"Absolutely not," Igneel yelled. "You will not heal her!"

"And if I don't?" I yelled back. "Minerva will be dead! Morgause will get angry and kill Faust herself! Jellal and Sieg will be heartbroken!"

"I will not grant you the power to heal the king's ward. Let her die," Igneel whispered.

"Please," I begged. "Please, Igneel. Help me."

Igneel sighed, "Very well. I see I can't convince you. But mark my words, young sorceress. Your soft heart will be your end."

~ ~ ~

I ran back into the castle, repeating the incantation over and over in my head.

"You got it?" Porlyusica asked, getting up from her seat beside Minerva

I nodded breathlessly. "Where's Faust?"

"I convinced him to go get something to eat," the physician said. "Are you sure you can do this?"

"Yes," I whispered.

I sat beside Minerva, the woman who had become my sworn enemy. I placed my hand on her forehead and closed my eyes. "Ahlúttre þá séocnes. Þurhhæle bræd."

My hand glowed for a moment before fading. Porlyusica hovered over my shoulder. "Did it work?"

I shrugged. "Probably. She'll wake up in a few-"

"Porlyusica!" Faust said, entering the room. "I need to talk to you." He narrowed his eyes at me.

I rolled my eyes and left the room.

~ ~ ~ 

Minerva's eyes flickered open. Porlyusica and Faust were talking by the doorway, their backs turned.

She quickly shut her eyes.

"You have to save her," Faust whispered. "Please."

The physician placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know how much she means to you, sire. She's like your daughter-"

"No!" Faust grumbled. "Porlyusica..remember Misaki?"

"Queen Misaki," Porlyusica sighed. "She was beautiful."

Faust swallowed. "Minerva..she's my daughter."

Minerva screwed her eyes shut, willing herself to keep still.

NO...NO...NO..

"Sire.."

"Please. Before Misaki died she told me Minerva possessed magic deep inside of her. I can only hope..Minerva never discovers her true powers."

"But why lie?"

"Because if Minerva discovered she had magic..She would bring shame to the family."

Minerva fought the tears that were brimming in her eyes.

NO..NO..NO..

"She'll be fine," Porlyusica promised.

"Thank you."

The king left and the physician turned around.

Minerva lay still, pretending to be asleep.

~ ~ ~

"Why did he lie?" I asked.

The old woman didn't answer. Instead she asked, "Why were you listening?"

I laughed. "You know me, Porlyusica. Tell me."

"He was ashamed. Lady Minerva is older than Prince Jellal and Siegrain. King Faust was afraid she might discover she had magic."

"But she does!"

"King Faust doesn't know that!"

"We must tell him!"

"It's not that easy! He won't believe you."

"Why?" I questioned.

"Because..he's stubborn."

A rustle from the bed behind us made us stop talking. The Lady Minerva had gotten up from the bed. "W-What happened?"

The physician smiled. "A small accident. You're fine now, my lady. How's your head?" 

Minerva rose elegantly from the bed and looked into the mirror. "Will this leave a scar?"

"A small one."

She sighed. "Thank you, Porlyusica."

The old woman nodded her head graciously.

"I..should get going."

"Where to?"

"My chambers. I'm a bit tired."

As I watched the black-haired woman go, I had the feeling she was listening to every word King Faust had said.

In a way, I kind of pitied Minerva Orland.

No. Not Minerva Orland.

Minerva Fernandes.

~ ~ ~

"My lady!" Morgause exclaimed. "What happened? I was so worried!"

The curly-haired woman touched her friend's forehead gingerly. "Hurt?"

"A little."

"You're crying," Morgause noticed, trailing her finger down to her cheek.

"F-Faust i-is my father.." Minerva sniffled. "He lied."

Morgause's face hardened. "Why?"

"He suspected I had magic since I was a baby. He was ashamed."

"That wretch," Morgause snarled. Suddenly her face split into a grin.

"What?" Minerva asked.

"If Faust is truly your father..We must change our plans."

"Why?!"

"How old are you, my dear?"?

"Twenty-seven," she responded promptly.

"And Jellal and Siegrain?"

"Twenty-five.."

Morgause smiled. "You have as much rights to the throne as they do."