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1
જ⁀➴ Supper Smiles〃✦ ┆
“Noelle, you improved yet again. As expected of you.”
“O-of course. After all, I am a royal.”
“I too am a royal, Noelle.”
Mimosa flashed a gentle smile toward the water magic user. The end of every month marked a special occasion — the Silva and Vermillion households would gather together for a family dinner, and this month was no different.
Despite their well-known rivalry, the two households had an unspoken bond. The Silvas cared for the Vermillions just as deeply as the Vermillions did for the Silvas. This mutual, unspoken affection was something Mimosa cherished deeply. Mimosa took a good look around the room, a habit she had developed during these gatherings. She wanted to engrave the image of everyone interacting without the shadow of rivalry hanging over them.
She noticed the absence of Mereoleona once again. Mereoleona's tendency to drop in and leave as she pleased was a given, and no one ever argued with her about it. Secretly, Mimosa loved these family gatherings. She cherished the moments when she could tease and bother her try-to-be-stoic cousin, the times when Solid and Nebra minded their own business instead of meddling in Noelle’s affairs, Leo stuffing his face full in the corner of the room, just happy to be there, and the rare instances when Nozel and Fuegoleon could have a peaceful conversation. With hints of fondness lingering in their eyes, a stark contrast to their usual competitiveness. Mimosa couldn’t help but giggle to herself as she realised that despite the stoic expressions on their faces, the captains' eyes were betraying their true feelings.
But then, Mimosa’s thoughts were interrupted by a sudden realization. Her brother — where was Kirsch? Panic flickered in her eyes as she scanned the room once more, searching for any sign of him amidst the lively gathering. Sure, Mimosa had always had a love-hate relationship with her brother, and often she would wish he would just disappear. Yet, in the end, he was still her brother. Thus, excusing herself from the conversation with Noelle, she went in search for the cherry blossom mage.
…
The click-clack of Mimosa’s heels echoed ominously through the dark, eerie hallways. Even as a child, she had always hated walking alone in the vast and intimidating Vermillion castle. Memories surfaced of her small hand clutching Kirsch’s tightly as they hurried through this very hallway on their way to the kitchen. A soft smile tugged at her lips at the thought, but her reverie was abruptly cut short by the sound of giggling. Mimosa froze. Who could that be? Her heart raced as unfamiliar laughter filled the air. An intruder?
A shiver ran down her spine. Mimosa quickly drew her grimoire, her eyes narrowing as she crept quietly toward the source of the eerie, unfamiliar giggles. The sound grew louder, more distinct, each chuckle sending a wave of unease through her. Her fingers tingled with magic as she prepared to cast.
"Magic Cannon Flow—" she whispered. But just as the words were about to leave her lips, a familiar flash of ginger-orange hair caught her attention. Kirsch.
Mimosa carefully slipped her grimoire back into place and crept closer to the door that led to one of the castle’s many balconies. She moved silently, her curiosity piqued. Standing in the middle of the balcony, illuminated by the soft glow of moonlight, was Kirsch, his back turned to her. He was giggling, his voice light and playful as he spoke into the communication device. Whoever was on the other end remained a mystery.
Kirsch wasn’t exactly known for being "depressed" or overly emotional, but seeing him this happy — without her being the cause, or simply just from himself — felt strangely off. It unsettled her. What could possibly be making him laugh like that? Of course, as the good sister she prided herself on being, Mimosa stayed hidden, watching intently from the shadows, determined to figure out what was going on.
"I promise that you'll look beautiful, darling."
Mimosa's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. To say she was shocked would be an understatement. Kirsch had never used the word "beautiful" on anyone — except, of course, when he was talking about himself. Yet here he was, using the term with such tenderness, directed at someone Mimosa didn’t even know existed. Who could this person be?
It wasn’t just the word that stunned her. The way Kirsch gazed at the communication device with such fondness, the softness in his voice — it was almost… surreal. Mimosa felt her heart race as she struggled to process the scene unfolding before her. Then, as if her body couldn't handle the shock, she stumbled back slightly, almost tripping over her own feet. Kirsch, using a term of endearment? She couldn’t believe it.
She needed to tell Noelle. No, she NEEDED to show Noelle. This was too extraordinary to keep to herself. Mimosa's mind raced with the implications, already planning how she would relay this unbelievable moment to her cousin.
Turning on her heel, Mimosa hurriedly sped back to the main hall, her heart pounding with excitement and disbelief. She couldn’t waste another second.
The door slammed open as she burst in, panting and bent over, hands resting on her knees. Everyone’s heads turned toward her at once — Nozel’s brow furrowed in confusion, while Leo froze mid-bite, staring. Mimosa straightened up, sheepishly nodding to each of them with a strained smile, trying to play it off. Gradually, the others shrugged and returned to their activities.
Mimosa quickly but quietly made her way over to Noelle, leaning in close. "Noelle... follow me," she whispered urgently.
Noelle blinked, eyeing her cousin suspiciously. "Why?"
"Respectfully, shut up and follow me. Quick!" Mimosa hissed, glancing over her shoulder. She couldn’t risk her brother ending his call and coming back before she had a chance to show Noelle the unbelievable scene that was unfolding.
…
“Mimosa, I seriously think you were hallucinating. Come on, it’s Kirsch we’re talking about. You know he’d rather die than call anyone beautiful,” Noelle’s skeptical voice echoed through the dim hallways. She flipped one of her silver pigtails with a dramatic flair, the other hand caught tightly in Mimosa’s grip as the determined Vermillion dragged her along. Despite her protest, Noelle didn’t resist, though her doubt was clear.
Mimosa had already spilled the whole unbelievable story to her, but, as expected, Noelle didn’t buy it. Who would? Even Mimosa was beginning to second-guess herself, replaying the moment in her head as they sped toward the balcony. But there was one thing she couldn’t shake — the sound of her brother’s giggles. Kirsch, giggling? And not only that, but so fondly? The idea was absurd, but Mimosa knew what she had seen. As unbelievable as it seemed, the image of Kirsch being affectionate wasn’t something she could have imagined, no matter how much she tried to rationalize it. It had to be real.
The two royals slowed their pace as the familiar golden arc of the balcony came into view. They exchanged a glance before quietly creeping behind the wall, carefully peeking their heads around the corner. Mimosa’s heart pounded in anticipation, expecting to see the same giggles and soft expressions she had witnessed before.
They were met with the familiar sight of Kirsch, his salmon-coloured robes draped elegantly around his slender figure. However, the fondness Mimosa had expected was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Kirsch’s face was twisted in frustration, his head turned directly in their line of sight, though he hadn’t noticed them yet.
“How many times do I have to tell you, it isn’t like that!” Kirsch’s voice rang out, sharp with irritation. His once soft, giggling tone was replaced with a snappy and exasperated edge. Mimosa and Noelle froze, wide-eyed, as he puffed out his cheeks in annoyance. "Stop talking," he snapped, cutting off whoever was on the other end of the call. His hands rested on his hips, radiating frustration.
Mimosa blinked in surprise — this was not the scene she had expected.
Noelle and Mimosa leaned back behind the wall, their eyes wide as they stared at each other in shock. A fond Kirsch had been surprising enough, but an angry Kirsch? That was just as strange. The two youngest royals remained silent momentarily, letting the scene they’d just witnessed sink in.
Finally, Noelle broke the silence with a sigh, leaning closer to Mimosa and whispering, “You must be hallucinating, Mimo. You and I both know that a giggly and fond Kirsch is nearly impossible.”
Mimosa hesitated, glancing back toward the balcony. Maybe Noelle was right. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed unreal — like something her sleep-deprived brain had conjured up. The lack of rest must be getting to her. She swallowed her disappointment and nodded sheepishly in agreement, following Noelle quietly back towards the main hall, her thoughts still lingering on the confusing scene.
…
“Like I said my dear, I simply want to spoil you. You don’t get a say in what I choose to do with my allowance. End of discussion.”
2
𑁍ࠬܓ Spider Lilies 𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔
So what if Mimosa missed her brother? Was she incapable of having emotions now? Of course, she still loved him, even though he annoyed her beyond belief. It was complicated.
Mimosa was arguing internally with no one but herself. A habit she’d developed each time she stopped by the Coral Peacock base to visit her narcissistic brother. She always seemed to justify her visits, as if needing to convince herself of a reason.
Maybe it’s weird to visit Kirsch , she thought, pausing just as her hand hovered over the door handle to the Coral Peacock base. Her fingers hesitated for a moment before she shook her head, snapping herself out of it. “What are you on about, Mimosa? He’s your brother! It’s completely normal to visit him when you both happen to be free.” She huffed, straightening her posture. "Besides, the Golden Dawn has been busier than ever lately. It only makes sense to use this time to check up on my workaholic brother — just to make sure he hasn't somehow gotten himself killed."
With a deep breath, Mimosa calmed herself after winning yet another mental argument. Determined, she finally pushed the door open and stepped inside.
…
The gigantic door creaked open, and the sound of heavy wood scraping against the floor created an unpleasant noise. Mimosa winced, hoping the noise wouldn’t wake Dorothy. While she enjoyed the captain’s company, Dorothy's energy could be, at times, quite... overwhelming.
As the door swung open, Mimosa was greeted by Roland, a fellow 2nd Class Senior Magic Knight and, like Kirsch and herself, a plant mage. He was carrying a large stack of paperwork, clearly on his way somewhere, but stopped at the sound of the door opening.
“Mimosa. Here to see Vice-Captain Kirsch, I presume?” he asked knowingly, offering her a small nod.
“Good afternoon, Roland. I hope I’m not disturbing anyone. I just wanted to check up on Kirsch. Oh! Do you need any help with those papers?” she offered politely.
“It’s no worries,” Roland replied, adjusting the papers in his arms. “Unfortunately, Kirsch is out at the Blue Rose base.”
“A mission, I assume? My apologies for the intrusion. Please pass along my regards to Kirsch. I should take my leave then,” Mimosa responded, bowing slightly as she prepared to leave.
But before she could turn, Roland stopped her. “No need to rush, Mimosa. Your brother should be back soon, and I’m sure he’d be delighted to see you. Well, I hope he returns soon. He’s been... piling up a lot of paperwork, and it’s putting quite a toll on the rest of us. But considering his current... circumstances, it might take a while for him to get back on track.”
Roland’s sigh caught Mimosa off guard, and she couldn’t tell if it was one of worry or frustration. Either way, the mention of Kirsch slacking on his duties made her uneasy. Kirsch? Avoiding work? That didn’t sound like her brother at all. Kirsch was not only a workaholic but also a perfectionist. This just didn’t make sense... unless ...
“Circumstances?!” Mimosa’s voice shook with concern as she bit her lip nervously. “Apologies, Roland, but I’m not quite sure what you mean.”
Roland hesitated for a moment before answering, “Kirsch has been... very irritated, to say the least.”
Mimosa’s breath hitched. Her mind immediately spiraled. “Is there too much paperwork? Has he fallen behind? Oh no, is he sick? Has he been skipping meals again? Couldn’t fall asleep? Or worst, is — is he injured? Roland, please tell me he’s okay! Maybe he’s—”
“Mimosa, calm down,” Roland cut her off, raising his free hand. “Your brother’s fine. He’s just having trouble finding… flowers. That’s all. Nothing remotely close to sickness or injury, I promise.”
Mimosa blinked, her mind racing to catch up. Flowers ? Of all things, Kirsch was getting worked up over flowers ? The weight of her worry evaporated, replaced by confusion.
This made no sense. Kirsch, of all people, wasn't known for collecting flowers. Besides, everyone knew his favourite flower is cherry blossoms. And everyone knows that it was always within reach, whether in bloom or summoned with his magic.
“Flowers?” Mimosa tilted her head, confusion clear in her voice. “I’m pretty sure all of his favourite flowers are easily accessible. Besides, brother wouldn’t lose his composure and ignore work over something as simple as flowers.”
She paused, thinking for a moment. Suddenly, her eyes widened as a terrifying thought struck her. “Did something happen to him? Has he lost the ability to use his cherry blossom magic? Oh, Roland, please tell me he’s not in any kind of trouble!” Her voice rose with panic, and before she knew it, she was rambling again, her heart racing with fear at the possibility. The idea that her brother could lose his magic was surreal — a nightmare she didn’t even want to consider. The thought of it felt like a heavy weight pressing down on her chest.
Roland blinked, clearly taken aback by Mimosa’s sudden worry. “Mimosa, no, it’s nothing like that,” he reassured, his tone gentle but firm. "Like I said, you can calm down. The Vice-Captain is just having trouble finding spider lilies."
Now Mimosa was even more confused.
“Spider lilies?” she repeated, her brow furrowing. “That’s so out of his aesthetic. Are you sure you’re not mistaken, Roland?”
“Positive,” he replied, sighing. “He came out of his room hysterically screaming and panicking, causing quite the fright amongst the squad. It even woke Captain Dorothy up! And, you know how much she favours your brother.”
Mimosa nodded knowingly. It wasn’t a secret that Captain Dorothy adored Kirsch. After all, he was the perfect mix of being hardworking and yet still being available, always managing to keep up with both his duties and social standing.
Roland sighed again and continued, “After Captain Dorothy confirmed Kirsch wasn’t in any immediate danger, she went back to sleep, but Kirsch came to me, wailing and asking if I could use my plant magic to summon any spider lilies, or even just the seeds was sufficient.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “Unfortunately, I’m just a plant mage. I couldn’t do anything about flowers. When I told him that, he was devastated.”
Mimosa furrowed her brows. “That’s strange... I’ve never heard him mention spider lilies before. He’s always been so focused on cherry blossoms, that I didn’t even think he knew other flowers existed. Is that why he went to the Blu—”
Before she could finish her sentence, a scream echoed through the base, followed by the unmistakable sound of someone sobbing. The door to the corridor slammed open, revealing a disheveled Kirsch. His normally pristine appearance was a mess — his hair unkempt, his clothes wrinkled. He looked like he’d fought ten battles and walked all the way back instead of flying.
“Oh, Roland!” Kirsch wailed loudly, seemingly unaware of Mimosa’s presence.
“Captain Charlotte couldn’t help me! What am I supposed to do now?!” he cried, dramatically making his way toward Roland. It wasn’t until he was halfway through his rant that he finally noticed Mimosa standing there. He froze in his tracks, gasping audibly.
Within seconds, Kirsch sprinted across the hall and threw himself at Mimosa, embracing her tightly. “Mimosa! Oh, my dear sister. Do you, by any chance, have the ability to summon spider lilies? Or their seeds? Or even the flower itself? Come on, help your poor brother out. Look at me, I’m a mess ! I don’t even look beautiful anymore!”
Mimosa eyed her brother suspiciously. This wasn’t the Kirsch she knew. He would never say he wasn’t beautiful, let alone look this disheveled over a simple flower. And why would he fly all the way to another base just for a flower? Kirsch wasn’t the type to beg for anything.
She looked him up and down. “I can’t help, but... why are spider lilies so important to you, brother?”
For a moment, Mimosa expected her brother to burst into tears again or start another one of his dramatic rants. But what she didn’t expect was for Kirsch to flinch away from her hug, his face turning beet red.
“U-uh, well, dearest sister... um...” Kirsch stammered, laughing awkwardly. His eyes darted to Roland. “Oh wow, Roland! Are all those papers for me? Ahahaha,” he laughed nervously, snatching the pile of paperwork from Roland’s hands. Facing Mimosa, still chuckling awkwardly, he said, “Sorry, Mimosa! Duty calls! Thank you for visiting — see you at family dinner next week!”
And with that, he bolted down the hallway, completely flustered, leaving both Mimosa and Roland standing in stunned silence.
“...What just happened?” Mimosa breathed out after a long pause.
“I... have no idea,” Roland admitted, equally baffled.
3
-ˋˏ✄ ┈ Bailing ┈┈
Mimosa looked around the room, confusion etched on her face. It was once again the monthly gathering between the Vermillion and Silvas families. But this time, instead of Mereoleona being the only one absent, Kirsch was also missing.
Mimosa frowned. Her brother wasn’t known for being late or skipping out without notice. Moreover, lately, Kirsch had been acting oddly… fidgety, nervous, blushy, and unusually happy. While it was great that he seemed happier, the cause of this sudden joy was puzzling, to say the least.
“Mimosa, do you know where Kirsch is?” Noelle asked, her voice snapping Mimosa out of her spirals of thoughts.
“I don’t know,” Mimosa replied, her brow furrowing. “I’m wondering that too. Do you think he’s caught up with work?”
“You know Kirsch. He’s so meticulous that it’s almost frightening. I doubt he’d be caught up with work and not inform us beforehand.” Noelle shrugs.
“You’re right,” Mimosa agreed. “I just hope he’s alright.”
“Kirsch is strong, Mimosa. He’ll be fine. Come on, let’s join Leo and eat,” Noelle said, trying to reassure her.
...
Later that night, back in the comfort of her room at the Golden Dawn base, Mimosa had completed her night routine. She finished her skincare and slipped into her silk pajamas. Just as she was about to settle into bed and drift off to sleep, her communication device on the nightstand started vibrating.
The communication device, given to all Magic Knights for quick and easy contact in emergencies, was buzzing with urgency. Mimosa shot out of bed immediately, her sleep forgotten. The safety of others took precedence, and she hurried to answer the call, her mind racing with concern. What could be the issue now? A break-in? Was the kingdom under attack? Or worst. Was someone close to her hurt and she was needed immediately? Mimosa quickly picked up the call with a racing heart, her mind bracing for the worst.
The hologram flickered briefly before focusing, revealing an annoyed yet sleepy Noelle. Her silver hair, for once loose, cascaded down to her waist. A blue eyemask rested atop her head, and her furrowed brows signalled clear irritation.
"Mimosa," Noelle grumbled, her voice thick with exhaustion. "Thank god you're still awake. I don't know if I’m hallucinating, but I sense Kirsch's mana close by. It keeps spiking and dimming uncontrollably, and I can’t sleep because the sweet cherry blossom scent is so distracting."
Mimosa blinked, utterly confused. Kirsch? Near the Black Bulls base? she thought, her mind reeling. What in the world would bring her brother to such a place at this hour? It was midnight! Kirsch should be getting his 'beauty sleep' by now. Mimosa knows that her brother prided himself on his perfect sleep schedule, believing it was one of the secrets to his flawless skin, so the fact that he was anywhere but the Coral Peacock’s base was just weird.
"I-I’m confused," Mimosa stuttered, her earlier panic now replaced by growing bewilderment. Kirsch’s behaviour had been increasingly odd and concerning these days. First the strange obsession with spider lilies, and now this? Mimosa knew she had to get to the bottom of it.
Noelle huffed, visibly frustrated. "Mimo, figure out what on earth Kirsch is doing near our base in the middle of the night, please. His mana smells so flowery and sweet and it’s so strong that I’m sure it’s going to wake Luck soon. And it took forever for Magna to finally settle that battle maniac down!"
Mimosa sighed deeply, feeling the growing weight of confusion as she ended the call with Noelle. Of course, not before apologising on behalf of her idiotic brother. She quickly switched to dialling Kirsch’s number, her mind clouded with many question marks.
It took longer than usual for Kirsch to answer, which immediately set off alarm bells in her head. Normally, he’d respond almost instantly to her calls, given that he had somehow managed to set a special alert for her. The longer it dragged on, the more Mimosa’s eyebrows furrowed in concern.
Finally, the hologram flickered to life, revealing Kirsch, slightly out of breath, his face flushed red. Mimosa said nothing at first, simply watching him with sharp eyes. Something was definitely off. His usually immaculate hair was unkempt, and there was an unusual tension in his voice.
“M-Mimosa... W-what are you doing calling this late? Is something the matter?” Kirsch stammered, his usual confidence nowhere to be found. Instead, his voice was shaky and he was panting slightly. He abruptly shifted the device, and all Mimosa could see now was his messy hair and part of his forehead. The stuttering, the flustered demeanour — it was completely out of character for her brother.
"Brother, where are you? Noelle called me saying she sensed your mana close to the Black Bulls base. What are you doing there?" Mimosa asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.
"W-what— Why would I be anywhere near—" Kirsch’s response was suddenly cut off by a choked moan. Mimosa’s eyes widened in shock, her breath catching as she processed what she just heard.
A long silence stretched between them. Mimosa sat frozen, trying to piece together what was happening. What was her brother doing at this hour? And more importantly, what was that sound?
“Kirsch? What was that? Are you okay?” Mimosa finally asked, her voice laced with growing concern. She hoped that Kirsch wasn’t being attacked or something.
Though she could only see part of Kirsch’s face, it was clear he had turned an even deeper shade of red, his forehead almost glowing with embarrassment. The camera jostled awkwardly, and she could hear faint, unclear whispers in the background. Something — or someone — was with him.
After a tense pause, Kirsch shakily replied, “N-nothing, Mimosa. I just stubbed my toe, ahaha... silly me. Y-you should go to sleep, dearest sister— G-goodnight!”
Before Mimosa could respond or press him further, the call abruptly ended. She sat there on her bed, staring at the now blank screen. Noelle had called her for answers, but now, she was left with even more questions.
Whatever Kirsch was up to, it was far from normal. And Mimosa had no idea how to begin unravelling the mystery of her brother’s strange behaviour. The flushed face, the stuttering — it didn’t add up. She replayed the odd noise she’d heard in the background. The longer she thought about it, the more confused she became.
She set the device down slowly, her mind swimming with unanswered questions. What on earth is Kirsch doing? He was always so composed, so obsessed with his image, and now he was... this ? Flustered, embarrassed, and acting like he had something to hide.
Mimosa sighed heavily and leaned back into her pillows, staring blankly at the ceiling. She was usually so good at reading her brother, but now, she felt like she didn’t know him at all. The giggles, the flower fiasco, the late-night sneaking out, odd noises... None of it made any sense.
She hugged her pillow closer, feeling a strange mix of concern and curiosity, but for now, all she could do was wonder. With Kirsch acting this out of character, Mimosa knew something was going on, but whatever it was, she was determined to get to the bottom of this.
With a frustrated groan, she closed her eyes, hoping that maybe some sleep would help clear her mind. The journey of solving Kirsch’s sudden behaviour change shall be a problem to future Mimosa… once she gets some sleep that is.
4
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺ Shopping Trip ༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
It was a rare moment of peace for the Golden Dawn. Captain Vangeance, recognising the squad’s relentless efforts through the elf fiasco, had given everyone a well-deserved break. Of course, the break was also a sort of apology after the stunt he pulled on the entire Clover Kingdom. But regardless, the squad members dispersed quickly, eager to enjoy their freedom. Yuno had gone back to Hage Village to visit his family, while Langris stormed off, his return uncertain. Despite his turbulent departure, Mimosa knew that when the time came, the squad would welcome him back with open arms, no questions asked. Klaus had excused himself, wandering off to an undisclosed location, and many of the other members followed suit.
Mimosa found herself standing in the now-quiet Golden Dawn base, the echo of her comrades’ footsteps fading away. She smiled to herself, feeling the rare lightness in the air. With everyone off doing their own thing, she realised this was the perfect opportunity to head to town. The next family gathering was approaching, and what better way to prepare than by shopping for gifts?
As she thought about it, she made a mental note to pick out something special for Noelle and Kirsch. Noelle would appreciate something practical, maybe a new hair accessory or a beautiful piece of jewelry that wasn’t too flashy. And for Kirsch… well, her brother was a bit more difficult to shop for. She frowned, remembering the recent erratic behaviour. But still, she couldn’t help but want to find something that would make him smile, after all, Kirsch has always remembered to spoil Mimosa whenever he takes a shopping trip.
With a nod of determination, Mimosa grabbed her bag and set off towards the bustling marketplace, ready to find the perfect gifts. It was time to indulge in something other than missions and battles, and maybe, just maybe, she’d find a little something for herself as well.
…
"Thank you for your purchase! Please come again!" The cheerful voice of the shopkeeper echoed behind her as Mimosa stepped through the door, the little bell chiming softly in the cool afternoon air.
As she walked down the street, Mimosa held the delicate package close to her, smiling warmly at the thought of her brother. She hadn’t intended to buy a scarf today, but the moment she passed by the display window and caught sight of it, she knew it was meant for Kirsch. The scarf was a soft salmon color, almost like the pale blush of dawn, with intricately woven golden threads running along the edges. Tiny golden jewels were embedded subtly into the fabric, catching the light just enough to add an elegant shimmer without being too ostentatious. The design itself was understated but regal — a perfect match for Kirsch's refined yet dramatic taste.
It wasn’t hard to picture her brother draping the scarf around his neck with his usual flair, basking in the attention as he twirled in front of a mirror, praising his own beauty. Mimosa giggled softly at the thought. Despite his antics, she knew Kirsch would love the gift. It was simple, but it carried a personal touch that she knew he’d appreciate.
Satisfied with her purchase, she continued through the marketplace, her heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks.
“Now, now, darling, just a few more stalls and we’ll be done.”
Mimosa froze mid-step. That voice — so unmistakably familiar, smooth, and refined with an almost melodic lilt. It was obvious to Mimosa that it belonged to none other than Kirsch Vermillion, her older brother. Her heart skipped a beat at the sound and she processed what she had just heard. There was no way she could mistake that voice for anyone else’s.
It wasn’t because Mimosa heard her brother’s voice in the Forsaken Realm that startled her. Kirsch was a huge shopper, so bumping into him around the marketplace wasn’t entirely out of the question. In fact, it was something Mimosa had expected to happen sooner or later. But the term, darling . It appeared once again. Still addressed to someone Mimosa doesn’t even know.
Mimosa rapidly started scanning the bustling market, until her eyes landed on a familiar figure. Kirsch stood a little down the path, his flamboyant ginger hair catching the late afternoon light. But he wasn’t alone. Judging from the tone of Kirsch, Mimosa can be certain that the other was certainly not a fellow Coral Peacock member.
Mimosa noticed the way Kirsch’s face lit up in a way she hadn’t seen before, and he was looking at his companion with an expression that, to her surprise, seemed softer than usual. Her brother’s usual dramatics were toned down, his gestures more gentle as they browsed the stalls together,
Who was this person? And how are they able to make Kirsch act this way?
Mimosa tried creeping closer to the couple, but the crowd was overwhelming, preventing her from getting a clear view of the person with Kirsch. All she managed to catch sight of, was a figure dressed entirely in black, his hood covering his hair – a stark contrast to her brother, who was glowing in pastels right beside them.
Maybe the gods were listening to Mimosa’s prayers, but to her delight, the couple decided to halt their steps and window shop a necklace store, giving Mimosa the green light to quickly make way over, or simply, make it through just enough to catch sight of the figure.
Unfortunately, the person was hidden behind a streetlight, their face completely obscured from Mimosa’s sight. This made Mimosa grit her teeth. She needed to solve the mystery once and for all. Kirsch was her brother, and she had the right to know what was causing such a shift in his demeanour. How could she not know that her brother had let someone else into his heart? Mimosa momentarily felt a little betrayed. She thought the two of them would share everything with each other.
…Okay maybe not everything … but still! She’s his sister, for god’s sake! The closest person to him if not blood-related!
Just as Mimosa was about to slip into one of her mental arguments once again, a habit that pops up whenever it involves her brother, she saw a clear path opening towards Kirsch and the other, who was leaning awfully close to her brother to be considered normal.
Mimosa held her breath, clutching her belongings tightly, and made a run for it.
Just as she was almost close enough to confront her brother, Kirsch and his ‘darling’ decided to leave the stall and turn around a corner, leaving poor Mimosa drowning amongst the sea of shoppers.
Damn it! With the crowd this thick, Mimosa knew she would never catch up to them. Flying wasn’t even an option as she barely had any space to even set her broom up.
Mimosa’s shoulder slumped as she sighed. She would figure it out next time, she promised herself. If she couldn’t, she would just have to force it out of Kirsch during the next family dinner.
Now that the idea of following Kirsch was out the window, Mimosa supposed the only option she had was to continue shopping. After all, she had time, and… she supposed adding a few more dresses to her collection wouldn’t hurt…
5
. ₊˚ ☎︎₊ Accessories ˚✧ ﾟ.
Now, Mimosa had her fair share of jewellery, but none of it quite compared to Kirsch’s collection. The two Vermillion siblings had entirely different aesthetics — Kirsch’s more ornate and extravagant, while Mimosa preferred elegance with a touch of simplicity. But like any good sister, Mimosa made it a habit to sneak into Kirsch’s room once in a while, just to “borrow” a few pieces from his vast collection.
Today was no different.
After greeting Kirsch at the Coral Peacock headquarters, Mimosa kindly excused herself under the pretence of needing to use the bathroom. Of course, she didn’t actually need the bathroom — she needed a closer look at whatever new additions her brother might have acquired since her last "visit." Kirsch, engrossed in paperwork in his personal work office, had no idea what she was really up to.
Now, why would Mimosa rifle through her brother’s jewellery instead of picking something from her own extensive collection? There was no particular reason. Siblings didn’t need a reason to annoy each other — it was just one of those unspoken truths. Besides, there was a unique satisfaction in seeing Kirsch’s overdramatic reaction when he realised his things had been tampered with.
And although Mimosa was known for her kindness and sweetness — an absolute angel in most people’s eyes — she did indulge in a few guilty pleasures. This, sneaking into her brother’s room and imagining his horrified face, was one of them.
As she carefully sifted through the jewellery boxes, admiring the extravagant designs, Mimosa couldn’t help but smile to herself. "Aha, this one would look perfect with my new dress."
As Mimosa rummaged through Kirsch’s jewellery box, her eyes caught sight of another box tucked away in the corner of his bedside table. It was unusual — Kirsch’s typical jewellery was always neatly arranged by his vanity, not hidden away like this. Curiosity piqued, and Mimosa smirked.
This must be Kirsch’s all-time favourites!
The thought of discovering her brother’s most prized pieces was too tempting. Mimosa needed to see them for herself — purely for "quality assurance," of course.
She moved gracefully across the room to Kirsch’s extravagant bed, her hand trailing the salmon silk bedsheets until she reached the coral-pink box. It was beautiful, with intricate gold lines weaving through the surface, giving it an elegant yet theatrical feel — very much like Kirsch himself. The coral pink was soft and delicate, while the golden accents gave it that dramatic flair her brother was known for.
She picked it up, turning it in her hands, admiring the craftsmanship. The box was a perfect reflection of Kirsch: extravagant, meticulous, and undeniably stunning. Mimosa's heart raced with excitement as she slowly opened it, eager to uncover what hidden treasures lay inside.
Mimosa’s excitement was short-lived as she opened the box. Instead of the usual dazzling array of diamonds, morganite, and rose quartz that Kirsch favoured, she was met with an assortment of black and red jewellery. Rubies, black chains, and dark, gothic designs dominated the contents.
The contrast between these pieces and Kirsch’s typical aesthetic was stark. Kirsch’s style was always about elegance and light, with pastels and delicate jewels. The black and red theme was jarring and foreign.
The piece that stood out the most was a black skull hairpiece. Rubies were embedded in the eyes and along the edges of the skull’s grin, creating a macabre and menacing look. Mimosa had never seen Kirsch wear anything remotely like this, and she had spent enough time around him to know his preferences well. This was an entirely new and unexpected side of her brother.
Mimosa frowned, trying to piece together the mystery. Either Kirsch had a secret taste for gothic aesthetics, which seemed highly unlikely given his usual style, or these items belonged to someone else.
Mimosa carefully picked up the hairpin, tracing her thumb over the intricate arrangement of jewels. The accessory was undeniably expensive, though it didn’t quite fit either her or her brother’s usual styles. It was stylish, but its dark colour made Mimosa wonder how Kirsch could possibly pair it with his typical pastel wardrobe — that is, if the pin was indeed his.
Lost in thought, Mimosa didn’t notice her ginger-haired brother frantically entering the room. His eyes widened in shock as he spotted the hairpin in her hands.
“Mimosa! What on earth are you doing in my room? I thought you were in the bathroom. Albeit, you’ve been gone for quite a while.” Kirsch hurried over, gently but swiftly snatching the pin from Mimosa’s grasp. His hands were quick but careful as he returned the hairpin to its box and hurriedly tucked it away in his dresser.
Mimosa watched in stunned silence as Kirsch fussed over the box, all the while scolding her for rummaging through his belongings. His cheeks were flushed, and he seemed unusually flustered. “Seriously, Mimosa, don’t you have your own jewellery? If you need something, just tell me. There’s no reason for you to go through my stuff. We don’t even share the same taste in jewellery!” His voice wavered slightly as he spoke, and his face grew redder with each passing second.
Mimosa opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat as she noticed something peculiar. Hanging loosely around Kirsch’s neck was a delicate pink chain, and attached to it was a striking black ring. The ring featured a brilliant, circular ruby in the centre that glowed with an intense, burning red. It was unlike anything Mimosa had seen before, and it shone brightly against Kirsch’s chest.
“Well?” Kirsch raised an eyebrow, clearly waiting for his sister’s reaction. But Mimosa stood frozen, her mouth agape as she tried to process what she was looking at.
Kirsch sighed, clearly exasperated. “Mimo, if you need any accessories, just let me know and I’ll get them for you. Please, stop going through my things. I have a lot of reports to sort out so I have to get going now.” With that, Kirsch turned and left, heading back to his office to work in peace.
Mimosa remained by the bed, still in shock and unable to move. Her thoughts raced as she stared at the space where Kirsch had been standing.
“W-was that a ring?” she murmured to herself after what seemed like forever, her mind finally reeling from the discovery.
+1
⋆✴︎˚ Vanessa ｡⋆
The heavy wooden door of the Black Bulls’ base creaked as Mimosa pushed it open. She hesitated at the threshold, a bit reluctant to enter, but her duty called. After all, her cousin Noelle had somehow managed to fall ill — a result of exhausting too much of her magic during a particularly tedious mission. Noelle’s water magic had turned against her, causing her to catch an awful flu. It was quite ironic, really. Though Mimosa is skilled in healing wounds, she wasn’t particularly known for… curing illnesses. Nonetheless, she was here, carrying some medicine for Noelle, and silently hoping she wouldn’t catch the flu herself.
As Mimosa stepped into the base, she was immediately startled by a sudden burst of flames flying across the room. Of course , how could she forget about Luck and Magna’s daily sparring match — or more like, their chaotic "couple activity."
“You’re too slow, Magna! AHAHAHA!” Luck’s maniacal laughter filled the room.
“COME BACK HERE, YOU PUNK!” Magna roared in response, throwing more fireballs at the lightning mage.
Mimosa sighed, recovering from her initial shock. Right… she has to remember the Black Bulls always manages to bring the unexpected.
Sitting nervously on the couch was Finral, his gaze darting between the fighting duo. “G-guys… Captain Yami will be back soon— guys, seriously…” His pleas were clearly falling on deaf ears. In the corner, Gauche was engrossed in a conversation with his little sister Marie through his mirror, his nose bleeding in a way that Mimosa had unfortunately grown accustomed to seeing.
Mimosa let out a sheepish greeting to the room, though no one seemed to notice her entrance. She decided it was best to make her way to the hallway where the bedrooms were before one of Magna’s fireballs accidentally flew in her direction once again. Hopefully, she’d find Noelle’s room this time without getting lost, although that seemed highly unlikely.
As she passed through, Mimosa noticed Vanessa sitting on the couch, remarkably not passed out drunk as she usually was. Instead, Vanessa seemed completely occupied, her hands working with her thread magic, hooking a delicate black string in the air. Not wanting to be rude, Mimosa approached the wine-red-haired witch, offering a polite smile.
“Hey, Vanessa! What are you—”
Mimosa's sentence trailed off. Her eyes had caught something on the table next to Vanessa. A ring. But not just any ring— this one was eerily familiar. It was simple yet elegant, with a coral pink band and a rose quartz gem in the center, shaped like a cherry blossom. The light from the room reflected off the gem, making it gleam softly, its delicate beauty unmistakable.
Mimosa stood there, staring at the ring in thought. Where had she seen it before? Her mind raced, trying to connect the dots. Then, it clicked.
Kirsch.
Mimosa blurted out, her voice louder and shakier than intended, "V-Vanessa?! W-where did that ring come from?"
Vanessa, still focused on her thread magic, glanced up with a soft, amused smile. "Oh, that? Well, Mimosa, our dear Zora was dragged — quite forcefully — into sparring with Luck and Magna. Mid-fight, his thread snapped, and the ring fell off. Naturally, I offered to help the poor lovesick boy." Vanessa's tone was filled with affection, completely unaware of the shocked expression spreading across Mimosa's face.
Mimosa's mind was reeling. Zora? Lovesick?
Vanessa continued, oblivious to the young royal’s growing confusion. "Mimosa, your brother really has a way with Zora. That boy used to be so stoic and guarded, but ever since meeting your brother, he’s gone all soft and mushy. Isn’t it just the sweetest thing? Love really does have an effect on people." Vanessa's eyes sparkled, her voice filled with warmth. "They care for each other so deeply. It’s so touching to see how they’re willing to go to such lengths for each other."
Mimosa’s shock grew with every word, but Vanessa simply went on, her face glowing with fondness. "Did you know Zora was practically in a panic when his thread snapped? He ran in here, eyes wide, begging for my help. He didn’t want Kirsch to be disappointed or misunderstand anything before their date later. Isn’t that adorable?"
Mimosa finally found her voice, albeit barely. "D-do you know where Zora got that ring?" she stammered, her heart pounding in her chest.
Vanessa’s grin widened knowingly. "Oh, it’s a promise ring! Zora gave it to your brother. I actually helped them with the thread for it after I accidentally walked in on one of their dates." She giggled, clearly reminiscing. "They were so flustered! It was adorable, and of course, I offered to help them. Everyone deserves love, after all."
Vanessa continued to chat fondly about how she had caught Zora and Kirsch on their date, but none of it registered with Mimosa. Her mind was spinning, replaying the shocking revelation. A promise ring?! Not only was her brother in a relationship — one that had probably lasted a while , considering promise rings were involved — but with Zora Ideale?! The same Zora who had ruthlessly defeated Kirsch during the Royal Knights selection and insulted him in the process?! The same Zora who Kirsch hated for being a ‘peasant’?
The pieces slowly fell into place in Mimosa's mind, and all she could do was stand there, frozen in disbelief. So all these times, the gigglings were all caused by Zora?
The longer Mimosa thought about it, the more it made sense. The sudden need for spider lilies, the odd obsession over gothic jewellery pieces, and the figure in all black she saw at the Forsaken Realm, all tie back to Zora. Zora fits those aesthetics.
“So, my brother and—”
“Vanessa, is the thread done? Kirsch is wait—" Zora’s voice trailed off as he stepped into the room, freezing when his eyes landed on Mimosa. "Oh."
Now, Mimosa was not overly familiar with Zora, but she was certain that nothing in life could ever shake his confidence… except now . Zora, who was usually composed and sharp-tongued, looked incredibly out of sorts. He shifted on his feet, hands twitching nervously at his sides, eyes darting everywhere but at her. The confident, smug trap mage seemed to melt away, replaced by someone who was clearly uncomfortable with the situation at hand. His usual intimidating presence was gone, and the room suddenly felt smaller with the tension he carried.
It was painfully obvious, to anyone who might have been paying attention, that Zora Ideale — the notorious rogue mage — was unnerved by being caught by none other than his partner’s sister.
“M-Mimosa, I can uh— explain— your brother and I—” Zora stammered, his hand awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. His words tumbled out, disjointed, something entirely unlike him.
Vanessa giggled from her spot on the couch, finishing the final touches on the thread she was working on, securing it delicately around the ring. She found the unfolding scene entirely too amusing.
Mimosa, still staring at Zora, narrowed her eyes slightly, her piercing gaze cutting through the room. For a moment, it looked as though she might scold him, the tension thickening.
But then she sighed.
“Take care of my idiot brother, alright?" she said, her voice softer, though firm. "I trust you.”