I own nothing except the plot.
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It was two days later that Kurino would force Arman's hand.
Everyone was at the Pradesh manor celebrating the two mated couples. The women left the men in one of the sitting rooms on the first floor while Xally and Emzadi led the women to a separate room.
"This is the Women's Room," Emzadi said, flinging the door open with a flourish. The design was eclectic with bits and bobs from all over Ishgar. The rug in the center looked Encan with its geometric pattern. The furniture was a cross between modern Boscan and Minstrellan with its plush cushions on wooden bases. The shelves held everything from well-read books to well-loved toys. It was obvious that the room had aged with them.
"We were outnumbered so Dad thought it would be a good idea for us to have a place strictly our own," Xally said. "You're family so feel welcome to our space." She plopped down into a chair that was merely a giant pillow.
"I'm not marrying one of your brothers," Evergreen said, hesitating before entering.
"Yeah, but you've put up with Bixy for nearly a decade. If anyone deserves an honorary spot, you do," Emzadi replied, pulling her into the room. "Now, let's see it."
"Huh?" Meredy asked.
"Your mate mark, of course," Lucy said with a giggle, sitting cross legged on one of the couches.
"Oh."
If it had been on fire, Meredy's mark would have reminded Lucy of a phoenix. The wings were open wide across her shoulder blades. Its head looked like it was resting on her shoulder making the dragon appear as if embracing her. The tail trailed down her spine before dipping into her shorts.
"We need to get you some clothes that show that off," Emzadi said.
"Agreed," Evergreen said as Meredy pulled her dress back up.
"Oo, I have that Altan dress that Cristoff got me during one of those times he joined Farron on a diplomatic assignment," Xally said.
"Maybe not get him a dress that he picked out for his sister?" Lucy commented blandly.
"Hm…that's valid." Meredy settled down next to Lucy.
"Not necessarily. He is Boscan and has no problem with Xally seducing anyone her heart desires. Except that asshole that you were crushing on in Capressa," Emzadi said. "It's not like we don't have time," she ultimately added with a shrug.
Emzadi's mark was easily seen. Its head was on her shoulder, the body wrapped around the back of her neck with its tail following the curve of her breast into her cleavage. Like hers, Laxus's was easily visible on his bicep with the tail wrapping possessively around his wrist.
"That thing that he does with his tongue? Yeah, it's amazing," Meredy said. "I have this bad tendency of creating a sensory link during sex. The feedback loop was amazing. Especially during sex itself."
"I told you," Lucy said. "That tongue should be treasured."
"I'm sure-"
"When are we gonna talk about you and Beck?" Lucy asked, diverting the attention that she could already sense Emzadi directing towards her.
"How long have you known?" Evergreen sputtered.
"Two weeks," Lucy said at the same time that Emzadi said, "A few months."
"That long?"
"Beck and I are friends," Emzadi said. "Sometimes friends with benefits. Besides, he's been friends with Kaleb since Kaleb joined White Sea. He's still considered Kaleb's partner even though he's the guildmaster now. He wanted to make sure he wasn't stepping on any toes when you started flirting with him."
"Interesting to know that you definitely have a type," Lucy commented. "Though, Beck is definitely more elfish with that long, green hair."
"It's a bit like Freed. Did you have a thing for Freed?" Xally asked.
"No! Ew. He's like a brother. A very flamboyantly gay brother. I just like big, muscular men, that's all."
"Who happen to be beast masters…"
Evergreen threw a pillow at Lucy, but she didn't quite have Lucy's aim. It ended up hitting Meredy. Before a pillow fight could start, there was a knock at the door.
"Lucy?" Farron said quietly when he opened the door.
"What's wrong?" Emzadi asked.
"The rumor that Kurino is using Succubus Venom- They think Lucy started it. Kurino is charging Lucy with libel."
Lucy glanced away from Farron and met Meredy's red eyes. She was the only female that knew about the plan. Bickslow and Erik both agreed not to say anything to the rest of the Thunder Legion. Freed would undoubtedly freak out and tell Farron. Evergreen would tell Laxus. And Laxus would go overprotective big brother. There were enough men doing that. That's why Lucy insisted on Meredy knowing so that there was some estrogen was in the room.
"About time," Meredy said as she and Lucy stood.
"I know." Kaleb?
I'm with Dad.
Keep him from doing something reckless. I don't want him to get in trouble after this.
Lucy entered the foyer and pressed her hand to Arman's back. "Don't worry."
Arman frowned. "I don't think that you appreciate how bad the situation is." He studied her calm demeanor. "You did this, didn't you? Why?"
"Because I needed to." Tell them on the way, she told Kaleb just before the guards from the palace put magic canceling cuffs on her and led her away.
.~*~.
Kurino was pacing in the large room. Her father, Altiene, was watching her over the papers he was reading while they waited. They were in one of the smaller courtrooms of the castle instead of the grand hall. It was a relatively mild libel case that he'd probably penalize with a fine. What concerned him was that it had taken his daughter two days to file charges. He'd seen Kurino penalize servants for bringing her the wrong food with a day in the dungeon. The woman, Lucy Heartfilia, was Fiorian gentry so he wouldn't put her in jail since dealing with King Toma wasn't worth it.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes, Father. Just bored," she lied.
When she'd first heard the rumor, she'd been shocked. The only people that she used the venom on were Kaleb and Cristoff, but she'd always felt secure in the knowledge that they'd never go against her. They had too much to lose. Then, it was traced back to Lucy.
For the first time, she felt dread. She'd lashed out at Kaleb for Lucy being Farron's date at Hisui's birthday ball. There'd been a moment that Kaleb's heart had stopped, and they'd had to get it going again. She should have stopped. She knew that, but she'd been so angry. Her father had told her that Farron was Promised. He told her to let Farron go.
Her spies within White Sea had informed her of how close Lucy was to all of the Pradesh men. Arman defending her had proven that. Half the guild thought Kaleb and Lucy hated each other while the other half thought they were well on their way to being Promised. She didn't know if Lucy was Farron's Promised, but Kurino was certain that Kaleb was important to her and she wanted to take that from her.
Lucy's rumor reached the castle before she'd had the opportunity to start her own. Her maid was going to 'gossip' to another that Kurino might be pregnant and that it had to be Kaleb's child. She wasn't, of course. The only child that she wanted to carry was Farron's. However, it would have forced Kaleb to accept being her consort. She'd even considered padding her clothing until her public miscarriage.
"Lucy Heartfilia: charged with libel against Princess Kurino of Bosco," a guard said as they led Lucy into the room.
Kurino's eyes narrowed as she scrutinized Lucy. She could see the appeal since her fair coloring was uncommon in Bosco. It turned heads. However, the bored expression annoyed her. Even as she saw the hatred belied by her eyes.
The Pradesh family filed in and took seats on the benches along the perimeter of the room.
"Lucy Heartfilia, did you start a rumor that my daughter, Princess Kurino, was in possession of Succubus Venom and used it on unwilling subjects?" Altiene asked.
"Yes."
Altiene set down his papers and looked at Lucy. He was surprised by her candid answer. As well as the fact that Arman and his entire family was present. He'd forgiven the man for sending away his son when they'd outlawed seith magic instead of turning him over. However, supporting a relative stranger despite his position was a foolhardy move.
"You acknowledge that libel is a crime?"
"It is neither libel or a crime to spread a truthful rumor. By my honor as a celestial mage, she has used Succubus Venom to rape. I request trial by combat to defend my assertion."
Altiene turned to Kurino. "You are the wronged party. It is your duty to defend yourself. Do you wish to concede or fight?"
"Fight. I haven't committed this crime."
"Guards, two swords please."
When they brought the two swords to Lucy and Kurino, they unlocked the magic cancelling bracelets as well. Kaleb let her into the joint link for a moment.
Blondie, we're gonna talk about stupid ideas later, Laxus told her.
Yeah, yeah.
Tink, kick her ass.
Is there any doubt?
The thoughts silenced as he pulled her out of the conversation. Be careful, Lucy. There was so much concern in his voice that she almost turned to look at him.
"This forcefield will allow magic and physical items in but not out," Altiene said. "May the Immaculate Light guide you."
Lucy wasn't a fan of swords. Capricorn insisted on training with them occasionally. Especially considering Cancer's stardress.
Then there'd been the one, ill-advised training session with Erza. It had been after Phantom Lord's attack and Levy talked her into it. Afterwards, both of them thought their limbs were going to fall off and they'd collapsed in Levy's room at Fairy Hills.
They circled one another, watching the other woman's defenses. She knew from the whip marks that Kurino was left-handed. She'd seen her own right-handed marks in trees enough times to recognize the pattern.
She lunged with the sword in her right hand. Kurino's grip was clumsy as she tried to parry the blow. Her movements were as she'd predicted. Even still, she wished that she'd listened to Capricorn more. Most of the cuts were shallow but they were infuriating to Kurino. Almost to the point that Lucy was deliberately leaving them shallow.
On the outside, Kaleb had two things going. The first was maintaining the connection between everyone. That was important because Arman was continually admonishing the dragonslayers that didn't like watching their kin, and queen, fight without them. Emzadi, in particular, agreed with Lucy's idea to burn the place down and be done with it.
The second was listening to Lucy's battle strategy. As princess, Kurino was the head of the Steel Council and the Knights. He'd seen her spar a few times, but it still surprised him that Lucy figured out her weaknesses that quickly. He hated that she was insisting on keeping her spirits out until she'd gotten her pound of flesh.
While Kurino's right hand wasn't her dominant, she managed the stop a downward blow from Lucy. She took advantage of their close proximity to kick Lucy's leg out from under her then knock the sword out of her hand.
"Yield," Kurino said with a smug smile and pointing the sword at her.
"Not likely," Lucy said.
Kurino was so busy gloating that she didn't see Lucy unwrap the rantai from her wrist. She wrapped the chain around the sword's guard, shifted out of the way, and pulled the sword from her hand.
Using a quick burst, Lucy got behind her, wrapped the rantai around her neck, and forced her to her knees. Kurino jerked, trying to get away, causing the chain to cut into her neck.
"Yield, or this chain will take your head off," Lucy said. Loke and Monoceros both appeared behind Lucy. They'd been waiting for Lucy to say 'yield'.
Seeing the two spirits, Kurino said, through clenched teeth, "I yield."
"Ceros, do you have it?" Lucy asked.
"Yes."
Altiene was already dismantling the shielding as well as calling the guards to check her apartment. Seeing a hint of smugness, Lucy told him to also have her ladies-in-waiting's quarters checked. The rage confirmed her suspicion.
"Ceros, give it to him."
Monoceros held out a small stack of papers. "This is the lab work done on the blood of one of her victims. As you can see, there's both a paralytic and the Succubus Venom. The only logical assumption can be that the person wasn't willing, so they had to artificially paralyzed and aroused. This is also the Immaculate Light in his blood. The person she raped was a knight. With the presence of the Immaculate Light, the amount of paralytic she would have needed, could have killed him. I also aided the DNA sequence of the Succubus Venom, so you can compare it to whatever she has left."
It took a few minutes for Altiene to read through the documents. "Do you swear on your honor as a celestial mage that these records are true?"
"I trust my spirit, so yes."
"I'll give them to my council when we discuss her execution," Altiene said causing Lucy to release Kurino in surprise but the guards immediately grabbed her.
"Father."
"No. I have overlooked too many of your transgressions as it is. But this-" Altiene glanced at Kaleb. While he wouldn't say it, there were few people, ever, to have such a high concentration of the Immaculate Light in their system. He couldn't protect Kaleb, but he could protect the guildmaster of White Sea.
It'll be your decision how you choose to handle it, Altiene said, knowing that Kaleb could hear the directed thought.
I'll make a formal statement at the hearing for her execution.
Altiene watched as the family left. This was going to be a mess.
.~.~.
Lucy scrambled up Cristoff's back and the lunar dragon slayer carried the exhausted woman. "I can't believe you doubted me," Lucy admonished Laxus.
"Actually, I think we owe Bix an apology for all the times we teased him about losing. I mean, she just kicked ass and that was by herself," Evergreen said.
"Agreed."
"I think we need to eat. And preferably somewhere with a better stocked bar than the one I have at home," Arman said.
"There's the place we went for my birthday," Xally said.
"I liked that place," Emzadi agreed. "And the bill for three dragon slayers getting wasted wasn't too bad."
"Agreed," Arman said.
Lucy glanced back at Kaleb. Are you all right?
Yes. I'm just thinking about my testimony at her execution. It'll open me up to scrutiny.
Maybe. But you kept it a secret to protect your family and the guild. He heard the pause and saw her snuggle into Cristoff's shoulder. He couldn't hear what was being spoken but he could see her responding to something Meredy said. Kaleb, you're my hero. And the hero to every person that's joined the guild. And the children that can't wait to grow up to join. This isn't going to change that. And as far as potential scrutiny, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't, so let it be tomorrow's problem.
He couldn't stop the small smile. Especially when she lifted her head to look at him. And when she saw his smile, she gave him one of her own.
Originally, I planned on Kaleb telling Lucy why Kurino was particularly mad, but realized that he wouldn't have to protect her. These last couple of chapters have required me to get out of his way a lot.