Thx guys for the wonderful reviews. It helps me a lot to understand your thoughts about the story and thus make attempt to make it good. Also, thx for the faves and follows.

This is my New Year Gift and is the lengthiest chapter until now. Do R/R.

"I don't believe this, Grand Duke Fullbuster. He seems more like an impostor to me." Atlas Flame twitched his brows and said.

"But the way he behaved now…. It's ….. It's oddly similar to our Lord. Not to mention the combat style." Cobra then went close to him and stood on his knees. "You may execute me Lord, for being such an incompetent idiot."

"Same here, Lord." Azuma said bowing and bending his knees in shame.

"I will check the smell, Uncle Atlas and say whether he is an impostor or not," said Natsu deeply inhaling and then exhaling.

"What are you? A dog?" Gajeel's voice was contemptuous.

"Stupid, I grew up in the jungle till 10 when my father found me. So I have heighten…..what was that again, Uncle Atlas?"

"Heightened perception." Atlas Flame replied still not taking his eyes off from the 'impostor.'

"Ah! That's it. Shall I try?" Natsu was highly enthusiastic.

"This is not a time for joking, flame-brain. Can't you understand the situation? The future of Kingdom is at stake." Gray Fullbuster scoffed.

"Will all of you stop?" Every one turned back and saw Lucy coming out from her hiding place. "I know my brother more than anyone. I can easily prove whether he is Vince Gale or not."

"There is an insignia in Vince Gale's cape which he scrawled in all the warning letters he issued to the Lords before deciding their judgment. Do you remember?"

Most of them nodded. She continued. "That insignia was how people recognized him wherever he went. One day, I came across such a warning letter in the castle when I was in Prime Minister's chambers with Older Brother. He was explaining to Brother that how a threat called Vince Gale could actually be a blessing in disguise as he did what they wished to do but couldn't because of politics, from shadows. Soon a messenger came and brother's attention was diverted when I quickly glanced at the letter and saw the drawing."

"I was awe-struck when I saw it as it seemed oddly familiar. Then I realized what it was as I remembered a page from the past. I immediately understood Older Brother's intentions and chose to remain quiet."

She removed one of her glove and then a ring from her finger and handed it to Atlas Flame. "Check the insignia engraved on the ring. It is the same as that on the cape."

She continued. "Mom had given this ring to Older Brother before her death asking him to always help the oppressed from the oppressors and thus be a benevolent ruler. After being the ruler, he might have understood that politics is a game of bureaucrats who did not allow the voices of people to reach the Supreme command. Instead, they exploited and drained them completely into lifeless souls."

"Brother wanted to unify the territories to prevent unnecessary wars which drained the resources thus increasing the taxation which was thrust upon the people. But during this, he noted the woes of the common man, the atrocities of the nobles and how they presented a perfect picture before him. It might have been then that he decided to don this persona."

Atlas Flame asked passing the ring to Silver. "But if this ring was His Highness's, how is it under your ladyship's possession?"

"It fell from his fingers when he confronted Lady Scarlet in the palace. It was handed over to me by head chamber-maid, the next day as she did not know who the owner of it was. Luckily, she didn't scan it properly to know the secret."

Erza came from her hide-out and bowed, "if you hate atrocities your highness, why did you try to tread upon my personal dignity a number of times and why did you scheme to kill Simon?"

Jellal cleared his throat, "could you ladies and gentlemen move back? What I have to talk to her is strictly personal which I don't want others to hear."

All of them nodded in unison and moved back.

Jellal looked at her bemusedly and said softly.

"What Lucy said is entirely true. I hate atrocities and injustice. But unknown even to her, I do have a sadistic side dear, especially when dealing with ladies who sexually appeal to me which was why I always stomped you when you tried to oppose me as it aroused my carnal desires turning me into a predator. "

"As for Simon, I always hated how you discarded my pleas and went after someone who was a wimp. I wanted to show that he didn't deserve you. You spoke of scheming to kill. It is not true. Had it been me in his place, I would have returned alive. But now I regret it. I did it when emotions overwhelmed my rationality. You can decide my punishment for that and I will happily oblige."

She thought for a moment and said. "I will, once everything is clear. But your highness shouldn't run away when the time comes for the punishment."

He smiled and said, "I'm a warrior, sweet-heart. I would never run away from my mistakes."

"Then what about the other vile deeds like plundering the cities conquered, giving women of enemy soldiers to your army, mutilating the captured soldiers, declaring your opponents- nobles/public as traitors and finding supportive evidence?" She was not in the mood to leave him.

"Your first 2 accusations are common war-time practices which nobody questioned as soldiers are mainly motivated by war-spoils which include wealth and women. Once the war is over, their carnal desires will be ignited and they won't stop until they get the maximum benefit out of it as until that moment, it was their life that was at stake. So, they'll celebrate it in all the possible ways and try to destroy those who tried to take off their precious life. The only way to prevent it is to prevent unnecessary wars which could only be done by unifying territories."

"Soldiers were mutilated to make sure that they did not infiltrate our forces though I admit it was wrong. I did not like to take lives needlessly. Even if they are handicapped, they could live; but won't be able to enter the military. Instead of mutilating, had I imprisoned them, the prisons would have been full. Now, that I think of it, I could have engraved a tattoo on their fore-arms so that we could recognize them. Thank you Scarlet, I will make sure to correct it. "

He continued, "My opponents were either threatened to speak against me or were mostly brain-washed by the nobles or a player behind the scenes .As for the supportive evidence, I agree that most of them were just made-up. But I did not have choices as it could have given birth to a rebellion like how they wanted to play your case. It was then that I understood that there was a player behind the scenes. Since I did have personal reasons to save you, I did not play into their ploy that time which was when I understood their game. Even the great Deca Conglomerate is nothing but a pawn to that player and his associates. They don't realize that they are being played like Kagura Mikazuchi."

"But unknown to its members, there is a mole in Deca Conglomerate who is playing them and who is in cahoots with the 'player behind the scenes.' We have to find out who the mole is and he/she will lead us to the Player's location."

She became curious. "Could the player be Cardinal Lapointe and the mole Viceroy Iwan Dreyar?"

"I don't think so. His Excellency has his superiority complex and the player is just exploiting it. But that doesn't excuse his treachery. He will be dealt with when the time comes. As for Uncle, Laxus is more than enough to deal with it."

"How did your highness come to know about the plan to ignite the castle? You never told us anything that day."

"That evening after the meeting, when I was watching through balcony, I saw a person suspiciously wandering in the royal grounds. I got curious and followed him. I pinned him up in the underground passage and he revealed his motives. I decided to go with their plan. That was when I contacted you as Vince Gale. I made him wear my costume, slowly got out of my room, locked it and lit the castle. In the chaos, I did see that suspicious blonde that everyone is talking of but he escaped in the midst of commotion."

"Your Highness is so good with disguises! You fooled me many times and you are very good in changing voices too."

"That is because you failed to recognize the commonalities or did your love for me make you blind?"

He closed the distance between them and stared at her seductively. She felt the proximity of his hot breath which made her blush.

"Are you falling for me, Scarlet?" He whispered on to her ear while tucking one of her strands on to her ear-lobe. She blushed deeper. "You ignite my carnal desires, honey. Be mine before I become a predator again." His baritone voice sent chills through her spine.

He went back to his team and told them that they'll discuss more early morning as he is tired now after a long journey. So they can settle for the night in the Flavia town. All of them bowed and took leave.

Gray suspiciously looked at him and then said to Silver. "Why is Lady Scarlet not coming with us?"

"Don't talk like a girl, Gray. She is his bodyguard. She can't leave him." Silver was irritated.

"You are forgetting that he loves her. If the reverse happens, what is going to happen to Ultear?"

"You are reading into it too much, Gray. I think I need to talk to Lord Lockser about fixing the date of your marriage."

Gray blushed but still was worried for his sister.

Natsu caught Lucy's hand and said. "You didn't have to come out of your hide-out. My sense of smell could have made everything crystal clear."

Atlas Flame gave him a smack on his head. "Idiot, she is the Princess, not your fiancée /wife to hold hands and talk."

Lucy blushed pale pink and said. "But Uncle, he is clueless and is just like a wild animal as he had grown in jungles."

Gajeel snorted. "Won't be as good as me. I have ten more years than him in jungles."

Natsu somersaulted like a monkey and said. "Want to try, freak?"

Levy who was there with them got irritated. "Sir, can we leave these wild animals here and go. I was already fed-up of that iron-head and now we have that salmon monkey to make the trouble double."

"Don't worry, Levy. I'll handle it." Lucy said with a smile. "Natsu, come. Let's go first." Natsu promptly obeyed and followed her.

"Speak of being like a dog." Gajeel sneered.

"Still better than a back-stabber like you. I heard you mumble all your plans in your drunken state and I will report it to King."Levy challenged.

"Of course, you won't. I'll kill you if you do that."

"If I don't do it, his majesty will kill me and I'm a highly loyal officer."

"You will tell it?

"I will."

Gajeel pinned her to a tree and kissed her forcefully. After a while, they separated.

"You know I was waiting for this since a week. Thank you, sweetie." She said gleefully while kissing his palms.

Gajeel looked at her. She was sexy though short and petite. Her face is really attractive too. Not bad for a night, he thought. He moved close to her and settled in a corner. Sooner, the pangs of passion were heard aloud.

In another corner of the graveyard, passion was playing yet another game for the souls who had been made for each other. The resistance was out of question as the wavelengths of thoughts and actions matched this time. His hot breath ravished her skin and his lips brushed against her exposed neck making a trail. His hands found their zones of comfort around her waist and slowly started slithering up like a snake. Her hands rose in tandem and brushed his hair and face.

She was having a totally new experience and shivers were going through her system. Nevertheless, she was enjoying it and twisted her neck to give him more access. Her cheeks were burning with desire when his lips met them and she opened her mouth unknowingly to welcome him which his shrewd eyes did not fail to notice. He locked his lips with hers and they passionately savored each other's juices. Slowly like a snake, his tongue entwined with hers and they fought for dominance.

Something in her snapped at that time. She separated him hastily and mumbled. "I can't do this. This is wrong. What will Queen and her family think of me? Exploiting the situation of King being alone? What about Simon's family? They'll just burn me alive."

"As tough as a nut in war-front but as fragile as a flower in love? You are magnificent, Scarlet. It makes me want to have you more. "He pulled her close to his chest and kissed her fore-head. She tried to separate from him but he held her firmly.

"It was a pity that I never met you before my marriage; else you would have adorned the position of the Queen and in all honesty you deserve it. Almost all of the women whom I met in my life are trash compared to you." He finally loosened the grip.

"What about the Queen? She is elegant, gentle, kind and noble. I cannot even compare to her as I totally lack lady-like qualities. Father did not have a son to be his heir, so he nurtured me like a man or you could say a warrior. My mannerisms always earned me contempt from royal households. A person like that doesn't deserve to be the Queen." Her voice cracked.

"The only quality that a Queen needs is to touch the souls of her subjects which you have in plentiful. Don't worry. I will never make you my concubine. I will amend the law to give you special privilege as the second Queen of the Empire when everything is over."

"Your highness is bending the laws for your own sake?"

"No, the people of Fiore need you more than Ultear. But since she is my wife, I cannot abandon her. Moreover, Fullbuster is the most loyal ally that I could ever get. I wonder why his daughter is not like him."

"Does this mean that you….."

"Yes, I have never loved her and won't in the future. I bear with her theatrics only for the sake of Fullbuster. I hate women who prefer to remain ignorant and party when her subjects are suffering. I hate women who do not take the trouble to correct their men when they commit wrongs or mistakes. I hate women who run away from trouble and hide behind their husband's/father's shadows. She – Ultear belongs to those categories. I totally find myself alone in her company." For the first time, she saw tears coming from his eyes. She went close to him and patted his back in assurance.

Unbeknownst to both of them, a shadow moved behind the trees and removed the hood that covered the face. Tears were coming out from her beautiful eyes. She tied up her long black hair and muttered.

"I came eagerly to see you and I get to see your romantic meeting with your lover. I also finally understood what you think of me, Highness. You want a queen for your subjects and not a wife for yourself, isn't it? I'm fed up anyway with this kingdom drama and will see to it that you lose your title and remain an ordinary citizen. Then you'll surely wag your tail and knock at my door-step." Ultear put her hood back and disappeared in the shadows.

Natsu was playing with a fire-fly outside the inn which they had rented for that night.

Lucy came to him. She was wearing a blanket and scarf to avoid being noticed.

"Shall I call you Lucy, instead of Princess?" He asked all of a sudden.

"Why?" she was surprised.

Natsu scratched his head. "That word kinda make you different from us. I want to make you my friend as you are the first person who was patient enough to be with me for more than a week and not dislike me. And friendship should be made among equals, right?"

Lucy could not help but laugh. "Why does everyone dislike you? You are just a fine person."

He showed his toothy grin. "I play pranks always and irritate them. But I don't know why I don't feel like playing pranks with you. May be because of your title... "

She was finding it hard to suppress her laugh. "Agreed. You can call me Lucy."

"Really? Lucy, there is a grasshopper in your blanket. Stand still, I will just take it."

Natsu came like a crouching animal which made her laugh again. She had never laughed this much in her life. She preferred his company than being in royal parties as there were no restrictions and just pure freedom. She watched him with amusement.

He was about to take it, when the grasshopper jumped. He lost balance and fell on top of her making her too tumble in the process. They stared at each other in that weird position. His hot breath was touching her skin which made her blush.

"Get up, you idiot." Atlas Flame thundered.

He got scared and tried to get up to only fall once more. After a while, he got up. Both were blushing.

"Idiot, go and take my scarf and come." Natsu obliged and went inside the inn.

"Please, don't play with his feelings, Princess. We already know what is eventually bound to happen. He was hurt once. If he is hurt again, he won't come back." Atlas flame's throat cracked.

"But I ….."

He turned his back and walked without trying to listen to her words.

Next Day Morning

The darkness of the night had not completely faded away. The birds were just starting to wake up and the frost was still in the atmosphere. Still, the abode of dead was lively that early morning with coffee and chat.

Amidst this, Silver Fullbuster was having a serious conversation with Jellal.

"So, Warrod Seiken is ready to co-operate and send forces? Good news to go with the coffee indeed."

"Not only him. Lord Lockser and Countess Belno have also consented."

"Great. Now, I think it is high time for us to discuss the plan of action."

He called everyone to gather. Just then Pantherlily came in a horse panting hard and immediately went and whispered something into Jellal's ears. Jellal looked shocked.

"So, they have blocked the roads and doubled the security to capture me—Vince Gale alive. And archers are employed at strategic positions around each gate?" He put his thumb on his lower lip and rubbed it thoughtfully.

"Why don't we meet Clive? His force is more than enough to decimate a squadron of archers." Atlas Flame was getting impatient.

"Very True." Silver concurred. "Clive truly is a legendary fighter."

"Earlier what I thought was to raise the rebellion of citizens and overpower the Deca Conglomerate. Now it seems costly for the Public as the nobles are going to get assistance from Tenrou, Frostia and Edolas according to Lily. So it seems we need to wind up our initial plan." Jellal bent his head down in disappointment holding it with his arms

"What? How are we going to face them with our puny little force? And to add up to the woe, General Laxus Dreyar and Prime Minister Doranbolt are missing." Silver said angrily.

"We need to make them retreat first. Then we will be able to deal with others." Azuma said.

"But how? It's not like they are going to listen to us." Gray twitched his brow.

"Can't we send an envoy to them and pay a ransom as price for retreat? " Erza spoke calmly.

Jellal raised his head and thought for a moment.

"That's it. Brilliant, Erza. We can accomplish this."

"But don't we need too much money for it?" Levy asked.

"Yes and that money is going to come from royal treasury." Jellal was excited.

"How, my lord?" Cobra asked puzzled.

"One word. Doranbolt." Jellal replied.

"If he is truly loyal, he might have moved the treasury to a safe-house. So, our mission now is to find him."

"What about General Laxus, your highness?" Freed and Bickslow asked impatiently.

"Even I don't know where he is. He had gone to meet His Excellency and seemed like vanished into the air. But rest be assured. Those 3 are not even enough to scratch him. Lapointe must have gone senile when he sent those 3 to capture him or something suspicious is going underground. Anyway, both of you continue to watch Lapointe from the shadows and report anything suspicious."

"Gray Fullbuster, you have to find out Doranbolt and meet him. You may take Gajeel and Levy with you for the mission." Gray bowed in adherence.

"Lucy, you will be the envoy to meet the representative of Tenrou and set the deal. Natsu and Erza will assist you with the mission." Lucy agreed and bowed.

"Cobra, use your wide-range spy network to collect information about Laxus. Once the information is got, contact Azuma and Pantherlily to infiltrate." Cobra nodded his head.

"Silver Fullbuster, garner the support of as many nobles as possible and Atlas Flame, contact all the Generals and Vice-Generals who are our supporters and ask them to meet me in two days time, here. This is applicable to all of you, understood?"

"What about the Queen of Edolas?"Gray Fullbuster asked.

"Grandpa will set the deal with her. We will be able to contact him once we meet Doranbolt."

"What is His Highness going to do in these 2 days?" blurted out Natsu.

"I am personally going to meet the King of Frostia and seal the deal with him." Jellal's cold voice echoed in the jungle.