Chapter 22
Panic swelled in Levy's chest. Her breath frosted in the chilly morning air. The sky, which had been a deep, midnight black the last time she remembered seeing it, was gradually lightening with each passing minute. She remembered leaning against Gajeel, watching him point to the stars overhead and silently asking for more of their stories. The next she knew, she had jolted awake at the sound of a loud bird call overhead.
"You're a bad influence on me, Gajeel," she panted, running along the garden path to the side entrance of the castle. He tilted his head and she saw the corner of his mouth twitch.
"This is the latest I've ever stayed out. If I get into trouble…I'm blaming you." She gave him a mock glare, which did nothing to snuff out the wide grin he flashed her way, and slowly opened the door.
The morning sun filtered through the windows and Levy hurried them along before any servants spotted them. They rounded a corner and Levy collided with a metal wall.
"Mages, Jet…" She scolded, rubbing her sore nose, "you nearly scared me to death!"
"Your father wishes to see you."
"Really? He's up this early?"
"He seems to be concerned about your whereabouts last night," he said with a glance over her shoulder, "And you also have a visitor."
With a sigh, Levy resigned herself to her fate and thanked her favorite guard. She shuffled down the hallway, grumbling to Gajeel as she went.
"Why would anyone want to see me this early? And besides, we were perfectly safe last night."
Gajeel pursed his lips and rubbed the back of his neck. Levy bit back another sigh.
"I'm in so much trouble…"
Sooner than she would have liked, they finally made it to the door of her father's study. Levy gave a soft knock on the door and waited until she heard her father's permission before entering. She quickly scanned the room.
Her father sat on an ornate sofa. Across from him, sitting in Levy's favorite seat, sat an older man. His dark blue hair stood at a sharp contrast to her father's bright white and his dark skin highlighted flashing gray eyes. He gave her a small nod, taking a sip from the tea cup in front of him. His eyes seemed to flash red for a moment before returning to normal.
Behind her, Gajeel froze, a loud growl sounding next to her ear. Her father looked up from his own cup of tea and stared at Gajeel. Muttering a soft apology, Levy dragged Gajeel to the other sofa and placed herself between him and the visitor.
"Thank you for joining us, Daughter," her father started, looking at her and Gajeel's grubby appearance from their adventures the day before, "I have been told that you've already met our guest?"
Levy held Gajeel's cold fingers and squeezed gently. She studied the man, trying to determine why Gajeel sat tense and rigid on the seat next to her.
"Do you know him?" she whispered in the lengthening silence.
"Ah, Princess, I am hurt that you don't remember me. But then again, you were drifting back and forth between consciousness when we rescued you, so it's understandable that you don't remember quite clearly."
"What?" She sputtered, looking to her father for help.
King Makarov cleared his throat, glancing at the man from the corner of his eye. "He says his name is Jose and that he was the one who rescued you. He also knows your friend there."
"I thank you for taking care of my dear nephew, Princess." The man stood and gave her a stately bow. "Your understanding of his condition is greatly appreciated. It was an unfortunate accident when he was a child, but we have found ways to overcome it, haven't we, son?"
Gajeel's answering glower made her father raise a brow. Levy scooted further away from Jose, if that was truly his real name, and closer to Gajeel.
"Father, this man–"
"I understand that you might find this hard to believe, Your Majesty. But you see," he paused, scratching at his head as if the words were hard for him to form, "When we–"
Her father raised a hand, turning towards Gajeel. "Do you know this man? Speak the truth, for I am already have my doubts about you."
She watched Gajeel swallow thickly. With a glance towards Jose, Gajeel finally nodded. Levy raised a brow. Gajeel briefly touched his hair, then his throat, his glare never leaving the man. It took all of Levy's years of princess training to remain seated in her chair.
He's the one…How dare he trick Gajeel like that!
"Well then, now that that is settled…please continue."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," if the man bowed anymore, Levy was going to kick him in the shin, "As I was saying, Princess, you have no idea how worried I was, seeing you all pale and bruised when I pulled you from that wreckage–"
"You weren't there. Gajeel was the one who saved me." Levy raised her chin, matching the man's look with one of her own. His eyes twinkled, making her skin crawl.
"My dear, it is true that my nephew took a shine to you after he helped me row the boat, but it was indeed me who saved you." He turned back to her father and sat down. "Like I said earlier, she was in and out of consciousness the entire time and–"
"I am not so foolish as to forget the face of my rescuer."
Although she could not deny the similarities between the slimy man and Gajeel. His sharp cheekbones and piercing eyes rang with familiarity. It would not be a stretch to believe his words that they were in fact uncle and nephew. But she wouldn't sit there and listen to his bold-faced lies, lies that her father seemed to actually contemplate.
"Father, I know what I saw. It was–"
"I understand that you have also taken a liking to this young man, but you did mention that your savior had long, dark hair. And…well…" He nodded in Gajeel's direction, the bandana tied around his head not hiding his shortly cropped hair in the slightest.
"Well, it seems a reward is in order." Her father stood and everyone in the room rose to their feet as well. Levy glared at the man.
How does he know human customs…
He gave her a smirk and Levy's lip curled.
"You have my undying gratitude for your assistance in rescuing my daughter. I would like to host a feast in your honor. Droy, please inform the kitchen staff that we will be holding a formal dinner tonight. I think the main dining room would do very nicely–"
"If I may be so bold, Your Majesty…" Jose interjected with a glance at Levy and Gajeel.
"Go ahead."
"You honor me with your hospitality, but might I suggest we take this lovely banquet onto the open sea? I am no expert, but the princess must still be shaken from her trying ordeal. Perhaps facing her fears will allow her the peace of mind she needs to recover fully?"
"I have recovered just fine, thank you very much," Levy did a wonderful impersonation of Gajeel's growl, if she did say so herself.
"No need to be rude to our guest, Levy. And unfortunately, I would not be able to join…matters of state you understand."
The king tapped his bushy chin. Levy knew that look. She silently pleaded for him to propose anything…anything else. Preferably something that banned Jose from the castle where she didn't have to look at his smug face any longer.
"Droy, after you deliver the message to the kitchen, send someone to inform Captain Erza that we will be requiring her ship tonight. Have her post her sailors and some of Commander Gildarts' soldiers onto the Fairy Tail. It is one of the best armed ships in my fleet, so it should suffice for tonight's dinner."
Drow bowed and hurried to follow the king's orders.
"You honor me, Your Majesty." Another one of his deep bows. Levy's foot twitched.
"Let's go," she murmured to Gajeel, trying to make a break for the door.
"And Lucy, please take your time getting my daughter ready. She needs…lots of attention at the moment."
Levy turned her glare to her father. His eyes twinkled, oblivious to the tension swirling around the room like a storm.
"What about Gajeel? He also needs to get ready for the–"
"I'm afraid that will not be possible," Jose once again cut in, "My nephew gets horrible sea sickness anytime he's further than a few yards from shore."
"That does present a problem. I suppose he will just have to miss out on the festivities tonight."
"But!"
"I'm sure he'll be fine without you for a few hours," the king chuckled, ushering her towards the door.
Lucy stepped to the side, giving Levy a questioning look. Levy shook her head slightly, hurrying back to Gajeel's side. She stood on tiptoe and kissed Gajeel loudly on cheek.
"Don't worry," she whispered, giving Gajeel's glowering uncle a final glare over her shoulder, "I'll get you on that ship no matter what."