~CHARLOTTE~

She was so over this bullsh*t. Not a second passed after she stepped out of the tavern before she was on the ground, those nasty men feeling like they had won. A scream lept out of her mouth in surprise, but a dirty hand was shoved in her face to muffle it. Reflexively her briars shot out from the hilt that was strapped to her waist. She didn't care if she hurt them or not, in a flash she had flung them off her and tied them up in her briars, squeezing a little tighter than necessary.

Yami had placed himself in between her and the man who seemed to be the head of the group. Yami held his sword above his head with both hands, ready to strike at the first opening. Charlotte couldn't take her eyes off of him, there was something about the waning sunlight that highlighted the slight brown hue of his hair and the long shadows that stretched from his feet that made him look more like a god than a man.

His opponent faced him head on, a silver grimoire opened in front of him. She didn't know what magic he wielded or why he seemed so confident in taking on Yami.

He's clearly in over his head. I've rarely felt Yami as dead-serious as he is now. Is it because.... of what they were trying to do to me?

Charlotte quickly dismissed her thought, of course Yami wouldn't have been upset because of her role in this whole thing. He was the one who suggested it in the first place, and besides, she was never in any real danger.

"Steel Magic- Armored Wall!"

A sleek barrier of steel rose in front of the man, hiding him from Yami's view. At the mention of the notorious magic held by the house of Silva, she reflected on the man's appearance. Was he related to Nozel in some way? A deserter, or maybe an outcast from the family? It would explain why he was so intent on stealing instead of working with his hands. Rouge nobles were always the worst criminals to deal with.

"Dark Cloak Dimension Slash!"

Yami's now signature move crashed down on the man, slicing through his measly defense and cutting in two before he had the chance to process what was going on. The wall had only been a hindrance to himself in the end, preventing him from anticipating Yami's attack while his ki gave his position away to his opponent.

Did he think a simple wall would stop Yami's blade? When that man wants something, or specifically when he wants someone, nothing can stop him.

As Charlotte fangirled, Yami watched in silence as the silver grimoire crackled with ashen flames, mana dispersing into the still churning air. Once he was sure the danger was gone, Yami sauntered over to her, taking the hand with her ring on it into his. Gently he appraised it, his eyes scouring every inch of her pale skin for scratches or wounds. His hands were rough and callused, but so tender they reminded her of her grandmother's.

"Your pretty fingers all seem to be intact, I told you I'd return you just as you were before," he said calmly. She was suddenly aware that, technically, they were holding hands and felt heat flush to her cheeks.

"Actually, Yami, you uh, you promised nothing would happen to the ring...." she dropped her gaze to the floor, hoping he wouldn't notice the flutter in her pulse.

"Is that what I said..." His voice trailed off as if he was thinking of something but didn't know how to say it. He turned and nodded towards the men she had wrapped up with her briars.

"Guess we outta turn these fellows over to local authorities. Without their leader I'm sure they won't be hard to deal with." Charlotte agreed and they quickly found their way to the village jail.

After processing all the paperwork, which was minimal since they were both magic knights, she felt exhausted. Even though the fight wasn't a hard one, the emotional stress of the day weighed on her. As she stood beside him, his confession from earlier echoed in her mind. Fighting next to him had calmed her nerves considerably, but she wasn't sure yet how to process this new development.

Well, if he was joking, then everything can return to normal, and if he was serious about having feelings for me, isn't that what I always wanted? I just don't know what's supposed to come next. I don't know how to act in this situation. I've loved him for years, how am I supposed to casually "date" a man I feel this strongly for? The last thing I want is to ruin the relationship we have now with my overbearing emotions. He says he likes me, but what exactly does that mean?

A/N: oooooh maybe it's time for a kiss??? Who do you think will make the first move?