for a brighter future [cowt12 | week 02 | m3]

[hannyakoma]

Prompt: 002. Regalare una spilla

Word count: 2400
Rating: sfw
Fandom: Black Clover
Note: prolly OOC, set 500 before the beginning of the series.

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The days before the marriage seemed to fly by in a rush. 

Getting everything ready for the grand occasion, both the elves and the few humans that approved of the marriage were as busy as they could get. It felt like there wasn’t nearly enough time to get everything organized well enough and, to be fair, Lemiel knew that he wasn’t going to get any relaxing time either.

Tetia, his lovely baby sister whom he much loved with all his heart, was as excited and nervous as one could be. The fact that she was expecting surely had something to do with her state, but as they say: happiness is greater than worry.

He decided to do his share, too, helping out with choosing a simple yet elegant dress that did Tetia justice, while his assistant and friend Secre took care of the hairdo and the little details, like which flowers to use as decoration. The three of them already did some experiments and boy, he might be biased, but his sister looked absolutely radiant.

Seeing her like that, it brought him a wave of affection he never felt before - not because he didn’t love her, but… it was different that time. It felt different, too, but not necessarily in a bad way. 

Tetia was all grown up and ready to start a family with Licht, one of the best people Lemiel had ever known before. His best friend and soon-to-be brother (and maybe even rival) - Gods know how much he had needed someone like him. Someone who saw past the crown prince, the prodigy of the Four Leaves and the magic-maniac, eccentric researcher he was. Someone who shared his dream to be able to live alongside, together, humans and elves.

He was glad that Licht was the one marrying Tetia and not some noble or royal snob, who only saw the chance to rise up in status through a marriage of convenience with her.

Nevertheless, his feelings were slightly dampened by a very trivial, very small, yet to him very important worry. 

What should he give them? Honestly, he knew very well that whatever his gift was going to be, both Licht and Tetia would appreciate it. But he wished to prepare something with his own hands, something that had a meaning - a wish for a radiant future, the hope for a long life together.

Given that he could ask Secre for help, he didn’t want to rely on her for that too (honestly, Lemiel felt like he already put enough weight and stress on her shoulders; she really should try to relax more, around him and in general), however-

“Ugh… I feel like I’ve reached an impasse…” 

The back of his head hit the trunk lightly, resting against the hard wooden surface for good. He was sitting in the shade of a tree, high on one of the branches - a place that had recently become his favorite to mull things over, all while having one of the best views over the elves’ territory ever. 

A little far from where he is, a small lake extended in a clearing among the forest. Its crystalline waters, when hit by the sun, brought forth a marvelous sight of reflections and lights. Almost, it was like the whole surface became a shining jewel.

He wondered… would Tetia and Licht appreciate something a little fancier…?

“Heya! Why the long face, kid?”

“Wha-?!” Lemiel almost felt himself fall down upon hearing that voice. 

He let out a silent sigh once he got his balance back on the branch and dared to look down, where the reason for his almost fall originated from. A meter or two below him, golden eyes met his own blue ones earnestly - the elf woman greeted him with a smile, as if she didn't almost make his heart skip a few beats. 

“Elenne… you startled me. I didn't sense you coming up here.”

Elenne was the matriarch of the elves clan, a supporting figure to Licht and his sister by blood. While she didn't have the same power of leadership as Licht had had (she didn't even have a grimoire, and how strange is that in a world ruled almost entirely by magic), her knowledge and ability to feel and control mana were on a whole other level. 

Thinking about this, it was obvious that he didn't feel her presence until she let it known. 

“Sorry, I still love sneaking up to people a bit too much.” she easily admitted to his face, causing the prince to scoff amusedly. Lemiel watched her haul herself up easily on a sturdy branch on his level, as she continued. “So? Whatever worries are making you have that kind of expression?” 

Hesitation took over him - could he talk about it with her, of all people? Wouldn’t she go and snitch on him with Licht, would she? - and the silence created between them stretched. For some reason, though, Lemiel feared that his secret wouldn’t be such anymore, while he was subjected to such an expectant stare.

It took him five whole minutes before caving in.

Elenne listened carefully, humming here and there but generally just kept listening to his rant. She had a gentle smile on her features as she did, possibly because he somehow confirmed her initial idea of himself once again. 

Unsurprisingly, the older woman offered her help after his monologue was over. 

“Truth to be told, I also am looking for a suitable gift for them… Shall we prepare a joint surprise then? Something that could exist just because the two of us collaborated on it.” 

Her reasoning wasn't half bad, but that brought them both back to the main problem. What to do?

If anything, at least he wasn’t alone thinking anymore.

Lemiel didn’t expect to find himself holed up in his laboratory the very next two days, instead of looking for a suitable gift for his dear ones. 

Sitting at his desk before his log, he kept playing with the pen instead of actually writing down the ideas in his head - it wasn’t his fault that his mind was all jumbled up, though. He already tried to focus on his work, especially after Elenne told him about her masterplan and to wait for her to come back, but to little avail. Similar results he reached after spending hours drawing, too.

Admittedly, it was a good idea. Lemiel chastised himself for not thinking about it before.

The only problem was, the elves' matriarch was adamant to use a material she only knew where to find, because it held a particular meaning to her and to her people: Moon’s Tears, a special crystal formed in areas where there’s a strong magic pressure. How Elenne found such a thing, or knew where such a thing existed, was beyond his comprehension.

He offered to go with her to help, clearly, but she strongly refused saying that “it was on her part of the contract” and that he should get ready to prepare the brooches that would hold the precious material. The design was up to Lemiel, too.

It shouldn’t be too appariscent, but neither too shabby. Simple and neat, but elegant.

A sigh escaped his lips, his hand finally leaving the pen besides the log. It was ridiculous, to be able to find designs for magical artifacts and all, but not for a pair of matching brooches. 

“My lord, may I help you with anything?” Secre's voice came from somewhere behind him, the rustling of papers stopping as she spoke those words.

Honestly, the young man was very tempted to just give in (again) and accept. But then again, Secre had been taking care of the work he wasn't getting done because of the gift planning already. He didn't want to burden her much more.

Still...

“It's nothing, just a little uncertain…”

“Is it about the gift for Lady Tetia's wedding? I thought you said it was taken care of?”

“Well, yeah... kind of.” he sighed. “Elenne said she was going to get the material for the decoration, but I've still got to find a design for them.”

Secre hummed quietly, finishing to get the documents earlier scattered around in a tidy pile on a table. She walked over to his desk then, throwing a glance at the drawings he had put together.

“Maybe a clover? The three leaves are the symbol of the country, but also of good things in life.” 

“Mhm, I thought about it but I don't want others to think it's about the Clover Kingdom. I'd like to make something that reminds everyone of Tetia and Licht themselves, rather than the country…”

“What about their magic, then?”

“Mh?”

“Lord Licht uses Sword Magic, Lady Tetia uses Wind Magic. A winged sword...?”

Lemiel was, admittedly, rendered speechless. His mouth hung open slightly as he looked at his assistant - her thoughts flowing as words easily, now that she was focused on those. She was usually so reserved, but he knew she'd have the best ideas.

“Secre, you're a genius!” he almost shouted, jumping on his own two feet with enthusiasm. “A winged sword... Why didn't I think about that earlier? Haha! Sorry to ask you, but would you help me once again? I'd like to have your opinion!”

In the end, Lemiel had dragged his young assistant into the project nonetheless. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel better knowing that she was at his side in this, too. 

With a little help from a blacksmith in the capital, a dear friend of his, he managed to have the brooches made the next day. After Elenne had come back with the iridescent crystals and he showed her the work on his and Secre’s part, the prince had basically teleported at the shop to get everything done as soon as possible. 

He was lucky that the man was one of his closest aides, a man that basically had seen him and Tetia grow up over the years before “retiring” from the guard role to a more tranquil lifestyle. Kastor had laughed when he showed up from basically nowhere, “looking excited as a kid” the man had said, and promptly asked Lemiel to show him what he wanted him to make. 

Lemiel was indeed very, very lucky.

It was a little early, still, but he decided to visit his sister the very next day. She was staying at the Elven Village already, the pregnancy rendering it difficult to move around too much - the need to rest and stay still being the natural enemy for someone so full of energy like Tetia, but he knew she’d rather feel a little comfortable herself than take risks for the health of her kids.

Sometimes the castle felt a bit too empty without her laughter and smiles, nowadays. Nonetheless, Lemiel preferred to know her in a safe and healthy place than where people who would badmouth her were free to roam around. Many humans in the royalty and noble houses still didn’t approve of her marriage, after all.

He put all of that in the back of his mind, focusing on the mission for the day.

Flying to the Elven Village took less than usual, his excitement winning over patience. The young man almost didn't realize he was in front of Licht and Tetia’s home, if not when he actually knocked on the front door with his free hand.

The familiar face of Fana, a young elf woman he always saw when he stayed over lunch with his newfound family, welcomed him. They exchanged greetings and, when he mentioned the gift, she decided to leave him to his sister and take some fresh air - he wasn’t sure if she really needed a break or she was running to her friends to gossip about it, but he felt grateful nonetheless.

“Tetia!” he called upon entering her room, finding her sitting serenely on the bed with a book on her lap. She looked lovely as usual, despite probably feeling a little ‘trapped’ due to her condition. 

The siblings shared a hug, his hands then resting on each of her cheeks. “How are you feeling? Everything’s fine?”

She smiled at him, a chuckle escaping her lips. “Yeah, of course. I’m just a little tired, but Fana has been keeping me such good company that I can’t be really upset!”

“That’s good to hear.” Lemiel made a mental note to thank really, really much the elf girl, because he knew that dealing with his sister wasn’t probably the easiest of tasks. “I’ve brought you a little present, I mean… it’s for both you and Licht, so if you want to open it later-”

“Please, let me see!”

Yeah, he expected both the excitement and the curiosity she showed. Still, the uneasiness he felt didn’t leave until Tetia’s expression became teary - in a good way, of course. With a few words, she managed to relieve his torment and leave him with a glad, giddy sensation in his chest.

“Brother… they’re beautiful. Did you make them yourselves?”

“No, no. Old man Kastor made them… Well, you could say it’s a joint effort. Secre suggested the theme, I thought up the form, Elenne brought the crystals and Kastor put them together.”

So many people contributed to that, now that he thought about it. Humans and elves, working together towards a goal - it sounded pretty small compared to what he expected for the future, but it was a beginning.

Every big change begins with the littlest of steps.

“I’m glad to be able to receive such a wonderful gift… Licht will love them for sure!” Tetia’s smile was as bright as the sun, as she spoke those words. She then moved around a bit to hug him tightly, resting her chin on his shoulder. “Thank you, brother.”

He reciprocated the hug, feeling his eyes sting a bit in response and holding her closer.

Lemiel wouldn't say he'd ever been a crybaby in his life, truth to be told. Yet, such happiness he experienced felt like something more precious than any treasure or research.