Ashley: "Besides, if you're thirty-two, why aren't you married?"
Noel's smile disappeared.
Elda immediately became interested.
Aaron suddenly found the ceiling fascinating.
Noel: "How do you know I'm not married?" š¤
She slowly turned her head toward Aaron and glared at him.
Aaron: "NOT ME!" š¤
Noel: "I didn't even say anything!"
Aaron: "You looked at me!"
Noel: "Because you're the only person here who looks suspicious!"
Aaron: "I'm the king!"
Noel: "Congratulations. Do you want a medal?"
Elda covered her mouth.
Ashley burst out laughing.
Ashley: "Your face tells the whole story, girlā"
She paused.
Ashley: "Oops. Sorry. Woman." š
Noel: "I'm going to remember that when you need something from me."
Ashley: "You'll forget."
Noel: "I'll remember it in my will."
Ashley: "YOU HAVE A WILL?!"
Noel: "Not yet, but now I'm considering one. I'll leave you a single sock."
Ashley: "WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH ONE SOCK?!"
Noel: "Cry."
Aaron finally turned toward the door.
He had decided that ruling the kingdom was considerably easier than supervising these three women.
Noel: "Whatever! Let's drop the topic." š
She waved her hand as though dismissing a royal court.
Noel: "Tell me what I'm supposed to do next."
Elda crossed her arms, returning to her usual serious expression.
Elda: "Until we discover your secondary gender, we can't offer you a joā"
Aaron: "Take her to the training grounds." š
Elda stopped.
Elda: "Buā"
Aaron: "She's strong."
He glanced at Noel.
Aaron: "She will train."
Noel's smile froze.
Noel: "Wait. Training grounds?"
Aaron: "Yes."
Noel: "As inā¦ exercise?"
Aaron: "Yes."
Noel: "With weapons?"
Aaron: "Obviously."
Noel: "And people trying to hit me?"
Aaron: "That's generally how training works."
Noel stared at him in horror.
Aaron simply walked out, ignoring everyone's protests.
The door closed behind him.
Click.
Noel blinked.
Then she slowly turned toward the two women.
Noel's thoughts:
(Training?)
(HISTORICAL TRAINING?)
(Do you know what people in historical dramas do during training?! They run until their souls leave their bodies! They lift enormous swords! They get thrown into the dirt!)
(Change the topic, Noel. QUICK!) š±
Suddenly, Noel clapped her hands dramatically.
Noel: "Well! Looks like you two need to apologize."
Elda: "Huh?" š¶
Ashley: "To whom?"
Noel: "To Aaron, obviously!"
Elda raised an eyebrow.
Elda: "And why would we need to do that?"
Noel: "It's the most basic human way to console someone. If someone is upset with you, you apologize sincerely."
She nodded wisely.
Noel: "If necessary, fall at his feet."
Ashley: "WHAT THEā?!" š¶
Elda: "Fall at his feet?"
Noel: "Exactly!"
She pointed at Elda.
Noel: "You should go first, Your Majesty. A little bow, a sincere apology, perhaps some tears. Very touching."
Elda's expression became terrifyingly calm.
Elda: "Are you suggesting that I kneel before my husband?"
Noel: "I'm suggesting that you communicate your feelings."
Ashley: "That's not what you said!"
Noel: "Details!"
Then Noel turned toward Ashley with a sympathetic smile.
Noel: "And youā¦"
Ashley took a cautious step backward.
Ashley: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Noel: "In your caseā¦"
She paused for dramatic effect.
Noel: "I think you need to kiss the floor. Only then will he forgive you." š
Ashley's soul left her body.
Elda stared at Noel.
Noel smiled innocently.
Somewhere outside the room, Aaron sneezed.
He had absolutely no idea why he suddenly felt that returning to the palace had been a terrible mistake.
TO be continued...