Hi, minna~! XD
I'm terribly sorry for the very late update! I was just finished getting through my monthly exam and I couldn't update because I have an internet problem.. X( But here I am! With the next chapter of Cry On Me~! I hope you guys will enjoy this chap too..
Anyway, thank you very much for these guys, you're ROCK! XD
-inoyamakiori: Thanks.. ^^
-Shynichi13: Thank you, and sorry for the late update.. Hope you'll enjoy this chap.. xD
-Beta5200: Hehe, he sure is funny. But I think I made him a little OOC, don't you think? ^^a
-Yuki Kusanagi: Yeah! Cause your idea rocks! It freed me from several author blocks!
-NxE-Forever: Yeah, they're cute! X3
-BlcK n0w: Of course they're lovely~! Hehe, sorry for the late update. Enjoy this chap too, ne~
-Nnc: Yeah, but especially for Erza, they're both nearly the same~
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail!
Chap 11. Scarlet Knight, Part III
Edolas, 9 years ago
"Jellal, Jellal!" Erza called excitedly as she motioned him to come near.
Jellal, who was a few meters away from her, quickly ran towards the girl, curious about what she wanted to tell him. He soon approached her and asked, "What's wrong, Erza?"
"See this? This is a spider lily.." Erza pointed at the red flower cheerfully, as if she's really enjoying the plant.
"What's with it?" Jellal asked densely.
"I read about the flower language in the library. Spider lily means death. Isn't it beautiful?" she said while smiling at the red flower.
"What's so beautiful with that?" Jellal asked confusedly while sweatdropping.
"Eh? Jellal, you don't think death is beautiful?" Erza asked innocently as if what he just said is the most awkward thing she ever heard.
"What? No way! We won't get to see the people we loved, and we can't even see the world anymore. Don't you think it's sad?" Jellal said dramatically.
There was an awkward silence between the two of them before Erza suddenly spoke. "I don't see what's so bad with that.." she muttered innocently.
"God, Erza. Did you ever even learn the meaning of life somewhere in the library?" Jellal facepalmed.
"Um, yes. I've read about it. It says that we have to live our lives to the fullest. But I don't see anything bad about death. Leaving the world quickly.. it's something happy. That's what 'he' said to me.." Erza said.
"He? Who's he?" Jellal asked.
"My father. He said that humans live to die. Isn't that right, Jellal?" she asked with her pure and innocent eyes again, Jellal can't even deny what she said. Her words aren't wrong either. But little did he know, this small conversation could someday lead him into an unbelievable fact.
The fog is everywhere inside the bathroom and the heat is perfect in this weather. Jellal can't take the smile off his face as his beloved girl is scrubbing his back. She's humming a song, the song she always hummed whenever she's bathing with him, before they sleep, and every time they're alone.
"Hey.. What is the title of that song?" Jellal asked without facing her.
"Eh? I don't know.. it just randomly popped out in my mind.." she said while smiling nervously.
"Then, why don't we name it?" he suggested as he turned around to face her.
"Eh? What for?" she asked.
He laughed lightly. "It's because you're always humming it with your sweet voice. I would like to call that song with a name. A really beautiful and matching one.." he said cheerily.
"D-do we really have to?" she asked while balling her fists and put them in front of her chest.
"Of course. Though I haven't think of any suitable name.." he said while tapping his fingers under his chin.
"We can care less about that. Why don't we enter the ofuro?" she suggested. Jellal nodded and the both of them entered the bathtub, relaxing themselves inside the comfortable hot spring. The tense muscles slowly became more relaxed and they could feel their cheeks flushed because of the heat. Yeah, this moment worth all the activities they did in a day.
After Erza wore her pajamas, she helped Jellal wore his, because well, she's still his personal maid after all. She helped him do his buttons and smiled when she's done.
He cupped her cheeks and smiled at her, then he kissed her forehead. It's a goodnight kiss that he would give her every night when they're going to sleep. It's been three years since they've known each other. Every night they would sleep together. At first, all he could feel is happiness because he can sleep with someone after seven years of his life he spent alone. But lately, he's been having an urge to touch her more than usual. He asked Lilac about this, and she said that it's called 'lust'. It's not that he's forbidden to touch her, they're going to be married once they became adult. But Lily warned him once that they're still too young to do anything, so he held his urge for almost a week now. Though he's not sure if he can endure the lust any longer if they keep bathing and sleeping together.
Erza lied herself on the bed and covered herself with the blanket, so is Jellal. Then, he would always pull her closer and kiss her forehead. Lily said that all he can do is just kissing on forehead and never more until they've reached a certain age.
"Hey, Jellal.." Erza murmured under her breath.
"Hmm..?" Jellal responded.
Erza touched her forehead, exactly where he just kissed her. "You've been doing this a lot more often lately. Is something wrong..?" she asked him concernedly.
He snapped. What? She thought he's having a problem just because he kissed her forehead a little more often than usual? Well, but that's the reason she's so sweet. His heart would thump harder and harder whenever she's near and that feeling never changed in three years. He liked being with her.
While Jellal is still drifting in his thought, Erza leaned closer to him and kissed his cheek. He unconsciously moved backwards and cupped his cheek in embarrassment. "Wh-wh-what are you-" Jellal has been kissing her pretty often, but she never actually kissed him before, so this surprised him a lot.
She smiled and giggled lightly. "Feeling better..?" she asked. He nodded nervously while still blushing and cupping his cheek.
"Hehe.. Jellal was always so nice to me. Always.. So I want to repay you just this once.." she said while smiling adorably and Jellal blushed even more.
Jellal regained his composure and calmed himself down. "Cough! Um.. Erza, can I ask you to do one thing for me?" he asked nervously while looking at the other way.
"Sure. Anything.." she said happily.
"Can you kiss me here?" he asked while pointing at his lips.
"Hah?" Erza's shocked, confused, and nervous all at once, she can't even show the right expression to respond what he just said. "Excuse me? Can you repeat it?" she asked while blushing lightly.
"Can you.. kiss me on the lips?" he asked again, a little embarrassed.
Erza's trying to process every words Jellal had just said. Her body stiffened and she couldn't even think of any word to reply him except for, "No. We're still underage.." she said with serious eyes.
"I know.." he lowered his head.
She smiled and cupped his cheek. "Hey, don't be so disappointed. I promise I'll accept everything you wanted to do when we pass our 17th birthday. I'll be ready whenever you're ready.. okay?" she suggested kindly.
"Okay.." he smiled.
"What? The King's planning on doing something like that?" Lily gasped.
"Yes. I'm afraid he's planning on using Prince and Erza-chan as the key to succeed his plan. He's too cruel!" Lilac scoffed while tightening her fists.
"What? He's planning on using the Prince too? Even his own child is going to be sacrificed to succeed this 'anima' project?" Lily growled furiously.
"Well.. I haven't told you about this but, Prince Jellal is not His Majesty's son. He's adopted when he was just a baby.." Lilac explained.
"What? Why would he adopt someone to be the next ruler?" Lily asked.
"That's what I've been thinking for a while too, but after overhearing his plan, I think I know the reason he adopted the Prince. He's planning to use him as a living sacrifice to activate this 'anima'.." Lilac hissed.
"He's getting insane. We have to stop him no matter what. I vow to protect the Prince even in cost of life.." Lily said.
"Yes. And I'll protect Erza-chan in case she's being targeted. We don't know when exactly the King will run his plan.." Lilac said determinedly.
"Right. We have to protect them no matter what.."
Edolas, Present
Jellal, is walking on the castle's courtyard. Enjoying the pure white sight in front of him. The whole place is covered with snow. He smiled as he knelt down and touched a small pink flower slightly covered by the white snow. He picked it up and inhaled its scent. His smile grew wider. It's just like her smell.
He continued his walk as he looked at his surroundings. This place hasn't changed much. Well, no one here changed much except for their age of course. But she changed the most. He wondered if it's his fault that she became like that. Back then, he can't even express how sweet and kind she was. But now she's like.. the most feared woman in the whole kingdom of Edolas.
He stopped. Suddenly, he thought about it again. Before he left, she has changed a little too. She became tougher and rougher than she used to be. But he never expected her to be like who she is now.
'What was it that motivated her to be a knight again..?' Jellal frowned as he put his fingers under his chin.
He tried and tried to think about the reason she wanted to become a knight. But before he can think about it further, someone patted him on his shoulder. He turned around just to be surprised to see her. Yes, she's Erza Knightwalker, the Second Divison Captain. Wait, Second Division Captain? Well, that sure reminds him about something. Yeah, the reason Knightwalker wanted to be a knight was because of that person! The late Second Division Captain!
"Hey.." she uttered, noticed that he's been daydreaming.
He snapped out of his mind and flinched. "Wh-what?" he asked.
"What are you thinking about so seriously? Is it more important than your once-life-saver?" she asked sarcastically, which surprised him. She's joking with him! How rare! What's with her today? She looks more.. cheerful? But wait, something definitely is wrong with her.
Jellal leaned closer to her to look for something strange on her. Her cheeks burned red when he got closer, but her eyes are half-opened and her breaths are a little bit heavier than usual. He let their forehead touched and he widened his eyes out of surprise. FOR GOD'S SAKE! SHE'S BURNING LIKE HELL!
"O-oi, Captain Knightwalker, what happened?" he asked as he squeezed both her arms to help her stand steadily.
She shrugged and let out her hot breath. "Nothing in particular.." she murmured. She raised her head up a little and her eyes are locked at the sight quite far away in front of her. "I have to visit that person's grave today. I did it every year. There's no rational reason for me to cancel it.." she said between her heavy breath.
"Face the reality, Captain Knightwalker. You're sick. You have to rest. Don't be so stubborn at a time like this.." he said while frowning and he used all his strength to pick her up to his back and his waist between her thighs. Her cheek rested on his hair as she tried to stand the pain of burning heat inside her body.
"Don't carry me like this. Your destroying my pride as the Second Division Captain.." she murmured between her breaths.
"Do you have to always be this stubborn? I'm not listening, I'll carry you to my room.." he said as he began to walk.
"Why… your room..?" she asked weakly.
"Because I feel like it.." Jellal said cheekily. "..Do you have a problem?" he pouted.
Even between the pains she's receiving, she chuckled and tightened her grip on his neck. "Thank you.." she whispered so silently, though he could still heard her faint voice. He smiled lightly and his cheeks turned light pink.
'Erza.. Will you forgive me soon? We'll be just like when we were young, won't we? I hope we will. Because it hurts me so much just to be able to see you from this side. I want to see you from my old place. Beside you..' his eyes saddened. "Because I love you so much, Erza.." he whispered to himself. He's sure she can't hear him because she's already half-asleep now.
He lied her down on his bed and he quickly grabbed a piece of cloth then he went to his bathroom to wet the cloth with warm water. He walked towards her again and put the cloth on her forehead. Hoping her temperature will go down. Even though he's a Prince, he's quite experienced in doing something like this. Well, Knighwalker was a weak child and she often got sick. When she's sick, he's always the one who took care of her. He remembered how he forbidden anyone other than him to went near her when she's sick. He chuckled at how overprotective he was.
He looked at her. Her breaths slowly became steadier than earlier. He smiled and rubbed her cheek with his fingers. "Who'd taken care of you while I was gone..?" he asked her, even though he knew she won't answer him. "Was it Lily..? Did the two of you get along? Did you ever miss me?" he continue giving her many questions that he himself doesn't even know whether he wanted to hear the answers or not.
He felt something warm in his eyes, falling on the bed sheet. He then realized he was crying. What an inappropriate sight as a man. He quickly wiped the tears away. He then buried his face on the bed, gripping the bed sheet and squeezed it. "I missed you so much.. Erza.." his voice muffled inside the soft bed.
I've always, always thinking about you. These seven years I spent in Earthland was so painful that I can barely endure it when I was alone. The only thing keep appearing in my mind was you and all the time we spent together. I tried my best to forget about it and focused on doing my task regarding the Anima, but I can't help but to always think about when I can go home. Hoping to see you again. Hoping that we'll be just like we used to be again. But I guess it's not as easy as I thought..
"Erza.." he squeezed her hand and planted a light kiss on it. "..my sweet little Erza.."
Erza groaned and slowly opened her eyes. Jellal noticed this and leaned closer to her, checking on her condition.
"Feeling better..?" he asked concernedly.
Her eyes are still half-opened. She rubbed her eyes. "Jellal..?" she murmured.
"Yeah, it's me. You need something?" he asked while tightening the grip on her hand.
She leaned closer to him and she raised herself up slowly. He's quite surprised but quickly regained his posture. But she suddenly closed the gap between them, much to his surprise.
'E-Erza?' he yelled in his mind.
But her warm lips on his rough ones, sure it makes him feel a little more relaxed. He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her as close as he can manage. She didn't do anything except for kissing him, maybe she's still dizzy because of her fever. He knew he'll probably get a fever too after this, but he could care less 'bout that at this very moment.
He slid his tongue inside her wet mouth and she moaned lightly. She didn't fight back, just letting him savored her mouth. She felt dizzy and all she could do now is enjoying everything he gave her. She squeezed his upper arms as his tongue entered deeper and deeper inside her mouth. She moaned his name quietly again and again between kisses. Every sound she made drove him crazy as he can no longer control himself anymore.
He pinned her on the bed with him on top of her, he broke the kiss and stared at her deeply in her eyes. Both of them panted heavily. Knightwalker was already half-asleep and now she became more exhausted than she already is.
"Jellal.. it's already enough. We should stop right he-"
He silenced her with a light kiss. "I never said it's enough.." he said when he finally broke apart.
Her eyes glittered. "But I'm s-s-sick, you stupid Prince.." she said the word 'sick' half-heartedly and with a disgusted tone because she hates it when she's sick. Especially she doesn't want anyone aware about this.
Ignoring her comment, he began stroking her inner thigh, which made her gasp. "H-hey! What do you think you're doing?" she asked, panicked. Despite all the super-revealing clothes she used everyday, Erza Knightwalker is still a virgin, in case you don't know.
He leaned his face closer to her and whispered in her ear while smirking. "Are you scared?" he asked, and surprisingly, it sends shiver down her spine.
"I'm not scared!" she immediately stated. But then she lowered her head. "I'm just not ready yet.." she said while playing with her fingers. Jellal looked down at her and blushed when he saw her playing with her fingers, she looks 200% more cuter than usual, not to mention she looks like when she was young. But any of her cute attack won't affect him now! Definitely not!
"Unfortunately, you've said something to me once. When we were little, you said you're going to be ready whenever I'm ready, am I wrong? Now I'm 20 and I'm ready.." he asked while smirking.
"I-it was a story from like forever ago!" Knightwalker denied immediately, looking absolutely pissed.
"I don't care how long that story have been. It's a promise.." he said demandingly.
Knightwalker gritted her teeth. Seems like she's gained consciousness completely right now, she's not sleepy anymore, and the only thing she wanted to do now is to punch the guy in front of her right here and right now, but she held her urge. Her clenched fists shaking as she tried not to land it on his handsome face.
"This conversation is getting more annoying.." she said while gritting her teeth.
"Oh? I think it's getting more interesting.." he smirked.
That's it! Now she really feels like punching him and beating him into a pulp! Die, Jellal! You preposterous Prince!
KNOCK KNOCK! Someone knocked on Jellal's wooden door. He turned around and tsk-ed while Knightwalker let out a long sigh of relieve. Jellal walked towards the door and opened it, revealing Coco behind the door.
"Oh, Coco. What are you doing here..?" Jellal asked.
"Coco is here to report!"
"Report what?"
"Today is the day to visit Captain Florentine's grave! I'm here to remind you, Your Highness. And.." she looked around, making sure someone is not here. Jellal tilted his head in confuse. Coco leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "Captain Knightwalker had made her decision regarding your wedding.." she said in amusement.
"Eh? Then? What is her answer?" he asked excitedly.
"She declined it.." Coco said. Jellal felt his whole body become pale and his life force was taken out of him. He felt like dying right here and right now. Her answer was incredibly disappointing.
"I mean, she postponed it.." Coco fixed her words.
REVIVE! Jellal felt like coming back to life. "Really? Really? Are you sure you heard it right?" he asked excitedly like a little kid.
"Hehehe.. Captain Knightwalker was so excited when she told me to play some words with you.." Coco said happily and her cheeks were red in excitement.
"Eh? She's the one who planned it?" Jellal asked in disbelieve while covering his mouth dramatically, there's a thunder in the background.
Coco nodded. "Captain Knightwalker has been sooo much happier these days. When Coco first entered the castle, she was such a gloomy one.." she explained.
"Eh? Is that so?" Jellal frowned. "Hey, Coco.."
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"When did you first entered the castle?"
"Umm.. Around four years ago.."
"Do you think you can.. you see, tell me how Captain Knightwalker was when you first entered the castle? Anytime soon?" he asked.
"But of course! Coco is here to serve whatever the Prince need!" Coco said dutifully.
"Good.." Jellal smiled and patted her head.
Suddenly, someone walked pass the two of them. She's Knightwalker, walking proudly as always, leaving his room. Jellal intended to stop her, but he let her go. Well, he's been teasing her too much just a moment ago. Maybe he'll continue his business with her when he has free time, he smirked.
~To be continued~
Umm.. I guess I only wanted to say: "Please leave me a review! You guys rock! XD"
Next: ~Scarlet Knight, Part IV~
