Prologue
X776- Heartfillia Konzern
Lucy Hearfillia went to the study where the servants said her mother called for her.
When she entered the room, she saw Layla was talking to a young male about two years older than her.
Layla saw Lucy and gestured to the young male "Lucy,this is Shiki. Shiki, this is Lucy" Layla introduced.
"What is he doing here, mama." Lucy asked " Isn't he a bit too young to work?"
Layla looked at Lucy and said "I heard you said you were a bit lonely because you have no friends with your age. Well, Shiki here will be your playmate."
Lucy's eyes sparkled "That means you can play with me? You will be my new friend. You can play with me all the time, right?"
Shiki chuckled. "I am going to help in the kitchens only, Miss Lucy, but if you need a friend for your age, you can see me in the kitchens."
Lucy grinned and Shiki went to the kitchens while Lucy followed him like a curious nine-year old would do.
Layla looked at the two new friends and sighed "My time with you might end soon, Lucy. Hope my childhood friend's son can help you feel happy."
X777- After Layla's death
"Princess Lucy?" Shiki looked at Lucy. Lucy's eyes were red. She was still crying.
"Mama isn't coming back, is she?" Lucy asked Shiki. Shiki looked away and said "If you looked at it that way, Miss Layla isn't coming back."
Shiki looked at Lucy and continued "But the way I see it, she is still here with you." He took Lucy's hand and placed it on her chest. "In here."
Lucy just hugged Shiki and whispered "Thank you, Shiki" Shiki just hugged her back and answered "You're welcome"
Shiki broke the hug and smiled "Now how 'bout a curry bun to make you stop crying?" He was holding a piece of bread in his hands.
Lucy just smiled gently and Shiki gave her a piece of curry bun "I've learned it from the Phantomhive's butler. They said it was tasty and they won the curry contest with it."
X778- Lucy's Brithday
"Happy Birthday, Princess Lucy." Shiki placed a cake in front of a ten-year old Lucy.
"You know that you don't need to call me princess" Lucy said sadly
"Aye, but you are a birthday girl, lass" Aed the cook said to Lucy. "The lad made this pretty cake for you."
Lucy started to cry and the boy who made the cake started to dig his pockets.
"Princess!" He had something in his hand. "Here your birthday present." He handed Lucy a silver key. "It's the spirit of the harp Lyre"
Lucy looked at the key and stop crying. "Thank you, it must have cost you a lot."
"It was nothing." The boy said nervously.
"Lass, the lad have spent all his life savings on this key. You better appreciate it." Aed said
"Princess, don't listen to what he said." Shiki blushed while trying to hide the fact that he almost spent his life savings on the key.
Lucy smiled at her friend's antics and joked "Don't worry, Shiki, as payment, you will have to marry me in the future"
Shiki's blush turned even redder and he panicked "I can't marry you, you're still young, I don't think the master will like it if a kitchen boy like me marry you."
Lucy and Aed laughed at Shiki's reaction. When Shiki realised it was a joke, he was sitting at the corner, drawing circles at the floor.
X780- Shiki's departure
"Don't worry, I will return, Lucy. After that I show you to my father, Fenrir. He will tell me why he left and I will return to serve you." The boy said
"But Shiki…" A thirteen year old Lucy tries to stop him.
"Don't worry, after all when did I break my promises?" Shiki smiles and left.
"Remember to look for me, Shiki." Lucy yelled.
Shiki turned around and waved and shouted "I will!"
Present day
At Lucy's apartment, she was looking at the key that Shiki gave her. "When will you keep your promise, Shiki?" She puts it back to her key ring. "Hey, Lucy, are you coming to the guild with us?" Natsu appeared at her window. "Coming, Natsu."
A young man looks at the town Magnolia from a cliff. He smiled and looks at his exceed partner. "Looks like I'm going to keep my promise soon. Wait for me, Lucy." He walks away from the scene.