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The woman who once occupied the heart of the Sovereign was now dragged through the corridors in chains. The contemptuous glances of the people whom she loved and held close to her heart were awful to bear. Yet, she was as calm as a rock that day. Silent and serene, but with pride she walked forward rendering the jaws of the haters wide-opened. That day, she was just the embodiment of courage. Her face shone like a blazing Sun radiating all the hues in its finest state.
She accepted the charge against her without a wince of pain. But since the throne was vacant, she was taken to the deepest dungeon under the castle which was the hell in Earth soon after.
While she was being taken into the dungeon, the guards were stopped on the way by a Prince who was now climbing new heights of betrayal.
"Erza Scarlet, huh? Was longing to see you any way. " He went close to her and whispered in her ears. "Don't worry your Hero will be joining you soon and both of you can enjoy your honey-moon in after-life in hell."
She curled her lips with contempt and said, "Prince Sting, you will never be able to catch your brother even with the whole army at your disposal. Do you know why? You lack two things what your brother has in plenty - the first one is die-hard loyal subordinates who are ready at to give up their lives for his sake when he is in danger and the second one is intelligence as like you he does not need a chess master to command him."
Prince Sting got so irritated that he slapped her hard making her cheeks turn the color of her hair.
"Take her away, guards. Torture her to the maximum. Don't feed or give water to her. Start with giving her the usual flogging ritual of abyss."
Abyss was the name given to the deepest dungeon underneath the castle.
"Prince Sting, won't you allow me to meet my dear sister-in-law?"
Kagura Mikazuchi came forward in her usual attire.
"Sleeping with the enemy, aren't you my dear sister-in-law? Never thought that you would fall so deeply into the pits of abyss. Had I known this before, you would not have made up to this day." She scorned.
Erza did not say anything but gave a faint smile and started to walk forward.
"Inform your lover that my sword is lusting for his blood. From now on, I will be serving as one of your guards as I know very well that your Charming Hero would be arriving in a flying horse-back to save his precious heart." Kagura mocked and spat on the floor out of contempt.
Erza turned back and looked at her. Determination was written all over Kagura's face.
"Kagura, as your former sister-in-law I have an advice for you. Stay away from all those evil foxes for your own good. Else, you will land up where most of their haters have."
"So, you are trying to be my mentor? Don't you have a bit of shame? Doing all the heinous acts which taint the name of the family and trying to be clean? I don't know what Simon ever saw in you. You are even worst than a pest."
Erza did not react at all at her harsh words and walked forward with firm strides.
Silver Fullbuster was waiting for her at the entrance of the dungeon. He looked outwardly calm and did not appear like a person who had just lost his daughter.
"Why did you do this Erza?" His cold voice was covered with rage and he was clenching his fists hard and gritting his teeth.
"I don't have anything to say. You can punish me your Lordship for killing your daughter." Erza said unfazed.
Silver came closer and held her chin between his fingers.
"I know that you are not the one who did it. Then why did you accept it? Why do you want to turn the rage of whole Empire against you? "
"I don't know what makes your Lordship believe that I was not the one to do the heinous act when it was proved that it was actually me who did it and even eye-witness is there to prove it." She said nonchalantly not thinking about the consequence of her words.
"Tell me honestly Erza, who did it? Was it the Highness himself or someone else? I swear upon the honor of Fullbuster that I will save and protect you. Tell me, Erza. Tell me the truth. This is the plea of a father who just lost his daughter." Tears overflowed from the eyes of Silver Fullbuster who was always known to possess a stony heart.
But Erza was still unaffected or at least externally she looked perfectly normal.
"I understand your grief Uncle as I myself have lost many. But I am curious. What makes you think that I am innocent?"
" Your unwavering eyes. Those eyes do not belong to a criminal. It has the steely determination hidden within them to protect someone at any cost and that someone could not be anyone other than His Highness."
She looked down and said. "I don't have anything more to say sir. Guards, let's move."
"Wait, Lady Scarlet. I didn't complete my words. Do you scare that if you let the truth out even if it is just to me that His Highness will be affected? But even if he had done it, I won't blame him for doing it as Tear should have seen it coming, the moment she betrayed her husband. If he hadn't done it, I would have done it though she is my sweet little girl as she tainted the name of Fullbuster with her tomfoolery and idiocy and didn't deserve to be the Queen anymore."
"Grand Duke Fullbuster, it is time." Chief of Guards, Orga spoke aloud. "What are you doing here, by the way? Don't you think you should be attending the funeral service of your daughter? Or are you so loyal to your son-in-law and his concubine that you forgot what they did to your daughter?"
Silver became so angry at his mocking words that he actually drew out his sword and pointed it to Orga's neck.
"Be careful about what you speak. I haven't given outsiders the right to pry into my family affairs. Try barking even more and my sword will cut you into two."
Orga became as pale as snow. He knew that Silver Fullbuster was a man of honor and also knew about his expertise with swords. He was a man who could give a real challenge to the strongest sword fighter in the country even in his forties. Valor was yet another facet of his personality.
"Fullbuster, what are you doing? Did you forget that you have to see your daughter off?" Silver turned to see the owner of the voice. It was none other than the legendary Gildarts Clive. He was a tall, muscular man with shoulder-length brownish hair and stubble. Battle scars were present everywhere in his body. He had worn a loose fitting dark pants tucked into his boots, an armored waist-guard bearing plates, armored shoulder guards, another armor covering his entire torso and a high-collared black jacket covered by a long black cloak.
Silver put the sword back in his scabbard and wiped his eyes. Clive put his hands on his shoulder and said.
"I do understand your feelings, Fullbuster. But try to understand the delicacy of the situation. You are a warrior. Do not let you be affected by those barking dogs." He then said to Orga. "Do I need to remind you that you are overriding the protocols of the castle and insulting a superior? Apologize, immediately."
Orga got scared and felt like he was being blown into a twister. "I… I…. apologize, your Lordship. I think my words were a bit harsh. I won't repeat it." He stammered. Clive gestured him to leave with the prisoner and then left the dungeon with Silver, consoling the broken-hearted man on the way.
Lucy's Chambers
"What are you saying, Sting? I refuse to believe it." Lucy hissed.
"Oh! Shouldn't you be happy? Aren't you going to get a chance to see your precious older brother?" Sting mocked.
"He isn't my brother alone. I kindly remind you that he is both of ours older brother and was our guardian ever since our parents' death."
"But still, doesn't he love the throne more than us? At least that's what I feel. He won't care a bit for you, the moment he finds you are a threat to his precious throne." Sting's voice was venomous. "So, I've come here to ask one last question. Will you stand with me or not?"
Lucy clenched her fists tight angrily and said. "No, I will not stand with you. Not even in my wildest dreams. And that is not because of my loyalty towards him, but towards the people of Fiore. They will be pretty much doomed if they are ruled like an arrogant selfish brat like you who doesn't even bat an eye to betray his comrades or family."
"Pretty much the goody-two-shoes, aren't we? What's wrong in caring for oneself? I am not ready to turn my back for silly reasons when fortune has definitely decided to favor me. And I understand now that you are a stumbling block in my path which needs to be eliminated like your 'magnanimous' older brother. But I assure you Lucy that I will show you that I'm not a worthless brat who all of you believe."
"Are you going to kill me, Sting? Lucy asked calmly though she was feeling butterflies in her stomach.
"Nope, for I believe that you will be brought back to real world from your dreams of Utopia if he is executed." Sting said coolly.
Lucy shook Sting violently with both of her hands.
"What… What do you mean by that? Don't tell me that you are planning to build your castle on top of his grave. He… he had loved and cared for us, siblings all through his life and is this how you pay back? Did power lust corrupt you this much?" She slapped on his cheeks. "From now on, I will have only one brother whom I will protect with my life. Just order your cronies to cut down my head too. Glad that Mom and Dad did not live this day to see all this." She sobbed.
"Guards, confine her to her chambers. From now on, she is not allowed to put a single step outside her room without my permission. Put cuffs on her hands and legs too." Sting growled.
When the guards were about to chain her, they were sent flying back by the fist of a man who was born to protect the people he loved.
"Who….. Who are you?" Sting roared.
"Natsu….. Natsu Dragneel, the only son of Igneel Dragneel." He said wiping his mouth in pure rage.
"Roger, I think at last you have a worthy enemy to deal with. Show him what would happen to idiotic loyal dogs who do not know when to quit. Meet me in my chambers once you finished dealing with him. I have now a meeting with the Council of Lords or else I would have stood and entertained myself at the sight of Old dog Igneel's legacy being thrashed." Sting smirked.
"What did you say, bastard? I don't care whether you are his brother or prince or whatever. You have taken the courage to insult my Dad before me which I would never forgive. Also, Lucy is the Princess of the empire who deserves just equal rights as you. I won't stand and watch someone insulting her even if it is her own brother." Natsu hissed and sprang forward with his sword to attack Sting only to find blocked by Roger.
"You have to do me in first, before you dare touch my Lord." Roger's strong voice echoed in the room. He was a young man who looked the same age as the King and also with a tattoo albeit on the left side of his face. He had long silvery and black hair (parted into both sides) tied into a ponytail with black bangs covering his right eye completely. He had worn a high-collared cloak underneath of which was worn a long-sleeved shirt with cuffs rolled up. An armored vest was worn on top of the shirt.
"Natsu…. don't" Lucy was quivering with fear as she had heard that Roger was the former subordinate of Mard Geer and was one of his best.
"Lucy, do not worry about me for I won't die here. I will put these bastards in their true places and take you back to His Highness to make you safe. This is my promise to you which I shall do even at the cost of my life." He smiled at her warmly.
Lucy felt her heart-ache the third time that day the first being shocking reveal of Queen's death and the second being Erza's arrest.
Ultear's Funeral
Ultear's funeral service took place peacefully that day. The body was kept for public display for an hour or two for the citizens to pay homage to their dear Queen. However, people found it queer that none of the royal family except Old King Mark participated in the service. Queen's brother Gray Fullbuster came very late and contrary to the expectation of others, did not have a single drop of tear in his eyes.
While kissing her fore-head for the last time, before she was taken into the grave he whispered.
"Sister, you have made me proud for the first time even if it was during your last moments. As promised, I would never cry for you and belittle your sacrifice. You have washed off your sin with your own blood thereby glorifying the name of the Fullbuster. Your sacrifice won't go unnoticed, my dear sister. I swear that my life is entirely dedicated to his service and I will cut down every single opponent of his. Also, I will find and kill the devil that took you away from me. This is my promise to you as your kid-brother."
Silver caught his shoulder and took him to his room where they had a brief conversation.
"So, Tear redeemed in the end and made us proud by taking the blow for the Highness." Tears came down his eyes. "It is a pity that I couldn't see my Grandchild." He shuddered.
"Hold on, Dad. If you are like this, then who will console Mom? By the way, I have to leave now or else Highness might be in danger." Gray hastened to leave when Silver firmly caught his hand.
"Did… did he forgive her? If so, why didn't he come at least in a disguise to bid her farewell?" Silver shuddered.
"You shame me, Fullbuster with your words. Granted that, I don't deserve to be called a man for not being able to protect my wife or child from their impending doom. My lax had been paid off with the lives of the people who were dear to me. But believe me. I Jellal Fernandez, swear as the King of Fiore that I will annihilate the demon that swallowed my Child and made my wife a traitor." The voice belonged to the Young King of Fiore who had just arrived.
"Fullbuster, I do not need a disguise to come and pay homage to my wife. As for forgiving her, part of her wrong comes from my own. So, I am as much sinful as her."
Both Silver and Gray were shocked as they never expected him to come there personally not caring for his life.
"Your highness…. Why….. Why did you come? Didn't you know that hyenas are waiting here to chomp on fresh meat?"
"Silver Fullbuster, I am a warrior who isn't scared of death. I am here to show them the meaning of a true warrior and thus protect those distressed who are tormented for my sake. Let me show them the ray of hope to strike back at full throttle with courage and spirit. Let me show them that they aren't following a coward who hides behind the shadows, but a warrior who fights against injustice and discrimination. "
Then he turned to the guards who were watching everything with awe and said. "Tell your master that the time for hide and seek is over. If what he wants is the crown, then he should fight and win like a man and not curl and back-stab like a coward. For the time being, arrest me for my crimes."
Cardinal Lapointe emerged suddenly with a bunch of soldiers. He tried to maintain his calm but was still sweating profusely.
"Arrest King Jellal Fernandez for treason which includes fooling his own subjects by playing the role of executioner as well as savior, faking his own death, smuggling the treasury of his own country, organizing the public to rally against the bureaucracy though he is the head of the bureaucrats and killing his wife for forcefully marrying a widow."
"For the first time in my life, I'm grateful to you, Cardinal Lapointe. I feel like calling you His Excellency with all my heart for the first time too. You saved me the trouble of coming up to you and surrender. But I have a humble request. Release all those prisoners that you've kept in the prison for my sake." Jellal said without a slight tint of fear.
"You are in no means at the receiving end, Young King. Pray to God to forgive your sins. Let the court feel mercy on you and just banish you rather than executing. "Cardinal was cut off by a hand gesture from Jellal.
"Do not misunderstand me, Cardinal Lapointe. I do not fear death as I have a mission to complete before my exit which I will do at any cost. Beware, I will be back soon and free the oppressed from the oppressors and today you have laid the foundation stone of it." Jellal's strong but calm voice sent chill though the spines of the onlookers.
He then handed over his sword to Gray Fullbuster and said. "Gray, protect it with your life until I come back to reclaim it." Gray bowed and accepted the sword gracefully as he understood his Lord's intentions very well.
Chains and cuffs were attached to Jellal's whole body and was led to the covered chariot.
"Ultear, I promise that I won't let your sacrifice go vain. I swear upon our kid who was killed even before he was born that I will unlock your cryptic last words and cut down the person who dared to plunge stake into your chest before my presence, with my own hands." He took the oath deep in his heart before climbing up the chariot.