A/N: please don't hate me
Erza blinked awake to see a mess of dark blue hair shoved in her face. She started in surprise, then realized it was Jaren. She gently pushed his body away from her, then sat up and rubbed at her face. The boy was still sound asleep in the bed. Jaren shifted slightly as she got up, but stayed asleep.
Erza got dressed, then picked up a brush and combed through her hair. She went over it until she could run her fingers through the scarlet waves easily. She eyed the small boy, then sat down on the mattress beside him. She lifted his head onto her lap and started brushing through his tangled matt of blue hair gently.
Jaren sighed and shifted his body, settling into her arms. He kept his eyes firmly closed as Erza went over his hair with her brush. After a while, it was much cleaner and combed through then before. She set the brush aside and nudged the boy.
"Jaren," she said quietly. "We should get up."
Jaren lazily blinked open his eyes. He sat up gingerly and stretched with a yawn. He smiled up at Erza.
"How did you sleep?" she asked him, standing up. Jaren nodded, indicating that he slept well.
"Good," Erza said. She was about to reach for the doorknob when the door flew open, and a maid scurried into the red and blue painted room. She was carrying a tray of biscuits and oatmeal that she almost spilled in her rush. She quickly reasserted herself and looked over at Erza with a smile on her face.
"Good morning, Lady Erza!" she piped out cheerfully. She set the tray on a small table near the bed and peered over at Jaren.
"And company. I heard you had a little guest with you, so I brought up two servings." The maid smiled at the young boy, who shrank back slightly at the sight of the new person.
"Thank you, Miss-"
"Harriet, Milady," the maid said brightly. Her short brown hair swished over her shoulders. Jaren crept closer, and picked up Erza's brush. He tentatively walked over to Harriet and climbed on top of the table. He extended his hands and started brushing her hair.
"Oh!" Harriet exclaimed, surprised. She was unsettled for a moment, but then relaxed as the boy kept combing through her hair.
"That feels good," she said, looking comfortable. "Your little fingers can sure get in there."'
"You shouldn't call me Lady, Harriet," Erza said, tying her hair back with thin braids along the sides that connected behind her head. "That title is reserved for the actual ladies of the court."
Harriet's hazel eyes widened.
"Oh, but you are!" she said, shifting to make room for Jaren's body. "Or very nearly, anyway." Her cheerful expression faded slightly. "It's just too bad you weren't here when- oh, no, never mind." The maid looked down, avoiding Erza's curious gaze.
"What do you mean?" Erza asked, folding her arms.
"Oh, nothing, Miss," Harriet said, a little too quickly. Erza frowned. Harriet began to look hesitant.
"May I be excused, Ma'am?"
Erza huffed slightly.
"Very well. I think I'll go down with you."
"Of course." Harriet carefully untangled herself from Jaren and moved over to the door. She opened it and stepped across the threshold. Immediately, she flew back into the bedroom and shut the door in a fury. She pressed herself against the door, breathing out heavily.
"On second thought," she said in between breaths, "Why don't we stay in here for a while? You should really eat your breakfast before it gets cold."
Erza's brow furrowed in confusion. She stalked over to the door, and tried to move past Harriet.
"What don't you want me to see?" she asked, trying to push the maid aside. Harriet did her best to stand firm against the exit.
"You don't want to see, Milady!" Harriet squeaked, just as Erza managed to shove her away from the door. She opened the door immediately.
"Lady Erza, please don't!"
Erza stepped outside the door and looked down the hallway. What she saw shocked her to her core. There was Jellal, and the woman from before- Lady Ultear.
Ultear was pressed against Jellal's body seductively and was running her fingers across his jawline and cheekbones, framing his face delicately. And the truly awful thing about the picture was that Jellal didn't seem to mind. He had his arms wrapped around her shoulders, holding the woman close to his body. He pressed his forehead to Ultear's, and she kissed his lips tenderly.
Erza froze. Her eyes burned just watching the scene, but she couldn't make herself look away. It was as if her body was in paralysis.
Harriet rushed out of Erza's bedroom.
"I'm so sorry, Milady!" she squeaked, trying to pull Erza back into the room. Jellal stopped kissing Ultear, and looked up. Erza was still frozen in place. She opened her mouth, trying in vain to get her throat to work. Her chest and windpipe had tightened involuntarily. A strange sensation was running through her veins. The emotion was unfamiliar to her, she almost didn't know what to think of it.
Jealousy.
Jellal moved towards Erza while still touching Ultear's arm lightly. Ultear shifted her eyes to look at Erza. Her black eyes seemed to shimmer with amusement as a teasing smile graced her mouth.
"Good morning, Erza," Jellal said, a smirk of a smile on his face. "Did you sleep well?"
"I–I–I-" Erza stuttered, almost gasping for breath. It felt as if her throat was closing up. Jellal sighed.
"If you'll excuse us."
He took Ultear by the hand and swept down the hall, away from Erza. Erza was still stammering when Harriet pulled her back into her room. Harriet sat Erza down on the bed beside her, and stroked her hand.
"I'm very sorry, Milady," Harriet said sympathetically. The maid patted her arm.
"What…was…that?" Erza said in a haltering voice. Harriet looked at her sadly.
"Lady Ultear is King Jellal's fiancée," she said quietly. Erza gasped, finally in control of her voice again.
"His what?!"
"Fiancée. She was his suitor for several months, and they announced their engagement the night before you returned to Royal City."
Harriet growled deep in her throat.
"Everyone knew you and the king are very close. It was a huge surprise to us when she was named as his future wife. None of us wanted to upset you, of course. I just never thought that they would do that right here!" She sighed, exasperated. "But of course, the Lady Ultear's chambers are in this hallway. Ooh, if he weren't the king, I swear I would give that man a strict lecture! I've never seen him do that before, so why should he start now?"
Erza's hard resolve returned to her slowly. She closed her eyes and exhaled firmly, doing her best to regain control.
"So, the king is getting married?" she asked, doing her best to keep her voice steely and calm. Harriet nodded. Erza looked down at the floor.
She felt a hand touch her arm. She looked up to see Jaren touching her skin with his soft fingertips. She looked into his deep blue eyes that stared into her soul.
"You're crying," he said softly. Erza raised her hand and touched her cheek. Her fingers touched a thin wet trail on her cheek. Jaren looked at her intently.
"Do you love him?" he asked. She looked at the small boy in surprise.
"Do I- what?"
Jaren stared at her. Erza looked down.
"I thought I did."
"Did you tell him?"
Erza brought her legs up to her chest and rested her chin on her knees.
"No," she said honestly. Jaren looked sad. He sat down on the edge of the bed beside her. She looked over at him.
"How do you know about things like this?" she asked him quietly. He looked at her silently. Erza was afraid she might have pushed him too far, and he would shut down again.
"I love someone, too," he said quietly. Erza's mouth opened in surprise.
"You do?"
He nodded.
"What's her name?"
"Lyra." He said the name softly. "She was sold before you found us."
Ice flooded through Erza's veins.
"I thought we found you all before they could sell any of you."
"Not her."
Erza reached out a hand and rested it on Jaren's cobalt hair.
"I'm sorry," she told him. She didn't know what else to say. She held the Jaren close to her, both of them seeking to give and receive comfort. His warm body snuggled next to hers, and they sat there for a moment.
"May I look for her?" Erza asked quietly, aching to erase her failure. Jaren looked up at her in surprise, but shook his head
"Why not? " Erza questioned. He didn't answer, but clung to her tightly. Harriet smiled.
"I think he wants you to stay here," she said. "And fix your problem."
Erza frowned.
"But I need to find her," she insisted. "If there's a child that's still imprisoned, I need to rescue her."
Harriet looked thoughtful.
"Why don't you ask your fellow former captains to help?" she asked. Erza raised her head.
"You think that's okay?"
Harriet nodded and smiled.
"I'll take care of it for you, Milady. Don't worry."
Erza sighed.
"I fear I am going to worry until she's safe."
Jaren rested his head on her arm and nodded.
After the trio had eaten breakfast, Erza and Jaren went downstairs. She left Jaren with the messenger Coco, and gathered Hughes and Sugarboy. In the past, whenever they had finished a mission or set of jobs, the next morning, they were to report to Jellal in the throne room.
Erza kept her expression blank and her muscles firm. She was Erza Knightwalker, and she was not going to let the king get under her skin.
"Are you okay, Erza?" Hughes asked, just before they opened the door. He looked at her with a trace of concern in his expression. She glared at him.
"I'm perfectly fine," she told him shortly, her temper beginning to burn just under her mask. Hughes looked at her almost sympathetically, then turned his head away and opened the door. They walked into the room and faced the king.
Jellal was standing in the center of the large room. He looked down at the trio as they approached him.
"How did your assignment go?" he asked. Erza gritted her teeth.
"Very well, except there was one girl left behind."
Hughes and Sugarboy looked at her in surprise.
"There was?" Hughes asked. Erza nodded.
"She was sold before we got there."
The boys looked depressed as they heard the news.
"And I thought we did so well," Hughes lamented. Sugarboy kicked him in the leg.
"Come on, man, we are talking about a little girl's life here!" he exclaimed righteously. He pounded his fist into his other hand. "We must go and find her!"
Jellal watched their discussion, then broke in.
"Very well. Hughes, Sugarboy, you may go track down the girl. I want Erza to stay in the city for now."
Erza turned to the king in confusion.
"Why?" she asked. "I'm the best tracker. We could find her faster if I went as well."
"No," Jellal said decisively. "I want you to stay here as the Lady Ultear's protector."
Erza's jaw dropped.
"I am not a guard!" she exclaimed. "I was trained to hunt down criminals as a member of the military, not to protect ladies of the court!"
Jellal looked down at her with a solemn expression.
"Lady Ultear is not merely a lady of the court," he told her strictly. "She is soon to be the queen of Edolas, and you will treat her as such. You are to make sure nothing happens to her. Do I make myself clear?"
"Soon to be queen?" Hughes whispered, shocked. "Your Majesty-"
Jellal flashed a stern glance at Hughes, who immediately shut up.
"You are excused," he said, turning around. Hughes and Sugarboy stood there for a moment, then turned around and left the throne room. Erza stayed put.
"I don't trust Lady Ultear," she said, finally able to speak. "I don't believe she is sincere."
Jellal glanced over his shoulder at her.
"And you would know this because…?"
Erza set her jaw firmly.
"I've seen the way she looks at people," she told him. "I've seen it before. If they're a threat, they get eliminated. If they have something she wants, she takes it for herself."
"You know nothing," Jellal spoke in a firm tone. "Lady Ultear has been here for six months, and not once has anything gone wrong. How can you claim to know her when you haven't even been at the palace for a day?"
Erza flushed slightly; knowing the truth in his words.
"Jellal-"
"That's Your Majesty," he said, slightly threatening her. He turned his body around slightly to partially face her. Erza stiffened, then continued.
"Your Majesty," she spoke slowly. "Do you love Lady Ultear?"
It was so quiet in the room, you could hear a pin drop. Jellal stared at her with unforgiving eyes.
"More than life itself," he replied, without a hint of hesitation. Erza's throat clenched, and she had to concentrate to keep herself standing. She looked aside, unable to meet his piercing dark green eyes.
"What is it, Erza?" Jellal asked in a smirking voice. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were jealous."
Erza couldn't bring herself to look at him.
"Of course," he seemed to ponder. "That's why. You don't think it's possible I could love someone like her, do you? Why is that? Is it because, somewhere in your delusional little mind, you think I might have feelings for you? Or love you, even?"
Erza's breath hitched. She stared at the ground furiously, unable to do anything else except tighten her fingers into fists. She flattened her ears as she heard the cold sound of Jellal's mocking laughter.
"My dear, little, misguided Erza," he said teasingly. "I am the king of Edolas. I could never care for someone with your past. I could never love someone like the Fairy Killer."
Erza flinched as if he had slapped her. She snapped her head up and glared at him angrily.
"Why are you acting like this?" she demanded, trying to keep the waver out of her voice. He chuckled.
"I've always been like this. You were just too entranced to notice." He raised an arm and pointed to the door.
"Get out of my sight," he snapped harshly. Erza recoiled slightly, then fled. She swept out of the room and down the hallway until she was alone in one of the many halls of the castle. Then she sat down against the mahogany wall and buried her face in her arms, her legs tucked up against her torso. Tears fell out of her eyes, and she began to cry, quietly at first, but then sobs racked her body painfully.
Part of her was ashamed. She was Erza Knightwalker. She did not cry. But the other half of her was devastated. She had thought the king had truly cared about her. But then to hear this.
Erza didn't know how long she had been collapsed in the hallway, but eventually, a small hand touched her arm. She lifted her head to see Jaren looking at her with his big, dark cobalt eyes. He lifted a hand and touched his cheek with his fingers. Erza raised a hand and touched her own cheek, only to find it wet with tears.
Jaren climbed into her lap and wrapped his little arms around her body. He rested his head against her chest. Erza hugged him tightly.
"Thank you," she told him. Jaren said nothing, but nestled his head into her comfortingly. When at last Erza began to feel better, she sat up and rested her hand on his back.
"How did you know I was here?" she asked him. He raised his head and looked up at her.
"I could tell," he said quietly. "And I heard you crying."
Erza closed her eyes and dried her face.
"I'm done crying now," she spoke, standing up. She held onto Jaren's hand. He cocked his head and looked up at her curiously. She sighed. She knew what he wanted to know.
"The king loves the Lady Ultear," she told the little boy. "He doesn't care about me. He said so himself."
Jaren shook his head furiously. Erza breathed out softly, and crouched down next to him.
"It's true, Jaren."
Jaren leaned up and kissed Erza's cheek affectionately. Erza stiffened in surprise, then hugged the boy tightly.
"My friends are going to find Lyra," she said. "Can you tell them about her?"
Jaren's throat seemed to tighten.
"I know you don't like to talk very much, but can you help us?"
Jaren let go of Erza, and raced away from her. A sad feeling went through her veins. Jaren had never left her like that before.
A few minutes later, Jaren ran back to Erza with a paper in his hands. He handed it to her. Erza glanced at the paper. It had a pencil drawing sketched on it. The sketch revealed a full body drawing of a young, thin girl with long, light hair and bright, shining eyes. She was smiling, even though she wore chains around her wrists.
Erza stared at the paper for a moment. Though it was done quickly, it was well-drawn. She looked down at Jaren.
"Is this Lyra?" she asked. He nodded. She smiled at him. "Thank you. This will be a great help." She flipped the paper over to see that he had written down what little information he knew about Lyra's last whereabouts on the back.
"Thank you." Jaren whispered the words quietly. Erza kissed the top of his head gently and smoothed his hair back from his forehead.
After Erza gave the paper to Hughes and Sugarboy, she left Jaren with Coco as his babysitter again. She grudgingly decided to get to her new task. She loathed the very thought of being in the presence of the future queen, but the best thing for her to do would be to act as normal and as calm as she possibly could.
After all, the king was free to marry whomever he wanted. Her duty was to pretend she didn't care. Her responsibility was to protect the lives of the present and future royal family to the best of her abilities. No matter how uneasy the Lady Ultear made her feel.