Okay, this chapter will have a lot of drama going on. But I think it needs to be done. And I honestly think they should have a conversation at some point in the story.
Once Noelle got in the Valkyrie Dress, she saw her friends looking at her impressed. She also saw Acier with a very big smile, like she was expecting that. But before Noelle could say something, her mother threw a massive spell on her that barely didn´t kill her.
– Watch yourself, Noelle, a battlefield is not a place to you chill – Her mother said while she was throwing spells on her. Noelle barely could escape from them, she was trying her best to run away from them, but they kept getting stronger. – That's what you have learned here? To run away from your problems? Is that your strength? I didn´t know my daughter would be that weak. Now I understood why Nozel let you in this squad, is because you are not worth to be in the Silver Eagles – Acier said before punching a spell on Noelle that got her in the ground.
Everybody became silent for a moment. Nobody would expect her mother to say and do these things to her own daughter. Asta was about to do something when Yami pushed him away, telling him to not meddle into someone's else business. Acier was about to go down and see the damages when Noelle stood up.
– Who said I am done? – Noelle said before flying fast to her mother and without a hesitation she casted a sea dragon roar on Acier.
The spell didn´t make any change though. And Acier just threw another spell that completely defeated Noelle. Everyone went to help Noelle, but Noelle couldn´t stand up. She was too ashamed for her poor performance. She didn´t want to face her mother and see the look on her face. But Acier did something unexpected, she offered her hand to her daughter.
– I'm very proud of you, my baby, you are amazing – She said smiling while pushing her to stand up.
– What do you mean? I failed to even hit you – Noelle replied feeling ashamed from it.
– But you did – Acier pointed to the little scratch in her arm surprising everyone in the process. – Noelle you shouldn´t be afraid of being weak or fail, it happens. But you need to make sure to always stand up and don´t give up. You may not be stronger than me right now, but I have no doubts that will surpass me soon or later – she admitted with a big smile on her face.
– Mum, the Black Bulls are amazing, I know you are disappointed that I am not in the family squad, but I want you to know that it was for the best. I really develop a lot because of them – Noelle tried to explain herself when Acier stopped her.
– I know that, you don´t need to say anymore. And everyone here already showed their value – she said while looking at everyone, but then she stopped and look at Asta – you also amazed me, my boy. You are destined to great things, I'm sure of it – Acier look into his eyes before turns herself to Noelle and smile.
– Noelle didn´t understand what that smile meant. That was the second smile she gave to her after talked to Asta. Did her mother catch something? It was impossible to Noelle identifies anything because she, herself, didn´t understand her feelings. Anyway, that wasn´t the right moment to her think about it.
After the fight ended, she and her mother went upstairs. Her mother said that she wanted to have a conversation with her. And Noelle also wanted to ask some questions to her. So, when they entered in Noelle's room, Noelle started asking many questions to her mother that she kept answering with a smile. After Noelle's questions were done. Acier looked at her, took a little breath and asked what she had been looking for.
– What happened between you and your siblings, Noelle? – She asked concerned – I'm not asking this because I don´t like the Black Bulls, I just want to know why you seems so distant from your siblings – she explained.
– It's complicated, mother – she said looking away. She didn´t want to say bad things about their siblings, but she also wouldn´t lie about it.
– I want to meet them, if you are not saying anything, I want to talk to them and you. I don´t want to go before making sure that you guys are okay – Acier said that in a serious tone and Noelle just nodded.
At that moment Noelle realized that her mother was also a determined and strong person. And Noelle knew that she couldn´t avoid her siblings anymore. Noelle also wanted to ask about her death and the demon behind it. But her mother said that she couldn´t talk to it because it could lead Noelle to a dangerous situation. She said to her daughter to prepare herself and trains a lot, because she would need in the near future.
After their conversation, they decided to go to bed. Acier decided to cover Noelle in the blanket and kiss her forehead in a good night kiss. Noelle was taken back by her mother attitude, because she never had someone doing this before. But Acier just smiled and said that she would regret if she didn´t have this moment. Noelle was silently happy for that. Honestly speaking, she would give everything to have this good night kiss again.
The next day, Noelle woke up but didn´t see her mother. She ran downstairs afraid that her mother was gone and she didn´t have the chance to even say goodbye. But once Noelle arrived in the living room, she found her siblings there with her mother. The environment wasn´t the nicest one. Noelle always thought her siblings would be very happy if they saw her mother alive. But for their face, it seemed like something bad was happening. She realized the Bulls were exchanging look without knowing what they should do or say.
– Noelle, you finally woke up – Acier said with a smile. She could hear Nebra silently cursing Noelle. The girl wondered what she had done this time. – We were waiting for you to explain some things. – Her mother was smiling, but Noelle could see that behind her smile, she was very determined.
– Explain what? – Noelle asked.
But Acier didn´t have time to say anything before Solid kneeling in her mother's knees and started crying. Noelle had never seen a scene like that. Everyone was looking at Solid without knowing what to do. Noelle could see Nebra asking Solid to stop, but it was useless, he kept crying. She could see Nozel was just looking, but he didn´t say anything. Finally, her mother patted his head, trying to calm him down.
– I'm sorry mother, I was the worst, I was the one who bullied Noelle the most. I broke all her toys and I even almost killed her once. – He confessed to everyone's shocked. Of course, Noelle remembered this day where she almost drowned to death. Noelle could see the bulls in rage, Asta was about to say something when Yami stopped him.
– You, what? That's why she was having a fever that day? – Nozel asked in disbelief.
– Solid, you shouldn´t confess these things, this is all in the past. It doesn´t matter – Nebra said in an apparently indifference.
Everybody looked at Nebra scared from her words. Noelle knew too well her sister to not get impressive by her words. If Solid was the one who bullied Noelle physically, Nebra was the person who broke Noelle's self-esteem. Her sister always made sure to leave the worst commentaries.
– I'm thankful for your confession, Solid, you shouldn´t apologizes to me, but to your sister. She is the one who should forgive you, not me – Acier said in a very sharp way. Noelle could see that her mother was angry, but she was trying her best to not say anything that could lead to a worse situation. – And no, Nebra is definitely not in the past when Noelle still struggle from your guys action – Acier turned to Nebra and said that in a very angrier voice.
– Noelle, Noelle, is always Noelle! Since this girl is born, everything is always about her, I wish she could have died on that day. – When Nebra said these words, Acier slapped her on the face.
At this moment everyone got surprised. Nobody would expect Acier to slap her daughter. Neither Nebra herself was believing in it. Nozel was also surprised with her mother attitude. And Noelle could see that her mother regretted as soon as she gave that slap. But then her mother turned to her siblings and looking at each of them she finally said in a very determined voice.
– I love all my kids in the same way and I don´t want you guys to fight or wanting the death of each other, understood? – She said in a military tone. – Besides, Noelle is not responsible for my death, it was a devil curse, so you are not allowed to keep this on your mind – when she said that, Nebra and Solid looked very confused.
– What do you mean? – Nebra asked calming down.
– Even if Noelle wasn´t born, I would die anyway because I was cursed – Acier explained.
– So, after all this time we had been misunderstanding Noelle? – Solid finally said in disbelief.
– You guys misunderstood her, but even if that was true, you shouldn´t blame her for my death. You are siblings and shouldn´t be fighting each other. Because of your actions, Noelle doesn´t have any good memories of her biological family, she is insecure, has a very awkward personality and she considers this squad her real family – Acier let off these words with a tired truth. Her family made her life so bad, that she grew insecure and without know how to handle her feelings. She also didn´t consider them as their real family. Her family was the Black Bulls.
Noelle could see all the looks on her. She didn´t even know how her mother knew about all this, if she had never talked about it with anyone. Maybe her mother caught the words in between the lines. Noelle didn´t know what to say, what her mother said it was t– I'm sorry mum, I saw all this, but I didn´t do anything to prevent it – Nozel finally said breaking the silence.
– It's okay Nozel, I may be a little disappointed on you all, but I don´t blame you – Acier looked at all of them with a sympathetic face. – I think my death had a very bad impact on you, I'm sorry for that, but I wish you guys to move on and learn to forgive and love each other – she said that while looking straight to Noelle.
They didn´t say anything. Noelle knew it would be very hard to them to forgive each other. At least for her. She loved her siblings, but at the same time she didn´t have any good memories of them. And she doesn´t need them in her life either. Acier looked at her like she was understanding really well her daughter emotions.
– Noelle, I know it will be difficult, but I know you are stronger than that, and the only way to you surpass your limits is if you move on from this past and show your true colors – her mother was holding her hands when she was saying this. – besides you won´t get him with this attitude – she whispered that part in Noelle's ear. – Right, Asta? – Her mother said that loud teasing her.
Noelle brushed a lot with it. She didn´t expect her mother to be so blunt about Noelle's crush. She could see everyone looking at them without understanding what was happening. Asta was the most confused one. He was looking at them like he wasn´t understand anything at all. Noelle was even more embarrassed by that. She could see Vanessa griming face and her mother smile like they were having the funniest moment ever.
– I don´t understand what you meant Lady Silva, but I suppose you are probably right – when he said that Noelle was even more embarrassed. She controlled herself a lot to not make a scene and making the things worse.
– You have a bright future, my boy, I really liked you, but you should be less dense – she said the last part rolling her eyes. The boy didn´t understand, but nodded anyway, like he wouldn´t question this advice – okay, my time is up. I should get going – Acier said and Noelle and her siblings looked at her with sad faces.
Nozel was the first to move and he hugged her, following her siblings and Noelle herself. They keep the hug for the longest, until Acier was gone. But Noelle could hear the last words her mother said: be good to yourselves and take care of each other. After her mother was gone, Noelle tried to start a conversation with her siblings, but they just ignored and came back to their home. The girl was sad about it, but didn´t think too much. Because she was sure that things could change right now.