Worth Is Measured In Love

Chapter 10

Erza was not at all surprised by how Lucy looked when she saw her again after so many years. She had matured to look exactly how the new queen had expected her to look. An enchanting, perfumed, and sparkling young lady with a dowry of gold and diamonds but the gold was on her head and the diamonds were in her mouth, her perfect blond hair and perfect teeth which formed a perfect smile. She was like a ray of sunshine in a sky of stormy clouds.

"Hello Erza." Lucy said, intimidated. Her older sister now appeared so proud, regal, and strong. She was the spitting image of her mother but her father's stance and manner.

"Traditionally." Erza said. "Now that I am queen, everyone must refer to me as your majesty."

Fear crossed Lucy's features when she heard this. She had always been afraid of what Erza would be like once she finally left that tower. Terrified that the years of isolation and misery had turned her cold and cruel like their father.

"But for my little sister, I'll make an exception." She smiled warmly.

Relief washed all over Lucy and she practically sprinted toward the throne, throwing her arms around the new queen who met her with a warm embrace. Many things had changed about the two sisters, but not their relationship. Erza still loved her as much as she did when they were younger.

"I've missed you so much Erza." She said. "This castle just wasn't the same without you."

"And I you." Erza said. "Knowing that I would see you again one day was among the very few things that kept me sane."

"How sentimental." Mard Geer said, acting as if he had a heart that could be touched.

"Away from me."  Erza said told him.

"Yes your majesty." He said bowing.

"Away." She repeated when he didn't move.

"Yes your majesty."

"Away,"

"Yes-"

"Ah-way."

Mard quickly exited the throne room.

"Personally Lucy, I was always concerned about him being in charge of your upbringing." Erza said. "After all, he is no different from Father."

"Well there is one difference. At least he pays attention to me. Father liked to pretend that I didn't even exist." Lucy replied.

"Well in regards to a person like Mard, I'd rather be ignored."

"So you really are the queen now." Lucy said taking a good long look at Erza's garments and the crown she wore. "You look the part, and you definitely act the part. But why wear such dull and drab colors?"

"Because I do not deserve to wear brightly colored gowns of silk and satin yet. I have done nothing to deserve that luxury. Until I have atoned for our father's sins, I shall be humble. I will speak humbly, dress humbly, eat humbly, and live humbly."

"Live humbly? Does that mean your moving out of the castle?"

"I considered it but then I remembered, that would leave that snake Mard in charge of the household. So no. I shall remain in the castle, but I shall not hold any grand galas or balls or celebrations until England's glory is restored. I owe it to my people."