Zielle squeezed Noah’s arm, she had a strange sensation since the moment they arrived at the tower Anneliese had taken her.

“Noah, don’t let your guard down and never take your eyes off Zielle after we enter that room” Anneliese said whispering

“Yes” He nodded while placing his other hand in the hilt of his sword before entering

The strange sensation that Zielle was feeling only grew stronger. The sounds of people walking around, things being moved, dropped, and the splashing of liquid merged with the various voices quite well.

“Duchess…what can I help you with?” You could tell how tired that woman was based on her tone

“I need help…but it must be private”

Noah gently pulled the cape down, hiding Zielle’s face more.

“Very well… shall we go to the garden?”

They started moving again and the strange sensation Zielle was feeling grew weaker. Zielle had many questions but Anneliese had instructed her to not talk, never let go of Noah and held her head down. The warm feeling of the sun hitting her head and body combined with the smell of grass and flowers let Zielle know that they had reached their destination.

“Is this corner okay with you? It’s the best place to have this important conversation since my room is occupied” They had reached a corner of the garden that was hidden by a tall bush and a tree

“Yes I agree, nobody can see us… Corvina could you take a look at her and tell me if there is a chance to help her?”

Zielle felt the hood being pulled back, she squeezed Noah’s arm. Her head was gently lifted

Corvina gasped “Oh my… seems like you lost your sight” She let go of Zielle and held her hand and placed a hand in her chest, especially her heart “Ah… This is quite unusual”

“What is going on?” Anneliese crossed her arms

“She possesses magic but it seems dormant…more like concealed…Child did you feel something in the room earlier?”

“Yes…it was a weird feeling that spread throughout my body” Zielle replied soflty

“Strange… if her magic is dormant or concealed she shouldn’t be able to feel any magic no matter how weak” She let go of Zielle and stepped back “I have a suspicion but I won’t say anything until I confirm as for her eyesight…well it can be recovered”

“That’s a relief” Anneliese clapped “How can we do that and how long it would take?”

“Well first I have to confirm my suspicion…For now go back, I’ll let you know when I have the information”

“Alright…thank you Corvina”

***

Zielle had come to learn that Noah had longer hair than Evander or Ambrose. She also had come to learn that he liked candy, because he would offer her candy five times a day and his favorite flavor was either mint or cherry. She tilted her head back, letting the sun warm it. Noah had taken her to the little creek near the teashop. Zielle had also come to learn that Noah had a serious problem when being near her or touching her

“Noah…do you still hate me?”

Noah paused before chuckling “I have never hated you, I have hated your sister but not you”

“Then…Why are you always struggling when it comes to me?”

“Struggling?” He helped her sit after he spread the blanket

“Yeah, you are shaking and you always struggle when helping me…just like right now! See how you quickly let go?”

He sat down and sighed “It’s not only you…it’s with every woman I meet…it’s related to my past…I apologize”

“It’s okay, I’m not accusing you I was just asking because I want to help you if I can” She extended her hand “I don’t know what happened to you and don’t feel obligated to tell me, do it when you are ready but as of right now I want to let you know that I won’t hurt you” She smiled

Noah stared at her before directing his attention to her hand, he took a deep breath and held her hand “Thank you”

She nodded “Noah what color are your eyes?”

“Uh…well…blue” He tapped his knee with his finger, trying to figure out how to explain it to her before gently squeezing her hand

He dipped Zielle’s hand into the water which startle Zielle

“You feel that Zielle? Blue is water” He let go of her hand, letting her feel the moving water

She smiled delighted “Okay, so… blue is water, green is life and brown is earth” She nodded

“Yes Zielle exactly” He lifted her hand and dried it with his handkerchief

“Sweetie” Zielle said softly and then smiled

Noah paused “What?” He let go of her hand and folded the handkerchief

“That’s your nickname…you like it? I couldn’t think of any way to make your name shorter and since you’re always giving me candy…” She nodded “I like it…how about you?”

Noah patted her head “Why are you giving me a nickname?”

“Because Rose told me that you give nicknames to the people you like…so that’s why”

Noah chuckled, he knew he needed to tell her that the nickname she picked for him was a death sentence but he was ready to accept the consequences “Alright then... I like it, thank you”

Zielle smiled but shortly her smile fell and she tilted her head “You don’t like me?”

“Oh yes…then…can I call you Elle?”

Zielle nodded and stretched out her arms “Yes!”

Noah hesitated but eventually hugged her. And so Noah spent the rest of the afternoon telling Zielle about the time when he was an apprentice.