Author's Note:
Hello guys!
Thanks for all the replies to FairyMagic239 and two other guests account.
;) I'm happy that you said it was a great chapter. Yes, I going to continue this fanfic till the end. Hope so. Also, I'm not going to make Natsu hated Zeref. Hmm, maybe just a bit or not. Or forgot him? Nah, you judge yourself. Make sure to read till the end.
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. Enjoy ;)
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Our Fated Betrothal
Chapter 2: The Fate of Two Royals
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July 7th, Year X780
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~ Mercurius Palace, Fiore ~
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(3rd Person POV)
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One evening, a little girl in a light turquoise coloured dress was running down the corridors. Her laughter could be heard along the way, lulled the whole castle with her happiness. Her hair was tied up behind her head in a ponytail, reaching half of her back. A few strings of her front bands blew backwards with her running. The sunlight showed her green hair making it shone bright green, like jade.
She then stopped and turned around, waving her tiny hands at a woman's in her thirties further behind her. "Mother, hurry up! Father's waiting for us!", she shouted plastering a bright smile on her face.
"Hisui, you're so fast. You'll be grounded if you run again", said the woman whose identity was the Queen of Fiore herself in a huff, tired of pursuing her 8-year-old daughter.
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(Hisui POV)
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"No!" she shrieked, "Mother, I'm sorry. I promise you that I won't do it again", she pouted, looking at her mother, wishing for her forgiveness.
The Queen stared, studying her before she broke into light gurgles, "Dear, you're such a cutie. I can't bear to stay mad at you", she said while brushing her headbands. At that, her pouting mouth curved upwards into a smile. However, her mother drawled, "Still, as punishment..." staring at her and winked, "you have to hold my hands, and we will walk together gracefully with patience like a lady you are".
She wanted to refute but decided not to. She knew that it was her fault for leaving her mother's. Nonetheless, she nodded her head in agreement.
"That's my good girl", praise her mother and took her hands, "Let's go, Hisui". They walked side by side until they reached the palace garden called The Mercurius Garden.
"Father!" she called excitedly for her father, the King of Fiore. However, he was nowhere to be found. In an instant, her smile disappears into a sad frown. "He won't come, right?" she asked, tears filled her eyes. 'Why? It's my birthday today. Why won't he come?' she questioned in her mind.
"Nah-uh, I don't think so, dear", her mother replied, then crunching on her left. "This afternoon's, I heard him asking Arcadios to take something for him in Crocus. I think it was your birthday gift", she whispered.
Her eyes widened, beamed with happiness at her mother revelation. "Is it true, mother?" she inquired for confirmation.
"Yep. But, don't tell your father that I sold him out", confirmed her mother. "Okay, I promised you that I' won't", she replied, bringing out her pinky's finger. So does the Queen.
With that, she asked for her mother permission to pick up some flowers and skipped forward with excitement. Few feet away, she turned around and shouted, "Mother, if father took a long time, then I would go and surprise him instead!". She grinned at her mother flustered expression.
Even though she was a child, she knew that something was wrong. Her father never late before, and if he were or couldn't come, he would send Arcadios or someone to inform them in advance. She will find him later for her mother looked worried about him.
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Meanwhile, inside the Throne Hall of Mercurius Palace,
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(Zeref POV)
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The hall was deadly quiet after his arrival. It as if everything forgot to move, including the air itself. He snickered. Even the King's stood rigid, frozen with his sudden appearance. 'Human is so weak', he thought.
After a moment, the King regained his composure. "Zeref", the King said, acknowledging him. "What would bring you here?", he asked eyeing him.
He took a few steps forward into the hall and leaned on one of the pillars, few feet away from them. He knew they were watching his every movement as if preparing for his attack on themselves. "Rest assured, gentlemen. I came here today as the Emperor of Alvarez Empire, not as the Black Wizard Zeref", he replied and added with a smirk plastered on his face, "if that what you called me here in Fiore".
Instantaneous, the three figures loosened up a bit but still didn't let their guard down on him. "Then what business did you have here in Fiore, seeing that you are seeking for my presence?" the King asked him in arrogance, scrutinised him.
'What an arrogant man, indeed', he thought as the King tried to intimidate him. 'Wait until you hear what I want'
"Fiore...", he glanced at him and stated with his straight face, "I want Fiore".
Indeed, he wants Fiore. His brother was here, and he'll do anything to ensure his security even though he must taking hold of the whole kingdom. He was his sole purpose for coming here in the first place.
For the second time, Toma, the King, looked frozen before his face glowed red in waves of anger. "No. That's my answer. That would never happen", he reacted.
But for him, the King words isn't sounding convincing at all. He could see through his facade stance, and right now, he could tell that he was trembling a little. He chuckled lightly, hiding his amusement. "What a fearless man. So you dare to compel me, huh?", he asked glaring menacingly at him. "Well, you leave me no choice. There are other ways for me to have this kingdom. Want to hear it?" he replied with his face darkened, accompanied by a soft chuckle.
"I heard that Bosco was threatening your border. What happened if Alvarez joined hands with them in tearing down Fiore? ", he drawled eyeing the now rigid form of the King of Fiore. "Or maybe the Pergrande Kingdom? Surely your kingdom will be destroyed in no time", he threatens. "But, it will be no fun using this hard way. Why don't you give it to me, and I shall spare some lives. Right?".
The King's face went white, completely stunned by his words. He looked at him with his widened eyes, trying to digest his words. The other two also stood frozen, gawking at his statements. He believed that they are the King attendants or his ministers. If not his staffs or so.
"No!" the King whispered and pleaded, "Please, not that!". His hands were shaking as feared crossed his face.
He got him! He knew about Fiore current crises. That's why he uses it against themselves. 'Human minds are so easy to be broken, he thought.
"Ohh, old man, do straighten your mind", he stared at him. "You won't give in your kingdom, and you also won't let me joined hands with the others. Then, what do you want?", he raised a brow in question.
"How about an alliance? Fiore will be your ally instead of your possession", the King proposed trying to save his kingdom.
'Alliance?', a rare word indeed. Even back in Alvarez, he preferred to takeovers rather than make it equal. He already subjugated more than 700 guilds in Alakitasia who dare to defy him in these 400 years. Regardless, he could use this opportunity to protect Natsu's. Yeah, that's the most important thing for now.
He walked away from the pillars he had been leaning on and replied, "I had no reason to accept this alliance. I'm not an ally nor an enemy with anyone. Still, if that what you want, I might think of what I want in return for this". He propped his chin with his right fingers in a thinking's gesture and supported it with his left arm that he folded to himself.
"Do thinks about it. I'm willing to accept anything in return for Fiore safety", said the King offering his willingness for the sake of his Kingdom.
He walked back and forth, thinking through what he wanted to do with the offer for his brother sake. 'How do I fit him in this alliance? Should I disclosed his whereabouts here and asked them to provide protection? No, that's too risky. They will use him as his weaknesses. Hence what should I do?', he asked himself in his mind.
His train of thought was then intruded on by the voice of a young girl. The little girl's entered the hall seeking his father. But she halted halfway upon seeing him instead of his father. 'Who is she? Is she lost?' he assumed.
"Hisui?" the King raised a question far behind him. Instantly, the girl's eyes lit up before she hurried forward past him as fast as her tiny feet's could run. "Father!" she exclaimed along the way.
He saw the little girl ran to his father, who was the King himself. His eyes went large as the new realisation hit him as if heaven was resolving his questions. But, he doesn't let it displayed. He facade a poker face and observed the daughter-father interaction.
"Father, why you didn't come? I've been waiting for you, and it was my birthday today", the princess asked her father's with her pouting mouth.
"Hisui, I'm sorry", replied the King crunching in front of her daughter.
'Today was her birthday too?' he asked in his mind. He never knew that Fiore has a Princess before, a pretty one too. He knew what he has to do. He will ensure his brother safety and future. At least, Natsu's will has someone to accompany him later on when the time comes. Maybe they were fated to be together after all, for they share this same fateful date?
"Hmm, young lady, did you know that it was rude to interrupt elderly talk?" he asked the little Princess before looked at the King, "Also, my soon to be an ally, I knew what I wished for", he stated with a smirk endowing his face, looking back at the Princess.
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(Toma POV)
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Blood drained from his face. Terror overtook him. He knew what Zeref want from him. As a father, he won't give in, but as a king, would he be able to protect her?
He took her daughter in his arms and hugged her tightly to him. "Zeref, not Hisui, please!" he pleaded. "I will give you anything but not her. Please!" he begged again. His eyes welled up; his heart was torn apart between her kingdom or her daughter. Saving his daughter means surrendering his kingdom while preserving his kingdom means sacrificing his only daughter.
The Emperor sneered, glaring at him menacingly. "I will accept none of your refusals, for you already said you willing to give in anything in return of my alliance. I believed that you had missed your boat, old man", he stated the fact.
Yeah, he knew that it was too late. He couldn't take back what he said. He doesn't want to acknowledge it. 'What has he done?', he blamed himself. To make matters worse, he has involved his daughter in this too. If only he could turn back the time.
It was then he saw his wife, the Queen stood rigid at the entrance, silently gasping at this unforeseen event. Her eyes swam with tears. He looked at her and mouthed silently, 'I'm sorry' before looking at Hisui in his arms.
"Zeref, may I know what do you want with her?" he asked in curiosity. He glanced up, observing the Emperor.
"As you offer this alliance for your kingdom safety, then I will give you Alvarez military assistance. If you ever need them in the future", he stated and continued, "However, in return, I want your daughter to be betrothed to my brother, The Prince of Alvarez".
He gaped at the mention of the Prince of Alvarez. 'So the rumours were true? Is he alive? But how?', he wondered. "But, that's impossible, isn't the youngest Prince was rumoured to be dead?", he asked barely sounds out loud, like a whispered.
"Rumours, huh?", Zeref asked back. "For your information, I care nothing about them. My brother was alive, and he's here in Fiore", he retorted.
"What? Where?" he inquired. 'The Prince was here? Why? If all the rumours about Alvarez were true, then is the Chaos, Acnologia was accurate too? Is it because of him, Zeref came here?'. He has been trapped. He cursed his luck.
"Yeah, he was maybe safely hidden here. As we are going to be family soon, I'll tell you later on. For now, just know that his identity should stay hidden. Even from himself". The last part barely came out as whispered, but Toma heard it just right. He furrowed at Zeref statement, eyeing his face that was in a daze. Zeref quickly recovered in second and asked, "Now, do you accept my condition?".
He started at Zeref in awe. The word 'maybe safely' and 'hidden from himself' seem to hold lots of meaning. He was right. If not, Zeref wouldn't come here and ask to hide his brother identity. Even though by robbing others happiness? He eyed the man in front, amazed with this new viewpoint of him.
"But, Hisui is still young and isn't of age to get married yet. Will you think it through again?" he tried to reason with the Emperor. He will delay it as much as he can. He needs to search for The Prince first and solve this mystery.
"So does Natsu's", Zeref retorted. "There's no going back. They will be betrothed until they're of age to get married. If not, this alliance will be terminated, and I don't care what occurred to Fiore in the future", he warned him.
He nibbles his tongue, there are no words left to divulge, and he couldn't refuse anymore. He knew nothing about them, this Emperor and The Prince. He was short on time, and he got no other choices. Even Arcadios and Darton, who was there since the beginning eyeing him with mixed feelings. He looked at his crying wife, holding onto the Hall door for support and down at his confused daughter. He closed his eyes and nodded. "I agree", he responded weakly.
Zeref, too nodded his head in agreement. "Rest assured, my ally, if your priorities were your Kingdom and your daughter, then my brother's was mine. This will not harm her. Plus, he will protect her in the future. You have my words", he stated, assuring him.
He glanced up at the Emperor. Indeed, true to his words, he did come as the emperor itself. The only reason for his uninvited visit was definitely for his brother's, Prince Natsu. He sure of it. After all, the Emperor's also a human who capable of love, right?
For the first time in his life, he gave Zeref the benefit of the doubt. It's funny how life trolled him into the devil's hands. One day he will make sure to meet the so-called infamous Prince of Alvarez, who managed to tame the devil.
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(3rd person POV)
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•••••••••••••••••••••••
THE
TREATY OF ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE ALVAREZ EMPIRE
AND
THE KINGDOM OF FIORE
RESPECTING
The assistance in the military following the protection and the betrothal
of,
His Imperial Highness, Prince Natsu D. Alvarez of Alvarez Empire
and
Her Royal Highness, Princess Hisui E. Fiore of Kingdom of Fiore
•••••••••••••••••••••••
Signed at Mercurius Palace, Fiore, on July 7th, X780
with
The signature and the seal of both parties,
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His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Alvarez Empire
.[ Alvarez Imperial Crest ].
and
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His Royal Majesty, the King of Kingdom of Fiore
.[ Fiore Royal Emblem ].
•••••••••••••••••••••••
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Contents of this treaty are as follows,
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Article I
BETROTHAL
OF
THE PRINCE AND THE PRINCESS
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1.His Imperial Highness, Prince Natsu D. Alvarez of Alvarez Empire and Her Royal Highness, Princess Hisui E. Fiore of Kingdom of Fiore, are betrothed with the consent of each contracting party, as their legal guardians.
2.However, as both (The terms of both will be used referring to the Prince and the Princess) isn't of marriageable age yet, both will stay betrothed for ten years starting from this date, July 7th, X780 and tied the knot within two years afterwards. If isn't, this treaty will be nullified.
3.Both cannot dissolve this betrothment without agreement from each contracting party. If it were dissolved, article II and III would be ineffective, and this Treaty of Alliance will be nullified.
4.This Treaty of Alliance between the Alvarez Empire and the Kingdom of Fiore considered legal as long as both remained betrothed or married.
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Article II
MILITARY ASSISTANCE
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1.Each contracting party shall provide enough military assistance to the other party by their needs and shall not use it for their benefits.
2.The aid shall be delivered immediately after been requested without delay within seven days.
3.However, if each contracting party declined to or failed to fulfil the assistance as mentioned in Article II (Clause 1 2), the mention contracting party are compulsory to compensate and restored for the casualties.
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Article III
PROTECTION
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1.Each contracting party shall protect the other party as long as this treaty upheld.
2.Besides, each contracting party are responsible too for the protection of both (mentioned in Article I, Clause 2) when both were in their territories/lands.
3.If both or one of them (The terms of them here referring to the Prince and the Princess) were harmed by the contracting party side, the culprit shall be judged to the severest punishment available, or this treaty will be terminated. Except if both or either one said otherwise.
4.However, if a third party was involved in harming both or one of them, each contracting party shall join forces if needed to eliminate the threat.
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Article IV
ADDITIONAL CLAUSES
FOR
THE PRINCE AND THE PRINCESS
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1.If one of them or both were deceased, this treaty will be terminated in 5 years. However, their eldest heir could renew this treaty with a new agreement involving the Alvarez Empire and the Kingdom of Fiore, if they had any.
2.If one of them or both of them was lost or disappeared, this treaty will be considered credible until they were confirmed to be deceased, or if they still weren't found within ten years, this treaty will be terminated by itself.
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•••••••••••••••••••••••
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For Zeref, he got nothing to lose from this treaty. He won't need anything else except only for his brother's safety and future. This has to be done to ensure his safety from The Chaos and to ensure that he won't be left alone in the end. 'Natsu is safer here than in Alvarez for the time being', he thought before excusing himself.
For Toma, it like he has made a deal with the devil itself. There's no way out, for only death and destruction awaits him and his kingdom. He has sacrificed her daughter for the sake of his kingdom. As a King of Fiore, he has fulfilled his duty and managed to save millions of innocent life from war. Yet, as a father, he was a total failure. He could only pray for her daughter unknown future.
For the Prince and the Princess, their fates have been sealed together. There's no way out, for they were ties with the black strings of Fate since they were born till death do they apart.
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~ Magnolia, Fiore ~
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It was late evening, and the sun almost settled down in the outer town of Magnolia. Two young teenagers with dark blue coloured hair and salmon pink coloured hair were seemingly busy brawling. They never did realise that three figures were watching them from the shadows. The figures nonetheless were Zeref himself, along with Irene and Clyde.
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(Zeref POV)
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He watched his brother from afar. For the first time in 400 years, he smiled with tears glistening his eyes. His long-awaited was there. 'It was worth it, after all', he thought. With that, he turned around and walked away. He has seen enough of him to let go of his longing finally.
"Take care, Natsu", he muttered. 'and Happy Birthday', he wished in his mind. Yeah, it was his birthday, indeed. Yet, it has never been celebrated after the apocalypse, for Natsu's has lost his memories, and no one seems to remember it except for him. Soon, they'll meet again, and he'll make sure Natsu's birthday was celebrated again together with Hisui too.
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(Natsu POV)
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He walked with his hands folded behind his head. He puffed his cheek and sighed with boringness. Today's, he was with Happy and Gray, running a few errands for Gramp. All they did was fights. Luckily in the evening, they finished it all. He doesn't understand why the old man asked him to go with Gray. Of all people in the guild, why must the ice prick? He could just go along with Happy.
It was then. He caught the scent of something he used to know. But, he couldn't remember went. He stopped in his tracks and started sniffing the air.
Happy noticed his actions and asked, "Natsu, what is it?". His face looked worried.
"Nothing. I just smelled something familiar. It's getting stronger and closer", he replied, looking at Happy. "Hey, relax. I'm sure it just foods", he assured Happy and grinned.
"Hey, dog's nose! Hurry up! Gramp's waiting for us ", Gray yelled at him.
He feels a few veins popped on his head hearing the curse. "Did you just asked for a fight, ice prick?" he barked back.
Gray glared at him and shouted, "Stop calling me that you flame breath!". He then tosses a few ice spear towards him. But he avoids it.
"That's it, stripper. Bring it on!" he yelled, engulfed his hands with fire and rushed for Gray, punching him.
Their fight continues until he heard someone said his name. He stopped immediately, ignoring Gray attempts at him. Noticing his frozen feature, Gray stopped too.
He inhaled the air, and it was that familiar smell again, along with two other new fragrances. "Someone mentioned my name. I have to check it out", he said, turned around and take off towards the scents, left behind Gray and Happy in confusion.
Gray complained, "Weird guy. Let's go, Happy", It was late already". Happy wanted to shout for him, but Gray brushed him off.
He heard what Gray said about him. Well, he got good hearings. But, he couldn't care less about it now, for there's something more important than that. He reached the trees where the scents were the strongest, but it was gone already. He keeps following the trail until he reached the clearing in the forest. Yet, he found nothing at all there except the grasses and the trees.
"It was him, right?" he asked himself. Finally, he recognised that familiar scent. It belongs to the guy who used to come to visit him long ago. He always there, keeping an eye on him from afar, never came near him. He wondered why. He also never learned his name, for he only remembered him as Igneel's friend.
Every day he will wait for him, eagerly anticipated for each of his visits. He doesn't know why, but he feels excited to see him. That guy often brings him gifts such as new books, toys or even clothes. He's been behaving like his brother, and he loves him nonetheless, even though they never played together.
However, the last time he saw him was precisely three years ago, on this date of July 7th, the day his father, Igneel, left him alone in that forest. Tears welled up his eyes. He looked heavenward and cried out his sorrow.
"Where is Igneel? We're you guys together?", he shouted looking at the surrounding areas waiting for him to come back. "Why did you guys leave me?" he questions them.
So, it was indeed his voice that he heard wishing for him to take care of himself. 'Still, why didn't he said so directly to him? Why bothered eyeing him from afar? He always did that. He thought, brushing his tears with his arms. "Why you leave me again?" he asked.
"Just now, why you didn't say it directly? Don't you want to meet me at all?". Indeed, he wanted to know. "You always like that. What's so fun watching me from afar?" he complained and asked again.
"Three years ago, you asked me to wait for you", he remembered the promise. "You said we're going to celebrate something, and you know what?" he asked, but no one heard him. "I waited all day long at that place promised place. However, you guys never showed up", he stated his disappointment, looking down at his feet. Tears blurred his vision.
'Is it to celebrate you guys leaving me?' he accused silently.
"It was raining that day, and I've been waiting till I get sick. Even when Gramp came and asked me to follow him, I didn't budge an inch. I wanted to wait for you and Igneel. After all, we've promised", He continued his stories even though there was no one listening. His shoulder shuddered with every cried he let out.
After a while, he finally calms down. There's no more sun, only the moon looking after him. He rubbed the leftover tears in his eyes with his arms and turned around, going home. He doesn't feel like going to the guild. He will deal with Gramp's tomorrow. He dragged his feet away with the help of the moon's lighting up his way through the forest.
"One day, I'll find you and Igneel", he swears.
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To be continued
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Author's Note
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So, Natsu did remember Zeref? What're your thoughts on this two brothers relationship? In chapter 1, I showed the story from the Zeref side and while in this chapter 2, it was from the Natsu side. What exactly happens? If they both waiting for each other, why they didn't meet? (Do think about it. I just wanted to make your brain working)
I'm going all out in this chapter, Keke. It because this chapter was the key to all. Especially the treaty between them. That's why I took a long time to upload. I hope you like it!
Adios!