Two months. She'd been working on this project for two months. Two months she'd had no choice but to work in Laxus's office translating that manuscript, thankfully so far she hadn't been left alone with him again in that room, though she'd been terrified at one point when Levy had had to leave to take care of something down below in the translation bull pen as she'd come to associate it. But a few seconds after she'd left Lucy had heard Crux and Horologium coming up the stairs in the midst of one of their legendary arguments, she'd never thanked the gods so much for that small miracle that was those two old men. She'd been working twice as hard to finish the project and now she was exhausted. Most nights Natsu was waiting for her at the mouth of the hallway and she'd lean against him, then once they made it out of the main house he'd lift her onto his back and carry her. Without fail by the time they reached Fairy Hills she was asleep. He'd wake her up and make her eat the dinner Kinana set in front of her then tuck her into bed so she could at least try and get a full nights sleep.
And now here she was shuffling into work her hair already pulled up into a bun, though she had an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach as she looked around frowning slightly. Normally there would be a handful of people milling around the main hall waiting for the morning baked goods and breakfast porridge from the kitchen, but today there was nobody. It was eerily unnerving.
"Does it feel like something is off?" She asked everyone softly, inching closer to Natsu as he too shifted closer to her.
"Yea." All three men murmured glancing around as well.
"What?" Wendy asked and looked around then up at Lucy pure innocence in her doe like eyes. "I don't see anything wrong but it feels weird."
"Good," Gajeel growled and placed his hand reassuringly on her head. "Listen to those feelings kid."
"What do you think is going on?" Gray asked appearing on the other side of Natsu.
"Something... not good." Lucy murmured.
"Oh thank gods you are here!" Mira cried and rushing forward grabbed Lucy's arm before turning she yanking her after her. "We have to hurry. The rest of you go to your normal tasks!" She called over her shoulder a sense of urgency making Lucy's blood run cold.
"What's going on?" Lucy asked as she ran behind Mira.
"I'm not sure but it's an emergency," Mira said. "Levy came in here and she was visibly upset said that they needed you in the masters office now."
"Am I in trouble?" Lucy asked.
"What?" Mira demanded and gave her a confused look. "What on earth would you be getting in trouble for?"
"I don't know, I just..." She shook her head. "I don't know."
"Anyway," Mira continued as they reached the massive staircase at the end of the grand hall and started to rush up them as quickly as they could. "All Levy would tell me was that they needed your expertise as soon as possible. Apparently the Alveran government got wind that the first ever discovered ancient dead Alveran book is being translated here and they are furious, apparently the Alveran ambassadors are here and they won't speak anything but Alveran to them and they won't allow Crux or Horologium to translate for the master. So they need you to translate for them."
"What, me?" Lucy squeaked and shook her head. "I can't."
"Lucy I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation," Mira gasped. "If you cannot help the master talk them down then this could potentially lead to a war between our continents, one that would decimate all of the Ishgar peninsula and all of it's inhabitants."
Lucy frowned then gave a nod and wrenching her hand from Mira's she grabbed the banister and took the stairs two at a time. "Which floor is the office on?" She demanded.
"Third!" Mira called from behind her.
Lucy nodded and rushed forward, sure she didn't really like the people who owned her, but Natsu and Wendy as well as all the other slaves weren't a part of this and deserved to have the chance to live out their life. And so she'd try her damnedest to diffuse the situation. Rounding the bend in the staircase Lucy looked up and saw a relieved Levy standing there.
"Did Mira fill you in?" Levy demanded as she turned and rushed towards a hallway.
"Yes." Lucy panted as she tried to catch her breath. "She did." Levy nodded and they rounded a corner that lead to a short hallway in which at the end paced a fuming Laxus with Crux and Horologium trying to placate him using hushed tones.
"Laxus!" Levy called. "She's here!"
The man whipped around and Lucy blinked at the anger in his eyes, he stalked forward. "Those Alvarez fuckers are trying to make gramps turn over the manuscript as well as all the translations you've done and send a formal apology to the Alveran people." He snarled.
Lucy held up her hands. "Okay, I can translate what you want me to, but they aren't going to listen to you if you are disrespectful."
Crux cleared his throat. "They are not going to listen either way."
"Why?" Laxus snarled rounding on the man.
Lucy shifted uncomfortably before taking a deep breath. "Because I'm a slave." She said with a grimace. "I'm an Alveran slave. They will see that as the highest disgrace to their people regardless of the fact that they have Fioran slaves back in Alveraz." She shook her head and touched the collar, glancing up at Levy's head she reached out. "Give me your head scarf, I can tie it around my neck and hide the collar."
Laxus stared at her his eyes narrowing. "You would still try?"
"If I don't translate for you then millions will die." She said glancing at him as she tied the scarf around her throat.
He stared at her neck for a second before he shook his head. "Turn around." He snarled and strode froward, reaching out he physically turned her around when she took to long. "They'll notice it underneath the scarf."
She felt him fiddling with the back of the collar and her eyes widened in shock as she felt the collar loosen then slide away from her skin entirely, leaving no sign that it was ever there to begin with. Silently she passed the scarf back to a just as shocked Levy.
"Sir are you sure about this?" Levy asked softly retying the scarf into her hair. "She could walk in there and tell them that she's a slave that there are others here like her."
"No," Laxus growled certainty filling every word. "She wouldn't, she understands the gravity of the situation."
Rubbing her hands across her now bare neck Lucy stepped forward and rolled her neck relishing in the feeling of nothing on her skin. "Am I allowed to speak freely in there? As if I am not nor have ever been a slave? With no consequences to me or my fellow slaves?" She asked turning and looking up at him.
"Yes." Laxus growled. "You have my word and I'll make sure that gramps and Erza understand. Now stay close to me."
Lucy nodded and followed closely beside him as he stalked to the door and rapped on it loudly, the raised voices hushed for a moment before starting again. Seconds later Erza yanked it open and looked from Laxus then to Lucy and her eyes widened slightly before jumping back to Laxus.
"Trust me, don't say anything." Laxus murmured and the look he gave her made her hesitate before giving a nod and stepping back to let them passed. "Gentlemen, the translator." He said speaking in choppy Alveran as he guided Lucy into the room his hand on the small of her back.
Lucy's eyes landed on the five men standing in front of the large desk in which master Makarov sat behind. Each of them turned and stared at her with narrowed eyes. Stopping nearly a dozen feet from them Lucy dipped low into a bow, her hand across her heart in a formal Alveran greeting. "Ambassador Yajeel, ambassador August it is a great honor to be in your presence. I am Lucy Heartfilia." She greeted speaking flawless Alveran ignoring the three bodyguards that accompanied the two ambassadors.
They stared at her before the the one with the hunched back and ambassador robes swaying slightly shifted towards her. "Are you the translator?" He demanded.
Lucy nodded. "Yes ambassador Yajeel."
"You are Alveran?" He demanded. "No Fiorean can have this perfect Alveran."
Smiling she nodded. "I hail from a small village far to the east of capital of Alveraz."
"And why are you here?"
"Fiore, though it is quite disappointing, is the once place that is the mecca of ancient languages as well as manuscripts to hone my skills." She explained.
The man nodded. "Are you the only one handling the manuscript?"
"Aside from Mr. Crux and Mr. Horologium, the two who discovered the manuscript and brought it here for translation." She answered honestly.
"And why did they bring it here?" The other one dressed in ambassador robes demanded.
Lucy turned and smiled at him. "Because of me, ambassador August."
"And what makes you so special?" He prompted.
"I have been reading ancient Alveran since I was seven years old. Respectfully, ambassadors, nobody can properly decipher ancient dead Alveran better then me." She told them.
"Then why should we not take you and the manuscript as well as those two back to Alvarez where you can translate it on our home land?" Yajeel asked.
"May I be frank ambassadors?" She asked.
"Yes." They both answered nodding.
Giving a quick nod Lucy clasped her hands in front of her and took a deep breath picking her words with extreme delicacy and filling them with the utmost respect. "Let me be frank, ambassadors, there are almost no translators located in Alvarez aside from Mr Crux and Mr Horologium. Any of the ones that are there will not know ancient dead Alveran, and if they ever get their hands on this manuscript they will damage it beyond repair simply because they are to incompetent. Any and all translators whom are seeking a serious occupation and credit of translator would come to Ishgar, simply to immerse ones self in the sheer amount of diverse languages that are on this continent. On top of everything to in this stage of translation to bring the manuscript back to Alvarez would only jeopardize it as it might be harmed beyond any hope. Mr. Dreyar and his grandson have graciously offered the aid of their outstanding translation department in my aid of translating this manuscript, the aid that they have given has been detrimental in my work. And in great respect no other hands aside from my own and Mr. Crux and Mr. Horologium's have touched it."
August frowned at her then glanced at Laxus before frowning at her. "You seem... close to this one." He stated. "Are you and he courting?"
Lucy blinked at him in surprise. "I don't see what this has to do with the manuscript. But," She paused and glanced up at Laxus before looking back at the two. "Yes, it is extremely new, but yes. We are not sure what is going to come of it or if it is going to last."
"And how can we be sure that the manuscript will be returned rightfully to Alvarez once the translation process is finished?" Yajeel asked.
"Because the discovery of the manuscript and it's possession belongs to Mr. Crux," She said and motioned toward Crux with her hand. "He merely brought it here for translation before presenting it to the royal museum of Alvarez to be preserved and put on display. I simply asked for the credit to be given to those who worked on the translation, that is all that we wanted. The discovery and ownership belongs to someone who lives in Alvarez which is Mr. Crux."
August tilted his head at her before he slowly smiled at her. "You are very wise for your young age, child."
Lucy smiled. "Thank you, ambassador, the credit is due to all the ancient languages I have studied. After a while they seem to rub off on one, so to speak."
The two men chuckled before August strode forward and offered his hand, stepping forward Lucy reached out and took it bowing slightly over it in a show of great respect. "You are clearly special, child. If ever you wish to come home to Alvarez seek me out in the capital and we shall see to creating a languages department, one of which you shall be head of."
She blinked at him in shock. "Thank you for the offer." She said and bowed again over his hand.
"It is clearly well earned," Yajeel said as he too stepped forward and offered his hand to her. "I have never seen someone whom has displayed such love when speaking of ancient languages and manuscripts."
"Languages, whether old or foreign, are much easier to understand then people." She said softly as if by way of explanation as she bent of Yajeel's hand as well.
Both men chuckled before they turned to face the desk and a curious Makarov sitting behind it. "We apologize for the misunderstanding." Yajeel said in a heavily accented sedate tone.
"If there is no other business you would like to discuss we shall take our leave." August grated, clearly forcing himself to speak the universal language.
Makarov glanced between the two men then grinned. "Shall I see you out?" He offered.
The two men held up their hands then motioned towards Erza. "Your security chief can handle such a menial task."
Makarov nodded and motioned towards Erza who'd stood off to the side watching silently. Launching herself into motion she moved to the door and held it open for the men and their aids to walk passed.
"And Lucy," August called from the doorway and smiled at her when she turned slightly to look at him. "Do not forget my offer, it will not expire."
"Thank you." She said and bowed yet again. She waited until the door snicked shut behind the last attendant before she let out a breath in a whoosh and put her hands on her knees as if she'd run a marathon the room spinning slightly. "I can't believe I just did that." She breathed still in shock that she'd managed to diffuse that situation as if it was nothing.
"Mmm." Makarov drawled from his seat.
Lucy straightened and turned to face him. "Master." She said and bowed slightly. "Forgive my frankness, but I couldn't see any way to diffuse the situation but appear as if I weren't a slave."
He stared at her then crossed his arms. "So, I hear that the two of you are involved in a courtship."
Lucy blinked at him the realized that like Laxus he must have been able to understand bits and parts of the conversation she'd had with the two ambassadors. She opened her mouth then closed it before glancing up at Laxus unsure how to answer.
Grinning down at her he winked. "You did tell them we were courting, blondie." He snickered before sobering and turning his attention to his grandfather. "It is unconventional yes, but it is not unheard of."
He stared at his grandson for a moment before he uncrossed his arms and ran his hands over his face as he let out a sigh. "You are going to be facing harsh criticism from those who are apposed to slavery in this country, as well as those within this compound itself. Are you ready to take on that challenge?"
"When have I ever shied away from a challenge?" Laxus snorted.
Makarov sighed. "My boy, a relationship is more then a challenge it is a commitment to each other that should be cherished." He shook his head. "If all you see it as a challenge then I will forbid it."
Lucy inched away when Laxus tensed.
"Geezer," He growled. "She is different. She intrigues me and infuriates me all at once. Whatever your decision I am going to pursue her."
Makarov narrowed his eyes. "So even when I give my decision you will pursue her no matter what it might be?"
"Yes." Laxus growled.
"Hmm, interesting." Makarov murmured, amusement sparkling in his eyes. Lucy wanted so badly to tell him that she wanted nothing to do with his grandson, but she had a feeling that that would just end badly for her, after all it was clear that the man cared greatly for his grandson. If the copious amount of pictures hanging from the walls nearly all of them of Laxus and he throughout Laxus's childhood and eventual adulthood.
"So," Natsu finally asked as he lifted Lucy onto his back, his hands hooking beneath her legs as she slumped on his back her arms crossing in front of him loosely. "What was the emergency that you had to sprint off to?"
"Well," She said on a yawn. "You know that manuscript I'm working on?"
"Yea." He prompted.
"Alveran ambassadors August and Yajeel showed up to confront the master because they'd thought they'd stolen it and weren't having an Alveran translate or handle it." She told him as she laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "They were extremely pissed, so I had to tell them that I was translating it and pretty much tell them that I was Alveran and just working over here."
"But you're a slave." Natsu pointed out. "They'd see the collar and that'd be that."
"I know, that's what I told Laxus." She yawned again. "But Laxus took off my collar and gave me permission to talk freely."
Natsu tripped slightly and Lucy tightened her arms around his shoulders and her thighs around his hips while she lifted her head blinking blearily. "What?!" He demanded.
"My mouth is right next to your ear, you heard me." She said and set her head back down closing her eyes and relaxing against him again.
"Did you tell them that we're slaves?" He murmured softly after a moment.
"No, to do that would cause a war that would get millions of innocents killed," She sighed and yawned yet again. "We just need to live our life as we are, Mira told me that we can work our way to freedom, that's what she and her siblings and Levy and Erza and Bisca did. They were all slaves a long time ago and now their all free."
"So pretty much we work our asses off and hope that we can earn our freedom?" He prompted.
"Yeup." She nodded slightly.
"Well shit, this throws a curve ball doesn't it?" He asked rhetorically.
"Yeup." She repeated then sighed. "Oh and Laxus likes me." She blurted out softly.
This time Natsu stopped in his tracks. "What?"
"He likes me." She repeated. "You know as in he wants to have a relationship with me, though why I still have no idea. He says that it's because I'm intriguing and infuriating and he likes that about me."
"And your okay with this?" Natsu asked tightly.
Lucy sighed, not realizing that Natsu was slowly becoming more and more enraged as the seconds ticked away. "No, but I don't know what to do or say. He told me that he doesn't want to scare me to much so he's going to take it slow."
"Do you want me to talk to him?" Natsu growled through his teeth.
"Gods no!" She said and snorted. "I don't want you to get involved, I'm not even sure why I'm telling you,this has been going on for about two months now. It's been eating away at me because I've been trying to keep you out of it as much as possible."
"Well thanks." He snarled then chuckled. "Just wait until tomorrow morning when you realized that you blabbed."
"I know." She sighed. "I'm going to be really pissed at both of us."
"Why me?" He demanded.
"Because you took advantage of an exhausted, helpless woman who couldn't psychologically defend herself against your stupidity and asshole-ish-ness." She said chidingly.
Natsu laughed softly. "'Asshole-ish-ness'?"
"Yeup." She yawned for the thousandth time. "Now please let me sleep!" She whined.
"Fine, but I'm just going to wake you up in about five minutes to get you to eat something." He warned.
"Mmm." She grumbled as she started to slip into sleep. She knew that he was right, she was going to be pissed at herself tomorrow morning for slipping up and telling him that Laxus was pursuing her and him for taking advantage of her exhaustion. He'd only done it once and had regretted it when he'd ruined the birthday surprise she'd planned for him nearly three months in advance for. But as of right now all she cared about was going to sleep and actually getting some sleep so she could at least feel a little rested for tomorrow.