Keeping Secrets

Depths Of The Soul

Welcome back! Hope y'all enjoy Natsu's battle with Larcade... and the aftermath >:)

KEEPING SECRETS CHP. 11- DEPTHS OF THE SOUL

Natsu walked back into the arena, the crowd roaring in excitement again. As he made his way to the center, Neinhart's voice boomed, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S TIME FOR PRINCE NATSU'S FINAL MATCH AGAINST HIS CHALLENGERS FROM THE SPRIGGAN 12! BUT FIRST, LET'S GIVE THE SPRIGGAN 12'S VALIANT LEADER, LORD AUGUST, A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR RESTORING THE ARENA!" Neinhart waited for the applause to die down before continuing, "NOW, I KNOW ALL OF YOU ARE DYING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE PRINCE, AND TO THAT END I HAVE GOOD NEWS- AFTER TODAY'S FESTIVITIES THE IMPERIAL REPORTER WILL BE CONDUCTING AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE PRINCE!"

"HOWEVER, UNTIL THEN, HIS FISTS WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DO THE TALKING!" Dimaria enthusiastically added.

Meanwhile, Natsu had a look of pure bewilderment on his face. Exclusive interview?

In the royal box, Invel narrowed his eyes at Zeref. "You did inform Natsu about the interview, right, Your Majesty?"

Zeref kept his same solemn expression and continued to stare forward, refusing to make eye contact with Invel. "I... may have forgotten."

Invel sighed. "And suddenly, the resemblance between you and the prince deepens." He deadpanned.

"PRINCE NATSU'S OPPONENT IS SOMEONE YOU ALL KNOW WELL! HIS FANCLUB IS UNRIVALED AMONG THE TWELVE! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LET'S HEAR A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR LARCADE DRAGNEEL!"

The crowd cheered as Larcade made his way to the center of the arena slowly, a tranquil expression on his face and steps seemingly full of confidence. Natsu rolled his eyes as he heard many women of various ages declare their love for Larcade.

"AS YOU ALL SURELY KNOW, LARCADE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE OF HIS MAJESTY FOR MANY YEARS NOW. HIS MAJESTY EVEN SO KINDLY BESTOWED HIS OWN FAMILY NAME TO LARCADE SINCE HE HAD NO FAMILY OF HIS OWN!" Neinhart said.

"YEAH, AND OUT OF THE PRINCE'S THREE CHALLENGERS, LARCADE DEFINITELY SEEMED THE MOST AGGRESSIVE IN HIS INITIAL APPROACH!" Dimaria added. "GUESS THERE'S SOME BAD BLOOD THERE!"

Larcade locked eyes with Natsu as he approached his uncle, tranquil face unchanging. "I'll admit uncle, you did very well in your matches against Ajeel and God Serena. Your power is impressive..." His tranquil smile curled into a smirk. "But not impressive enough to defeat me. I hope you've enjoyed your fifteen minutes of fame as prince of Alvarez, for it is rapidly approaching its conclusion. After today, you will no longer be welcome here. And father will no doubt see having you here was nothing more than momentary nostalgia."

"Wonder why he spent the week training me then." Natsu said, laughing as he saw Larcade's haughty look melt off his face.

Larcade's shock was quickly replaced with a furious scowl. "Your attempts to get under my skin with deception will get you nowhere, Uncle Natsu. We'll settle this with our fists!"

He really thinks that was a lie? Pfffft. Natsu tried not to laugh as he answered, "Fine by me."

In the royal box, Irene raised an eyebrow. "Your Majesty, did you really tell Larcade you would make Natsu leave Alvarez if he lost to Larcade today?"

Zeref chuckled. "Natsu agreed to Larcade's terms, I did not. Let's just say, regardless of the outcome today, Larcade will not be pleased. If he was smart, he'd throw the match. But seeing that he's not... well, it's probably for the best anyway. Natsu would be so disappointed if he did and I hate to see my brother so upset. So, we'll let them have their fun." Zeref summoned a flame to his hand for the final time that day, launching it across the sky.