AN: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima ^_^
Hey minna! ^_^ So, this is me posting from the uni library (on my own laptop), and I guess the fact that I'm updating right now suggests that I might actually to be able to post closer to 'on time' due to the change, so yay! XD
Chapter Seven – Exposing One's Feelings
Levy turned around calmly, her fake smile present as always during the appearances of the man who had just appeared behind her. She looked up into his red eyes as he looked down at her questioningly, standing directly in front of her, causing Levy to have to crane her neck to look at him. She held back a little laugh as she realised he had brushed his hair neatly for the Summer Dance, much like how it had been the second time that she had met him she now realised. Her laughter must have been obvious in her features as he almost appeared offended as he continued to stand looking down at her, awaiting a reply.
"Future engagement?" He repeated, snapping Levy from her thoughts and causing her to blush; she had been caught staring again.
"Mr Fullbuster has just informed Mr Dragneel and me of his plans for the future," Levy replied awkwardly, not sure how to approach the subject with Mr Redfox, considering Miss Loxar had yet to be approached on the matter.
"And do Mr Fullbuster's plans concern either you or 'Mr Dragneel'?" He asked, looking at Mr Fullbuster warily.
"Only if either of them had designs on either myself or Miss Loxar – I wish to approach her father tomorrow after hopefully gaining a positive answer from her this evening after the dance." Mr Fullbuster replied happily, "don't worry, Redfox – Miss Conbolt is not the one I am after; I am only after your dearest friend!"
"Huh, I can tell you her answer now if you want – since you moved to town almost a year ago, I have heard of little else but her feelings for you. What made you change your mind?" He asked, Levy sure she had caught him glancing at her.
"Well, she approached me saying that she was going to take Miss Conbolt's advice, and really we have discovered we enjoy talking and spending our time together. My one concern is related to Miss Wendy, perhaps you could inform me of the consequences of Miss Loxar marrying and leaving home with concerns to her sister?" Mr Fullbuster asked, a look of concern obvious across his handsome features.
"Mr Loxar will take as little interest in her as usual, and her mother may take a greater interest in her – if not, she will probably spent most of her days playing in my yard." Mr Redfox replied thoughtfully.
"She may spend time with me if she wishes – I would not object to the company," Levy stopped, her face blushing slightly again as she realised what she had just suggested, the eyes of three men all carefully trained on her.
"A respectable woman such as you, Miss Conbolt, will spend your time bettering Dreyar's bastard?" Mr Dragneel asked in happy disbelief.
All eyes changed their subject from Levy to Mr Dragneel, Levy quietly happy that her suspicions had been correct, while all three stood surprised at his outburst; Mr Dragneel himself confused at which part of what he'd said could gain such a reaction. They all stood in silence for a few moments before Lucy reappeared, looking to Levy slightly offended. Levy waited a few moments for Mr Dreyar to appear, but it quickly became obvious he was not going to. Lucy cheered up immensely at the sight of Mr Redfox standing immediately beside Levy, hope threatening to re-enter her mind after an absence of over a month.
"Good afternoon, Mr Redfox! How wonderful to see you again! We have not seen you since you last came to shoe our horse almost two months ago!" Lucy greeted cheerfully, while Levy silently prayed that he did not pick up on her blunder.
"Very good afternoon to you, Miss Lucy." Mr Redfox smiled back, "however, I feel it has been much longer since I have seen you and your sister. I do not recall seeing you when I was at your father's estate last."
"Oh! We saw you from Levy's window! It looks out onto the path – we seen you approaching the house!" Lucy smiled before quickly bringing a hand to her mouth, realising her mistake.
"My sister does not mean it as it sounds, Mr Redfox, I assure you!" Levy offered, hoping that there had not been too much damage done, "we decided not to bother you while you were busy working – we would not wish to waste your time on us silly young girls."
"Miss Conbolt, no time spent with an intriguing, handsome young lady such as yourself could ever be considered wasted – more people should give their time to gain at least some of your knowledge, and to live in hope that they could earn half your good looks," he replied, bowing slightly and offering his arm before continuing, "if you would do me the honour?"
Levy stood completely stunned for a few moments, unable to let what Mr Redfox had said to her sink in. She stared up at him, him returning her gaze. Levy noticed his cheeks start to change, if only slightly. She jumped, suddenly becoming aware of everyone's stares. She quickly took his arm, thanking him quietly, her face flushed – much to the amusement of the others around them.
She allowed him to lead her up to the dance floor, the town's stares following them as they walked, caught by the sight of the proud-looking, smartly dressed tall blacksmith walking with the eldest Miss Conbolt, her new refreshing style drawing attention to her rather than hiding her within the crowd. Levy resisted the urge to hide behind him as they reached the dance floor, unsure of so many eyes watching her. Mr Redfox took her into his arms, holding her ready to dance as they joined the already dancing couples. Levy looked up at his smirking face.
She smiled.
The whole town disappeared from her sight, the knowledge of their neighbours' stares left her mind, and she smiled. She felt confident there as they danced in each other's company, all her worries gone. She felt his confidence washing over her as she stared up into his smirking face. She wasn't even sure why she was happy at the sight of a smirk, never mind his. He had done nothing but slight her, but something about his current smirk was different. It was not at her, it was more-
"Miss Cobolt?"
Levy suddenly became aware of their stillness – the music had finished. Her face flushed as she realised everyone was staring at them again, the two of them just standing there, her staring at him as he stood awkwardly, holding her until she came back from her thoughts. She released him and curtseyed, thanking him for the dance before allowing him to lead her from the dance floor. She did not look at him as they walked back to the others. She feared she'd only blush again if she looked into his eyes again. What had come over her? She hated this man and everything about him! He was a crude, uncivilised brute! He did nothing but insult her!
"Levy! You looked so beautiful dancing in your new dress! Have you found out who gave you the material?! You really must thank them! What were Mr Redfox and you talking about after the dance finished?! Mr Dragneel and I came back before you, even Mr Fullbuster and Juvia!" Lucy smiled happily, taking her sister's hands.
"Oh, we were not really talking, Lucy." Levy replied, a slight blush on her pale cheeks, glancing at Mr Redfox as he left them to speak to Miss Wendy, "although, you danced with Mr Dragneel?"
"I...I was complaining about Mr Dreyar to Juvia when she returned with Miss Wendy...and Mr Dragneel...he told me that that was just how Mr Dreyar was..." Lucy started sadly before her face brightened again, "but Mr Dragneel offered to dance with me to cheer me up. Mr Dragneel has a wonderful sense of humour, Levy – I could not help but laugh! I have not laughed so much since Millianna married! He told me he could not be happy while I was being so miserable! He is a wonderful young man, if not a little too bold! He was very happy to hear that you would happily spend time with Wendy! He had been worried that you would be 'too proper' to spend time with her considering her parentage...I had been a little surprised to learn the truth, were not you, Levy?"
"No...I had an idea that Mr Dreyar may be her father, at least after our encounter with him outside Mr Redfox's workshop. I felt as if...I had been a little unjust to Mr Redfox once I realised the situation..." Levy started awkwardly, "...however that does not excuse his behaviour! It does not change the fact that he is a crude, uncivilised brute of a male! I wish he would just leave us in peace!"
"Levy, you do not mean that! Mr Redfox is a very generous man to those he cares about, and he clearly cares for you, Levy! He is not a dancing man, yet every time he has been in company he has singled you out for a dance. Levy, others think you plain and awkward...they think you bold but wrong...he clearly does not...has it never occurred to you...that he could be your freedom? Perhaps if you are kind to him, respond to his attention, he will decide that you truly are worth him marrying? Levy, he may be your only chance!" Lucy declared almost desperately.
"Lucy, I do not need a man! And certainly not that ill-mannered brute!"
"'Ill-mannered brute'?" Levy felt her entire body turn cold, "are you referring to me?"
"M-Mr R-Redfox! I-I did no-"
"-If that is how you truly feel, then I shall leave you be." Levy stood frozen, unable to continue speaking. "Life is hard enough without someone so strongly unwanted forcing their company on you."
"Mr Redfox!" Levy spun around, expecting to find him still there, only to see his long black hair disappearing into the crowd and out of sight.
"Juvia will speak to Gajeel. Gajeel will likely go home for the evening, so Juvia will approach Gajeel tomorrow for Miss Conbolt. Juvia knows Miss Conbolt did not mean to hurt Gajeel – Juvia seen Miss Conbolt dancing...Juvia is sure no-one has ever seen Miss Conbolt so happy. Miss Con-"
"-Levy."
"Pardon?" Miss Loxar responded in obvious confusion.
"Juvia, my name is Levy." Levy replied, suddenly looking at Juvia with a determined expression, "I have always believed in being proper, Juvia. I have said what I thought necessary even though I knew others would think my thoughts ridiculous. I see you as a friend though, and I wish to attempt to be less proper, if not just to show you that I truly consider you a friend, Juvia. I was surprised by Mr Redfox, and my first thought was of my embarrassment at him seeing me in such a state, especially considering what I had witnessed concerning him."
Levy held Juvia's gaze as she paused for a moment, deciding she must continue.
"I did not wish to hurt him, I truly did not, but I was not lying about my opinion of him. He is truly an amazing man, having seen how he protects Miss Wendy; however, I have seen a side of him I did not think any man would have. I witnessed him being unforgivably crude in front of a wonderful young woman who did not deserve to hear such uncivil words. My opinion was set many months ago, even if only a few days before we first met, before we danced. I like the man he shows, but I cannot accept the man he hides."
Will Miss Loxar accept Mr Fullbuster's proposal? Why did Mr Fullbuster reassure Mr Redfox that Miss Conbolt was not the one he was after? Why does Miss Conbolt now find herself happy and unable to stop herself from blushing in front of such an 'ill-mannered brute'? And will he speak to her again after her latest insult? Or are things between them ruined forever?
Well, Natsu stuck his foot in it, didn't he?! XD Wendy's secret is out, but everyone's good friends by now ;P Let's hope Natsu continues to be Lucy's knight in shining armour and that Juvia can fix things between Levy and Gajeel! ;P Just a heads up, there's only two chapters left ^_^
MakeItHale, haha, it is, isn't it?! XD Hehe, you're welcome! ^_^ He had to appear at some point though ^_^ The question now is more along the lines of whether I'll let him stick around now that he's told everyone the big secret and cheered Lucy up! ;P Hehe, he is probably the funnest character in Fairy Tail, and one of the funnest characters I know! XD I love that headcanon! XD She probably even tried to help him learn to read (saving him from some of Erza's strict teaching XD )
Miri, gihe, that's probably because you seem to always ask the most in-depth questions! XD Continue to feel proud, my friend! XD I am impressed by it as well! XD And thank you so much for sticking to it! XD You're welcome! XD But after the explanation I gave you last week, you'll really get the impact of this chapter! XD That was perfect timing on your part! XD She's been insulting him for months, so there has to be a point where she pushes him too far ;P (onto Juvia 3;P ) Exactly! She's always able to do that and use it to become stronger! XD I don't care if she was originally a Phantom Lord mage, she's one hell of a Fairy Tail mage now! XD She openly admits her feelings and uses them to her advantage (even if they are sometimes her downfall – no-one is perfect...but her 'flaw' isn't that much of a problem really – she would have been serious in a life-or-death situation! XD ) Hopefully you'll like the next chapter! 3;D
Erin Bloodrein Sage-san, ...I now feel I've missed an opportunity...but then Lucy wouldn't have had the worry of finding a husband in the slightest! XD He's completely devoted to her! But so are all her awesome spirits! XD Hehe, I could have even added Taurus and Scorpio ;P ...they don't have a butler though...or I would have added Capricorn XD ...I would have loved to have Aquarius as their mum, but I couldn't have her someone known for shrieking, gossiping and pretending to faint...but at the same time, all Mrs Bennet wants is for her children to be happy and cared for...*sigh* But yeah, Virgo is '(Mrs) Hill' (the housekeeper) and Aries is 'Betsy' (the maid) ^_^ Yeah, well she has someone watching out for her 3;P Mwahaha, was you're guess right?! XD Hope you enjoyed this chapter too! XD
Maiokoe, hehe, glad you're finding it interesting! XD Yeah...it is a little, isn't it? 0:) Had the idea in my head for months, but I'm not even sure how I thought of it XD Happy to hear you think it's fun though! ^_^
Ice and Thunder, thank you! *-* I'm so happy you're still enjoying this! XD Gah, thank you! XD Hahaha, well, would you have guessed that he'd do something like that?! XD Hope you enjoyed this one too! ^_^
Right, so, updates...I have three deadlines at the end of next week (Thursday and Friday)...and one of them is REALLY mean...so it may be Saturday before you get the next chapter because I might have passed out with exhaustion and too many painkillers :P I might give you a first chapter to a potential next story to make up for it if I have a chance to proofread...the next story hasn't been decided yet...which is why it would come from a 'potential' next story...hope you enjoyed this latest chapter ^_^
