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Queen's Chambers
Lets rewind the clock 2 hrs backwards.
Queen Ultear's joy knew no bounds when she saw her younger brother. Lord Gray Fullbuster was indeed a tall handsome young man(not as tall as the King) with raven hair and stunning features. He was wearing a white long-coat under which a black turtle-neck jacket was worn. His navy blue pants were neatly tucked into his boots. A navy blue cape adorned his back-side. He wore a silver chain with cross-shaped pendant which symbolized the family crest.
The Queen greeted him with a smile and promptly hugged him. She asked the maid to bring tea.
"Gray, you have become thin. Are you not eating enough?" She asked.
"I could ask the same of you. By the way, are you happy?" He was concerned.
The Queen put a fake smile and said, "What is there for me to not be happy? After all, I am the Queen of one of the powerful empires"
"Sis, I was asking about your life with his highness."
Ultear turned her back to him and said. "Gray, it is better to leave some things unsaid. But still, I am proud to be his majesty's wife. It may not look like it to others. But his majesty loves and cares for me greatly."
"I understand, sis. It is indeed a pity that his highness does not understand your feelings. I hope that it will change, once you become pregnant." Gray spoke holding her shoulders with both of his hands as a token of assurance.
Ultear blushed deep red. "I think then that everything is going to be alright soon as I think I am pregnant with his majesty's child."
Gray never felt so happy in his life. He lifted her and rocked her in circles. Both of them were panting when he put her down.
"Was it confirmed?" Gray asked curiously.
"The Royal medic will examine me tomorrow and after the official examination, it will be confirmed." She blushed again.
"Oh! How I wish this news is true?" Gray smiled.
The maid had brought tea then and both of them took a cup.
"By the way, what is this news about Lady Scarlet being captured by his highness? As soon as I got the wind of it, I could not help but come and inquire." Gray asked while sipping his tea.
Ultear placed the tea-cup on the tray and got up. She did not show anything outwardly. But a keen observer like Gray could see the hardening of the eyes and shaking of her lips.
"I don't have much information about it. You may ask the Highness directly if you want to know the truth."
"I know this Lady Scarlet from the last two wars that we had. She was indeed feisty and was singularly enough to defeat a platoon. She fought so gracefully with her two swords that it seemed that she was actually dancing with them in air. His highness was there with me at that time disguised as a common soldier and even he was awe-struck." Gray mused.
"Was his highness meeting her for the first time, then?" Ultear could not help but ask.
"I think so. It seemed to me that his Highness actually went and befriended her during that time. She did not know that he was the King during those two wars. Even though she was a warrior, she hated wars as it could wipe out innocent people too. So, she hated the power-hungry monarch behind the war. She later understood that the common soldier whom she befriended was the same power-hungry monarch who she hated with all her guts. In order to stay away from him, she readily consented for the marriage with Simon and we all know what happened after that." Gray stopped and drank his tea. Then he continued.
"I have got the summons to assemble for the royal court tomorrow. I think I'd better watch what is happening there. But if his highness plans to hurt you, I would stand up against him even if it might cost my life."
"Never Gray, never. You should not do that. You should always be on his side like a shadow to protect him and to never let him go astray. That is what you should do for me, if you are my kid-brother." She smiled and patted his back.
"Kid-brother? Sis, I am just a year younger than you and his highness." Gray pinched her playfully on her cheek.
Next Day Morning
The Royal court was assembled in all its glory. The Council of Lords and the Public Council occupied their respective seats. Then came the Council of Ministers and finally the Prime Minister and the Commander-in-Chief. The members of royal family had already occupied their seats. The last person to come in was the King himself. The crowd applauded at his arrival and started to raise their hands up saying "hail the king" and saluting him. He raised his hands to the crowd gesturing them to sit while he regally walked and sat on the throne.
He wore a purple long-coat and gold-plated armor inside with a purple cape with the empire insignia hanging from his back. His black pants were tucked into his golden boots and he wore gold-plated hand-guards on both of his hands. A golden chain with a heart-shaped pendant laced his neck. Contrary to his usual appearance, he had worn a golden crown embellished with rare gems and precious diamonds on his fore-head.
"Let the discussions begin." He ordered the attendant.
The Public Council put their grievances on a piece of paper and submitted it to the King. "The council of ministers will study about it and do the needful." He assured asking the Prime Minister Doranbolt to collect the paper.
Next was the turn of the army chief, Laxus. He voiced the movement of Frostia across the border. The court was silent for a moment and each of them looked at the other. Taking the cue, the King said, "It is being taken care of already. General Neekis, General Stinger and Vice General Macbeth have already been deployed in the border."
Again the cheer, "hail the king" was echoed in the hall which stopped again after the King's gesture.
Next was the turn of Council of Lords. Lord Org stood up and asked. "We want to know the truth about Lady Scarlet. I hope we do have the right for that."
The King called the Commander-in-chief and asked him to bring Lady Scarlet before the court.
After five minutes, she was brought into the court chained. She looked haggard and sick and was really finding it difficult to walk after the thrashing she received yesterday from the King himself.
The King curiously watched her approaching the court. Lord, it seems that she has become sexier after that beating. His mind chanted the mantra 'I won't give her to anyone even at the cost of the kingdom.'
As soon as she was brought, the charges against her were read aloud. "Capital offense of trying to attack the King without a reason, but was caught in the process and held captive."
"Do you have anything to say in this regard?" the Jury asked her.
"No", she said feebly. "I accept the charge."
The jury started to read the charge. "Since the accused has already consented, the verdict is…"
"Stop it", roared the King. "Do I have to ask the Jury that did they forget the basic courtroom etiquette of questioning the accuser?"
Everyone in the courtroom looked at each other and murmured something in the other's ears.
"Order, Order." The Jury shouted.
"But the accuser is your highness himself. So, we thought….." One of the Jury members gulped at the loss of words.
"With due respect, I have to disagree with the jury." The King removed his Crown and placed it on the throne before descending the stairs. "The accuser is the State and not me, Jellal Fernandez. The State misinterpreted the situation and created a falsified report in order to conceal the pitfalls in their security administration. They needed a scapegoat for this and easily got access of an injured Knight who was supposed to be the enemy of the Kingdom." The King took a pause and continued.
"In other words, this brave Knight who came with her father to meet the King accidentally happened to pass the way where the assault took place. Her blood boiled when she saw the assailant striking the King and she stroke him back. In the process, she got badly injured and lost her consciousness. The assailant fled with mortal injuries and was nowhere to be seen. So, the palace security put all the blame on her head knowing her bad blood with King and framed her."
The crowd started whispering and murmuring loudly and the Jury had to shout to maintain order.
"Does your highness have the proof to back up your claim?" The Jury chorused in unison.
"I do." The King gestured the guards and they brought a suspicious looking fellow. "Actually he is the one who tried to kill me. Do you accept the charge, Aria?"
"I do, Highness. Had it not been for that girl, I would have killed you." Aria replied scratching his head.
"And why would you do so?" The King pondered.
"Because I am an assassin sent by one of the enemy Kings." Aria replied nonchalantly.
"Any proof for what you have said?" Aria handed over a letter to the guards, which was handed over to the Jury and they began to test the authenticity of the seal on the letter.
"It seems the letter is genuine. But why did you turn tails and revealed everything which is unusual of any assassin?" The Jury asked.
"Anyway, she spoiled my reputation. So, I wanted to glorify my name before I go. To attempt the life of one of the most powerful monarchs is an honor by itself. Anyway, I will be killed. So, I wanted the world to know it before I go."
The next question was to the Captain of the Guards, Erik known as Cobra. "How did you catch him?"
Cobra bowed before the Jury and said. "Due to the wounds and blood loss, he fell unconscious before the Guards' station and we caught and questioned him."
The Jury discussed the matter among themselves and then presented the final verdict. "Home department is hereby strictly warned against falsifying charges. We hereby acquit Lady Scarlet of all the charges against her and set her free. Aria is to be taken to custody and investigation should be done at the earliest.
Nobody noticed the twisted smile that formed on the King's face and how Cobra nodded his head in response. He went and sat on his throne and put the crown back on his head. "I think it is high time to reward the valiant warrior who saved the Kingdom's future."
He gestured and the maid brought a beautiful Sapphire and Ruby necklace. He asked the Prime Minister Doranbolt to present it to Lady Scarlet. Amidst the applause, Doranbolt presented it to her which she reluctantly accepted not ready to create another drama.
"I hereby pronounce Lady Scarlet as my Chief Bodyguard who will remain with me 24/7 and protect me from the impending dangers." The King proclaimed to which the crowd applauded.
She was about to refuse when Cobra came closer and whispered in her ears. "If you don't want that innocent Aria to be executed, accept the deal and just be his majesty's woman. Else, we'll publicly humiliate you like this and mind it, you won't even get words to respond with."
"The Court is adjourned." Proclaimed the King and marched out of it. She was compelled to follow him as she now was to serve as his bodyguard whether she liked it or not. She should say that she was amazed as she never expected this move from the King.
She now understood the meaning behind his words. "I will see to it that you understand what it is to be a King and what it is to be a subject." Sure, he showed her what a King could do. Now, she will show him what a subject could do. If straight-forwardness does not get its course, she will also be twisted, thought she. Simon's face popped in her mind. He was an innocent soul. Though not powerful as her, he had an innocent heart which cared for his fellow beings.
She remembered her first meeting with the King. He was dressed as an ordinary soldier and was working under her. She did not even know that he was the King at that time. But during the battle, his mad skills kept on reminding her that he was hiding something. When she cross-questioned him, he just brushed it off saying that he is an assassin who is fond of front-line fighting. In order to keep this as a secret from his family, he is keeping low profile.
Then they became friends and she introduced Simon to him. They both were just like brothers. They fought, ate, drank, slept and played together. Still, how could he….. Isn't he a human or a devil clothed in human outfit? He does not have any regard for the precious thing called life. He would eliminate anyone for his ends. Life is nothing but a game of Chess for him and he looks the whole world just as his pawns.
"I will show him life isn't just a game of Chess and it has got value associated with it. It isn't just about conquest but also of bonds. I swear that I will teach him the value of bonds and make him really atone before Simon's grave. This is my pledge to myself." She took an oath deep in her mind.
She was so engrossed in her thoughts that little did she notice that they had reached the King's chambers. He came up to her with a cold sneer and caught her hair forcefully with his strong arms and slammed his lips on to hers biting it and thus drawing out blood from it. She did not have the strength to resist his assault as she was tired from the previous day's thrashing that she had received.
Taking full advantage of the situation, he pulled her closer by putting one of his arms around her waist and forcefully entered his tongue on to the deep crevices of her mouth exploring it and savoring her as a whole all the while groping her breasts with his free arm. She stood like a rag-doll devoid of movement.
"Hmmmmmmmm." His assault on her body was stopped by the coughing sound from the door. Nobody dared to disturb him in his chambers. So he turned back irritatingly to see who the intruder was and was taken aback when he saw the Queen before him.