04. Home Sweet Home - Or Not

LUCY HEARTFILIA

"So, where is the guy right now?" I said as I walked with Makarov Dreyar, aka Master Makarov or Grandpa, towards this guy, Laxus' house. I didn't feel very comfortable staying over at someone else's place while they weren't there themselves. Even if this other person was supposed to be her 'brother'. Even though I could have any house I wanted if people knew my real personality.

"His name is Laxus, and he's out with his team, Thunder God Tribe. Currently, they're off on a mission, but once they're done with that, he should be here to greet you himself," said Makarov with a smile.

I thought this over as I walked over to this 'Lexus' guys house. We walked down the street and through town. Once we had made it, I wasn't sure whether to be impressed or not. Sure, it was a big house, but with living in a castle for my whole life I would really consider anything big. Yet, this house was bigger than most of the houses we've passed by on the way here. So I would assume it big for commoners.

I didn't even wait for Makarov Dreyar to open the door for me as I walked towards the large two story house with my head held high. The door wasn't locked which was a brave move for a commoner. Without turning back to check whether or not the old man was coming, I opened up the door and let myself in.

The interior was nothing like the castle, but it wasn't bad either. I turned around to say something when the familiar voice of a certain playboy reached my ears.

"So, this is Laxus' place, huh. I have to say, I'm not impressed." The familiar voice of a flirtatious celestial spirit spoke from behind me. I whipped around, a smile etching its way into my face.

"Oh, hey! Leo!" I cried out, smiling at the ginger-haired man leaning up against the open door frame. His appearance was back to what it normally was when I saw him around the castle to visit my mother. "You're back to normal."

"Well, I am in my celestial spirit form." Leo pointed out, getting off the wall and stepping closer to me. "So, staying with a boy all by yourself now are we. I'm not sure what we should do about that."

I instantly flushed, lightly punching in the arm. "It's not like that! Besides, he's supposed to be my brother."

"Yes, your brother, right. Maybe to the rest of the world, you're brother and sister, and you know, even if you were there's nothing wrong with some brotherly love." Leo said, raising his eyebrows up and down trying to repress a smile, which, he failed at.

I felt my face would never turn back to its normal shade again. I punched him hard in the arm and he laughed an eye squinting laugh as he fell back against the wall. I kept punching him, mumbling my words of hate as I hit him which only made him laugh harder.

"Ah, Loke," Makarov said from behind me making me stop punching him and turn around and to look at him. "Tormenting girls. I wouldn't think that this is your style."

I knew my face was red and I was breathing hard, but I couldn't help to try and compose myself anyways. I was raised better than this. I cleared my throat, straightening up as I tried to adjust myself.

"Well, I've known her since before she was even born, so I really shouldn't flirt with her, yet..." Leo said, pushing me against his chest and holding a rose in front of my face. "I can't help since her beauty is simply demanding attention."

My nose scrunched up in distaste as I pushed away from his arms. Leo pouted but otherwise didn't stop me from moving out of his arms. I cleared my throat again and walked closer to Makarov.

"Where am I going to be sleeping? It's been a long day and I'd like to head to bed." I lied. Makarov nodded and pointed up the stairs towards the right.

"Laxus has a spare bedroom towards upstairs and down towards the right. When we spoke earlier he said you could stay there." He said.

"Virgo and Aries are upstairs waiting for you," Leo said walking up behind her, placing a hand on her hip which she quickly slapped down.

"Aries?" I asked turning around to see Leo.

"Yes, she's one of your spirits. Oh! And before I forget, here." Leo said, handing me a piece of paper. "Mira asked me to give you this."

I couldn't help but smile as the image of the sweet, white-haired girl. I took the piece of paper from his hand and peered at it. It was a small piece of paper that was folded a few times into a small square. Carefully, I pulled it apart and read the insides.

It read:

Lucy-

Sorry, I couldn't tell you earlier, but some other girls and I are having a hangout/ sleepover kind of thing next weekend and it would be a great way for you to meet the rest of the girls. Anyways, Loke said he was going out to find Master Makarov so I sent this with him. Anyways, come by the guild and we'll include you in our plans so make sure you get all your bonding with Laxus out of the way beforehand. We can talk about crushes and how cute your brother is. Joking, joking. That would be weird.

-Mirajane Strauss

I pulled the note away from my face and grinned. I never really had people around my age at the castle, so I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction run through me reading the words.

"Girls night, huh. Well damn, there goes my plans for the next week." Leo's sudden voice through me off guard. I jumped from his sudden appearance and quickly scrambled away from him. "So how about it, Princess. Instead of next weekend, we'll go out for about an hour just you, me, the star, and a bottle of red wine to split between us. What do you say?"

"I say you're a bit too forward," I said backing away slowly towards the stairs.

"I promise you'll have a good time," Leo said following me.

"Um, maybe next time." I threw over my shoulder as I began walking up the stairs.

"Come on, Princess, you're a free woman now. One date won't hurt you." Leo reasoned.

"Loke. That's enough." Makarov said making Leo pause as I could get away. I sent him a small thank you smile and head up to where Makarov said my room was.

It wasn't hard to find all I had to do was follow the sounds of the squeals and the shrieks. I walked up to the room and peeked inside. Virgo was pinning down another pink-haired girl with horns to the bed trying to get her to change into something. I cleared my throat getting both of their attentions.

"Hello, Princess," Virgo's monotone voice rang in the now silent room.

"Um, Virgo, what are you doing?" I ask not quite sure that I wanted the answer. Virgo blinked but didn't reply for a moment or two, not removing her gaze. I began to feel a bit uncomfortable and looked away from her pink eyes.

Still on top of the other pink-haired girl, Virgo asked with her monotone voice. "Aries was helping me test out your new clothing. Unfortunately, she wasn't being cooperative. I had to use other means to subdue her."

Aries, who I assumed was the pink-haired girl, was struggling from underneath her, her face red from embarrassment. She wiggled from underneath Virgo, gasping as she got released from her hold. She quickly scrambled to her feet, giving me a low bow as a sign of my status. It was refreshing after all these people had talked to me like their equals today.

"Hello, Princess Lucy," Aries said shyly, pushing up her wool dress up, getting situated. "It's nice to meet you, Princess, but I, I have to go now. Bye!"

And with that, she disappeared in a pink poof. All who were left in the room was Virgo and me, which, seeing what she did to Aries made me slightly uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry milady, she's shy and is embarrassed to show off her figure," Virgo said.

"Um, okay, but why did you need her 'test' my new clothing?" I asked, still a bit skeptical.

"Well, she's about the same size as you," Virgo got off the bed and walked over to me sizing me up. "Granted, her breasts are larger than yours," Virgo said, taking a hand full of my boobs and squeezing them. I let out a squeal slapping her hands away and covering my breasts with my arms, hiding them from her wandering hands.

"What the heck!" I squealed stepping away from her.

"You seem displeased," Virgo tilted her head to the side, seemingly in thought. "Is it punishment time, Princess?"

"What, no, I want you to get out!" Virgo's facial expression didn't change throughout my demand.

"Whatever pleases you," Virgo bowed, disappearing out of the room, leaving me alone in this room.

I walked over to the disheveled bed, throwing my body into it with a sigh. This whole day had been so hectic with all these new people and me being thrown into a whole new world than what I was used to. It seems like ages ago this happened not less than a day.

I couldn't help the tears that leaked passed my eyes as I remembered what had conspired yesterday. How I could just forget about it all day made me feel even worse. I wanted to go back to my family so desperately, yet I knew I couldn't. It was my duty to stay alive for my kingdom in case something happened to my father, I would be next in line. Going back there wouldn't help anyone.

I had to remember to think with my head and not my heart. Thinking with your heart was not the way to go for someone in my position. Thinking with your heart just gets people hurt, and doesn't serve anyone in the long run. A good ruler rules with their head. It prevents people from dying and it prevents you from making a wrong choice. My father taught me all of this. He taught me to abstain from weakness and think with a clear mind. So, why can't I stop these tears?

a/n: HEY EVERYONE DO YOU HATE ME YET?

I know I haven't updated in like FOREVER, but if you kill me then I won't be able to update this story ever again, so keep that in mind. I got writers block on this story for a while, but now I'm back in action ready to give you a chapter a week.

Anywho, Laxus is coming next chapter and it's going to be fun. I've already started writing the next chapter, and the outcome has been very pleasing so far.

Well, for me at least.

Alright, I will see you in the next chapter,

Buh-Bye

(Ha, see what I did there)