Erza Knightwalker had plenty of scars. She took a certain degree of pride in them, as well. None of them were intentionally covered and it didn't matter to her at all what anyone thought so long as she commanded their respect – or fear. She'd take either. Though, recently she found herself preferring the former to the latter.

Her King, however, did not have scars – at least not any that could be seen easily. He licked his wounds in private and didn't often share his pains. She hated to admit that this secrecy bothered her but it did. Nearly two years had passed since he'd assigned her to his personal detail and it was the Captain he spent most of his hours with. During that span they'd developed an odd sort of kinship. Erza felt more invested in Jellal than his predecessor. The attachment was quickly turning into something quite alarming and bordering on scandalously flirtatious.

"You're sulking," she commented from her spot near the window.

His hand stilled over the document he'd been reviewing. "I'm not sulking," Jellal retorted. "Kings do not sulk, Captain. They brood."

"Call it by whatever name you like, but your mood is suffering today."

"I'm fine, Captain." He sighed and stretched. Knightwalker directed her gaze beyond the pane. The sky was dark and the hour was so late the twinkling lights of the royal city were limited to popular gathering places.

"If you insist, Your Magnificence."

Jellal chuckled and stood from his chair. "That's a new one, Captain. Have you been waiting all day to use it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. Perhaps you need your royal head examined."

"Perhaps," he mumbled. "I'll take my leave for the night, then."

"Of course."

Captain Knightwalker saw the king safely to his private chambers and was relieved of duty for the evening. However, she did not return to her own room. She was well aware of certain habits Jellal practiced when he thought he could get away with them, and his mood earlier indicated he was feeling particularly restless.

She waited silently in the courtyard directly beneath a window that opened to his personal library. A cloaked figure leapt gracefully from the ledge and landed without a sound on the stone pathway below.

"Good evening, Your Radiance," Knightwalker said into the darkness. Cloaked shoulders slumped and he turned slowly.

"How long have you known?"

She grinned even though she knew he couldn't quite see it. "Since the first time you went roaming about the city not less than a month after your arrival here."

"I see."

"I've only trailed you from a distance. Your privacy remains intact if that is your concern," she offered.

"I keep no secrets from you, Captain." He moved closer to her position near the wall.

"Ah, but you do." Captain Knightwalker quipped. "I do not expect you to bare your soul to me, Your Majesty, but you need not lie, either."

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." His tone was indignant but she saw through to the surprise. So he'd thought himself well hidden, then. Interesting.

"I've been at your side for many months now, and I've grown accustomed to the cycle of your moods. It's clear you miss your home."

"My –" He paused and allowed his cloak to fall around him protectively. As if it could shield him from her. "Edolas is my home, Captain. I was born here."

"True enough, Your Illustriousness, but one's birthplace does not make a home." She paused and stepped from the shadows and into the moonlight. "You feel an ache for Earthland."

The king stared at her without expression. She could wait, though, she'd grown to be very patient.

"It isn't just that place," he whispered. "I miss Lily as well."

"The Exceed was your protector and caregiver, yes?"

"Yes."

"I feel... out of place sometimes."

"Have you found the hole for your peg outside these walls, Your Grace?"

"No." He studied her face and finally smirked. "When did you become such a wordsmith, Captain?"

"I'll have you know, Your Eminence, I received the finest education my village had to offer! My expertise with weapons and bloodshed aren't my only interests." The king smiled and despite herself the Captain found the sight to be far more pleasant than she should have. "Earthland was your home, perhaps, but Edolas is your birthright. The people here love you and they will not judge you for the wounds of separation that have not healed." Her gaze fell to her booted feet. "We have our own wounds, as well."

"If I may," he began as he stepped closer to her. "It has been said on the streets that a platoon under the command of a certain Officer of the King has been charged with leveling the playing field for reconstruction work. This particular group of soldiers is said to have broken up a racket favoring certain businesses and individuals able to provide desirable kickbacks."

"I wouldn't know anything about that."

"Of course not. We don't keep secrets, correct?"

She smiled shrewdly. "Correct."

"You'll be sure to thank this officer on my behalf, won't you? They seem to have curried quite a bit of favor amongst the citizens of the royal city despite a rather checkered past."

"We all tend to our wounds of war differently, Your Grace. Some of us climb walls, and others try to protect the people they've hurt."

The king smiled and turned back toward the palace. "You're slipping, Captain," he said with a hint of playfulness.

"I beg your pardon?"

"That's the second time you've called me Your Grace today. Have you run out of words?"

"My apologies Oh Ordained One. I shall strive to remain more vigilant in this regard."

The King left her to return to his chambers the same way he'd appeared. Captain Knightwalker watched his assent with a reluctant awe. She hadn't realized him so agile. Perhaps now he'd be more content and stop seeking comfort so far from home.