Chapter Text
He finally found the shelf. When he had last been here, he didn’t have time to buy the book before he had to leave. Now he can finally do so.
“Let’s see… Ah! Here it is! The Tales of Princess Leah Pala and The Scarlet Coconut. I just know she’ll love this.” Gauche snatched the book and walked to the table where a lady had her head down, obviously bored. “Hey!”
The lady perks her head up to see the young man holding a children’s novel. “Would you like to check that out?”
Gauche shook his head. “No, I’d like to buy it.”
She frowned as her demeanor deflated back to what it had been before. “Sir, we don’t sell books here—“
A large pouch of money was set in front of her with the small clinking sound of coins.
“Very well then, let me just get this ready for you then.” She retracts her previous words.
After a few minutes, Gauche was happily walking towards the Church Marie slept in with a book wrapped in colorful paper in his hands. “Oh, Marie! You’re gonna love this.”
“Gauche? What are you doing here?” An old, raspy voice called out to him. He knew immediately who it was and turned his head with a scowl.
“Old hag… I’m here to visit Marie.”
Sister Theresa’s brows lowered. “You know you’re only allowed to see her once a month.”
Gauche grits his teeth and rolls his eyes. “Does it look like I care?”
“That’s no way to treat an old lady nearing the end of her life.” She says. Gauche shows no remorse.
“Yeah, you never let me forget. Just let me go see her.” Gauche gave her another demand in an irritated tone.
Sister Theresa sighs and glances at the rectangular shape in Gauche’s hand. “I’m assuming you’re wanting to gift that to her?”
Gauche looked down at the book and covered it more with his arms. “Yeah, so? It’s not your business.”
She didn’t seem too concerned with Gauche’s attitude. “Actually it is, as I am the one in charge of taking care of her.”
Gauche was about to shout at her again, but he took a breath before speaking again. “Can I just see her?”
She was taken aback for a moment, she couldn’t help but find it a bit amusing. “Do you able to speak like a normal person every once in a while, hm?”
“Shut up, hag.”
Sister Theresa thinks for a moment before giving him a reluctant nod. “Fine, you may. Not for long though.”
Gauche raises his brows and then coughs. “Uhm… thanks, I guess.” He muttered in a moody manner as he walked on his way to the Church.
Turning the corner, he immediately spotted the familiar blonde head of the young girl. His legs began a fast sprint. “MARIE!!”
She turns her head and let out a startled yelp. She jumped out of the way. “Gauche? What are you doing here?!”
Gauche picked himself up and bent down next to Marie. “I got you a gift.” He presents her with the carefully wrapped book.
Still confused, she took it and slowly tore the paper off. “You got me a book?” A small smile forms on her face.
He nods. “Yes, I thought you might like it.”
She ran towards him and gave him a hug that was too quick for his liking. “Thanks so much, big brother! I’ll definitely read it, it looks so cool!”
Gauche almost passed out, but with Sister Theresa’s watchful eyes, he kept himself together.
“Fuegoleon! Asta’s here, can I go?” Leo asked with a sparkle in his eyes. He was almost bouncing in his seat.
As Fuegoleon opened his mouth and begun to speak, Mereoleona cut him off immediately. “No, absolutely not.”
Leopold’s bubbly mood deflates immediately. His face was visibly puzzled. “What? But Fuegoleon said I could go earlier.”
Mereoleona stared daggers at Leo and the room was put into an uncomfortable silence.
Fuegoleon placed a hand on her shoulder. “Let him go, sister. He’ll be fine.”
“But—“
Fuegoleon gave her a look. She rolled her eyes. “Fine! Just be home at a reasonable time this time.”
Leo’s eyes lit backup and he ran to the door immediately. “Okay, I will! Bye!”
After he was gone, Mereoleona leaned back in her chair. “He better not do anything stupid.”
“I hope he doesn’t for the sake of not receiving your wrath…” Fuegoleon sighed.
Asta had been waiting outside the Vermillion Manner for a few minutes now. He felt nervous. What if Leo changed his mind and he didn’t want to go out anymore?
Asta’s thoughts went on until someone tapped on his shoulder. “Oh! Leo… hey!”
“Hey, Asta! Sorry it took a few minutes longer than I wanted. Mereoleona needed a little convincing to let me go with you,” Leo explained.
Asta felt his face heat up with embarrassment. “Oh… is it because of the, uh…”
Leo nodded, confirming Asta’s worst fears. “Yeah… she didn’t really take too kindly to walking in on us making out. Even though she should’ve knocked first!” Leo curses under his breath. Asta chuckles a little.
“Well… Let’s forget about that for now?”
Leo took Asta’s hand and started to lead them away from the estate. “Yes! Please…” he agreed. A short few minutes after they started walking together Leo spoke once more. “Though… I think between walking in on us and knowing a possibility of my future, she’s just trying to look out for me.”
Asta couldn’t help but agree. “Yeah, I totally get it. I mean, how could anyone not worry about that cute little face!” Asta pinched Leo’s cheeks and spoke in a teasingly high voice as if talking to a dog. Leopold laughed and tried pushing Asta’s hand away.
“Stop…!”
Asta lowered his hands and started to tickle Leo’s hips, causing a yell to leave Leo. “I can’t hear you~!”
“No! Stop, STOP!” Leo laughs harder. It was torture! Complete and utter torture. “Stop, please~!”
Asta smiles and finally gives Leo time to breathe. Noticing how close they had become, he leaned in closer and planted a soft kiss onto Leo’s.
Leopold gave him a soft smile and pulled him closer, deepening their kiss. After pulling away, Asta was left smiling like an idiot.
“Aw, look at that little smile!” Leo reached an offensive hand towards Asta’s face. Asta jumped back and started to run.
“No!”
Leopold gasped and chased after him. “Get back here!” He smirked.
His boyfriend sure was fast on his feet, he’ll definitely have to train harder. Of course, that’ll be no issue as long as Asta is by his side, continuing to inspire him.
Noelle felt a pit in her stomach. She forgot to eat breakfast this morning, and now she’s facing the consequences. The combination of an empty stomach and her anxiety was not good; she was beginning to have a stomach ache.
“Are you alright? You’re pale. Have you fallen ill?” Nozel asked her, Noelle had taken one step ahead of Nozel before realizing he had stopped walking.
She nods. “Yeah, I guess I’m just a little nervous.”
Nozel awkwardly put his hand onto her shoulder. “Don’t worry… They’ll be fine.” Noelle looked ahead, they had almost arrived to Nebra’s hospital room. Solid hasn’t left her side very much, despite doctors’ protests.
“Alright, let’s go.” She says, continuing forward. She knocks on the door a few times before it’s harshly opened from inside.
Solid peeks his head out, seeing his oldest and youngest sibling, waiting to come inside. “Oh, it’s you…” he opens the door wider.
After coming inside, Noelle walks to Nebra’s side. “How are you doing?” She asks.
Nebra spoke with a neutral tone. “I’m doing alright. They said I’d be discharged tomorrow.”
Noelle nods, feeling the awkward tension rise.
“We just finished up with the mission involving the time mage, so we came in to check in on you. You two seem fine now, so we’ll just leave you to get some rest.” Nozel explained in a professional tone as if he was speaking to no one more than a subordinate.
Nebra wants to say something, but she decides against it and gives a small nod.
Noelle couldn’t help but feel grateful that Nozel was keeping this interaction short. But she couldn’t help but want to say one more thing before she left. “And Solid?”
Solid looked over at her in response.
“Thank you for taking care of our sister.”
Solid seemed a little taken off guard by Noelle’s words, but he quickly scoffed and turned his head. “Yeah, it’s whatever.”
Noelle offered a kind wave and left with Nozel. After the door closed, Nozel coughed and clears his throat. “So, Noelle… I have something I’d like to tell you.”
Noelle tilts her head with curiosity. “Hm? Sure, what is it?”
Nozel felt his nerves creeping up and he spoke, “I’d like to ap—“
Nozel and Noelle made it a few steps before a familiar red haired girl came up from behind them, playfully tapping on Noelle’s shoulder.
“Kahono? What are you doing here?” Noelle gasped. Nozel shut his mouth immediately.
“I saw you, so I decided to follow you.”
Noelle raised an eyebrow. “You… followed me?”
Kahono happily nods. “Yeah! I figured after everything you would want to do something fun to calm your mind, so I was gonna wait until you were done.”
Noelle looks up at her brother and back at Kahono. “Oh, I see! I don’t know if now’s really the—“
“Go ahead.” Nozel says. Noelle blinked and her expression became puzzled.
“Really? Didn’t you have something to tell me?” She asks. Nozel shook his head.
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll tell you another time.”
Noelle smiled and turned back to Kahono. “Okay then! Let’s go!” Noelle starts to walk with Kahono. “Goodbye, Nozel.”
Nozel nods and watched as the two girls walked down the hall and out of sight. He sighed in disappointment. ‘Next time…’
Vanessa felt that Magna’s constant complaining and requests for advice was exhausting. She was now hearing him ramble on for the 7th time this week, and it’s only Tuesday.
“And I just don’t know if I should get him something cool, or—“
Vanessa quickly shuts him down. “Magna. People don’t really celebrate a one month anniversary. You’re fine. Even so, Luck probably won’t care about what you do.”
Magna frowned and leaned back. “But I just feel like we should do something fun! It’s been a whole month since we started dating…”
“Then go do something fun! You don’t have to bug me for everything.” Vanessa reached down to grab a bottle of wine.
Magna scoffed. “Wow, you’re gonna drink while I’m asking you for advice?”
Vanessa took a large drink. “Your fault for bugging me so much.”
Magna crossed his arms and turned away for a moment. “Fine! But can you at least give me an idea on what to do?”
Vanessa looked at him with a sarcastic smile. “Okay, but you can’t bother me again about this.”
Magna nodded. “I won’t… but don’t you let Luck bother you all he wants?”
“How about you take him somewhere cool and spar with him? Something he likes?” Vanessa suggests without acknowledging Magna’s question, which struck a nerve with him. He shrugs it off.
“Hm… okay… maybe if I take him out then—“ Magna started to rant on and on about things they could do, going as far as to start planning stuff months in the future, Vanessa had to stop him at the word ‘marriage’.
Luck bursts into the room, and electric energy emanates from him. Magna smiled and strides toward him, fearless. “Hey, Luck.”
“Magna, let’s fight!”
Magna grabbed Luck’s arm, beginning to lead him outside. “Sure, but let me show you something first.” Magna gave Vanessa a quick thumbs up before they had left.
“Those two are hopeless… I’m gonna need more wine.”
“I can go get you some if you want…” Gordon peeks out from the couch, speaking in hushed whispers.
Vanessa jumped a little, startled, and tilted her head. “What was that, Gordon?”
Langris is working on his paperwork when a portal opens and a Finral pops out. “Hey, bro! What’re you doing?
Langris sighed. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
Finral looked at Langris’s desk and chuckled. “I guess that was a dumb question, huh?” Finral climbed through his portal and set a paper bag on Langris’s desk
“What is this?” Langris questioned him without wasting any time.
“I brought you raspberry tarts!” Finral answered, quite frankly: he seemed quite proud of himself.
Despite Langris’s efforts to maintain his prideful demeanor, he can’t deny the fact that raspberry tarts sounded really good right now…
“Oh… thanks.”
Then, the door opens and Mimosa walks in followed by Yuno.
Langris felt his annoyance grow with every second. “Why is everyone coming into my office?”
Mimosa spots Finral and takes a step back. “Sorry, are we interrupting?”
Finral shook his head. “Oh, no! Don’t worry, I was just stopping by.”
Yuno and Mimosa looked at each other for a moment. Mimosa talks again. “Yuno and I just wanted to see if you wanted to join us, we were gonna go get something to eat.”
Langris looked at Finral, it was like a cry for help. Finral, however, was clearly not getting it.
“I’m kind of busy with papers right now.” Langris replied.
Mimosa pushed the papers aside. “Don’t worry about those for now. You wanna come? Finral can come too.”
Finral blinked in surprise. “Really?”
Mimosa nods. “If you’re not busy of course!”
Finral awaited Langris’s response.
“What? You’d rather spend your day signing papers?” Yuno questioned him with a teasing undertone. Langris really felt as if everyone was ganging up on him right now. Suppose he can’t really say no, huh?
“Alright, fine.”
Finral and Langris both walk beside each other, a few feet behind Mimosa and Yuno. After a few minutes pass, Finral whispers to Langris.
“It’s kind of weird they’re letting us join them on their date…”
Langris almost laughed. “They’re not dating.”
Finral’s eyes widened. “Wait, they’re not? But I thought—“
Langris shook his head. “No, they’re too dumb to realize they like each other.” Langris started to laugh quietly.
Meanwhile, Yuno and Mimosa’s faces were completely red, hearing all of the whispers and snickers behind them.
“Sir, the Coral Peacocks have successfully obtained another magic item used by the Blades of Karma.” Marx read out the report carefully to Julius.
He nods, gazing out the window. “That’s good. Any more from the black market?”
Marx shook his head, “No, Sir.”
Julius looks amongst his kingdom, the countless citizens he was in charge of. With the Blades of Karma said to be forming, they had to confiscate as many magic items they could get their hands on before then. With the correct preparation, they won’t pose too much of a threat like they did in their previous future.
However, the problem remains that there are still many people out there that could be exposed to the horrors of the world without support, and grow to become those horrors.
“How’s the program coming along?” Julius asked him.
Marx’s lips curved upward. “It’s coming along nicely, Sir. There’s a lot of people signing up. The work they’re doing for some support isn’t too hard and it’s proven to be productive.”
“Well, that’s good. I’m sure that comes along with lots of paperwork too…” Julius muttered.
Marx felt his heart drop. “Sir, I am not doing it for you. Please just do it yourself. For once.”
Julius finally turns to face Marx. “Hm… Maybe I will!”
The peace in the Clover Kingdom was preserved by the special knights that serve their country. And it was almost taken away…
But luckily and ironically, Haruno saved them.
She may not have achieved her goal, but she did the next best thing.
She saved the futures of many lives. The ones of her and her sister’s favorite magic knights.
And everything stays.