"We want to kill Acnologia."
There was a lot of things going through Erza's mind when Jellal told her that he was going to spill some secrets. None of them even came close to what he actually said. In fact, most of her thoughts had made Jellal and Levy the villains of the story. She was so shocked she said: "Sorry?"
"We want to kill-"
"No, I heard you," Erza sighed. "Why? I mean, I get that he's a bad king and that everyone would be better of without him but, you are the royal advisor..."
"I became the royal advisor in order to kill him." Jellal shrugged nonchalantly as if killing someone was something he did everyday. He could've been a heartless murderer for all Erza knew. But, Levy's brother wouldn't be a murderer would he? Then again, she had just found out that everything she knew about Levy was a lie. So the possibility still remained. Not that Erza cared. As long as he wasn't going to kill any women.
A few minutes passed.
"So..." Erza looked at Jellal. "Are you going to continue or what?"
Jellal blinked. "Oh," he said. "You want me to continue?"
Erza rolled her eyes. "Of course! You can't just leave me in the dark here. You promised to explain! Well, maybe not promise but still!"
Jellal chuckled. "Are you sure you want to hear it? It's a pretty sad story."
"I never cry-" Erza started but then remembered what has happened a few minutes ago.
"I beg to differ," Jellal laughed. Erza growled and clenched her hand into a fist, ready to strike. "Woah, calm down. I was joking. Sort of. "
Erza grumbled under her breath.
"You know, we had another sister."
Erza looked at him. He looked different. More sad, more...helpless. Jellal smiled slowly, recalling the details of his little sister.
"Her name was Wendy. She was a small little thing when she was born. I remember when I held her. So tiny, so fragile. Our mother passed away giving birth to her. Our father was already dead as he was part of the rebellion and everyone knows how the King feels about the rebels. He was hung."
Erza held in her breath, afraid to let it out. Was it because his father died that he wanted to kill the king? Was it because his father was a rebel that he decided to carry on his father's dream by killing the king? Was he part of Natsu's rebellion? Erza didn't know but what she did know, however, was that he seemed to be in a trance and Erza was afraid she would break it just by breathing.
"Levy and I raised her. She was so beautiful and kind. But, she was also weak ever since she was born. There was a problem with her lungs according to the doctors. Even the slightest amount of tension gave her breathing difficulties so we were careful not to stress her."
'Wow, Levy never told me she had a sister,' Erza thought.
"Once I turned sixteen, I joined the royal army in order for a regular income. It felt horrible, working for the ruthless king and all, but it was necessary for me. I worked for many years as a soldier. It was sometime then, that a traitor was discovered amongst us."
Silence.
"It was around the time you started your campaign. People couldn't describe you and the king desperately wanted to catch you. One comment the people always said about you was that you had 'special hair'. As you probably know, my entire family is a family of blue heads. People, my 'comrades', thought that it was Levy."
'Oh, no.' Erza thought. Her heart began to beat faster with fear.
"They would never even lay a finger on Levy if I was there. So they waited until I was not and marched into our house. They asked Levy, kicked and punched her until she was coughing up blood. That was when Wendy returned back home. One look at Levy and she screamed, her breathing weakening. Then, one of them hit her and she fell, her head slamming against the side of a the coffee table and bleeding. And after all of this, I came."
"Obviously, the soldiers ran when I came. I first helped Levy, who was broken in so many places. Then, I went to Wendy. She was," Jellal's voice cracked. "Was limp. Cold to touch. She had died."
There was a small silence.
"I held her when she was born, covered in blood and I held her when she died, covered in blood."
Erza's eyes stung. It was indeed a sad story. What a pity. And to think, it was all her fault! "I'm so sorry!" She blurted out.
"It's not your fault," Jellal smiled. "It was the king's. He could've accepted you, your campaign, but he didn't. He's going to pay for it. That's why Levy joined your group, why I became the royal advisor. I first befriended the crown prince, hoping he could help me. But, he turned out to be an abused son who wasn't loved much. Slowly, I started to like him too. But, I will kill Acnologia and it doesn't matter how many hearts I have to betray. Whether it's yours or Gray's."
Erza was silent for a few seconds. 'The crown prince turned out to be an 'abused son who wasn't loved much'? Makes sense why he is as cold and ruthless as his father but it still doesn't make it alright to treat us like this. I need to let Natsu know about this, he can use this information and help the people of Fiore.' She thought.
"Then why are you here?" Erza asked. " Aren't you supposed to be at the castle?"
Jellal smiled slowly. "I am, but I found a valuable piece of information. "
"Which is..." Erza prompted. She was hoping it would be useful information for Natsu.
"Lucy is alive."
"Who?"
"Lucy. Princess Lucy of Fiore. "
"You mean... The lost princess?"
"The same one. "
"Where is she?"
"Here. In the forest. According to Gray anyway. "
"Then, where's Gray?"
"That's the thing. I left him to get supplies and when I returned, he was gone. I'm assuming he's gone to the forest seeing as his sister is there. "
"So basically, you're here without the slightest clue?" Erza asked bluntly.
"A bit rude of you to put it that way but, yes. "
"That's fine, I need to find Natsu. He's in the forest too. Let's travel together. Unless you don't want to. " Erza offered. Inside, she was beaming with excitement. The Princess was alive! It was important that Natsu knew of this. And that Jellal stayed with her. She couldn't just let him go now. He was as important as the princess in helping the rebellion. She had to let Natsu meet Jellal first.
"No, no. Let's travel together. I hear there's wolves around here. A young lady like you would be an easy target. "
"Please. I'm much better than you at fighting. "
"Then you can protect me. I'm not good with wolves. Or snakes. Or anything dangerous. "
Erza laughed and walked towards the dark forest, happy that Jellal agreed. A few steps later, she turned her head and waved for Jellal to follow her. And Jellal did.