At Gray's castle the royal physician tended to Romeo's injuries while Juvia tearfully waited with Gray comforting her.
"He has to be okay." Juvia wept. "He just has to be."
"He will be. My physician is the best in the entire kingdom." Gray assured.
After waiting for hours the royal physician came out of the room from where he was healing Romeo.
"Well is he alright?" Juvia asked.
"He is exhausted but I managed to fix up his injury. With bed rest he should be fine." The physician told them.
"Oh thank goodness." She sighed in relief.
That evening after making sure that her brother was resting well. She then went to find Gray and thank him for his kindness. She couldn't believe how good he had been to her and Romeo. She hoped that one day she could somehow repay him for all that he had done for she believed that he was the most wonderful man in the world.
"How's your brother?" He asked her when she found him.
"He's fine just sleeping. Thank you so much for making sure he was taken care of."
"It's the least I could do."
"And thank you for saving me from that awful man. I must say it was very brave and chivalrous." She said while blushing and fiddling with her hair nervously.
"Oh...You're welcome and uh...Thanks." He started to blush also. "Tell me did that man hurt you? If he did I swear I'll have him excecuted."
"No you got to me just in time."
"Do you know that man?"
"No. But whoever he was, he was very intent of killing my brother and making me his wife by force."
"I won't allow that. As long as I live that man will never touch you or Romeo again."
"I don't know I could ever repay you for what you've done for us but I will find a way and don't worry we'll leave as soon as Romeo is better."
"I don't think that will be necessary." Gray said.
"Why? Oh please don't make us leave while Romeo is still hurt."
"No I wouldn't dare. What I meant was you and your brother don't have to leave."
"I don't understand."
But shock along with blush crossed her face when the young man kneeled down and gently took her hand into his own.
"Juvia you are the kindest, sweetest, most beautiful woman I have ever met. Over these past few days that I've known you I realize that I have fallen in love with you. Will you be my wife?"
Juvia was speechless. The prince had just confessed that he was in love with her and asked her to marry him. Her a common peasant girl and though she loved the prince with all her heart she wasn't sure if she was worthy enough to be his wife.
"Your highness I-"
"No call me by my name please."
"Gray I...I don't what to say. I don't know if I can accept."
"Do you not feel for me as I feel for you?"
"Oh no. No. I love you my darling. I have loved you ever since we first met but I'm just a peasant woman. I don't think I'm worthy of marrying you or being a royal princess."
"You are more worthy than any other woman I have ever known in my entire life. If you marry me I promise I will love you and protect you and your brother forever."
"I... Don't...I mean...Yes...Yes I will my love."
Upon hearing her answer Gray took Juvia into his arms and kissed her lovingly. As soon as Romeo was healthy and strong again the two of them were married. All the loyal subjects of the kingdom attended the wedding and they were amazed by the beauty of their prince's new bride. She was dressed in an elegant, silk gown as white as fallen snow sewn with pearls and many other precious stones while a veil of lace and flowers was placed upon her head. She was the most beautiful bride the entire kingdom had ever known. Romeo was so happy that his sister had found love and was pleased that he now had the freedom to run around the castle grounds without fear of hunters. He also befriended Juvia's young hand maid Wendy.
The three of them lived happily together in the castle and their joy only grew when Juvia became with child. Everyone was excited about the young heir but no one more so than Gray.
"Don't worry Gray only one more month and the baby will be here." Juvia said as she embroidered a blanket, her belly swollen to symbolize the unborn child's growth.
"I know but I can hardly stand the waiting." Gray said.
"Patience is a virtue my darling. Here why don't you feel the baby kick."
She placed her husband's hand gently on her belly allowing him to feel the tiny kick inside.
"Looks like I'm not the only one who can't wait for one more month." He joked.
At last the royal couple's patience was rewarded and one snowy winter morning Juvia gave birth to a son. When Gray who was exhausted from pacing back and forth in the throne was finally allowed to enter the bedchamber again he saw his wife in bed greatly tired and overjoyed while cradling a beautiful baby boy in her arms who was swaddled in the blanket she had embroidered.
"Isn't he beautiful?" She said pressing a kiss to the baby's forehead.
"He's perfect." Gray said kissing his wife and then his son. "When he gets older I'm going to teach him how to hunt, ride horse back, and how to swim. Have picked out a name?"
"I think we should call him Winter."
"Winter?"
"He was born in the winter and he's as pale and delicate and soft and beautiful as the winter snow."
"I like it. Our little Winter."
"Can I see him?" Romeo asked.
"Of course." Juvia said.
Gray stepped aside and allowed Romeo to come closer to see his nephew.
"He sure is tiny." Romeo observed. "I wish I could hold him."
"I know but you can still give him a kiss." Juvia smiled.
Romeo leaned over and gave little Winter a soft peck. Suddenly he started to cry.
"Oh no what did I do?"
"Nothing Romeo. Winter is just hungry that's all. Gray my love why don't you and Romeo go tell the kingdom the good news while I feed the baby and we both try to get some rest?"
"Alright." Gray said.
Romeo was out first leaving the couple alone. Before Gray left Juvia gently grasped his arm.
"Have you found anyone who can change him back?" She asked.
"Not yet but my men and I will keep searching I promise."
"If only Romeo was human again then our lives would be perfect."
"Don't give up hope. I swear to you I will find a way to change him back but for now let's just be happy that our son is finally here."
The kingdom celebrated with great jubilation over the birth of Prince Gray and Princess Juvia's child. Everyone was happy and serene, convinced that it would stay that way always. But happiness does not always last forever. Word of the celebration spread throughout the entire land and it reached Kyoka who wanting what it was all about consulting her crystal ball.
When Kyoka saw that Juvia had married the prince and become a princess hatred and jealousy filled both her and her daughter.
"Mother I was supposed to marry the prince!" Seilah complained. "It's not fair!"
"Worry not my dear daughter one way or another you will sit on the throne." Kyoka assured her. "We just need to dispose of your wretched stepsister and I think I have my most evil plan yet."