She stared at him in shock. The words seared through her like a hot coal. Causing her anxiety and anger that had built up over the past weeks burst through like a blown gasket.
"Who cares? What the hell are you talking about? You should care! Our parents were great people!" She stood up angrily.
Gajeel jumped up as well, his anger unleashing onto her, acidic words shot from his mouth,"great people? It was your parents who killed him!"
She took a step back, it felt like he punched her in gut. All the air left her lungs and her mouth hung open slightly trying to find the words. She snapped her jaw shut unable to conjure anything. She stared at him, searching his eyes. They were cold and hard. The piercings adorning his face made him look beastly. As she watched his hardened features she realized there was a darkness in him. One that was unpredictable and uncontrollable. She knew better than to provoke it, but that's exactly what she did.
"How did they manage that? By dying is a fire that killed them and a hundred other people?" She spat.
"It wasn't just your parents it's your whole damn bloodline. A bunch of spoiled, spoon fed brats, that need protecting! You forced us to take that oath! It was our loyalty or death," his voice was low and dangerous, a warning not to push him.
"The king was showing mercy all those years ago! The black knight wasn't forced to take the offer and it's not like it's slavery! There's a relationship between the knight and the king! My father considered Metalicana his brother!" she paused and when he did not say anything she continued.
"Your father was fulfilling his oath when he died. He was brave and noble, and you should honored to take his place. You'll be lucky to be half the man he ever was," her words were lingered in the air.
His blood red eyes locked on her as he took a step forward, for a second she thought she saw hurt in them but it disappeared a moment later.
He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Has anyone ever been honored to be given a death sentence,"
The word sent a chill down her spine, and froze her where she stood. She watched as his back disappeared into the trees. She was left alone in the dark, where she stood until her legs buckled underneath her. He thought the thing that tied them together, that she had been taught to hold in reverence, was a death sentence. She gave herself a few more moments for the words to melt away, before retrieving her bed roll and laying it next to the fire. The warmth of the flames seemed to bring her back to life. As she fell asleep she could feel his eyes watching her from somewhere in the darkness.
When the morning came the first thing she felt was cold. She pulled her cloak tightly around as she sat up looking for Gajeel. Memories fell on her like a ton of bricks, guilt twisted in her stomach as she remember her words,
"You'll be lucky to be half the man your father was."
The cruelty of her own words burned her, she couldn't imagine how he felt. Speaking of which, where was he? She scanned the clearing for the tent, the one they were supposed to share last night. It was gone, and the fire had been put out and there was a small plate of food next to her. She found him repacking their remaining food and the tent into the back of the carriage. She ate her food silently watching him curiously. Not for the first time she watched as his muscled arm rippled as they moved, as he lifted and pulled varying suitcases. Instead of being comforted by the idea that those arms would protect her, like she normally was, she saw them shackled and bound.
This explained why he had been so cold to her for so many years, why he refused to speak to her. He blames her, she thought, for everything, he hates her, and everything she is. It didn't explain his recent changes though, she thought he was softening, he seemed more at ease around her. She thought they were making progress, and even forming a friendship. She realized now that Pantherlily probably had a lot to do with that and now that he didn't have to put on a show, his true feelings were on display.
When she was finished she gathered everything up and took to the carriage, without looking at him she shoved it into the back before walking around and getting in. A moment later he climbed in after her. Her stomach flipped just sitting next to him, she thought she might vomit. As they started moving Levy gripped the edges of her cloak and pulled it tight around herself, she wanted to hide from him. At the same she wanted to reach out and take his hand again, she needed the comfort. She swallowed, realizing how painful that must have been to hold the hand of the person he hated most in the world, he had just been doing his job, he didn't actually want to comfort her. She leaned her head against the door, and closed her eyes, determined to sleep or attempt to sleep until they arrived at their destination.
The trumpets that marked their arrival at the castle jolted Levy awake. She looked outside to see a gravel path lined with dozen of people. She ran her fingers through her hair trying to tame her locks, she smoothed out her tunic and tightened the laces of her they came to a stop Gajeel got out first and then offered is hand to help her out as well she took it, but let it go as soon as her feet hit the ground, realizing her touch probably felt like acid to him. The Queen of Ashren who had been standing at the top of a staircase waiting for her, swooped down the stairs as if she was floating. Her long black gown covered her feet and her steps made no noise, her blonde hair was tied into an exquisite looking bun perched on the top of her head. Next her was a tall man with spiky black hair, he tugged at the sleeves of his jacket as if he wanted to take it off.
As the queen reached the bottom of the stairs she flung her arms open in welcome,
"Levy! It's so good to see you!"
"Lucy!" Levy smiled happily.
The two royals embraced warmly, but as they pulled away Lucy's eyes flicked down to her neck noting the long pink scar.
"You look well except for this," her fingers brushed the mark.
"Yes well I'll explain when I can,"
Lucy beamed at her, "Of course we'll have time for all of that this evening!"
"This evening?" Levy questioned as she began up the steps with Lucy.
"Yes! I've planned a ball! A party to celebrate your arrival!"
She smiled, of course Lucy would throw a party. She had always loved getting dressed up and looking her best, for any reason. When they reached the top of the stair case, Lucy turned to the dark haired man next to her,
"This is Gray, my dear friend and advisor,"
They shook hands before Levy turned to the shadowy figure behind her, "This is Gajeel, the Iron knight of Uline," Gajeel bowed his head slightly before the Queen of Ashren.
Lucy led them into the castle talking the tour as a opportunity to talk about the party and who would be there, Levy wasn't really paying attention so she was glad when the tour came to and end and Lucy said,
"I'm sure you're tired so please rest before the party this evening. I'll have Gray show you to your room. I'll have a room set up for Gajeel."
"That won't be necessary, I'll be in the same room as my Queen," Gajeel's smokey voice rang throughout the room, causing everyone to freeze for a moment.
Lucy stopped, before looking the two over, "Oh, I didn't realize you two were-"
"We're not," Levy said quickly before the other queen could finish her thought, "if there is a room where we could have two beds, or adjoining rooms that would be perfect,"
Lucy nodded coyly, "Sure, sure I'll have the arrangements made immediately. Now about your dress for this evening," she looked at Levy devilishly.
