AN: Wow, a consecutive update on one story after two months? It's a miracle (Although I should be working on another one...and several others...)! I hope this one compensates for the last chapter, which was considerably shorter than par (but this one is kind of rushed near the end, sry guise). Hopefully, I can get more updates out of the way soon enough. The usual is appreciated.
Enjoy.
Ciao. c:
"Mistress, your tea," the pink-haired maid spoke, setting down a silver platter donned with a teapot, a teacup, and two slices of a simple, yet decadent strawberry shortcake. Lucy sighed through her nose as she watched Virgo pour the tea into the cup.
"Earl Grey again, is it?"
"Yes, Mistress," Virgo replied, setting down the teapot once she had filled the cup to the brim. Lucy said nothing and simply glared hatefully at the cup.
"You know I despise tea, Virgo."
"You must learn ladylike etiquette and tastes, Mistress. It is only natural for a noblewoman serving the—"
"Royal family of Fiore, I know, Virgo. Father has given me the lecture countless times; I don't need you parroting his words." Lucy looked up from the cooling cup of tea to stare into the blank eyes of her maid. A subtle chill raked at her skin; there was something unnerving about Virgo's pupil-less stare. Then, all of a sudden, a small smile broke Virgo's indifferent mask. That unnerved Lucy even more. "W-what is it?"
The maid shook her head softly, but the smile did not go away. "Nothing, Mistress," she bowed slightly. "I hope you enjoy your tea."
And with that same smile implanted on her face, Virgo left Lucy's study without a word.
Lucy furrowed her brow as she stared at the closed door, almost as if she expected the answer to Virgo's ambiguity to walk through. When nothing happened, she stood from her chair and walked towards the lone, giant window that was behind her desk. Silently, she stared at the jagged horizon of Magnolia's buildings, the sun now beginning to rest behind the skyline. Her focus eventually turned to her own reflection, wordlessly observing it.
So much has happened. It seemed like it was only yesterday that Mama had passed away. But now that Father is gone too… Lucy shook her head solemnly. I wonder if the princess will soon be in my position.
There was a heavy creak that filled the air as the door opened and then slammed closed. Lucy smiled despite herself, but did not look away from the window.
"Is our Mistress ever so smitten with the General?" Loki asked as he settled in place next to Lucy, staring out the window with her. The blonde gave a quizzical look towards her butler. He said nothing, instead pointing into the direction of the field below. Lucy caught sight of a red, and her heart leaped in her chest. Her glee must have shown on her face because soon after, Loki let out a laugh. "I can see now why Virgo was smiling as I walked past her."
Lucy could feel her cheeks burn slightly as she watched the General shout at a pink-haired soldier wearing a scarf (that seemed to be made out of scales, for some reason) and accompanied by a blue cat with a green bag. The man seemed to shrivel in fear. Next to him, another soldier (who was strangely devoid of all clothing except his underwear) snickered but quickly stopped as the General snapped at him to "shut the hell up".
"A true prodigy," she mumbled under her breath. Despite the fact that the General was only several years older (Lucy was eighteen), the blonde could not help the feeling of adoration surge through her. "To rise from humble beginnings and gain such a prestigious position in the family's army…the General is an inspiration to all."
"Indeed she is, considering the General is a female as well," Loki smiled a smile as he adjusted his glasses. "But you would know out of all people, wouldn't you, Lucy?" She said nothing. Picking up on her silence, Loki coughed and bowed. "Well, I'm off to finish my duties for the day." And just like Virgo, he went away without another word.
Lucy stayed where she was only for several more seconds before turning away from the window, and settling her gaze on the teacup. Frowning, she walked over to her desk and picked it up from the china platter it sat on, looking into her murky reflection in the liquid. She sighed, rippling her reflection, and gingerly took a sip, the now cool tea leaving an unpleasant aftertaste in her mouth.
I suppose one cup wouldn't hurt. She then thought back to the General and smiled. And I suppose a visit to her quarters wouldn't hurt either.
-x-
"Erza," Lucy quietly called out, emerging from the shadows as she approached the armor-clad General. Erza jumped and quickly brandished her sword, the tip only a few, dangerous inches away from the noblewoman's throat. Lucy nearly passed away from the shock, and simply stared at the blade in front of her before sighing quick relief as the General sheathed her sword.
"M-M'lady! Forgive me I thought you were a bandit or a scoundrel!" She bowed deeply, her red locks falling past her face. Lucy gave a small smile.
"It's okay Erza, I shouldn't have surprised you the way I did. You may rise." Erza complied, but her gaze was on the floor, her expression darkened with shame. She was always uptight, even when we were children. "And please, call me by my first name, Erza. Don't act as if we are strangers."
The General frowned. "But—"
"No one is going to reprimand you if that's what you are worried about." The redhead's hesitation was very unsure as she slowly looked up to meet Lucy's eyes. The blonde felt her smile grow bigger. "After all, you used to call me by my name when we were younger."
Erza shook her head defiantly. "It goes against the order of our ranks."
"Are you refusing an order, General?"
The redhead seemingly froze for a moment before smiling. "You're as pushy as ever, Lucy."
"And you're as stubborn as ever."
"Old habits die hard, I suppose. And it looks like your habit of sneaking out is a prime example." Erza's smile turned into a subtle smirk.
Lucy merely shrugged and tugged her cloak around her tighter, seeking feeble warmth against the cool, evening air. "It's been a while since we've spent some time with one another. May I stay with you for a while, tonight?"
The knight's look of uncertainty came back like a tide, washing away the smirk on her face. "M'lady, I don't think—"
"Lucy," she shot back.
"…Lucy, I don't think—"
"Oh Erza, when will you learn that titles are nothing but words?"
This shut Erza up. With a resigned sigh, the General opened the door and stepped aside. Lucy gave a smile and walked in.
The General's quarter's was fairly small, about the size of Lucy's study. There was a bed pushed off to the side where the window was, a desk near the back along with several bookshelves, and a door off to the side that most likely led to a bathroom. The room was sparsely decorated, with only a small map on the wall while various pieces of armor and weaponry were haphazardly strewn about. Lucy took note on where to step.
"Sorry about the mess, m'lady—er, Lucy. It's been a long fortnight…" Erza sighed for the umpteenth time that evening and made way to her desk, picking up bits and pieces that she deemed too dangerous for the Heartfilia heiress to step on. She eventually picked up a breastplate that covered up a chair and safely placed it away in a corner. Erza gestured to the chair. "Go ahead and sit. I'll fix us some tea and dessert."
Lucy frowned on instinct at the mention of tea. "Can't you settle with water?"
The General smiled at this as she rummaged about the room, pulling out a tray and finding pieces of a mediocre tea set. "Unfortunately I cannot fully unwind without a cup of tea and a slice of cake." Setting all the pieces on the tray, Erza quickly walked towards the door. "I'll be back soon, Lucy."
The blonde could only shake her head and smile. Casually, she took in a breath, already feeling at ease.
She always had a strange way of comforting me when we were children. I suppose it's still true, after all this time.
-x-
"I take it you're doing well?" Lucy asked, waiting patiently as Erza poured tea into her cup. She thanked her quietly before taking a sip, then frowned. It was Earl Grey again.
"Well, yes, I am. I mean, the skill of this year's recruits is absolutely outstanding. I'm sure the Princess will be most pleased." The pride in Erza's voice made Lucy smile. It always touched the blonde's heart to see the redhead so passionate in everything she did. Her drive was something that Lucy always loved.
Over the course of their conversation, however, Lucy began to focus more on Erza herself than her words. The blonde admired her sleek, feminine body; her red, flowing hair; her charming, homely brown eyes; the faint build of muscles after years of toning and training; and most of all, the small smile that Lucy absolutely loved.
"And that pink-haired fool—Natsu, was his name?—always fooling around with his cat of his—"
"Do you remember that game we used to play when we were children? The one where I would command you to do an order of my bidding and you would follow what I said, regardless of how ridiculous said request was, and if you succeeded, then I gave you a small reward?"
Erza seemed thrown off by the sudden change of subject. She stayed quiet for a minute before saying, "Yes, what of it?"
An almost coy smile lit up Lucy's face. "Shall we play a short game?"
"H-honestly Lucy, I don't think that—"
Erza met Lucy's serious stare and almost visibly winced. "…Well, I suppose I can."
"Good." Lucy cleared her throat and stood from where she sat. "I command you, General of the Royal Army, to escort me to my quarters to ensure I return safely."
The corner of the General's mouth tilted downwards in a slight frown before nodding, standing from her seat, and quietly making her way to the door. Lucy followed her trail closely.
Together they walked through stone corridors, the only light coming from the torches that hung at regular intervals. Their steps echoed off the walls, the only sound cracking the glass of silence. Once they reached a flight of stairs, Erza slipped her hand into Lucy's and gently guided her up. The noblewoman tightened her grip on the General's hand ever so slightly with nostalgia flowing through her veins. Lucy opened her mouth to speak, but Erza said spoke first.
"We're here, m'lady."
"Reverting back to titles, are we?" Lucy smiled softly.
"Well, it was part of the game."
Lucy laughed and squeezed Erza's hand in thanks before releasing it. "Nonetheless, thank you General. I think it's time for a proper reward. Please, close your eyes."
The redhead scrunched her nose in confusion but did what she was told, standing still like some kind of statue; a perfect statue with beauty beyond comprehension. Lucy stared on, her heart thumped in her chest with savage intensity, steeling herself for the moment that she had been yearning for all these years, where she could finally, finally, express her true feelings to Erza.
Closing her eyes as well, Lucy leaned in and kissed Erza.
It took a moment for the shock to dwindle away from the redhead, but when it did, Erza happily reciprocated Lucy's actions. They kissed and kissed and kissed, and Lucy was ecstatic that the General hadn't pushed her away.
That night was a dream come true, the sweet, sweet taste of Earl Grey on Lucy's lips.