Leysha looked stunned. Even Anna couldn't believe that Noel actually slapped his mother. Noel was usually a loving guy, so it was a bit out of character for him to slap Leysha.
Yet, the next thing he did was actually punch himself in the cheek.
"Noel!" Anna gasped, not understanding what was happening.
Leysha became even more confused. On the one hand, she was worried because Noel had hurt himself like this. On the other hand, she was hesitant to take action, not wanting Noel to hurt himself again.
That gaze alone was enough for Noel to get his answer.
"That slap is a reminder of all the things I've experienced in the last couple of years after your execution."
Leysha's body trembled. Although Noel said it in a gentle way, the experience was truly horrendous. One wrong move would definitely kill Noel. Even though they had left behind Dimitri, it didn't change the fact that he let the young boy, who didn't have any training, go to the battlefield.