"Rogue!"

"Quick! Summon Princess Wendy and the Imperial Doctor! Prince Rogue's poison has begun to flare up again," Igneel barked sharply at the guards. The guards at the entrance bowed and quickly fled the scene to hunt down both the Princess and the doctor.

Poison? Lucy glanced at her mother who was frowning deeply. She hadn't known that Prince Rogue was poisoned. From the looks of it, it was chronic and it was probably suppressed by his magic. But who in their right mind would be bold enough to poison the Emperor's son?

Layla found that something was off. The poison on the Prince's body looked oddly familiar and she couldn't help but to walk towards the Prince who was currently in pain. He was grasping Natsu's arm so tightly that his knuckles were white and he was hunched over, eyes squeezed shut. Occasionally he would let out a painful moan and the compassionate side of Layla tugged at her heart. If anything, this man had stood up for her daughter. She couldn't repay kindness with malice.

"Emperor, may I take a look at his condition?" Layla asked, brows furrowed in concern.

Igneel did not even hesitate before he nodded and gave her his consent. He had grown up with Layla and knew how great her medical knowledge was. Perhaps she could help Rogue. Grandeeney on the other hand gripped the armrests of her throne tightly, her eyes narrowed as she watched Layla approach the slumped over Prince.

"Emperor, Prince Rogue's condition is unstable. It would be best if we wait for the Imperial Doctor to arrive before making a move," Grandeeney cautioned, unease settling in her stomach. She didn't know how Layla's medical prowess was, but she didn't want to find out. Not in the situation at hand.

Igneel only gave Grandeeney a disapproving glance before he shifted his eyes to his sons and the blonde who was in front of Rogue.

There was a tense moment of anticipation as Layla closed her eyes and thrust her hands out in front of her. Using her magic, she gently did a full scan of the Prince. After a few minutes of silence, she opened her eyes again. Her previous concern was because of how much pain she saw that Prince Rogue was in. Now her concern extended far beyond the Prince's discomfort.

"May I ask how long His Majesty has been suffering from this condition?"

"Flora Goddess, did you figure out something?" Igneel asked, frowning. Pertaining to the poison in Rogue's body, he already asked Grandeeney for a cure. She had told him that this poison was incurable and the best that she could do was to suppress it with medication. However, she reassured him that other than occasional flare ups, the poison was not fatal if treated regularly. Seeing as she was the daughter of the Healer Tribe, he knew better than to question her judgement. Now, he was having second thoughts. Seeing the troubled look on Layla's face, he had the feeling that the poison within Rogue's body was more harmful than Grandeeney made it out to be.

"This poison in Prince Rogue's body is very complicated and not well known. Its name is Lullaby. In small dosages, it is quite beneficial for promoting magical prowess. If taken frequently or in large dosages, it can seep into the organs and sap the inflicted's magical prowess until they die. It's an agonizing death. However, Prince Rogue's condition is different. How long has he been in this condition?"

"Ever since he was a babe," Igneel informed.

Layla sighed, her eyes full of pity and sympathy.

"If he has had this condition since he was born, that could only mean one thing," Layla said gravely, her eyes meeting Igneel's.

"Are you meaning to tell me that he was poisoned in the womb? The doctors told me that he was poisoned shortly after his birth," Igneel realized.

"No, infants cannot handle the elixir effects of Lullaby. If he were given Lullaby as a babe, it would be too much magic and his organs as well as his blood vessels would burst. When I checked Prince Rogue's body just now, I noticed very small traces of another magic. One that is not his."

"I'm suspecting that this magic was his mother's. It is most likely that she used her magic to try and shield him to the best of her ability. Of course, this would leave her vulnerable and she must have suffered greatly. The poison in his body has not yet seeped into any of his organs, but it has already been flowing through his bloodstream for thousands of years. The amount of Lullaby is too much to be an elixir. Prince Rogue's poison is not killing him yet only because the remnants of his mother's magic along with the medicinal tonic that he's taking is countering the poison. So while it has been slowly absorbing the magic in his body, the two magics in his body along with the medication is slowing the process significantly. Otherwise, he would never have lived past his fifth birthday," she informed, shaking her head at the sadness of the situation. It seemed as if Fate had forgotten all about this Prince. He was motherless, unloved by those in Tenrou and suffered such a horrific poisoning.

Grandeeney's grip on the armrests tightened. How was she able to diagnose Rogue so quickly? Lullaby was not a well known poison and Grandeeney could count on two hands how many knew what it was. Of those who knew what it was, only a small percentage of them knew that Lullaby was a poison and not solely an elixir. How did Layla know about this poison?!

"Flora Goddess, is there any way my brother can be cured?" Natsu questioned, his heart breaking at the sight of Rogue hunched over in his arms. Ever since they were young, Natsu could only stand by helpless as he watched his brother suffer. Several times he had gone to his mother to ask her for something, anything that would help ease Rogue's pain. Each time he was met with a sigh and a dismissive wave of the hand. His sister, Wendy, would try and help but while she was skilled in medicine, she wasn't skilled enough.

"The medicine that Prince Rogue is taking, did the Imperial Doctor prescribe it?"

"No, I did," Grandeeney spoke out.

Layla briefly looked up to the Empress and then her gaze shifted back to the hunched over Prince. Before she could respond, the guards who were sent to fetch the Princess and the Imperial Doctor came rushing back to announce the arrival of the two healers. All eyes in the room shifted to the young, blue haired princess and the pink haired healer rushing into the throne room.

"Brother, is he okay?" The Princess asked Natsu worriedly, her eyes sweeping across Rogue's pained form. Natsu shook his head, a deep frown marring his face.

"Wendy," Grandeeney said coolly from her throne, catching the Princess' attention.

Wendy glanced up to her mother and then to the rest of the room. She blushed deeply, realizing that there were guests in the throne room and she hadn't even greeted her parents. She cleared her throat slightly and curtsied towards her parents, muttering a quick greeting. She then turned to Layla and Lucy, bowing to them slightly before turning her attention towards her eldest brother.

"Wendy, the Flora Goddess has made a diagnosis," Natsu informed his sister. She blinked at him owlishly and cocked her head to the side.

"But Mother has already made a diagnosis. She can't possibly be wrong," Wendy defended, looking over to where the two blondes stood. Her mother was the daughter of the chieftain of the Healer Tribe. She had never made a false diagnosis before and Wendy did not believe for a minute that the Flora Goddess would diagnose her brother differently from what her mother said.

"Tell me Princess, what Prince Rogue's infliction is then," Layla asked calmly, not at all phased by Wendy's remarks. As a matter of fact, she quite admired this girl for taking up medicine and being fiercely loyal to her family. She could tell that this young princess was genuine and protective.

"It is Cubellios," Wendy stated firmly.

"Princess, if this were truly Cubellios, Prince Rogue would not have lived past his first couple hours. It is true that Cubellios is a slow poison that can be suppressed if treated right, but taking into account that Prince Rogue left the womb poisoned, it cannot be Cubellios. Cubellios is deadly, even in small amounts to an infant. Once poisoned, the victim would die within the time it takes an incense to burn, unless they take a medication right away. In almost all cases of Cubellios in infants, the result was death," Layla said matter of factly.

"In addition, Prince Rogue has been able to suppress this poison with both magic and medication. Cubellios is not a poison that magic can suppress."

Wendy frowned and glanced to her mother whose hard eyes told her all that she needed to know. Goddess Layla was not lying when she said that it was not Cubellios. She had grown up believing that her brother had been poisoned with Cubellios. In fact, she had overlooked some facts about the poison that would have indicated to her that it wasn't it. Had her mother lied to her? But why? Why would she lie about something so important?

"Flora Goddess, then may I ask what it is that my brother is poisoned with?"

"Lullaby."

Wendy's brows furrowed. She had never heard of this poison before. She had been studying medicine and plants for over five thousand years, but none of her books ever had a poison listed as "Lullaby."

"Do not be confused, Princess. Lullaby is not a widely known poison. Even most of those who has heard of Lullaby only think of it as an elixir and not a poison," Layla explained.

Igneel watched silently as his daughter discussed Rogue's condition with Layla and Porlyusica. His eyes shifted to his Empress who sat rigidly on her throne. His hand gripped the sleeve of his robe tightly as he watched her reaction. Was there a reason for her false diagnosis? Had she lied to him or did she simply not know?

"Empress, you once told me that this poison in Rogue's body was not fatal." That was a statement and not a question. Igneel's tone was sharp and silenced the room.

Immediately, Grandeeney stood up from her throne and dropped into a deep curtsy.

"Forgive me Emperor. I truly thought it was Cubellios. As the Flora Goddess said, Lullaby is not a widely known poison. I had no knowledge that such a poison even existed," she said fearfully.

The whole room was as silent as a tomb.

Igneel snorted and looked away from Grandeeney.

"Some daughter of the Healer Tribe you are!"

Grandeeney gnashed her teeth, the insult adding to the humiliation she was facing. Layla again! That bitch always ruined everything! Her husband had become angry with her and insulted her in front of both her children. She was the Empress of Tenrou. How could she bear to stand this embarrassment?

"Father, please do not be angry. Flora Goddess has said before that Lullaby is not well known. It is not Mother's fault that she misdiagnosed," Wendy spoke up softly, defending Grandeeney. It made her uncomfortable and upset to see her usually elegant and poised mother be in such a situation. Her earlier doubt that her mother had lied to her flew out the window. In its place was guilt. How could she believe that her own mother would lie to her? Of course she wouldn't.

Lucy watched everything unfold with morbid curiosity. From the moment she stepped foot into the throne room, she could already feel as if the Empress did not like her and her mother. Although she did not dislike the Empress, she found that she could not tear her eyes away from the drama that was currently playing out. She knew that her mother was a talented healer, but to make a diagnosis that even the Empress could not was impressive. It was unfortunate that the Empress got scolded for it and it did make her slightly uncomfortable to see the highly venerated Empress bowing. Even if it was to the Emperor.

Her eyes wandered to Natsu who was still supporting Prince Rogue. She found that his gaze was not on his parents, but on his brother. Perhaps he felt too distressed to see his mother in such a state. Her mother seemed unbothered by the entire scene and was looking forward with a blank expression.

The Emperor rose from his throne and cast a quick glance towards Grandeeney before descending the jade steps. He stopped in front of Layla and the angry expression on his face lessened.

"If it isn't too much to ask, Layla can you oversee Rogue's condition from now on?"

Layla hesitated. This was the same man who had called this meeting with the intention of giving her daughter away. Then she looked at the pitiful eldest Prince and compassion tugged at her heart. He had spoke out for Lucy even though he did not know her. She was not going to let him rot to death for his kindness today.

"I will."

Igneel smiled briefly before turning to Lucy who stood silently behind Layla.

"Lady Lucy, do not worry. If after you've talked with Acnologia and he still refuses to see reason, Tenrou will not hand you over. That is my promise to you as Emperor," he stated firmly. The young Spring Goddess curtsied towards him. He sighed and then looked to his children.

"Wendy, you and Porlyusica must try your best to accommodate the Flora Goddess in this matter. Natsu, you are to watch over Lady Lucy well," he commanded. The two bowed their head, showing that they understood.

Then without another word, Igneel disappeared in bright red flames.

Layla chuckled lightly. "Always was a fan of dramatics."

Lucy caught Natsu's eye and slowly walked towards him. She was feeling slightly apprehensive under the gaze of so many but she stood before him. She placed a hand on his arm and squeezed it, telling him that everything was going to be okay.

"My mother is talented with medicine. She'll find a way to help Prince Rogue," she reassured. Natsu relaxed under her soothing and shifted Rogue slightly.

"Prince Natsu, it would be best if Prince Rogue was lying down in his own courtyard. It would be easier for us to look after him and it would be much less discomforting than being hunched over," Layla suggested.

Natsu called over the guards who quickly came to support Rogue's limp body and eased his weight off of Natsu.

The pink haired prince looked up to see his mother watch them with an unreadable expression. Truthfully, what happened earlier had made him upset. Although his mother was being difficult regarding him and Lucy, she was his mother after all. No child would want to see their mother have to face humiliation and insults. He knew that his father was upset, but he still couldn't help but feel that perhaps he said too much.

Before Natsu could bid farewell, Grandeeney looked away and in a cloud of white smoke, disappeared from the throne room. He stood there for a second before the feeling of Lucy's hand on his brought him back to the situation at hand. She looked at him worriedly but he shook his head slightly. He would go see his mother after all was taken care of with Rogue.

"Take Prince Rogue to his courtyard. Be sure to take extra care of him," Natsu ordered the guards.

"Brother, Porlyusica and I will go with them to stabilize Rogue's condition. After that, the Flora Goddess can watch over him," Wendy informed. She bowed towards Layla who took a step backwards. Wendy, although younger than she was, was still a member of the Imperial Family. Layla knew that Wendy's gesture was an act of appreciation and gratefulness, but regardless they were still in Tenrou and she could not accept it.

"Princess, after you," Layla said with a pleasant smile. In the blink of an eye, the group was gone, leaving only Natsu and Lucy in the throne room.

"Luce, I'm sorry that you got dragged into such a mess," Natsu sighed, frustration evident in his tone. The whole situation was a disaster. The impending war between Tenrou and Alvarez casted a burden on the goddess that should never have been there. His mother who was insistent on throwing Lucy out to fend for herself. Lisanna who was hopelessly in love with him. Then there was Rogue's poison that roped both Layla and Lucy into the Royal Family's personal problems.

He felt as if he failed her.

Lucy placed her hand on his arm and the other on his cheek. Her thumb ran over his cheekbone and her gaze locked with his. She smiled up at him and then without warning, pinched his cheek.

"Ouch!"

"You silly man. We're a team. There's no such thing as dragging me into your mess," she snorted. She giggled at his indignant expression and stood on her tip toes. She leaned in and pecked him quickly on the lips before falling back on her heels and letting go of him.

"Come on you dork. Let's catch up with everyone else."