A/N: I'm so sorry this is up so late, guys. I usually have this done by Saturday to send to my beta on Sunday, but this week, for whatever reason, I couldn't bring myself to work on anything and completely crashed. So, here we are. Nearly 10PM. And my dog is trying to sleep. She so cute, though. My sweet little bean. But I'm going to shut up and let you read. We'll reconvene down at the bottom.

Knock, knock.

I watched one of the maids get my father out of his study and stood by from the balcony. He didn't even notice me hanging around the corner. Good. When he opened the door a little better, a celestial spirit stood on the other side in a more revealing costume than her usual dress. Lyra was covered (and I'm using that word loosely) from head to toe in sheer, rich purples and golds. Whatever works, I guess.

"Can I help you?" Father did his best to keep eye contact, but at the end of the day, he couldn't help himself. I caught him looking down a couple times.

"Good evening, Lord Heartfilia," she bowed, "My name is Lyra. If I may, sir, I'd like the entertain you."

"That's nice, Miss Lyra," he shot her down, "But my bed is already warm. Thank you."

"You misunderstand me, my lord," Lyra stalled him some more, "I'm a singer and a dancer. I'd love to show you what I can do."

"I'm sorry," he declined again, "I'm a very busy man."

"I promise I won't keep you!" she shot a quick look up at me. I gave her the signal to keep him there. Fortunately, Lyra was smart and played up her feminine wiles a bit, "Please? You wouldn't turn a maiden like me away, would you?"

Defeated by the beautiful spirit at the door, my father let out a heavy sigh, "Alright, Miss Lyra. Dazzle me."

"Thank you," I mouthed to her, giving a thumbs up. Now, to my father's study. If I were Lord Jude Heartfilia, aristocrat and alleged man of the people, trying to hide something from my so-called bratty little girl, where would I hide it? Wherever it was, I had to be quick. Lyra could only keep this up for so long.

I kept my fingers crossed and hoped he left it on his desk. Among the paperwork he had in meticulously organized chaos, there was no key. Come on, Aquarius. If I had some water in here, I'd try summoning you. I didn't even have any spell to help me find my keys. Someone should get on that. You could do it, Lucy. You could be that groundbreaking celestial wizard.

But I had to find my keys first. Already had Lyra's. I just needed to find Aquarius. And I'm sure my father was growing tired of Lyra's song and dance routine. Not to mention, she's probably getting tired, too. If it's not on the desk, maybe it's in the desk? Nope. Not there either. Fantastic. Come on, Dad. Where did you hide my keys?

Then, I glanced toward a picture on the wall. One of Mom and me when I was just a baby. I always loved this picture. Fortunately, I knew what was behind it. And if I was trying to keep something from me, I'd put it somewhere safe. Or in a safe. Whichever. I took the frame from the wall and spun the dial. The combination was the easiest thing to remember for me. Despite him being cold as ice, Dad never could either.

Mom's birthday.

Got it. Not only did I find my key, but another gold key sat in the back of the safe. Huh. This one looked like it had the number sixty-nine on it when I turned it sideways. This must have been one of Mom's other keys. She wasn't exactly a full-on mage, but she dabbled. I thought she only had one gold key, Aquarius. Mom was holding out on me. Two gold keys? Aquarius said those were super rare. I thought that a celestial wizard would be lucky to even come across ONE in their lifetime, but me, a beginner, would have TWO zodiac spirits contracted! By the looks of it, I'm not the only one he's tried to stop.

I grabbed both keys and made a beeline back for my bedroom. On the way through, I gave Lyra the signal to leave my father alone and my blessing to go back to her gate. She made her bows and exited stage left. My father still seemed rather confused by the whole ordeal, but like he did with everything else, he wrote it off entirely. Right now, I had bigger things to worry about. Because I needed to hide all three of my keys and I only had ten minutes to do it.

On my dresser. I know it sounds ridiculous, but there was also a little music box that sat on my dresser. I kept the key to it around my neck at all times. No one could get in it but me. When I was little, I'd hide all kinds of things in here. Candy, loose change, special rocks that I thought were pretty. And now, all it had in it was the last picture of Mom and me ever taken. You would've let me practice celestial magic, wouldn't you? You probably would've insisted, even as far as taught me. In times like these, I really miss you, Mom…You wouldn't blame me for what I was going to do.

With my keys secured, one of my usual maids came in, "Miss Lucy, dinner is ready."

"Thank you," I sent her off, "I can get ready by myself."

"Yes, Miss," she curtseyed, leaving me to get changed. Alright, Lucy. It's just another dinner. Act natural.

As usual, the drop of a pin could be heard three kingdoms over in this dining room. But tonight seemed even more uncomfortable than usual. I could see it in his eyes. His tail was between his legs. He didn't like that he made me upset, but it was for the greater good, so that feeling was short lived. And it was replaced by his usual self-righteousness.

"Lucy?" he peered down the table to me, "Are you alright?"

"Of course," I jumped a little, trying to keep my cool, "You were only doing what you thought was best for me. I understand."

"Thank you," Father began to relax, "You know, there was a performer at the door a little while ago."

"Really?" This is weird. He's not usually this chatty during dinner.

"I'm sure you would've liked her," he went on, "She said she was a singer and a dancer. Personally, I think she was more of a beggar than anything. She wasn't bad, but you know how I feel about solicitors."

"Yes." I remember a salesman coming up to the house one day when I was little. My father took off one of his gloves, slapped him with it, and threw him to the guards.

"She had a pretty face, though," Father admitted, "So, I thought I'd listen to her plea. She's gone now."

"Oh, well," I chased my food around with my fork.

"Are you sure you're ok, Lucy?" he worried, more confused than skeptical, "You seem like you're not feeling well."

"I think my stomach is a little upset," I lied through my teeth, putting on a very convincing performance, if I do say so myself, "I'm going to call it an early night."

"Alright," Father allowed, "Do you want me to send a doctor?"

"No," I shook my head, "I'll just get some sleep. That's all I need, I'm sure."

"Good night, sweetheart," he sent me off, "Rest well."

"Good night." It killed me to lie so boldly to my father like that, but This was for the real greater good. I didn't have much of a game plan, though. Where do I go? I'm not staying on the compound. That's for sure. Maybe I could go back to Magnolia. The old man at the magic shop did say there was a guild there. And I read all about the Fairy Tail guild in Sorcerer's Weekly. It's home to some of the greatest wizards around today and the usual centerfold, Mirajane, was a part of that guild! I'd love to meet her. I bet she's nice in person.

I packed a bag with a few changes of clothes and waited for the dark of night to fall. My father thinks I'm in bed, sleeping like a baby while nursing my stomach ache. No. I could do this. I would do this. And I will do this. I can hide out in Magnolia. I'm sure he wouldn't think to look for me there. Honestly, I'd be surprised if he looks for me at all. But I'm coming for Fairy Tail. If I beg and plead and show them the fact that I already have two gold gate keys when most beginning celestial wizards don't even have one, they'll have to be impressed. And the guild master would HAVE to let me in!

I popped the lock on the music box from my dresser, taking a minute to enjoy the sweet song that played, and grabbed my keys. Thanks, Mom. Alright, guys. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but we have to get out of here. I can't go through the front door. That'd be ridiculous. Looks like I'm going to have to sneak out the window. It's a pretty long drop, though. Bedsheets? Bedsheets, it is. I made sure each knot was tight enough to support my weight and draped them down the side of the mansion. Magnolia, here I come!

When I could feel the grass on my feet, there was no describing it. This is what absolute freedom feels like, isn't it? Not having to worry about social conventions or any of the etiquette lessons I've had force fed down my throat since I was little. I could be exactly who I was meant to be, not what he wanted me to be. I'm sure Mom felt the same way at times. Well, consider this me fulfilling the legacy, Mom. Wish me luck. Because my new life in Fairy Tail awaits me.

I tiptoed around the front of the mansion, making sure to stay out of the lights, and started running. Surprising how light I can be on my feet when I'm trying to bolt. Everything looked pretty dark. Perfect. No one suspected a thing. This was kind of exciting. Like a worldwide game of hide and seek. Only I'm going to be the one to win. I was almost to the front gate! Once I get past there, I'm home free!

"Where do you think you're going at this hour, Miss Lucy?" one of the guards grabbed me. I tried to fight him off, but there was no way that would happen. He was a lot stronger than I was.

"Let me go!" I snapped, writhing in his embrace, "Now!"

"I can't do that, Miss," he ignored my direct order. When my father wasn't around, the entire guard had to listen to me. No matter what.

"Because my orders supersede yours," a deep voice rumbled through me. The contents of my stomach was about to be on my shoes, "Stomachache, huh?"

The best thing for me to do at this point was keep my mouth shut. I might as well go back in the house. Stomping on the guard's foot or elbowing him in his ribs wouldn't be smart. I'd only dent his armor and hurt myself more than him. It wouldn't be enough to get away. I don't know why I expected this to go smoothly.

"Give me your keys, Lucy," Father demanded, "I know you have them."

"I don't have my keys," I had them off the ring and hidden in my garter belt. Safe and sound.

"Pat her down," he ordered.

"Hey!" I squeaked. The guard was a bit handsy for my liking. But he stopped in the middle of my thigh. Busted.

"Sir…" he blushed a bit, "The keys…They're…"

"Get them," Father reluctantly gave his permission, "But remember your position."

"Yes, sir," the guard winced, "Forgive me, Miss Lucy."

Without another thought, his hands went up my skirt. There go my keys again. Father sat back with a sullen look on his face, "Are you going to keep lying to me?"

"I had no choice," I defended, "It was either that or have my keys taken."

"There should be two," he assessed.

"There's three, sir," the guard clarified.

"Three?" Father gave him a look, "Did you take your mother's other key?"

"I might have," I stood my ground.

"Go to bed, Lucy," he wouldn't even look at me, "We'll discuss this in the morning."

I went back to the house with my father following close behind. No doubt, he'll follow me up to my room, just to make sure I went there. This was insane! All I wanted was to practice magic. Was that too much to ask? Was I the one being unreasonable? No! Because if it were my daughter, I wouldn't force her into half the stuff I've had to do. But because of my stupid name, I had to be held to a higher standard. Jude Heartfilia's daughter couldn't practice magic. That's something for our lessers, but not for high society types. If it got out that Mom played with it, the family name would be tarnished for generations! Or something else ridiculous like that. Since I'm not going to Magnolia tonight, I might as well actually get some sleep. Something tells me I'll need it.

The next morning, I woke up with an empty feeling in my chest. The only key I had anymore was the one to my music box. I just wanted to practice magic. To be able to summon spirits who could help make the world a little better. To be able to travel Fiore, helping anyone who needed it. To be a great wizard. But I couldn't have that. Instead, I'd get an uncomfortable confrontation with my father about me sneaking out and stealing my keys back.

"Miss Lucy…" one of the maids came knocking, "Your…"

"Yeah, yeah," I rolled my eyes, pulling myself out of bed, "I'm going. I'm going."

I dredged down the hall, still in my pajamas, half dead, and went into my father's study. Huh. Lights are on, but no one's home. I guess I'll just sit and wait for whatever punishment he had intended for me. I'm on thin ice as it is. Making him upset now would only dig me deeper in this hole. Getting my keys back now would probably be next to impossible.

"Lucy," Father came in, "We need to talk."

"What's there to talk about?" I kept my anger under control.

"You know I don't want you practicing celestial magic," he reiterated, "Those spirits are dangerous."

"You didn't seem to mind when one was dancing in front of you last night," I pointed out.

"What?"

"Yeah," I glared, "Lyra. She's one of my celestial spirits. I called her and told her to go to the door, so I could get my keys. You knew I had keys. You just didn't know which ones I had. And you can't take them away from me."

"I already have!" Father growled, "Enough of your insolence, Lucy! I gave you a chance to break your contracts and give up your pointless magic dream! You wanted to leave the mansion so bad? You've left me no choice. We're leaving the mansion soon. Go pack some of your things."

"I can go?" I started getting excited, "Really?"

"This is what you wanted," he repeated, "Don't forget that. Now, go pack."

"Yes, sir!" I ran into my room and started packing one of my trunks. He was letting me leave? So willingly? The more I read into it, the more skeptical I was. In the heat of the moment, it sounded amazing. I'd finally get to be on my own, free to practice my magic. Looking back on it, this can't be good.

Regardless, I packed a trunk and brought it downstairs. A carriage was already waiting. My father twiddled one of my keys through his fingers. And not just any key. Aquarius. I can't believe he has the audacity…No, Lucy. Don't give him that satisfaction. I brought myself back down to Earth and endured the long, quiet carriage ride. We used to do this all the time when I was younger. Only with less tension.

It's when we stopped on the outskirts of a small town that my nerves kicked into overdrive. My father grabbed my trunk, "We're here."

"Where is here?" I looked up at the giant stone tower.

"This is your new home, Lucy. I'm sorry that it has to be this way."

"Wait, what?" I squeaked, "What do you mean, this is my new home?"

"You wanted to leave the mansion so bad," Father explained, shoving me in the tower, "This is where you're leaving to. There's no sense in trying to escape from here. You will be heavily guarded at all hours of the day. All of your usual amenities are here. I will be by once a week to check on you. You will remain here until you get this magic nonsense out of your head."

"You can't do this!" I snapped.

"I can," he shut the door, "And I will. I'm sorry, Lucy."

"Wait!" I yelled, but there was no use. All because I wanted some magic in my life, my own father is going to abandon me. And here I'll stay. No magic. No celestial keys. No hope. No will to live. Just me in this tower. I wish he would've at least let me keep Lyra. She'd make the silence a little less maddening. At this point, I'd rather deal with Aquarius's attitude problem, but instead…I have this. And this? This sucks.

A/N: So, we have Lucy without magic and stuck up in the tower. Also, poor Lyra had to dance for her dad. Beautiful. He didn't deserve it. But regardless of all that, next week, we're going to be getting into some of Lucy's time in the tower along with...Well, that'll just be a surprise for you, won't it? See you next chapter. xx