Reader POV

"Hey, (y/n)!" Your friend Finral waved to you as you passed the shopping district where he was flirting with some girls.

"Hi," you smiled and waved at him in return. Normally, you and a Silva sibling would go to the shopping district except Nozel.

Since you came to the shopping district so much, you knew the people around.

"Ah, come to get something nice for a significant other?" An older man said with a wrinkly smile.

You blushed and nodded. "What is the nicest thing to get a guy currently?"

He thought for a moment. "Well, I guess a hair comb, tie, pendant-" he saw your eyes light up. "We have a wide selection of pendants you can choose from,"

You saw his collection and gasped when you saw one that stuck out to you. It was a silver spear. 

"How much is that one?"

"One thousand coins," he said regretfully. "I'm sorry, but that's the lowest I can offer since it's pure silver,"

You took a deep breath. "I...can I come back later? I want to buy it but I have to go get the rest of the coins,"

He smiled. "Of course,"

You quickly ran back and bumped into Nebra. "Oh, my apologies,"

She waved it off with a kind smile. "No problem, where's Nozel?" Everyone knew that Nozel always was somewhere nearby.

"I have no idea," you shrugged. "I think he was at the Silver Eagle's headquarters. I wouldn't know,"

"Alright,"

You got all the coins you needed, but a frown formed on your face. "Oh no..." you only had twenty coins left. "Well, if it's a present for Nozel, it's worth it." 

Why exactly were you getting him a gift in this cold weather?

It was his birthday today and you were busy otherwise to get him a gift. It wasn't just any birthday now, he was turning 28. 

You only live once and any birthday is special.

"You came back," the old man looked at you with shock. "Usually, folks don't come back after I have to inform them about the price,"

You handed over the coins and sighed.

"Here you go, I included the cleaning kit," he gave you a kind smile. "Thank you,"

"Wait, is it possible for me to engrave it?"

"Sure, what do you want to write on it?"

When he was finished, you pocketed the spear necklace and walked off, a smile on your face.

Since you had twenty coins to spare, you decided to go get a cake also.

"(y/n)!"

You turned around and a bigger smile formed on your face. "Leon! What are you doing here?"

He shrugged. "I had nothing to do today and everyone's off on missions. What are you doing here?"

You looked around and whispered in his ear. "I'm getting a gift for Nozel,"

"Isn't his birthday today?" Leon looked thoughtful. 

"Yes," you accepted his arm when Leon offered it. "Can you help me pick out a cake?"

Leon booped your nose. "Of course,"

Onlookers looked in awe since Captain Fuegeleon was rarely a sweetheart in public, he was usually a cool-persona captain.

"People are watching," you smirked to him as he came closer.

"Let 'em," 

...

"Care to join me for a light snack?" Leon had a smile on his face. "I know you have to get back to the Silva home before sundown,"

You shook your head. "Sorry, Leon. I have to get other things done. Maybe tomorrow?"

"That works fine. In fact, why don't you come over to my home? Leopold and my sister are off,"

"Sure."

As soon as you got home, you were greeted by an enraged Nozel.

"Where were you???" He demanded with a harsh tone.

"I was just out with Leon and-"

"Of-fucking-course," Nozel spat. "You're always with him, that's the trouble with you. Have you forgotten that my mother brought a scum lowlife with absolutely no mana into the house?"

"No!"

"Then act like it!" He grabbed your arm, anger flaring in his purple eyes. They were beautiful, but now? 

"Nozel, stop it! You're hurting me!"

Nozel dragged you away from the door, slamming it shut. "Then start knowing your place. You have no rights to anything here. If it wasn't for Mother's wishes, you would be thrown out. So-"

He didn't get to say anything else. You had slapped him on the face.

"Fuck you, Nozel." You said in a low tone. "Leon and I were just getting you a gift for your birthday or have you forgotten?"

"What?"

You threw the package at him and the servant behind you sheepishly placed the cake in the box on the hallway table before running away.

"I was just trying to do something nice for you." You spun around and fumed to the door.

"Where the hell are you going?" Nozel demanded. 

You gave him one last look of sadness and annoyance. "Anywhere that isn't here. I hate you!" With that, the door slammed behind you.

Nozel stared at the door with regret washed over him.

He had really been worrying where you were since you weren't anywhere where he would deem to make sense.

Curiously, he opened the package and his heart pounded in his chest. There was a silver spear that said 'Happy 28th Birthday, Nozel!' and it was obviously expensive.

Nozel knew that you kept a fair amount of money in your room from gifts from friends and birthday cards.

"Fuck." He also saw the cake. The Silver Eagles' crest was the top and it was a vanilla cake. He ran fingers through his hair. "I messed up..."

You, however, were angrily wiping tears away.

"(y/n)!" Leon ran up to you. You both were near the Silva house. He was obviously walking home from dropping you off. He saw your face. "Oh no, what happened?"