The Guarded Princess

XXXIX

"What do you think you're doing?!" Toma demanded, raising his voice for the first time.

"T-That's..." Natsu backed down a bit.

"Forgive our rudeness, Your Majesty," Erza bowed. "It was our fault that we didn't keep them in check. Gray," she kicked him slightly. "Lower your head."

He clicked his tongue but did so anyway.

"Whether or not it was his fault or anyone else's fault, I had specified for all of you to not cross those boundaries," Toma flared, his expression dark. "Or is it that my words are not worth listening to and obeying to, Fairy Tail?"

"I sincerely apologize on their behalf, Your Majesty," Makarov immediately bowed. "I didn't warn them severely enough."

Toma, Hisui, and Arcadios just continued to eye them.

Beats of sweat rolled down Makarov's face as he could tell just what kind of peril he was in. Having the Majesty angry at him was one thing but having the monarchies and their subordinates of two dominating countries unleashing their wrath upon him was another. His guild had done something beyond stupid; they did something they never should've done.

"Do you think we'll just let your guild go free like all other times?" Hisui spoke up. "Makarov Dreyar along with Fairy Tail, how many times do you think we Fiore has shown you guys pardon?"

They gulped but continued to stay silent. By now, the other guilds and their respective masters had gathered and to say in the least, not one of them was surprised by what had happened. It was Fairy Tail they were talking about; the most notorious and barbaric guild in Fiore.

"Whatever punishment Your Majesties have in mind, I'm willing to accept it," Makarov said.

"But, it seems like that'll be a problem, Makarov Dreyar," Hisui looked down at them. "Because the ones that you directly offended are not us but someone else."

"Wha-?!" Makarov paled in realization.

Kouen immediately went towards Lucy and checked her over with worried eyes. "Are you fine? They didn't do anything to you right?"

"Masrur was with her. I doubt he would let them touch her," Sinbad said but he, too, had a look of worry.

Kouen gritted his teeth and turned his head, glaring with a murderous intent right at Fairy Tail. A shiver went down their spine as they clenched their hands. His stare felt as if it was burning a hole right through their temple but the fact that all of them were had made their blood run cold. Turning his attention back to Lucy, he looked at Aladdin and then to Masrur.

Masrur nodded his head and bowed, knowing what to do.

"We'll send her back, Uncle Kouen, Uncle Sinbad," Aladdin reassured them. "Don't worry."

Kouen released his hold on Lucy reluctantly and Lucy, knowing the situation, took Aladdin's outstretched hand as she straightened the veil over her head.

"Don't blame yourself," Kouen called out to her before reaching out to take her hand once more. "It won't be long."

"I'm sorry," she apologized.

"Nothing's your fault," he said. "You of all people should know that."

"Little princess, leave this to us," Sinbad reassured her with a pat on the head. "You've done nothing wrong and we all know it. So don't push all the blame onto yourself. It's different now."

She stared at them before smiling with gratitude. They were right. But, before she left, she glared at Fairy Tail with cold and stony eyes; one of unforgiveness and resentment. The wind blew her veil slightly just enough so that Fairy Tail, who had bowed down onto the ground caught a glimpse of who she was to which they immediately widened their eyes in horror.