Jerza: To Love A Prisoner

Chapter 5:

Erza's POV:

I had gotten back to the king, and did the same thing as last night. Greeted him after my hunt had been taken to the kitchen, and I was once again given a day off. I ate and thanked Mira. The only thing that was different, was that I was sitting down with one of my best friends, talking about her upcoming baby.

"I'm so glad you came over Erza! Natsu has been around me as much as he can and it's suffocating me. I know he's worried but it's hard to handle sometimes." Lucy complained.

I patted her back. "I know, but it shows he cares. He's really worried for you and the baby. You'll get through it. At least he left you alone because he knew I would be here to protect you." 

Lucy groaned. "Yeah but I can protect myself! I was a part of the castle guard too. It just gets annoying. You're right though. At least he's giving me a break tonight."

I nodded as she gave me a smile. "Hey, did you pick out some names yet?" I asked. I couldn't say anything else because then she would know Natsu mentioned it to me.

She got excited. "Yep! If it's a girl then it's going to be Nashi Layla Dragneel. If it's a boy, it's going to be Luke Igneel Dragneel."

My eyes sparkledd at the names. "That's so cute! You picked out wonderful names!" I complimented.

She smiled at me. "Thank you so much, Erza!"

"So, when am I gonna see my niece or nephew? I wanna be an auntie already!" I whined.

Lucy laughed. "Soon Erza soon! wait 8 months, okay? I have to wait too, you know. So does Levy. I already have one girl pestering me about it, I don't need two."

I laughed. I expected Levy to be the first to know. If me and Lucy were best friends, then Levy would be a sister. They trust each other with their lives, as do we.

"So. What's been happening with you?" Lucy asked.

I thought about telling her. I promised Jellal that I wouldn't speak of it though, but Lucy's my best friend. Should I just say I met a new friend? No. She'd want to meet him. She can't meet him. 

"I've been doing the hunt and training, mostly. I've also been breaking up the fights between Gray and that husband of yours. Sometimes I wonder how you fell in love with a fool like him, but I'm not one to judge." I told her.

Lucy chuckled. "Natsu may be dense, but that's what I love about him. Even you've seen that loving and caring side of him. Not many have, not even the king himself."

I smiled at her words. She truly did love him. We talked until Natsu came in saying it was time for me to rest up for tomorrow's hunt. I nodded and headed back to the castle. The guards and servants who didn't want to live in the castle had to at least live close, so it wasn't a long walk. Lucy and Natsu didn't want their child to live under the restrictions of the castle after I described what it was like. After hearing how the others lived, I must admit that my life was a bit boring and controlled, but I was still grateful. It's better than living hungry on the border of Rosemary Village. 

Now, I know what you must be thinking. Why do the servants, guards, and their families live so close to the castle where they can easily be targeted by an enemy? Well, the family members above 10 years old train in basic combat, as do the servants. The guards don't need to be worried about because they are strictly trained by the castle anyways. It's perfectly safe, and we don't even have enemies anyway. All we have is the rival kingdom of Bastia, which will make a treaty centered around my marriage with Lyon. I have never even met Lyon, actually. We are going to meet for the first time at the First King's Festival, which is when the feast takes place. King Precht assured that we will get along and enjoy each other's company, but after hearing Jellal's story I'm not so sure about that. Jellal never mentioned his last name, though. So it might be a different person. I will still be a little cautious, though.

I walked along the dirt path the guards take to the castle. The guards have their own little village right next to the castle, so they all take the same path. I stopped and looked up at the night sky. Stars dotted the navy blue blanket that stretched across our kingdom and the land. And also the forest where Jellal lives. And . . . where his pack died. I silently mourned for his pack. Meredy especially. She sounded like such a nice wolf. She was actually similar to me in a way. We were both abandoned by our family, taken in, and lived happily with our new family for years. I wondered if I would die like her too. It was a horrible way to die the way she did. Even our hair was somewhat similar by the description Jellal told me. Her fur was pink, and my hair is bright red. Jellal said that sometimes when she jumped or turned around, the sun would hit her fur just right and it would look a pretty shade of red. It wasn't far off from my scarlet shade, actually. 

I wandered down the road towards the castle, and into my chambers, imagining what Meredy was like. If I lost Lucy, or Levy and Juvia, or any of my friends, then I would feel the sorrow he feels. I do not wish for anyone to feel that emotion. Not even those who deserve it, like that Lyon guy. I understand though, why Jellal let him live. It truly is torture to live knowing that you directly killed someone. Especially one that showed you love and kindness. I got ready to sleep, and drifted off on my canopy bed that I've had for years. I would visit him again tomorrow. And probably every day since then. But a question lingered in my mind.

How would I visit him when the feast is over?