Natalia opened her eyes and she was being held by 5 girls on the ground. She was still in middle school, but in seventh grade now. The girls were encouraging the 6th girl to hit her. Her name was Vivian and she had short straight hair. She laughed and said, "You think it's fun to make fun of someone?" Natalia just stayed quiet, not because she was scared, but because she was angry. This was nothing different than the treatment she received at home by her sisters. Earlier that week, Natalia had made a joke among her friends that maybe people needed extra lotion because they had ash skin after she saw someone eagerly put on lotion during recess. Vivian got impatient when Natalia didn't answer, then slapped her. Natalia just gave her an angrier look. After a stare down, Vivian told her friends, "Let her go, she's already humiliated." Actually, Natalia was thinking of how to get Vivian alone to whoop her ass. She had to bring others to hold her back. She obviously knew that Natalia would fight the boys and make them cry after a beat down. It was because Natalia didn't want to get jumped, then fight anyone that made fun of her in the future that she decided not to say anything, but work in silence and plot. After the girls released Natalia, she got up to wash her hands. Vivian didn't use much force, she only did it because of pressure. Natalia's best friend was out sick and her other companion disappeared. As Natalia dried her hands, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. No sign of injury. Then she thought to herself, I probably deserved that. She thought of the girl she made a joke at her expense and didn't think anything of it. She saw how her words could have effects on people. Then she decided that she would educate herself on how to disarm someone without having a physical fight.
Eden opened her eyes and furrowed her brows. "Pesky memories" she said as she sat up. Why was she having flashbacks? Things she told herself shouldn't define her. She's made so much progress on herself to not be held back by them. So why were they emerging again she asked herself. She pulled her knees up and held her legs to rest her chin on them. Then she stared into space. After some time she came to a conclusion, the memories were emerging because she's been holding back how lonely she's felt. Dinner with her Generals had triggered emotions she had always avoided having, sad ones. She always smiled through everything and thought of solutions, not allowing herself to feel those emotions. She's been allowing those emotions to slip out because there was lack of physical contact. In real life, she would hug her friend, dog or a relative when she was having a bad day. How she wished she could snuggle with her dog or sit next to her friend, lean on her while spilling all her feelings out. There were no outlets and she always had to keep it together because everyone depended on her. She needed to show strength and be eligible to think clearly. Eden took a deep breath and let it out. "The weight of the world is hard to carry, that is why it's not your burden to carry," said Erza as she handed her a cup of coffee.
Eden looked up and noticed that dawn was approaching. It was really early and she was usually up once the birds would chirp, but not at dawn. Eden pondered Erza's words. Wow, I'm only worried about 50 people in my alliance and God thinks about every soul. That is such a heavy weight to carry indeed. Eden was thinking of all the connections people had and each decision was a factor on the results like a math equation. Then she shook her head and said to herself, "I'm going to give myself an aneurysm if I think this far."
After switching to a comfortable dress, Eden began to brush her hair. She then realized Erza had been giving her some reassuring words as if she was reading her mind. She looked at Erza who was standing a few feet away already dressed in the training outfit. Then Eden turned to look at her as she placed her brush down. "Erza, are you able to talk to me on your own accord?" asked Eden even though she already knew the answer. "Yes," answered Erza. "How are you able to know my thoughts?" asked Eden. Without hesitation, Erza answered, "I can't. I am guided by the same spirit you are." Eden understood who she was referring to, but she didn't want to keep asking. Sometimes the less you know is more peaceful.
Eden then looked down to reach for her cup of coffee and then thought of her mother. I wonder if she's worried about me and if she even prays for my safety. "Her prayers are always heard. A mother's prayers can be persistent," answered Erza. Eden then smiled and let out a small chuckle. Her eyes were sad but her smile showed it was a sign of relief. At least she had the blessing of being able to hear some confirmations to her questions. She didn't know how much Erza was able to reveal, but that's not what was important. She knew Erza was there for a reason. Whatever that reason was, she was glad she was on her side.
Eden then went to the dining hall to have breakfast with her crew. They were excited to go to a boss hunt to gather more materials. Eden had informed them that they would not return until the day was gone and to eat plenty. With the boosts that they will get from the armor Gunther was going to forge for them, they could take out more Bosses and upgrade that armor as well. Before they were scheduled to leave she would meet the new hires because she already said she would and she disliked breaking her word.
While taking her seat, Arthur asked, "Commander, did you sleep well?" Eden responded with, "Good morning to you too, it's great to see you up this early." Arthur leaned back a little with his hands up and palms showing towards Eden. "I didn't mean anything by it, it's just that you were slouching and when you sat down, it looked like it was work. You just let your body drop on the chair." Eden looked at Erza and asked, "do I look tired?" "Did you really want me to answer that?" asked Erza in response. Eden gave her a shocked look. This was the first time Erza answered with sass, but she probably did it unintentionally because she knew Eden would feel a pang in her heart. Even though Eden wore light make up, she's still a girl and likes to look nice. Eden then told Arthur, "After breakfast, give me 20 minutes to freshen up and have the kitchen send me two tea bags dipped in warm water, but don't fill the cup." "Yes Commander," answered Arthur. They then continued to eat their meal awkwardly.
"I for one am happy to see you here commander!" exclaimed Gabriel from afar. "Yeah!" added the surrounding men. Sir Tristan added, "We just care that our Commander is present." "Yeah!" exclaimed the men. Then Sir Lancelot said, " It's good to see you at the table, I hope we get to spend more time like this as a team." Everyone nodded. Oh, that reminded Eden that she wanted them to move into a wing inside the castle. She then raised her hand to silence them and said, "I would like to announce that I wish to reward everyone with an upgrade on accommodations, but as of now I will begin with the Generals. They will no longer be required to live in the villa assigned to them. A wing inside the main castle has been assigned to them." The Generals all took this by surprise. For a monarch to open their castle to them was unheard of. Was it even possible? Then a notification popped up in front of each of them, Congratulations! You have been promoted to Baron. Eden was a little surprised too. Then Erza spoke up, "they can never be anything higher than Duke or than you." That was interesting for Eden because she was also recently promoted to Duchess. Then she got up and clapped for them. Everyone got up and clapped as well. The generals gave a thankful nod towards the crowd because they were all speechless. Although Eden wanted to learn more about this, she just decided not to question it.