Fairy Tail - Second Generation Wizards

Living Behind the Lies

"What!?"

Jellal and Camilla said in unison. I guess they didn't know. Erza nodded solemnly. "Yes. I apologize for not telling you sooner, Camilla." She stood by her daughter. "I thought Jellal was dead--for real--and I figured it wouldn't do anything for you but bring ambition to know your father had been killed." She said, brutally honest, a frown on her face.

"Ambition isn't always bad!" Camilla shouted. She turned to Jellal. "And you... I knew something was familiar about you... But why would you fake death!? Death is not a power to be played with. I know that, and I'm only 16! Faking it is an act of cowardice, and you should feel guilt." Jellal was taken aback, not expecting his daughter to scream at him like that. I met eyes with my mother, who just gave me a silent nod, and started muttering to Natsu.

Storm coughed. The hall was quiet. It was as if there wasn't even anyone in the Guild Hall, except Erza, Jellal, Camilla, Storm and myself. Even then, it was like him and I were invisible. I stared between the three others, so tense you could almost see it crackling between them.

Jellal looked at his feet. "I apologize."

Camilla was calm now, but her face was strained, like she was trying not to cry. "That is no excuse for pretending to die. Why did you fake death, anyway?" She sounded wiser than her age.

"I'm not sure you would want to know."

"Of course I want to." She threw her hands up in the air in emphasis. "That's why I'm asking! That's why I'm so pissed off at you! You just--" Her teeth clamped together. "You just refuse to explain everything! Stop stalling and tell me!"

He looked at Erza, who gave him a glare, and walked away through the crowd of people. I'd forgotten they were there. Jellal stared directly at Camilla. "I'm not stalling, dear, I... I can't remember anything."

"I don't believe you. And don't you 'dear' me." Camilla pointed a finger at him. "If my life is based on lies, why do I even exist?" She stomped off in the opposite direction, right past where Storm and I were standing.

"Millie..." Storm held his hand out to her. She shrugged him off, shielding her face from the throng of people watching her leave. I felt guilt. It wasn't even my doing, but I couldn't help it.

I grabbed Storm's arm, and dragged him with me as I followed her.

"Camilla, wait!"