The Strongest Princess
Chapter 4
A Day's Work
Gajeel had to admit that the setup was pretty thorough. The metal bands on his wrists completely supressed his magical power. The ones on his ankles were tracers. Wherever he went, Kagura would know exactly where he was. If he couldn't remove them, escape was literally impossible. If he had his magic, he could break them easily - eat them even, but without it, they were impenetrable.
Levy had personally come down to his cell as he was released. Gildartz still stood sentinel as the guard unlocked his cell. He stepped forward, towering over the princess. He felt a sudden desire to rush forward and hurt her, to remind him of who was in power here, but realised that the old man would have him on the floor before he'd crossed half of the small distance.
"I hope you've been treated well," she said quite stiffly, formally. "Have your injuries healed?"
"Mostly," he grunted in return. "But little weaklings should worry about their own injuries first."
"I have been tended to by our finest physician."
"I'm sure you have, princess," he responded, spitting this last word out like a slur. "I'm sure you had the finest care with lacy pillows and stuffed animals everywhere, so you were in perfect comfort at all times." In truth, Porylusica's apothecarium was bare and unpleasant, and Levy had been struck with a broom more times than she could count. That hag might be the only human alive able to strike the royal family and get away with it.
"Watch your tone," Gildartz warned, but Levy held up a hand to silence him.
"It is alright. I know that this man hates me with a passion. I have not come here today to become best friends in an instant. I am not so naïve. So, perhaps the best thing is to proceed. Mr Redfox, please follow me upstairs. I have a guard's uniform ready for you. You will be filling in for Jet and Droy while they are still healing."
"Who and who?" Gajeel asked, purely to rile her up.
"My guards. The ones you assaulted outside of my chambers."
"Those weaklings are still hurting?"
Levy's face flushed with annoyance at the insult directed towards her friends. "Unlike me, they weren't able to meet the healing mage. And you hurt them far worse than you hurt me. A broken leg. A broken arm. Those are injuries that take time to heal. So, you will be doing their job for them."
"You want me to be your guard?" Gajeel grinned and leaned down. "When no one's watching, I'll snap your scrawny little neck."
"No, you won't." Gajeel seemed surprised by the bold statement, straightening back to his full height. "You have two choices. Obey me, and maybe be free again. Or die. After torture. Even a moron would find that a simple choice, no?"
"I don't care if you're a fucking princess or the queen herself," Gajeel snarled, balling his fists, "but you don't talk to me like that."
"It seems you have yet to understand your position, Mr Redfox. I am in control here. Now, I believe I asked you to follow me." Levy turned, brazenly presenting her back to Gajeel. His fist was already pulled back to strike her, but with dawning horror he realised that she was completely right. As if a mind reader, Gildartz made no move to stop him and merely grinned. He could hit her! He could do it! No one told him what to do! No one!
He didn't realise it, but he was on the verge of tears. This tore at every mote of pride within his body. This was wrong! Levy turned back slightly. "Are you coming or not? If you'd rather stay in your cell, I'm sure one of my sisters can attend to you."
Fear suddenly assuaged his anger. Fine, he'd play her game for now, but just she wait. His time would come.
===][===
Daylight. That had been the big thing. Gajeel had spent three days in the dungeon without any natural light. He had no idea how much he'd missed it. Walking out of the castle had been like being born again. It was just so bright, the summer sun high in the sky.
His uniform felt weird to him. He'd never felt so unnatural before. The uniform of the castle guards was a grey tunic and trousers, over which went several plates of armour bearing Makarov's heraldry. It was a blue and white vertical pattern, with a red symbol of the 'Fairy' upon it. Practical and not stuffy in any way – Gajeel hated buttons, so this was good – but it seemed to rob him of his identity.
The castle grounds were vast, but largely empty. A huge path headed down to the main gates. Well-kept gardens made up the most of what remained, a few buildings occupying the fringes. One of those buildings was the Librariam, a huge three storey building. It was a short walk to get there. Levy practically skipped the whole way.
Jeez. Who could get so excited about books?
===][===
From the castle ramparts, Minerva watched the pair cross the garden. Her eyes narrowed with contempt. How much of a fool was Levy to turn her back to him so? He could crush her in an instant. The fact that he wasn't suggested to Minerva that he was cleverer than he first appeared. She didn't turn as she heard Erza walk up next to her. They stood there for a moment observing their sister and her new interest.
"Try to understand her motives, sister."
"I am," Minerva replied ruefully. "I've yet to figure out her angle."
"You're looking too hard. Her motive is exactly as she stated it. Our sister has no guile or trickery within her; she speaks plainly."
"I thought you were smarter than that. Everyone has games that they play. I don't doubt that our sister is a naïve fool, but she's up to more than she is saying." Minerva suddenly laughed shrilly as an amusing thought occurred. "Perhaps she's even fallen in love! Mavis knows that with her pathetically flat figure she'd need a man that she can order to love her!"
"Sister, watch your mouth," Erza snarled. "I give you slack because I know you are an acerbic person, but I won't listen to you badmouth our family."
"Family? I don't recall the blood relation I share with that rat. And is the mighty Titania going to tell me that she finds our sister's lack of strength to be perfectly acceptable?"
"I won't lie that I want Levy to perform more exercises and training, but she has chosen her path in life and I respect it. When it comes to being strong, that's what my Fairies are for. Hell, it's even what your Sabres and the Mermaids are for. To protect the weak."
"Protecting the weak is not on my job list," Minerva stated firmly. "My job is to crush the weakness in this city, so that only the strong remain. Now, if we can cease the prattle about Runt, if you remember, I have a job to do. Four still remain."
Erza tilted her head back, clearly thinking. "The amount of effort you place in challenging the Phantom Institute baffles me. By the large, it was a harmless organisation. Basically a den where criminals could rest and exchange tips and advice while getting drunk. I don't doubt that its destruction was a good thing, but why chase these remnants to the ends of the Earth? It's a waste of resources."
"That is where you and I differ sister. There are loose ends to tie up."
"Such perfectionism I expect from Kagura, not you." Minerva smirked and turned to leave. Erza watched her go and then looked back over the ramparts. "As you say sister; what is your angle here?"
===][===
"Juvia!" The blue-haired woman snapped shock upright as she heard the familiar voice of the Mermaid leader. She was in the kitchen, helping the chef to prepare the food for dinner. The chef was called Risley, a plump woman with curly brown hair and a fairly pleasant attitude.
Juvia was shaking like a leaf. Kagura was legendary. If she had unearthed her past from Gajeel, Juvia was dead. Absolutely dead, and no amount of anything could possibly save her.
"Yes, my lady?" She asked as calmly as she could muster. Kagura was dressed for war today, in the uniform of the Rune Knights. Juvia was not short, but Kagura towered over even her. Kagura, Erza and Minerva were all the same height. It was as if Makarov had known beforehand that the trio of sisters were cut from the same cloth.
"You attend my sister directly, yes?"
"Of course, my lady." The question was purely rhetorical. Kagura might not be the knowledge hoarder like Minerva, but she undoubtedly knew the workings of the castle like the back of her hand.
"Please take care of her. If you see any bruises, cuts or abrasions, I want it reported to me at once, do you understand? I will not allow my sister to suffer from this man."
"I-I understand, my lady," Juvia replied, relief flooding her.
"You're not tormenting my staff are you?" A new voice asked. Mirajane had entered the room, carrying in food supplies. Not many could speak so informally to a princess. Not only was Mira the head of the household, but she was also Laxus' suitor. "I do need Juvia alive and well, you know!"
"Merely making inquiries. I wouldn't want to upset the tight ship you run." In return, that was about as informal as Kagura became. She liked Mira. Their professions might be different, but the perfectionism was not. You could do far worse than Mira as a queen, Kagura believed. "I'd hate to cause you to delay dinner."
"Don't underestimate my chicken soup!" Risley called cheerily from her bubbling cauldron.
"I wouldn't dare dream of it," Kagura replied with a tight smile, stepping out of the kitchen. Frowning, she stepped back in. "Please make sure to serve some to Ariana. I think she may be coming down with an illness."
"Kagura!" Mira chastised lightly. "We'll do our jobs! Besides, Risley likes serving the staff; it means that she can spend more time with that Droy fellow."
"What can I say? The man appreciates good food!"
Kagura's good humour seemed to be waning. "Well. See that you do." Outside, a small Rune Knight by the name of Milliana fell into step besides her. The cloak of her hood was pulled over her face. "News?"
"You'll love it, Kagura-chan! Aria crumbled! He gave us some information that he'd met Sol recently. We might be able to track him if we hurry."
A smile appeared on Kagura's lips briefly before vanishing. She yanked Milliana's hood down. "Standard uniform only and don't refer to me as 'chan'." She took off. Milliana saluted brightly.
"Whatever you say, Kagura-chan!"
===][===
Gajeel was vaguely impressed. He'd never been inside a library before, let alone know any of the work that went into their running. Levy went around like a bee, constantly carrying, moving and checking as she went. He began to notice that a task that would be easy for him, such as taking a book from a high shelf, was a chore for her. She had to run back and forth to get stepladders and the like. An expert eye noted damage on the shelves where he suspected she had climbed when no one was looking.
One thing he'd noticed was that his sense of smell was intact, despite the dampening of his magic. The musty scent of the books was rather refreshing. But there was something else, the slightest hint of a smell that was bothering him.
They were being followed.
He saw the occasional flit of a shadow that he couldn't explain. Clearly the runt's sisters didn't trust him alone with her and he couldn't blame them. Shrimp didn't seem to ever notice. Gajeel wondered if she even knew. He wouldn't put it past either of those cold bitches to have their own agenda.
"Come on, Gajeel, we have to go downstairs now," Levy huffed, carrying an enormous volume in her skinny arms. Gajeel bent his head to read the spine, but couldn't. His reading ability was rather poor from disuse and the first word looked hard to pronounce. Levy caught his look. "Aesop's fables. A series of proverbs on how to be a good person."
"The fuck is a proverb?" Gajeel retorted crassly. Levy ignored him and began to head down the stairs. The second floor was a mezzanine, covering only about half the ground floor, giving them a commanding view. Gajeel could see that a circle of chairs had been created, now filled with children of about eight years old. Levy went over to sit in the empty chair and Gajeel loitered behind, clearly curious.
"Hello children!" Levy said brightly by way of greeting and the children replied well. They clearly knew and liked her. "Today, I'm going to be reading one of Aesop's Fables, the tale of the frog and the ox. One day, a frog is at a lake and he sees and ox come to drink. Amazed, he rushes back home to tell his mother of how big it was. The mother puffs up her whole body and asks if it was this big. He says it was bigger and she blows herself up more and asks again. Eventually, the mother blows herself up so big, she goes pop!"
There was a mixed reaction. Most of the boys thought it was hilarious and giggled. Most of the girls seemed horrified. Gajeel barked a sharp laugh, earning an equally sharp glare from Levy.
"Now children, is there anything we can learn from such a story?"
"That runts are always gonna be runts!" Gajeel shouted before he could stop himself. Levy wheeled around.
"Gajeel, that is not the point of the story!"
"Sure it is. The mother frog tried to be big and strong, but she couldn't. Because she's a tiny weakling. You can really learn a lot from these books, huh?" For a moment, Levy's strong eyes flickered, and Gajeel could see the hurt his words had caused her. But then the expression was gone.
"Is he right?" A little girl asked.
"Oh Susie, no! He's just a moron, ignore him. Let me read you the parable of the dog and the bone. A dog has a bone in his mouth and he's very happy. He comes across a river and when he looks into the water, he can see another dog with a bone. He wants that bone too, so he barks at the other dog. But, this makes him drop the bone into the river. Now, neither dog has a bone."
"How did the dog in the river breathe!?" Gajeel asked with wonderment.
"No, that's… that's not what… how did… what!?" Levy stammered. "The second dog was a reflection!"
"But you said there were two."
"Gajeel, I order you to be silent until I finish this lesson. Maybe if you just listen, you'll learn something." Levy continued to read to the assembled kids, making much more progress without the constant interruptions. Gajeel wondered why she would bother to waste her time like this – she didn't have to work, after all. "Okay, kids! Now before you go back to school, I've arranged for lunch to be served to you all! If you file outside, the chef will have it all set up for you."
The children all cheered happily and hurried towards the door. Levy stood up, a glow on her face as she turned back to Gajeel. "So? Did you learn anything?"
"A bunch of stories about animals. Nothing to learn from."
"Gajeel, that'd be ignorant even if I hadn't been explaining the parables to the children as I went. Lessons such as 'don't try to be what you're not' and 'be content with what you have'."
"You're a princess!" Gajeel shouted, deafening in the quiet library. "You have everything you could ever fucking want! Don't you dare try and lecture me on these things!"
"Don't raise your voice here," Levy replied sternly. "This is a place of learning, not fighting. And my station is not important. These are lessons that apply to everyone in all walks of life. If you took them to heart, you might find yourself in a better position in life." Levy suddenly got a mischievous expression. "In fact, right now I'm your parole officer, so you might want to start impressing me."
Gajeel made a strangled noise of annoyance. Again, the idea that he could punch her in the face flooded his brain – but he couldn't. She was his only chance of salvation. He was dragged from his murky thoughts as a thin woman walked over. He recognized her as the woman who had been accompanying the schoolchildren.
"Thank you so much, my princess," she said bowing lowly. "You have no idea how much a warm meal means to these kids."
"Of course! I've been an orphan myself – I know the feeling of not knowing when you'd get to eat again. Tell me, how is your budget situation? Do you require any more funds? I know it costs a lot to feed that many children."
"My lady, I could not impose-"
"I'll tell you what. Bring your ledgers by later this week and I will look at them. If I can, I will release some more from the treasury, alright?" The teacher left graciously, bowing so low that Gajeel thought she might fall over. He looked down at the small princess. She was doing charitable work? Why? She could literally spend her life in the castle, feet up on a table while servants brought her everything she needed. Why waste so much effort on others?
In essence, Gajeel was a thief, the exact opposite of being charitable. He took what others had. Levy gave what she had to others. The day dragged on, Levy continuing with her library chores. Three other similar events happened, with people coming to her for her services. By the day's end, he could see the toll it took on her. While her eyes remained bright, they were dark rimmed.
It must be hard work for someone so small.
He stomped up behind her and grabbed the huge stack of books that she was carrying. "Jeez, it's annoying to watch you! You'll move faster if I carry them! Frickin' moron trying to do everything by yourself."
"I can do it myself!" Levy huffed. "I do this work every day by myself!"
"Then you're dumber than I thought. You're exhausted. Just… just fucking tell me where to take these."
"Who knew you were so kind?" Levy taunted.
"Shut up! It's fucking painful to watch a midget do this. That's all. And I'm bored from standing around. Stop trying to be an ox, little frog."
"Of course," Levy said with a triumphant smile.
===][===
Juvia was hustling down one of the castle's many long corridors, carrying a pile of linens due for Levy's bedroom. As she rounded a corner, she noticed Sting Eucliffe standing there. As she tried to pass, he barred her way wordlessly. Frightened, she tried to turn back and bumped into Rogue Cheney.
"Our Lady wishes to speak with you, Miss Loxar," Sting said, the words sounding like a death sentence.
"N-no, I…" Juvia stammered.
"At this time, we can inform you that you are safe," Rogue said coldly. "But our Lady is not kind and does not like to be kept waiting. We suggest that you come willingly and quickly." It was not a long trip to Minerva's chambers but Juvia was shaking like a leaf. Gajeel-kun, what had you said? Rogue knocked on her door in an intricate manner and then promptly pushed Juvia through, closing the door behind her.
"Ah, Miss Loxar." Minerva sat behind a desk, reclining calmly. Juvia dumbly realised that she still held the bed sheets in her arms. "Or do you prefer Juvia of the Great Sea?"
"J-Juvia thinks you have her confused with someone else." She never really understood what happened. In an instant with no movement, Minerva had teleported across the entire room, grabbing her forehead and slamming the back of her head into the door.
"You think I don't know!? Information is my business! I know everything that happens with this kingdom – do you honestly believe that the people who interview for work in the castle aren't heavily scrutinized. I not only discovered your past, but I hid it from my dearest Kagura."
"W-why?" Juvia gasped. Minerva's smile became evil, sickening.
"Because it meant I had power over you. Because it meant having power my sister didn't. Let me ask you a simple question: if Kagura found out you were an ex-Phantom, what would she do to you? Do you think she'd peel all of your skin off or kill you quickly? Imagine how much worse that she knew you, trusted you. She'd be so angry…"
"What do you want?" Juvia cried out. Minerva's smile changed, becoming triumphant. She released Juvia.
"Better. It's simple, really. I want Gajeel Redfox. I want the chance to scour every ounce of knowledge from that pitiful brain, then I want him dead. I can't do that with my sister protecting him. However, what do you think would happen if Gajeel hurt my sister?"
"Gajeel-kun wouldn't do that. He's a better man than you might think."
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. But, let me ask you; if my poor little sister wound up with a black eye and bruises, who do you think would be blamed?" Juvia's breath caught. "Indeed. Now, I need to keep my hands clean, so that's where you come in. Tonight, when you attend my sister. Hurt her. Keep hurting her, and then give her a few kicks from me. Gajeel will be in the cells by morning. I have what I want and you continue living. Everyone wins."
"Everyone wins!?" Juvia burst out in outrage, unable to help herself. "Ignoring that Gajeel-kun is a criminal, your sister is an innocent! She doesn't deserve this!"
"The weak deserve everything they get. Consider yourself very lucky that I have decided that you have no useful information on the Phantom Institute. Remember to tell her who sent you; that way she won't report you. She fears me like a bug fears the sole of a boot."
"I refuse!" Juvia shouted.
"Oh, really?" Minerva extended a hand, finger and thumb pressed together. "My magic allows me manipulate the space around me. I can turn even the air itself into a very weapon." Minerva clicked her fingers, but Juvia didn't see the explosion that she heard. It took her several long moments to realise that she'd partially liquefied, half of her stomach having burst outwards. "That took a long time to learn and only works on stationary targets. But I can make the explosions actually happen inside of you. I wonder how long you water body could sustain this level of damage."
"J-Juvia… Juvia won't… doesn't…"
"Let me put it this way: I am a master of knowledge and information. I am also a master at arranging accidents. I wonder what sort of accidents Soldier Fullbuster might find himself victim of?" Juvia stared at the floor in defeat. Disobedience meant death for herself and at least pain for her beloved Gray-sama. Obedience meant that… she couldn't… but Gray-sama… Tears streaked down her face. She had no choice. "Good. I'm glad that we could come to an understanding."
===][===
It was rather late in the day now, and Levy was just locking up the Librariam. Her stomach rumbled, and she thought of the mighty dinner that would be served soon. Even if she couldn't eat it all, she looked forward to the wonderful flavours the chef always delivered. Gajeel looked at her in disgust as she held a book to read later. How much could anyone read books? Surely, you'd get bored?
Trumpets blared, dragging the attention of all nearby. Through the great gates came a procession of Rune Knights, Kagura at their head. A few places behind, Levy could see a small, scrawny man with green hair in manacles. Had her sister captured another criminal?
"Sol!" Gajeel said softly but harshly, his breath catching.
"You know him?" Levy asked.
"He's an old… well, maybe friend is stretching it. Still, I don't wish this upon any man." As he spoke, he saw Sol's eyes glance up and widen in recognition.
"Gajeel! Save me!" He cried in a thick accent. Kagura turned around and struck his head with the pommel of her sword, silencing him. Gajeel winced, knowing the feeling. And Sol was nowhere near as tough as him. However, as Kagura turned back, secure in her superiority, Sol suddenly lurched forward and pushed Kagura with all his weight.
Now, he should have been apprehended in seconds, but the sight of their invincible leader falling seemed to paralyze the Rune Knights. He sprinted away from the procession.
Heading right for Gajeel and Levy.
"Gajeel! Save me!" He cried again. His eyes, wild with fear, alighted on Levy's petite form and he seemed to see the opportunity for a hostage. He leapt at Levy, who holding her huge book with both hands was not in a position to defend herself. Gajeel could step forward and shield her. He was her guard, after all.
But yesterday, Sol had been a comrade. Levy nothing more than aristocratic swine. His allegiance did not align with her yet.
He did not move.
"Levy!" Kagura cried in horror as Sol pounced.
"Matenrou!" With a blinding column of light striking Sol out of nowhere, a figure appeared like a blue haze solidifying in front of them. A tall man shrouded by a midnight cloak, five staves strapped to his back.
"Sir Mystogan!" Levy cried in an unusual tone of voice. Elated, but also in awe. Maybe even terrified. As quickly as he had appeared, Mystogan vanished like the clouds fading before a burning sun, a slight tilt of the head the only indication that he had heard her. Kagura marched over and apprehended a now slightly crispy Sol.
"Sister dearest, I apologize deeply for my failing," she said, bowing her head low.
"Don't be silly!" Levy replied brightly. Gajeel ignored their prattle, nose twitching. There was no doubting it. The name Mystogan was like a Fairy Tale, a name uttered in fear by criminals. The unseen hero. Based on his scent he was definitely the one who had been following them all day. And Gajeel wanted to know why.
===Author's Note===
You have no idea how hard it was to spell Fairy Tale correctly in the last paragraph. No idea at all.
That's right, I just shipped Droy with Risley! Fat love, haters! … I think I might be an awful human being.
Ah, Aesop's Fables. It's been too long, my old friends. The ancient Greeks kicked ass. Probably my favourite culture in history. Zeno of Elea is my favourite person ever, full stop.
I want to touch upon something for a moment. It's quite common for me to beat up Levy in my fics. I think one of my obsessions with the character is that even though she's easy to break physically, she's a fortress mentally. No matter what you do to her, she never wavers from her own way, never hates. Juvia will attack Levy, but I think the way Levy handles it is kind of awesome, and I hope you will think so too.
===Reply to Reviews===
Fire Girl 108: Soon, I promise!
Lucy Ashley from Fairy Tail: Lol, sorry!
Ulcaasi: Well, without wanting to give too much away, it's not that Laxus matured too quickly, it's just he's not quite the asshole he was in the actual series. He is quite calm and reserved, but bares his fangs quickly when provoked. That said, it's still probably fair to say I hadn't yet decided what to do with Laxus in chapter 1, so it's probably just a case of bad writing!
SakuraIchigoDark: Juvia wants to be attending someone else, though! I forgive you, BTW. *hugs*
AleMcGarden: I'm glad someone understood Erza's note!
xXCatnipScarletXx: I hope this qualifies! Minerva will be one of the main characters, have no fear!