There was a knock at the grand estate, a beautiful blonde girl wearing a pale blue full length gown, lifted her head from a piano and smiled as she could hear the family's butler answer the door, she elegantly pushed the piano chair backwards then stood up and smoothed out her dress, then left the library to meet her father in his study.
''Lucy, there you are'' said an elderly man who refused to face her
''Of course father'' replied Lucy with her head down, clearly not wanting to stand in the same room as her father
''As you know, I will be away on business for two weeks, I have asked for Gray Fullbuster to stay here and keep you safe in the meantime''
''I understand'' she smiled
''Gray your job is to watch over my daughter to make sure these kidnapping threats do not happen''
''That's what my master told me when we spoke about your request
''Good, now I'll be leaving tomorrow and I'll return the night before the ball. I trust you will keep her out of danger while I am away''
''You have my word, that she will be safe as long as I'm around Sir'' said Gray as he stood up to shake the older man's hand
One of the maids helped Gray to settle in one of the guest rooms while Lucy went back to the library, lunch was prepared for everyone and Gray watched as Lucy went for a walk into the garden. Part of his duty was to protect Lucy so he followed her and found her kneeing before a statue of a woman bent over holding a set of keys
''Lucy'' he called
''Oh sorry'' she said as she wiped her eyes
''It's not easy to protect you if you wonder off'' he smiled as he decided to sit on the ground next to her
''I just wanted to see my mother, today is the anniversary of her death''
Gray was shocked after his years of doing jobs with the Heartfilia family he was well aware that Lucy's mother passed away but he didn't know the details
''She was ill and after she died father drove himself into his work, I was lucky though the maids saw what it did to me so they played with me when I was younger and taught me everything apart ...''
''Apart from how to be a celestial wizard'' he finished
Lucy nodded as she shed more tears
''You know, I know how you feel I lost my parents too but Fairy Tail took me in and raised me''
''I'm sorry I had no idea''
''It's not something I talk about'' he sighed as she looked at Lucy who was now drying her eyes
''You know if you have to stay by my side then your going to be having a late night tonight'' she smiled
Gray couldn't help but laugh and rub the back of his head out of sheer embarressment
''Miss Lucy'' said the butler
''Yes'' she smiled as she stood up and started to brush the dirt off her dress
''Your father has summoned you''
Lucy closed her eyes as she almost hissed to herself, Gray stood up and allowed Lucy to walk ahead of him, he followed her to her father's study and he made a point to stay outside the room, all he could hear was Mr Heartfilia's voice and Lucy speaking in a very timid manner. After fifteen minutes Lucy finally left the room with a small smile across her face.
''What's happened?''
''Father will be leaving just before supper''
''OK then, well lead the way after all Miss Lucy I am here to protect you'' he replied as he bowed before her
Lucy couldn't help but laugh as she curtsied in return then took him to the library, she sat down on the stool with some sheet music and started to play a simple tune on the piano, Gray couldn't help but smile as she started to sing
''Like a small boat
On the Ocean
Sending big waves
Into motion
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might have only one match
But I can make an explosion
And all those things I didn't I didn't say
Wrecking balls inside my brain
I will scream them loud tonight
Can you hear my voice this time?
This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My powers turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I really don't care if nobody else believes
'Cause I still got a lot of fight left in me
Losing friend and I'm chasing sleep
Everybody's worried about me
I'm in too deep
Say I'm in too deep
And it's been two years
I miss my home
But there's still a fire burning in my bones
Still believe
Yea, I still believe
And all those things I didn't say
Wrecking balls inside my brain
I will scream them loud tonight
Can you hear my voice this time?
This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My powers turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
Cause I've got a lot of fight left in me
A lot of fight left in me
Like a small boat
On the ocean
Sending big waves
Into motion
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion
This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My powers turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't care if nobody else believes
Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me
No I've still got a lot of fight left in me
''Wow'' said Gray
Lucy must have forgotten he was standing in the room as her cheeks flared up in embarrassment
''I knew you could play the piano but I had no idea you could sing as well'' then he decided to sit down on the stool next to Lucy
''My mother taught me both, it was something we did when it rained too much for us to play in the garden together. The maids encouraged me to keep playing after she died but I only sing on her anniversary''
''Then I guess I should be honoured to have heard it'' he smiled
''I guess''
The pair were interrupted by a knock at the door, Gray jumped away from the stool as the butler's head peeked round
''Miss Lucy, your father is about to leave''
''Thank you Geoffrey''
''And Miss Lucy, it's wonderful to hear you sing again, you sound just like your mother'' he beamed then left the pair to it. Lucy couldn't help but be embarrassed by the compliment
The pair made their way to the front entrance of the estate, Mr. Heartfillia gave a Lucy a hug and shook Gray's hand who reassured him that he would keep his daughter safe while he was away on business. Once the door was closed one of the maids lifted a top and a short skirt up for Lucy who quickly grabbed them and changed into her regular clothing.
''That's better'' he sighed as she danced down the stairs
''I forgot how much you hate dressing up'' smiled Gray
''I don't hate dressing up I just hate the dresses father expects me to wear every day'' she smiled back
''Miss Lucy, I'm going to take another trunk load of your belongings to your new house now'' said the maid
''Thanks you Aimee'' smiled Lucy as she held her hands and gave her a hug
''New house?'' asked Gray
''Yeah, everyone here is helping me to escape my father'' she sighed
''Escape, to where?'' he asked trying to hide his pain
''Magnolia'' she smiled
''What?''
Lucy grabbed Gray's arm and dragged him into the garden, where they found a bench to sit on so she could explain the situation to him
''My father is trying to marry me off to the son of one of his business associates in order to expand the family company, when I found out about it one of the maids ... Saw that I tried to take my own life.'' Lucy answered clearly upset that she was having to tell a dear friend what was going on. ''Since then everyone here apart from my father have been slowly moving my things to a small house in Magnolia.''
''That's something'' replied Gray in shock
''Tell me about it, I know I shouldn't lie to him but I will not be a trophy to anyone nor be with someone I could never love''
''I get that, plus with you living in Magnolia I could introduce to Fairy Tail. You never know Gramps might let you join us'' he smiled
''Really, I could join Fairy Tail?'' she asked a little too hopeful
''I don't see why not, Gramps never turns down a mage plus we don't have a celestial wizard there'' he smiled noticing that there was something wonderful about the way she was smiling
''That's amazing thank you Gray'' said Lucy as she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. At first he was surprised but he slowly relaxed then placed one of his hands on her back
The pair made their way back to the house, Gray followed Lucy as they went back to the library and Lucy picked out a few books, which she placed on a huge table, she sat down and grabbed a book at the top of the pile
''What are you doing?'' asked Gray
''Some of these books are priceless and I won't be able to take them with me when I leave so I need to make sure I have copies of various forms of celestial magic that I could use in the future when I get my hands on those keys, that's if I can get them''
She opened the book and noticed something terrible had happened
''These books are fake'' she muttered
''Say that again?'' asked Gray as he removed his feet from the table and sat up in his chair
Lucy turned the book around and showed it to Gray, he also saw the pages were blank
''This can't be happening'' muttered Lucy as she ran her hands through her blonde locks with u unshed tears. ''My mothers books have gone''
''There has to be a good explanation for this come on, let's ask Geoffrey is he knows anything''
Gray stood up and helped a heartbroken Lucy out of her chair, he wanted to move but she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him as she started to cry, ''those books and my magic are all I have left of her now''
A knock at the door caused the two to jump away from each other as a maid poked her head round the door.
''Miss Lucy, Carlos was wondering if you were interested in helping him prepare this evenings meal''
Lucy couldn't help but smile, ''I'll be in the kitchen in a few minutes but in the mean time could you find Geoffrey for me and ask him to meet us there''
''Of course, Miss Lucy'' she replied with a nod
Gray and Lucy slowly made their way to the kitchens in deep silence, he was well aware that Lucy was upset over the books and he just wasn't use to a woman needing comfort around him and he had no idea what t do
'' Miss Lucy you wanted to see me?'' said Geoffrey as he met the pair just outside the kitchens''
''Oh sorry yes, I was wondering if you noticed anything strange about my mother's old books?'' she asked
''I do apologise Miss Lucy, I was meant to tell you that we had the books replaced with fakes in order for you to keep them when you leave''
Lucy couldn't help but smile as he hugged the butler
''Thank you'' she mumbled with tears in her eyes
''You are very welcome, we all know how much you want to be a wizard like your mother and her books will help''
Gray was smiling as he could see just how much the staff truly loved Lucy
''Now let's dry those tears, I do believe you and Carlos have supper to prepare for everyone'' he said as Lucy took a few steps back and accepted the handkerchief the butler handed her.
Gray sat at the island in the kitchen as Lucy and the chef worked well together as they prepared a feast for everyone in the estate, she was beaming with excitement as Gray talked about the crazy antics of the guild and even spoke well of some of his fellow guild members. Once the meal had been prepared they all took the plates of food into the grand dining hall, they each sat down and talked about anything and everything. After the meal the staff tidied up and Lucy excused herself from the table asking Gray to give her some space while she took care of a few things as the sun begun to set.
Gray lay on his bed and wondered what sort of life Lucy would have if she was to join his guild, he rummaged through his bag and pulled out his lacrima communicator in order to contact the guild
''Hey Gray'' said a female voice
''Hey Mira, is the old man around?''
''He's in his office sorting out some paperwork is there something I can do to help?'' Replied Mira
''Maybe...'' he sighed. ''This mission is getting messy, the client's daughter is planning on running away''
''That's a shame, Gray'' she said with sadness
''Yeah I know but the thing is she's going to get a place in Magnolia and I was going to talk the old man about it all seeing as she's a celestial wizard''
''Well the master has never turned anyone away and let's be honest most of us are runaways in a way'' said Mira
''Yeah you've got a point there'' he replied with a smile knowing his guild was a family to him. ''Thanks Mira''
''Anytime Gray and take care you hear me''
''You worry too much'' he smiled, the hung up and couldn't help smiling knowing that was something he could do to help. He tossed the lacrima communicator back into his bag then lay down on the bed and sighed with a smile. He stayed like this for a while just as his eyes started to close there was a knock at the door.
Gray sat up and answered it, to find Lucy wearing a white dress, her hair was down.
''Wow'' he muttered, her face turned red as she looked down at her feet
''Thanks, I was hoping you wouldn't mind putting a shirt on and joining me in the garden?''
Gray looked down and realised he was shirtless, ''Shit'' he muttered as he turned around to find and to grab the shirt that was crumpled in a heap on the floor
''And to think you were doing well keeping your cloths on for once''
Gray couldn't help but laugh at her words, he only did up half the buttons as the pair walked through the gardens in silence, Gray knew something was wrong with Lucy as she had a look of great sadness about her, they finally found themselves in the middle of a labyrinth with a fountain and a smaller statue similar to the first one he found Lucy kneeling by. He decided to sit down on the bench and just watched her as she took off her shoes and placed them by the bench
''This is for you mum'' she smiled
Lucy took a deep breathe as her hands started to glow a golden colour, she slowly raised them then clapped them together above her head, sending what looked like thousands of stars into the sky, she started to do a elegant dance, sending more into the sky with not just her hands but with her feet as well, some of the dust she created glowed in her hair and on her dress, Gray watched in awe as in all his years of being a wizard he had never seen anything like this.
Afterwards Lucy turned around to face Gray, he smiled at her but he soon realised that she was crying, he got up and hugged the celestial wizard before him.
''This time of year is always hard for me'' she whimpered
''It's alright'' he said as he tried to stoke her hair to calm her down