Black Rose

Trap

The day of the full moon came without any incident which made everyone uneasy. The Blue Rose did everything they could to secure the Roselei Manor as no one knew how things would go down.
Charlotte was giving her knights final instructions for today in the courtyard when Selena approached her with eyes twinkling, she noticed. "What is it?" she asked.
"The Black Bulls captain is looking for you."
Her subordinates began shrieking. A week ago she might have the same reaction as them but at the moment, she sighed in exasperation. For the last three days, Yami was acting so damned weird. Of course he had always been outrageous and obnoxious but he wasn't as unpredictable as he was acting these past few days. He kept on seeing her for the most random of reasons. At first, he kept on updating and asking her about the progress of their preparations - almost every hour, but as the days went by, he got weirder or crazier. Yesterday, he went to see her just to ask her what was the name of the flower he saw in the garden. Then this morning, he asked her if she would like an older or younger sibling. She honestly didn't know what to think. Her mind and heart couldn't keep up with him.
"What does he want?"
"Sulky Queen, there you are."
She might be exasperated with him but her heart still jumped at the sound of his voice. She turned around and saw Yami coming their way.
His face looked a bit tired. She knew that he hadn't had much rest these past three days. He didn't really confide in her but she was certain he was concerned over this mission.
"What is it this time?" she asked curtly before he could even stand in front of her.
Yami frowned. "Why are you so annoyed?"
"Yami, we've talked just a half an hour ago." She didn't even try to hide the exaspeartion in her voice. "And can you please get your men off of my back?" She motioned at Zora and Finral behind her. They've been tailing her for the past three days under Yami's orders. Zora ignored them and yawned while Finral just gave her an awkward laugh. Obviously she hated the idea of being followed by two filthy men but Yami insisted that it'll only right before the night of the full moon and that she do it for him as a favor.
Yami looked at his squad members, "Is everything all right?"
"Of course, who do you think you're talking to, dumb captain?" Zora rudely answered. "I'm done here, I'm going to take a nap." And the next they knew, he was gone.
"That Zora is always so rude. Please excuse him, Captain Charlotte," Finral took it upon himself to apologize since hell would freeze over first before Yami would do it.
"As promised, I'm gonna get these kids off of your back."
"Gauche and Grey detected some unusual mana flow around a couple of places where the girls were abducted. The Black Bulls are going to investigate."
Her brows furrowed. "At this time?"
"I know," Yami looked tensed. "It's probably a trap but we have no other choice. In any case, this ends tonight. Contact me with the magic item or using the girl's magic if anything happens."
"I got it."
Even after he said that, Yami didn't move to leave, he just stood there and stared at her. Like literally just stared at her.
He's being weird again, she thought. More than the random stuff he says, what threw her off every time was the way he looked at her after. She had never seen that look on his face before and she could never put a name on it.
His hand suddenly rose up from his side and reach for her face.
She involuntarily held her breath as she stared back at him. She literally froze from where she was standing.
It felt like eternity before she felt his big calloused hand on her cheek. It was hot on her skin, she could feel all the blood rush to where their skin met. His face was still unreadable. He looked at her again with that mysterious look in his beautiful silver-grey eyes. Would she ever figure out what he's thinking?
"Be careful," he said in a gruff whisper.
"You too." Charlotte was so proud of herself she didn't stammer. She really ought to get away from him but her body refused to move away from his touch. Their eyes connected and in that moment, nothing else seemed to matter.
"What are you doing, Captain Yami?"
A voice pierced right through their stupor. Charlotte pulled away from Yami in surprise. She turned away from his gaze and looked at the culprit, Asta.
She heard Yami let out a big sigh. "What is it, squirt?"
Asta, totally oblivious to his captain's foul mood, answered eagerly, "We are ready to head out, captain."
Yami paused and glanced at Emma who was standing with Blue Rose magic knights. It was a quick glance but Charlotte caught it.
"See you later," Yami told her as he put his heavy hand on top of her head.
She nodded. "Yeah."
Yami didn't move but frowned instead. "It feels weird when you're being meek like this."
Charlotte took out her rose hilt and released a wave of thorns that Yami had no choice but step back. "I am NOT meek."
Yami just laughed at her outburst. "That's more like it." His smirk told her he was doing it on purpose.
Before she could say anything back at him, he turned to his squad. "Let's go."
Finral then opened a portal where the Black Bulls disappeared to one by one. Before crossing the portal, Yami spared her another meaningful glance and then walked into the portal.
"Well then, we'll be back," Finral bid them goodbye as the portal closed behind him.
As she stared at the spot where the Black Bulls had gone into, a figure came and stood beside her. She turned and saw Emma who was also looking at the direction where the portal was.
"So you have feelings for the captain of the Black Bulls," Emma said nonchalantly.
Charlotte was surprised by the comment but proceeded to frown. Emma was nothing but a sweet young lady these past few days but something didn't sit well with her the way Emma was now talking to her. "What are you..."
Emma looked at her and smiled sweetly, "Things have just gotten pretty interesting." She raised a hand and snapped her fingers.
Just then, everything went black.