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When Mimosa asked her to be her maid of honor, Noelle couldn’t quite refuse. Mimosa was like a sister to her and despite having dated Asta briefly in the past, he became one of her best friends over the years. But still, she had her reservations on agreeing to the request but was reassured by her cousin that both her and Asta wanted her for the role.
“If you don’t agree, I’ll have to ask Nebra. You won’t let me go through that, would you?” Mimosa had said knowing full well that Noelle wasn’t going to let her nasty sister get something that was initially hers.
It was a beautiful wedding and now that it was all over, she felt like she can finally take a breath properly without gaining the ire of a nearby relative. Being the disappointment of the whole clan didn’t really bother her much but she tried to avoid confrontations in social occasions such as this one. Thankfully, most of her family left early. They didn’t really approve Mimosa’s choice for a husband but they were civil enough to join the occasion.
Vanessa was singing a slow song on stage with Magna playing the guitar as couples were slow-dancing on the floor. Noelle was sitting at the bar drinking a glass of wine as she watched the scene contently, quite happy with how to evening turned out. She did well during her speech which was a miracle by itself since she was terrible at speaking to crowds. She was able to get all the words out properly and didn’t make a fool of herself thanks to the hours and hours of practice she did beforehand.
“Quite the party, huh.” Noelle heard Yuno say, not realizing that he sat down on the stool beside her. The bartender approached and asked him what he was having. “Just a glass of water, thank you.”
“I was just thinking about my speech and how it was obviously better than yours.” Noelle quipped as she took a sip of her drink.
Yuno chuckled. He was Asta’s best man and was required to give a speech as well. It was short but Asta was bawling like a baby by the end of it regardless.
“Right.” He said. “At least it wasn’t five pages long.”
“Oh go away.”
The bartender handed Yuno his water and Noelle took this opportunity to study him at the corner of her eye. He looked handsome. Well, he was always handsome, but he looked more so tonight dressed in his formal suit. His hair, which usually stuck out in various places on his head, was gelled and combed neatly.
Yuno held a weird place in her life. They knew each other but never really formed a bond. Yuno was always quiet and Noelle always rattled on about everything and anything whenever they were together. He was one of those people who was just there. Despite this, she respected him as a powerful mage and she was honored to have fought with him on the battlefield on several occasions.
Noelle knew that he would be content to just sit there in silence without striking up a conversation so cleared her throat, deciding to take it upon herself to break the ice. “I can’t believe Asta and Mimosa are married.” She stated.
Yuno shrug his shoulders. “It was bound to happen. They’re made for each other”
True. Mimosa fit Asta better than anyone, even better than her. Her cousin was always so kind and patient which complemented Asta’s over-the-top-borderline-obnoxious personality. Noelle was known for a lot of things but being patient was not one of them which is why her relationship with Asta ended just a couple of months after it started. That was years ago and she truly was happy that he found a love in Mimosa.
Yuno set the glass that he was holding down on the counter before turning to her. “Dance with me.” He said all of the sudden. His invitation completely caught her off guard and she nearly choked on her drink. She stared at the hand that he offered her, waiting for the punchline that never came, his expression tensing at every second that passed.
“Okay.” Noelle said as she placed her hand on his and stood up from the bar stool, forcing herself to think straight. It’s not like this was their first dance together. They were partners during the choreographed entourage performance earlier so why were her thoughts and heartbeat racing.
They settled in the middle of the floor both awkwardly looking at each other before he finally placed his hands on her waist. They swayed with the music, Noelle unable to relax under Yuno’s gaze. She felt she was about to have a mental breakdown right then and there. But true to her fashion, she decided to behave like she usually did.
Noelle stuck her nose high in the air and huffed, “Your dancing is subpar. You should have taken dancing lessons before asking a royal like me to dance.”
“You stepped on my foot three times during the entourage performance.” Yuno said, flatly.
“I did not.” She murmured as she looked down embarrassed. “Then why did you ask me then if I’m so horrible at it.”
Yuno was silent and Noelle finally dared to look up at him. His eyebrows was slightly furrowed, his lips opening and closing as if he’s testing the words in his mouth before saying them out loud. “I just want to have fun and dance with a friend for the rest of the night.” He finally said.
Noelle’s stared at Yuno blankly.
“If that’s alright with you of course.” He quickly added.
“Well…” She gulped, swallowing the invisible mass that formed in her throat. She was about to blurt out a haughty response but stopped herself at the last moment.
Most people regarded Yuno as cold and distant but she was one of the few who knew about his past in Hage Village. Sister Lily had told her during one of her visits that Yuno was a sensitive child and that he was constantly picked on because of it. Asta was his protector all throughout their childhood and this explained the strong bond between the two boys even if they were polar opposites personality wise. Noelle knew that underneath Yuno’s stoic nature, he was a good and caring person and that she was lucky that he considered her as his friend.
“I lied.” She said instead. “You’re a great dancer. I’m sorry.”
“No worries.” He said with a slight smile.
Noelle didn’t know him well, that was true, but she had a feeling that that was going to change after tonight.
“Twirl me on three?”
“You still need a count?”
“Just do it.” She said as she rolled her eyes and they laughed as he twirled her around the dance floor.