Angelica had avoided her friends for the next couple of days. She didn't even go to the prince's apartment to help cook or clean. She was too angry at Ignis for that. She was certain he had told the other boys about it, and now, she refused to even look at them.

Despite informing her mother of what the guys now knew, Valerie wasn't nearly as upset as her daughter was. She had even urged Angelica to calm down and just visit them, but the stubborn girl refused. Even now, the two walked side by side down the empty halls. Valerie let out a sigh.

"I really wish you would give them a chance to explain."

"Why?" the girl lightly snapped. "So they can tell me they hate me? You weren't there the first time it happened in kindergarten." Her voice cracked and her anger faded. "That poor little boy - my first friend - he was... terrified of me. He discovered what I was capable of, and in exchange, he, along with everyone else, wanted nothing to do with me."

"But not everyone's the same, Angel. The friends you've made here are different, I can tell."

The girl shook her head, forcing her sorrows away. "Maybe, maybe not. I don't think I can take that chance. But it's alright, I don't need friends, because I have you."

"But I may not always be around," Valerie argued, noticing the cold, distant emotions in her daughter's tone. "And it would be better to have people closer to your age." She paused before forcing a smile. "Come on, let's do some training. That's sure to take your mind off it."

~~~~~

"A-Are you sure about this, Ignis?" Prompto shakily questioned, following his friends. "Angel can be pretty scary sometimes, and if she's an assassin, there's no telling what she could do."

"Don't tell me you're scared of her," Gladiolus said, nudging the blond forward behind the prince and advisor.

Ignis glanced back at them. "This is still Angelica we're talking about. This knowledge doesn't change our connection to her."

"You're damn right it doesn't," Noctis agreed. "Angel's our friend - has been for years. Who cares about her heritage?"

Truthfully, Noctis had always been grateful to have the red-haired girl around. She was his first friend when he started school, after all. Not to mention she often helped take care of his apartment. She was practically like a sister to him, and after Ignis explained everything, he was eager to prove to her that they were still friends, no matter what.

The guys had planned for a night such as that one, when all four friends were free and able to come down to the training room, where the girl was guaranteed to be. And sure enough, once they arrived, Angelica and Valerie were already there. The two females had just arrived before them and their training hadn't even begun. But upon seeing the four boys, Angelica crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.

"What are all of you doing here?" she questioned in a slightly angry tone.

"We heard you might be here," the prince answered. "So, we came to talk to you."

"Well I don't wanna talk," she snapped. "I'm here to train, nothing more."

"You're being way more stubborn about this than you need to be," Gladio said with a sigh.

"Why won't you just give us a chance?" Prompto asked. "We're friends, aren't we?"

"I don't know," she retorted. "Are we? Are you really comfortable being around me?"

Valerie suddenly snatched her daughter by the arm and drug her away from them. "We'll just be a minute," she told the others. The four guys sat down on the small seats along one end of the room. "Angel, don't be so rude to them," she quietly said once they were out of earshot.

Angelica kept her arms crossed and huffed. "Well they need to keep their noses out of my business."

"They're only doing this because they're worried about you," she argued. "Can't you see that? If they know the truth and are still here, then what does that tell you about them?" The girl stared at her mother, her expression softening. "It means that they really do care. Now go over there and apologize to them."

Angelica couldn't disobey the commanding tone of her mother. She groaned in frustration. "Okay."

Without warning, Valerie took the girl, spun her around, and practically pushed her over to the group sitting on the sidelines. The boys all watched the girl, waiting for her to speak. Angelica shifted uncomfortably on her feet while turning her head away slightly, hoping to hide the light blush of embarrassment on her face.

"Listen, I'm... sorry... for lashing out at you guys. I, uh, hope you can... forgive me."

"Course," Noctis replied, "did you think we wouldn't like you just because of your family history? It doesn't matter where you came from or what you are. To me, you're my tailor, one of my housekeepers, and a close friend. That will never change."

"It's as I said before," Ignis added, "you're a trusted friend of ours, and something as miniscule as this won't alter that."

She slowly nodded, her eyes landing on the bespectacled man. "Ignis, I do apologize for snapping at you before. I was too quick to think the events of the past would repeat. I should've... given you the chance to prove your words. I guess it's just easier for me to distance myself than risk being cast out. But can you all honestly say you're fine being around me, despite knowing what I am and what I do?"

"Makes no difference to me," Gladio said with a shrug.

"Me neither," Prompto chimed in.

"We're not afraid," Noctis told her. "And for the record, I would trust you with my life."

Angelica smiled lightly and bowed. "You can always count on me. And... I thank you, all of you."

"This is such a touching moment!" Valerie gushed, finally speaking. She had a huge grin on her face. "Personally, if King Regis trusts all of you, then so do I. Can't always say the same for Angel though. She can be so hard-headed and stubborn."

"Mooom!" the girl whined, getting flustered. "Shut up! Let's get with it already!"

The boys decided to stick around for a while and watch. Angelica pulled her long hair up into a bun as she followed her mother over to the center of the room. Valerie smiled and rested her hand on her hip.

"How about we play a little keep away?" she suggested.

The girl groaned. "Last time we played keep away you nearly broke my wrist."

"Then this time I won't attack, I'll stay on the defensive only." Angelica only nodded, satisfied with that idea. Valerie went over to where her work clothes were folded neatly next to their belongings and grabbed an apple from her apron pocket. "I was saving this for a snack, but I suppose I can get another from the kitchen." She held the red fruit in her hand and moved back to stand before her daughter. "Now, let's see if you've got what it takes to snatch it from me."

Angelica focused on her mother, watching her movements as they began to circle one another. It was silent, and the guys watched with anticipation. Angelica made the first move. She lunged at her mother, reaching for the apple. But Valerie swiftly stepped back out of her reach. The girl continuously lunged and snatched at the fruit, but Valerie was always a step ahead, judging her movements and avoiding her.

Valerie took a mighty leap back and onto a windowsill. Her daughter jumped toward her. The woman leapt away, forcing Angelica to catch herself on the windowsill and leap after her. It looked as if the two were bouncing around the room. They moved so quickly that it was hard for the onlookers to keep up. Valerie stayed in the lead though, with her daughter hot on her heels.

"Wow!" Prompto exclaimed. "Look at 'em go!"

"They're so fast," Gladio muttered. "They almost become a blur."

"I bet I could catch 'em," Noctis boasted.

"Only because you can warp," Prompto pointed out.

"Indeed," Ignis added. "Even I'd have a difficult time keeping up with those two."

"So, Ignis..." The prince lowered his voice. "Is it true what you told us? They actually tortured a captive for information?"

The advisor nodded. "Yes. He returned to the king with a broken leg, a busted kneecap, fingers missing, and a plethora of scrapes and burns on his torso."

Prompto shuddered. "I am SO glad they're on our side."

"Ow!"

The boys all turned their attention to the females. Angelica was now lying on the ground, clutching her arm. Valerie went rushing over to the girl while the boys all jumped to their feet, prepared to aid her if need be.

"Angel, are you alright?!" Valerie cried with worry, leaning down to help her daughter.

In that instant, Angelica saw an opening and swung her foot out. Valerie, caught off guard, just barely reacted in time. But she wasn't quick enough to avoid her daughter all together. Angelica's foot knocked one of her legs out from under her. Valerie nearly fell, but managed to keep her balance. But in that moment, the girl jumped up and swiped the apple.

Valerie twisted around in surprise, now seeing her daughter behind her with a hand resting on her hip while the the other tossed the apple in the air and caught it again, all while a smug grin was plastered on her lips. "Looks like I finally beat you."

Valerie broke out in a joyful smile. "Well done, Angel! Using deception to make me lower my guard - very clever!"

"I learned from the best."

"Woohoo!" Prompto cheered. "That was so freakin' awesome!"

Angelica smiled, tossed the apple back to her mother, and approached her friends. "Though technically you cheated," Gladio pointed out.

Angelica placed her hands on her hips. "Well, Gladio, when you're an assassin, there's no such thing as cheating."

"C'mon, I think it's time we all head home and get some rest," Valerie said.

Angelica grabbed her things, said 'bye' to her friends, and left with her mother. To be honest, Angelica was actually pretty relieved. To finally have her friends know the truth about her and not have anymore secrets to hide - it was a different, yet wonderful feeling. Now she could rest assured that her friends would never leave her and never think any different of her.