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(Y/N) Vaude, was a esteemed member of the Golden Dawn, as well as the older sister of Finral and Langris. Given her younger brother's betrothal to a member of the royal families, it made sense that she would spend time with houses Kira, Silva, and Vermillion. Over the years this became her world. Her social circle became primarily occupied by royalty, but to her they were just people. That's was something that was rare among nobles, to see everyone as equals regardless of class. Of course, the worldview had its challenges; specifically from other nobles. The Clover King, the three eldest Silva children, even her father and brother saw commoners as less than.
This always greatly saddened and angered her, which she was never afraid to voice. This open opposition would eventually lead to a rift forming between her and most other nobles; including her own family. However, she found a refugee of sorts within House Vermillion.
What started with infrequent and enjoyably casual conversations with Mimosa, quickly grew into routine dinners with her, her brother, and their three cousins. Despite the frequent dramatic reactions, (Y/N) never felt like she had to hid herself or her opinions around them. Perhaps it was this apparent closeness that prompted the king to order that you and Fuegoleon be betrothed to each other.
(Y/N) often considered if she should've seen it coming, but there were truly no indicators the king had been considering such a thing. The two of them had been in their 20s when the engagement was made official. Neither of them being quite ready for what was to come next.
It could be expected that things were awkward between the two magic knights; considering the sudden and unexpected nature of the arrangement. (Y/N) initially found herself at somewhat of a loss as to how to treat her childhood acquaintance in light of the new development. However, she had resolved herself to making the most of the hand she'd been dealt.
The two young adults began spending more time together. Such meetings becoming more and more personal over time, as the two got to know each other even better. A new foundation of acceptance and respect was gradually established between the two of them. Sadly, (Y/N) being a part of a different squad, the Golden Dawn to be exact; made spending time together increasingly difficult. That, in addition to Fuegoleon's duties as a captain made the moments that could be spared all the more precious.
Perhaps, it was within these stolen moments that things began to shift once again. However, this time in a more intimate direction. Neither of them could recall the specifics, but somewhere along the way their relationship began to grow deeper. They found themselves debating, training, or simply enjoying the other's company. As the months went by, general affection blossomed into passionate devotion. The second eldest Vermillion was proud to call the oldest child of Vaude his fíance, and vice versa. The two nobles found themselves grappling with these unfamiliar emotions. However, neither of them dared call what they had love or anything close that. Perhaps out of fear of accepting this new reality.
For the last few years their relationship has been teetering on the edge of something uncharted. And every time it seemed like either of them would cross the threshold, something new would stand in the way. The latest obstacle was Fuegoleon losing his arm during the recent attack on the capital, with him falling into a coma immediantly after. (Y/N) and Leopold were absolutely devastated seeing him lying in that bed. His skin was pale and his body unmoving. The only sign he was alive being the shallow rise and fall of his chest.
Of course the members of the Crimson Lion Kings were also very distraught by this terrible development. Being left without a captain, the squad fell to Mereleona, who returned from the wilderness to lead the squad in her younger brother's stead. Meanwhile, Fuegoleon's bride-to-be decided to take a sabbatical from her duties as a magic knight to care for her fíance.
Sadly, Leopold was unable able to do the same. He and his future sister-in-law both knew his elder sister wouldn't allow him, or any of his squadmates to "slack off" in Fuegoleon's absence. Despite taking time off, she found herself unable to relax knowing that her beloved fire mage might not wake up. In the end, all she could do is pray and hope that he would open his eyes, and that she'd hopefully be there when he did.
Everything had happened so fast. One minute it was silent, and the next it was complete pandemonium.
Randall, the vice-captain of the Crimson Lion Kings, was violently attacking his squadmates. It defied all reason, (Y/N) had always known the man to be loyal and trustworthy. However, as the battle raged on it became abundantly clear that the man before them was not the mage they knew. She hadn't wanted to leave Fuegoleon's side, but danger was upon them and the situation demanded decisive action. (Y/N) fought valiantly alongside the Crimson Lion Kings, spells flying through the air and battles cries ringing out into the night. Sadly it wasn't long before only she and Leopold remained standing.
The toll the battle was taking was evident in both of them; clothes tattered, breathes heavy from exertion. The older mage could practically feel her remaining energy draining from her body. She could tell it was the same with Leopold from only a brief glance. It was in that brief moment that things took a another turn for the worse. (Y/N) saw Leopold get knocked to the ground, a sound of anguish clawing up from his throat as his body crashed against the pavement. The possessed Randall looked down at the young magic knight with a look that could only be described as unrestrained contempt. He then slowly raised his arm into the air and prepared to land the killing blow.
Seeing this, (Y/N) found herself moving before she could think. She rushed forward and shielded the younger mage with her body; arms spread wide in a protective gesture. Leopold's eyes widened in horror as he took in the sight before him. He tried to will himself to speak, to do anything, but he could only continue tremble helplessly on the ground.
(Y/N) now sported a sizable wound on her midsection that actively oozing more blood by the second. A small trickle of blood made its way from her mouth and down her chin, as she coughed painfully. The older woman appeared to be in shock as well as she could only stare at the gaping wound. She seemed to fall to her knees in slow motion before completely collapsing onto the cobblestone street below.
Upon seeing his sister figure lying in her own blood, Leopold found himself attempting to use what remained of his strength to reach for her; perhaps in an desperate effort to shield her in return.
The sounds of her surroundings became more and more muffled, as (Y/N) continued to lose blood at a frightening rate. Suddenly, there was a brilliant burst of flame that overtook her waning vision. Through the weary haze, she could just barely make out a very familiar figure. The stance and voice were unmistakable, but the power of their mana was on an entirely different level. Despite her efforts to keep her eyes open, (Y/N) found her eyelids growing heavier by the second. Sounds of more magical exchanges went in and out of her ears. Her breathes grew more and more shallow. The last thing she would remember was the feeling of strong arms wrapping around her. A soothing baritone encouraging her to keep fighting, and that she would be ok. Her body melting against the comforting warmth of her savior's form. Fuegoleon had never failed to make her feel safe. Even now, in the face of certain death her heart found solace in his presence. Eventually, she let the darkness take her with the firm belief that she'd wake up, and her love would be right there by her side.