Chapter 13

A Day with the Heartfilias

"Lucy-sama, your skin is as smooth as ever."

"Lucy-sama, you should always remember to take care of your hair."

"Ah... Yes everyone." I, Lucy Heartfilia, am currently inside my home after a year away. I haven't stepped a foot once inside this huge manor when I decided to move out and attend Fairy academy at Magnolia. Now, it's been a long time since I was pampered by our maids and servants inside the mansion.

As I remember it, every worker we have here became my friends and family through the years after the death of my mother and the days when my father was too busy with work. They always enlightened my day with their smiles and jokes whenever I feel depressed and alone.

"Lucy-sama, Master Jude is at his study. It would be a good idea to go and speak to him." Lea peeked through my closet door as she walked out with a pastel pink dress in hand. It was nothing too formal like the ones I wear in parties. It was an ordinary sun dress that showed my curves and made me feel very young.

"Yes, I should go and see Papa." I picked the hair brush from one of the maid's hands and brushed my blonde hair with ease. I wasn't that excited to see him or was I too afraid. I just felt like it was nothing too special to look forward to as your dad never seemed to take any notice of your presence.

"Now Lucy-sama, we should get you into this dress and meet your father." Lea gave me a reassuring smile as she patted my back. I looked at her reflection in the wide mirror and gave back a sincere smile as I nodded my head and stood up.

After a few minutes of changing into the dress and fixing my hair with a pink ribbon, my maids and Lea dismissed themselves and left my room. I gave a small twirl as I walked on my carpeted floor with the adorable pink heeled shoes I wore.

As I neared my bed, I saw a small and familiar doll that lied on my comfortable mattress like it owned it. I made small steps and quietly picked it up from the covers and brushed its hair with my fingers.

"It's been a long time Michelle." I smiled and kissed the doll before placing it back on my bed. It was a gift from my mother and ever since then, I took care of it like it was my most valuable thing in the world.

I exited my room after one last check in the mirror and went down to the living room where Natsu and the rest are. They were comfortably munching on some cookies and brownies and I silently laughed at Natsu's face as he stuffed his cheeks with the pastries. I saw Happy beside him, merrily munching on a fish he got from our kitchen.

"Hey guys!" I called out to them from the top of the stairs and all of their eyes directed at me.

"Lucy?" I heard Natsu mumble my name and I nodded. For a second there, I thought I saw a small faint blush on his cheeks but I dismissed it as he ate another plate of brownies.

"I'll be back in a while. I just have to go and visit my dad in his office." I said and all of them nodded in response.

I made my way down the halls and some few turns before I reached the large wooden doors before me.

"This is it Lucy..." I muttered to myself as I took in deep breaths and brought my hand to the golden knob. "You can do this." I pushed the door open and quietly went inside as I bowed with a smile to the man behind a large wooden brown desk.

"I came to visit Father." I said as I straightened my posture once done bowing.

Papa looked up from his sheets of documents and stared at me with emotionless eyes. He took one last glance at his work and stood up from his chair.

"Well this is unexpected..." I thought as Papa never stops midway in his work. He was never the type to put his child first than his job. I had grown up with that principle in mind to never disturb my father when he is working.

"Lucy..." His deep voice echoed through the room, with books lined in each side. He stood beside his desk, with the familiar strictness and authority he always shows in and out of work. I swallowed a lump in my throat and responded to his call.

"Yes?"

"Do you still insist on going to that school you're attending now?" My hand turned into a fist as I felt my sharp nails dig into my skin. I know what he meant.

A year ago, at my old first class school, a lot of things happened that when I went home, I decided to transfer to another High School. My father, of course debated on the topic that I suddenly wanted to transfer but I wouldn't budge. There was no way that I'll stay in that Institute where everything seemed to eat me up. I just had this feeling when I saw Fairy Academy at Magnolia, to transfer and go to school there.

So after a lot of arguments and debates, I moved out and went to Magnolia without my father knowing. Obviously he was furious due to my rash actions but in the end, I won. He sent me living expenses from time to time because he didn't want to receive a call one day that I did some crimes due to the lack of money. It would perish the Heartfilia name.

"Of course Father. I love that school." I said, trying to muster up a smile.

My father didn't respond and kept quiet as he closed his eyes and faced the large window behind him. He had me facing his back as I observed him putting his hands together and then facing me once more.

"Lucy if you ever let one single event to happen that would put our whole household in trouble, I will take your lifestyle into my own accord. I don't want anything to happen again. Am I understood?" My father spoke with a very deep and authoritative voice that would send anyone running in fear. But not me.

I held my head proud and smiled as I bowed. "Certainly Father. I'm sure nothing will happen again." I said and stood up, making my way to the door.

"Your allowance is already in your account." I heard him say before I closed the door.

I breathed in deeply as I slumped against the wall and smiled even more. I can't believe I had a calm talk with my father which never happens when I lived here.

"It certainly is a good day." I pushed myself off the wall and walked down the hall, passing my room.

"Lucy..." I heard a whisper and I immediately directed my head to my slightly opened door. I immediately pushed it open as I saw something moved inside.

"Who's there?" I called out as I stepped inside but saw everything in its place. My room was still well lit and the maids had fixed everything before I left a while ago. So who could it be?

"Maybe I'm just imagining things again." I shrugged my shoulders and closed the door when I felt cold air and an intense stare bore unto my back.

I shook off the feeling and quickly made my way to the kitchen where I saw Lea-san. She was currently preparing more food for my friends and I happily stood before her.

"Lea-san, so what made you write that letter for me to come home?" I asked and she smiled as she washed her hands and grab something from her pocket.

"A letter arrived addressed to you Lucy-sama." I took the white envelope and read the name of the sender.

"Hisui?" My eyes widened and I immediately opened it and made my way to the garden.

"Lea-san, please tell the rest that I'll be at the garden." I said and walked on the paved stones.

I took out the folded paper and smiled as I read Hisui's beautiful penmanship.

Hisui is an old friend of mine, and despite her being part of the royal family, she treats me very kindly and sincerely.

Dear Lucy,

It's been a long time since we have met. I heard from my Father that you changed schools? Was it Fairy Academy in Magnolia? No matter what your reason was, I hope you are doing well in your new school.

Lucy, I had been having dreams lately. The one from when you were kidnapped? It seemed to haunt me even more when I remembered your emotionless face when we found you near your garden. Are you sure you're alright? Do you still not remember anything from that night? Sorry if I sound like this, I just can't help worrying. You know my premonitions are mostly right.

But Lucy, I hope we get in touched again. I'll try to visit you in your new school if the guards would allow it. Until then Lucy, please be safe and you can tell me anything.

Love,

Hisui

I folded the paper inside the envelope again and sat in the middle of our garden. Hisui has always worried for me and I can't blame her after I was kidnapped, but it's strange for Hisui to be dreaming about this again.

"I should write her a letter when I get back to Magnolia." I said as I heard footsteps nearing.

"Erza!" I called out and invited the rest to sit with me. They looked full for some reason and I silently chuckled knowing that Lea-san's foods are the best.

"So, what had you all been up to?" I asked.

"Well, we've been exploring your mansion that's one." Gray said as he breathed out a sigh.

"Yeah and the food are great. Right Happy?" Natsu looked at his Exceed friend and it also smiled.

"Aye Sir!"

"Your house must be pretty secured Lucy." Erza said, as she cleared her throat.

"Well it's not that secured." I said and all of their eyes were directed to me. "I've got kidnapped once when I was a child."

"What did they do to you?!" Erza was already grabbing my shoulders and shaking the life out of me. I removed her hands from me in a calm manner and made her sit down again before I released a long sigh.

"Honestly guys, I don't remember at all." I said and closed my eyes as I remembered the night that I got kidnapped.

"Good night Lucy-sama." Lea-san tucked me in my bed before turning off the lights and closing the door.

I hugged Michelle closely to my body, missing my Mother even more as I remember her singing me to sleep every night. It was a beautiful night outside, as I saw the full moon lit up the dark sky while there were barely any stars. It's such a shame to just sleep like this.

"It won't hurt to go to outside right?" I said to Michelle and got out of my bed while bringing her with me. My white night gown loosely hanged on to my body as I silently made my way through the halls and out of the main door.

The mansion was already dim, considering that it's almost ten in the evening ,but that's not going to stop me from going out and enjoy the night breeze.

I sat down on the marble steps near our front door and looked up at the moon while hugging Michelle with me.

After a while I let out a yawn so I decided to brush off the dirt from my dress and head back inside. As I made my way up, my eyes began to drift, and next thing I know, I was already consumed by darkness.

"Lucy! Lucy!" I heard a familiar voice bring me back to consciousness and my eyes were greeted by the dark sky filled with stars. The moon wasn't there anymore.

I looked to my right and I saw Hisui's crying face as she dived into me for a hug. I blinked my eyes for a while trying to register what happened.

"Everyone found me unconscious near our garden after a week from the night I disappeared." I said and the atmosphere began to become heavy after I released those words.

"Now Now.." I said trying to break the tension from everyone. "It's all in the past and I' m alright now." I laughed a little trying to convince them and somehow I did.

"Are you sure nothing happened to you Luce?" Natsu said eyeing me with suspicion.

I jumped a little due to his stare but I nodded my head with a bright smile.

He eyed me a little bit more until his mouth broke into a grin and he threw an arm around my shoulders.

I honestly don't know if anything happened to me but for some reason, I know that it was more than just a kidnapped. I wasn't the only child missing when I over heard my maids talking a few days later in the kitchen after the night I woke up in the garden. Apparently, some of the children in the town were also missing but I brushed it off when Hisui grabbed my hand and dragged me off to play.

"Whatever you say Luce!" Natsu gave me his famous toothy grin and I laughed as I removed his arm from my shoulders but he held my wrist instead.

"We better go in now. Lea-san prepared more food." I said and I heard most of them grunted in frustration while Natsu cheered even more and pulled me going to the house. Well, what can you expect when you mention good food to Natsu?

This is just another day in the Heartfilia house but this time, I had friends who could enjoy my time here with me.

"It may not be a bad idea to go home again soon." I muttered and smiled.

"What did you say Luce?" Natsu asked as we entered the manor.

"Nothing." Maybe I should invite Natsu and the rest again next time.

Chapter End

A/N: I had a bit of a struggle with this chapter so I didn't make it a filler like I had planned. So, basically I'll fasten the pace of the story a bit and we'll see when and where will it end. Did my writing style suck now? I think I'm still a bit rusty after a long period of not writing stories. I always faced Essays. -_-

Next Chapter: "Welcome back to the Midnight Circus!" It was dreadful enough that Midnight Circus was a survival game against each other but who the hell are these kids? Midnight Circus just got a little bit more interesting with a few extra players.