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King's Chambers
"I never thought that the Royal Harem has been shifted to your majesty's chambers." The Queen hissed venomously.
She looked at Erza disgustingly. "God, I hate her with all my guts, but still could not help admiring her spirit. She is burning me alive every moment with her convictions. I cannot help myself being envious of her. Why did the King had to fall for her when I was there for him?" thought she though the answer was painfully obvious.
She was everything what the Queen never was. Always fighting for a noble cause, fearless to do what she thinks is right and the iron will to go even against the supreme command to uphold her pride - that is what she would call a real woman and perhaps that was the reason why his majesty fell head over heels for her.
"What am I doing in their midst? I had been placed in the wrong place right from the beginning", thought she. It seems that His Majesty always needed someone like her from the beginning itself - someone headstrong who is courageous enough to correct his mistakes. She, Ultear was never that. She always went with the wind and never tried to resist him seriously. Maybe her upbringing had something to do with it. That is why she always hated her parents – for making her grow up as a noble woman and not as a warrior who is ready to face any challenge which is why she never understood his majesty and why their marriage was a failure from the get-go.
Though taken aback for a moment by the arrival of the Queen and her snide comment, the King regained his composure soon and retorted.
"I don't need your permission to shift it to wherever I please. Besides, you are overriding the basic royal etiquette of informing your arrival before entering the King's chambers. By the way, what makes you come here?"
"Of course, your majesty could do it. You are the King after all." Her lips curled in disdain. "I came here just to inform your majesty that I am leaving with my brother to my home-province and won't be returning any time sooner. If your majesty really feels the need for my presence, sending a messenger will be most welcome."
"Do I smell jealousy in the air? I don't otherwise see a need for you to leave the Capital." He said mockingly. "But if it could cool you off a bit, I just don't mind. But tell Fullbuster to meet me before your departure."
Then he called the maids and ordered to take Erza to the Royal Medic to heal her injuries. "If you please, my Queen, you may go with them as I think taking a couple of tablets before you go could make you feel better from your present unpleasantness."
"Out of all people, I didn't need your Majesty to show so much concern after what has just happened." She scoffed and after hastily bowing, marched out of the chambers followed by the maids carrying Lady Scarlet.
After a Week in a forest near Crocus, the Capital
It was pitch-black dark. Neither were there any signs of moon nor the stars popping up from the black blanket which now enveloped the sky. The birds and animals had gone to their shelters and started their peaceful slumber. But the nocturnal beings had woken up from their sleep and started to gaze for their prey. The silence was indeed eerie. The creepiness of the night made the sleeping birds awake. They opened their eyes and started chirping at this ungodly hour.
A white horse made its way quickly through the woods tearing the silence of darkness. The rider was draped in black and even his head and face were covered. But his black eyes were fiery and filled with strong determination and courage. The horse soon reached a pond and stopped. The rider expertly pulled the harness and loosened the rein motioning the horse to cross which the animal instantly obeyed.
They crossed the pond with ease thanks to the shallow water in the pond and continued their journey. After a while, the horse got tired and it was nearly about to collapse. The rider saw this; he pulled the bridle thus halting it and got down of it.
"Pretty tired, bro? I will check whether there is something to eat near-by for both of us," said the rider and made his way deep into the forests. He took an arrow from his back and readied his bow to shoot any wild animal in the vicinity had they attempted on his life. But none of them came in view. So he moved deeper into the jungle and to his luck there was a huge tree with berries which he saw from the flickering light of his torch which was about to extinguish.
He soon climbed on top of the tree and started gathering the berries and right when he finished his gathering, his torch went off.
"Darn it. It just had to go now." He cursed deep inside.
Suddenly he thought he saw a light in the woods. Being an expert travelling in jungles, he followed to find its source. Soon he reached a huge clearing space and to his amazement, many people were gathered there. From their looks, it seemed to him that they belonged to noble families with silky robes and precious jewelry adorning their bodies. There were nine of them like that. He hid behind the tree to find what was actually going on as he smelt something suspicious in the air for them to be in a place like this.
"Viceroy Iwan Dreyar, it seems that Grand Duke Fullbuster seemed to ignore our summons. Same goes for Countess Belno and Marquis Warrod Seiken. But I still say, that was to be expected as they were always loyal to the Old King though I expected them to shift their loyalties as they weren't too fond of the new King," reported the huge Duke Jiemma Orlando.
"Nothing new still other than Duke Scarlet turning tails", said Archduke Gran Doma. "All of us were ready to rally behind him for his daughter's cause and arouse the public sentiment against the King. But alas, in the end, he and his daughter turned out to be the greatest loyalists."
"Thinking of how we thought of using him as the pawn and play behind the scenes to bring down the King…" sighed Baroness Daphne. She was the only female in their group. "But since the King is madly in love with her, he has focused his whole of attention on her rather than the affairs of the country. So, this is precisely the right moment to strike."
"We have gathered here at this ungodly hour to draw the Magnacarta," stated Lord Org nonchalantly. "It is high time we remind him to treat us as equals and not as someone subservient to him."
"Easy there, Org", chimed Count Michello. "I request the council that it is high time we release the red scroll."
"I hope we have the blessing of His Excellency to ban the amateur King; you know, even Old King trembles at his word." It was the turn of Lord Crawford.
Earl Leiji nodded silently to whatever his fellow lords said and remarked. "We'll defy the King's command by not paying the tribute, recalling back our forces in the military and declaring independence to our provinces after the release of Red scroll. Anyway, our forces are the back-bone of the army and calling them back makes the army too vulnerable."
"We also have the silent support of Kings of Frostia, Queen of Edolas and King of Tenrou along with his excellency. They are ready to lend their army any moment to put an end to the ambitions of our great King as they consider him as a fearsome enemy to their territories." Crawford was beaming with confidence and was holding a scroll showing the letters of support from all those three kingdoms.
Meanwhile Archduke Jose chose to remain silent curiously watching the proceedings with a cold sneer on his face as if to make fun of his mates but finally said. "You should not underestimate the power of Commander Laxus Dreyar. He is a charismatic man who could unify the whole Fiorian army under his command. Not to mention his undying loyalty to the King which could very well be an obstacle to our rose-colored plans. So, I suggest removing him from his post by any means before we execute our plans."
"Isn't he your brat, Iwan?" Arch Duke Gran Doma asked haughtily.
"I don't care whether he lives or dies like he won't care to cut me down once our plan is brought into open. What I seek is power and nothing else." Iwan Dreyar retorted.
"It isn't beyond question that Laxus should be removed from his post or separated from the King," pondered Crawford while brushing his white beard with his hands. "Not to mention, there are also loyalists like Captain of Guards Erik, 4 Great Generals - Neekis, Clive, Stinger and Byro, Grand Duke Silver Fullbuster and his son, Prime Minister Doranbolt and his council of ministers, the Strauss Siblings and the tribal head, Metallicana Redfox. The Dragon legion commanded by Igneel Dragneel could also be brought into the fray once the Kingdom is in turmoil though he has retired from service. To be added to the woe is the fact that Jellal himself is one of the stronger fighters and is really a handful with his charisma, wits and combat prowess."
"Which means, any direct confrontation should be foremost avoided and the first step should be to isolate him from everyone and then banish. Here is where I put Lady Scarlet. She is now his bodyguard and has bad blood for him. But he is madly in love with her. So feeding him with a lethal dose won't be a big deal. Or if she is unwilling to do it, we can ask any harem ladies to do that and put the blame on Lady Scarlet." Iwan Dreyar curled his lips while suggesting his devious plans.
"Why don't we enlist Mikazuchi household amongst us? Lady Kagura Mikazuchi, Lord Simon's sister has sent a letter to me showing her interest to co-operate with us to bring the King down for what he has done to them." It was Gran Doma again.
Everyone nodded in agreement and after a series of arguments, they came to the conclusion that since the King cared for public more than the nobles and was curbing their rights to prove his supremacy, they need to expel or execute him at all costs. They lit a huge torch of light in their middle, stood in a circle and then raised their right hand forward to take the oath. Their faces showed greed and steely determination to bring down the King at all costs.
"We, the Deca Conglomerate of Nobles hereby solemnly pledge not to rest until we bring down the King and we would be loyal to each other and never resort to back-stab one amongst us. We will maintain the code of secrecy in Public and until the release of Red scroll, shall remain silent."
At that moment, a branch creaked under the feet of the rider hidden in the woods in his excitement and all of them turned back to see who the intruder was.
"After him, Erigor at all costs", screamed Jiemma Orlando. A huge man with silvery hair and a black tattoo on his face with the appearance of the grim reaper took his blow darts and sent it to the rider. The rider dodged and ran in the darkness to where his horse stood. Erigor and his associates followed and continued the assault with their poisonous arrows. One or two arrows did hit the rider. But he never stopped and finally reached his horse. He mounted on the horse and unfastened the reins. Taking the cue, the animal ran though it was tired to save his master. Erigor and his associates followed him for some distance but could not help when the rider finally vanished as a tiny speck in the horizon.
Outskirts of Crocus
Lucy was busy making her way through the streets on her favorite white horse, Nicholas to reach the Shrine of tribals along with her most trusted assistants. It was not like she was going there to pray or something. But she received a message the previous day from the Tribal Prince that he wanted to meet her alone to transfer some important information regarding the impending doom to the Kingdom.
She could not meet him in the day-time due to the prying eyes of the King and the nobles. So, she dressed up at night as a man and took some of her most skilled and trusted accomplices with her to meet the Prince.
She had the help of the Head of Black Ops, Dan Straight to slip through the guards to slip out of the castle as he was deeply infatuated with her though he knew that she was unattainable and never had any feelings for him.
"Princess Lucy, it seems that our destination is closer", said her closest acquaintance Hisui, who was a stunning lady with greenish hue on her hair, pale complexion and height the same as Lucy.
Lucy nodded and increased the speed of her horse. But suddenly she was forced to pull back the reins as a horse suddenly crossed their path and stood still on the way and it seemed like it was pleading for help before it finally collapsed. Lucy gestured her chief body guard Arcadios to check what the deal is when she saw that the rider was unconscious on the top.
Arcadios went quickly to the horse on his black horse and lifted the rider. With the help of the guards, he put him down and started removing the scarf which covered the rider's face. The rider was very young and he flicked his eyes for a moment and mumbled.
"The King is in danger. The Red scroll…" he could not complete as his consciousness was slowly getting encroached by poison.
Lucy now dismounted from the horse and asked earnestly, "brave warrior, what is your name?"
"Na… Natsu… Natsu Dragneel…., his eyes closed and it seemed that he is now completely unconscious.
Arcadios checked him and said, "Your ladyship, I think a lethal dose of poison has entered his body. Only the antidote of tribals could save him."
Lucy quickly mounted the horse and commanded. "Friends, what are we waiting for? Let us quickly make it to the tribals and save him." She rode the horse expertly in Godspeed. The guards took the cue and followed her in the similar manner after placing Natsu Dragneel on one of their horses.
Lady Scarlet's Chambers
Lady Scarlet had recovered pretty fast. That day, she was wearing a black full sleeve high collared tight top which extended up to her waist and black tights which was tucked into her boots. Her scarlet hair was put into a pony tail.
The King did not visit her at all during that week as he was pretty busy in solving the 'border crisis' initiated by the King of Frostia. Princess Yukino had been cleverly 'smuggled' into Crocus thanks to the ingenuity of the young officer MiraJane Strauss. Prince Sting was more than enough to deal with the royal guards at Frostia given his combat prowess. Both Sting and Yukino were shifted to the summer palace and the security was tightened there, the charge of which was given to Vice General Azuma, one of the 'tough nuts' in the palace.
Lady Scarlet was examining her sword from her bed when a knock was heard at her door which she promptly opened and was quite surprised when the Chamberlain came in and announced the name of her visitor as the mention of even the name of that particular family was considered a taboo among royal circles.
Erza scanned her visitor thoroughly with her eyes and said. "May I know the reason for your arrival, Lady Kagura Mikazuchi?"
Kagura was a tall slim woman with huge bosoms and elegant looks. Her long black hair was divided into fringes slightly falling into her stone-cold eyes. She had covered her body completely in her white blazer with golden lining that had a collared white shirt underneath and black tights which was neatly tucked into her boots. Her face lacked any sort of emotion.
"Should there be any reason for me to visit my sister-in-law who has now become the Knight of evil?" Her remark was cold.
"You don't understand the situation which is why….." Erza was cut in the middle by Kagura's hand-gesture.
"I take it that you are pretending to be his Knight to deceive him and thus attempt on his life when he is unguarded." Kagura said icily.
"You highly misunderstand me, Kagura. I have my own principles and pride. I am a warrior and not a maiden fueled by revenge who considers her feelings more important than her province or even the Kingdom. I will not attempt a life which I am supposed to guard for the sake of my people." Erza's convictions were reflected in her eyes.
"Where were your principles when he was deserted on the battle field to be killed? Wasn't it just for your sake that his life was taken away? And yet, you talk for the person who did not bat his eye when he issued the order to kill. Great progress, Erza Scarlet!" She scorned and continued. "But this does not change anything. Even if you have chickened from your resolve, I will do the needful to erase any single trace of him as he killed my only brother who cared and looked after me after the death of our parents."Sweat beads popped on the fore-head of Kagura.
"I will try my level best to prevent you from doing so as I don't want to see again the death of someone close to me as I had enough until now." Erza tried to comfort her with her kind words.
"Kagura pushed Erza's hand from her shoulders and said. "Then be ready for it, Erza Scarlet. Starting from this moment, I will try my level best to attempt on his life from the shadows. If you have to stop me, you will have to take my life." Saying this, a furious Kagura marched out of her chambers leaving Erza awe-struck with her mouth wide-opened with apprehension and worry.
Old King's Chambers
"Grandpa, why did you ask me to come?" asked Jellal wiping his mouth after dining with his Grandpa in his chambers. He was wearing a black long-coat with golden trimmings under which a collared white sleeveless jacket with green lining and a high collared tight black vest was worn. His dark-blue pants were tucked into his boots.
"Jellal, you had proved that you have what it takes to be a great king. But still, you are at times immature and make your heart take important decisions which is not good for a King. You have to think yourself as a separate entity and drain all your feelings to waste bin when you sit on the throne and take important decisions", said the Old King patting the back of his grandson.
"I take it that you were trying to point out about the Lady Scarlet fiasco." Jellal got up from the table and turned his back to his Grandpa. "I agree that I have misused my position there which I should not have done as a King responsible to his subjects. But Grandpa, to be truthful, she was the only person who dared to speak against me and I feel that she threatens me with her free spirit and reckless drive which could very well be a voice of rebellion against the Kingdom and my position as the King."
"I am happy that you catch up things quickly," got up the wise short old man. "But you should be careful when you deal with such things as you are too young with plenty of adrenaline in your veins. Still, I am curious. Why did you really want her as a bodyguard rather than a consort?"
"I respect her fighting skills which are of tall order and I wanted to show it to her why is it necessary to rule with an iron hand and how unification of territories could bring an end to wars."
Then he smiled naughtily, "I admit that I do am enchanted by her beauty and committed a worst folly of allowing Simon to marry her. One of the main reasons behind that was I did not want to see her as a concubine, but as my Queen, which unfortunately could not have happened owing to my early marriage. But still Grandpa, even though I tried, I could not get her out of my mind and want her very badly by my side. When she resists, something inside me snaps, awakening the demon inside me and unleashing it at its full force, thus crushing whatever is there on its path."
"But son, as a King, you should conquer yourself before trying to conquer your enemy and lay check to your feelings." The Old man squeezed his grandson's palm.
"I know Grandpa, which is why I tried not to meet her for one week and I promise that I will do my level best to hold the demon inside me under tight control. I also swear that I will not physically assault her by any means and if I do so, I will have me whipped a hundred times." His clear voice spoke his real feelings. After kissing his Grandpa's palm, he bent on one knee and asked for leave.
Old King Makarov kissed his forehead and blessed him with tears in his eyes.
Mirajane's Chambers
Major General MiraJane Strauss could not hold her embarrassment when she was pulled into a tight embrace by the colossal muscular figure before her. She had long silver hair put into a pony tail. She was clad in a white sleeveless low collared top extending up to her hips and white pants tucked into her boots. She had large beautiful eyes and was really pretty as well as sexy.
"How was the mission, sweet-pie?" Laxus asked ravishing her skin with his hot breathe.
"Did I fail in any mission so far?" She asked naughtily tracing the contours of his muscular back.
"How could you when you are the Queen of disguise and well-versed in combat, my sweet demon?" He held her face within his arms and planted a kiss on her cheeks before speaking these words.
"Repeat it and I am going to punish you for the night." She said smiling wide.
"Oh! Oh! I'd like to see that." Laxus passionately kissed her on her lips which further deepened. But he was not satisfied. So, he took it to the next level with his tongue. Mirajane was also not to be under-estimated. She fought equally well in the battle of love for dominance. They were so engrossed in their passion that little did they realize the approaching doom to the castle and hence their very lives.