Chapter 16

Deep in the basement of Castle Dragonfall, Queen Irene Belserion lays on a bedroll on the ground. Scales cover her body and she's trying concentrate and find a way to reverse this transformation. She curses herself. Zeref had warned her years ago that overuse of Dragon Slayer Magic would have negative consequences. She thought those negative consequences would be related to her then unborn daughter Erza. That's why she chose to take a break from the war to have Erza rather than enchant herself to keep Erza from being born until the end of the war. Never did she expect the negative consequence to be transforming into a dragon herself.

Irene is thrown from her thoughts by the sound of footsteps approaching her cell. A guard to deliver her meal, or her traitorous husband to taunt her more, she thinks. She doesn't even bother picking herself up from her bedroll. She isn't about to look like some beggar. She's surprised though to see who would approach her. It isn't a guard or her husband, it's a someone else entirely. A woman who she recognizes as having been fraternizing with the king.

A black-haired woman in a kimono approaches the cell.

"Ultear Milkovich?" Irene says with malice, "Right?"

Ultear doesn't smile, she doesn't even look happy to see Irene in her current situation. The woman is an enigma to Irene. She randomly showed up one day when her transformation was starting to progress at an alarming rate. She started working with Rung, her husband, on options to deal with the situation. Irene was so concerned with her situation; she took little notice to the fact that she was not involved in those plans.

Ultear nods her head, "I have some news for you."

Irene narrows her eyes at the woman and sarcastically replies, "What, has my execution been moved up?"

Ultear shakes her head no, "No, but you will be happy to hear it's been pushed back."

Irene's narrowed eyes shot open. She would have thought Rung would want her executed as soon as possible! The sooner she dies, the sooner he inherits the kingdom in full.

"But that isn't what I came down here to tell you." Ultear continues.

"Then what did you come here for?" Irene's demeanor softens a bit.

"It's regarding your daughter, Erza Scar-" Ultear quickly catches herself, "Belserion."

Irene suddenly grows worried, "What about her? Is she hurt?"

"No, she's perfectly fine." Ultear quickly informs her, as though she understood the fear Irene felt.

"But you mentioned a scar?"

Ultear became somewhat flustered and carefully replied, "Yeah, well…I was thinking of your daughter…and then my own."

"Oh, you have child as well?"

"Had."

The room grows quiet. Irene can feel a deep sorrow dripping off of those words. Before she can say anything else, Ultear continues.

"But that has nothing to do with this." She says, "We received word that Erza is seeking out Zeref. They're hoping that he can find a way to save you."

"And you don't want them to find him?" Irene guesses.

Ultear shakes her head no, "King Rung doesn't want them to find him. However, I would benefit greatly if he were to appear."

Ultear's demeanor grows significantly heavier. Malice laces her words and her hate for Zeref is evident. Irene has a feeling the two share some kind of past. Perhaps Zeref wronged her in some way?

Irene take a gamble, "What…what did he do?"

"He took the only thing in this world that mattered to me." She says, growing more upset by the second.

Irene's eyes widen. She had a pretty good idea of what Ultear was referring to. It seems unrealistic to her though. She has never known Zeref as being the type of person to murder someone. She wants to argue for Zeref's innocence but feels that now isn't the time. The last thing she wants to do is anger this woman and have her push up her execution.

Ultear takes a deep breath and calms down a bit, "I know that probably sounds surprising to you, but Zeref isn't the kind of person you think he is."

Irene does not respond. Zeref has always been a mysterious person in her life, but he's never given her reason to doubt him. It would honestly surprise her if Zeref does not offer his help to cure her.

"He'll do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, even if it means destroying people's lives.", Ultear turns away, "That's all I wanted to tell you. I wish you luck."

Ultear begins to walk away from the cell when Irene says, "I'm sorry to hear about your daughter."

Ultear stops in her tracks and pauses for a moment before saying, "I only hope Erza doesn't become another casualty. She's…endured enough already."

Ultear says the last part in a low whisper. No normal person would have caught what she has said, but thanks to her enhanced senses, Irene hears it clear as day.

Ultear leaves Irene alone with nothing but her thoughts in the prison beneath Castle Dragonfall. Irene can't help but smile though. She knows Erza is strong and she'll fight to the bitter end. Even if Irene can't be saved, she knows Erza will be just fine.

The plot thickens! What is Ultear doing here, and why does she want to find Zeref?

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