Chapter Text
Toma E. Fiore sighed, his gaze absorbing the large map laid out on the long rectangular table of his War Council. He leaned on the back of his chair, which stood at the head of the table as his symbol of power. He sighed once more as the rest of the Council, eight other men, argued back and forth over a plan of action. The King briefly wondered if the Magic Council ever had any disputes like the one presented before him. He had better things to do than listen to worthless plans that might fail and cause pain to his people. For one, he had his precious daughter, his only living family, to look after. Toma was not sure that he would be able to see her smile brightly for long, not when several other kingdom's wished for their crown prince's to marry into his country through his daughter's hand. In his opinion, none were worthy. They were all more or less the same: pompous, cold, arrogant, and power hungry. His people needed a king that would lead them into a better tomorrow. Someone who could carry all their hopes without thinking it a burden. A true King at heart and soul, deemed worthy by his daughter herself. If she were to marry, Toma wished it to be with a man she loves.
Toma sighed once more. To get a man like that would take time. But for now, he needed help. The new kingdom's, though small and young they may be, were out for more land and riches. Declarations of war were strewn across the table if the King of Fiore neither gave his daughter's hand in marriage nor allowed for trade routes and colonies to be placed within his kingdom's borders. He believed that no marriage should take place, nor did he believe that the countries ordering for trade routes and colonies were to live peacefully with his children. Most were out for power and gold. Some merely wanted to test their armies...
It was all so very tiring.
The map of Earthland showed all the new kingdom's and small countries declaring war on Fiore. The King found himself wondering if the war with the seven dragons was easier than finding the best ways of peace. Then again, it was not he who led the attack, it was rather that boy from Fairy Tail...
The King hummed.
Natsu Dragneel was a natural born leader. Any fool could see that. But he was still only a boy. A boy who matures in battle and inspires everyone around him with a few words and bold actions.
Toma's brows furrowed in concentration.
The boy would make a good king. It mattered not if he was great, for all that would matter is if his heart was pure and true.
The King smiled a little, oblivious to the continuing banter of the full grown men around the table.
With some training for royalty, Natsu Dragneel would undoubtedly be fit for the throne. And with Hisui by his side... Toma was sure the boy would be worthy of his precious daughter.
A thought passed his mind, causing him to frown.
He would not arrange the both to marry. But perhaps small steps were needed-through his help.
The King of Fiore nodded, coming to a decision. He looked to the council, calling for their attention.
A pin could be dropped and heard as the members sat and looked to the King in respect.
"I realize that war may come, but I would not give my daughter's hand nor would I heed these kingdom's wishes." Some of the members began to protest, but we're silenced when the small king raised his hand. "I understand that you may be confused by this plan of action. I assure you that Fiore's children will be protected. If war should come, we shall access to the Omega." The members all looked at the King with shock, some beginning to protest but were drowned out as the King continued. "It may not be ready to be issued. But if worse comes to worse, I would not have my children suffer the consequences. We must be prepared with our armies at our call. We must alert all wizard guilds that if war should come to pass, Fiore would need them to protect the people. With the wizards on our side, I know that we cannot lose."
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With the members dismissed, the King could feel himself at better peace.
A shadow approached him from behind and into the light, revealing clean, gleaming armor and a stern face. "Your majesty, are you well?"
"Arcadios," the King turned to his guard, "these wars are tiring. In the end I may have no choice but to abide by their desires. My daughters hand included." The King sighed.
Silence passed between them before Arcadios broke it by a question. "Might I ask, sire: do you know what to do with the problems at hand?"
The small King smiled at the knight. "Arcadios, I will tell you as a friend." He paused for effect. "I honestly have ten percent of a plan at the ready."
Arcadios tried not to show any emotion, but his voice betrayed him as it cracked. "Your highness, what do you even plan to do?"
"Hmm. Perhaps sixteen percent of the plan." Arcadios sweat dropped. "But I do know that I would like to have Fairy Tail in this battle."
Arcadios looked at the King curiously. "And why is that, my liege?"
The petite King smiled. "They're a strong guild; proven so by the Games. But it is that boy that I wish to have by my side. The Dragon Slayer."
The honorable knight did not need to ask which Dragon Slayer the King meant by that. He was there in the fight with the dragon's. He could still hear the boy's words burn into his mind as his power was demonstrated.
"That boy," the King continued, "will no doubt grow to be a beacon of hope and guidance to all of Fiore." He paused and chuckled at hearing at his own words. "On second thought, that boy already is a beacon. All of Fiore saw him in the Grand Magic Games. It was his will power that got all of Fiore to believe in Fairy Tail once more. All that is left is to confirm that belief."
"My King..." Arcadios trailed off.
"I do not plan to have the boy marry Hisui. That is their decision to make. But I do wish to keep the boy near without suspicions flowing out of the Kingdom and onto others." The King's face shifted to seriousness, all trace of humor gone from his eyes. "Arcadios, I trust that the boy, Natsu Dragneel, will take this kingdom farther than I someday, whether or not he becomes a king. I can think of only one way that would not be suspicious upon these declarations of war."
Silence emerged as the King got off his chair and began to walk out of the war room, signaling for his knight to follow. Arcadios walked beside the King in the path to his quarters. "What would you intend the boy to be, if you do not mind my asking, my king?"
The King looked up to Arcadios as the knight looked down to him. He smiled, his carefree manner returning. "He would be perfect to protect Hisui," he answered simply.
Arcadios froze, falling behind before coming into step with the short man of power. "My liege, do you believe this to be the best course of action?"
"Of course, my friend. There is no doubt that this would be a mission for the mage that he would see completed. He would protect my daughter. That is his first test."
The knight could feel his heart pound in anxiety as the air around him felt like impending doom was approaching.