Child of Magic | jerza

The Cup of Immortality [6]

"Bow," Minerva whispered.

"Never," Prince Siegrain said hoarsely as the guards pushed him to the ground.

"I'm your sister," Minerva said sweetly. "Don't you know? I'm older than you and Jellal. I'm the true heir."

"Maybe you are," Siegrain murmured. "But you aren't doing the right thing. Maybe Father lied, and yes, even I can understand your hatred of him. It was his sin, why take it out on me and Jellal? But most of all- why take your anger out on all of Fiore? Call off the war. I'm begging you."

"The war is won," the queen said. "Your brother is gone. Your friends have fled. Your father is in the cells. You have always been the underestimated one, Sieg," Minerva said gently. "Bow before me. I'll grant you freedom."

"No. I will never in my life bow to someone who isn't Father." After a moment he added. "Or Jellal when he becomes king." He took a deep breath and looked at Minerva with unwavering eyes. "I always thought of you as a younger sister. Even if you were older."

"You were wrong!"

"Yes, maybe I was. You're an evil sorceress, not a sweet, pretty ward!"

"You're just like Faust!" Minerva hissed with anger. "I'm more than pretty! I'm a sorceress!"

"No," Siegrain said calmly, even as the guards lifted him up and took him away. "You're the one who's like him."

~ ~ ~

"Natsu, Gray, Macao," Jellal whispered. "Find Sieg."

"It's Sir Natsu," Natsu corrected.

Jellal smiled despite the situation. "I can always take away that title from you. Anyway, you're younger than me. There is no way I'm calling you that."

Natsu pouted and followed after Gray and Macao.

"Jellal," Lucy said quietly. "Can you..Do you know if.."

"We'll try our best to find King Jude, princess," Jellal replied. "He's probably with my Father in the cells."

"You don't have to call me princess," Lucy said.

Jellal grinned. "Alright then, Lucy. Stay here with Mira and Porlyusica."

~ ~ ~

I walked alongside Jellal, Gajeel, and Ultear, Excalibur strapped to my side. A man stepped out from the shadows. A simple jab of my sword seemed to do the trick. The immortal man turned to dust.

Jellal gaped at me. "How.."

I smiled. "They're not so immortal now, huh?"

The prince shook his head. "You really amaze me sometimes, Erza."

We continued walking down the corridor until we reached the cells. Several immortal soldiers stood by. King Faust was in one cell, his head resting against the wall, his eyes closed. King Jude was on the ground, his face and clothes streaked with blood.

"Keep calm," I whispered.

"I WILL KILL YOU ALL!" Jellal screamed, brandishing a sword that he knew would have no effect on them. "How dare you treat my Father and King Jude like this.

"Jellal," I said as calmly as possible. "I'll deal with soldiers. Free Faust and take him back to the cave."

"What about us?" Natsu and Gray asked in unison. 

"Gray, go find Prince Siegrain. Stay away from Minerva and Morgause. Natsu.."

I glanced at King Jude with a heavy heart. Now that I was closer, I could see how brutally murdered he was.