#eagles ballroom

[tayfabe75]

November 7, 2014: Matty wears Taylor's 1989 Deluxe album t-shirt while performing on stage at the Rave-Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (source 1, 2)

[leviabeat]

Die to Live

🎥 me

Notice that fan on the ground aimed at Michael? Yeah, that was probably the only form of AC this whole building had. Okay, exaggeration. There may have been a second one somewhere. I literally just bought some cooling cloths because of this venue. Next time, I'll be prepared for the heat 👍

[tayfabe75]

November 7, 2014: Matty is photographed wearing a deluxe edition 1989 t-shirt at The Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

X

[musicisinmyveins]

We all remember our first concert, or we should. I will be honest, I think mine was when I was 15 and I went with my parents to watch The Nylons perform.

I am sure not many people remember that group, but they were a 4 man a capella group and they were phenomenal.

My music taste has so many different variations, so the concerts that I have attended have definitely varied as well.

For me, the most memorable will always be when I went to The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the first time ever.

The man I was dating would go to The Rave often. He has a passion for music that I found so incredibly beautiful. He was so excited to share this experience with me.

Stone Sour was going to be performing there in The Eagle's Ballroom and he knew that I loved that group. He surprised me with balcony seats to the show.

I felt like a kid walking into The Rave for my first time. I had heard of my friends going to concerts there and had always wondered what it was like inside.

I'm not going to lie, my anxiety always gets bad in crowded places but he knew how to calm me like nothing else ever could simply by holding my hand. I knew I was safe and I was excited.

He was like a kid too. I remember he took me around the building, giving me the full tour. He even took me to the roof where you could see so much of the city.

The concert was amazing and so many of their songs resonated with me as they seemed to fit the "mad-love" the two of us shared.

A few of their songs grace my Playlist. I can't hear them without thinking about him, that night and the love we shared.

Still, I never turn them off to forget, I want to remember that feeling, the excitement and the love.

[earlycuntsets]

04/13/2011 milwaukee wisconsin eagles ballroom jen (coble) hopper on flickr

[tayfabe75]

November 8, 2014: Taylor reblogs a photo of Matty wearing her 1989 deluxe album t-shirt on stage, tagging the photo 'thats my favorite band though'. (source)

@kelrottman3: MATTY HEALY IS TAYLOR SWIFT AF #1989

[90s-music-tourney]

Here are the final 33 songs that will feature in the 70s music tourney

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme by ABBA

Killer Queen by Queen

Rasputin by Boney M

September by Earth Wind & Fire

American Pie by Don McLean

The Chain by Fleetwood Mac

Hotel California by the eagles

Brandy (you're a fine girl) by The Looking Glass

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin Rocket Man by Elton John

Don't Fear the Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult

Jolene by Dolly Parton

Imagine by John Lennon

Baba O' Riley by The Who

I will survive by Gloria Gaynor

Let it be by the Beatles

Renegade by Styx

the Devil went down to Georgia by Charlie Daniels

Starman by David Bowie

Blitzkrieg Bop by The Ramones

Carry On my Wayward Son by Kansas

The Logical Song by Supertramp

Piano Man by Billy Joel

Stayin Alive by The Bees Gees

Midnight Train to Georgia

Ballroom Blitz by Sweet

Boys don't cry by The Cure

Horse with no Name by America

Mr. Blue Sky By Electric Light Orchestra

Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads

Blinded by the Light by Manfred Manns's earth band

Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple

Take me home County Roads by John Denver

Me and Bobby Mcgee by Janis Joplin

[sywtwfs]

The ISU has added Solo Ice Dance as an international discipline. From the ISU website:

Solo Ice Dance is a parallel discipline to Ice Dance. Skaters perform the same Pattern Dances, Rhythm Dance and Free Dance segments. Ice Dance and Solo Ice Dance both draw from the fundamentals of ballroom dance and emphasize the techniques of edge work, flow and motion where Skaters must always skate to a defined beat, rhythm or theme. Solo Ice Dance has required elements that competitors must perform, creating well-balanced Ice Dance programs (Rhythm Dance, Free Dance); these programs include a dance spin, a step sequence, a twizzle sequence, a pattern dance element, edge elements, and choreographic elements. Edge elements, which replace lifts in partnered Ice Dance, consist of movements like spread eagles, bauers, hydroblades, and spirals to highlight edge control, flexibility and musicality. Solo Ice Dance follows the same elements and requirements for levels that are published annually by the ISU for Ice Dance. Each year new Rhythms and Pattern Dances are chosen to keep the sport current, fresh and entertaining.

Solo Dance is an opportunity for Skaters to develop Ice Dance skills without a partner, allowing for the sport of Figure Skating to grow. Solo Ice Dance demonstrates artistry, expression and musicality. Solo Ice Dance will also serve as a developmental tool for the discipline of Ice Dance and is an educational tool to assist our sport's developing nations in growing their athletes.  Solo Ice Dance will allow Skaters to “learn how to skate to music” which is essential in Figure Skating across all disciplines.

Documents:

Solo Ice Dance Requirements 2023-24

Solo Ice Dance Levels 2023-24

Solo Ice Dance Scale of Values 2023-24

[abrandnewshadow]

04/13/2011 milwaukee wisconsin eagles ballroom jen (coble) hopper on flickr

[thebadgerclan]

Kings and Queens

Pairing: Nikolai Lantsov x reader

Requested by 2 Anons

Summary: The coronation ball of King Nikolai and Queen Y/N...

Smut!

It was a joyous day for Ravka.  Your husband had finally been crowned as King, the war was over, finally, there was peace.  The ceremony had gone flawlessly, and the look that Nikolai gave you when the Apparat set the state crown atop your head, proclaiming your Sovereign Queen of Ravka would live in your mind forever; a look of pride and absolute adoration.

There was a reception held afterward, during which Nikolai couldn’t take his eyes off of you.  Your coronation gown was shimmering gold silk and tulle, the Double Eagle embroidered on the train.  You’d returned the state crown to the Royal Vault, swapping it for a diamond encrusted crown that was no less extravagant and caught the light whenever you moved.  Nikolai had you on his arm for every single dance, whispering praises of your beauty in your ear.

“What’s on your mind, darling?” you asked during your fifth dance of the night.  Nikolai smirked, spinning you around the ballroom.  “Can a man not admire his wife’s ethereal beauty?”  “He can, but for the last hour, you’ve been eyeing me like you would a juicy steak.”  Nikolai went scarlet, and you leaned in a bit closer.  “Can I be honest, Y/N?”  “Always.”  “I…I’ve never wanted to fuck someone as badly as I want to fuck you right now.”

Nikolai’s voice was low and raspy, and it sent arousal sparking through your body.  You were always beautiful, but today, you were radiant.  He couldn’t explain it, perhaps it was the significance of the day, perhaps it was how easily you took to your new role as Queen, but Nikolai wanted you.  No, he needed you, he had for hours.  You sucked in a breath, trailing your hand up his arm until it rested on his shoulder.  “Well, my love,” you said, your own voice dripping with lust.

“Say you want me, and I’m all yours.”  Nikolai nearly snarled as he surged forward to kiss you, wrapping his arms around you and pulling you close. “I want you,” your husband whispered against your lips, and you smiled.  “Then I’m all yours, love.”  Nikolai kissed you again before taking your hand and leading you from the ballroom.  If anyone saw or wondered where you were going, who cared?  You were a Queen in her own Palace, you’d do as you liked.  

You barely made it out of the ballroom before Nikolai was kissing you, lips on yours, your jaw, and your neck.  “If you keep looking at me like that,” you said, clutching his shoulders.  “We’re not going to make it to bed.”  Nikolai moaned softly, nipping your neck.  “Last I checked, I’m the King, and you’re the Queen.  Which means this is our Palace, which means we can do whatever we want…”

Nikolai had  started lifting your skirts, but he paused, awaiting your response.  It didn’t matter that he was so hard, he feared he’d tear his trousers open, if you said no, he’d lift you up and carry you to your rooms, or he’d let you walk away and force himself to calm down before joining you.  But you nodded, and your husband smirked, kissing you again as he hiked your skirts over your hips, easing one of your legs over his waist.

With one hand, he unfastened his trousers and freed his aching cock, aligning the tip with your entrance.  “Fuck me,” you whispered, and Nikolai thurst forward, swallowing you answering moan with a kiss.  He fucked you hard and fast, there wasn’t time for him to worship the way he would have liked.  But that would come later, in the privacy of your rooms, where Nikolai would strip you bare, make you come on his fingers, his tongue, and finally, his cock.

“Nikolai!” you whimpered, wrapping your arms around his neck and drawing him in for another kiss.  “Fuck, right there!”  “Right here, sweetheart?” he replied, kissing your neck, though he resisted sucking a mark there.  If you had a hickey at your coronation ball, Nikolai knew you’d never forgive him.  “Y-yes!  Fuck, Kolya, don’t stop!”  Nikolai moaned, speeding his thrusts a bit, already close.

When he reached between your bodies to rub your clit, you couldn’t hold back the moan and tore itself from your throat, and Nikolai couldn’t be bothered to stop you.  “Are you close, pretty girl?”  “Mhmm,” was all you could manage, feeling your cunt begin to squeeze around your husband’s cock.  “Then come for me, Y/N.  Come on my cock, love.”  Nikolai kept his thrusts at an even pace, rubbing tight circles around your clit, and you were coming, your head tipping back against the wall, a shuddering, breathy moan leaving your mouth.

Nikolai tumbled over the edge a moment later, pressing his face into your exposed throat as he came.  As you caught your breath, Nikolai kissed your cheek, gently pulling out of you and lowering your leg to the ground, righting your voluminous skirts as he did.  “Do I look too disheveled?” you asked, and your husband shook his head, kissing you again as he tucked himself back into his trousers.

“You look perfect, Y/N.  You always do.”  With one more kiss, he took your arm and led you back into the ballroom.  You received a few knowing glances, but for the most part, your absence went unnoticed.  You caught your reflection in a window, seeing that your hair was still perfectly styled, your makeup was neat, and your dress was unwrinkled.  “Nikolai,” you said, taking his hand and pulling him to you, kissing him deeply.  “I love you, my King.”  Nikolai beamed, returning your kiss.  “And I love you, my Queen.”

[tayfabe75]

November 2014: Fans react to Matty wearing Taylor's merch at his gig at the Rave-Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the 7th. (source 1, 2, 3, 4)

[leviabeat]

Lola Montez

[ Part 1 of 2 | Part 2 here. ]

🎥 me

Sorry, I had to split it in the middle of the song. Tumblr only allows 500 mb at a time, and the video was literally 999 mb. So, I had to split it directly in half.

[nathandrakeisabottom]

When Sunlight Hits : Nathan Drake x Reader

Summary: After the events of a more-than-fortunate sleeping bag situation, you and Nate play chicken to decide whether or not your twin confessions the night before were in the heat of the moment... or exist even brighter in broad daylight. Warning: None! Just some fluffy quick-fic goodness! Reader is briefly implied to be blonde/redhead/etc. with brown/hazel eyes due to the specific dialogue some unrelated freakazoid wrote. Feel free to disregard.

Your first time. Your first time back. You almost can’t believe it.

You’re wearing a dress. He’s wearing a suit. And the drinks you both hold are only to soften the brutality that follows. For one brief hour, you two find the will to believe you deserve to soften, deserve to meet your worlds intertwined in the middle. Where danger becomes mundane, and where danger is born from the mundane. 

Born in a ballroom in Italy. 

“You havin’ a good time?” Nathan smiles with teeth, grip leveraging up to mindlessly swirl his glass of whiskey. It’s three quarters of the way gone, but that doesn’t near out-do your double drag of lemon drop. Or maybe he’s just better at holding it than you are.

“It’s alright.” You match his grin with your own, blood beating with the drum and twirl of alcohol, heart palpitating to be so close to him. He doesn’t move his arm when your elbows bump on a lean over the balcony. He smells like vanilla sandalwood and aftershave. Overwhelming. Perfect. “A bit disappointed I haven’t bagged any hotties yet.”

He laughs full and open— and your heart takes a breathtaking nosedive. “Well, there’s still time.”

His body leans further over the railing, eyes scanning through the stripes of jade, ruby, sapphire, amethyst, black silk-covered crowd, eagle-eyeing for a win. “Anyone your type?” 

And maybe it’s just the liquor that does it, cheeks flushed and making the whole room spin warm and possible, that makes you spitball a death-defying risk.

“...Sam’s single, isn’t he?” 

You take a half-glance over the rim of your glass on another sip. And Nathan’s eyes bug in some reaction you can’t quite decipher. Your heartbeat thunders for his reply.

“S-Sam?! Are you kidding me?” His mouth falters for a fallen grin, or maybe he’s just swallowing back upchuck. No self-respecting man would give the go-ahead for a friend to jump the bones of his potential crack-head older brother. “Please tell me you're joking.”

“And what if I wasn’t?” 

You trail, slinking up onto a nearby pub table bathed in white linen, ankle crossing over ankle. You play coy so you can ignore the way your hands start to sweat. But the alcohol, the flabbergasted way he looks at you makes it easy to forget.

“Nah… nah, I don’t see it.” 

And Nate leaves it at that before swigging back and emptying the last of his glass. A pathetically reasonless answer. But you need more.

Please.

Oh god please, you need more. 

“Why not?” The next gulp makes your thoughts warp. You’re far from sober, even farther from thirst, but your body does what is necessary for your growing fight or flight. You don’t even know the person who asks with such mystique. 

He says nothing, only tips back his head for the backwash remnants of a drink that no longer exists. 

“What kind of person do you think would be better?” You’re putting your life on the line when you ask it, balancing precarious upon a tightrope as wonderfully garish tulle collects sweat between your chest, between your thighs, beneath your fucking pits. There is no escape from what his presence does to your body, to your barely beating heart. What his answer could possibly incite next. 

“Better? Well, uh…” 

But maybe it doesn’t really matter. 

“Blonde or Brunette?” You swing back to standing when he’s pulled back abash from speech, palms swaying just barely against your laying skirt. You hope he likes the dress you picked. 

You know you do.

“What does that matter?”

��Just curious what you think.”

“Well, brunette would… pair better, I guess.” His reply warbles uncomfortable at the edges, reluctantly sets his glass down when no reason to hold presents itself. And you’d be dumb to not notice the way he eyes your dress— wishing with all your heart that he was eyeing you— sinking into bombastic, glaring hues for example. “I know you like color contrast.”

You hover on closer to him. It’s everything your body chooses without you.

“I–- I don’t know! Whatever you like best is fine, I’m sure.” His breath barely breaches past withholding hysteria. Downstairs: glasses clink, a gentle jazz thrums through the echoing space, rich crimson reds of parted, velvet curtains, satin cloth magnetizing to a triple dozen wealthy socialites’ curves, dips, hips, tricks. 

And yet his eyes are only on you, cloudy over and gorgeous sky, before they pull back once again. Shrugging shoulders do little to hide his timidity. It’s a way you never see him when Sam and Sully are around. It’s the way he is when your heart plucks over his safe, beautiful, gentlemanly visage and fawns. 

“Blue eyes?” And now textile has been added for sight, fingers carefully moving over the soft polyester of his suit, a touch you would never have the courage to give without the booze. The music. The dress. The solitude. “For the contrast?”

“Heh, I guess that makes sense.” His chest stutters for inhale as his warmth meets yours, quirking sideways smiles you want to taste and grin against and give love to. “Whatever you like.” 

You slide your palm across his back, nestle, thumb over where his shoulder blades sit. The places on his body you want to wring the pain out of. He takes a less than steady inhale. Form forced to turn towards it. And his eyes speak such tender shyness into yours.

You love him.

You want to tell him in the places he might actually believe you.

“How about someone sweet? Boy— man— next door type?” His eyes drop bashfully at the closeness, lips still quirking in that petal-soft grin. “Someone who will be good and gentle with me. That’s what I like.”

Your fingers brave farther, farther, farther, and the wool polyester translates into starch cotton and the big band below is playing smooth jazz you’d have to be an idiot to not think is romantic and the liquor bubbles and pounds and twitters through your skin so strong that it dematerializes any pointless barrier.

And you ask:

“What do you think?”

He finally looks up at you. His lips look unbearably soft, and in any and every other instance that you’ve known him, you would’ve near thrown yourself into the sea for even daring to look. But when you look back up, he’s only looking back at yours. 

“That sounds… nice.” — Soft, dreamy, distant. Like he’s a hundred miles away and inside your very soul simultaneously.

And you’re so stupid, so fucking stupid. 

“Do you know anyone like that?” 

And he’s stupid, so fucking stupid.

And so fucking brave. 

“Maybe.”

This time, for the first time, he doesn’t speak coy words he hardly makes coy, doesn’t reach for his empty glass to combat the nerves, to fix his uneven footing. Or maybe there’s just no more space for his hands to even reach with how close you drift. His eyes are soft and gentle when he looks back up at you, cautious and bearing all that the man with a gun refuses to. 

Or maybe just never allows himself to.

“I know one.”

And that’s when you finally, finally, finally—

Fucking finally—

After all this fucking time—

In the light of a full moon and a marble-sheened dance floor, outside the world of dreams, outside of secrets held in warm sleeping bags and claustrophobic caves and all the life you didn't live until you found each other, finally, finally, within your sunlit, unashamed reality—

You meet him into a kiss.

[jarofalicesgrunge]

Layne Staley performing at Eagles Ballroom, Milwaukee, September 26, 1993

[kalolasfantasyworld]

Hi everyone! So this is my initial post for @lyranova's halloween event and surprise surprise it's not Nozelena (just because I have an art of them and it's waiting to be posted with my art halloween countdown, so no spoilers and no descriptions of them in this fic😂)

@blackclover-emc

Welcome to interact on this post 💕

Pairing: Natalia Silva (Nozel x OC next gen) x Eri Faust (Nacht x OC next gen)

Summary: The Silva familia arrives at the masquerade ball and Natalia wants to slip away from her slightly overprotective family members. Especially since she knows a certain red eyed Black Bull is somewhere in the crowd.

Word count: 966

Eri belongs to @purpled-royalty 💕

A masquerade ball had begun and the whole Silva familia was invited. Natalia shyly followed her parents and older brothers, her gaze skipping from one masked face to another. She herself had put on a white feathery mask, but she had low hopes of not being recognised. Silver hair basically screamed Silva. Her parents did not even try who they were with their costumes as for Natalia’s brothers… she was not going to mention them. 

As much as she loved her familia the masquerade seemed like an event where she could try to be on her own a bit, explore. Hopefully talk to people without three protective eagles following her around. Especially since she had an idea who she wanted to see that evening. 

Natalia turned away from the buffet tables her familia was headed to and quietly began walking away. 

“Natalia,” sharp as an edge of a knife voice stopped her in her tracks. 

She whined spinning on her heel. 

“Yes papa?”

“Where are you going?” Nozel narrowed his eyes, almost drilling them into her very soul. 

“Oi mi amor, why so tense?” Said Helena who’s arm was hooked over her husband’s. “We’re here to party!”

“I’ll excuse myself to that corner then,” Noureen sighed, pointing far away from the middle of the ballroom. 

“Do you want company?” Heinry hung his arm over his twin’s shoulder. 

Noureen just sighed and shook his head resigned as he and Heinry walked away. 

Nozel continued on looking expectantly at his daughter.

“Where are you going, hija?” Helena asked.

“To find…” Natalia mumbled, “prima Hermione!”

“Hermione!” Helena smiled. “When you see her tell her that tia Helena wants to see her,” she moved closer to her husband to poke him. “See mi amor? I told you, no boys.”

Natalia flushed. Of course there would be no boys. What were her parents even thinking? She completely did not hope to run into a certain red eyed Black Bull. She simply wanted to see her cousin.

Nozel narrowed his eyes at first at Natalia, but a moment later he looked over her shoulder. Natalia turned around to see a young nobleman scurrying away in haste. Her father had that effect. 

She felt a gentle touch on her cheek as her mother moved head to face her. Helena smiled softly and fixed Natalia’s mask, ruffling the feathers. 

“I’ll keep papa busy and you have fun with Hermione tonight,” Helena reached out her pinky, “but promise me Natalia if you feel sick, weak or have any trouble with your magic you find me, papa or your hermanos and let us know. Are we clear on that?”

“Crystal clear,” Natalia perked up, hooking her finger over her mother’s. 

She looked at her father. Natalia knew that he was just worried and he was doing his best to give her the space she needed to grow by herself, but she was also aware of how close they were. She could never deny the daddy’s girl allegations. 

“I’ll be alright papa,” she said. 

Nozel let out a slow breath. He nodded and allowed his lips to form a soft smile. 

“Perfect,” Helena smiled and walked back to her husband. “We’ll be… busy,” she grinned, hooking her arm over his. 

Natalia gave her parents a quick excited wave, before turning on her heel and heading towards where she thought she had seen her cousin. Hermione had to be hanging out with other young Black Bulls. This means Natalia would see more of her friends. 

She pushed herself between a few nobles, he skirt slightly lifted up so she would not trip but it was hard in such a crowd. Natalia was not used to being around this many people in such close proximity. Many of them were taller than her and she would not risk trying to use her risky magical powers to locate her cousin. 

Natalia was getting uncomfortable. Maybe she should have asked Heinry to come with her. Her brother always knew how to act around people and got along with everybody. He would just ask if anyone had seen the Black Bulls and she would be with them right away. 

No. Natalia could find her friends herself. She was a brave princess, a daughter of Nozel and Helena Silva, bearer of arcane story magic and a future advisor to her tio Wizard King Asta. 

She furrowed her silver brows and fixed her mask again. If the Bulls were not in that corner of the ballroom she was going to find them on the other side. Natalia pushed past more noblemen. She was so careful about not falling into any of them she did not notice a waiter with champagne coming from the other side. 

In the last moment Natalia jumped away by miracle not pushing the man and spilling champagne. However her heels did not give her the support she needed. Natalia wobbled. She was sure she was going to fall on the ground, ruin her dress and embarrass herself and the house of Silva. 

Suddenly she felt someone’s touch at her waist. In the last moment somebody caught her, lifted her up and once the flutter of her silver hair stopped she was able to look at her savior. 

A pair of beautiful red eyes met with her dark brown ones. The boy had a slightly darker complexion, soft black hair tied in a ponytail while a few strands of his bangs fell over his mask in a messy yet very cute way. 

The corners of his lips tugged up. Masks did not matter; she would recognise this smile everywhere. 

A bright pink blush spread over her cheeks as her heart picked up its pace. 

Here lies Natalia Acier Silva, passed away from embarrassment in the arms of her crush.

“Natalia?” Eri asked.

[vilandel]

Silver Cats & Black Roses

Chapter 27 – Ball like a Volcano

A/N I love this title^^ Yes, the infamous ball is finally here and our main boys are so mesmerized by how beautiful their girlfriends are 💙💜 And there is also a cute bonding moment between Nozel and Noelle.

Ao3 link

♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣

It really felt like a volcano.

Everyone in this gigantic ballroom looked like they were having a great time, laughing and enjoying the beginning of the ball, but ignored the tension that was just everywhere in this room.

Between the golden pillars, covered with expensive imitations of royal ivy for the occasion.

In front of the high windows, through which still shined the last light of sunset.

Above the marble floors, rare black marble to accentuate the shades of white and gold in this ballroom.

Under the artistically painted ceiling, covered with clouds full of light, angels playing violins and harps, decorations of green and golden clovers for the frames of each painting, chandeliers made of crystal hanging down from it.

It was really like living just next to a volcano. Everyone was aware of the danger and tension, but ignored it in order for the silly happy life, even though the volcano might explode from any moment from now on.

This had been the feeling Nozel had since he entered the old ballroom of the three royal houses. Of course each royal house had their own ballroom, but for some reason he could never find the reason for, they also had a common for all three. As if Kiras, Vermillions and Silvas had ever been able to ever share something in past history.

But well, exceptions often confirms the rule, even for old and stupid rivalry between royal families.

Nozel had come with all of his siblings, even Noelle had decided to accompany them. Like almost every Magic Knight who came from a noble or a royal house, Finral and Noelle came with their respective family instead of with their squad.

Of course, Nozel had told Noelle that if she preferred to appear alongside the Black Bulls, he would never dare to hold her back. He knew how much she cared for them, just like Vanessa. But his baby sister insisted to come along with them, claiming that she was a Silva too and she cared for them as well. And since Nebra had been responsible for her dress, it would only be fair towards their sister.

Noelle also didn’t want to leave him alone in his whole situation with this ball and his love for Vanessa. Nozel had no words to tell his sister how much this meant to him, so he just hugged her, to her biggest delight.

He had also be put in charge by Nebra to watch that Noelle would get properly dressed. Apparently, Nebra had to spend the whole afternoon making sure that Solid would be properly dressed and asked at least five servants to get a hold of Solid.

Nozel decided that he should better never ask for details.

After all, it allowed him to spent lots of hours with Noelle, something he refused to miss.

Nozel looked at his youngest sister and he felt his heart filled with pride and affection. Nebra and Soie Velours did a marvellous job with Noelles dress.

He was told that the shape was called A-linen and he had no reason to doubt his sisters words. A tight bodice that accentuated Noelles fine waist while leaving her shoulder free and a skirt that flowed rather widely around her, but not too much. Almost like water…

The dress was water-themed, a shining blue looking like the ocean on a bright sunny day. At the bottom of the dress was a bright silver pattern, looking exactly like when waves were crashing. Nebra even managed to find Noelle in their family’s jewellery a suitable diadem, made of silvers and with aquamarines in the shapes of seashells. Nozel had put it himself on her head. According to aunt Océane, that diadem had belonged to their late aunt, Pluie Silva, who had been captain of the Silver Eagles and had died in a battle when Nozel still had been a baby. A true family heirloom.

Noelle had let her hair down, falling like a waterfall on her back and only hold by the seashell diadem. It really suited her. But she still insisted to wear the pink ribbons and so, she wore them on her wrists in sophisticated bows.

He and Noelle had been the first to be ready and had to wait for Nebra and Solid for quite a while. But both of them, especially Solid, had been perfectly dress when they finally came down, so he didn’t scold them this time for their usual lateness.

Nebra had managed to find a marine blue ornate waste for Solid, with embroideries of silver snakes and trousers in the same shade of blue. His brother had apparently refused to wear a jacket as well, but Nebra had put a white silk shirt with long puffy sleeves on him, which made the whole outfit rather elegant and simple.

Nebras dress though had rather surprise him. Instead of her usual choice of Silva colours or teal, her gown was black, with deep blue embroideries on her bodice and at the top of the skirt. For some reason, those patterns reminded a lot of the usual circles so common for trap spells and for some reason, there were also bugs here and there. Not spiders though, which was surprising, since spiders were Nebras favourite animals. He couldn’t recognize the bugs on this dress.

And the diadem she choose to wear was also a strange choice for Nebra. It was made of silver, of course. But the gems were rubies, not a gem that Silvas would use to wear. Nozel wondered if Nebra borrowed it from Océane or if she ordered it from a jewellery for the occasion.

Was Nebra going through some kind of rebellious phase? It was strange, especially since she was the Silva with most diplomatic skills and etiquette knowledge out of the four of them. But at the same time, her temper was fitting for a bit of rebellion.

And if it was against Lac Silva, Nozel would give Nebra all the blessing for it.

So many people were already here and the ball hasn’t even really started yet. But all three royal families were already present. The only royal not present was Damnatio Kira, but he was well-known to never enjoy such parties. He was certainly working on some parliament stuff.

With the presence of the Black Bulls and despite the fact that he declared Asta innocent right after Spade, it was probably better that Damnatio wasn’t present.

All the other Kiras, main members and those from secondary branches, were present. The king was in the gaudiest golden outfit, waiting for compliments, while Finral and Finesse had joined the Black Bulls at the buffet, because of Charmy. He didn’t know the other Kiras well and that was certainly for the best.

From the Vermillions, everyone was now present, even the ones he didn’t that much and even Mereoleona had dare to make an appearance. Nozel was surprised to see her, but he could imagine that Julius had asked to come here in case there’s a drama involving the nobles. He saw Leopold talking with Fragil Tormenta and his aunt laughing with Kirsch and Mimosa. Océane was wearing a gorgeous white dress with golden lilies, while Mimosa looked really good in emerald green and patterns of pale golden plants. As for Kirsch… well, his pale pink and golden ceremony suit was very sparkly. There was no other way to describe it.

His Vermillion relatives all looked very happy and Nozel was actually glad that his cousins didn’t lost their mother.

Fuegoleon was not too far away from them, standing with his own beloved, Lital Lys, wearing a dark red dress with patterns of golden and orange flames at the bottom. Nozel frowned as he saw the ceremonial suit his rival was wearing. A new one, but unusual colours for a Vermillion, especially a fire Vermillion. It was night blue, with some silver embroideries which looked like they represented stars.

Wasn’t it star magic Lital Lys had? And her dress represented flames, which was Fuegoleons magic affinity… Were they wearing each other’s colours in order to show that they belong together?

There would have been a time when Nozel would have find this kind of idea ridiculous. But today…

Nozel sighed while he looked discreetly around again. He saw so many faces, some he knew, some he didn’t know. Some he liked, some he could barely take the mere sight. Speaking of, he didn’t see Lac Silva yet, but this was a relief for now.

No, the only person Nozel wanted to see tonight wasn’t here yet. Vanessa hadn’t come with the Black Bulls, which had surprised him and honestly, he was rather worried. Was she fine? Did she felt ill and couldn’t come? Did Vanessa had problem with nobles or worse, had Lac Silva something to do with her absence?

Nozel felt like he was agonizing without Vanessa. Just a mere sight of her and he would be able to calm down. He hadn’t seen her since early this morning, it had been very difficult to let go of each other. He missed her so much, he wanted her here, with him.

He wanted to see her, to hold her, to dance with her. Not only tonight, but for the rest of his life. What would he do if he would lose Vanessa just like he lost his mother? What if… what if…

A hand was placed on his arm before he could definitely start to panic…

Noelle looked up to him, a reassuring smile on her lips.

“Don’t worry, Vanessa will come soon. Apparently, auntie Dea, uhm, I mean, lady Orchidea invited her to get ready for the ball, so she will appear with her, captain Charlotte and another Roselei I sadly forgot the name already.”

“It sounds like the introduction to a noble lady to society.”

“Yes, it does. I don’t why auntie Dea, argh, sorry, lady Orchidea invited Vanessa over, but we can trust her, so don’t worry, brother.“

“It’s just… I miss her,” Nozel admitted in a whisper. Thankfully, only Noelle heard him, Nebra was too focused to scold Solid about the inelegance of blowing his nose loudly in the middle of a ball.

“I understand, big brother. But I’m sure you won’t have to wait for too long. I haven’t seen her dress yet, but I’m sure she’s going to look amazing. And… you’re quite dashing as well, Nozel.”

Nozel looked down at his new ceremonial suit he had ordered just for the occasion. Made of burgundy satin with a few silver Silva emblems embroidered especially at the borders, it was rather simple. But it matched perfectly with the one shoulder cape Vanessa made months ago.

A few months already… It felt so far away, but Nozel knew that actually it hadn’t been too long ago. But it had been before Vanessa and himself got together.

It was also a very special day Nozel would never be able to forget. That day, he had realized that he was hopelessly in love with her.

And today, he finally got the occasion to wear that wonderful gift she made him. Nozel had specifically ordered that the embroideries of his new ceremony suit had to be few and as simple as possible. That way, Vanessas cape would be in a way standing out.

“Has Vanessa done this?” Noelle asked in a whisper while softly stroke his cape with respect.

“Yes, she did. That had been a while before we started to be a couple.”

“I can’t believe that the two of you have been spending time together even before becoming a couple and I haven’t realized one thing ever. How blind was I?”

“You’re not blind, Noelle. It’s just a surprising occurrence, it had been for Vanessa and me as well. Back then, she made this cape for me as token of gratitude for the sewing box I gifted her.”

“That was a really thoughtful gift. Speaking of… Nozel, have you been the mysterious person to give me presents all those years?”

Nozel felt himself flinch. It reminded him of those years of being a distant, cold older brother, of his mistakes with how to take care of Noelle. And still, it didn’t stop him to secretly send her gifts for each of her birthdays…

It had been of secret, because already back then he felt ashamed of himself and was convinced he didn’t deserve to make her happy with presents. How wrong he had been…

“Did… did you know?”

“No, I never knew. And the Black Bulls were always curious about who would give me those mystery gifts. I only started to have suspicions after I found out about you and Vanessa. That sewing box was a thoughtful gift and yours were very thoughtful as well. And… I’m glad that you always gave those to me. We both never had real birthdays after mother’s death, as far as I can remember.”

No, neither of them didn’t. The only time there had been some kind of party for Noelles birthday, nobles started immediately to talk about her reputation and Nozel was still so imprisoned in his cold soul that the only solution he saw to stop this was to never celebrate that birthday again. As for him, he was feeling so guilty after losing his mother that he started to believe he didn’t deserved to have his birthday celebrated and over the years, only a few people remembered. Like Noelle…

Wait a minute!

“Noelle, were you the one to anonymously putting birthday presents in my room all those years? Even after you joined the Black Bulls?”

“Yes, how did you find out?”

“It was just a guess…”

Noelle just looked at him with big, surprised eyes, before she gave him a soft smile. So, Nozel smiled back. This was actually something just between the two of them and it was actually a really nice feeling.

After a few moments, Noelle said again, “It’s a really great cape Vanessa made you. And it was bold of her to choose burgundy, but Vanessa was always rather bold. I actually find it quite romantic that you’re wearing her colour.”

Somehow, his sister looked sad saying those words, which made Nozel frown with concern. “Noelle, is everything alright?”

“Yes, everything is perfectly fine with me, don’t worry for me, big brother. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Noelle.”

“Ugh, okay. Honestly, I love this dress, it’s practically the first gift Nebra EVER gave me and it looks amazing, not to mention the seashell diadem from our late Silva aunt, it’s so fitting. And I’m happy I wear your ribbons in a different way, on my wrists. It’s just… I would have loved to wear at least one item that could remind of Asta. But at the same time, unlike you and Vanessa, we’re not together and Asta isn’t even aware that I’m head over heels for him, despite his ability to read Ki. So, maybe I shouldn’t wear something that reminds me of Asta, at least not yet… if he ever falls in love with me, since there’s also Mimosa and Rebecca.”

“Don’t say something like that,” Nozel replied softly, while looking over at Asta, who was somehow trying to get between Magna and Luck who apparently seemed to try to attack each other with golden spoons. At least, Luck was, Magna looked more like he was trying to defend himself.

He was glad that Noelle, while still being a bit jealous of Mimosa and whoever Rebecca was, loved Asta truly enough that she would be happy for him he would fall for someone else than her, even though it might break her heart.

But for his baby sister’s sake, Nozel hoped that one day Asta would fall for Noelle. It was a bit difficult for him to imagine that young peasant but promising knight as a potential future member of his family, but surprisingly, he wasn’t against it at all. Well, Noelles happiness was important to Nozel and thanks to Vanessa, he actually started to be more open.

“I think that if you want, you can still wear an item that reminds you of Asta,” he continued while taking a small black velvet piece out of his pocket and handling it to Noelle. Surprised, she opened it and gasped when she discovered what was inside.

It was a small necklace, with a little silver ribbon instead of a chain and with jade stone as a pedant, shaped into a star.

“It belonged to mother. I find it again when I went through the stuff I got from her after her death. I think you should have it. After all, you too shall have things that belonged to our mother. And Astas eyes have the same colour as jade.”

“Thank you so much, Nozel…”

Noelle had now teary eyes while she smiled at him as if he had given her the whole world. Nozel smiled back as he took the necklace himself to put it on her himself. It fitted perfectly around Noelles neckline.

Suddenly, Noelle looked back to the black marble stairs that led to the entrance of the ballroom. A big smile spread upon her lips. “Nozel, look. Vanessa is finally here.”

Of course, Nozel turned immediately towards the stairs, but he couldn’t immediately see his beloved at first. He saw one of Charlottes cousins, Josephine or Joselin, almost running down the stairs, wearing a dress in autumn shades. Then there was lady Orchidea with a wide gown that looked like storm clouds. Charlotte was right next to her mother in a spectacular black dress, which was already commented by Nebra and her fashion sense radar.

And then, right behind Charlotte, he finally saw her…

Vanessa was beyond beautiful in her bright purple dress, flowing gracefully around her perfect body. White and pale pink roses were scattered around her dress, as well as some embroidery of silver, looking exactly like vines covered in frost. In fact, the whole dress seemed like to have a very subtle silver shine, it accentuate Vanessas beauty and grace perfectly.

Her hair was falling freely on her back, it was only held back by a diadem. His mother’s water lily diadem, her favourite. Vanessa was wearing it!

And it looked so mesmerizing on her rosewood curls. Almost as if it was made for her especially. She certainly was very aware of the emotional symbolism of the diadem, as she caressed the gems respectfully for a second.

Vanessa looked over the ballroom, before her gaze met his. And she started to smile, the brightest smile he ever saw.

And in this moment, nothing else existed in the whole world.

Nothing else those rosewood curls falling like a waterfall on her porcelain shoulders, those eyes shining like amethysts, this gorgeous smile…

The most beautiful woman in the entire world, both outside and inside. The woman he felt hopelessly in love with, the best thing that ever happened in his entire life, especially after his mother died.

Nozel smiled back.

He felt like they could do this forever. Looking at each other with love, smiling as if only the other existed in the whole world. But it would be even better if he could hold her hand, hug her tightly in his arms, dance with her… Honestly, anything would be fine for him. As long as it was Vanessa he could do all of these things with.

As long as she would be the one he would spend the rest of his life with and no one else…

Nozel barely noticed how other guests arrived, how some ladies looked at him with some sickening superficial longing. Only Vanessa mattered for him right now, as she started to descend the stairs gracefully, as she always was.

Was it just him or did she walked very slowly for some reason? Why does everything and everyone felt so blurry except her? Did it matter? No… What mattered was Vanessas mere present and that his love for her got even deeper than it already was. Apparently, this was possible.

“You’re glancing at Vanessa as if she is a goddess of beauty and love or a queen from a fairy tale book that stepped out of the pages,” Noelle whispered, bringing him just barely back to reality.

“She is the queen of my heart,” Nozel whispered back, not caring at all how corny it sounded very corny and that it was his beloved baby sister who heard him talk like a lovesick poet. For a second, he was relieved that Noelle loved poetry just as much as him.

“What are you two whispering over here.”

Both flinched at Nebras voice and Nozel was so in pain to turn his eyes away from Vanessa to look at his other sister. He tried to stare at her as blankly as he could. But maybe his glare was too harsh, as he felt Noelle pull slightly at his sleeve and Nebra arching a brow at him, clearly surprised.

Thankfully, Noelle was able to diffuse the growing tension immediately.

“Vanessa finally came and we were just commenting about how good my squadmate looks in her dress from Soie Velours.”

Okay, Noelle sounded very, very nervous. But thankfully Nebra didn’t seemed to notice, turning towards Vanessa, who now stood at the bottom of the stairs. Nebra let out a whistle.

“Damn, she really looks good. I already knew that out of you Black Bulls, she is probably the one with the most decent taste for fashion. Honestly, this is such an excellent choice of fabric and colours and patterns… It really does suit her, especially how it flows around her.”

Solid turned towards the stairs as well with an uninterested glance. One second looking at how beautiful Vanessa was and he lost all interested already.

“Yeah, I guess she looks pretty good for a witch.”

“Solid.”

“What? What did I said wrong.”

Nozel, Noelle and Nebra just stared at him with the typical stern, cold Silva glare. Solid still looked confused, but thankfully was now quiet.

Sighing deeply, Nozel glanced back at Vanessa, locking his eyes with hers. He saw in those amethyst orbs the same longing he was currently feeling. They needed to be cautious. One wrong move and their mistake could be used against them, especially by Lac Silva.  Océane had warned, while also giving multiple little plans and strategies to follow tonight. Playing the game of nobility, but with their own rules.

But he wanted to hold her so much right now! To seek comfort, but more importantly, to reassure her. Vanessa was the newbie in this complicated dark golden world of nobility and royalty, not him. Of course, he was not good at playing this games of minds and traps and gossip, this was more the brand of his Vermillion aunt.

But if he wanted to fight against his father and more importantly, to fight to be with Vanessa, Nozel needed to know how this game was working. By knowing it, he could play with his own rules and if he did it right, he could win. No, he will win.

It really felt like being near a dormant volcano.

Vanessa gave him an encouraging smile, while not hiding her longing for him in her eyes. This alone made Nozel feel like he got wings. Majestic wings like an eagle, able to fly against the wind of expectations.

And now he was getting poetic again.

Noelle gave him a small squeeze with her hand. He responded to it. Nozel knew that he wasn’t the only who needed to be on guard during this ball full of traps.

Suddenly, a crystal clear sound was to hear, as if someone was poking a glass of champagne with a spoon.

Nozel turned around… And saw his father in the middle of the ballroom.

He wasn’t standing on a pedestal or a chair, he didn’t looked like it was his intention to have every person present in this ballroom focus on him. But Nozel knew better. Lacs nonchalance was one of his weapons, he built a lot of his immaculate reputation thanks to this.

Lac Silva had his white hair styled in a complicated hairdo, that might be become a new fashion for noble men within the next week. His moustache was perfectly oiled and curled, he was wearing a fine silvery white suit with a middle long black cape and golden buttons, he even put the elegance so far to wear gloves of finest silk and a monocle on his right eye.

His smile was so bright that only those who knew better would see that it wasn’t genuine.

“My dearest friends, despite not being worthy of having such an honour, our beloved king, Augustus Kira Clover the XIII gave me the joy of opening this ball. To celebrate the victory against the devils in Spade and in honour of our hard-working Magic Knights,” – there was an emphasis of hard-working, because Lac know how most nobles considered work – “this ball had been organized by nobility as token of our gratitude for the assurance of our future. I wish that everyone here tonight will find the perfect match to celebrate this victory and the future of our kingdom as it should be. I am eternally grateful to all of those present today who knows how to protect and to secure this precious gift. And hereby, I officially declare the beginning of the Three Leaves Glory ball !”

A wave of applause followed those subtle manipulating words, but neither Nozel nor his siblings gave in. There would be a cold day in hell before they would cheer for their father and one of his speeches.

Nozel could feel Lacs glare on him, but he didn’t give that man the honour of looking at him. Instead, he glanced again at Vanessa, who hasn’t stop to look at him with love and longing. But now, with the official start of the ball, there was also determination in her amethyst orbs and he felt exactly the same.

Their battle for the other and against the expectations of the status quo started now.

♣♣♣

Gosh, he hated to be in a suit. Okay, Blue Rose Mama had compromised of course and managed to find him an ensemble that wasn’t tight on the body and the skin, so that it was actually comfortable to wear, which also meant that he wouldn’t ruin it with his sweat, and which most importantly, it wouldn’t be a torture of acrobatic measures to put down his trousers in case he needed to take a dump.

Still, Yami absolutely hated to be in a suit.

Okay, he was elegant and the suit his future mother-in-law found him wasn’t ridiculous. It was of good taste, Yami had enough knowledge in arts and such to recognize that. He didn’t know if ceremony and fancy party clothes should be considered as art, though. But this was another debate.

Well, usually Yami hated to be in fancy clothes like that because it was always miracle if they were at best more or less kinda decently comfortable. This one was even more than decently comfortable. No, Yami still hated to be in a suit because he hated that he had to look fancy for those stupid nobles and their sticks in their asses. Honestly, he would have preferred to come in his daily clothes or his festival outfit from his home country. Those were comfy on many levels, his brats were used to see him that way and his captain colleagues wouldn’t have minded, even Nozel.

Gosh, their surprised faces when his brats and his fellow captains saw him in a suit, he might would never hear the end of it.

Even more so, his suit was blue. Blue! Not even his colour, one more reason to never hear the end of it. Yami could already hear Nacht and Zora mock him back at the Hideout for the next six months, as well as Jack and Dorothy, when she would be awake, tease him about it during captain meetings.

Okay, it was a very dark blue, which was fine, honestly. But it was still a reason to complain! At least, he would have complained if it weren’t for Blue Rose Mamas actually more than excellent argument.

You’re not doing it for the nobles, my dear future son-in-law. I’m sure that Charlotte would be happy if you’re elegant.

And that was the only reason why he accepted to wear an elegant suit for this stupid ball and probably also why Orchidea had choose the colour blue. Yami might thought that Prickly Queen knew him enough to not have been offended if he would have been wearing his usual clothes. But she certainly would appreciate the effort he took to be elegant for her. Okay, her mother helped him, but still.

It was worth the figurative pain to be in a suit and the weird glances his brats and his fellow captain colleagues would gave him on occasion.

Okay, Kaiser had been surprised as well, but he immediately gave him an encouraging glance. Yami had to give it to the Purple Moustache Grandpa, he was clearly one of the best nobles out there. And one of the most normal people amongst the Magic Knight Captains, honestly, which wasn’t such a bad thing, actually.

Kaiser was in the company of a slight chubby but kind looking woman, certainly his wife. Yami vaguely recognized her from the portrait that had was on Kaisers office desk. From that day he went to see his purple moustache colleague for some love advice concerning Charlotte. Advice that had been really helpful, he had to admit.

Damn, this was a while ago already… Yami sighed. It was also thanks to Kaiser he finally got the final grip on himself and actually started his relationship with Charlotte. In a way, he might owe something to his old Purple Moustache Colleague.

Kaiser had been so free to introduce him to his wife, lady Isabelle Granvorka. Who proved herself to belong to the rare kind nobles, just like her husband, Finesse or Blue Rose Mama. And Charlotte of course.

Isabelle Granvorka had a lot of positive things to say to him and at the end, she even invited him for dinner one day.

Just because apparently her husband had a lot of good things to say about him and that she already appreciated him.

Damn, why did he stumbled upon so many surprising kind nobles after Spade? In a way, it was certainly a good thing, but Yami still hoped that it wouldn’t bite him back in the ass one day.

Well, at least encountering the lady wife of Purple Moustache Grandpa had been a nice encounter, he couldn’t say that for the majority rest of the nobles though. Especially those who weren’t Magic Knights. He could perfectly feel some glares on him and his brats. Glares he was used to, of course. The Black Bulls were never those who cared about what others think of them, especially jerks.

But for some reason, this very night, those glares were actually putting him on edge and he didn’t like that feeling.

It didn’t help that Finral had decided on his own to go with his beloved wife and his brother to the ball, leaving the Black Bulls with no other option that to use their own brooms to go there and even on time, as they promised Blue Rose Mama. Well, except Noelle who went with her siblings and so spent the whole day with them. And Vanessa, who for some reason decided to accompany Orchidea, Prickly Queen and some random Roselei cousin girl to the ball.

Witches were really difficult to understand with their special view on logic, he saw that enough with Miss Sleepy Hat.

So yeah, he was already feeling on edge, it hadn’t been easy to gather his wild brats to make them ready for this fucking ball and ready to fly away. It only worked in the end because Nacht had… done something. Something Yami most certainly never wanted to know, given how his friend had mysteriously grinned.

And to crown this upsetting feeling, he even got a glance at Charlottes bitchy aunt Rosamund, wearing a poison green puffy dress with scarlet roses, who was talking with Reggie. That stupid suitor that thought making Prickly Queen his wife number six would be an excellent idea. He was wearing some purple suit with a lot of golden patterns. There was so much gold on the fabric that the original purple colour was kinda underwhelmed.

What were those two jerks talking about? Trapping Charlotte into engagement? Oh hell no, not on his watch!

If there was one person in the world allowed to woo his Prickly Queen, it would be him and no one else! Reggie and auntie Rosabitch are going to bite their tooth out on him! Of course, after Charlotte would beat them while Yami would probably enjoying the show with a good booze.

Now that sounded like plan. Even though Yami had no clear idea how this would look like, but well, that was future Yamis problem.

Actually, speaking of Prickly Queen, where was she? She was the only person he really, really, really wanted to see tonight and she was still not soothing his poor delicate eyes with her presence.

Damn, he really hoped that nothing went wrong with the preparations for the ball. If Charlotte won’t appear, he would have put on this stupid blue and comfy suit for nothing! And more importantly, what was he supposed to do when his Prickly Queen wasn’t here!

His brats must have felt how tense he was, because they were leaving him alone. Even Nacht who just… went somewhere, who knows the place. Yami had his eyes practically glued on the stairs that lead to the entrance of this stupid black and white and golden ballroom. The same entrance he would certainly use a second time pretty soon already if his Prickly Queen wouldn’t appear in the next five minutes.

Maybe ten minutes.

Make that fifteen.

Damn, what was taking them so long? Yami knew he should have never tried and come early or on time.

Finally, Blue Rose Mama appeared. Which was a good sign, his future mother-in-law would probably never come without her daughter nearby.

She was wearing some neat dress, from what he could tell. Two different shades of grey, one dark and one bright, almost looking like different storm clouds gluing together as one, with very light blue patterns that looked like lightning.

Yami couldn’t help but grin. It was very obvious who this dress was more or less honouring. Damn, Blue Rose Mama really fully embraced and adopted Luck as her son. No wonder it was so difficult to hate a noble like her.

There was some young brown teenager next to her, already running down the stairs in some gown with autumn colours. The random Roselei cousin, probably. Vanessa was just behind Blue Rose Mama, wearing some kinda nice dress, metallic purple with some flowers. Since when was she choosing a cold colour instead of a vibrant one, like a wine coloured dress?

And who cares about that anyways? Where was Prickly Queen?

Finally she appeared next to Vanessa. And Yami finally see the true queen of this ball. A queen always made her people wait for the best, he should have known that.

The dress Charlotte wear surprised him though. Yami had been so certain that she would wear some shade of blue or even multiple shades of blue, since it was her colour. Heck, why else would he have to wear a suit of the same fucking colour?

But Charlottes dress wasn’t blue. It was black, with golden patterns. And it was perfectly truly breath taking, accenting her fine waist perfectly while it made her look like a black rose, with golden dew.

Damn, did she choose those colours to honour him? Was this the real reason why Blue Rose Mama insisted that he should wear a blue suit?

Why hadn’t he thought about from the start?

Charlotte was now going down the stairs very slowly, at least for Yamis taste. He just couldn’t wait to be at her side. But at the same time, while she was going so slowly, he could admire her elegant walk, like the true queen she was.

He barely even noticed how a lot of men, including that Reggie jerk, also were mesmerized by Charlottes appearance. Why would he even waste his time on those losers while he could just glance and admire his Prickly Queen finally becoming the queen of thorns she always had been? She really needed to wear more dresses from time to time, it suited her so well.

“Isn’t she beautiful?”

Yami jumped immediately, but relaxed as he saw that it was just Blue Rose Mama, grinning up at him.

“She choose those colours for you. But she still decided to keep the rose and thorns theme.”

“That sounds so much like her…” Yami mumbled while looking back at Charlotte, who was now finally down the stairs and looking around, certainly searching for him.

Orchidea sighed softly, before putting a hand on his forearm. “Good luck to the both of you. You’re going to need it this night.”

With those words, Blue Rose Mama turned around to greet Luck, who was for once not excited for a fight, but because of the dress his second mother was wearing.

Charlotte finally saw him, looking relieved. She started again to walk towards him, still too slowly for his taste.

But maybe it was just him being weird, because something was definitely wrong. Why does it seemed like the light was mostly shining on Prickly Queen and why did everyone looked so blurry except her? Also, why did it seem that the other ball guest were for some reason making a path for her towards him?

It must be something with his eyes. And it didn’t really stop when she was finally standing in front of him.

Charlotte had a small, naughty grin as she looked at him, amused. “I hope you’re not going to say that I will catch a cold with this dress, because that would also be insulting towards you, regarding the colours.”

Yami grinned. This was normal, definitely sounding like the Prickly Queen he knew and loved. She became rather bold, even teasing while being with him and honestly, he liked this a lot.

“I wouldn’t dare, your thorny Majesty. This is a very fitting gown for her rosy Highness and the colours are made for only a true queen. I had no idea that the Queen of Roses and Thorns herself would grace Clover nobility with her mere presence today.”

“A compliment from you? I guess miracles can still happen every day, in this case. Is there a possibility to see you alone, handsome stranger?”

Damn, Charlotte must have missed him quite a lot already if she was flirting like that with him. Not that Yami complained and to be fair, they haven’t seen each other since very early in the morning. Okay, it hadn’t been like a separation for thousand years, but still. It should be an official crime to separate him from his Prickly Queen!

No one was paying attention to them, as they all got focused on some white haired jerk who started a stupid speech. Great, this was the perfect occasion. Yami took Charlottes hand and lead her behind a pillar, where no one was and practically no one could see.

Charlotte didn’t even let him do the first move, as she cupped his face and literally crashed her lips on his. Yami put his arms around her waist to hold her closer and more firmly, while he still was cautious enough to not make her pretty diadem fall.

“Damn fuck, you really missed me.”

“Goodness, did you just kissed me with that mouth?”

Yami grinned wolfish before kissing her again, teasing her lips with his tongue. Well, if it was only up to him, they would have left this stupid stick-ass party and go at her place for a good old beddance, either naked or still wearing their ball clothes. That would have been a perfect plan for tonight, maybe even with some bedroom dinner afterwards, just the two of them. Yami promised to remember this for a later date.

They made out for a short moment, before some music from the orchestra was to be heard. Charlotte sighed as she break their kiss.

“The dances are about to start.”

“Do we have still some time before the betrothal trap waltz?”

“Probably, as it would be neither at the start nor at the end.”

“Good to know. By the way, your bitch aunt Rosamund and that five-wives-suitor jerk Reggie are nearby, certainly searching for you. Rosabitch might wanna try to reserve all the dances with you to that stick-ass wife hunter.”

“Rosab… Um, aunt Rosamund already tried this when I was still at home to prepare, but thankfully mother and my cousin Josephine had the grip on me and then Vanessa came, so everything went fine for now.”

“Why was Vanessa with you in the first place?”

“You might find out later today… In the meantime, even though I refuse to dance with Reginald Évantail, I certainly intend to dance in general. Shall I wait until you invite me or…”

“May I have this dance? This is how nobles use to ask or shall I be a bit more ridiculous?”

Charlotte just giggled before she took his hand and both appeared from behind the pillar to join the dancefloor. Well, it was the first time Yami would fight a battle while dancing. But it was definitely worth it. For Charlotte, he would even surpass the limits of his pride.