Jerza: To Love A Prisoner

Chapter 2:

Erza's POV:

I was still a little shaken. I had just left the cave the hybrid was in. He let me leave, and I couldn't believe it! He had one condition though, and that was to not speak of our encounter to anyone. I don't know whether I should tell anyone or not. Would it be considered betrayal to the king? Would I be considered a liar if someone found out I hadn't said anything? 

The wolf had carefully studied me. I still had not learned its name. I questioned whether I should come back to the cave the next day. I could come back without anyone knowing, because I was supposed to go out to find and hunt food for the rest of the week. The feast was in about two weeks. I decided I wouldn't speak about this to anyone until I got answers to my many questions that ran through my head. The most common one being, Why did he let me go? 

Hybrids were basically myths in our kingdom, and in the other ones too. Even seeing one was a legendary occurrence, so why would he let me go? He risked his safety and current peaceful living status by doing that. Was it possible he trusted me? All of these questions and assumptions were running through my head. After having a mental argument over it, I decided to keep it a secret for now, and come back to the cave tomorrow. I was supposed to be out until evening everyday to hunt anyways, so it wouldn't be suspicious as long as I come back before nighttime with a good amount of food. With that set in stone, I walked around the forest and found my food hull. Luckily no wolves had gotten to it like I feared. Which brought me to my next question. Where was his pack?

He was definitely an alpha. So he had to of had a pack. It was extremely rare for an alpha to be alone unless it was night. It was late afternoon so it doesn't make sense. Even if it was night, an alpha is usually accompanied by another wolf or two, which would spring at anything that seemed threatening to their leader. Did he send some sort of signal for them not to show themselves? I realized I was definitely overthinking this. He might have just been alone at the time. It's a rare occurrence, but it wasn't unheard of. I decided that I should be getting back to the palace to present my hunting success to the king. I scouted around and found my way back to the kingdom. It was a few minutes to evening when I returned. Two of my subordinates at the palace gates greeted me by my official name with a bow.

"Good evening General Scarlet." They said in unison.

"Good evening, men. Would you mind opening the gates for me? I have to present the king with my hunt." I replied, asking politely.

They nodded and opened the gates, letting me through. I thanked them and they returned to their posts. It felt weird being called a general. I had not gotten used to it yet. I requested a meeting with the king and was immediately granted audience with him. The servants of the castle brought the food to Mira and Lisanna in the kitchen, for them to prep and safely store until the day of the feast arrived. I entered the throne room and walked down the corridor only to stop before the king, sitting on his throne in the middle of two tapestries, which bore the familiar mark of the kingdom of Magnolia. I kneeled down before him in respect, waiting for him to speak. At last he did.

"General Scarlet, my assistant. Was your hunt successful?" He asked.

"Yes, your majesty. I've collected pigs, berries, and a few deer so far. I will go out again tomorrow and hunt once more." I responded.

"Stand, Erza." He commanded. I did so. When I looked up at him I saw a proud smile. I returned it.

"I am very proud of you, child. A young one like you, only 19. And you have once again exceeded my expectations. I am glad I've chosen you to complete this tradition. You have earned this honor. Mirajane will give you your supper and then you may have the evening free. Mokarav has already been notified to fill in for you and complete your duties. Rest well so you may go out again tomorrow." He said.

I nodded and bowed, then took my leave. King Precht was almost like my third father. Mockarav being my second. My parents died when I was an infant, and I was abandoned in a village south of the eastern border of Magnolia, called Rosemary Village. When I was 5, Mokarav was visiting the village. He saw me and asked around, and found out that the villagers were aware of me, but had no room to take me in. They fed me whatever they could, and without them I would have died. Mokarav saw that they were trying hard to care for me but they couldn't do much, so he convinced the king to let me stay at the palace with him. They ended up raising me, and I moved up in the ranks for 14 years and officially became general a week ago. I never knew how to thank them, but decided a good way to start was to be extremely loyal to the kingdom and our home.

I walked to the kitchen and saw Mira, who gave me some food. I ate quickly and walked around the palace, looking for something to do. I ran into my comrades, Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fullbuster. And surprisingly, for once they weren't fighting. As I got closer I started hearing bits and pieces of their conversation.

"So how's it been with Lucy?" Gray asked.

"Luce? It's great! We're actually expecting our first child." Natsu replied.

I mentally screamed. Child?! Since when were they having a child?! Lucy never told me this!  Natsu was married to one of my best friends, Lucy Heartfilia. Well, actually it's now Lucy Dragneel. I never thought they would have a child that soon though. They only married less than a year ago.

"Child?! You? A child?" Gray asked, surprised.

Pft, not more surprised than me, that's for sure.

"Watch it, Gray. Yeah, Luce is about 2 weeks along, I think. No actually, I'm pretty sure it's 3 weeks. Yeah, 3 weeks. We already have names stacked up. Just don't tell Erza, okay? Lucy wants to be the one to tell her. She even called her to ask to meet up tomorrow after her hunt. If you spoil it then Lucy will be upset, and I don't want my wife upset." Natsu warned him.

"Gotcha, man. Won't tell a soul." Gray promised.

They looked up and saw me, standing there shocked. Natsu panicked.