As Caleb stepped into Erza's quarters, his gaze met hers. Seeing him clutching the books she had requested, she asked him to place them near the lantern.

"Thank you, Caleb," she said with gratitude, reaching out to take the books from the table.

"It's already late, Your Highness. You should be resting; besides, the prince had already requested the cardinal to furnish the books you wanted."

"I appreciate your concern; however, truth be told, I am not yet sleepy. My mind is consumed with thoughts of Jellal."

Caleb couldn't help but feel a twinge of doubt as he observed Erza's concern. He couldn't fully shake off his skepticism. Perhaps a part of him genuinely wanted her to care for his master's well-being because he couldn't imagine himself putting up a façade to peacefully interact with her despite his dislike for Erschelle's hypocrisy.

Erza closed the book in her hands, then diverted her eyes fixed on the entrance of the tent as if she could see through the darkness to where Jellal might be. "I just can't shake this feeling of unease."

"I know how much His Highness means to you, Princess Erschelle. However, the prince is the most skilled person I have ever seen on the battlefield. He knows how to navigate the wilderness, and he's faced many battles before, so this hunt will not be different."

"Hah, you're right, Caleb. You must go now. I'll be resting after reading this." She said as she rested her head on her chair.

"Then I'll take my leave, Your Highness. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to call me." He said as he excused himself.

Erza, alone in the tent, heaved deeply as she summoned her magic. With a gentle touch, the pages of the book began to glow softly as if responding to her magic. The letters etched within the passages of the books glowed and seemed to come alive, shifting and rearranging themselves in the air.

Time seemed to slip away as she delved deeper into the mysteries contained within the pages. She tightened her jaw, frustrated as she finished scanning all the book pages, yet she still hadn't found any text that explained her question. She opened her notebook and stared at a magic circle she had seen in Erschelle's memories.

"What exactly is this spell, Erschelle?" she asked herself as she slumped her head on the notebook.

I don't have that much time left. She said as she closed her eyes, remembering the events a few days ago.

Three days ago

Erza lay still on her bed. She was still bothered by her thoughts and flashback after touching the nightshade, she tried to shrug off the feelings and let sleep consume her, but her heart quickened as she recognized silent footsteps approaching her room. She feigned sleep, wanting to observe his actions without alerting him to her wakefulness. Erza's breathing slowed, her body still, as she waited for the intruder to open the door. The door creaked softly as she kept her eyes closed. Silent footsteps approached her bed.

"Erza?" a feather voice called.

She felt a gentle touch on her cheek, a feather-light caress that sent shivers down her spine. Jellal. She thought as her heart skipped a beat, trying to control her emotions. She continued her pretense, allowing Jellal to believe she was unaware of his presence.

"You're asleep, I see." He murmured as he gently sat on their bed.

Moments stretched on, and Erza could sense that Jellal's hands ventured lower to her neck. She froze as she felt his hands slowly tighten around her neck; she could almost feel as if he was now trying to choke her.

"Ah, I'm such an idiot, aren't I?" he hissed as he loosened his grip.

"I couldn't even bring myself to kill this impostor," he continued, massaging his temples before leaving her alone.

Erza's eyes shot open, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she gasped for breath as soon as she heard none of his footsteps. The sudden rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins. She sat up in bed, her mind reeling from the encounter with Jellal.

"I couldn't even bring myself to kill this impostor,"

Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to process what had just transpired. Erza's hand instinctively went to her neck, recalling the events. The sense of malice in his action lingered there. My cover has been blown.

"What now?" she asked herself as she realized that Jellal now knew that she was not Erschelle.

Erza's mind buzzed with thoughts as she grappled with the complexities of Erschelle's character. She couldn't deny that Erschelle was a mastermind of all enigmatic plans against Jellal, but what bothered her was that she wanted to know why the original Erschelle would be scribbling such a magic circle before the assassination. Do you have any other plans aside from killing Jellal? She questioned herself again as she traced the magic circle in her notebook.

The winter hunt festival had long been a tradition, and the participation of the men from each delegate's household was expected. It was a test of skill, a display of the strength of each family. It was supposedly held every after two years since the mountains of the north often had unforgiving weather compared to any other territories in the empire. However, the festival this year was dedicated to celebrating the crown prince's return, so no matter who the winner was, it will not be credited to the glory of their family. Instead, it will only act as a token to be given to the prince's return.

Meanwhile, deep within its snowy woods, Jellal clashed with the beasts of the mountains. He clicked his tongue as he stomped on the fallen ogre's face; he was not amused with the thought of seeing the ribbon that Erscelle had given him to be tainted by its lowly blood.

Erza's heart skipped a beat as she witnessed Jellal engaged in a fierce battle with the formidable snow beast. Unbeknownst to them, Alexis, driven by unknown motives, had seized the opportunity to launch a treacherous attack on him. Time seemed to slow down as Erza processed the shocking scene. Her instincts kicked in, urging her to take action; however, it was too late. Alexis stabbed him and laughed evilly as he faced her.

Erza gasped as she had woken from her nightmare, her body drenched in sweat. The remnants of fear lingered, making her heart race. Taking a moment to steady her breathing, she wiped the sweat from her forehead. Realizing that it was just a nightmare, Erza tried to dismiss the residual fear that clung to her.

"Jellal," she whispered to herself.

Slipping out of bed, Erza made her way to a nearby basin, splashing cool water on her face to refresh herself. As she gazed at her reflection in the water, she steadied herself. Even if you hate me now because I'm not your Erschelle, that will not stop me from saving you from your pitiful fate. I won't let you take that path again.

Erza couldn't shake off the lingering unease from her nightmare, so she decided to leave the confines of her quarters. The cold air brushed against her skin as she stepped outside, sending a shiver down her spine. A figure towered before her, making her take a step back; it was Caleb.

"Princess? It's still dawn. Is there a problem?"

"Uh, no. I just had a terrible dream. I think the fresh air might help me clear my mind," she stated. "Would you mind if I assist me for a while?"

As they strolled through the camp, Erza felt a sense of calm settling over her. They were discussing things with the hunt, but she later halted as she said her request, making Caleb take a step back.

"His Highness might behead me if I dare to disobey him, Princess Erschelle," Caleb replied.

"I will hold myself accountable. You have my word. Please, I don't want him to be at risk, Caleb. I will return to my chambers, so please find Jellal and make sure he's safe."

Due to her persistence, he couldn't help but agree to her request; however, he proposed an alternative arrangement.

"While I'll be away, I want you to prioritize your safety. Instead of returning to your quarters, I suggest that you stay with the priestess. The barracks will provide you with some company and a safer environment."

"Fine," She nodded in agreement.

As they trotted to the barracks, they saw the white-haired priestess emerge in her deep prayer. As Callista finished her prayers, she opened her eyes and noticed their presence. A gentle smile formed on her lips as she greeted them.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you at this hour, Your Holiness, but I have something to take care of. I hope you don't mind if I leave the princess in your custody." Caleb said as he stared at her.

"It's a pleasure to serve you, Your Highness. Please make yourself comfortable. I'll prepare some tea," Callista said, ignoring Caleb.

Seeing her comfortable, Caleb excused himself before the two. Callista asked why she was up this early. Erza looked at Callista, contemplating how much she should share with her. She decided to be honest.

"I couldn't sleep," Erza admitted softly. "I had a troubling nightmare, and it left me restless."

"I'm sorry to hear that,"

"By any chance, can I ask you about something?"

"Of course."

"The books you gave me did not answer the question I was looking for. I was thinking that maybe by chance, do you perhaps know what this magic circle means?"

Callista's hand shook, almost spilling the tea. Erza noticed Callista's shock and concern over the pattern on the paper. She couldn't help but be intrigued by Callista's reaction.

"Is there something wrong with the pattern?" Erza asked as she showed it to her.

Callista took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. She looked around before she slid the paper into her pocket.

"How did you know about that? No, no we can't be talking about that here. Please follow me," she said as she warily observed their surroundings before picking up the lantern on the table.

Erza followed Callista as they made their way to the underground library. As the magic stone lighted the place, Erza was shocked to see the shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. Callista led Erza deeper into the library. They reached a secluded corner where a particular book caught Callista's attention. She carefully pulled it from the shelf, dusting off its cover before opening it to a specific page.

"Now, if you don't mind, please tell me where you saw this pattern, Your Highness?"

"I saw it in my dream," she lied as she scanned the page.

"B-but that is a forbidden spell. Someone who dares to use that magic spell will lose their life." Callista said as she watched Erza unfold the pages.

"Did anyone see you with this pattern, Your Highness?" she asked.

"No, I only showed it to you. Why? What's the matter, Callista?" she asked as she received the paper from her and compared it to the one from the book.

"If others saw you having that in your possession, they could accuse you of being a heretic. The temple will surely condemn you, Your Highness. That magic spell was the one that the eastern witches used to resurrect the great black magician, Zeref. The black mage that your mother had killed."

A spell that resurrects someone? That doesn't make sense. Why would Erschelle use such a spell? She thought to herself as she closed the book.

"If someone from the dead comes back alive, it will twist the laws of this world." Callista continued.

As he watched the beast's body disintegrate before his eyes, he sensed the swift sound of an arrow being released into the air. His instincts kicked in, and he tilted his head, avoiding the arrow. He turned his head, scanning the surroundings for the source of the attack. He smirked as he summoned his own magic. The scarlet mark on his face became visible again, and so were the marks on his body. The air crackled with energy as he prepared to retaliate.

"Meteor," he said as he dashed to where his assailant stood.

As he drew closer to the tree where the assailant was hiding, he sensed an attack from his side. He dodged and used the other tree to propel and attack the two with his magic. To his surprise, they were left unscathed.

"Dark magic?" he furrowed his brows, seeing someone wield the same magic as he does.

As soon as the figure became visible, Jellal's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the four assassins garbed in black before him. Without a word, they lunged at Jellal. He ducked as he avoided the dark blade the first person was brandishing. The other swiftly parried his sword as he lunged at him. He hissed as he parried both their attacks. Their movements were precise and calculated. Jellal unleashed his dark magic without hesitation, and the snow soon disappeared. The other person used his amulet to counter the spell, protecting them from the magic blast.

"You're quite prepared for this," Jellal laughed as his hair turned black.

He spun on his heel, deflecting one attacker's blade with a swift parry, then twisted his body to dodge a second assailant's strike. With a fluid motion, Jellal executed a precise slash, forcing the third opponent to step back, momentarily disarmed. Seizing the opportunity that Jellal was occupied with the men clashing with him, the archer took this as an advantage and released an arrow aimed at him. He felt a powerful blast of magic, sending the arrow away.

"It seems that it's no longer a festival but an assassination plan on you," Caleb said as he emerged from the distance.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, absolutely irked with his presence.

Hearing the creak of the door to the library, Callista's felt a rush of panic. Erza slid the paper into her clothes while Callista returned the book. Erza's eyes darted around the room as the door swung open. Dressed in the finest white fabric in the empire, the cardinal entered the library with a curious look on his face as his sight befell on the princess.

"Your Holiness," the two greeted.

"It's strange to see someone from the imperial family be here at this hour, Your Highness."

"I apologize for entering the library without your consent, Your Holiness. I was the one who asked Callista for a certain book."

"Ah, I suddenly remembered the books that His Highness had asked me for. I will be sending those books before the ceremony ends. But for now, if you don't mind, I hope I can borrow the priestess as some of the nobles have returned already."

"Pardon?"

"It seems that there's an attack, some returned wounded, and they needed treatment."

As Caleb chased the archer, his eyes met those of the attacker. It was a young woman. Caleb cast a spell on his sword as he attacked. The air crackled with lightning as the powerful attack surged toward the archer. She cried out in pain and plummeted from the tree, landing heavily on the ground.

Jellal parried the first attacker's sword, deflecting the blow with his sword then the assailant stumbled back after getting struck with his magic. Momentarily taken aback, the second assailant lunged at him; Jellal brandished his sword to block his attack and ducked as the other assailant's spell tried to land on him. Irked when the ribbon was slightly burned, he unleashed his dark spell, Altairis.

The defeated archer struggled to rise, her breathing labored. She glared at Caleb as she hissed defiantly. Noticing the strange amulet, he crushed it with his sword, making her whole-body glow, and Caleb flinched, surprised by what he saw. An arrow was left instead of the archer's body.

"No way!" he exclaimed.

"Personality enchantment?" Jellal raised his brows as he witnessed the three swords lying on the floor.

"But this magic," Caleb turned to see Jellal. "There's no other person capable of using magic but the late archmage." He continued.

"I know," Jellal said as he sent his sword back to its scabbard.

"Erschelle Blanche,"

Erza's heart skipped a beat as her eyes settled on a familiar figure in the crowd. His cold eyes met hers. Without a thought, Erza couldn't help but feel her feet moving toward her father's side. His arms were bruised, yet she paid no mind; she did not even understand why she went to him. He dragged her outside the barracks and prodded a question.

"What are your plans now? The empress has been restless," he asked.

"I know. I already told her about my plans. You don't need to concern yourself about it."

"What do you mean not to concern me about it? Aren't you aware that any weeks from now, the crown prince will have his debut, and that means our time is up. If you can't kill Jellal before that, she will kill us instead."

"I KNOW!" she hissed, clicking her tongue.

"You don't need to remind me about that. Listen, I have other plans and-" She was about to say something but a loud cry was heard throughout the camp.

"BEASTS!" a voice shouted from afar.

A collective gasp escaped from the crowd as a massive snow beast emerged on the scene. Its towering form cast a chilling presence over the camp. The snow beast's icy breath created a misty haze in the air, obscuring the view and adding an eerie atmosphere to the already tense situation. Its jagged claws scraped against the ground, leaving deep furrows in its wake. The beast's ferocious gaze locked onto the nobles as if assessing its target.

"Hurry!" a voice shouted, urging the nobles to evacuate to the barracks.

The paladin from the temple assembled before the three beasts; the beasts lowered their gaze as they saw the newfound threat. Their commanders barked orders, rallying their troops to regroup and face the unexpected adversary. The paladins braced themselves as spells were cast and blades clashed against the creature's icy armor. The snow beast's roar shook the very ground beneath them as it charged toward them. The roar shook the barracks. Wooden debris was about to hit but was barred by a magical barrier. Alexis arrives with the emperor and the empress.

"Is everyone alright?" the emperor asked.

Jellal's gaze shifted from the enchanted sword to the direction of the resounding roar. His senses heightened, and his instincts kicked in. Their eyes met briefly before they hastily made their way toward the source of the commotion.

"Erza," he uttered.

The paladins fought valiantly, channeling their holy magic in an attempt to weaken the formidable beast before them. However, to their dismay, their spells and divine powers seemed ineffective against it. The beast's scales, infused with dark and ancient magic, proved impervious to the paladins' holy attacks. Their spells merely grazed the surface, leaving no visible mark or impact.

On the other hand, Alexis unleashed a series of powerful holy spells targeted at the second snow beast, aiming to exploit its weaknesses and weaken its defenses. The beast staggered and roared in pain, its movements becoming sluggish. Witnessing Alexis's ability, the nobles cheered as he single-handedly overpowered the beast.

He's the male lead, after all. Erza thought to herself as she watched him behead the smaller beast with his holy sword. With a final surge of magic, Alexis unleashed a blast of light engulfing the snow beast, causing it to crumble and dissolve into nothingness. The nobles cheered as they celebrated the fall of the other beasts. However, their hope turned to horror as the other beast roared. The ground trembled as the enraged snow beast let out a deafening roar, shaking the very foundations of the barracks. It wagged its tail in its fury, causing a devastating attack and pummeling the barracks into pieces. The walls crumbled, and debris scattered across the area, sending clouds of dust into the air.

Amidst the chaos, the paladins and nobles scrambled to protect themselves, seeking shelter from the onslaught of destruction. Some managed to escape the collapsing barracks, while others were caught under the weight. Erza accidentally used her magic instinctively to save Callista from the crumbling building. Callista was still in shock as she realized that Erza could use magic.

"Are you alright, Callista?"

"Yes, I am. Thank you for saving me, Your Highness." She said, getting up to her feet.

"Impossible," a voice sounded.

Erza turned to see the voice, but no one seemed to hear it. "Did you hear it?" she asked as she assisted Callista.

"Pardon?"

"Holy magic cannot hurt the snow beasts; what kind of magic does that man possess?" it continued making Erza realize that it was the thought of the snow beast.

As her eyes met the ferocious beast's silver orbs. Curiosity sparked within the snow beasts as it sensed the presence of someone who stood out from the rest.

"Oh, so you can hear me, human?"

Intrigued, the snow beasts approached the figure cautiously, their massive forms casting shadows over the Erza. As it drew closer, he was pushed back when Alexis used his magic against the beast.

Erza hastily moved Callista away from the battle. As if sharing an unspoken language, the other snow beast lunged in their direction as Alexis was preoccupied. The paladins tried to create a barrier but were easily broken by the other beast.

Jellal and Caleb hurriedly made their way toward the scene, finally reaching the place where the commotion was. Jellal's heart skipped a beat as he witnessed the snow beast lunging toward Erza with ferocious speed. He desperately tried to rush to her aid but was too late to reach her in time. Time seemed to slow down as Jellal watched in horror as the beast's claws struck her form before a brilliant light enveloped the whole crowd.

"Erza!" Jellal shouted, making Alexis turn his head.

A/N: I'll be posting this in advance; I have a busy week ahead. I'll update you as soon as I can. Thank you for reading. Have a great day!