Summer had disappeared so quickly that no one could believe it. The most annoyed by this happened to be Ivan Dreyar, who had happened to have been ready for the Games to occur during the first week of July rather than being rescheduled for the second week of September. Nevertheless, he was well aware that he had brought it upon himself. He had, after all, caused the damages that had put the kingdom on high alert and scared the royal family and Magic Council info rescheduling the Grand Magic Games. Ivan thought the only benefit of the Games being delayed was that they wouldn't have to contend with the summer heat. It was always awfully hot and humid in the Flower Blooming Capital during the summer. Little did he know, the Games had been rescheduled because of his own pawn from the future, who had done so to buy more time for earning the trust of the royal family and their guard. If Ivan had been aware, he probably wouldn't have been so annoyed by the circumstances.

"What an inconvenience your son has turned out to be," Constance, the "official" guild master of Raven's Tail, complained. "I say you should kill him. He isn't useful and it would help cause the chaos we need. Why not just kill him now and get it over with?"

"Killing Laxus would be nothing but counter productive," Ivan said shortly. "The appeal is not lost on me, however."

His vassal, Flare, tilted her head as he spoke, almost as if she were trying to catch his words. Constance's fact darkened. She was anything but a fan of such behavior

"Hmmph," Constance snorted in pure derision. "Well, whatever the case, we can't afford for the Games to be delayed again. I get the feeling that the Magic Council is onto us these days."

Ivan glared. "Do you honestly believe I haven't sensed that as well?"

"I am just saying," Constance said, putting her hands up in surrender. "It would be a complete and utter shit show if we had to fight the whole council. Every single one of them wields immense magic power and one of them happens to be a Wizard Saint. I for one don't want to take any chances."

Ivan threw a knife in her direction as a warning. Constance took the hint and sat down submissively.

"When the council realises the royal family has spent decades playing with dark magic, all hell will break loose," Ivan smirked, examining his reflection in another blade. "We will them be able to strike against them. After that, we can have our...foreign allies come to our aid. I don't imagine it will take very long to dismantle the kingdom after that."

Flare laughed. "I look forward to it."

Ivan, for once, did not hit her for speaking out of turn and instead nodded in agreement. Both he and Constance seemed a little too pleased by what they were planning.

"A kingdom brought to its knees…" Ivan mused. "If all goes according to plan, we won't need to take refuge in Dragnorf with Irene and her colleagues."

Constance winked. "I merely execute your plans. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, after all."

Ivan matched her smirk. "Yes," He said, tapping the tips of his fingers together. "Soon enough, the kingdom of Fiore will be crippled."

"A wonderful notion," Flare remarked. This time, Ivan smacked her in the mouth as a warning. She fell silent in understanding.

"The pieces are set," Constance told him. "I presume we can proceed without any further alterations to the plan?"

"Yes," Ivan affirmed. "Make it so."

He knew exactly what he was doing. Ivan was no fool and he knew exactly what kind of shadow he was casting over Fiore's future. If anything, he relished in it.

"Siegrain?"

The Wizard Saint turned around in surprise, a little nervous to see Belno standing behind him, her arms crossed. He sighed. The meeting regarding the status of the Games had run long, and he had been hoping to leave directly after. It had been almost two weeks since he had seen his wife, as she had taken a job on the western coast of Fiore with her sister, and he knew she would arrive back at their apartment in Era that evening. He knew, of course, that everything revolving around the Games was serious but he didn't particularly want to deal with it further after a meeting that had been over three hours long. If anything, it was tiresome. Nevertheless, he turned around and gestured for her to keep pace with him. She did so, maintaining her stiff appearance. Though she had kept her word and maintained her curiosity about the young blue-haired girl, Belno knew her patience with Fairy Tail (and specifically Makarov himself) was wearing thin. The rest of the council had felt it, too, especially in light of both Ultrear's betrayal and Yajima's sudden resignation.

"Quite the exhausting meeting," She remarked mildly. "If it had gone much longer, I don't expect we all would have remained sane. You look particularly worn thin."

Siegrain shook his head. "Merely concerned. None of this looks good. Frankly, I'm still shocked the king postponed the Games a few months ago."

"Yes, I believe we all were," Belno frowned, glancing out towards the city below. "I can hardly believe it's almost September."

Siegrain nodded shortly, his thoughts traveling back to his wife who would be twenty three at the end of the month and he still didn't know how to surprise her.

"Speaking of the Games, I hope Caitlin knows my deadline shifted with the Games themselves," Belno cut into his thoughts. "I have to ask, though, what your thoughts are on the matter."

Siegrain paused in surprise. "My thoughts?" He repeated. "I already told you I could never ethically vote in favor of her instatement because she's my wife."

Belno raised an eyebrow. "I didn't ask you that. I meant: how do you feel about it? The other members of the council think she is a good choice. If anything, it would be a reprieve from all of the madness I'm sure she regularly faces in Fairy Tail."

"Fairy Tail gave her a chance to restart," He said tiredly. "She's conflicted."

"I'm well aware of her thoughts," Belno said haughtily. "But I'm more and more curious about yours. You don't seem to want her to become a member of the council, do you?"

Siegrain met her gaze but his facade dropped. He knew she was correct. His wife was an almost dangerously impulsive woman. He loved her more than anything, but he also knew she would incur the wrath of more people than she could possibly imagine. Just as much, he didn't want what was their own to be subsumed in the things they shared.

"I won't stand in her way," Siegrain finally said. "She's my wife and I will support whatever decision she makes. Does that answer your question?"

"It does," Belno said as they began to walk again. "Hmm. You know, your staunch defense of Fairy Tail began shortly before you met her."

Siegrain furrowed his brow im confusion. "Is that a relevant factor?"

"Not at all," She evenly admitted. "It's only an observation I find interesting."

"Is that so?" Siegrain considered her words and then stopped her. "If we're speaking truthfully, then I have to ask. What made you take an interest in my wife in the first place?"

"I've already explained that to her," Belno replied. "I would ask her yourself."

"One other thing," Siegrain ignored her comment and sighed. "You were originally the one who wanted me on the council to begin with. Why?"

"Because you…" Belno narrowed her eyes, or wanting to admit to the truth. "You remind me of my son."

It had been a rather unusual evening at the royal palace, to put it lightly. With both couples coming and going (surprisingly, Laxus and Hisui were gone more than Mira and Freed), and the Games finally upon them after a long delay, it was often chaotic in the palace. They were two days away from the start of the Games. That meant Toma in particular was in an extremely good mood. The king of Fiore did have a well documented fondness for wizards, after all. Supper had felt terribly long because of his chattering, and it was clear only Heather was still amused by his excitement by the time everyone went to either work or relax. In their suite, Laxus and Hisui were almost ready to fall asleep. It was nearly midnight, and they were curled up in each other's arms. It was true they had quite a bit on their minds, but this was their time alone together. Laxus was not fooled by his wife's attempts to seem relaxed. He knew she was worried, especially because of what her father had decided only a few weeks before. Now, in just seven days, she would be crowned queen.

"I never expected him to make that decision so soon," Hisui tiredly murmured. "Honestly. It's been almost a month since he told us and I'm still stunned by it...not to mention worried."

"I'm sure we'll figure something out," Laxus promised, kissing her cheek. "I won't let you go through this alone."

Hisui smiled. "Who would have thought you'd become so soft after only being married for three months?"

Laxus chuckled. "I love you, 'Sui, but do me a favor and don't tell people that. I'll never live it down."

"I know," She said, resting her head on his chest. "But I think Freed sees it too. I can't help you if he tells the rest of Fairy Tail."

Laxus grimaced. "I would prefer that than if he told everyone I get motion sick."

"It's alright," Hisui said, leaning up to kiss him. "I won't make you ride in a car or a train for too long."

"I know you wouldn't," Laxus playfully ruffled her hair. "You know all my secrets, don't you?"

"No need to worry," Hisui promised him. "I'm your wife and a queen, not a tabaloid reporter."

He smirked. "Finally come to terms with it, have you?"

Hisui blushed and kissed him again. On the tip of her tongue was the one thing she had planned to tell him that evening. She could scarcely believe it herself, but she was still happy. Hisui could already imagine how he would react, and she was ready to tell him that they were going to —

"Your highness?"

Arcadios stood in the doorway and bowed deeply. Hisui sat up quickly, pulling her silk robe tighter around herself, while Laxus did the same. Arcadios waited for a moment and then straightened himself out.

"If it is not too late, there's something I need to speak with your husband about, princess," Arcadios said. Laxus raised an eyebrow as he stood up. "I won't keep him long."

Laxus crossed his arms and paused before the White Knight, who began to delve deeply into his concerns regarding Laxus competing in the Grand Magic Games. He was surprised that they had been interrupted to discuss something he found to be particularly mundane. It wasn't as if it were dangerous, after all, given the controlled nature of the Games and the events that comprised it. The only thing Laxus was worried about was security for his wife's sake. The last thing he wanted was for her to be in any danger. Things looked bad enough with the ever changing circumstances surrounding the Eclipse. They were approaching the last one of the year, making this, potentially, their last chance. Still sitting precariously on the edge of their bed, Hisui smiled despite knowing what Arcadios needed from her husband was serious. Her hand absentmindedly fell to her belly. She couldn't help but be happy, even though she was also deeply worried about what the future would hold. Outside, the early September leaves were falling in the increasingly cool fall air. She could barely imagine what their lives would be like come the spring time.

"It's okay," Hisui softly told herself, glancing to her husband. "I'll find another time to tell him I'm pregnant."