The ninth time was the calm before the storm.

After three weeks of pretending that Juvia was sleeping with Sting, Gray had decided to come out with a tactic to save Juvia from Totomaru and his men—make her escape to Tower of Heaven. On the other hand, the Phantom King already made a move to forcefully take her by making one of his men visit the palace or giving a fake invitation letter from Fire Country. Because of Gajeel, Juvia already knew about Totomaru's plan and he was damn serious, to the point that she wasn't safe anymore. One afternoon, she was secretly walking at the plaza with Gajeel when a mysterious man came up to her. Judging by the voice, the two knew that it was Totomaru. Hiding in a nearby alley, the three started to talk.

"Totomaru-kun," Juvia whispered so others won't hear, "please go back."

"I won't," he insisted. "I've been longing for you because you are my bride."

"But Gray-sama is—"

"That man won't love you. You are just a wife to him."

"Juvia may be a wife to him, but the people needs her."

He caught her wrist and gripped it tightly, making it hard for her since he was a loved servant and a good friend. "I need you too. You are my queen, not his."

"Juvia..." she started, not wanting to hurt his feelings, "Juvia belongs here and to Gray-sama. Juvia is sorry."

He gritted his teeth in annoyance. He didn't get to his kingdom back and the supposed queen was turning him down! "Why?!"

"Oi," Gajeel interfered, stepping between him and her, glaring at the Phantom King with his crimson eyes. "You may be a king, but you're just a mere guest here so you have no right to lash out in front of her."

Totomaru glanced back at her while she tries to hide behind Gajeel who was still glaring at the man who tried to kidnap her for many times. Without further ado, he slipped back his hood on and left, but Juvia knew that he'll come back.

#

Lyon set back his cup of tea on the table as he glanced out of the window, fully knowing that Totomaru was in the town and probably settling his score on Juvia. Erza sat on the nearby couch, waiting as Gray solemnly sat on his chair, chin over crossed hands as he started to formulate his speech.

"Are the preparations done, Erza?" he asked.

The scarlet-haired woman nodded. "Jellal had it already fixed."

Gray turned to his cousin. "The carriage?"

"It will be around with my permission in no time," Lyon assured.

"How about Natsu?" he inquired.

Just as Erza was about to speak, the door slammed open to reveal the said man, dressed in a commoner's outfit and grinning. He was narrating about his escapade from Gray's guards and how he missed bullying them.

"Natsu, do not bully the guards or I will kill you," Erza threatened, glaring at the man and emitting a dark aura.

Natsu immediately straightened and gulped. "Aye!"

"Where's Lucy?" Lyon asked.

Natsu scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "She's pregnant. Again."

"Anyways," Gray changed the topic, "you already knew why you're here, right?"

The salmon-haired guy nodded. "I've seen him earlier. He looked so dejected."

"You know what to do with him."

"Of course, I do."

#

That night, Juvia hesitantly spoke to Gray about her meeting with Totomaru earlier. She tried to persuade him about making peace with Phantom City but her husband was clearly against it.

"He waged a war on us. All I could do is protect this place," Gray reminded her.

"Gray-sama, Totomaru-kun was probably just kidding around or he maybe loves Juvia in such way so he just can't accept defeat."

"Juvia, that guy wanted you and he won't stop until he gets what he wanted."

She quickly added, "Juvia only wanted peace for her people."

Gray sighed. He knew she was having a dilemma since he's her husband and Totomaru was an old friend. He sat beside her on the bed and kissed her forehead, assuring her that it will all be better.

"I know it's not easy for you, but I can't go back to my word."

"Is there any way to stop this?"

Sadly, he shook his head and Juvia had to do the last resort. She kissed him, straddling him down on the bed while taking off his clothes. She will pleasure him until the memory of war is wiped away from his mind.

The tenth time was a possessive statement.

Juvia didn't succeed in her plan. Gray was still determined to have a war against Totomaru and she didn't know what drives him to do so. With that, she silently slipped out of their bedroom and went straight to the bathroom. She didn't even take off her nightdress as she went in the water-filled tub, then cutting her wrist to let the blood flow out.

If this will only be the last way for peace, she'll do for the both of them.

And she slept again, hoping that she'll die in bliss.

#

After a few hours, Gray heard a high-pitched scream. He hastily sprang out the bed, putting his robe on, and dashed towards the source. When the maids alerted him about the bathroom, he went there to see Meredy trembling at the sight of Juvia lying lifelessly in the tub with blood coming out of her wrist. Without further ado, he quickly carried her in his arms and instructed the maids to bring Aries in their room. As he laid her on the bed, he ripped off a cloth from the sheets and tied it on her open wrist, praying that she won't leave him just like what the rest did.

Once Aries came in, she quickly examined Juvia, politely ordering Gray to get out for a while and have a change of clothes. He didn't mind and had Loke accompany him in the dressing room.

"I can't believe the lady would do that," Loke stated.

"Loke, do you think it's because of the war?" Gray wondered, buttoning up a white shirt.

"I think it is. Considering that she loves the both of you but not in the same manner."

Gray frowned. "Does she... not love me anymore?"

Noting the worry in his voice, Loke chuckled. "What is there to concern about, your Highness?"

"Who do you think Juvia belongs to?" he responded with a question.

"Juvia belongs to the king."

Still, he frowned. Juvia might belong to him but she was concerning herself over the enemy.

He's jealous, Loke thought sneakily.

#

After a few minutes, Aries informed them to come in. Gray spotted that Juvia was already awake, dressed well with her wrist bandaged. On the other hand, Aries told them about her condition.

"The queen was stressed due to the upcoming war but all in all, she's fine," Aries said and added, "There's also a big news."

Gray arched a brow. "Big news?"

Aries nodded enthusiastically and gently rubbed a hand on Juvia's stomach. "Congratulations, his Majesty."

Gray skeptically stared at his wife then at her stomach. "Juvia is pregnant?" he guessed.

Aries nodded to assure him and he found himself smiling. After countless of trysts, Juvia finally got pregnant by none other than him.

"I will leave the two of you to talk," Aries excused then turned to Loke. "Let's go, Leo-kun."

Loke didn't need to be told otherwise as he escorted her outside, giving privacy to the couple. Once alone, Gray sat on the edge of the bed, holding her hand. Juvia only looked away, not wanting to face him after her failed attempt. Nonetheless, Gray settled himself on top of her gently and tilted her chin so her gaze would be fixed on his. She nervously eyed him, knowing that he'll punish her.

"Juvia, why did you do that?" he asked.

"Gray-sama, Juvia didn't want to have a war so—"

"You killed yourself, thinking that it's the only way."

"Juvia—"

"You told me that you're mine, right? Why are you following my father's footsteps?"

"Juvia didn't mean to—AH!"

Gray inserted two fingers in her clit deeply, making her moan and thrash around. She desperately clung on his shoulders, hugging him to her as he inserted another finger to etch in her mind that he's the only one to do those things to her. Juvia had a hard time silencing her moans so she repeatedly kissed Gray on the lips, not wanting anyone to gain knowledge of their act. Once she had her release, Gray removed himself from her and licked her essence coated on his fingers. While panting for breath, she watched him, eyes hazy and lips swollen red.

"You should take care more," he advised after licking his fingers. "You're carrying our child."

But Juvia didn't reply. She looked unsure about something.

"What is it?"

"Does Gray-sama love Juvia?"

Again, he didn't reply and maybe Totomaru was right. She was only a wife, not someone he loves despite what both Loke and Lucy insist.

"I... don't know."

He looked troubled, knowing that Juvia had loved him for so long.

"There will be a time that I'll learn to love you," he relieved her. "For now, I will try my best to be a good husband."

She slowly sat up and hugged him. "Juvia will wait."

He ruffled her hair. "I know you will."

"Will you really have a war with him?"

"... yes."

#

After a month, Juvia was ordered to stay in her room and wait for assistance. Gray already notified her about the plan and told her that it will hurt him not to see his son grow up. Nonetheless, he'll send her letters until things got better. She gently rubbed a hand on her stomach, remembering how he wanted to name their child Fuyu. Her train of thought was abruptly cut when someone knocked on the door. She stood up and opened it to reveal Lyon and Meredy.

"The preparations have been made, lady," Meredy informed.

"We have to go, Juvia," Lyon stated, reaching out a hand to her. "Jellal is waiting outside."

Juvia nodded and took his hand, looking back at the room where she spent her nights with him.

Gray-sama...

She shook away those thoughts and looked forward, hoping to have a good future with their son.

Thus, it ended the king's affair four years ago.