Keeping Secrets

Undeserved Hatred

Aaaaaaaaand we're back! Hope everyone enjoys the chapter :)

Chapter title taken from the song of the same name by Darkness Before Dawn

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KEEPING SECRETS CHAPTER 38: UNDESERVED HATRED

Conversation and ice cream finished, Brandish led Lucy back through the winding corridors of the palace, chatting idly as she helped her new friend find her room.

That was, until they rounded a corner- and found themselves face to face with someone who regarded them- specifically Lucy- with a very frigid gaze.

"Well," came Invel's clipped tone as he adjusted his glasses. "Taking the time to fraternize with us 'evil henchmen' of the Black Wizard? How very generous of you, Miss Heartfilia."

Lucy flinched. The sarcasm in his voice hit like a slap, shame flaring hot in her chest.

Brandish, however, just smirked and gave Lucy a light tap on the shoulder. "Yeah, I'm outta here before he starts lecturing me too. Later." With that, she turned on her heel and disappeared down the hallway, leaving Lucy blinking in surprise- stunned, and a little betrayed.

Exhaling slowly, Lucy turned back to the Winter General, hesitating only a moment before forcing herself to meet his eyes.

"I was wrong to say those things." She admitted, voice quiet but steady. "And... I'm sorry."

Invel remained impassive. "I see. I assume you lashed out at His Highness after the confrontation on the bridge- and are now feeling the consequences of your outburst."

Lucy bit her lip, feeling her eyes sting. Invel's words were harsh and she wanted to argue back, but she didn't feel like she had a right to at the moment. Not after what she had said to Natsu. The image of his face, wounded and shocked, when she'd told him he 'wasn't the Natsu she knew' surfaced in her mind, the memory feeling like lead in her stomach.

Invel crossed his arms, unmoved. "I still find Fairy Tail's hypocrisy... fascinating. A guild that preaches the value of bond... and yet would condemn His Highness for rekindling the most fundamental bond of all, in my opinion."

Lucy almost fired back that the bond he had 'rekindled' was with the black wizard Zeref... but she caught herself.

"Zeref isn't evil, Luce. He's hurt. Tortured by that damn curse."

Natsu's words from earlier echoed in her head. and she reminded herself the bond Natsu had rekindled wasn't with some larger than life, evil, legendary figure. It was with his older brother.

His family.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Lucy nodded slowly. "I see your point."

Invel didn't say anything for a moment. She could still feel his eyes on her, and just as Lucy was about to look back at him, he finally sighed, and spoke again- still cold, but with less venom in his voice.

"I suppose I cannot blame you entirely. You did not choose to grow up in a world that demonized His Majesty at every turn."

Taking that as an opening rather than a rebuke, Lucy shook her head. "It's more than that. I just...I could never have imagined Natsu Dragneel of Fairy Tail could be Zeref's little brother."

Invel studied her for a moment, expression unreadable. Eventually, he asked, "Do you have siblings, Miss Heartfilia?"

She blinked at the unexpected question before shaking her head. "Uh, no. I don't."

"I see." Invel said, gaze softening as he sighed again. "It may be difficult to explain, then. But having siblings..."

He paused, as if weighing his words, before continuing in a tone that was almost wistful.