Heiress

Chapter 8- Set the world on fire

The sun set high in the afternoon when Oriana yawned and rested her head on the palm of her hand. By the counter in the main hall, the group who had just arrived from their mission wasn't in high moods like usual. Dealing with stuck-up royals would tire anyone, even the most energetic members of the Black Bulls. Especially when the mission didn't go as smoothly as it was supposed to.

Between her almost closed lids, Oriana spotted Hinata sneaking around the group. His curious nature took the best of him most of the time. And if he caught anyone with free time, he would ask to practice with him. Whatever the time of the day, whoever it was. Anyone would do.

"Oriana?" Hinata called.

"No."

"So mean!" the boy cried. "I was going to ask what is going on with you. Was the mission difficult?"

"I want to hear about it too!" Kageyama came out of nowhere.

"Let's say we had an unexpected company." Oriana explained.

"Unwelcomed company." Magna corrected.

"I thought the tension between our squad and the royals was over. Apparently not." Vanessa spoke.

The group sighed loud and in unison.

"Who cares what they think!" Asta's voice boomed as he straightened in his seat. "Let's continue to prove them wrong at every turn! I'm not done yet!" he yelled.

"Too loud." Oriana moaned.

At that moment, the door to the Black Bulls base opened and closed immediately. Oriana recognized Noelle's mana without having to lift her eyes from the counter, however something about it was different. Why was it growing and menacing?

"Oh no, Noelle is angry." Asta spoke up in a panic.

Oriana gazed at the incoming girl. Her cold gaze fell upon them but nothing about her, besides her revolting mana, pointed out to that fact.

"How can you tell?"

"Well, you can see her mood by her hands. Like right now, she has her wand. I don't think that means she's happy to see us."

"Maybe her siblings tattle tale on us." Vanessa whispered.

"Already? The mission was before lunch. It's barely the afternoon." Oriana said.

"Wasn't she having lunch with her siblings today?" Magna lifted his head from his folded forearms.

The group glanced at each other in worry.

"We're screwed." Asta screeched.

A cough snapped their heads up simultaneously. Noelle's glare froze them in their seats. With her wand in hand, she gripped it tightly.

"How was lunch?" Vanessa asked with a nervous sweat.

"It was fine. I had the chance to hear all about your conjoined mission this morning." Noelle's voice was as cold as ice.

"It was fine. Everything went smoothly and no one raised their voice at anyone." with a fake laugh, Magna tried to dismiss the subject.

Oriana bit the inside of her cheek. She told them nothing but the truth, however, seeing Noelle and listening to her words, made Oriana understand her mistake. Hesitantly, Oriana dropped her forearm and straightened in her seat.

"Listen, Noelle. About that..." Oriana started. "I'm sorry I snapped at your sibling like that. It was uncalled for. But it seriously pissed me off that they tried so hard to protect me just because of my name. And I was already mad about the news this morning. I know it's no excuse and that you asked us to get along with your sibling or at least not kill each other, but at the time, well, I fucked up. I'm sorry Noelle."