#eri faust

A masquerade ball had begun and the whole Silva familia was invited. Natalia shyly followed her parents and older brothers, her gaze skipping from one masked face to another. She herself had put on a white feathery mask, but she had low hopes of not being recognised. Silver hair basically screamed Silva. Her parents did not even try who they were with their costumes as for Natalia’s brothers… she was not going to mention them. 

As much as she loved her familia the masquerade seemed like an event where she could try to be on her own a bit, explore. Hopefully talk to people without three protective eagles following her around. Especially since she had an idea who she wanted to see that evening. 

Natalia turned away from the buffet tables her familia was headed to and quietly began walking away. 

“Natalia,” sharp as an edge of a knife voice stopped her in her tracks. 

She whined spinning on her heel. 

“Yes papa?”

“Where are you going?” Nozel narrowed his eyes, almost drilling them into her very soul. 

“Oi mi amor, why so tense?” Said Helena who’s arm was hooked over her husband’s. “We’re here to party!”

“I’ll excuse myself to that corner then,” Noureen sighed, pointing far away from the middle of the ballroom. 

“Do you want company?” Heinry hung his arm over his twin’s shoulder. 

Noureen just sighed and shook his head resigned as he and Heinry walked away. 

Nozel continued on looking expectantly at his daughter.

“Where are you going, hija?” Helena asked.

“To find…” Natalia mumbled, “prima Hermione!”

“Hermione!” Helena smiled. “When you see her tell her that tia Helena wants to see her,” she moved closer to her husband to poke him. “See mi amor? I told you, no boys.”

Natalia flushed. Of course there would be no boys. What were her parents even thinking? She completely did not hope to run into a certain red eyed Black Bull. She simply wanted to see her cousin.

Nozel narrowed his eyes at first at Natalia, but a moment later he looked over her shoulder. Natalia turned around to see a young nobleman scurrying away in haste. Her father had that effect. 

She felt a gentle touch on her cheek as her mother moved head to face her. Helena smiled softly and fixed Natalia’s mask, ruffling the feathers. 

“I’ll keep papa busy and you have fun with Hermione tonight,” Helena reached out her pinky, “but promise me Natalia if you feel sick, weak or have any trouble with your magic you find me, papa or your hermanos and let us know. Are we clear on that?”

“Crystal clear,” Natalia perked up, hooking her finger over her mother’s. 

She looked at her father. Natalia knew that he was just worried and he was doing his best to give her the space she needed to grow by herself, but she was also aware of how close they were. She could never deny the daddy’s girl allegations. 

“I’ll be alright papa,” she said. 

Nozel let out a slow breath. He nodded and allowed his lips to form a soft smile. 

“Perfect,” Helena smiled and walked back to her husband. “We’ll be… busy,” she grinned, hooking her arm over his. 

Natalia gave her parents a quick excited wave, before turning on her heel and heading towards where she thought she had seen her cousin. Hermione had to be hanging out with other young Black Bulls. This means Natalia would see more of her friends. 

She pushed herself between a few nobles, he skirt slightly lifted up so she would not trip but it was hard in such a crowd. Natalia was not used to being around this many people in such close proximity. Many of them were taller than her and she would not risk trying to use her risky magical powers to locate her cousin. 

Natalia was getting uncomfortable. Maybe she should have asked Heinry to come with her. Her brother always knew how to act around people and got along with everybody. He would just ask if anyone had seen the Black Bulls and she would be with them right away. 

No. Natalia could find her friends herself. She was a brave princess, a daughter of Nozel and Helena Silva, bearer of arcane story magic and a future advisor to her tio Wizard King Asta. 

She furrowed her silver brows and fixed her mask again. If the Bulls were not in that corner of the ballroom she was going to find them on the other side. Natalia pushed past more noblemen. She was so careful about not falling into any of them she did not notice a waiter with champagne coming from the other side. 

In the last moment Natalia jumped away by miracle not pushing the man and spilling champagne. However her heels did not give her the support she needed. Natalia wobbled. She was sure she was going to fall on the ground, ruin her dress and embarrass herself and the house of Silva. 

Suddenly she felt someone’s touch at her waist. In the last moment somebody caught her, lifted her up and once the flutter of her silver hair stopped she was able to look at her savior. 

A pair of beautiful red eyes met with her dark brown ones. The boy had a slightly darker complexion, soft black hair tied in a ponytail while a few strands of his bangs fell over his mask in a messy yet very cute way. 

The corners of his lips tugged up. Masks did not matter; she would recognise this smile everywhere. 

A bright pink blush spread over her cheeks as her heart picked up its pace. 

Here lies Natalia Acier Silva, passed away from embarrassment in the arms of her crush.