Chapter 1

"You should follow your own path."

A voice echoed in Lucy's ears. She turned in circles, trying to find a source, and ran after the sound. The corridors were a labyrinth, lit only by the few candles decorating the otherwise-empty walls. The walls were painted a dull cream colour, but where it had begun to peel, crimson walls peeked out. It reminded Lucy of freshly spilled blood upon someone's skin. Lucy continued on down the hallways until she was hopelessly lost, with small chance of finding a way out.

She stopped at a crossing of half a dozen corridors. Lucy looked around, hoping that she could figure out which trail she must follow. As she looked on, the crimson from the walls began to ooze out, leaving a slowly rising layer of its pus upon the ground. The corridors around her began, one by one, to slide shut. Lucy screamed for help. Her voice echoed off the empty walls all the way to the high arching ceiling. She fell to her knees, and her dress of gold began to erode away, until she was left only with the rags of a beggar. Lucy began to cry out of desperation. Nobody would come to save her. There was no way out. She was alone.

"Lucy," the voice came again, softer now. It was familiar, but distant, like something conjured from a memory.

A figure had appeared, revealing a passage out that Lucy hadn't noticed before. A small door, although it could be hardly called a door. It was so narrow, few people could get through. Lucy squinted at the figure, but she couldn't make out the face.

"Lucy," it called again, "find your own happiness". The person came into focus, Lucy could see only for a moment, she looked, and then-.

"Princess Lucy, wake up!" The voice of her handmaiden, Levy, interrupted her dream, and Lucy groggily slid her eyes open.

She regretted opening her eyes immediately. The sunlight was streaming in through the window, and its bright light blinded Lucy temporarily. She sat up in her bed, a hand over her eyes.

"You are going to be late!" Levy said. "The royal court is meeting right away, and you've slept in again!"

Lucy jumped out of bed. Levy had already laid out a dress. It was in a pale blue colour lined with white lace that reminded Lucy of the freshly fallen snow. Levy laced her into it, and sat her down to do something with her hair. It took only a moment for her to be presentable for the royal court,

"I don't know what I would do without you, Levy. You are a lifesaver!" Lucy praised her handmaiden and best friend.

Levy brushed off the compliment with a smile. "Just hurry, now! You know how much he hates it when you are late!"

Lucy took off down the halls, desperate to be on time. She was running so fast that she nearly crashed into Jet and Droy, who were carrying a pile of laundry past. They dodged the fast-moving princess, used to seeing her in a rush. It was a regular occurrence for Lucy to be running late. She loved to sleep in.

Lucy was the daughter of King Jude Heartfilia. She wasn't heir to the throne, but she was expected to be knowledgeable in political matters in order to support her brother once he took the throne. Her brother Sting, on the other hand, rarely took an interest in the meetings with the royal court. He slept in extra-long or left early on the days the royal court convened, although Lucy couldn't blame him. It was a dull meeting. Most of the advisors were old, fat men who had been around much too long to ever have anything new to say. Lucy would rather be anywhere but there.

Lucy couldn't be late again. Her father would be beyond furious if it happened three times in a row. She sped up, and managed to make it just in time. Taking her seat at the seat next to the throne, she began counting the minutes until it was over.

During the afternoon, Lucy had nothing planned. Levy had the afternoon off, and was no doubt meeting with her secret lover. Nobody else seemed to be around, so Lucy just wandered the castle. She wasn't allowed to leave the castle grounds without permission, so there weren't many places to go.

After a while, Lucy came across her younger brother Sting practicing swordplay with his best friend, Rogue in the courtyard. She watched for a little while, until Sting noticed her and came over to talk to her.

"Hey, Sis. What'cha up to?" he asked.

Lucy shrugged. "Just walking around the castle. I'm bored. There's nothing to do," she complained.

Sting glanced around the courtyard. Apart from Rogue, they were the only ones around. "Come on!" he said, offering her the hilt of a sword. "Come practice with us. It's been ages since we had a proper duel".

"You know how father will be if he finds out! We'll both be in trouble!" Lucy protested.

"Come on," Sting smiled mischievously. "Who would tell him? It's just us and Rogue."

Lucy hesitated only a second, but then she smiled and took the offered sword. "Fine," she said, "but don't complain if I beat you!"

Sting laughed, and they joined Rogue in the middle of the courtyard. He didn't look surprised that she was joining them. Back when their mother was still around, Lucy used to practise with them all the time. She was at least as good as they were back then. Rogue stepped back, allowing Sting and Lucy space for their duel.

Both of them were in a ready stance. They were about to begin the battle. Lucy could hardly wait, but they were interrupted.

"Princess Lucy, what are you doing?"

It was Levy. Lucy childishly hid the sword behind her back. "Nothing. Just watching."

Levy sighed. "You're going to get caught. Anyone could be watching! There are too may windows. At least try to be subtle about it."

Lucy looked up. She had forgotten how many people could catch a glimpse of her through a window. Someone may have already caught her and reported her activities to the King. She handed the sword back to Sting.

"Sorry, brother. It looks like I'd better head back. Maybe we can finish our duel later."

She joined Levy, and they walked back towards her quarters, taking the long way through the gardens.

"You know," Lucy remarked, "you are back from your break quite early. Was Gajeel busy today?" she taunted.

Levy blushed bright red and stammered "I've told you, you're misreading it! There's nothing between us, we're just friends!"

Lucy just rolled her eyes at her friend. She had accidentally caught Levy and Gajeel locking lips a few weeks ago. Lucy promised not to tell anyone, but she just couldn't resist teasing Levy about it. Levy always got so nervous around him. It was adorable.

She didn't see the couple coming. In fact, if she hadn't known better, she would have been scared of Gajeel. Gajeel was Rogue`s older brother. He was one of the youngest generals in the army, and the highest ranking. Gajeel was tall enough to loom over just about anyone, and with the addition of that black hair and the metal piercings, he was definitely intimidating.

By comparison, Levy was tiny and certainly anything but scary. Lucy wasn`t tall, but Levy was a good foot shorter than her. Her bright blue hair and cute features made her a complete opposite of the General. Still, Lucy was hoping for the best. It was a difficult pairing. Gajeel was very high-ranking, and Levy was only a handmaiden. Love transcended social ranking, but gaining acceptance for a marriage between the two would be next to impossible. For now, Lucy just hoped they could have a future of some kind.

Lucy and Levy spent the remainder of the afternoon until dinner casually swapping conversation in Lucy`s quarters as they read stories of great legends and myths. Dinner that evening would be a formal affair. Nobles and the high-ranking Generals would all be present, and the party would continue on until late at night. Levy would help Lucy get ready, but she couldn`t come. Lucy had asked if she wanted to, but Levy had just shaken her head. It was too fancy, she said, for a servant to attend. Lucy let the matter rest after that. Levy didn't care much for parties, anyways. Lucy just wanted to have her around to hide behind during the event. It was a selfish thought, and she knew it.