They continued walking. Alongst the way, Noelle remembered something which she wanted to do;
"Oh and Westley. I wanted you to have this. See it as a gift from me," she said with a bright smile and reached out for her pocket.
Meanwhile Westley could only wonder what this silly little sister of his wanted to gift him. He stared sideways at Noelle expectantly, and just when he was about to speak, Noelle took his hand and dropped two large sized gold coins on his yellow palm.
"This is what I wanted you to have, Westley. And also, please don't ask me where I got them. Because I won't tell you. But I promise you that I didn't steal, or get them through any illegal means," Noelle explained meekly. Although she couldn't quite say it was through a legal means either, but at least it wasn't illegal also.
Westley stared down at the gold coins in his hands without a clear expression. They were even bigger than the one which they received from that wealthy old man who wanted to take advantage of Noelle whilst they were acting like beggars that day.
Then he stared suspiciously at Noelle for a while with a narrowed eyes. "Okay fine. Since you didn't steal it, then I won't ask you where you got them from. Are you happy now?" he agreed, although reluctantly.
"Noelle you're so mysterious. I can never seem to understand you," Westley added, promptly hiding the two large sized gold coins inside his pocket away from the eyes of others.
"You won't," Noelle chuckled mildly, "And by the way. Earlier, you said you wanted to go and visit someone who owed you and had refused to pay up. How did it go? Did the person eventually pay you?"
Westley frowned, and then sighed exhaustively, "He didn't pay me a dine. He only told me to give him an extra two weeks in order to gather the coins. Anyways it doesn't matter now, thanks to the gold coins you gave me. I would use this to cover up some of the bills. Thank you Noelle," Westley appreciated.
"Don't be so formal with me, Westley. You've helped me a lot. I should be the one thanking you," she nudged him by the side and smiled as she winked at him, and they continued going to where they were both heading to earlier.
…
The next day, the sunlight faintly showed through Noelle's room window, due to the window being covered with huge curtains.
Noelle was already fast asleep as her beautiful figure could be seen cutely curled up on the bed like a little lamb.
She continued sleeping peacefully. Until she began moving strangely atop the bed, as though she was uncomfortable and distressed, this continued for some time, and then she began mumbling;
"Water…!"
"Water… wat…er!" Then she stopped mumbling.
After sometime, she mumbled again groggily, "I-i need… some water…"
The next moment, she scampered out of bed, and scurried towards the direction of her bathroom. Holding her neck with her hands. She couldn't even pant, as she was extremely struggling to breath.
It was as though there was no air around the room for her to breath. And as though she was holding her breath, which she definitely wasn't, however for some reasons she couldn't breath properly and was feeling quite suffocated.
Her face had already turned pale and ghast, making her look like a ghost. Although her legs still ached, however, she ignored it, since something more worse than that was presently going on with her.
Noelle pushed open the door, and hastily went into the bathroom. Noticing that there was already a bucket filled with water in it, Noelle moved towards the bucket, she bent down and dipped her head into it. Breathing in the water through her nose rapidly as though her life depended on it, which basically it did.
Immediately after dipping her head into the bucket of water, Noelle could feel a pure sensation of tranquil and peace surging through every part of her timid body.
She remained like that with her head underwater for several minutes.
And after some more minutes later, Noelle brought out her head away from the bucket of water. Even her hairs were already drenched in waters. And as expected, emerald green scales had already covered her face which was touched by the waters in the bucket.
Turns out any part of Noelle's body that came in contact with water would bring out her enchanting zizag and intricately ladder designed emerald green scales. And Noelle already knew this. But this also doesn't mean that she would turn into a mermaid either. As long as the pearl bracelet remained on her wrist she would still remain human for as long as she want.
Noelle panted intensely, but at the same time she felt relieved that she could breath fine on land once again. A very huge relief to be specified.
She got up from her bending position. Grabbing a towel from nearby, she cleaned her saturated face and hairs with it. Wiping away all the water from her skin cleanly. And afterwards, the scales on her skin disappeared without a trace.
'I should have known that things like this would happen eventually at some point in time. Since I've been away from the sea for so long, my body is starting to react to the peculiar change.'
'But I shouldn't worry too much about this. As long as there's plenty water nearby, then survival should still be possible,' Noelle assured herself inwardly. Closing her eyes and opening them back, she exhaled, 'I just really hope that this doesn't happen to me often. Or else my chances of surviving might really deteriorate sooner than I've expected.'
Noelle cleaned her face even more, just to be certain that the scales would really go away. She then hung away the towel. She made her way towards her bed, and layed on it aimlessly.
"To think I'm already exhausted just few minutes after getting out of bed," Noelle fumfered whilst staring at the wooden ceiling.
She shivered sheepishly due to the cold weather. As she had already foretold it earlier, a snowstorm had indeed transpired yesterday, but luckily it was immediately after they got home that it started, so it didn't affect them yesterday.
'I don't think I can bath with cold water this morning. The weather is just too cold for me. I'll have to boil some water in the kitchen to bath with, if I don't want to freeze to death.'
With that thought, Noelle got out of bed. Not forgetting to clasp her shabby looking black staff with her so as to enhance her walking pace. And then she approached the door and slowly got out of the room.
Walking amidst the narrow passageway. Noelle made her way to the kitchen. Upon reaching there, she went in directly as the door was already opened beforehand.
Stepping in, Noelle could discern Madam Danielle in the kitchen, probably cooking. She was busy making a dough, as her hands were overwhelmed with white flour.
Noelle went in farther.
"Good morning, Madam Danielle," she greeted brightly as she walked towards another direction to get a kettle, fill it with water, and boil it to bath with.
Madam Danielle turned towards Noelle, she smiled, "A good morning to you too my darling. Did you sleep well?" She asked calmly as she focused back on the dough she was fondling.
Whilst filling up the kettle with water, Noelle replied Madam Danielle excitedly, "I did…" but soon faltered, when she thought back to the unfortunate event that took place this morning immediately after waking up. Her mood became sombre.
Noelle sighed, ignoring her unrequired thoughts, "Did you?"
"Of course I did my dear," Madam Danielle replied. Then she turned towards Noelle and stared down at the girl's legs and at the black staff which she had given to her earlier so as to support herself. "How's you aching leg now? Is it getting any better?" her caring voice asked.
Noelle stopped what she was doing for a split second. Knowing that Madam Danielle would only worry if she said no. But she didn't want to lie, besides it's literally obvious that her legs wasn't getting any better due to her still needing the staff to walk. So it's no use lying.
"Unfortunately, it's not," Noelle stated with agility, and with a sharp tone, as though it didn't bother her. Which it did, but she didn't want Madam Danielle to worry for no reason.
As expected Madam Danielle became more worried, "My dear do you need to see a medical doctor?" she asked.
"Not at all. Be rest assured Madam Danielle, I give this aching legs of mine only two weeks. Just two weeks and it would be as good as new. As I've said earlier, it often happens to me also at where I used to stay before. So I'm certain it would eventually stop."
"You're going to begin the job tomorrow, right?" Madam Danielle asked.
"Yes, Madam Danielle. Why do you ask?" she questioned curtly. Curious as to why Madam Danielle asked that question. But her curiosity was soon satisfied upon hearing Madam Danielle speak again;
"Your legs aren't in a good condition yet. I just wonder if you would be able to cope during work hours with your legs still like this. Are you sure the stress wouldn't be too much for you, Noelle?"
"You worry too much, Madam Danielle. I'll be fine, I assure you. There's no challenge I can't handle on my own."
Madam Danielle could only sigh to Noelle's stubbornness. As she continued fondling the dough with her hands to make it more smoother.
Noelle was done filling the kettle with water, so she gently lit the stove, and place the kettle on the stovetop. After that was done, she walked towards Madam Danielle and watched what she was doing attentively.
"Madam Danielle, do you need any help?" Noelle's alluring voice sounded behind Madam Danielle. As her pretty eyes perpetually circulated what Madam Danielle was doing.
"Oh yes my dear. My hands are covered with flours. So can you help me bring the salt from over there and add just two pinch into this dough for me?" Madam Danielle instructed, pointing towards the salt.
"Sure," Noelle affirmed, and prompted herself towards the salt. She brought it towards Madam Danielle and then she opened it up, deeping her fingers into the salt in order to add it to the dough as instructed.
The next moment Noelle screamed! As she gritted her teeths in pain.