To My Readers:
I present to you my first Fairy Tail AU! I'm really happy about how this story is going to progress and the plots I have for it so I can confidently say it will be updated every Monday night. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN any of these of characters or places in which this story takes place. They are all property of the original creator, Hiro Mashima.

I - The Pianist's Ballad

It turned out to be a terrible night for stargazing. When Lucy had made plans to lay out in the garden to study the constellations, a sudden storm appeared out of nowhere and began ravaging the town with pouring rain and streaks of lightening accompanied by rumbles of thunder that shook houses. So instead of stargazing, Lucy settled on spending the night inside the library with all its rows of novels and the beautiful piano.

She sat on the bench with no music book, just allowing her fingers to tickle the keys to an unknown melody. Her eyes slowly closed as the music drifted around the large room and into her ears, matching the pitter-patter of rain pelting the tall windows and roof. The song was soft yet demanding, capturing the attention of anyone within range and pulling their heartstrings to the mourning but peaceful tune. Lucy felt so at peace when she played; like nothing was wrong and everything was okay.

But in reality she knew nothing was alright. In reality, everything was falling apart and she was so lonely it hurt.

Ever since Lucy's mother died, her father became cold and negligent towards her. He locked himself up in his study and no one was supposed to enter unless the servants had brought him a meal or someone had come in for an important meeting. When Lucy was a younger, she would usually make the stupid mistake of sneaking in to say hello or just to see what her father was doing in that big, dark, lonely room all by himself. All those adventures ever received were shouts of anger and a door slamming in her face.

Lucy didn't think her father ever stopped to consider the fact of how much she missed her mother as well. It still hurt her to think of all the wonderful times they had together and how each new day brought about something she wish she could tell her. And coming to the realization she would never be able to share those details of her life broke her heart. She thought it would kill her if she didn't have music and the stars.

Lucy's mother was extremely fond of astrology from a very young age. Before she died she would take Lucy out of bed in the middle of the night and bring her to the library's balcony to glance up at the night sky all alight with stars. She eventually started teaching Lucy everything about the sky; not just the stars but also about the moon, meteors, and how to chart constellations. After she died, Lucy found her mother's notebooks filled with everything she ever learned and knew about astrology. When she discovered her mother's notes Lucy felt a bit more at peace that she had a little piece of her to hold on to even after she'd gone. Although she would never write in her notebooks Lucy, too, started taking up astrology by practicing the same techniques her mother taught her and buying as many books as humanly possible.

Whenever she looked up into the sky to see those stars her mother used to fawn over, she felt closer to her. As if she was now one of the stars winking at Lucy from far above, admiring her persistence for knowledge and celebrating her joy when she discovered an illusive star or finally had the opportunity to watch a meteor shower.

A smile pulled at Lucy's lips as the music flowed through her fingers and prodded her body to sway along with the playing of the keys. The thoughts of her mother cultivated until she could almost feel her sitting next to her on the bench, smiling along with her as the music poured through the air and swirled around them.

But the feeling was short-lived when the door to the room opened and the sound of footsteps sounded through the room. Lucy's fingers played out a short ending to the song and she slowly opened her eyes, half-expecting her mother to still be residing beside her, waiting for her to properly end the song. However, when she turned to her left she only saw the tall window wet with rain and the dark, thundering clouds outside.

She shifted around on the bench to face the person who had come into the library and saw Ms. Spetto walking towards her, her expression timid with her hands folded in front of her.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Lucy," she began, "but your father has requested silence. He has a very important meeting taking place in his study and he finds your playing…'distracting'."

Of course my father would find the talent my mother taught me distracting, Lucy thought. She didn't dare utter the words out loud but she stood from the bench and moved away from the piano, her long, silky nightgown swishing against her ankles with the movement.

"Alright," she replied, forcing a small smile crossing her lips. "I know how important father's meetings are." Though Lucy meant for the words to be reassuring, Ms. Spetto still looked troubled. She came towards her and took her wrists, smiling up at her with sad eyes.

"If it's any consolation, I thought it was beautiful," she said, emphasizing the last word to let Lucy know she really meant it. The only friends and real comfort Lucy received from anyone was from Ms. Spetto. She loved Lucy's mother as much as Lucy did since she also catered to her when she was alive and even when she was dying. That being said, all the other servants were extremely caring, but Ms. Spetto and Lucy had a very special bond and she understood her pain better than anyone.

"Thank you, Ms. Spetto," Lucy said. "I think I'll just head up to bed now." Ms. Spetto nodded and released her wrists.

"Shall I get you anything to drink or eat before then?" she asked. Lucy shook her head.

"No, I think I'll be alright. Thank you, though."

Lucy walked around Ms. Spetto and headed to the door of the library, her heart aching for her mother's presence.

Lucy could hear the distinct sound of laughter. She didn't know where it was coming from, but it was all around her. She opened her eyes carefully—the sun above her was extremely bright—and she blinked a few times before she could clear her vision. Leaning into her elbows, she lifted herself off the ground and stared into a golden field of grass. Wearing a simple blue gown, Lucy could only discern she was the sole person in the field despite what she had heard earlier. Rising from the grass, she decided to have a look around the large expanse of land.

Suddenly, just as she stood up in her bare feet, Lucy heard a familiar laugh fill the windy pasture. Her brown eyes widened and she felt the tears coming. It was her mother she heard.

"Mother?" Lucy called out, swiveling her head around to try and catch a glimpse of her mother.

"Lucy…" she heard, her mother's soft voice echoing through the field. The tears blurred her vision as she tried desperately the find her mother amidst the windy grass.

"Mother!" she shouted, her words disappearing with the wind.

"My darling girl…" When Lucy turned in front of her, she was startled to see a dark figure standing just a few feet from her. Her heart ached immediately and Lucy knew the future to be her mother. It couldn't be anyone else.

"Mother…" Lucy sighed, the tears spilling from her eyes. Her mother suddenly appeared in front of her with a smile on her lips that brightened her beautiful face.

For a while, the mother and daughter just stared at each other, Lucy's face becoming drenched with tears. Her mother—Layla—raised her hand and gently wiped her thumb across Lucy's cheek to brush away a stream of tears. Lucy let out a soft sob and leaned into her mother's hand, reveling in the soft caress of her touch. Slowly, as though to avoid scaring her, Layla took away her hand from Lucy's face and wrapped them around her daughter's waist instead, pulling her against her body so tightly Lucy found it a bit difficult to breathe. But she wasn't about to complain: she ached so many times to be embraced by her mother again and she was so afraid to do something that would startle her out of this dream.

"My beautiful sweet girl," Layla whispered into Lucy's hair.

"I've missed you so much, mother," Lucy whispered back. Layla's arms suddenly grew slack and she released her daughter, much to Lucy's dismay. Taking a step back, Layla looked at her daughter with glistening eyes and she brought her right hand up to her heart, closing her eyes.

"Follow your heart," she said.

The next morning Lucy sat in the large dining room by herself eating breakfast. Ms. Spetto had yet to come in to tell her about what would be happening that day. Usually her father always had something planned for her to do to keep her busy and out of his office. His imagination never ceased to amaze her.

The memory of Lucy's reunion with her mother was still fresh in her mind and she couldn't help but ponder the possible meaning behind her last words. It was pretty clear she hadn't been taking this advice since her mother's death so perhaps Lucy would just know when it was appropriate for her to "follow her heart". The occasion hadn't yet presented itself yet, so she figured something had to change in order to provoke the right moment. Though she was wide awake, she could still feel the spot on her left cheek where her mother had placed her hand and wiped away her tears.

While Lucy wondered about her dream's meaning, the huge wooden doors to the dining room bursted open and Ms. Spetto appeared, running into the room.

"Lucy, Lucy!" she shouted, panting heavily from running. Lucy's attention was now fully trained on Ms. Spetto as she made her way towards her and took a moment to catch her breath.

"Ms. Spetto, what is it? Are you alright?" Lucy asked, standing from her spot at the table and coming over to rub Ms. Spetto's back as she took in air.

"Y—your father is allowing you to come with me into town," she huffed, looking up at Lucy. "He's letting you out of the house for the whole day!"

Lucy's heart leapt with joy at the idea of having the whole day to spend outside, surrounded by people. She was hardly ever allowed to leave the grounds of the mansion so she felt completely liberated. She smiled widely and hugged Ms. Spetto for no other reason than to express her sheer excitement.

"Oh, Ms. Spetto, there's so much we can do!" she exclaimed, taking her hands. "We should go clothes shopping! There was a gorgeous dress I saw in one of the shops magazines a few days ago and I've been dying to get it! Could we please go to the shop?"

Ms. Spetto smiled brightly at Lucy, pleased at her excitement. She was usually always so calm and well-mannered but Ms. Spetto knew that wasn't the real Lucy. She was more spontaneous and happy when her mother was alive but ever since her death and her father's tightening of the house rules, she'd been far more compliant to being silent and obedient. Seeing her overwhelmed with excitement was a rare and wonderful sight; as well as an incredible feeling.

"Of course we can, darling," Ms. Spetto replied, cupping Lucy's cheek with her palm. "It is your day after all."

Although she only wanted to run into her room, grab the magazine, and rush out the door, Ms. Spetto made Lucy finish the rest of her breakfast before they set out for their day on the town. Once Lucy scarfed down her breakfast she dashed upstairs and changed as quickly as she could into a light pink, knee-length dress with a lace-covered color, short sleeves, and a pleated skirt falling from underneath the satin bow wrapped around the waist. Lucy stood in front of her vanity mirror and took a small bit of blonde hair to tie into a pink ribbon. Before she left she made sure to grab the magazine and her old brown leather strapped purse to carry her's and her mother's astrology notes. Lucy always wanted to have them with her.

"Lucy, are you almost ready?" Ms. Spetto shouted for Lucy up the stairs as she slipped on a pair of white kitten heeled shoes with matching bows on the rounded toe.

"Yes, I'm coming!" Lucy shouted back, opening her bedroom door and walking quickly down the hallway. Just as she was about to come to the top of the stair's landing, she stopped herself before slamming right into her father as he walked out of his study.

Lucy gasped at his sudden presence and backed up a bit, clutching her magazine and purse strap in one hand, her other hand flying up to her chest. She stared at him expectantly, waiting for him to say something as he looked her over. As always he was dressed in another one of his suits as if expecting to meet with someone important every day but only wasting the day away in that cramped study of his. He grunted when he looked down into Lucy's eyes and gave her a curt nod as he turned on his heels and headed back into his study. Lucy watched him go into the dark room, closing the door behind him with finality.

"Lucy, hurry!" Lucy heard Ms. Spetto call for her. She straightened her purse over her shoulder and hurried down the stairs, holding her magazine up in the air as the giddiness filled her once again. Her father was still letting her off the property. Lucy could be happy…for now.

A/N: Please let me know what you guys think by leaving a review. It means a lot to hear from the audience about what they think of the story. Thank you and Chapter 2 will be up next Monday.