100 Prompt Challenge - Astelle

Prompt: An Asta who can't become Wizard King simply because of his lowborn status comes up with a "unique" solution.

—

The cheers of the people still rang in Asta's ears.

He had just returned from another successful mission—this time, leading an assault that had repelled and exterminated a lingering force of high ranking devils attempting to disrupt the newly restored peace in the Clover Kingdom. The people loved him, hailed him as their hero, and yet…

He still wasn't allowed to be their Wizard King.

Asta clenched his fists as he sat in the Black Bulls' hideout, deep in thought. Despite everything he had accomplished—saving the kingdom multiple times, standing on par with captains, and even taking down Lucius—his peasant origins still shackled him from claiming the position he had dreamed of since childhood.

"You may be strong, but strength alone does not grant one the right to rule," one noble had sneered during a recent council meeting.

"The Wizard King must be a figure of respect, someone with proper lineage!" another had declared.

Even though many commoners supported him, the nobles still held too much power in the royal court. They refused to grant him any title or land, keeping him locked in a position where he was simply too lowborn to ascend.

"Bastards," Asta muttered under his breath.

There were only two ways to gain noble status at this point:

Have a noble title awarded to him (which was not happening), or Marry into nobility.

Asta's jaw tightened. He hated the idea of using marriage as some political move. It felt… wrong. Cold. Marriage should be about love, not just a means to an end.

But… if it was the only way…

He racked his brain, thinking about noblewomen he knew. Most were either already married, engaged, or would rather burn alive than associate with a peasant.

Then his thoughts drifted to Noelle.

Noelle.

His teammate. His best friend. One of the strongest mages he knew.

And she was still single.

Asta perked up. Wait a second…

Noelle was nobility. Not just any nobility—she was a royal. The ideal candidate. And she liked him! Sure, she had never said it outright, but Asta wasn't an idiot. He had noticed the way her eyes lingered on him, the way she always flustered around him.

Maybe… maybe this could work.

It wasn't how he imagined things, but—

If Noelle was okay with it…

He stood up, determination flaring in his chest. He had a favor to ask.

—

The Proposal (Sort Of)

"A favor?" Noelle repeated, blinking.

Asta nodded, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah. A huge one."

They were sitting together in the Black Bulls' common area, away from the others. Noelle had been in the middle of reading a book when Asta had approached her with a very serious expression.

Her heart had nearly leaped out of her chest.

"A-And what exactly is this favor?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Asta exhaled deeply. "So, uh… you know how I've been trying to become Wizard King?"

Her brows furrowed. "Of course. Everyone knows that."

"Well… the nobles are still blocking me because I don't have a title, and the only way to get around that is to either be awarded one—which won't happen—or to marry into nobility."

Noelle's entire body stiffened. "M-Marriage?"

"Yeah." Asta met her gaze. "And, well… you're single. And a noble. So I was wondering if you'd, y'know, marry me."

Noelle's mind short-circuited.

Time seemed to stop.

Her face exploded in heat.

"W-W-WHAT?!"

Asta winced. "I know it's sudden, and I'm not trying to pressure you or anything! I just thought… well, we're already close, and I trust you more than anyone, and this way, I could finally become Wizard King."

Noelle gaped at him.

Was this really happening?

Was Asta really proposing to her?

Not for love, though…

Her chest twisted. This wasn't exactly the confession she had always dreamed of. But—

After years of not confessing to him, of burying her feelings, of watching as Asta remained oblivious—was she really going to turn this down?

Noelle inhaled sharply, forcing herself to calm down.

She lifted her chin, schooling her features into something neutral. "I… see."

Asta studied her carefully. "I know it's not the most romantic thing, but I do care about you a lot, Noelle. And if you agree, I swear I'll be the best husband ever! I'll make sure you're happy, and I—"

"I accept."

Asta froze. "…Huh?"

Noelle crossed her arms, keeping her expression impassive despite the absolute storm raging inside her. "I said I accept. It's a logical solution."

Asta blinked. "Wow. That was… easier than I expected."

Noelle turned away, hoping he didn't see the deep blush creeping up her neck. If only you knew, idiot.

—

The Fallout

Word spread fast.

By the time they went to the Magic Parliament to register their engagement, the news had already exploded across the kingdom.

The reactions were mixed, to say the least.

Yami had laughed so hard he nearly choked on his cigarette.

Nozel nearly murdered Asta.

"YOU THINK YOU'RE WORTHY OF MY SISTER?!" Nozel had roared, his magic flaring.

Asta, bless his soul, had responded with a proud, "Well, yeah! I'll treat her right!"

Noelle had nearly had an aneurysm.

The rest of the Black Bulls had reacted in typical fashion:

Finral had wept, saying it was "true love."

Vanessa had immediately offered to plan a wild bachelor party.

Luck had challenged Asta to a fight "to test his worth."

Magna had just slapped Asta on the back and said, "Tch. About damn time."

The nobles, of course, were furious.

They had tried to stop it.

But Noelle was royalty. And she had accepted. There was nothing they could do.

And soon enough—Asta's status was officially elevated.

He now had noble standing.

And the road to becoming Wizard King was finally open.

—

But Then…

As the days passed, Asta began noticing something.

Noelle had been acting… different.

Sure, she still threw her usual insults his way, but there was something softer beneath them now. A certain warmth. A certain shyness.

And the more he thought about it…

The more he started seeing her differently, too.

He had always admired her, always respected her. But now, he was noticing things—the way she bit her lip when she was nervous, the way her silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled.

And before he knew it—

Asta wasn't just doing this to become Wizard King anymore.

He was falling for Noelle.

For real.

And maybe… just maybe…

This favor would turn into something far more than either of them expected.