In the end, Natsu's sentence wasn't extended. He only had to apologize and pay a small fine.
Out of pure kindness, or perhaps mischief, Rhodes decided to save him and Lucy the trouble of travel expenses. Grabbing both of them by the backs of their collars, he dragged them straight into a Hex Gate.
In just a few seconds, the three of them landed on the guild rooftop.As their legs wobbled dangerously, Rhodes helpfully continued to drag them down the stairs.
"We're back!" he announced cheerfully.
Mira wasn't around, but Lisanna was the first to notice.
"Brother-in-law! And Natsu and Lucy, wait, why are they like that again?"
She ran over, poking Natsu's face. "Brother-in-law, dragging people around like luggage is way too rough."
Then she helped the dizzy Lucy into a seat up front.
Rhodes glanced at the abandoned Natsu on the floor. As expected of childhood friends, he thought with a smirk. This must be the genuine article.
As he walked through the hall, guildmates greeted him one after another, eager for updates.
Rhodes replied with an easy chuckle, signaling that everything had been resolved.
Then his eyes landed on a certain table. With deliberate care, he set Natsu down right beside Gray.
"Take good care of him," he said meaningfully.
Sure enough, the moment Rhodes turned away, Gray began his usual taunting.
"You're pathetic, you flame-brained idiot. Heard a few guys took you down?"
"What'd you say, you ice pervert?!" Natsu's temper flared instantly. Flames burst around him as he squared off.
Gray pressed his forehead against Natsu's, cold air hissing between them.
But in the next moment, he suddenly went still, then sat back down quietly.
Not only Gray, the entire guild seemed to freeze at once.
Lucy blinked. "What's going on…?"
Happy pointed toward the door. "Look."
Mira walked in, carrying several large shopping bags, and an aura even colder than Gray's magic.
"W-what's wrong?" Lucy whispered, rubbing her arms. "Why does Miss Mira feel scarier than usual?"
Happy whispered back, "Because Rhode's been gone on a business trip too long. She's been in a bad mood all week. Gray got scolded yesterday."
Gray's eyes widened. He wanted to protest but couldn't find the courage.
Hearing that, Natsu and Lucy immediately straightened up and sat like well-behaved students.
After all, they were the main reason Rhode had been detained at the royal palace for a whole week.
Rhodes walked over and wrapped an arm around Mira's shoulders, taking the bags from her hands.
"Didn't I say I'd be back today? Why didn't you wait so we could go shopping together?"
"Because I wanted to make something delicious for you," Mira replied, gently fixing his collar. "You must've worked hard out there."
"You bet," Rhode said, feigning exhaustion. "Natsu snores like thunder, and the royal chefs are hopeless. Even when they make your recipes, it never tastes right."
He "complained" while doting on her at the same time. Even though he'd visited daily through the Hex Gate, it was nothing like being home with her.
As soon as Mira smiled, the guild's tension melted away, the whole place felt warm again.
The chatter returned. Levy hurried over to Lucy, asking how she'd been and slipping in a few complaints about Gajeel's stubbornness.
Natsu, meanwhile, went from being mocked by Gray to being mocked by everyone else, and before long, it turned into the usual all-out brawl.
Just another day at Fairy Tail.
Rhodes ignored the commotion entirely, sitting down to enjoy the special meal Mira had prepared. Even the imperial chef couldn't compare to his wife's cooking.
Mira rested her chin on her hand, smiling as she watched him eat.When he finally slowed down, she asked softly, "How's that matter progressing?"
"It should be soon," Rhodes said between sips of tea. "Please keep an eye on Lucy for a while longer. Has the Council made any moves?"
"I heard they've dispatched an investigation team and warned all guilds," Mira said. "Our guild got the notice, too. There've already been reports of several Celestial Spirit Mages being killed."
Rhodes' expression darkened. "Someone else was attacked?"
"From other countries," Mira explained quietly. "It happened before the Council's warning went out."
The two of them exchanged information in low voices until Rhodes finished his meal and brought the dishes back to the kitchen.
When he returned, Mira poured him a cup of tea and patted the chair beside her. Something about her gentle smile made him suspicious, but he sat down anyway.
Watching her write and sketch, he asked casually, "Is the Master still… busy?" He deliberately emphasized the word.
"Yes," Mira said, smiling faintly. "But not the way you think. He's been contacting other Guild Masters lately, gathering information, coordinating efforts."
"Ahh, so the old man's actually working seriously this time," Rhodes chuckled.
Mira smiled faintly. "If you think that way, the Master will be sad, you know. He's been really worried about all of you these past few days."
Rhodes raised an eyebrow. "You mean you don't think the same thing about him?"
Mira couldn't hold back her laugh. "I do."
A heartless couple, gossiping about a ninety-year-old man behind his back.
The noisy day at Fairy Tail finally drew to a close.
Lucy said goodbye to her good friend Levy and headed home alone.
As usual, she stretched her arms and walked leisurely along the riverside. The evening breeze of spring brushed against her cheeks, and she smiled at the friendly greetings from people passing by in boats.
Even though she'd only been gone a week, she already felt that familiar sense of nostalgia.
"Even being a guest in the royal palace doesn't feel as good as coming back to..."
Lucy pulled out her key, opened her door, and shouted the rest with a grin: "my room!"
"Yo, Lucy."
Lucy froze.
Erza was sitting comfortably on her big sofa, wearing soft pajamas and sipping tea from a porcelain cup. The coffee table beside her held another cup, already poured and waiting.
"Ah… this feeling really is nostalgic," Lucy sighed, pressing her hand to her forehead before stepping inside and closing the door.
She was used to this. Totally used to it. At least this time, it was Erza, a girl, and not Natsu or Happy barging in uninvited.
Resigned, she sat down beside her, accepted the cup of tea Erza had poured, and took a small sip. The black tea was perfectly brewed. Somehow, it felt like she was the guest in her own house.
"Why are you here, Erza?" Lucy asked, glancing over. "Didn't Mr. Rhodes give you some assignment this afternoon? I saw you leave right after that."
Erza nodded, her expression serious. "Yes. He said you might not be able to use your Celestial Spirit Magic for a few days. So he asked me to keep an eye on you, for your safety."
"Huh?" Lucy blinked. Then realization hit. "Wait, I've been in the city the whole time! Isn't that a little overprotective?"
"Not at all," Erza said firmly. "Seven years ago, you were attacked on your way home. And just seven days ago, even Princess Hisui was attacked inside the royal palace. We can't be careless, even in Magnolia."
Lucy stared at her, dread creeping up her spine. "So… what are you saying?"
"I've decided to stay here," Erza declared calmly. "Please take care of me."
"Okay."
Lucy sighed. Resistance was futile.
Still… when she thought about it, sharing her place with Erza wasn't so bad. It was certainly better than waking up one morning to find Natsu and Happy snoring in her bed again.
Erza suddenly stood up, all business. "I've already prepared the bath. Let's bathe together first!"
"You really make yourself at home…"
...
STones Plzzz
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