Together

Chapter 55

"Now then, as promised, I let you enter the palace," Kouha said. "I'll mention you guys to my older brother and king but the ultimate decision whether he sees you or not relies on him. So don't get your hopes up."

"That's fine," Laxus said.

If he couldn't get an audience with the Emperor, he'll just barge his way into the imperial palace and find Lucy somehow.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Prince Kouha," the three bowed.

"No problem," Kouha waved at them. "But do tell me your names. It's only natural to do so after I gave you guys my name."

"The name's Bickslow."

"I'm Evergreen."

"Freed Justine."

"And you, old man?" Kouha asked.

Laxus glared at him before looking away. "Laxus Dreyar."

Kouha widened his eyes at his name as everything around him went silent. He recognized that name. It was the name of Lucy's past lover and the man that betrayed her. For him to come all the way to the Kou Empire...what business did he have? Anyhow, he wasn't amused to see him. But promises are promises.

"Jinjin, show them to the assembly hall," Kouha said, staring at them in disgust. "I'll go pay En-nii and Kouhi-sama a little visit."

"Understood," Jinjin replied as she gestured for the four of them to follow her.

Freed, Evergreen, and Bickslow looked at him questioningly, wondering what the sudden change in attitude was. Laxus eyed him before turning to follow. Kouha looked at them, gripping the blade in his hand and grinned. How he wished he could just slice through clean fresh blood right now.

"Well, time to tell En-nii about this," Kouha said, skipping back to the imperial palace.

In the palace~

"What did you say?" Kouen raised his voice.

"It seems that Laxus Dreyar has come to the Kou Empire to grant an audience with you, En-nii," Kouha said.

"That's not possible!" Happy said.

"Happy's right. That man doesn't even know that we're here," Lily pointed out. "Unless..."

"Unless someone told him," Koumei finished.

At the time that Kouha walked into the room, everyone was gathered in the study room, a rather rare scene considering the loads of work each of them had. As usual, Kouen was sitting in his chair with Koumei to the side. Lucy sat to the other side of Koumei with Kuugen laying at her feet and Happy, Carla, and Lily flying in the air around her. Kougyoku sat next to Lucy, the two reviewing countless of scrolls that were sprawled out.

When Kouha had finished saying it, Lucy widened her eyes and dropped her scroll in shock.

"It was me," Carla said, looking at the floor in guilt.

"Carla?" Kougyoku said. "Why?"

"I'm painfully aware of what he did but still, I think he had his own reasons for doing it," Carla said, clenching her hands.

"But even so-!" Koumei said.

"I know you guys don't want me to do that! I know you guys hate him!" Carla said trembling. "But, I want Lucy to see him."

"Huh?" Lucy said.

Carla looked at her in sorrow. "Lucy, I know you still yearn for him. That's why I told him. You can hate me however you want but at least, properly say what you want to him. I want to end your suffering, Lucy."