Summary: Was Nel or Albel's life any different from each other? It seems so similar, at least Nel thinks it's not any different. But what about Albel? Will he ever talk about his past? Will Nel break that shield of his and ever be with him?

Chapter 1

Nel was walking towards the Traum mountains. She had to go to the King to tell him that the Queen needed help of investigation, one that was hard, and even Nel could not finish. Well, what the queen actually said was something Nel didn't agree with, but had no choice but to obey.

"Why do I have to have all the bad luck?" She murmured, after she finished taking down a monster, and she was thinking of what the queen said.

Flashback

"Lady Nel, I would want you to go to Airyglyph and seek assistance of Albel from the King." The queen said, her voice as calm as ever.

Nel didn't like it one bit. But she had to follow her orders; she could not be selfish of her feelings to her queen.

"Yes, your majesty. I will go right away." Nel said as she walked out.

Oh, how is she going to deal with this? This is something that she would most likely not do.

As she walked through the Traum mountains, she saw a figure moving towards her. It started to snow heavily, so she couldn't see what the figure was. As it walked closer to her, she took a few steps back.

"Who is it?" She shouted out.

"Fool. I didn't know you were this dense." Said the figure, walking closer.

By the time that figure said that, Nel was already cornered on the wall, and realized who it was. "Albel…" Nel whispered. She was surprised she didn't know who it was in the first place.

"Yes, it's me, fool." Said Albel, and now he was inches away from Nel's face.

Nel started to blush crimson. She pushed him away. "Whatever, Albel. I was just thinking that time."

"Yeah, well what were you thinking about?" He said, smirking.

"I-I-I…..I was thinking about…..something." Said Nel, and the blush was getting to her.

Albel obviously saw Nel's blush. She was also making this face of uneasiness so it was obvious that she was embarrassed. He smirked.

"Stop smirking! I'm not some idiot! You're the idiot here! The way you smirk tells that you are an idiot!" Nel said, smirking back at him.

Albel was angry. "Bah. Fool. I'm not an idiot! You just say that because you like me!" Said Albel.

"Oh, something your mother taught you to say?" Nel said, making him provoked.

This time, Albel was really mad. Nobody insults his mother! She doesn't know his past! She doesn't know what he dealt with before!

"FOOL! DON'T YOU DARE INSULT MY MOTHER! OR MY FATHER! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM!"

Nel was shocked. Albel seriously lost it. He held Nel's throat, making her choke. She found it hard to breathe. She was only joking….maybe to Albel it wasn't something he can take lightly….

Was this how she was going to die? She can't breathe….what was she going to do? Is this really the end for her? But the thing is, she doesn't want to end her life this way….please, Apris, don't let my life end like this…

Nel was struggling to get his hands of her neck. But his grip was too strong. There wasn't much time left. She couldn't breathe anymore. She let go of his hands, and gave up. She didn't want to, but it couldn't be helped. A tear left her eye.

Albel was really out of control. Who knows what has gotten into him. But as soon as he felt the tear that came from Nel's eye, he had a flashback, and the grip on his hand loosened.

Flashback

(Albel was 8 and he and his mother was at home.)

Albel was out training. He wanted to be as good as his father, Glou Nox.

Lady Nox was inside, watching her son, as she was worried he was overdoing it.

"Albel, please come in. Train again later, have some rest for now." She said with a worried expression.

Lady Nox was always the soft one in the family. That was why Albel loved his mother so. He loved everything about her, and was glad he had a family like this.

"Wait, mother. I have a few more moves to practice." Albel said, with a concentrated look on his face.

"Albel, practice later, when your father comes back." Said Lady Nox.

But Albel didn't listen. He was a stubborn child, and could not help but to do what he wants.

Truth is, Lady Nox was actually ill. She had a serious disease that she got after having Albel. No one could cure it. So she wanted to spend the most time with him. Albel, of course, did not know about this disease. Neither his father nor his mother had the courage to tell him.

"Please Albel. Come inside." Lady Nox said, a more worried expression on her face.

"Alright mother. If you say so." Albel said as he walked inside. As he walked inside, he heard his mother coughing. "Mother, are you okay? Are you sick?" He asked, worried.

"I'm fine, Albel." She said as she coughed just a bit more.

"Are you sure you're fine, mother?" Asked Albel, "Should we go to a doctor?" He asked.

"No, it's ok. I'm perfectly fine." She said.

"Well, if you say so, mother. But if you need anything, tell me, ok?" Albel said.

Lady Nox laughed. "Alright, Albel." She said as she laughed once more.

Just then, Lady Nox collapsed. She knew immediately, that it was time. Even though Glou wasn't here, she knows he would always love her no matter what.

She was happy. But she doesn't know about Albel. She'll miss him.

"Mother! Mother! What's wrong?" Albel shouted. He was in panic.

"It's alright, Albel. I'm fine. Just…just stay here, alright?" Lady Nox said, a bit hoarse from her gentle voice.

That didn't convince Albel. He was still panicking. "No! You're not alright, mother!" He shouted. Then he started shouting for help.

"Albel, please. Just keep quiet. I'm fine." She said hoarsely again.

This finally stopped Albel from panicking. Now he was on the verge of tears. "No…mother, don't leave me….stay, mother.." Albel said, as tears finally fell.

Lady Nox felt really sad for her son. She brought her hand up and wiped the tears away. Albel looked at her. "Don't cry, Albel. I'll always be with you."

She gave her final smile. Albel held her hand tight. A tear fell from her eye as she closed her eyes, with her smile still on her face.

"Mother! No! Don't leave me!" Albel shouted, crying.

Just then, people finally came, but it was too late. Lady Nox was gone.

On the funeral of Lady Nox, Glou and Albel did not shed any tears. Glou, knew that it was her time, and he loves her always, without any boundaries.

Albel, decided he wouldn't lose anyone precious to him anymore. He wouldn't shed any tears anymore. He would be strong.

The tear from Nel's eye made him remember. He couldn't run away from the past, but he didn't want to remember it. It was too sad.

He let go of Nel and she finally got her breath back again. She started coughing and breathed heavily.

Albel was a bit concerned for her at this, because this was something like what his mother had. But Nel wasn't important to him. She was nothing to him.

Nel stood up as she finally got her breath back. She was furious with Albel. But she decided not to stay there and start a fight with him. He wasn't worth it. So she just stood up, and ran away.

Albel just saw whatever happened. He wanted to say sorry, but he just couldn't. It isn't like him to say these things. Besides, why should he care?

He just walked somewhere else but close enough to train.

What was wrong with Albel? Why is he always so annoying? Why did he just try to kill her? What did she do? She was just joking…..

She decided to go ask for assistance from the king tomorrow. She would go rest at the inn first.

Little did she know, Albel was looking at her from far away. What is he trying to do?

Author's notes: Second fic of mine! Woohoo! Well, what d'ya guys think of my new fic? I made it long…..well maybe not really long, but longer than before…please review as I will update! Thank you!