A surge of resentment washed over Ivan almost the second Crocus came into view. His eyes narrowed the closer the car drew towards the city, and he knew, realistically, it would only be a few minutes before they were at the gates to the palace. There was absolutely no going back now. The second thoughts he was starting to have of abandoning his place as the major viceroy of the Empire and what this decision in particular would mean would mean absolutely nothing the second he and Makarov stepped out of the car. Glancing out the window, he saw the clouds that loomed overhead and the snow that was lightly starting to fall. There was no hint of sun in sight. It would be safe for Fallon to be out, then. Briefly, Ivan wondered what it would look like if he and Makarov ran into anyone else in the family but Laxus and Hisui first. As it happened, he was not given much time to dwell on those thoughts.
"They're not going to be particularly happy to see you," Makarov warned him, finally speaking after hours of silence. "Laxus especially."
Ivan said nothing, merely nodding shortly, his eyes narrowing as the palace drew only closer. Everything until they reached the gate was a blur to him. The sound of the road and the wind and snow falling only increased that sensation; it was too constant and predictable, at least to him. He was acutely aware, too, of his father watching him carefully for any signs of treachery. Though he wanted to scoff at the idea, given what he was doing, Ivan knew that it was not unreasonable. Of course, there were other things he was much more concerned with. Makarov had told him quite a bit already of what he wanted to know, and, still, Ivan could hardly believe any of it. Yes, it did fit with what Precht and Zeref both had told him but, at the same time, it was utterly unbelievable.
What could possibly be the reason for the Fairy Tail Guild keeping its first master preserved in a crystal? If anything, Ivan found it to be more damning against them. Makarov kept insisting that it was not the darkness the guild was trying to hide from the world, as he had for decades, and, especially right now, Ivan had far more questions than he had before. He now had confirmation of the words of Precht and Zeref that had always danced around the subject without being willing to name it, but it did not at all satisfy him. More than ever, he doubted his father's intentions and he was angry at himself for what he was about to do. He knew that it would, in all likelihood, be the best outcome strictly from the standpoint of preserving himself but he also had no leverage, nothing he could use against them. That simple fact, more than anything else about his present circumstances, utterly infuriated him.
When they finally reached the palace gates, Makarov, who had been driving, stepped out and spoke quickly with a guard, who looked utterly terrified by the time he finished talking and rushed off into the palace. Ivan considered taking the opportunity to run, but realised with a jolt that he would not get far enough by the time they would catch him and whatever would happen to him after would be infinitely worse than whatever it was that awaited him. Several minutes passed in heavy silence, the sky only getting darker. Then, about ten minutes after Makarov had first stepped out, a man Ivan recognised came into view as they neared the gates. Makarov waved Ivan out of the car, which he grudgingly did. Almost the second he did, he came face to face with the White Knight himself, who's contempt of him was clear in his eyes.
"Well," Arcadios said coldly, immediately locking Ivan into tight handcuffs. "I can't say I'm not surprised to see you be so bold. I'm sure their majesties will be less than thrilled to see you."
"He surrendered to me willingly in Caelum," Makarov put in mildly as they slowly started to walk towards the palace. "If that means anything."
Arcadios looked to him briefly, surprised. "Be that as it may," He said shortly. "He has still committed an egregious amount of crimes up to and including treason."
Not feeling particularly motivated to argue the point, Ivan merely scowled at the man who was dragging him into the palace with his father. The sound of the snow crunching beneath his feet only reminded him that his fate had become very much out of his hands and, so much as he hated it, he reminded himself that the alternative was Zeref's suicide mission, which Ivan found to be much more unappealing even if this, certianly, was not what he would have chosen under better circumstances. Being forced up the steps into the palace, too, only served as an ominous reminder of what could be to come. He refused to pay any mind to it, but Ivan was well aware that the White Knight's assertion was correct. His son and daughter in law would not be happy to see him, and he had, in fact, committed treason multiple times over. He did not regret any of it, but he was, for once, genuinely concerned about where that would lead him, especially when -
A piercing scream rang out as they had begun to pass the library, and, when they all turned, Ivan saw his eldest grandchild, who looked about ready to faint. Her hands shook around the book she was holding, and she wobbly leaned against the wall, clearly not sure if she would be able to support herself. Seconds later, her little sister ran into the hall herself, and, when she saw Ivan, angrily charged at him, forming a miasma in her hands. She nearly hit him, too, but her wrist was suddenly caught by her uncle who, completely unaware of what was happening, had been coming down the stairs and only noticed Arcadios, not the man shortly behind him. When he did, however, he released his niece's wrist and his gaze darkened as he stepped over to help steady Fallon with one hand, while the other unflinchingly drew his sword.
"Do know that I am more than willing to tear the head from your shoulders without even giving you a second to realise what has been done," Freed darkly warned Ivan, his voice low. "I believe you played a hand in what happened to my mother, and I already know full well of the hand you had in both the cursing of my eldest niece and nephew as well as her kidnapping and torture months ago. I will not hesitate to act in retribution for that, do you understand me?"
Ivan matched his glare, almost enjoying the threat. "Is that so?"
"Enough," Arcadios spoke sharply, scowling at Ivan before turning politely towards Freed. "Your highness, do you know where Queen Hisui is?"
Freed nodded, not relinquishing his death stare on Ivan. "She and Laxus are in her study, looking over documents ahead of the end of the year. I believe they may be making the final preparations for the winter ball, as well, though I'm sure...this," He gestured disdainfully towards Ivan with the tip of his sword. "Is a matter they will be more than willing to address immediately."
Arcadios bowed and then glanced between the two princesses. Fallon looked sick and Annetta, for her part, had never looked more enraged and, around her, faint wisps from her magic were starting to form. Finally lowering his sword, Freed sheathed it and reached over to gently pat his other niece on the shoulder. Annetta jumped but relaxed a little when she saw Arcadios and Makarov continue to escort Ivan through the palace. She then quickly moved to tightly hug her sister, who still seemed badly shaken, and Freed sighed, his mind racing. Ivan certainly was the last person he had expected to see anywhere near Mercurius, much less while under arrest. Sensing the still lingering nerves of his nieces (and knowing full well that his nephew would not take Ivan's presence any better), Freed began to walk with them through the library, letting them ask him questions about magic, knowing full well it would help take their minds off of what had just happened for a little while.
Of course, on the other side of the palace, things were not as calming. Makarov, silent as he had been for much of the journey, was well aware that his nieces' reactions were only a small indication of how Laxus would feel. He had no doubt in his mind that Laxus would be furious and, although Hisui had known about the parlay, Makarov didn't imagine she would react much better. For that, he didn't blame either of them. It had been Ivan's cooperation with Irene and others that had caused them and their family so much harm for almost twenty years, now, and Makarov knew as well as anyone the emotional toll that had taken on them and their children. Ivan's involvement in what had been done to Fallon just a few months before only worsened that notion. He had done absolutely terrible things, and, really, Makarov was almost afraid to know the extent to which Ivan had been involved in any number of them.
"Watch him," Arcadios paused them shortly before the doors to the Queen's personal study. "I feel they should at least be given some warning first."
"Of course," Makarov said, not meeting Ivan's gaze.
Silence held for a terse few seconds, before, finally Arcadios calmly entered the room alone. Hisui looked up, startled, and Laxus, seeing the look on the White Knight's face, tensed, his hand briefly tightening around his wife's shoulder. This is not going to be pleasant, by any stretch of the imagination, Arcadios thought briefly. Already, he knew that what he had to tell them was probably one of the last things they wanted to hear, especially given that two of their three children had already seen him. Fallon's terror at just the glimpse of the man had been more than a testament to that, and it certainly wasn't something he was eager to have to forewarn them of. Nevertheless, he remained as collected as ever when Laxus gestured for him to speak.
"I can't say quite when it happened, but, it seems, Makarov was able to successfully subdue your father."
Laxus stared at him, utterly shocked. "What?"
"Ivan's…." Hisui paled. "Is Makarov alright? What exactly…"
"Makarov is fine," Arcadios said calmly. "However, I am telling you both this now, your majesties, because I have him under custody."
Laxus began to speak but fell short when Makarov stepped into the room with Ivan. His eyes narrowed the second he met his father's gaze, and he protectively pulled Hisui tighter in his arms. She, too, frowned when she saw Ivan, her eyes showing nothing but pure loathing of him.
"You should also know," Arcadios went on. "That both Princess Fallon and Princess Annetta both saw him as we were bringing him in and, as expected, neither of them reacted well. Nor did their uncle, however, I imagine his presence helped calm them both a little."
Laxus and Hisui shared a knowing look before they both turned back towards Ivan. "Well," She said coldly. "At least now he won't be able to do them any more harm."
"Rather bold of you to say that," Ivan remarked dryly, never more annoyed to see anyone. "Then again, you are just my spiteful son's wench."
"Say one more thing about my wife and I'll make sure you don't forget it," Laxus glared at his father. "You're not in any position to be making threats against us."
"That wasn't a threat," Ivan tartly replied. "Simply a fact."
"He has quite a bit of information on what the Empire is planning for the coming weeks," Makarov put in before Ivan could say anything else. "Information that, by the sounds of it, will be quite useful."
"We'll see about that tomorrow," Hisui said shortly, disdainfully looking to Ivan. "For now, detain him. I'd like to make sure my daughters are okay and that my son hears about this from me rather than finding it out the way his sisters did."
Arcadios bowed deeply. "Of course, your majesty."
"We're going to have to tell Toma, too," Laxus quietly added. "Do you want me to do that? If it'll make things easier for you, 'Sui, I really -"
"You can," She said, sighing heavily. "God, this is going to be an unpleasant night….and tomorrow is going to be worse."
Laxus gently kissed her. "It'll be okay, 'Sui," He murmured. "Like you said, he can't do any more harm now."
