In a Corner of the Training Ground
Aaron dragged Noel away from the crowd and stopped in a quiet corner.
Aaron: "What the hell, Noel?!"
"Don't you know how to read the room?!" 😤
"How can you say something like that in front of everyone?!"
Noel: "W-What did I do now?" 😅
Aaron took a deep breath, trying to control his temper.
Aaron: "Listen carefully."
"This is a kingdom, not your village."
"When you speak to me, show some respect."
"I'm the King here."
"And before you say something to other people, THINK FIRST!"
He paused before asking,
"Didn't your parents teach you that?"
Noel froze.
For a moment, she couldn't even bring herself to look at him.
It was the first time Aaron had ever shouted at her.
Her heart sank. 💔
Noel: "I'm... sorry." 😥
"I won't do it again."
"I'll be more careful next time, sir."
She lowered her head.
For once, Noel had nothing funny to say.
No teasing.
No silly questions.
Not even a small argument.
Just silence.
Aaron looked at her lowered head and the sad expression she was trying so hard to hide.
His anger disappeared almost instantly.
Aaron (thinking): ...💔💔
Why does she look like that?
He hadn't expected her to take his words so seriously.
Aaron: "...Fine."
"Go and do your training." 😑
Noel: "Okay... Your Majesty." 🙂
She forced a small smile, then quietly walked away.
Aaron remained where he was, watching her disappear into the crowd.
For some reason, the sight made his chest feel strangely heavy.
Aaron (thinking): ...Why do I feel so bad now? 💔
I only scolded her because she needed to learn how to behave in the palace.
So why does it feel like I just did something terrible?
He rubbed his forehead.
Aaron (thinking): ...What's wrong with me? 😶
---
The Commander's Side
Noel returned to the commander, standing quietly with a forced smile. 🙂
The commander noticed the change in her expression immediately.
Her usual playful energy was gone.
She wasn't complaining, teasing anyone, or asking ridiculous questions.
She was just standing there.
Quietly.
The commander glanced toward Aaron, who was still standing in the corner.
Commander (thinking): Did Aaron scold her?
Poor girl...
He sighed internally.
Commander (thinking): Alright. Let's cheer her up a little.
The commander clapped his hands and put on his brightest smile.
Commander: "ALRIGHT!"
"Let's begin!"
Noel looked up at him.
Commander: "First, we'll test your abilities."
"Since your secondary gender hasn't been revealed yet, my assistant will help you with the initial assessment."
He deliberately kept his voice cheerful.
Commander: "Understood?" 😁
Noel: "Yes, sir." 🙂
Her reply was polite, but her smile still didn't reach her eyes.
The commander felt even worse.
Commander (thinking): Oh, dear... She really is upset.
He subtly signalled to his assistant.
Assistant (thinking): I understand, sir.
The assistant stepped forward.
Assistant: "Come with me."
"We'll head downstairs for the assessment." 😊
Noel: "Okay." 🙂
She followed him without another word.
The commander watched her leave, his smile slowly fading.
Around them, the soldiers exchanged glances.
They had all witnessed Noel's lively interaction with the King earlier.
Now, seeing her so quiet felt strangely uncomfortable.
Soldier 1 (whispering): "Did the King really scold her?"
Soldier 2: "Looks like it..." 😔
Soldier 3: "She seemed so happy a moment ago."
Soldier 4: "I almost feel bad for her." 💔
Nobody said anything after that.
But somehow, everyone on the training ground felt the same way.
They felt bad for Noel. 😔❤️
And somewhere in the corner, Aaron was still wondering why he couldn't shake off the guilt.
To be continued...