Protecting Lucy outside the castle wasn't Natsu's only requirement as Captain of the royal army. He also had to assist Judge Mard Geer in enforcing the laws of England, much to his displeasure. Natsu had never liked Mard Geer. From the moment he first laid eyes on that man, he could tell that there was something truly wretched about him. And his instincts were only proven correct over the years, as he learned of the man's hatred for the poor, the disabled, and the different. He always taunted and belittled him and his family.
First by telling them that they were just dirty and worthless farmers that good people should not be forced to look at or smell. Then he started calling them traitors because Igneel had been sheltering travelers whom the judge deemed as criminals. However not even the king himself could have Igneel arrested without any evidence of these travelers committing any crimes. But the worst thing he ever did, was what he said the day of the funeral for Igneel and his wife.
Natsu had been about thirteen years of age at the time and he had been away making delivery of a crops for his father. On his way back, he heard screaming. His mother and father screaming. He ran home as fast he could, only to discover the farmhouse ablaze. It was completely engulfed in flames and he could hear his parents crying out as they were burning. He ran and tried to save them, but his neighbor Gildarts held him back, regrettably telling him that it was too late. Natsu fought and struggled against him, but the man's hold on him was too great. He held Natsu and covered both his eyes and ears, so he could not see or hear anymore horror.
In the end, Gildarts had been right. Nothing could be done to save the poor farmer and his wife. Gildarts allowed Natsu to live with him and his daughter until he had matured, and he did his best to comfort him. But Natsu couldn't feel comfort. He couldn't feel anything except sorrow.
A few days later, a funeral was held, and Lady Victoria had convinced the king to grant Lucy permission to attend for Natsu's sake. That meant Mard was there as well, and the boy heard him whisper something that he'd never forget.
"They burned because they were wicked. The wicked shall not go unpunished. The heart of the wicked is of little worth."
Natsu decided that he would forever hate Mard Geer that day. He realized that Mard never cared about law or justice. He only cared about using it to his advantage. He was a terrible man who clearly had no soul. Just being near him made Natsu sick to his stomach. However, every job has its negative points.
"I can't believe I have to follow orders from that greedy, bigoted, lunatic." Natsu complained to Lucy the next morning. "Of all the people I could have served, it just had to be him."
"He's not so horrible, you know." Lucy said. "I mean, after all, he did save me from the workhouse, and ensured that I'd never grow up poor or homeless."
"True but I seriously doubt he did that out of the goodness of his heart. Because there is no goodness in his heart."
"I will admit he wasn't the best guardian, but after my mother died, no one else would take me. Not even my own father. So maybe he's not all bad."
It was times like these where Natsu could not help wondering how the likes of Mard could have possibly raised someone like Lucy. Mard was cruel, bigoted, selfish, and greedy. Lucy was kind, empathetic, generous, and caring. The complete opposite of him. It was quite a mystery.
Two maids entered the room, an older one and a younger one about the same age as Lucy.
"My lady." The older maid said holding up a pretty, olive-colored tea frock trimmed with cream satin. "A gift from her majesty, she has invited you to join her for morning tea and she would very much like for you to wear this."
"Oh it's beautiful." Lucy said admiring the dress. "Tell her majesty that I accept her invitation and that I am most grateful for her gift."
The older maid then dismissed Natsu and the younger maid to deliver the message while she helped Lucy get changed. When she came out properly dressed with her hair fixed, making her way down the hall and toward the tea room, she spotted Natsu flirting with younger maid. Shamelessly tickling her chin and making her blush with compliments. It made the young duchess sizzle with envy inside.
"Four years at the front was a nightmare." He told the maid. "I'm long overdue for the some rest and recreation. While I spend my days serving a hanging judge, I'll spend my nights with girls of pleasure and grapes of Merlot."
"Fascinating, but what does that have to do with me Captain?" The maid giggled. "I'm only a silly maid."
"Silly? I'd say pretty and adorable." He kissed her hand.
"Ahem!" Lucy coughed in an irritated manner.
"Oh Hello Lucy, you look very nice in that dress." Natsu said, oblivious to her mood.
"The royal hall is no place for rendezvouses." She said. "I strongly suggest you keep such matters private and outside of work. Excuse me."
She then continued on to the tea room.
"What's her problem?" Natsu wondered.
After that Natsu reported to the Temple of Justice where Mard Geer resided. He found his way down winding stone steps and into an area full of gloomy halls and lit torches. He heard the crack of a whip cut through the darkness and the lashes sounded closer as he descended further down. At long last he saw the judge standing at an open cell door near the foot of the steps, greeting the young captain.
"Ah Farm Boy." He said. "Right on time and here I was expecting you to be late."
Natsu swallowed his great distaste for the man and forced himself to act respectful.
"I take my position very seriously sir. I would hate for you or anyone to doubt my skills and reliability."
"Let's hope so, the last man who served under me proved most disappointing and when I am disappointed by someone...Well..."
Natsu heard the whip cracked again followed by an agonizing scream.
"Things don't end well." Mard said with a twisted grin.
"Sadist." Natsu called him in his mind.
"Now today Captain, you shall accompany me to this Godforsaken fair that lasts for three days. We've already gotten through day one, just two more and it'll be over. At least for several weeks. Then that wretched Fest of the Heart begins. Our job is to make sure that things stay as they are and that these people know their place."
"These people?" Natsu asked. "Know their place? Would you mind elaborating sir?"
"Well you know what kind of people run these fairs. Gypsies, tramps, thieves, moors, and the worst of them all, freaks. These people cause nothing but trouble and if her majesty would permit it, I'd wipe them all out like the vermin they are. Alas, I must only settle for keeping a close eye on them and being there when these undesirables break a law."
"With all due respect sir." Natsu said. "When I attended the fair yesterday, I kept my eyes peeled for any suspicious behavior, and no one committed a crime. The people of the fair were doing nothing but honest work. Selling goods and performing for money."
"That's what they want you to think. Your eyes need better training Farm Boy." He said. "Now then, let's go see what those peasants and freaks are up to this time."
"God, I really hate that man." Natsu thought.
But a job was a job. It couldn't be helped. At least not for now. So Natsu along with Happy followed Mard and the other soldiers out into the square and where the fair was getting ready for day two. He saw the dancer, Juvia, standing in a corner and fiddling with the chain around her neck. Just then, she spotted two men approaching her.
"Well, well, look at this." One of them said. "I've never seen a freak so pretty."
"I don't think she is a freak." The other said. "Freaks aren't normally sweet."
"Can I help you gentlemen?" Juvia asked them.
"Yeah, what's a pretty and sweet thing like you doin, hanging around freak shows?"
"It's not a freak show." She said. "And they're my family. That's why I'm with them."
"You know, we think that it's a damn shame performers like you don't get a chance to enjoy the fair." The first man said. "What do you say that you take a break and that we show each other a good time?"
"What do you say we don't?"
Using her hearing, Juvia distanced herself from the men.
"Now don't be like that." She could feel one of them come up close behind her. "You're blind right? That means you can't see a thing and that you need a couple of guides."
"I can navigate my way just fine thank you." She said. "Now if you'll excuse me-"
She felt one of them grab her arm.
"Oh come on." He insisted.
"Let go of me!"
Juvia started to get scared. It was obvious these men couldn't take a hint, and Jellal and Gray were not close by.
"I'm warning you." She said trying to keep her heart rate under control. "Leave me alone or else."
The men chuckled.
"Or else what?"
Juvia may have been blind but that didn't necessarily mean that she couldn't cause harm to anyone who harassed her. She quickly slammed her foot against the man, kicking him in the shin very hard.
"Ow!" He released her and fell to the ground, clutching his knee in pain.
Juvia tried to make a run for it but the other guy wasn't having it.
"Bitch! Just who the hell do you think you are?!"
He seized her roughly by the hair and jerked her back. Juvia started to hyperventilate and then she passed out. Natsu was just about to intervene, but suddenly something jumped down and it scared the man into letting her go. It was Gray, who had removed his mask to spook the harasser, but was standing at an angle in which Natsu couldn't see his face.
He snarled at the two men, punched the one who had yanked Juvia's hair, then swept the unconscious girl into his arms and darted out of there as quick as he could. This only infuriated the men further.
"Come back here you freaks!"
They charged forward but Natsu snapped his fingers, signaling his cat to block their way.
"Happy sit!"
At once, the obedient animal sat down on both men.
"Hey! Get this thing off us!"
"Oh my, I am sorry." Natsu said with mock concern. "Naughty cat, naughty. He's just impossible, really I can't take him anywhere."
He glanced over and waited until Gray and Juvia were well out of sight before he ordered Happy to stand up. He was glad that he was able to at least perform some real acts of justice.
