Colorful desserts and flowers were delicately piled on it. 

“I guess we have,” she admitted. 

Julius touched her hand and put it on his elbow. “Let’s not let their efforts go to waste.”

With her free hand she grazed her knuckles on her mouth. “Alright.”

Nebra was always amazed at seeing it, but with no grimoire in sight, Julius used transformative magic to combine the two wrought iron chairs into one very pretty bench with an intricate backrest. With a grin, he waved a hand indicating she sat. He settled next to her and rested his arm behind her. 

“You’re dressed very lovely.” He reached up and gently pulled at one of her piled curls, making it bounce. 

“Thank you. Noelle asked to play dress-up.”

Julius laughed. “Asta said he set this all up. But I think we both know who made these.” At the same time they said, “Rebecca.”

A moment of silence passed and neither reached for a pastry. Nebra began to feel the shame and heartache take over again. Her hands on her lap squeezed one another. Her fingers turned white from the pressure. 

Julius disrupted her thoughts. “My dear, I should have been there for you this week. But I…I didn’t know how…”

Tears welled up in her eyes and her throat tightened to a painful degree. “I didn’t make it easy,” she gasped, “I never make things easy. I’m sorry.” 

Julius turned her face with unmatched tenderness. “Never be sorry for this.”

The skin below her mouth wrinkled as she tried to suppress a sob. Why did he have to be so understanding? 

“I deserve it,” her voice cracked. She could see first the shock and then the hurt in his face. 

“No,” his eyes filled with emotion, “Do not say that—Nebra, no .” He pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. He whispered, to himself or to her, “I’ve never heard such foolishness.”

She couldn’t help it and leaned her face into his collar. His arm on the back of the bench enclosed around her, drawing her into a much needed embrace. 

At golden hour, hand in hand Julius took Nebra on a walk outside the manor, into the moorlands. They donned their longer, heavier cloaks since the crisp of autumn was there to stay. Why had he never done such a simple thing as show her their land? 

He pointed at plants and rocks and told her their names and the many purposes they could be used for. 

As usual, she listened quietly to his informative snippets and commented when she had a question. He thought it rather sweet when at times she rested her head on his shoulder. 

“And this one, Julius?”

“My dear, that is just a stone.”

“I shall like it.”

He picked up the little black rock and dusted it off. With a manicured hand she daintily took it from him. He felt amused when she put on a show and devoutly studied the smooth stone. 

“Are you sure it has no magic properties?”

“Quite sure.”

“I’ve changed my mind then.” She tossed it aside. 

Julius chuckled at her brand of whimsy. She was only humoring him, he knew, but her efforts to honor him never went unnoticed. It was likely why so soon after their holy marriage her presence affected Nero’s seal. 

“Come this way.”

He led her up a hill and there below, a stream emptied into a substantial pond that was surrounded by hardening pink heather flowers. 

“This is beautiful,” Nebra admitted. 

She wanted to go closer so he took her down the other side of the hill. He removed his cloak and laid it over clumps of browning mat-grass. 

“Let’s rest for a bit.”

She blushed like a maiden when he guided her to sit between his legs and lean into his chest. He used the top of her head to rest his chin. She relaxed eventually, as she usually did after he introduced physical novelties. She only ever needed a moment to be comfortable. It was another thing he appreciated about her. 

She trusted him. 

After some time of enjoying the land and the sapphire sky, he said aloud, “I never thought I’d marry, but I’m glad I did.”

He felt her smooth palm on his cheek then, angling his face downward. 

Sincerely, she said, “Thank you for allowing it to be me.”

Julius kissed her nose. “I could hardly refuse Nozel.”

Nebra actually laughed at that. The sound was airy and brief, and it made the seal prickle at his skin but he expected it and maintained his transformation.

“If there,” he started carefully, eyes on the swaying heathers, “is anything you need from me, ask me. I did not realize it until this week, but I have treated you like one of my research projects. Something that fascinates me. That satisfies me. That fills my time. But you are not a magic mystery, you are my wife.

“You are flesh and blood. As much as you were given to me, I’ve been given to you. You only have to ask. If you need more affection. If you need more understanding. Anything...”

He only felt her nod against him so he held her tighter. One day, he hoped, she would speak to him freely. 

Feeling her gaze, he whispered,“Nebra,” before slanting his mouth over hers in a drawn out kiss.  He immediately felt the desire for more but controlled himself. It was too soon…

He was surprised when she twisted around to push him on his back. His arms surrounded her as she deepened the kiss. Her hands slid down his vest and then back up. She sat back to hike her skirt up. He laid there and watched the fabric rise above her thighs. She drew her knees on either side of him to sit on his lap. He saw a glimpse of her usual short, frilly drawers. 

“Here?”

“Why not?” She untied her cloak so it clasped behind her and onto his shins. He was game, of course, but used his senses to scout the area. None of the townsfolk were close enough to disturb them. 

“My dear, are you sure?”

“Are you sure? At your age and all.” What a snob she was.

“Darling, that’s quite mean. I am only trying to protect your honor. Worcestershire is not two miles from here—”

Thoughts of propriety left him when she stroked him over his trousers. 

“Very well. Have it your way.”

She gasped when he flipped her on her back. “Julius!”

“Don’t stop now, my darling.” 

She pressed a knuckle against her blush red lips. Julius closed his eyes. He missed this. He did, but…

“You know what it means to continue?” He had to ask. He leaned down on his elbows and nudged her nose with his. 

She met his gaze. “I know exactly what it means. You’ve asked if I want anything from you. This is what I want. Give me another child.”

He kissed her, pulling the ties to her drawers, opening their seam. She sighed approvingly when he joined with her. There was still light in the sky.

“How does it feel?”

“It’s okay, m-my dear. I’m healed inside,” she said, biting her lip. He moved slowly, mindfully, there on the moorland, exposed to the beginnings of autumn colors and the cool of the wind. Her warmth blurred his every thought.

Chapter Text

Nebra liked the opera. Julius wasted no time and took her the day after their rendezvous in the moorland. (Among other notable amenities, Worcestershire happened to contain a popular theatre).

As everyone knew, Julius was a fanatic about his magic research. So Nebra perched herself on the chaise in the cellar-turned-laboratory, for the first time, and gave him an audience (and a few other salacious favors). 

Nebra evidently enjoyed walks in the moorland now (and the outdoor namkeens that came with it), so Julius implemented after dinner strolls as a part of their routine. 

Julius doted on the Scarlet children (this was no secret to anyone)—especially Pem because he was so small—and Nebra began to carry the child around the manor. 

The first time Julius saw his darling, stiff necked wife pick up the boy and tap his back, he dropped a heavy tome. 

“My dear,” she said with her nose in the air, “do be careful. There are children in the house.”

He laughed, hand behind his head. “Of course.”

From around corners and behind hands, Rebecca and Luca were awed (even Mrs. Addams). Their Master and Mistress, if anyone would believe it, were falling in love.

Nebra found comfort in Pem. Her fascination with him was purely accidental. She had only wanted to make Julius happy, so she picked him up one day as he ran past her (trying to escape Ellie’s tickles). His warm, cuddly small body against her chest and shoulders warmed her heart in a way she had not expected. 

He was not a babe, but he was the closest thing to it in her vicinity. He was a sweet child and liked to be held, so he did not fight her sudden interest in him. 

In fact, in those following days, he began to seek her out as well.  Rebecca worked and could not wear him as she used to. Typically Pem was at the child observatory in Nean, or lingered at Rebecca’s skirts as she labored, while the others were at the academy. 

But now that he knew the Mistress would coddle him, he sought her out instead of being shooed away from dust pans and hot kitchenware. 

One early morning in the courtyard, Rebecca gasped. Pem was up and yapping gibberish to the Mistress while she took breakfast with the Master. 

“Oh Pem, you can’t! The Mistress is eating! My Lady—please don’t feel pressure to entertain him.”

“No trouble.” Sitting, Nebra bent at the waist and grabbed the child, stoically placing him on her lap.  “Good morning,” she said as if she were talking to an equal and proceeded to eat. 

Pem smushed his face to her breasts. Julius and Rebecca exchanged amazed expressions. 

“Little Pem, what am I seeing?” Julius said, leaning back in the wrought iron seat. “That is my wife I’ll have you know.”

“Hush, Julius.” Nebra patted Pem’s back and took a bite of her lemon tart. “Little one, would you like some?”

Pem turned his head, mouth wide, eager to accept the sweet offering.  A soft smile touched Nebra’s mouth as the boy took a generous bite. 

At that moment Julius knew he loved her.

Around the same time, Nebra had another request for Julius. To host a dinner for the current Wizard King, in hopes of postponing his engagement with Noelle. Nozel would be there as well. 

Julius agreed to host it but made Nebra give her word that they would stay out of it and allow Nozel and Fuegoleon to discuss it with Noelle. It was frankly none of their business. The Silvas seemed ready to interfere in each others’ lives at the drop of a hat. 

There was a part of Julius that had a feeling this matter with Noelle’s engagement would soon blow up in everyone’s faces. 

“Thank you, Lord Julius, for letting us meet in your home.” Fuegoleon nobly commented at the other end of the dining table. He wore an easy smile. To his right sat Noelle, who seemed rather subdued. 

“It’s no problem, Lord Wizard King,” Julius said with his own smile. To his right sat a poised Nebra. Underneath the table he held on to her hand. 

Fuegoleon laughed boisterously. “I admit having you call me that feels odd!”

Julius remembered his transition of becoming the Wizard King and agreed. 

To Fuegoleon’s left, Nozel said, “We should be thanking you, Lord Wizard King.”

“Nozel,” Fuegoleon smirked at his rival, “Perhaps oddest of all is when you call me that.”

With eyes closed and unbothered, Nozel pressed a wineglass to his lips. “You won our battle fairly. It is much deserved.”  His sharp eyes opened. “That is, until our rematch.”

“I look forward to it, my friend!”

Becoming the Wizard King was not usually determined by a duel, but because the two were royalty and had both accumulated substantial merit and influence during their time as Captains, Damnatio had decreed a duel would break their tie (Julius was sure this change in tradition was purely for entertainment purposes but Nozel and Fuegoleon had welcomed the challenge). 

Remembering the renowned battle royal, Julius became giddy and his eyes brightened. “The Royal King gave Nozel four years until he could challenge the Wizard King.” He looked at Nebra excitedly. “My dear, what do you say? Shall we get front row seats?”

“Julius, I hardly wish to see my elder brother lose again.” Nebra passed the current Wizard King a little smirk. 

While Julius good-naturedly chuckled at her joke, he wasn’t sure he liked her coquettish behavior directed towards another man. But he knew what she was doing. She was flattering Fuegoleon. After all, the man had just agreed to postpone a much anticipated, expensive wedding until the following spring.

All the same, Julius felt himself narrow his eyes. He turned the hand he held and massaged the middle of her palm. She caught his staring and a rose hue appeared on her cheeks. 

That was better.  

“What of you, Noelle?” Fuegoleon gently prompted to his right. 

“I think…” Noelle glanced at Nozel and it reminded Julius of Nebra before they married, always looking for her brother’s approval. “I think,” she repeated, “my brother has a fair chance of beating you.”

Instead of becoming discouraged, Fuegoleon was enthusiastic. He admitted, “I think so too.”

Under the table Nebra squeezed Julius’s hand. He imagined she was concerned for her sister’s future. Did Nebra believe blindly agreeing to a potential husband to be the right thing? Did she do that with Julius? He thought of their few interactions before marrying. 

She had not always agreed, but she often conceded to his ways. Even in marriage. Julius felt himself frowning at that. Perhaps he’s been too heavy handed with his authority. Privately, he promised himself he would think of ways that she might know that her opinions mattered. 

“Excuse me, my Lords and Ladies. Chocolate lava cakes.” Mrs. Addams entered the dining area with a platter in each hand.

Rebecca woke up with a start. She’d fallen asleep with Pem on his low to the ground bed. Tonight was her night off. As usual she spent it with her siblings. Usually Luca helped put the little ones down, but on nights like this, Rebecca of course took over. 

One problem. Pem wasn’t in his bed. 

Calmly, she crossed through the open door threshold that connected Pem’s smaller room to the girls’ room. Ellie and Luca were fast asleep with no Pem in sight on either of their twin beds. 

Rebecca then checked the boys’ room right across from theirs. Pem liked to crawl into bed with Isaac a lot. But Pem wasn’t in Isaac’s bed or Marco’s. 

She felt the panic begin to set. She hurriedly ran down the servant hallway and checked a few of the extra rooms. She skipped Mrs. Addams’s room. The cook kept it locked since most nights she flew home on a broom to be with her family. 

She was sure Pem was somewhere in the manor (the Master kept a protective barrier around it), but the trauma of when Marco and Luca were kidnapped resurfaced in Rebecca’s mind and her anxiety skyrocketed.

Nozel stepped inside the parlor room as the others drank and made conversation in the courtyard. 

Solid’s communicator was trilling, so he excused himself. Julius and Fuegoleon were carrying the conversation so his absence mattered little. Nebra had been wise to use Julius’s larger than life personality to soften the postponement. 

For what it was worth Nozel was glad to see his sister draw close to her husband. Doubts had entered his mind when she lost the child. She started isolating herself from Julius, but now the two seemed better for it. 

His current preoccupation lay with Noelle. Had he…been mistaken to approach Fuegoleon on her behalf? She was more hesitant lately, yet she made no protest. 

Perhaps he should not have compared his sisters. The moment Nebra discovered her suitor to be Julius, she made it her goal to obtain the man. The duration of their engagement had barely been a fortnight. Nozel had hoped Noelle would follow, but alas the two women were not the same. 

“Very well,” Nozel said to the magic item, having received a thorough update on his brother’s mission. Solid had substantially grown in strength the last few years and Nozel possessed no qualms assigning him to solo missions. 

At the very least, Nozel required routine check-ins. 

Nozel was ready to return to the others when he heard what sounded like a child weeping. 

Against his better judgment, Nozel passed the archway of the parlor and into the grand vestibule. Next to one of the thick wooden doors was a floor vase filled with out of season tulips (magic no doubt). And behind the vase sat a little boy with knees to his chest. He wore a long blue nightshirt two sizes too big with a sleeping cap that encompassed his head and forehead.  He had his fists pressed to his eyes, crying. 

It was the littlest Scarlet. 

He expected Rebecca to appear at any moment and whisk the boy away from the company of guests. But she was nowhere in sight. 

“Would you like to be taken back to your quarters?” Nozel asked with little emotion. 

The boy looked surprised to see Nozel. Notably he stopped crying. 

“Who are you?” the boy whimpered, his young age causing him to mispronounce consonant sounds. 

“I am your Mistress’s elder brother.”

“My bruder?” 

“No.”

“I’m Pem.”

“…”

“I’m humgee.”

If Nozel were to be questioned, he would have no explanation of why he carried a child that could not be older than three whilst making his way to the Novachrono kitchens. 

“Cookies!” Pem patted Nozel’s chest and pointed to a high cupboard. 

“I think not.”

“I want a cookie!”

When unimpressed Nozel stared at him, the child pouted, quite disappointed he could not convince the Magic Knight to do his bidding. 

Thankfully, Nozel spotted sliced bread under a glass dome on a flat wooden server. With the boy sitting on his forearm, Nozel used his free hand to uncover the dome and handed Pem a slice. 

“Eat.”

Pem took the beard and unenthusiastically nibbled at it. After eating half of it, he held it up to Nozel. 

“No, thank you.”

Pem finished the slice and rubbed his eyes. He proceeded to lie his head on Nozel’s shoulder and fall asleep. 

Nozel sighed. Surely there was an entrance somewhere in the kitchens that led to the servant quarters. 

Choosing a hall, and hoping it was the right one, Nozel went towards it when suddenly Rebecca rushed through it with wide eyes and a disheveled low braid. She was barefoot and in a long sleeved, white nightgown. Most notably there was fear in her gaze. 

He knew the moment she opened her mouth a loud slew of demands would follow, so he cut her off—

“He is asleep.”

Collecting herself, Rebecca tried, “Why is he here with you?”

“I found him crying by the entrance. He asked to be fed.”

The maid then released a great breath of relief. 

He approached her to hand the child over. “You should do well to keep a better eye on the boy.” 

The moment he said it he knew he overstepped. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t fascinated by the sudden ire that grabbed hold of her expression as she took the sleeping child. 

“ You ,” she breathed in a harsh whisper, “you stay right there.” She left him standing in the kitchens not quite sure what to do. He clasped his hands behind his back. 

She returned with slippers and a modest brown shawl over her shoulders. It did not go unnoticed by him that she had also fixed her hair. A neater braid fell over her shoulder. 

No sooner than she reappeared she was upon him. “You, you can’t just go around giving people unsolicited advice! Clearly Pem ran off while I was asleep! Who do you think you are?!” She was very good at disciplinary verbiage. 

But he, too, was the eldest of many. “It was not I that left a toddler unattended to.” He stepped close enough that his feathery robe brushed against her. This shocked her but he didn’t care. “And who might you think you are, addressing me so casually?”

Flabbergasted, her fists balled at her sides. If he didn’t know better he thought she might strike him. 

“You are so mean !”

“And you are careless.”

She gasped. “Take it back!”

“I will not.”

“You said we can be friends! Friends can speak casually to each other!”

He looked at her like he’d never heard of such a thing. To his displeasure, a look of pity took hold of her.  

She tightened the shawl around her. “Don’t you know?”

“That’s irrelevant.”

“It’s not!”

A muscle in his jaw flexed. “Do you truly believe I am unkind?” That was not the perception he wanted her to have of him. 

Surprised at the change of subject, a vulnerable one at that, she carefully said, “No, my Lord, of course not. Just…very direct. I was very scared to not find Pem at my side.”

“He is safe.”

Amazingly, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I thought he had been stolen.”

He watched as she slightly tipped her head forward. She comforted herself by swiping the tears before they fell with the backs of her pointer fingers. He spotted the shapely, white crescent ends of her fingernails. 

It should not have been done, but he reached towards her shoulder. He cupped the beginning of her braid and slowly ran it through his palm. When he came to the end of the braid, he allowed it to linger in his hand. 

“He is safe,” he said again in a lower whisper. He let her braid go. 

The damage was done. She looked at him with awe in her teary eyes. But there was confusion too. Her gaze searched his face, trying to read him. She could not. 

They really were standing much too close to one another. He took a step back. 

“I’ve been away from the others too long. Excuse me.” 

He left her there in the kitchen, in slippers and a shawl, with confusion and questions, woozily holding on to the end of her own braid.

“Is it true?!” Asta dropped down in front of Rebecca as she hung up laundry. 

Rebecca screamed and slapped him with a wet pillow case. 

The wet cloth comically slid down his deadpanned face. “You gotta stop being so crazy.”

Rebecca gasped for air, hands on her knees. She threw him a friendly glare. “Maybe if you stop shocking me! Do you even know how many heart attacks I've had this month?”

Asta gave her that one. “Yeah I guess you have. Pem still running off?”

Sighing, Rebecca pinned up the pillow case. “He’s obsessed with the Mistress now. She says she doesn’t mind but I worry.”

“That can’t be a bad thing,” Asta mumbled. What was it he had said when he arrived? Of course he picked up the wet laundry and started helping her. 

“What’s up, Asta?”

“Is it true? The wedding being pushed back?”

“Yeah…” News sure traveled fast in Clover. 

His eyes lit up. He wrung out a long blanket but said nothing else. 

Rebecca thought it was time she shared some information about her own (lack of) love life. “Asta…Lord Nozel touched my hair.”

Asta got this look like she just told him the sky was green. 

“I’m serious!” she said and crossed her arms, feeling self conscious. “The other night he was here for a family dinner, and, um, he touched my hair. It was kind of nice.”

It was Asta’s turn to be shocked. “How?”

“Kind of like,” she twisted her hair over shoulder and tried to mimic how Nozel had run his palm down its length. She feigned a deep voice, “ ‘ He is safe .’ Like that. And then he stared at me, like this.” She narrowed her eyes and voided her face of any emotion. 

Asta started laughing. “That’s a good one. I should try that with Noelle.”

“Listen, I can hardly believe it myself and it happened to me. It was pretty dreamy.” 

“What are ya gonna do?”

She sighed. “Nothing of course. It’s not like your situation with Lady Noelle.” She was sincere, “I think you both really love each other. Lord Nozel just surprised me. He was…comforting when I didn’t expect him to be.”

Asta considered her. “Just be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt. These nobles—well, you know.”

“Yeah. I know.”

Chapter Text

Yuletide Eve

In the Silva palace a great Yuletide ball was held every year. The upper nobility, Captains and their families, as well as the Silver Eagles made up the majority of guests. It could not be helped that a few of Noelle's squad mates from the Black Bulls also attended. It had become expected the past three years. So it was understandable that when six well dressed, unnamed children appeared with the Lord and Lady Novachrono, heads turned.

"They are dear family friends," Julius easily told anyone that asked, with a seemingly disinterested Nebra on his arm, as if they didn't have a band of red heads following them like a pod of calves munching on hors d'oeuvres.

"No, do not run off!" Rebecca chided in a whisper grabbing Marco and Ellie by the back of their collars. The younger five Scarlets immediately looked to their Master and Mistress with big imploring eyes.

"Oh," Julius said, "how can you say no to those faces, Rebecca? Don't you want to explore too? You've never been here."

"I wouldn't want us to intrude."

Nebra narrowed her gaze. "Nonsense. Marianne!" She called to the nearest servant. "Are you available to show our friends a tour of the East wing?"

A brunette maid, dressed in Yule colors, curtsied. "Yes, Lady Nebra. Come along children." She also bowed to Rebecca and acknowledged her as "my Lady" since she was clearly not a child.

Both Julius and Nebra had a little laugh as Rebecca's face turned pink. Marianne led them away. The children were all big eyed and curious as the maid pointed to portraits and artifacts.

"As you can see the East wing hosts House Silva's grand hall. It has a number entertainment rooms and sleeping quarters for guests—"

Nebra leaned her head on Julius's shoulder as she stared off after them. He suppressed the urge to kiss her forehead. She wouldn't appreciate such blatant display of affection. He'd save it for later, then.

Nozel recognized Marianne escorting the Scarlet family. Immediately his eyes landed on the eldest. She was dressed in fine velvet, a dark green gown suitable for Clover nobility. The bodice was heart shaped and the sleeves bunched together at her shoulders and then slimmed down her arms to end in pointed cuffs. Even her hair was pulled away from her face in an intricate style.

She also wore one of Nebra's necklaces. He doubted she knew the ancient jewelry piece was imbued with deep diamonds. Or that it cost a fortune.

He excused himself from whatever irrelevant conversation his compatriots were having.

At an even pace he approached the young Scarlets. Marianne spotted him first and deeply curtsied. The Scarlet turned and followed suit.

"Happy Yuletide."

In a soft symphony of polite voices they all wished him a happy holiday as well.

"May I join?"

"How wonderful, my Lord!" Marianne was delighted. "I do not see why not." She grabbed Pem and Ellie's little hands and continued on.

Right behind the trio Luca held Marco's hand and followed. Isaac in particular stayed close to the young Marianne, asking more questions about her than the actual palace. Expertly Marianne shifted the attention back to the tour with elaborate tales of each room or artifact.

Lord Nozel allowed Marianne to take them past the East wing into the South wing. They stopped to get their coats. It had more outside corridors and bridges than the rest of the palace. It favored the outdoorsy benefits of greenery (upheld by magic due to winter's chilling temperatures) and fresh air. Not to mention the glorious view of Capital City.

A few paces behind everyone, Nozel and Rebecca walked next to one another.

Rebecca found herself a tad nervous. She kept remembering how close the two had been in the kitchen. How he had touched her.

"I am pleased you've come."

"Yes, my Lord, I could hardly refuse the Mistress."

"I hope you were not forced." The idea seemed to displease him.

"No, of course not. What I mean is I'm happy to be here. We all are. Your home is beautiful. Thank you. " Her fingers trailed over the trimmed edge of her gown's neckline. "The Mistress even gifted us these clothes. I can't imagine the cost."

His gaze lifted from her chest and she did not fault him for peeking. The cut was lower than anything she'd ever worn. But now he had this look she could not explain. Why? And why was it that he appeared to want to be near her? No it had to be her imagination. A great delusion.

Her breath gathered in her chest until he finally looked forward.

"She's become fond of you all."

Rebecca inclined her head in a light nod, feeling slightly dizzy at his attention. "Especially Pem."

"And have," he paused for a moment, "have you all become fond of her?"

What a caring brother, she thought, but she had already known that for a while. "Yes. We love our Mistress."

Nozel remained impassive, appearing to be listening to Marianne's voice.

They continued to other hallways and rooms. Further and further they went, away from the great wing of festivities and music.

Nozel's movements were so controlled, Rebecca could not help but notice. He was poised like the Mistress but simultaneously he radiated both masculinity and beauty, all mixed together with stoicism. Most of all she imagined herself trailing her finger down his perfectly straight nose.

"You're staring," he said in a low tone, where he could not be heard by the others. They were outside walking under vaulted, arched ceiling corridors that surrounded the southern courtyard.

"I—I'm sorry," she whispered, but couldn't tear her eyes away, "I can't help it."

Facing forward, his brow furrowed. "You must."

"My Lord…"

"You must."

"How—"

Tap. Tap. Tap.

A tall, elderly man appeared from the shadows of the pathway perpendicular to theirs, causing all of them to look. Ellie hid behind Marianne. Pem pointed to the elder as if he was part of the tour.

The old man's cropped hair was white with strands that may have once been silver. He wore a navy robe over a white vest and white trousers. To Rebecca, the man was clearly a gentleman belonging to the Silva family. His eyes were sharp and an electric blue, though they were hazy and Rebecca wondered if he could see.

She noticed he had no shoes on. He must have been freezing in this weather.

"Acier, is that you?" his gruff voice called.

"Father." Nozel approached the man and took his arm, guiding it over his. "I will escort you to your tower." He excused himself and wished them all a goodnight. He began to use calming words for the confused old man.

"Nozel, is that you? You sound so much older. Have you seen your mother? I've been looking for her everywhere…" They went far ahead and Rebecca couldn't hear them anymore.

"Is that the Mistress's papa?" Ellie asked behind Marianne.

The maid wore a deeply concerned expression. "Well, yes, though he usually keeps to his tower. He must have snuck out. Paplo is probably going mad looking for—oh! Please disregard that, little ones!" Marianne quickly glanced at the older siblings, regretful she disclosed such information.

"Alright," Rebecca spoke up, offering Pem her arms. He happily jumped at the chance to be carried. "Who is hungry?"

"Me!" They all sang together.

"I saw some very yummy desserts. Miss Marianne, would you kindly lead us back to the hall?"

Relieved, Marianne excitedly agreed.

Nebra blinked when Julius whispered in her ear, excusing himself to speak with Rill Boismortier. The Captain seemed to have brought a date. She was a long, black haired young woman that seemed vaguely familiar to Nebra.

She was almost sure that was the gluttonous Black Bulls girl.

A servant came by and offered a platter of cinnamon and nutmeg scented desserts. Knowing Julius would want some, Nebra asked them to wait a moment. Just catching the flare of Julius's robe turning into one of the common areas, Nebra followed him.

She slowed down when she heard parts of the conversation. It seemed he was… asking the Captain to take a commission of a small portrait. For a friend, was it? Perhaps a present for her? Smirking to herself, Nebra used her magic to turn into an undetectable cloud of mist and drew closer.

"I am sorry, Rill. I know it's last minute."

"It's no problem, Lord Wizard–oh! May I call you 'Lord Julius'?"

"Of course."

"I could do it in a jiffy, you know, but," he summoned his paint and brush, "My magic paint will disappear if not bound by a physical object. Have you got a canvas for me?"

"Right here." The golden frame was about the size of two hands.

"That is a small portrait! But I can do it. Would you like to be wearing anything different?"

"Well, Rill, I'd actually like you to paint a woman."

"A…woman?" He looked around. "Is she coming?"

Julius transformed into a short woman with light, pixie hair and big green eyes. "Will this do?"

"Yes, of course!" Rill furrowed his brow and stuck his tongue out to the side. He began to swish his brush. "Expression?"

"A happy one, I suppose."

"Background?"

"You choose."

"Her eyes are like the leaves of fresh spring. I think a meadow of flowers will compliment them!"

"Excellent idea."

Amazing as ever, it only took Rill five minutes. There in a five by seven frame was the image of a smiling Licita, sitting in a flowery meadow of glorious color and sunshine.

"How much?"

"Oh! Don't worry about that." Rill seemed very surprised, as if he had never been offered compensation for his artwork. "Happy Yuletide!"

"Happy Yuletide. Thank you."

When Rill left the Yule decorated room, Julius waited a few moments before speaking, "My dear, I know you're there."

A soft mist slowly made its way into the room. Gradually it transformed into his well dressed wife. She had her hands folded over her lap and her gaze was lowered, pale eyelashes resting on the tops of rosy cheeks. How lovely she was in her red chiton and golden bracelets.

"I'm sorry, Julius, I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

He extended his hand. "Come."

She took it and stepped closer to him. With her free hand she raised a knuckle to graze her mouth. "I wanted us to try the desserts together." She glanced down at the drying portrait on the credenza. "Who is she?"

"She…"

Never having seen the man lack words, Nebra looked at him. He was frowning. She touched his cheek. His gaze immediately met hers and softened.

"She was a friend."

"Was?"

"She died a long time ago."

"Oh, how sad."

"Yes."

"And this is a gift for a mutual friend."

Julius smiled but curiously it didn't meet his eyes. "You listened longer than I thought."

She smirked. "It's a good spell, isn't it?"

"Yes," he genuinely said, "especially if there are so many others around to distract from your presence." He hovered a hand over the painting and willed a Chrono stasis sphere around it and flew it out of the open window and up high until it floated over the palace. He would have Rebecca give it to Asta.

"I'm sure your friend will be happy to have it."

"I believe so."

I need to tell her the truth, Julius thought, not for the first time. He meant to take it to his grave, at Asta's behest three years ago. But ever since Nebra lost the child, Asta was much more agreeable to a relationship with him. Now it was no longer a matter of if he would disclose the entirety of his past to his wife, but when. He would need to seek permission from the Royal King or risk swallowing his own tongue.

He offered Nebra his arm. "What sort of desserts are there?"

Chapter Text

Yuletide Day

In one of the extra rooms in the servant quarters the Scarlets sat around a modest Yule tree. It was decorated with handmade ornaments and pinecones. Underneath it had been a single present for each child.

Before heading home yesterday afternoon, Mrs. Addams gifted them a fruitcake (she had also made a few meals that had been frozen in time thanks to the Lord Novachrono). That morning, after opening gifts, they all happily munched on the fruitcake with a cup of milk.

Currently, Luca tied Ellie's new pink ribbon in her hair. Pem used Marco's body as a faux train track for his new wooden train. Isaac was laughing, telling him to go over Marco's face again.

A light knock rapped at the open door. It was the Mistress. She had that narrowed look with a tint of a flush on her face. Sometime in the last month the Scarlet children had picked up that their Lady was quite fond of them. Perhaps too much, for all their differences. It started with little gifts for Pem and then her attentions spread to the girls and then the older boys.

They were less shocked by her seeking them out these days and more receptive (though Rebecca's incessant voice often reminded them to stay humble).

"Happy Yuletide, my Lady," Rebecca said with a smile. Pem and Ellie zoomed to the Mistress's side. They excitedly showed her their gifts.

Nebra gently touched Ellie's ribbon and nodded as Pem said some gibberish about his little train.

"Would you all," she started, "like to join Julius and I in the grand room? There seems to be some gifts under the tree with your names."

The youngest three quickly agreed but Rebecca and Luca worriedly glanced at one another.

"My Lady, " Isaac spoke up, hesitant, "you already gave us fancy clothes for last night's ball." He looked to his older sisters. "How can we accept more? We'll get too used to it, especially Pem, and then what will you think of us?" He turned red and looked ashamed.

Oh Isaac, Rebecca thought.

Nebra measured each and every one of them. "I want to do this. I'd give you more if I could. You allow Julius to sponsor your schooling and play with you. You have his love." She paused for a moment. "I am more serious than my husband, and I show my affections differently. But there is affection, even if it is a little materialistic. Will you accept me as I am?"

Completely moved by the Mistress's words, Rebecca wiped her tears. "Of course we will. Thank you!"

"Thank you!" Luca and Isaac followed.

Marco and Ellie looked between their older siblings and their Mistress, not understanding what they were talking about. Pem raised his arms and Nebra picked him up with a light smile.

They followed their Mistress Nebra to the Novachrono entertainment hall (quaint compared to the Silva palace's massive dome). Really the room was just the biggest, and furthest, attachment to the manor. It was once used for lavish parties but Julius had never cared for it. It even had a separate gate entrance from the outside.

Now that Julius was married his wife set it up for the holidays. She had covered the three excessively long wooden tables with decorative mantles and wreaths (though only a corner of one of them was filled with festive food). Three fourths of the walls had high arched windows. In their windowsills were several candles wrapped in wreaths. The two massive fireplaces were lit, cozying up the usually barren and cold hall.

In a corner of what once was a ballroom floor there stood a huge Christmas tree. Around it were two long chaises with Yuletide printed upholstery and pillows. The Lady's three siblings were there with the Master. Unwrapped boxes of red and green and gold were at their feet with their gifts neatly folded or placed beside them.

Everyone greeted one another, quite used to the forced proximity at this point. Rebecca, Luca and Isaac snickered once they noticed the Master was wearing a red nightcap and robe. Mistress Nebra rolled her eyes but had a little smirk of her own.

While the younger three Scarlets accepted their presents with childish glee (even the Lady's siblings had felt it necessary to gift the little ones toys), the older three were more red faced, but thanked the Master and his wife nonetheless.

Off to the side Noelle gave Luca some jewelry she "no longer fancied," even though Rebecca was quite sure the bracelets were brand new. All the same Luca surprised Noelle with a hug.

Rebecca took in the scene before her. Ellie and Marco rummaging through their apparent stockings. Pem eating a cookie on Lady Nebra's lap. Solid challenging Isaac to a game of golden chest. Noelle and Luca giggling in a corner. The Master and Lord Nozel speaking about ancient spells.

Rebecca felt something, and wasn't quite sure what to name it. It wasn't like a sense of belonging, but rather like a desire for a sort of equal exchange. Was it because she wished she could return the generosity these nobles had given to her siblings?

Or was it a more greedy emotion—a deep desire to always have access to the scene before her? The thought made her feel shame. But the truth of it was she wanted the safety of it. For surely if something ever happened to Rebecca, the Master and his wife would take care of the children.

And even if nothing ever happened to her, she dared to glance at Lord Nozel, she could at least have access to the image of that beautiful man.

Julius titled his head curiously, as if he'd caught wind of something. Before Rebecca could look away he waved her over.

"Yes, Master," Rebecca said and she could feel Nozel's gaze on her. Had she been caught staring again?

"It seems you have a visitor."

At first her brow pinched but she quickly realized Lord Julius meant Asta was here. Smiling, knowing that was her queue to go fetch the gift and take it to him. She felt a rush of excitement come over her. She knew Asta was going to be so happy with the portrait.

Rebecca curtsied and excused herself. She hurried along, as the hall was the furthest attachment to the manor.

She was taking her time, Nozel noted, looking to the arched entrance that led to the main part of the manor.

The two remaining Scarlet sisters showed Nebra and Noelle how to put a needle and thread through popped corn while Solid was somehow being bested at chest by an adolescent young man. Julius joined the two smallest children, Marco and Pem, by the tree to help set up their new train tracks.

Nozel kept to his seat as long as he could bear. He kept recalling how excited she seemed when Julius mentioned her visitor. She ran out of there like a great blessing would be granted to her. Nozel felt no need to excuse himself as the others were distracted and simply strode out of the hall.

A visitor, Julius said. A visitor with no magic presence.

He found Rebecca in the vestibule. One of the two oak doors was ajar as she made conversation with Asta. With one hand she held her brown shawl together at the front, laughing at something the Knight said. In her other hand dangled a gift bag of sorts filled with unopened presents.

As for Asta he was in a black cloak and grinning. He was holding a golden frame against his chest. Had she gifted it to him?

Asta acknowledged Nozel with a jolly holiday greeting. Rebecca looked back, surprised to see him. If possible the smirk on Asta's face grew.

"Well, I'll see you guys around! I gotta get back to Hage."

Rebecca closed and locked the door. She kept her back towards Nozel, trying to gather her thoughts. Or maybe try to control her erratic heart rate.

Why couldn't it have been literally anyone else besides Lord Nozel? And why wasn't he saying anything? He had looked rather serious at Asta, though Nozel tended to look like that often. But there were times, very few of them, were the nobleman softened and could speak in a gentle way.

Gathering her courage, she spun around, nodded and made her way towards him.

"Were you on your way out, my Lord?"

"No." He narrowed his gaze.

"Would you...like to accompany me back to the others?

"What is that boy to you?"

"Asta?" She said, blinking. "We're friends."

"Men and women cannot be friends."

Confusion marred her brow. "That isn't true. You said you and I are friends."

He stepped in close to her, making her hold her breath. "You and I could never be friends."

Tears sprung from her eyes. "How could you say that?" Rebecca immediately assumed he was degrading her because she was a commoner. He had been the one to ask to be friends! He touched her hair. He invited himself on the palace tour. He struck up all their conversations.

If he was so disgusted with her status then he should have just ignored her like any other noble would.

She rushed past him but didn't get far. He snatched her wrist and pulled her backwards into him. The bag of presents spilled across the floor. She was ready to lash out but every thought left her brain when Nozel leaned down and kissed her.

His arms wrapped around her, as if they had done this before. Rebecca tried to speak but couldn't. Her shawl fell. A soft sound—like a sigh—came out of her.

Her mind barely registered that Lord Nozel Silva was kissing her when he abruptly shoved her away. She had to catch herself or she would have fallen. She touched her mouth, her fingers indenting her lips. Her eyes were wide.

"Forgive me." He said it with a bit of breathlessness. Much as she felt. But then he was still staring at her lips with something like longing.

"My Lord, wha—?"

He suddenly got this look, like whatever battle he had been having within himself was over and he made up his mind about it.

"How old are you?" He said in a deep whisper. If she wasn't as close she wouldn't have heard him.

"Almost t-twenty one."

His jaw flexed. "When?"

"A-April." Four more months.

He advanced towards her again. When she tried to step back he didn't allow it. He took hold of her again, pulling her into him, slanting his mouth over hers, kissing her with renewed purpose.

Rebecca mewled against his lips, never before feeling a torrent of conflicting emotions all at once. Confusion at the forefront, shock a close second, and concerningly, a lick of desire that kept building the longer he kissed her.

She thought of when he touched her braid in the kitchen. When last night his sharp, smoldering eyes lifted from her corset to look at her with longing.

He was much taller so he was virtually holding all her weight as he bent her back to properly kiss. Her arms were trapped between them.

Only a hair's breadth, he parted from her mouth. Her eyes dazedly opened to stare into his. There was something vulnerable there, but surrounding it was an unfathomable, heated desire.

If she let it, she was sure it would burn her up. He closed the gap between them to resume the kiss. His tongue curled against hers and she had to press her thighs together. It felt like gravity was pulling her pelvis down. Oh what was this? His lips were smooth and purposeful. He had her in a dizzying embrace, holding her up as her knees stopped working.

Why was her mind so blank? Her hands slowly uncurled from fists into flat palms on his feathery robe. Who could resist kissing back this noble man? Trembling, her fingers slid up until they reached his high collar. Just a little more and she would touch the skin of his neck.

Finally, the white crescent tips of her nails scraped the top of his neck that curved into his jaw. Nozel released an expletive against her mouth. It made her retreat but he grabbed her wrists and put her hands back on his neck. It suddenly emboldened her and she desperately wrapped her arms around his shoulders, deepening their heated kiss.

He was so beautiful and so proud. And for reasons that escaped her, this royal nobleman wanted to kiss her.

At the moment she couldn't think of one reason why this was all wrong. She just wanted to feel his lips against hers, her fingers tangled in his hair, his arms wrapped around her. She'd never felt so—so—so alive.

"Rebecca," he roughly said, his mouth sliding to her neck. His teeth scraped her and she was sure she would turn into jam any second. Hot, simpering jam—

They heard footsteps coming down a hall and Rebecca and Nozel ripped away from one another.

Rebecca made a run for the kitchens.

Her heart felt like it would beat right out of her chest. What was that? New tears sprung into her eyes as she ran away to the servant wash room to lock herself in. She didn't turn on the light but got into the humbly sized bathtub and closed its circular curtain around herself.

She cried hard. Why would he kiss her? It wasn't fair. To him she was probably just a lowly woman whom he could have if he so pleased, because he was royalty and she was common.

But Rebecca wasn't a barmaid! Back in Nean she'd seen it a dozen times. Those fallen women pretended to enjoy the luxuries they reaped from becoming a nobleman's courtesan, but Rebecca knew the truth. As time passed and their nobles' interests waned, the aged women became shells of themselves. Not only were they ultimately abandoned, but they were condemned by fellow commoners. Some even became prostitutes, highly sought after or not.

She didn't want that.

To Nozel she was surely a passing fancy—but to Rebecca, he was becoming the man she was falling in love with.

If only just a little—maybe she now understood why those women gave in. It was not as if Rebecca told Nozel to stop kissing her.

Rebecca curled within herself at the bottom of the bathtub. All her life, especially after her mother died in childbirth, she fiercely guarded her heart and her body, so she could be present for her little siblings. So she could be a good role model for them. So she could protect them.

How then could she be so foolish as to let this happen? To fall in love with not only a nobleman, but one that was royalty? The brother of her Mistress no less!

The footsteps belonged to Julius. Right then the prior Wizard King looked from Rebecca's fallen shawl and spilled gifts to a stoic Nozel.

"I know you're incapable of it," Julius stated, "but I will ask for the sake of it. Have you dishonored her?"

"Not in the way you are thinking."

"Very well. Should I involve myself or will you take care of it?"

Nozel measured Julius's seriousness (even in that ridiculous hat). Clearly the older mage cared for Rebecca and her family. Even Nebra had jumped onto her husband's merry bandwagon of orphaned commoners.

Like his sister, it seemed Nozel was also not immune.

"Nozel, answer me."

"Yes, I will take care of it."

"It's settled then. Come back to celebrate the holiday. Nebra asked where you went." Catching Nozel's gaze lingering toward the direction his apparent paramour disappeared to, Julius added, "Miss Rebecca will return once she gathers herself. She won't leave her siblings for long. Go on, I'll get her things."

Chapter Text

That very night, at the end of the holiday, Nozel pulled his sister aside and informed her of his intent to court Rebecca Scarlet. Nebra was astonished, having no idea. In truth she hardly believed it and asked if Julius put him up to it.

"It was an unexpected development."

His sister seemed unsure of his words. "But…she is so different."

Nozel furrowed his brow. "I was under the impression that you were fond of her."

"No, I don't mean that she is less," she corrected. "I know in the past I would have, but I don't…I've learned some lessons this last year. And Julius would never forgive me if I still thought of commoners that way, especially the children–the Scarlets. We…we call them that."

Nebra pressed a knuckle to her lip and Nozel remembered how often she had been reprimanded as a child for the unladylike gesture.

"I see."

"Do you?" She was worried. "What I meant is that a life with you will be difficult for Rebecca. It will overwhelm her. She is a wonderful girl but…well, even the little ones know more about our world than she does. They're in those prestigious schools Julius put them in, but Rebecca stays here."

He found that distasteful. "Is she not allowed to leave? Surely Julius wouldn't—"

Nebra was scandalized at the speed of his defensive assumption. "No! She visits Worcestershire to get the little ones or supplies for everyone here. Maybe—yes—sometimes she visits Nean. She's very diligent and prefers to get things done around the manor. We certainly don't force her to stay here."

"Does she do anything for herself?"

Nebra considered him, as if realizing something. He maintained collected and did not withdraw into himself. It was unexpected that his younger sister possessed knowledge beyond his current grasp.

"Brother," Nebra said slowly, "let's sit somewhere. I think before you pursue this common girl you should know some things."

Rebecca Scarlet was younger than he would have preferred. She was only twenty, just out of her adolescent years. He hadn't known anything about her—only that she worked hard, loved his sister and had a plethora of younger siblings. Her impressive character made him assume she had been older…

As Nebra explained, Rebecca had been providing for her siblings since Pem was born. A child taking care of children. What took Nozel too many years to learn, Rebecca obtained the moment her mother died in actual childbirth. Granted his family had been cursed by a demonic being but with age he realized there could have been other ways.

Rebecca hadn't needed advanced age or privilege to care for her siblings or make them love one another. At the age of sixteen, she worked her jobs and simultaneously taught five children basic academics, kindness and respect. There had been a holy orphanage in Nean that stepped in when needed, but as Nebra relayed, Rebecca used them as little as possible.

So with her background in mind, and his sister's blessing, that was how Royal Lord and Sir Magic Knight Nozel of House Silva found himself at the Novachrono manor, in a laundromat located in its servant quarters, the day after Yuletide.

The elongated room was made of brick and stone. Rebecca was organizing buckets of different shades of soapy wet fabrics. She then picked up a long wooden paddle and dipped it into a huge stone kettle. It was boiling. She wiped her forehead and continued to stir.

Nozel made sure his steps were clear as he entered the humid room, not wanting to startle her. She was so easily startled.

She looked up. "Lord Nozel…"

"Good morning."

She didn't say it back. The sides of her eyes tightened. "Are you…lost?"

"No. I've come to see you."

She stopped stirring and her expression seemed saddened by his statement. He was not dissuaded.

"I wish to call on you from this day forward."

Rebecca's green eyes widened and her white, freckled skin flushed. Unlike the time when Nebra lost the child, his words were not lost on her.

"I won't become a fallen woman for you."

Puzzled, Nozel explained, "I would never ask that. I only mean to spend time with you. And, if you'll allow it, bring you gifts."

Confused, Rebecca turned away. "My Lord, I know I can't stop you if that's what you want to do, but you can't have your fun with me."

"How do you mean?"

She looked over her shoulder at him and touched her lips, the peachy flesh indenting with the soft pressure she applied. Her red hair curled around her face in the humidity of the room despite the winter weather outside. He held his breath.

"You can't kiss me like you did."

Though he very much wished to steal kisses from her, he agreed, "Very well. If those are your requirements, I will meet them so that I may call on you."

Rebecca only seemed more confused. Did she think such base standards would deter him?

She faced him again. "To what end?"

Must he spell it out. "You know to what end."

Her eyes widened and searched his face. "I…I," she stuttered, "I am so busy right now. Good day, sir." She curtsied very low and did not rise. She was begging him to leave.

Feeling more relaxed than he had in months, Nozel watched her slowly straighten, look at him and then continue to stir the large kettle. His eyes softened when she glanced at him again. She was anxious at his intentions and at what he had just declared. And likely because he was lingering.

"Good day then." He bowed his head, showing her unprecedented respect that a royal like him only reserved for the Royal King, the Wizard King and the prior Wizard King.

She blanched and stirred faster. He left the brick styled room with a small smirk on his lips.

He had not been sure until their kiss, but she desired him as well. She had entangled her arms around him and held him close. However, the distrust she displayed was justly placed. He knew what his compatriots liked to arrange with common women. But Nozel would not dishonor her, or himself, with such a frivolous entanglement.

He was not only royalty but a Magic Knight Captain. He had principle and a strong moral compass. And Rebecca was—Rebecca was now his beloved.

He would do everything in his power to see to it that he became hers.

It wasn't long at all until Rebecca came to the slow understanding that Nozel Silva might actually be in love with her. Ever since the kiss, he did not try to hide it.

In a few short weeks, between his missions and responsibilities, he began to drop off flowers and candies. Trinkets and fabrics. After his visits to the Mistress, especially, he made sure to catch Rebecca alone somewhere and greet her. Typically it was while she was cleaning or helping Mrs. Addams in the kitchens. The cook would make herself scarce anytime the royal Knight showed up.

He asked Rebecca things about herself—personal things about her social and food preferences, what she did on a day to day, if she liked music or if she ever thought of traveling, if she attended church, if she liked cold weather or hot weather. He even asked about her deceased parents, may they rest in peace.

Rebecca never knew how to respond to his approaches except with honesty. Her guard was up but was beginning to thaw at his devout consistency. Nozel even disclosed personal information about himself, his mother and his work–though often he focused solely on her. Never had anyone found her as fascinating as Nozel did.

His attention was not necessarily unwelcome. It was just unbelievable. It felt impossible. Like at any moment it would disappear.

Nozel did not dare kiss her again. But when absolutely alone he would grab her hand and bow over it (she had seen the Master do this when he had been engaged to the Mistress). Just once Nozel gave into temptation and kissed her knuckles.

"Forgive me—I should not have," he said in the warmth of one of the unused parlor rooms where she had been dusting.

"I-it's okay," she whispered.

Surely Master Julius and Mistress Nebra started to catch on. When Rebecca thought they would ask her about it any day (she was ridden with anxiousness over that confrontation), they never did.

One afternoon when the snow was thickest, she was the only one at the manor, and Nozel showed up without his usual offerings. The children were at their respective academies, Mrs. Addams was at the market and the masters were out (Lord Julius had convinced his wife to go ice skating in the moorland).

Rebecca led Nozel to the parlor room. She thought for sure he had grown tired of her lack of enthusiasm over his pursuit.

He settled at the two seater table by the fireplace and she brought out a silver tea tray with raspberry tarts.

"Master Julius and my Lady should be coming soon." She curtsied.

Nozel gently reached out to enclose her wrist. "Join me, Rebecca."

"I can't."

"Please."

How could she deny him anything? They sat in silence for a time. She guessed at what he may want to talk to her about. He drank his tea quietly. She kept her hot face lowered. Her hands fiddled with one another on her lap.

"I have asked Julius for your hand."

She breathed in shakily, eyes on her lap. "He…he's not my father for you to ask him."

Even as she said it she felt guilty, for Julius may have not been her father, but he had played the role of a dutiful guardian for over three years, especially to her younger siblings who needed a father figure much more than she did.

"Look at me, Rebecca."

She did.

His brow was knotted together. He had that vulnerable look again. "I am not very good at expressing myself. But I love—I love you. I choose you to be my wife." He calmly slid a metal box with silver diamonds all over it. It looked like it cost a hundred times more than all the money she ever made in her life.

"You do not have to answer now. But I would like you to think on it. To think of me. Ask Nebra any questions you may have of what it would mean to be my wife. I can wait for a time, but do not delay the moment you have your answer." His eyes smoldered with silent desire. "My affections are solely yours and have been since you tripped into my arms just outside there in the courtyard."

She suddenly felt so shy and couldn't look at him anymore. "My brothers and sisters…"

"The palace holds more than enough rooms."

"I'm not like you and Master Julius. A marriage like this is not allowed."

Nozel Silva leaned back into the upholstered chair. "Do you know who I am? If I say you are worthy to hold the Silva name, then you are worthy. But," his gaze softened, "there may be at times discomforts with the other nobles. Though I can assure you not all of my compatriots are as prejudiced as it may seem, from your vintage point."

He laid his hand on the table, palm up, inviting her. Keeping one hand clenched at her skirt, she allowed her other to rise. It was shaking as she carefully placed it in his.

"I will protect you. My servants will treat you as if you have always been their Mistress. Your siblings as well. I know Julius sponsors their schooling. I will take over. They'll want for nothing all their lives. All I'd ever ask is that they remain as they are now. Good and faithful members of the Clover Kingdom."

Rebecca became worried. "They are still learning to fit into your world."

"I know."

"I can hardly use magic except to ride a carpet."

"I know."

"I don't know anything about being a Lady. I will embarrass you."

His thumb rubbed the top of her hand. "No, that's impossible. If…if that concerns you, Nebra can teach you. But even that I don't require of you. I want you as you are. You have captivated my heart fully."

She could feel her eyes welling up. "How is that possible? I've–I've done nothing."

A frown marred his beautiful face. "I do not know. All I know is if you become mine, all I've ever suffered in life would have been worth it. Promise me you will think about my proposal seriously."

"Yes, my Lord, of course."

Nozel left before Julius and the Mistress returned. Rebecca was starting to think they had left knowing what Nozel had come to do. She stood in the vestibule waiting for them, holding the diamond box. She didn't dare look inside but she held it tight in front of her skirt.

Master Julius opened the front door, laughing at Nebra's reaction to yet another one of his teasing remarks. The Lady followed him in with a pout, but once they both spotted Rebecca standing there, their gaze immediately dropped down to what she was holding.

Rebecca's head was tipped forward and her shoulders raised.

"He's asked you then," came Lady Nebra's voice.

Rebecca wasn't sure why she felt the sudden need to apologize but she held her tongue.

"I'll leave you two to it." The Mistress walked towards the staircase and put a hand on the railing. "Rebecca, don't feel discouraged that I am not staying. Whatever it is you need to say Julius can discuss it with you. I've been told my opinion on the matter might be too biased because evidently I only ever agree with my brother."

"My dear, I doubt the way you said that made the girl less nervous."

"Nonsense. Rebecca, whatever you choose I shall be on your side." And to her husband she said, "Happy?"

Julius actually rolled his eyes as Nebra frolicked upstairs to her chambers.

Master and maid made their way to the warmth of the parlor room.

"Can I even refuse the Lord of House Silva?" Rebecca was unsure.

Julius became thoughtful. "That depends. Did he ask you to marry him?"

"He said he chose me to be his wife," Rebecca said, feeling her cheeks burn. She squeezed the diamond box between her hands. "But he did say to give him an answer, so I guess he did ask, in a way."

"If he asked you a question, then I suppose you can answer as you wish." He seemed to be guessing. She would have felt some relief if he hadn't added, "theoretically."

The box felt too heavy. "Theoretically?" she whispered.

"The Lords of House Silva and House Vermillion are the quiet rulers of the Clover Kingdom. House Kira may sit on the Royal throne, but it is understood that all three Houses, as one, rule this land.

"At any moment Nozel, or Fuegoleon's father, could claim Damnatio's seat at the helm if it came to it. Perhaps they'd duel or draw straws. I have my guesses but am not entirely sure how three influential men maintain a harmonious power balance." Julius shrugged. "For the last three generations it seems House Silva and House Vermillion simply prefer being Magic Knights and find pride in aiming for the position of Wizard King. For now at least."

Rebecca pressed a thumb against one of the box's diamonds. "So I can't refuse."

"I doubt Nozel will force his sovereign will on you. His brow is high but his heart is good." He also expressed, somewhat adversely, "Though I admit a normal man in love is capable of many foolish things. And a powerful man in love often does not take kindly to being spurned, even forsaking all he's known to possess his love. I know this from personal experience.

"So, taking precautions on your behalf, I have thought of ways where Nozel cannot have you, should he start throwing his weight around."

Blinking the wetness from her eyes, Rebecca asked, "How?"

"I could send you and your family away to the Spade or Heart Kingdom."

"That's horrid!"

"It is, isn't it? Or you could marry another," Julius gave her a sympathetic look when she scrunched her nose in distaste, but continued, "Lastly, Nebra and I could adopt you as our child. It would be improper for Nozel to marry you then."

"You would do that?"

"Of course. And we'd take in your brothers and sisters as well. We've discussed it at length."

"I see…"

"Rebecca, you haven't said what it is you want."

She bowed her head and her shoulders shook with soft cries.

"You've fallen in love with him, haven't you?"

"I don't understand it. I didn't mean to. It sort of just…happened." She became too used to Nozel's presence at the manor, thinking of him only as the Mistress's brother and not the royal ruler he truly was.

"Will you accept his offer?"

"How could I?" She cried.

Julius leaned back on the sofa. "Easy. You simply do it."

"Master…"

"You will regret it if you don't. Not for his wealth or power. I know you are a humble person. But even so, you will wish you took him up on it because you're in love with him. If you say no, he will still come here to visit his precious sister.

"You will be here because we have adopted you and the others. You both will continue to have your moments, even while trying to avoid one another, falling more and more in love. Every birthday, every holiday, every spur of the moment visit, Nozel will come and you will have to face the reality that he will never be yours. One day he will marry another, because he must, and you will be miserable for it. Or you will find another and he will be the miserable one.

"I'm not telling you this to sway you in any way, but to help you prepare yourself for the reality of our choices. I will ask you again. Will you accept his offer?"

"If I do," Rebecca breathed in and out, "I wouldn't want to take my siblings to his palace, for their sake."

"No, I imagined you wouldn't. Nebra and I shall take them in. It was our hope…well, let's say before we discovered Nozel's attachment the topic of adopting you all had been brought up."

Her siblings could become nobility. They could have a mother and a father. And, Rebecca knew, they would be happy there. She knew the variables of Novachrono manor and of the academies in Worcestershire. She could live with that. In contrast she knew nothing of what life would be like for her in the Royal Capital and would not put her siblings through that.

"What are you thinking?"

Rebecca realized maybe the Master was a little nervous about his own proposal. That was, to adopt her siblings.

"I think I am okay with you and the Lady taking them in. It will be good for them, though it makes me a little sad to admit it. They…they need a mother and a father. I can only do so much. You've been a godsend these last three years and…and all this time I've prayed you would be there for them if something happened to me."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

"I know! That's why you're the perfect person to adopt them!" She fiercely believed it. "You will have your hands full, though." She laughed, a few tears slipping out.

Julius chuckled, a big sigh of relief escaping him. "Yes, we will."

She expressed worry over Isaac. She didn't know quite how to handle his newfound interest in girls. Frankly she wanted to sucker punch him any time she caught him staring at girls or said something that was borderline inappropriate.

Julius chuckled at that. "He's at that age then."

"Yes." She said it with a little exasperation. "I'm only his older sister. I can't teach him what a man is. But you can."

"Only with your blessing," he said. "I won't have it that you look back at this conversation and believe you were coerced."

"I wouldn't think that of you."

He gave her a wry smile. "There was a time in my life where I coerced many people."

She frowned. "Does that have to do with Asta?"

He nodded but said nothing else on that topic. He knew she knew more than she should because of the close friendship with his son. "Are you sure you're willing to do this?" He asked, "And you will marry the man?"

"I am–I want to. He…it feels–oh I hope this doesn't sound selfish–it feels like he is a special gift just for me. I am ashamed to admit it...but I...I want him for myself."

Julius smiled. "I understand. I feel similar about Nebra."

"Yes!" Rebecca acknowledged. "Though I'm a little scared to be without my brothers and sisters."

"You may visit and stay with us any time—and of course they may visit you," he said with a furrowed brow, "but as I understand it routine is important for children and I imagine the more Nebra and I are involved the more trustful the children will become of us."

Rebecca giggled. "Was that in one of your books?"

"Yes," he said with a you-got-me smile.

"It's right—your book. They'll need to get used to you both as…as their mother and father. Are you sure about it?"

"Yes. Nebra mentioned it a few times but I prevented her from asking you until the time was right."

Rebecca wanted to laugh and shake her head. All this time the masters had been thinking the same things as she. "Ellie and Marco will be very willing. Pem won't understand the difference because he's so little and in a way that makes me happy. As for Luca and Isaac—well, they won't be sure and have a lot of questions. But at the end of it all I know my brother and sister. They will accept you and the Mistress.

"You both will—" she choked up, "will give them what I can't. You will give them a family."

Julius mumbled, "If I may," and then gently grabbed ahold of one of her hands between his, "You have been an exceptional sister to them. I'd say more than any sister in all the world. That being said, I am happy to see you do something for yourself. Though in your own way I know you are marrying Nozel for them, too."

"I worry about them all the time."

"I know. So let Nebra and I take some of your burden. Your siblings will become nobles but will be spared of the pressures of being royalty and living in the Capital. They will have my love and protection here, and most of all, you can finally care for them as a sister and only that."

"Okay!" She dropped her face to her hands and cried. "Thank you!"

"If you'd like, we can still take you in as a ward," he admitted. "I suddenly don't wish to see you left out."

Rebecca giggled through a sniffle. "But then all of Clover would question your sanity as to why you're letting your daughter marry her uncle."

Julius threw his head back and laughed.

Chapter Text

Nebra acted as if she had not been pacing a hole into the floor when Julius came into her room. She wore a wool, long sleeved toga. 

She squared her shoulders. “Well?”

“She is agreeable.”

Nebra raised her heels and dropped them a few times. The end of her toga flowed back and forth over her naked toes and he appreciated the little peek. 

“For which?”

Julius grinned. “She will marry Nozel.”

Oh sometimes she disliked his teasing. He knew what she was asking! Nebra turned away and sat on the edge of her bed. “I had little doubt of that.”

Sighing, Julius sat next to her and leaned into her. He buried his nose into her hair and placed a hand on her thigh. 

“She is agreeable to both ideas.”

Nebra turned to him with a widened gaze. “Really?”

“Yes, really. We only need to discuss it with the children. When they get home from school, Rebecca will tell them she will marry Nozel and afterwards we can speak to them.”

His wife seemed so vulnerable then. Her rosy lips pursed together and chin wrinkled. 

“Are you going to cry?”

“No!” 

He tried not to chuckle and was successful. “Alright. Come here.” He pulled her in and kissed her temple as she tried to hide her little tears from him. 

In a small voice, she uttered, “They’ll say yes won’t they?” 

He released his own shaky breath. “I do hope so.”

“Oh Julius!” She stood. “I’m quite nervous. Isn’t there something you can do?”

Julius eyed the wooden cellarette next to her balcony door. “I suppose we can’t drink.”  

“Of course not!”

“My darling, don’t snap at me. We are on the same page.”

Nebra narrowed her eyes at him, ready to snap some more but then got an idea. 

“Dear—Nebra—alright go on take your dress off. Play dirty. You know if you are naked I won’t rebuttal—are those new?” Julius eyed the long, winter drawers and corset. His wife preferred warmer underclothes and thicker, long sleeved togas in the winter. Understandably. 

When she walked close enough he spread his knees so she could stand nearer. He dragged a hand up the purple bodice. There was a lace fabric over the corset itself. It was soft and caught against his palm. 

He leaned forward and kissed the swell of her breast. He then cupped the back of her neck and brought her close to his face.  

Her beauty mesmerized him. Since their wedding day the loose silver waves around her face and shoulders softened her appearance. Her sharp, pink eyes were no longer tightened with wariness, but had transformed into tender pools of appreciation. She now possessed a lightness which had been absent until recent years and that lightness had magnified, nurtured by the time spent with him. 

Julius lightly kissed her lips. 

“I’m in love with you.”

Her eyes widened. “Julius…” She touched the left side of his forehead. “Your mark is gone.”

“Is it?” 

For a while now he had felt it fading. Ancient magic, indeed. True love’s kiss. 

Her perfectly manicured fingers brushed his temple one last time before caressing his face. “Do you feel alright?”

“Yes, though I would feel better if you told me you loved me as well.”

“Of course I do!” She wrapped her arms around his head and shoulders. “Of course I love you. How could I not?”

Julius sighed against her chest. He felt relief beyond that which he thought he would feel. Although the soul curse he put on himself was gone, the characteristics that made him “Lucius” were still contained by Nero’s ancient magic. But the looming feeling of a restrained, malevolent “Otherness” felt…cleansed. 

His arms went around his wife. Was he a whole man again, made anew because of love? He was not sure. But he felt whole. He had a wife, he had Asta, and soon he would have many other children. A family. 

What else could anyone in all the world want besides that?

Julius and Nebra ushered the uniform clad children into the parlor room. They were puzzled when they were all made to sit next to one another and face their masters. Pem happily swung his legs on Luca’s lap (as if he hadn’t just been cajoled away from trying to sit on the Mistress).  

Nebra looked at Julius with growing anxiousness. When he proposed the meeting earlier she had been equally excited as she was nervous, but now that she was facing five children who could in all respects break her heart with a single answer, she felt quite antsy. 

And Julius was just sitting there like a buffoon who’d never seen children before! Why was he nervous? As if he hadn’t spent the last few years being a fatherly warden. 

Nebra fidgeted at the edge of her seat. Oh blast it all she couldn’t wait on her husband! 

“Well I’ll just say it then,” Nebra spoke, shoulders back. “Children, how would you feel if Julius and I adopted you?”

Isaac was the first to jump up, completely shocked. “What do you mean? Rebecca getting married with a royal and now this? I don’t…” He desperately looked at Luca. “How?”

Luca was more understanding, as she always seemed to be on Rebecca’s wavelength. “Is this what Rebecca was talking about when she said you had something very serious to talk to us about?” 

“Yes, it is,” Julius easily admitted. 

“How will it work?” Luca asked. 

“Things will look a little different but not by much. Miss Rebecca will live with her new husband, as you know, and we hope you five will remain here with us.”

“You may all have your own room upstairs," Nebra quickly added, “or in whatever arrangement you’d prefer. I know you are used to sharing a room.” 

Julius nodded. “Yes. Miss Rebecca is welcome to stay whenever she wishes. In fact we prefer that she does when Nebra is away on Knight business. And just like usual, Miss Rebecca will be available to pick up the three youngest from their academy. Granted,” he looked to his wife, “if you’ll allow it, Nebra and I would like to do that as well. Luca, you do a marvelous job of getting yourself and Isaac home on your broom, so that doesn’t need to change. You both are older after all.”

Isaac blushed. “Does Lord Nozel not want us at his palace?”

“That isn’t it,” Julius said. “He wouldn’t mind at all.”

“It’s because,” Nebra felt her cheeks warm, “it’s because we would mind if you were no longer here with us. We—we love you, you see.” 

“You want to be our papa and mama?” Ellie’s voice wobbled. 

Nebra frowned, thinking the child’s tears meant she was unwilling. “Only if you want.”

“I,” Ellie looked at Luca and Isaac, “I…” she worried about what they would say if she accepted all by herself. 

“There is one thing,” Julius said seriously. “Isaac, this would apply to you. If you accept, you will become the Novachrono heir presumptive.” He held Nebra’s hand. “And if my wife and I never conceive,” he added, “then the title is yours.”

Isaac paled a little. He was around enough noble heirs at his academy to know what that meant. “You would do something like that?”

“We would,” Nebra said. 

Luca and Isaac stared at one another for a long while. As the older ones they both knew the answer depended on them. They understood that the littles would benefit from this. While Luca and Isaac retained memories of their parents, the little ones had none. And personally, even Luca and Isaac had wondered aloud to one another what it would be like to be true Novachrono wards. 

Finally they nodded and both said, “We accept.” 

Ellie happily gasped, putting her hands together. “Me too!”

Before Nebra and Julius could celebrate, Marco surprised everyone when he started wailing. 

Luca teared up. “Oh Marco!”

Nebra worriedly looked at Julius, knuckle touching her mouth. 

“Is that true?” Marco cried. “Will we finally have a mama and papa?”

Pem jumped off of Luca’s lap. “My mama?” He pointed to Nebra. 

“Yes, I’ll be your mama,” Nebra said and opened her arms. Pem, Ellie and Marco were the first to run to her embrace. Julius put an arm around his wife while she squeezed the little ones for dear life. 

He pointedly looked at a hesitant Luca and Isaac. 

“Well?” Julius teased. 

The two teens quickly leapt forward and joined the group hug.

It somewhat astonished Nozel how soon Rebecca came to give her answer. 

Not two days had passed and on brooms, Nebra and Rebecca flew to the mountain range north of the Royal Capital. The cordillera was called Mount Plata and its highest slopes were shielded by a thick, magic fog. 

Nebra easily navigated through the strategic, cold fog. Both she and Rebecca had one gloved hand on each of their brooms. In the small space between them they held hands so Nebra wouldn’t lose Rebecca in the fog. 

The fortress encompassed one of the mountain's entire peaks. With his hands behind his back, Nozel stood at the top of the keep at the Silver Eagle’s hideout.

Curtis Warren was beside him as they supervised their sparring members. 

Above them the thick fog separated and two women on brooms descended. Due to the frost they wore fur cylinder hats and thick robes. 

The members all glanced up. The Lady Nebra coming and going was a normal happenstance but the young red head was met with curiosity as they landed on the stone keep. Most of the Silver Eagles were men so any time a female came into their ranks the rarity was noted. 

“Curtis, take over.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Nozel went to the women. Rebecca stood a little behind Nebra. She gripped the broom in front of herself and briefly smiled at him. Her freckled nose was red with the whip of the frost. 

“You should have entered through the gatehouse,” Nozel uttered. It was more inconspicuous. 

Nebra met his critique with little emotion. “This way is faster. It’s very cold. Rebecca is not used to this altitude.”

Narrowing his eyes at his sister, Nozel put a palm out toward Rebecca. Accustomed to the gesture by now, she removed her mitten and gave him her right hand, albeit shaking. He lowered his forehead over her offering. 

There were gasps and whispers from the training men but Nozel ignored them.  Her fingers were pink.

“Let’s get you inside.” 

Nebra took Rebecca’s broom. “Go on. I’ll remain here with my squad mates.”

Rebecca followed Nozel across the wall bridge to the second tower. She was peering over the edge at the inner ward where dozens of members were in white robes practicing sword art in sync with one another. Her eyes were wide with wonder. 

They entered the second tower and went down the spiral stairs into the solar across his bedchamber. He used it for paperwork and appointing assignments at the oak desk and chair. 

He led her to the fireplace where two armchairs faced the other in a rugged area. Rebecca looked around the room. It was of a more humble nature compared to the palace she recently visited. Every wall, ceiling and flooring was made of thick stone. A toddler could lay vertically in the deep windowsills. 

He wondered what she thought of the ancient fortress. 

Rebecca gave a little shiver as the heat radiated around her. She removed her mittens and flexed her pink fingers toward the fire. There on her left index finger was the Silva signet ring. The gold band was made up of twisted vines imbued with deep diamonds and gathered together to hold a large oval diamond at the top of her pink finger. Within the main diamond the Silva insignia was etched.  

Unable to help himself, he gently grabbed her hands and began to knead her fingers. 

“You’re freezing.”

Rebecca accepted his ministrations with a fanciful daze. She was mesmerized by him. Could it be…?

He stepped closer, pulling her hands against his chest. Her peachy mouth slightly parted in a silent gasp.  

“Tell me, Rebecca,” he whispered, “tell me you have come here to be mine.”

He took pleasure in seeing the blush take over her face, coupled with the longing in her eyes. He was taken aback when her forehead dropped to his chest where her hands were held and muttered a short prayer. 

She then looked up at him and said, “Yes.”

Nozel was filled with many emotions but one would never know it. He silently measured her coy expression. Keeping her hands to his chest, he cupped her face with one palm. 

“May I kiss you?”

Her eyes widened. 

He leaned down slowly. “Speak, my love.”

Her eyes fluttered closed. She said ‘yes’ right before his lips touched hers. It was a short kiss, meant to celebrate their new promise to the other. 

“What did the children say?” he coxed, using the label Nebra liked. Her siblings would now be his siblings. His thumb caressed the top of her cheek. She didn’t feel as cold anymore. 

“Oh,” she said, “they…we all decided…”

Curious at the hesitation, he turned his head but waited for her to finish. 

“The masters—oh they said I cannot call them that anymore, goodness—Lord Julius and the Lady will adopt them.”

“Adopt them as Novachrono heirs?”

Rebecca’s brow furrowed at his slight change of tone. “I think that’s how they put it. Yeah.”

Nozel controlled his tongue. He did not like it. He wanted her siblings to come to the palace. That way Rebecca would be happy there. He could not guarantee her continued joy at the Royal Capital when he was absent due to Knight or royal business. Unless her siblings lived with her. 

Damnatio too often called upon him and Fuegoleon’s father. Certainly more than that fool Augustus had. 

“Are you alright, my Lord?”

He said, “I prefer they come live with us, for your benefit.” 

She became sad, clearly, and he felt frustrated at the sight of it. “I can’t bring them.”

“Has Julius coerced you?”

“He said you would say that.”

Nozel narrowed his eyes. “Did he?”

Rebecca tugged at her hands so he released them. She placed them on his robe, smoothing it out. “Not in a bad way. He…he’s very smart, you see. He thinks about future possibilities. I know we all do in a way but he is so detailed in his. It’s like he knows what will be. And he’s always right. Living there for a while now I have seen it. The children have seen it. 

“And I think…I think you’ve seen it too. It’s best for the children to live at the manor. They are happy there. They will have a mother and father. I will go to the palace with you. When we’re together I will give you all my focus as—as—as your wife.”

“Rebecca,” he said, “but what of when I am gone for weeks on end? Or here at the fortress with my Silver Eagles? Tell me then if you will be able to stand the vastness of the palace without your siblings?”

Perhaps he should not have phrased it like that because it gave her a negative to consider. But to his surprise she did not seem concerned.

“I will be just fine. I can always visit them, can't I?”

“Of course.”

“And…maybe I can come here sometimes?”

Ever so slightly he smiled. “I would enjoy that.”

“Okay then. I think that covers it.” She nodded to herself. 

Similar to his sister, Nozel took the opportunity and stated he wished for the exceptionally short engagement of a fortnight.  He certainly did not want to wait until after Noelle’s spring wedding. 

Rebecca touched her cheeks. Nozel stood close to her, rejoicing at the nearness she now granted him.   

“I love you,” he whispered to her. “Every day without you is torment.”

He leaned down close but he didn’t kiss her. Now that she would be his he possessed little strength to hold back and not ravish her. His proximity seemed to make her dizzy with her own desire. 

She looked at him in wonder again. “You..you really mean that.”

He lifted her wrist and kissed the inside of it. She sucked in breath through her teeth. “I told you,” he kissed the inside of her palm, “You have captivated me fully. If I could have you today I would.”

“My Lord…”

“Say yes.”

She glanced up from his lips. “Yes.”

Chapter Text

Asta found Noelle crying in the leafless woods behind the hideout. She was hugging her knees on the snow and bawling her eyes out. He hadn't seen her cry like that in a long time.

A little silver eagle on a pedestal was half sticking out of the snow a few feet away from her.

He felt a little self conscious approaching her. He had no shirt on and probably smelled really bad after training. Even in freezing weather he knew how to work up a sweat and stay warm.

Lately his exercises felt less about becoming stronger and more about releasing his frustrations over the fact that Noelle was going to marry Fuegoleon. To realize, for the last year, that his admiration for Fuegoleon was twisting into a furious envy gutted Asta. He had once wanted to be like him.

The irony made him sick.

"Noelle?"

She gasped and whipped her head towards him, her high ponytail flipping over her shoulder. She started wearing it like that after Judgment Day. She had white earmuffs on and wore a sort of white fur coat. With her hair and clothes and skin she almost blended into the cold of winter.

Noelle wiped her face and got up. She pressed a gloved hand against a nearby tree. Her knee high leather boots crunched on the snow.

"What's going on?" He was worried and didn't care if he showed it.

His voice for some reason made the dam break all over again because she started sobbing.

"My brother Nozel is getting married!"

"That's good isn't it?"

"With Rebecca Scarlet."

Asta felt like someone just punched him. "But she's…"

"She's a commoner!"

He wasn't sure if she meant it how she said it. It came out with such disgust, he felt confused.

He stepped towards her. "What's wrong with that?" Anger swirled in his belly. "I thought you were over that stuff. Is that why you don't want to be with me?"

"No!" Her face blotched red and pink with exasperation. "It's why I thought I couldn't be with you. I wanted to be a good sister to Nozel—after everything—but he doesn't care. I feel…I feel like I've been tricked!"

She stomped a foot into the snow making it fly up. "Now I'm stuck marrying someone I don't love!"

Asta knew she was frustrated too. He knew that. But all he heard was that she didn't love Fuegoleon. That she, in fact, did not want to marry the current Wizard King. And that she just admitted that she did, in fact, want to be with Asta, but had thought she couldn't.

"Then don't marry him," Asta said to Noelle for what felt like the hundredth time that year.

Noelle's chin wrinkled and her lips wobbled. "I don't want to talk about it anymore," she whispered brokenly. Her head sank into her shoulders.

She was scared.

"Why!" He was fed up. "You don't want to marry him. You don't love him!" His brow really knotted together and he marched right up to her face. "You love me!"

"Love doesn't matter!" She pushed at his chest but he didn't bulge. He was a brick wall and she didn't have her grimoire. He was so infuriating! She gasped when she noticed that his eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"Love," he emphasized, "is the only thing that matters."

And then he was kissing her. Noelle cried out, in defeat and in desire. Asta was kissing her! After all these years, after all this time—

"Noelle, don't you love me? Did I hear wrong?" He kissed her neck. His hands ran under her coat and along her sides. He kissed her mouth again and his forearms disappeared further into her coat to grab two handfuls.

"Asta!"

"Just let…me."

"Wait, we shouldn't," she whispered, twisting away. But he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and buried his nose in her hair

He sighed heavily. "Is it true, if we—if we kiss and do more, you can't marry Sir Fuegoleon? Those are the rules. For people like you."

She looked over her shoulder, wide eyed. Her face heated 10 times over. Did he touch her on purpose knowing that?!

"Noelle," he looked serious, "I don't want you to marry him. I want you to marry me. I love you."

"I—" she choked and she didn't want to. Not now. Not to Asta. He deserved so much better. "I love you, too!" she finally cried.

Asta was filled with a seriousness he usually reserved for battles. "Then, let's make sure we end up together." He dropped his forehead to her shoulder. His hair brushed her cheek.

"I can't lose you, Noelle," he whispered against her coat, "you don't understand. I'm desperate." His strong, bare arms tightened around her and she felt without an anchor.

Her heart raced like never before. Something about the heat of a man, hugging her, demanding she be his woman, was an unstoppable allure.

She slowly turned to face him. The cold made their breaths come out in puffs of smoke.

"Okay."

That afternoon Noelle Silva took Asta from Hage up to her room. The lights were left off as the two young people awkwardly removed clothing from the other.

On his hands and knees, Asta hovered over Noelle on her bed. His body was littered with scars and whitened patches of healed flesh. Without his usual headband his hair hung around his face.

Head on the pillow, Noelle's eyelids were lowered and her gaze was to the side, her cheeks super red. Her hands held each other under her chin and her elbows covered her breasts.

"Go—go ahead, Asta," she said and adjusted her legs on either side of him.

Heart beating a mile a minute, Asta closed his eyes. He wanted this…he wanted this so bad his body physically ached, but…not in this way. It wasn't right. It wasn't fair to Noelle. And it wasn't fair to Furgoleon.

He wanted to do things the right way. He may have been an orphan, but Father Orsi and Sister Lily taught him the proper ways of things. And, Asta couldn't help thinking, he knew Julius wouldn't approve of such reckless, impatient behavior.

Julius warned him so many times to take it easy and here he was trying to rush into bed with a woman who was sad and being pulled and stretched too many ways. Why? Because he was feeling insecure.

This wasn't him. This wasn't her.

Asta patted the area behind him until he grabbed a blanket and lowered it over Noelle. It made her look at him with surprise. Asta grabbed the other end of the blanket and covered his lap.

"Asta?"

"I'm sorry, Noelle. I shouldn't have asked for this—not now."

Noelle wiped at her face. She was crying again. Girls sure did that easily, huh. Well, he felt like crying himself. How had things got so complicated?

All he wanted was to be with Noelle. And all Noelle wanted was to make her family proud by marrying another noble. But all that fancy marriage stuff seemed like it was for nothing since now Nozel was marrying Rebecca. Rebecca.

Could Asta and Noelle make their love work? They had been through so much together and came out on the other side. Why couldn't this be the same?

Noelle's brother was one of the quiet rulers of the Clover Kingdom. Her fiancé was the current Wizard King, who was also the heir of House Vermillion. And Noelle's older sister was married to the prior Wizard King, Julius, who was secretly Asta's father.

How the heck were they going to untangle the mess?

A Fortnight Later; The Wedding of House Silva

Immediately after a private wedding ceremony with family only, the Lord of House Silva and his bride were introduced in front of a massive gathering of nobles and magic Knights in the East wing ballroom of the Silva palace. An hour into the celebration, the new couple was nowhere to be found, but most were none the wiser as was normal at these large events, with wine and food and voluminous company.

Nozel spirited Rebecca away to the North wing the moment no one was looking. The North wing was the main structure where royal family members lived.

He pulled her through endless halls of larger than life paintings and artifacts. So much gold—so much crystal. Her long princess gown and crowned veil flowed behind them in waves of white silk and gleaming gems. Even Nozel's toga picta, a purple robe decorated with gold embroidery, glimmered alongside her dress.

"This will be our bedroom chambers."

The massive room was bigger than the restaurant she grew up working in. It was its own parlor with sofas and tables and bookshelves and two fireplaces.

Nozel led her to the largest door and within it was a massive four poster bed, two sets of double balcony doors, four floor to ceiling wardrobes and several more doors. She wondered if the lavish room was like Lord Julius's much smaller quarters with a conjoining hallway.

"Rebecca."

He pressed her against a pretty wall, hesitating only a moment before slanting down to kiss her. He cupped her jaw to move her this way and that way. Rebecca admitted to herself she was quite taken by the physical adoration he showed her.

My affections are solely yours.

All I know is if you become mine, all I've ever suffered in life would be worth it.

She couldn't get his words out of her head.

I love you. Every day without you is torment.

He gathered much of her wedding skirt and quite seriously said, "Do not let this go for any reason." She felt a little tricked once she realized his intent.

The royal man went to his knees and removed his golden wreath. "Rebecca," Nozel lifted her leg over his shoulder as he kneeled before her. With his other hand he pushed more dress material upward into her arms that were already overflowing with embroidered white.

She gasped and couldn't believe her eyes as Nozel Silva's face disappeared below her brunched up wedding dress. Her heart felt like it would beat right out of her chest. Slowly, he pulled apart the lace of her long, open chemise drawers. She held her skirts tighter to her chest.

Little moans escaped her mouth. She even dared whisper his name. There came a strange pivotal moment where she wasn't sure if she wanted to pull away. Undecided, she just pressed her back into the wall and resigned herself to him until she saw stars.

He righted her wedding dress as she caught her breath. The skirts bellowed out around them. With one hand he tugged at the toga's intricate knot at his waist. Once it loosened, he shrugged its singular sleeve off and it pooled around them as well, leaving him in a white tunic and matching trousers that tightened at the ankles.

"Turn around."

Obediently she did so. She leaned her hot face into the gold trimmed wallpaper as he began to undue the endless lacework of her bodice. The heavy dress dropped. Carefully he unclipped her veil and golden wreath. He guided her to step out of her booties. And then her slip petticoat and drawers were slowly dragged down her skin.

She shivered and covered her chest. Her back felt cold. He pressed his body to hers, outlining every part of her and more. He moved her hair to the side and placed lingering kisses along her shoulders. Lovingly, his hands cupped her breasts, making her arms fall away. She sighed, relaxing in his hold.

Suddenly she no longer felt so cold.

He whispered sweet nothings into her ear and she felt herself blindly nodding at his soft questions. Are you comfortable? Are you warm? Have I shocked you?

Do you know how much I want you?

He picked her up then and took her to the massive poster bed. She averted her gaze as he removed his tunic and trousers. She gasped the moment he kneeled on the bed, as he wasted no time nudging her apart and settling over her.

"My Lord—Nozel!" She panted. She had never felt so full in her life. Was there no end? His kisses littered her neck and chest.

The road was long. She pressed her knees to his sides. He gave her no reprieve, as if they had done this many times before. In the middle of his passion he even thanked her for her chastity.

What was this feeling?

He turned her this way and that way. She blindly reached to slide a hand against his side. He was so lean, long limbed and hard—in every way—so beautiful really. "Hm," she hummed and her fingertips grazed over his hard thigh.

He removed her curious hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. He told her how much he loved her again, nose buried in her hair. Tears fell from her eyes, ashamed of how her body seemed so ready to burst at his touch.

"Your form beguiles me," he smoothly whispered against the shell of her ear.

She hardly knew the man that was now her royal husband. And yet she had traded in her singleness and supervision of her siblings for his ardent love.

Afterwards he cradled her to him. He placed soft kisses to her face. The attention was gentle compared to what he had just done. She was still catching her breath. He kissed the tear trailing down her cheek.

"Was I brutish?" He pressed his straight, aristocratic nose to the bruise on her neck and brushed a thumb over the one at her collarbone.

"Yes, my Lord."

"I see."

Rebecca stared into his eyes, trying to gauge his feelings. His hair was mused but still in its formal bindings. He seemed satiated, reclined as he was on his side. The bed was overfilled with disorganized pillows and draped silks. But he had never looked so at peace—so satisfied, even as she admitted his passion had been too much.

She slowly raised her hand and his light eyes devoutly followed. She gently palmed his cheek. She brushed some of his hair back but it fell forward again. Of course she didn't want him to think she hadn't liked his lovemaking. Unsure of what else to say, she pulled him down for a prolonged kiss.

This sort of man was her husband. Did his royal ego think she was his possession now? Could she speak out against it or was it too late? Had she sealed her fate due to her selfish desire of craving a divinely appointed man's attention?

She pulled away in a gasp when he palmed her aching thigh. "My Lord—"

"Yes, I am your Lord and husband now," He kissed her deeply, stifling her voice. "Do not think for a moment I have not noticed your failure to confess love for me—but I can be patient in at least that—but this," he rolled on top of her, "I need not ever wait for again."

His passion was staggering. It was like they were dueling and she was losing.

"Please," she whispered, "I didn't know when to say it—"

His grip tightened at her wrists. "Say it now."

"Okay—" she gasped out, "I do—I do love you!"

Is this what magic battles felt like? She breathed in sharply when he pressed his full weight into her. She underestimated his desire for her and she should not have.

She woke up with her face cuddled up to Nozel's hip as he read a book. She hadn't known she had fallen asleep. Somehow she and the bed had both been cleaned and dressed in shades of gold and blue. Nozel, thankfully, was also dressed in a pair of white linen pants.

"Good morning," she said, voice hoarse with overuse. She touched her throat.

Nozel briefly glanced down at her. "Good morning. There is tea just there."

Rebecca noted the tea tray right next to her side of the bed. Breakfast too. She was so hungry. She hadn't felt hungry like this since before moving into the Novachrono manner. She sat up and caught herself before she tipped sideways. Oh she was so sore.

Shyly glancing at Nozel, who seemed too occupied with his book to notice her agony, Rebecca carefully maneuvered herself at the edge of the bed and pulled the tray table closer. She dared not stand until she was alone.

She bit into a warm croquette and was so pleased it was crabmeat she moaned.

"What a familiar sound," the man behind her listlessly said and her mouth parted in shock at the scandalous, albeit monotone, joke. He wore a light smirk the moment she twisted around to make eye contact with him.

"My Lord, you're more silly than I thought."

Immediately his smile fell and she triumphantly turned back to her delicious breakfast.

"When…was the bed made?" she asked, cradling a tea cup.

She heard a book close. "Not long after you fell asleep."

"Did a maid dress me?"

"No."

"And who, um, who cleaned me?"

"You… were quite exhausted and responded just enough to efficiently bathe with me. I recognize now you may have been sleepwalking. It was before I called the maids. We were indecent."

She gasped, twisting around. "That's your fault! I have never—that is…I didn't know—" she stopped when Nozel lifted a lock of her hair.

"Have I offended you?" He searched her gaze. "That was not my intention."

"No, my Lord, I'm just a little shy. I'm learning what is okay with a husband."

"I see." He released her hair and caressed her shoulder. His thumb rubbed the edge of the frilly princess sleeve until the nightgown moved enough where he could caress her bare shoulder. She breathed in shakily.

"You respond to my advances well. I take it as encouragement."

He pulled the strings at her collar, exposing the tops of her white, freckled breasts. With a knuckle, he moved the loosened neckband. His fingers disappeared underneath. Rebecca pressed her thighs together.

He was so close. His scent filled her senses and she felt lost, glimpses of last night's bath coming to her. Oh he had...done that to her there too. With her back pressed to his chest, he had splashed water everywhere.

"My love," he said softly, leaning in.

There, in his eyes, she could see desire stirring again and she knew what he wanted. She closed her eyes right before his lips found hers. This was what a honeymoon was for.

He pulled back just a little. "May I?"

He was asking? She slowly wound her arms around his neck. "Yes, though…please be more gentle."

Was that a hint of chagrin? "I will."

He led her to lay down. His caress went from her ankle to her knee. He gently nudged her and she adjusted her legs. The movement made her nightgown ride up. Her legs began to tremble. Nozel noticed and his hand stopped at her thigh.

He was quiet, examining her. "I think it's better I let you rest," and then excused himself to the bathing chamber.

Rebecca sat up in bed, blushing, not quite sure if she should feel relieved or flattered he considered her pain. To distract herself she grabbed the book on the bed and realized it was a grimoire. Was it his? She did not understand the language in it but she carefully flipped through the pages.

For the first time, Nebra insisted on visiting her sister at the Black Bulls hideout. Ever since Nozel's engagement announcement and following his wedding yesterday, Noelle had become increasingly reserved in her communications with the family and had failed to attend several courting meetings with Fuegoleon.

Nebra received a grand tour of the hideout (incredibly smaller than Mount Plata's fortress). Nebra was, of course, unimpressed and disgusted with the wear and tear of the building. Its residents assured her they enjoyed the decaying ambience and did not need the royal makeover she offered several times.

"These are the male dormitories," Noelle said, trying not to laugh at her older sister's expression.

"How quaint."

Noelle giggled and was about to pass by when a pale Knight with black circles around his eyes eerily appeared down the hall. He was holding a plethora of red headed dolls. Nebra jumped a little at his sudden appearance.

"You've finished!" Noelle hurried down the hallway and Nebra silently followed her. "Aren't these amazing?!" Noelle took the dolls from the ghostly man.

"Are those Scarlet children dolls?" Nebra found herself smiling. Maybe she shouldn't have worried so much about Noelle. She seemed her usual self and maybe even a bit happier.

Noelle nodded. "Asta thought of it! There are five Rebeccas for her siblings. And then there's one of each Scarlet—I guess Novachrono now—for Rebecca."

"Oh that's a wonderfully thoughtful gift. Getting them to bed last night was difficult. They miss her terribly already."

Noelle beamed, and so did her haunting squad mate.

"Hey guys!" Asta popped out of the room beside them. He was grinning. "Oh wow Gordon, are these it? They're amazing!" He teased, "He was moping around yesterday because he didn't finish before the wedding but look how great they turned out!" He grabbed a Marco doll from Noelle and made it dance, making Noelle laugh harder than Nebra had ever seen.

Nebra considered Asta with a small smile of her own. Julius and Noelle were very fond of this young man and perhaps she could now understand why. Something behind Asta, in his room, caught her eye. Truly the Black Bulls aesthetic was wanting.

But there, beside Asta's bed, on his nightstand was the gold framed portrait Julius had commissioned from Captain Rill.

Chapter Text

After visiting her sister, Nebra returned home with odd musings. She kept her observations to herself.  In the afternoon, Julius came back from some sort of assembly and they picked up the smaller children from their respective academies. 

They returned to the manor to meet Luca and Isaac, who raved about beating them home. They all washed, ate dinner, and the children studied with Julius in his laboratory. The youngest three were tucked in early with their new Rebecca-dolls. 

They allowed Luca and Isaac free reign for a bit longer, given their ages. 

There were now two child-friendly parlor rooms in the manor. Nebra fully furnished them with games and activities popular among the younger generation. Luca and Isaac had taken to the cue-sports table. 

Julius had had quite the fun teaching them billiards last week. They even placed bets. Essentially a victorious Julius paid himself as he had been the one who gave the children the gambling money in the first place. 

When the teens' allotted leisure time ended, Luca and Isaac came to the main parlor room to wish their parents goodnight. Julius and Nebra had been doing some light reading. Even after everyone said goodnight the two teens hovered. 

“What is it?” Julius said good naturedly. 

Luca whispered in Isaac’s ear and they scampered in front of Nebra. Nebra was surprised when the children each took a turn kissing her cheek before running off to bed. 

Julius was smiling at her when she turned to him on the long, upholstered sofa. 

“Do you think Rebecca told them to do that?” she said. “We didn’t rehearse kissing while we practiced their routine.”

Julius’s grin widened. “I think they’re improvising.”

“Oh.” Nebra blinked. 

“Do you mind it?”

“I suppose not.” 

The arm that Julius had on the back of the sofa moved so his knuckles could caress her neck. His fingers lightly tugged the clip of her chiton but did not undo it. 

Immediately, Nebra felt desire pool in her belly. This had been unthinkable a year ago. How much had her life changed? Too much to tell. 

Julius leaned in. “I missed you this morning.” 

Somewhere in the back of her mind she thought of the golden frame in Asta’s room. The  image of that woman became blurry when her husband began kissing her neck. 

“Julius—”

“—they’re in bed.”

It wasn’t what she was going to bring up, but it became important as he pulled her on his lap. He pressed her face to his so he could kiss her longingly, as if they hadn’t just spent the entire afternoon and evening together. 

With a quick surge of his magic, all the lights in the manor turned off. They became bare in that dark room. He guided her languidly.

“We’ve been busy these last weeks—” They hadn’t—

“—Julius—I had to prepare Rebecca f—for the wedding—wait—and the children—I wanted to learn—”

His lips lightly touched her closed eyelids. “Have you forgotten about me then? I want,” he nudged her, “time with you myself.”

She rested her forehead on his shoulder and he laid his head on hers. It was like an innocent embrace, but they’d be quite compromised should they be discovered. 

Nebra moved, simply to feel. Julius’s hand gripped her thigh. 

His low sigh captivated her. She adjusted to get a better look at him in the dark. The moonlight through the large parlor windows helped her see him. He leaned his head on the back of the sofa and gave her a lazy smile. 

“That’s very good.”

“I love you.” 

“Thank you, my darling," he mumbled, squeezing her bottom but otherwise not helping her. 

During their first months of lovemaking Julius had been very gentle. She hadn’t known the difference at first. But her body was now accustomed to their marital bliss and ached for him at the most random of times. There were nights where she physically craved to be one with him lest she die.

Nebra kissed her husband. A sudden need to eat him up overtook her. Her arms held his neck and shoulders tight as she now danced. For once he ripped away from her kiss to groan at her passion. She traced his open lips with hers. She even endeavored to use both palms to cover his eyes.  

“Damn—” he huffed. 

The end of it was a hushed cacophony of sighs.  Absurdly she worried about the upholstery but Julius always used his magic to clean up after their tête-à-têtes. 

Again that golden frame popped into her mind. 

She felt Julius caress her back. “Hello,” he said, removing her hands from his face to kiss them. 

Unsure of what to do with all the emotions building within her, Nebra pressed her face to his neck. The hand rubbing her back stopped moving. 

“Are you alright?” 

“Yes,” she fibbed for lack of explanation and feared he’d notice. But instead of questioning her like he often did, always wanting to get to the bottom of every mystery, he let it go in favor of holding her. 

She was being so sweet, touching his face, examining him as if he were the most interesting thing. Julius’s mind was distracted, thoroughly satisfied with their little rendezvous. He wanted to have a go at it again. 

Later he would come to regret this dismissal.

That same day, Nozel allowed his bride to relax until around noon and then it was time to depart to their next destination. 

He waited for his Rebecca in their private, royal parlor. His butler Caius stood near the main door, waiting with their coats hanging over both forearms. Finally, the bedroom chamber doors opened and two middle aged maids trickled out with satisfied smiles. They curtsied for their Lord and joined Caius. One took Rebecca’s thick coat from him. It would not do for a male servant to help her into it.

All 800 palace servants, from keepers to gardeners, knew their royal Lord was a possessive man. He was this way with his siblings and his father. He was even this way with his staff and Silver Eagles. Why would it be any different with his young, commoner bride?

She would be, she now was, his most valued person. 

Rebecca came out with a blush on her cheeks. She wore a high collared white shirt with an endless amount of bronze pearls as buttons and an emerald floor length skirt that hugged her hips and then loosened around her legs. The sleeves puffed at her shoulders and then slimed at her elbows. Her forearms were also littered with bronze pearls. 

It was a fashionable and modern winter look for a noble, influenced, as everything, by sub-popular trends among young people. Nebra had taken Rebecca to a plethora of seamstresses before the wedding. Within two weeks she had been given a wardrobe to match her new status. 

“I’m ready,” Rebecca said and stepped in front of him. 

He touched a short lock of hair curled at her ear. Her hair was bound in a low, braided knot. It gave her a more mature look. A part of him was thankful for this—her age was at first a difficult thing to contend with. It was only her life experience that quelled prior hesitancies. 

“How are you feeling?”

With pleasure he watched that blush deepen. 

“Good,” she whispered, unable to meet his gaze. “Maybe a little sore.”

“Hm.”

His passion had worn out her body. Her legs were shapely from so much walking, but she was not a warrior or an athlete. She was a woman who had never known a man—her legs had never been stretched or held down or bruised with kisses, and she was feeling the effects of it. 

He suddenly felt the pressing need to spirit her away.  

Nozel was about to announce their departure, but his words caught in his throat when Rebecca touched his hand at his side. To hold it. And then she leaned that same arm against his and simply stood there and waited. 

This was not how royal couples held one another on strolls and especially not in front of others.  

Nozel felt a faint smile touch his mouth and with purpose he entwined his fingers with hers. This was what he wanted. May it be God that only ever judged him but her ignorance of noble ways felt so much like a gift. Like a reprieve of the mundane. 

If he could help it she would never need to learn any aspect of court life. 

This is how he wanted her. How she was. Holding on to him because he was the only one she knew in the palace. Because she belonged to him. Because he was sure she felt shy that the pitiful amount of three servants were staring at her like she was a bright star at his side.

Nozel took Rebecca to his villa out in the country. The fields were still laden with snow. A handful of servants were there to greet them just outside the villa’s forecourt. Nozel landed on the cleared pathway. He held her gloved hand as they walked up to the servants. 

Rebecca was happy to see a familiar face among them. It was the Yuletide tour guide, Marianne. She wore the usual black and white maid outfit while the rest of the servants were men. A butler, an estate keeper, and a chef.

“Hello, Miss Marianne. I’m so glad to see you!” Rebecca said excitedly. 

“My Lady, you remembered me. Thank you.” Marianne bowed deeper. 

“Oh, yes…” Rebecca looked at Nozel. She was not familiar with this sort of reverence and it wasn’t something they discussed at length, but he understood it was queer for her. 

“Marianne,” Nozel said in his usual stolid drawl. “Treat my wife as you would a friend when it is only us. She will be more comfortable that way.”

Marianne straightened with wide eyes. “Ye-yes, my Lord.”

Rebecca smiled at the woman, perhaps feeling sympathetic. “Maybe we can talk later,” she offered and Marianne readily agreed. 

The villa was smaller than the Novachrono manor but still beautiful. Rebecca imagined when spring came and the trees and bushes got their green back, the villa would be even more magnificent. 

Nozel took her upstairs to what she guessed would be their honeymoon room for the next few days. It reminded Rebecca of Lord Julius’s chambers. Spacious and homey with a regular sized bed for two. 

“Rebecca,” Nozel whispered before kissing her. 

Rebecca sighed into the kiss. It was like every nerve hummed within her the moment the royal man touched her. His hands were pulling her shirt out of her skirt and slowly unbuttoning it. 

Nozel slid her blouse down her arms. He kissed her neck with open mouth kisses, adding to last night’s blemishes. He picked at the buttons at her waist to loosen her skirt. Did he want to…? 

He’d shown mercy that morning. Maybe it had run out.  

Nozel said against her neck, “I know that you are sore—let me help.”

“L-like a massage?”

His thumbs hooked at her waistband. “I have a balm, but I think,” he rubbed his nose against her neck, “I’d like to include that as well.”

“My Lord, shouldn’t I be the one offering you a massage?” Rebecca grabbed his hand as she stepped out of the skirt that pooled around her feet. The thinness of her petticoat didn’t give her much coverage and made her feel exposed. 

He held out her hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist, as if they were about to waltz. He looked at her with such adoration she felt her face warm. 

“Rebecca, you are not my servant. Go on, lie down.”

Obeying him, she went to the bed. First she bent over and pulled back the covers. She looked over her shoulder at him. 

“I’ll lay down on my belly.”

His eyes lifted to meet hers. “Yes.”

Once he got to massaging her, she felt her eyes get heavy. He concentrated on the backs of her legs and hips. It felt heavenly when he pressed his fingers into her calves. How was he so good at it? 

“Understanding human anatomy can be advantageous in battle.” He lifted her petticoat over her head. “To save a life or destroy one.”

“O-oh I see—my Lord.”

He pulled down her long drawers. A sort of warm oil was poured down her spine and even on her bottom. A healing potion, he said. His hands expertly spread the oil on her back. His thumbs swept into the cushiony muscle down her spine and further down. 

The medicine was working. The tightness in her muscles lightened. She even felt the substance vanish, leaving no residue. She sighed lightly as he also kneaded the backs of her thighs with the odd balm.

She blinked heavily. Oh she really was tired. “I can’t remember the last time I napped,” she mumbled. “I’m sorry, my Lord—I’m so tired…” She anticipated only to doze off for a few minutes. 

But she awoke much later feeling rejuvenated, but also feeling hot, wrapped in Nozel’s bare arms. When was the last time he napped? She wanted to giggle. He still looked so serious.  

She was very hungry. She got up carefully, donned her petticoat and propped open the door. Of course there was a silver cart with covered trays. It’d be a late lunch so maybe she’d just pick at the food to hold out until dinner. She pulled the cart in and closed the door. 

“You should cover yourself before stepping out,” came Nozel’s voice and it startled her. She almost dropped the dome cover. He was shirtless, sitting up to observe her. 

She hugged it to herself. “I…I will.” He was right. Only Marianne was there and the rest of the servants were men. 

It looked like he wanted to say more but instead he smiled and the sight of it was like a crisp wind lifting her hair. 

“What have they made for us?”

“Oh—there is basil tomato soup and sourdough with garlic butter. The bread is still warm!” She excitedly began to slather a generous portion of the butter on two slices. “I’m glad it’s a light meal or we would be too full for dinner.”

She walked to his side of the bed and handed him a slice. He looked at it for a moment, as if no one had ever held a piece of bread in their bare hand and offered it to him. Rebecca realized that was probably exactly it, but before she could apologize he took it from her and ate. 

She ate her piece too. They both acknowledged it was good but said nothing else. She went to get their soups but he grabbed her wrist, pulling her to him. She fell across his lap and already his hand was dragging up the back of her thigh. 

“Wait!”

His hand stopped. 

“I’ve brought a puzzle!”

“A puzzle?”

She straightened her arms and got close to his face. “I’d like to do a puzzle with you.”

Nozel raised exactly one eyebrow at her attempt to distract him. 

“Please?” She tried sweetly. “We can put it together while we eat. What do you say?”

He said nothing as he allowed her to get up. He watched her gather pillows and blankets. She set them up on the floor. Their lunch was carefully placed on the makeshift floor-bed. Then she rummaged through her small chest of belongings and pulled out several boxes of puzzles. 

From the floor she beamed a large smile at him “Come on let’s eat! This puzzle has 500 pieces, this one has 1,000 pieces so maybe we should save that one for back home—oh but this one with 300 pieces might be better since we’ll only be here a few days—”

He’d never heard anyone talk so much about puzzles. He got up and went to her. In one hand she held a slice of bread dipped in tomato soup and in the other she held a puzzle box. In only a petticoat she sat in a ‘W’ on the blankets to rummage through the box. 

He couldn’t remember the last time he sat on the floor. Maybe when Solid had still been a toddler. But alas there he was, shirtless and hair unbound, humoring this young woman. 

The puzzle image was that of a Knight on a cliff dueling an ice breathing dragon. In the beast's claws hung a maiden with long red hair.

“Her hair is like yours.”

She smiled coquettishly at him. “Yeah I guess so.”

For whimsy and little else, he said, "Am I the Knight?"

Rebecca frowned whilst deeply examining the box cover. "You say you love me like this Knight might love her—but to me," she caressed the creature, "you're more like this dragon."

Amused, Nozel asked, "How so?"

Her cheeks went florid and she couldn't seem to answer at first. She had just called the Lord of House Silva a beast. 

Finally, with a humble note, she said,  "You're otherworldly. You've taken me away from all I know." She now touched the captured maiden. "And the way you hold me," she said in a softer tone, causing him to hold his breath, "the way you hold me feels like this."

Nozel felt her words to be flattering, understanding them as she meant them, complimenting his status and passion for her. It would be later when he would come to resent this description.

Chapter Text

Being the adoptive mother of so many children had its natural reward with their love. Nebra supposed if they hadn’t been such well raised, pleasant children, she would have never wanted to take them in. Even Julius would not have been able to persuade her. 

Rare was it that nobles adopted commoners. 

She knew this was not normal. As she understood it, typically orphans, or children taken away from unhappy homes, had habits that often made it difficult to coexist with their new families.

It seemed that was not always the case. The Scarlet children—her children now—were very good. While at times rowdy, they liked their new parents (Julius was very fun and she knew it was his character that made every day an adventure for them). 

To be liked by them was a relief. 

“Bye bye, mama!” 

Pem waved his hand as his teacher led him inside the schoolhouse. His tiny coat and matching uniform hat were so adorable. She couldn’t wait until spring to see him in the little boy shorts the academy permitted in warmer weather. Pem had very cute knees. 

“What am I, invisible?” Julius mumbled. 

“He prefers me.”

“Read the room, my darling.”

“We’re outside.”

Julius chuckled, putting her hand on his elbow. “You’re quite brutal. Let’s get some breakfast.”

She followed him through the village street. He funded the fairly large village well. Most of the roads were paved and there were streetlamps in every corner. There were several academies, too, that people of every status could send their children. 

They now sat at the second story balcony of a quaint but delicious cottage style diner. The first time Julius took her, Nebra had been doubtful, but once she tried the food she learned to appreciate the small business. 

The owner often had the private balcony open for the Lord Novachrono. 

Nebra sipped her warm drink. “Except maybe Ellie, you’ve won over the others. I like Pem’s favor.”

“It’s not a competition. We’re a team.”

“Yes, but the others do gravitate towards you.”

“They’ve known me longer. Our dynamic is still changing. You’ll see. Luca has become more fascinated with you these past few days.”

“She has, hasn’t she?”

Their conversations were like this now—consumed with the children. Everything they did and said was to be noted, laughed at or analyzed. It was fun. Nebra enjoyed discussing these observations with Julius. It was something only they shared…

“Enjoy, mister and missus.” Ms. Patty set their plates in front of them. 

“Thank you!” Julius’s eyes sparkled and it reminded Nebra of when Asta saw the completed Scarlet dolls. His whole face had lit up. His eyes brightened like the night sky full of stars. 

Just like Julius’s so often did, indiscriminately moved by any wonder or mystery or mundane delight. 

Nebra stuck her fork in a small sausage. It had been some time since she saw the gold frame in Asta’s room.  She hadn’t mustered up the courage to ask Julius about it. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know. 

Asta looked nothing like Julius. In fact he was the copy and paste version of that woman in the portrait. But he was too young to have a ‘mutual friend’ with Julius, a friend that ‘died a long time ago’. A friend that looked too similar to Asta. 

“My dear,” Julius said, placing a hand over hers. “Are you alright?”

“That woman,” Nebra said, “who is she?”

Julius’s eyebrows rose, unsure of her trajectory. 

“The one in Rill’s portrait. Asta has it.” 

At first he seemed puzzled, trying to connect her meaning. She saw when realization struck him. His expression became serious then. He removed his hand from hers and a muscle at his jaw tightened. 

She didn’t like that. “Asta looks just like her. I don’t know why I hadn’t realized before.”

“I rather have this conver—”

“Is she his mother?”

He glanced towards the stairs of the cottage and back at her. “Yes.”

“I don’t know a lot about that young man except that he has no magic and is an orphan. He likes visiting you a lot.”

“Let’s discuss this at home.”

“Was she your lover?”

Julius put his fork down and leaned back in his seat. He measured the determination on her face. He clearly had no intention of disclosing anything there.

So she said, “I think I have my answer.”

He was upset. “Can’t you be patient for once?”

She stood and nearly knocked over the chair. “Don’t make requests from me when you’ve been lying!” She wanted to smack him. Her face felt like it was tingling and her fingers hurt. 

Maybe it was better they had this conversation at the manor. Her mind was spinning. Did she have to bring up her observations here? She felt dizzy. She touched her forehead. 

She didn’t want to make a scene and Julius probably felt the same way. This village was their lorddom. It was wrong —but how could he keep this from her? Hadn’t they grown closer? Didn’t he love her? Hadn’t she become a good wife to him? 

“I think—I think I’ll go home first.”

Of course Julius immediately followed her home. She was a misty cloud ahead of him in the clear blue sky. It was still cold but he doubted it would snow again for the year. They flew over the moorland between Worcestershire and the manor in record time.  

They crossed over the black gate and landed in front of the mansion. Particles of mist joined together to create his wife’s form and long, lavender winter cloak. She looked back at him with a hurt he’d never seen before. 

She almost seemed afraid. 

“How long have you been piecing it together?”

Nebra’s chest rose and fell. “When I visited Noelle.”

For nearly a month! He was genuinely confused. “Why wait? All this time—what you must think of me, Nebra.” 

What had been going through her head during meals and family time? During their lovemaking? When they had their private conversations? When she touched his face with a gentle look?

“I—I wasn’t sure. And I was busy with the children. And then Rebecca visited while Nozel was away on business. You know I think she’s having a hard time but won’t admit to anything. I’ve had a lot to think about these last few weeks and today at the restaurant you got this look that reminded me of Asta and I knew. He’s your son.”

Julius had the decency to look ashamed. “I hoped to tell you myself. I was waiting for the right time, since the situation itself is a complicated one, and there is only so much I can say, but now I see waiting to discuss it was a mistake.”

The hurt on her face transferred into fury. Had he misspoke? He was trying to be as honest as possible, albeit belatedly. 

She narrowed her eyes. “How many others?”

“What.”

“How many other women—how many other children do you have!”

“Only her. There was no one else where…I allowed such vulnerability.”

Perhaps it was again the wrong way of answering. He had allowed a tenderness to seep into that confession. Nebra’s eyes filled with tears for she could see he had clearly loved the woman from his past. 

Ever masking vulnerability with anger, she accused, “How am I supposed to believe that? The continent could be filled with little Juliuses and how would I know it!” Her voice shook, “Are there other women walking around with your child?”

This was not the first time she questioned his faithfulness. Her accusation ignited instant irritation. 

Julius threw, “And what of the Royal King?” 

“What about him!”

“Was he not at one point your intended?”

She tsked. “As if I’d let that buffoon come ten feet near me.”

“You’re not really answering the question, my darling.”

“Yes, Julius, he was just for a moment until Nozel dissuaded him in favor of you! It hardly counts as a betrothal. Don't change the subject.”

“Fine. But I don’t appreciate you questioning my integrity in our marriage.”

Nebra pressed her palm against her forehead, as if a migraine was coming on. She looked so torn. So confused. He had done this to her. She had every right to be angry at him. 

Another fat tear slid down her cheek and when he made to go to her, she held up a hand, signaling him to stop. 

He tried, “My past is more extensive than yours. Can’t you understand?”

“Of course I understand that.” She hugged her arms, as if the fight had gone from her. “I knew you were older than me. I knew you were adopted. I knew something odd had been done to your mind by the Dark Triad.” Her voice broke. “But a child? We almost had our own. How could you not tell me? You know everything about me.”

Julius felt frustration build. His hands swiped his hair back and he paced the cobblestone. He stopped suddenly and pointedly looked at her. 

“What is it?” She’d never quite seen that intense gaze before. As if…he were about to duel her. 

“I cannot respond.”

“Why?”

His mouth pursed together. “Just as,” he actually seemed to be in discomfort, “Nozel.”

“What about my brother?” she snapped. 

He said nothing. 

She considered him then.  With sinking realization, she gasped and hurried to him. Her fingers pressed into his jaw, trying to pry it open. “How dare he!” 

He grabbed her wrists and shook his head. There at the corner of his mouth blood gathered. He’d already said too much. Damnatio would know. 

The Royal Oath was not like a demon's malevolent curse, but in contrast it was a punishment for criminals. She’d never seen it used like this. Usually it was placed on criminals who betrayed the kingdom so they wouldn’t divulge secrets. She’d never heard of it being placed on celebrated mages like Julius to disable him from speaking about his past. Why?

It was a word magic ability only the Kira family had. 

That Julius was able to refer to the Royal Oath at all was in itself a credit to how powerful of a mage he was. 

Nebra wrapped her arms around his shoulders, feeling very sorry for him and for herself. In response Julius lightly touched her waist. 

“I know you can’t speak now,” she whispered. His throat was probably on fire. She then drew back enough to make eye contact, “But you do not need to say anymore. I will find the answers even if I have to pry them out of the King’s mouth. How would he like it if his mouth bled?”

Julius’s eyes widened at the furiously determined expression on her face. She was mad for him. But once she got her answers (he knew she would), he was afraid that same fury would turn on him again. 

He tried to grab her when she made to leave but she pushed his hands away. “No!” She shouted, neck red. “I deserve to know the truth. Even if it’s ugly. I won’t be lied to because of a spell that takes someone’s voice. Never again. Never!” 

And just like that she left him standing in front of the manor.

Damnatio was in trial, in the throne hall, when royal Lady Nebra Novachrono came to the palace. She was demanding his audience in such audacious form, his nervous attendant interrupted the tribunal three times to whisper in his ear. 

The first two times he told the attendant to deny her access to his audience and to stop bothering him. For a third time, his attendant came back in tears near the end of the trial, bowing from the waist, simpering nonsense that the royal Lady threatened to involve Nozel and Lord Vermillion if he failed to speak to her this very hour. 

“Fine,” the Royal King relented, “after the trial. Take her to my chancery.” 

Damnatio entered his private office to find Nebra standing in the middle of it. Regal and poised as usual. He walked right past her to sit at his crowded desk. He wanted to look at her devastating beauty as little as possible, lest envy and bitterness take hold of him.  

He immediately began going through the work on the desk. “Why are you here?” 

“Your Majesty, no greeting?”

He scoffed. “Speak, woman.”

Nebra slyly said, “I know why you let go of me once you found out who Nozel preferred me to marry.”

Damnatio glanced at her but otherwise continued to feign examining the treaty before him. 

Nebra circled the room and her pretty winter robe dragged behind her. “Who would have thought that a man so full of justice, so adamant about a black and white outlook, could be so full of revenge.”

“Nonsense.”

“Admit to it, Damnatio. You wished to punish me. You knew Julius’s past would come up eventually and test our love.”

Damnatio slapped a hand on the thick treaty and abruptly stood. Nebra hated to admit it, but the sudden sound and movement caused her to jump. With a concentrated frown, Damnatio stared hard at the documents before him. 

“Why are you here, Nebra? To reject me again? I will not be made a fool a second time.”

“Release Julius from your spell.”

Damnatio laughed with derision. “Shall he be executed instead?”

Nebra took a step back. She felt suddenly out of her depth. And full of worry. 

“Why would you say that?”

The Royal King leaned his arms on the desk and seemed to be thinking really hard. He mumbled, “Damn you, Zogratis,” and then wryly looked at her. “How much time do you have?”

After a long and odious dark tale, Damnatio escorted a subdued Nebra out of the palace gates. Once they reached the grand threshold that oversaw the city, he stopped and watched her continue to walk away in silence. 

Nebra halted. She did not look back when she said, “So you did allow me to marry him for revenge.”

Damnatio closed his eyes. “I am many things, Nebra, but first and foremost I am just a man. I’d be lying if I said a part of me did not feel vindicated knowing that one day you would find yourself miserable beside that self-righteous devil user. But truthfully,” he acknowledged, “even I would have eventually been unhappy beside a woman that could not love me.”

“I let you go because it was the right thing to do. Nozel was wise in picking your suitor. Even with a questionable and mysterious past, you held Julius in higher regard. And with your marriage, and the possibility of children, I hoped it would keep our Clover Kingdom safe from faulty, ancient seals.

“Above all else, I want our country and our people to be safe. It is what Nozel and Lord Vermillion wanted as well.”

Nebra’s shoulders rose. “I see. Perhaps you are only full of justice then. Forgive my earlier impertinence, your Majesty.” She curtsied and walked away. 

Damnatio shook his head. “She apologizes for rudeness yet she bows facing away. Her surname and status may have changed, but she will always be a Silva.”

Nebra returned to Novachrono manor in a cloud of mist. She landed on her balcony and waiting in her room was a sorry looking Julius. He stood from the chaise lounge chair. He could feel the bindings in his throat unfurl in her presence. 

In contrast, when she saw him, she became wary. Oh how she wanted to hurt him. 

“You’re back.” 

“I am.”

“What…what are you thinking?”

“That I should have married Damnatio. He doesn’t need to split his soul to be a just man.”

Julius breathed in sharply at the insult. She saw right through him. 

“But,” she continued, “I didn’t marry him. I married you. You are my husband. You are my family. Whatever you are.” She looked so sad—no fury in sight. “Are you a man or a wicked abomination? Is this what I deserve? Right now I have so much to think about, so I can’t say with full confidence that I don’t regret marrying you.”

“I see.” Now that he could, Julius said, “I want to explain the events of my life.”

“I don’t want to hear your side.”

Her words were like daggers. “How will we reconcile?” She said nothing. “Nebra, please.”

“I need time.”

“I can give you that.”

She released a shaky breath. “I don’t know how much time.”

A sense of inevitable loss filled his gut. “Nebra…” Would she leave? 

She turned away before he could see her tears fall. “Please go.”

He stepped toward her, his heart breaking at the pain in her voice. “We’ve committed ourselves to the children.”

Her shoulders tensed. “And they will have full access to us here at the manor. Nothing will change there. I will keep my promise to Rebecca and to the children.” For better or worse, Julius’s influence had made her love them. 

Some relief filled him. She would stay.  

“Then…good afternoon,” he said, though he did not want to depart from her side. He went to the cellar but instead of preparing his materials for an upcoming conference, he leaned back in his armchair and stared at the ceiling. 

At some point in their marriage, he no longer sought comfort in research or books (though he delighted in such things), but rather comfort was now found specifically in her arms. She became the balm to his aches. 

So where did he go now to soothe a wound? How hypocritical. He felt wounded at her pain—pain that he caused. 

Why hadn’t he told her the truth from the very beginning, before their engagement? The part of him that was ‘Julius Novachrono’ was known to be an honest person. He wondered if the moment Nebra showed up in his parlor room, demanding they marry, she already began to break the soul seal that separated him from Lucius’s manipulative tendencies. 

Julius felt sure now that Lucius had wanted her then, and the only way to assure that happened was to keep quiet about Asta. 

Yes. He remembered that early morning well. She came in hot, flustered at his rejection while he still wore his sleeping robe. In one moment he had rejected Nebra. Yet with just one stroll around the rose garden, something shifted inside of Julius, and then in the next moment, he accepted her proposal. Why?

For no perceived reason. She had done and said nothing to convince him. But he changed his mind. 

He had been tactless. Lucius had been greedy. 

In other words, with a complete soul, Julius was no better than any other run-of-the-mill, selfish son of a bitch.

That night Nebra went about the new routine of tucking the children in for bed. Julius had gone to give a lecture at the Capital for the evening and wouldn’t be back until late. 

She offered a very willing Pem to sleep in her quarters. It wasn’t the first time.

In the middle of their first month of parenting, Isaac read a horror story to his siblings. For a week the three very frightened Pem, Marco and Ellie slept with Nebra while Julius slept uncomfortably on her chaise lounge. 

Her heart ached just remembering the image of him startling awake at any noise the scared children made, asking if they needed anything.

“G’night, mama.” Pem yawned and pressed his face to her chest.  His poor Rebecca-doll was squished between them. 

Nebra lightly brushed his little red fringe with her fingers. He had a precious face. The skin was smooth and without blemish. He was so much smaller than the other kids his age. 

“Goodnight,” she softly said in the dark of the room. 

It was not as if she could leave all this and go home—that was, return to the palace. Even for a break. Nozel was there with his new bride. And, as difficult as it was to remove Nozel from the higher shelf, her brother had been the one that presented Julius as a delicious offering, even while knowing the truth that he was Lucius Zogratis. The three rulers of the Clover Kingdom had used her. She was stuck, but…

She held little Pem closer to her chest. She would never leave the Scarlet children.