The halls of the castle are uncharacteristically empty as I walk down the long corridor hearing nothing but my muffled footsteps against the wine-red carpet. It's almost as if everyone in the world had suddenly disappeared leaving me in a world of solitude, at least, that's what it felt like the past couple of days.

News about Natsu's and my falling out three days ago has seemed to somehow spread throughout the castle like wildfire. No one ever talks about it directly with me, but I'm no stranger to the muffled whispers and side glances that I get when I walk into a room. Nor am I unaccustomed to the silence that has become the gathered meals or how the king hardly seems to show up to any of them, preferring to eat his meals in the confines of the library or his room.

His avoidance feels just like it had before, only this time instead of avoiding his children he seems to be avoiding me instead. I tell myself that it doesn't matter, that he's made his decision just as I have made my own. I try to comfort myself by reasoning that at least this time Natsu isn't avoiding either Happy or Rosy, but instead tries to spend as much time with them as possible when he gets the chance. He can avoid me all he wants just as long as the children aren't forgotten or suffering… but that still didn't mean that his avoidance hurt any less.

"This was bound to happen sooner or later," I mutter under my breath as I continue to make my way down the hall, feeling irked at the king's childish behavior all over again.

But it's not like you're any less childish avoiding him as well…

I berate myself mentally for even thinking that, even when it's true, but even if I wanted to change this situation I wouldn't know how. Instead of doing anything I've decided to just stand by and wait to let the calamity between Natsu and myself settle down, if it ever settles down.

Sighing heavily, I continue my trek down the hall and towards the security of the kitchen which houses the comforting presence of the castle's cook.


Chapter 49 - When a Monster Knocks...

POV: Lucy

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail


Walking down the hall, I hum as I pass by ornamental furniture and paintings of the castle's predecessors I've come to memorize from all the months I've lived here. Their eyes follow me as I continue to make my way down the hall as I keep my own eyes looking forward and not around me.

Rounding the corner, I suddenly hear voices coming from down the hall near the grand staircase. The voices, unfamiliar and a bit muffled from the distance, start to become clearer as I get closer to the stairs, the wall to my right still blocking my view.

Curious, I quicken my pace when I hear that Natsu is talking to someone. He almost sounds annoyed as the answering voice resounds from downstairs in excessive waves. The partnering voice also starts to sound familiar as I get closer to the stairs, but I can't pinpoint as to who the new person is.

I'm about to fully peek my head around the obstructive wall when a hand shoots out from behind me and pulls me back into the shadows of the corridor.

Startled, I'm about to scream when a hand clamps down over my mouth leaving my nose somewhat free for me to breathe. The hand holds tight against my mouth as I try to squirm free while my assailant wraps their arm around my waist and drags me back down the hall where I came from. All the while I'm struggling to break free, but my efforts are wasted and futile against my attacker who is clearly bigger and stronger than me.

Even when I realize that I can't get away, I continue to struggle by wriggling around and kicking my feet that dangle where the brute has lifted me up. I make contact with my attacker's shin several times and they curse and hiss from the pain. Instead of doing anything about it they ignore the pain as they rush up several staircases leading me further and further away from prying eyes.

I only finally calm down when I realize that my attacker is none other than Gajeel.

"Will you shut up already," He hisses in my ear as he yanks me harshly so that I'll settle down, "You're going to get us found out."

I still from the urgency in his voice. I can't miss how out of breath he seems or how his voice was shaking when he was getting after me. It's almost as if he was scared and that only causes the panic in me to rise, but this time I don't fight him.

Not too much time passes before we reach the astronomy tower and the male shoves me into the room so harshly that I can't catch my balance as I tumble to the floor.

"Hey!" I respond as I rub my hands lightly together to ease the burn they got from the fall, "What on Earthland is with you?"

"I said shut up!" The male growls as he scans the hall outside looking as if he were making sure that no one was following us. However, it's not like he'll find anyone out in the hall. Especially since hardly any of the other staff ever come into this part of the castle leaving it to be a solitary haven for me to get away from the others when need be.

Taking a good look at the male once I've stood off the ground, I notice that he's panicked. I can tell from how tense his shoulder muscles seem to strain under his coat as well as the tight grip he has on the doorway and semi-closed door. The hair on his arms also seem to stand on end as he remains quiet as he watches and listens intently to see if anyone or anything is outside in the hallway.

What in Mavis' name was wrong with him?

After a few moments of silence, Gajeel seems to relax a bit as he closes the door but doesn't release his shaking hold on the nob as he exhales with relief while saying, "No one followed."

"Who didn't follow?" I ask, unnerved with the secrecy and panic the usually well-composed male is exuding, but the male simply stares at me as if barely realizing that I was in the room with him. It's almost as if he had forgotten that he dragged me all the way here by nearly suffocating me.

"Stay… Stay here," Gajeel finally orders, seeming to come back from his stupor, as he turns the doorknob so that he can go back outside.

"What?! Why?!" I ask while catching his arm before he can slink back out into the hallway.

"Just stay here and stop asking impertinent questions," The male growls as he pulls his arm so that I can release my hold on him, "Where are the kids?" He then asks as an afterthought which only confuses me more because what did the children have to do with the way that the male was acting?

"Why?" I ask again, unknowing fear settling in the pit of my stomach, because what if the children were in danger? What if something happened to them? WHAT WAS GOING ON?!

"Just tell me where they are!" Gajeel nearly yells at me but seems to catch himself as he lowers his voice to hiss the command at me.

His anger and burning red eyes alarm me and leave me shaking with worry as I try to make out what was leaving the male so distressed. It causes my own anger to bubble as I square my shoulders and glower back at him while saying, "Not until you tell me what is going on!"

When Gajeel says nothing, I try to make my way around him towards the somewhat opened door, but he stops me by placing a hand on the doorframe to block my path. He's looking at the ground, with a pained expression, as he grimaces as if in pain. His strange reaction leaves my worry blossoming even more as I try to make sense of what was going on.

Did his reaction have something to do with the guests that had just arrived a moment ago? The very guests that Natsu had gone down to greet to which I had almost seen before Gajeel attacked me and then dragged me away to this secluded area? But why would Gajeel impede me from meeting the new guests? Why would he drag me away, unless…

Feeling my whole body run cold, I falter as I take a few steps back as fear sets in me.

My whole body shakes as my head begins to pound with the memories I had been suppressing for a few years now. My eyes burn with threatening tears filled with pain just as my hands begin to sting in that familiar way they had when I had gotten burned a year ago.

"Gajeel…" I call out to the large male, hating how scared my voice sounds as it quivers with every syllable. It's almost as if I sounded like a terrified child, which in truth is what I felt like.

"He's here Lucy," Gajeel grounds out as he too begins to shake all over, a nervous film of sweat seeming to encompass his body as my legs give out under me leaving me sitting on the floor in utter despair.

"Jose Porla is here in the castle…"


So last week was a bit hectic with school, but thankfully it didn't take me too long to finish this chapter. Also, I'm brimming with excitement over watching the first episode of the final Fairy Tail season. The opening to the episode was an ok one, was really hoping for a super hyped up energetic intro, but the one we got was really nice. Other than that I love how crisp and vibrant the art seems and hearing the Fairy Tail theme at the beginning of the episode really got me crying and feeling all kinds of emotions. *cries again* Anywho, tell me your thoughts on the new episode if you've gotten to see it.

Anywho, The moment we've all been waiting for! The destruction of our hearts will now commence, and what better moment than to have it in the spookiest month of the year! That's right, the man we've hated the most, debatably more than we somewhat hate Jude, is now finally in the picture! This means that we're going to get chapter after chapter of suspense, starting next chapter because that is when things will finally take a turn for the worse! You all have two weeks to mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepare yourselves before I post chapter 50.

Also, I have noticed that we are down to the final ten chapters, give or take that I end up adding a few more chapters along the way but it shouldn't be over 15. So basically we're down to the final ten and I am reeling. Never thought we'd make it this far seeming how long it's taken me to write this story, but I am so happy to have you all still with me. I actually just realized today how many chapters are left, and what with the inspiration the new episode of the anime as well as the new chapters of the manga have given me I will be on hyper drive writing every chance I can in between school work. I'm so excited for the end you guys, and also a little sad, but let's enjoy these chapters with great enthusiasm and angst, because I am the queen of angst!

On another note, if someone has read chapter 9 of the Fairy Tail 100 Year Quest, fangirl with me because something that came out in the chapter has me shrieking! If you haven't read the chapter yet you need to go read it right NOW!

Also, one last thing, For my beautiful Guest reviewers who review without an account, I have come to realize that it takes a few days to a week for your review to come out on Fanfiction, but I usually receive your review the second you send it to me. So the way I am presuming it works is you write your review, it comes out on my email, but then it takes a few days to a week to actually show up here on the site. This means that you don't have to freak out if you don't see your review as soon as you post it on the site because chances are that I already received it and read it.

And reminder that I update every two weeks so next update should be up around October 26.

Shout Outs

Great amazing thanks to my Fantastic Favorites...

- animelover91702

- Angelfusion15

To my Fabulous Followers...

- San1234

- Bananarock509

- animelover91702

- NaluGrey

- Angelfusion15

- Love Pandas

And to my Fantabulous Reviewers...

- HoPe-BriNgeR1 = Technically it was 48 with an extra chapter, and yes, it took me that many chapters, words, AND three years to finally reach the chapter that inspired this whole story. Also, thank you so much for the praise, it really makes me all giddy. The trick to my writing is dragging it out as long as possible because details are always important for me. The inspiration to my style of writing actually comes from the British show Dr. Who as that show tends to re-use every piece of information they ever screen later on in the series. I like doing that as well so that you don't think that I'm just writing a bunch of nonsense, so things from the beginning are more than likely to show up later on in the story. Also, it's taken me years to develop this style, so I once again thank you for your praise towards my hard work. You guys are what make all this improvement worth it.

- Littlest1 = I'm glad you thought those proposals were on point. I actually had a lot of fun writing them down and knew you all would get a kick out of them. Also, your thoughts on Natsu and Lucy are spot on with the whole hidden and transparent meanings. Lucy is starting to embrace herself, and now we only need Natsu to re-embrace his past outgoing, no shits given, fun attitude.

- Rose = Prepare your heart my dear. Prepare it.

- Lily = Lol, I was only joking around. Don't worry about what you say, I never take anything to heart so you're free to say and express yourself freely just as long as we can both joke around about it. Also, thank you a billion for saying I'm doing an amazing job. It really means the world for me to hear that from you and all my readers.

- Sokobird86 = So close yet no cigar! But stay tuned because the real ride is about to start!

- stranger1999 = I'm happy you enjoyed the surprise update, and yes, prepare yourself. To make you somewhat at ease, I'll reveal here that the moment you have all been waiting for will arrive in two chapters. If you don't know what I'm talking about you'll find out when the chapter arrives.

- San1234 = I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for reading my story!

- ChiliR612 = Thank you! I'm really happy you think that it's getting better and better because I think the same. GAH! Your baby is three months now?! Maybe four by this point, idk, but that's still amazing and HER NAME IS LAYLA?! That is the cutest thing in the whole of Earthland! Congratulations once again momma Chili! Unless you're a dad... Please let me know, lol.

- JustJessy = You'll learn next chapter why Natsu was evasive. That's all I'm going to say about that, and no Lucy wont distance herself from Natsu because she really does plan on keeping her promise. Also, I saw your review through my email but it took a few days before the review actually showed up on the site. For some odd reason it's doing that with all the guest reviews, but don't worry about it because I still got to read it beforehand.

- nikkiw67 = Umm... yeah! It was such a great idea, and originally I was going to use it in one of the ending chapters, but now seemed like a great time to use it. And thank you again for the amazing ideas you've contributed because they have been such a great help and saved me every time. I'm also happy that you liked my interpretation of your idea because without you that scene would probably never have happened. Also, you'll learn in the next chapter that his indecisiveness has nothing to do with what you think, if not something else, and you love me, you know you do.

- MicroFire = Honestly, the trouble you seem to be having in writing your story's beginning and ending is the same problem I had when writing this story. Heck, I had to rewrite the whole thing because I didn't know how I was going to end it, and still don't fully know for that matter. In fact, I've only got an idea that might change depending on what I end up writing in the next couple of chapters, but first let's start with the beginning. I need you to go back to chapter 46 and re-read step 4.1 because I believe that is the step you are skipping. Place yourself in your characters skin and thin "Where in this world do I want to be right now?" And think of the once place your character desires to be. Is it the forest, their home, their room, at school, at a cafe... where do they want to be? The first place that pops into your head is your beginning scene, and if you haven't thought of an ending it could also be your ending scene. Make it like a what comes around goes around sort of situation where they end where they began, at least for right now until you finally decide where you want to end your story. One thing that can really help you with this is taking down notes and keeping your thoughts and ideas written down on either paper or in your computer/laptop/tablet/phone/etc. Don't think on it too much because it's the journey that counts more than the actual end, and it will all work out well. And to answer your side note... *insert evil smirk* Keep reading to find out. "Ying-yang mood swings" Omg I love that, but it is basically what I am doing... teehee.

- Guest = Thank you! I'm glad you are enjoying my story and I am always amazed at how much my readers love my story enough to binge it, given that it is now 49 chapters long. Thank you again for giving my story a chance!

- Nashi26 = Here is the update you have asked for and hopefully it was to your satisfaction.

- Fantasygeek17 = Thank you! It means a lot for me to hear you say that!

Well that's all the shout outs for today.

If you are enjoying my story so far please follow, favorite, and review - remember, reviews are a writers candy - and if you have any questions or ideas you'd like to see put into this story you can also PM me and I'll gladly add it in.

Until next time my lovelies.


Chapter 49.2 - ...Locked Door Can't Keep Him Out

Did you think I would leave you with such a short chapter?

Well hon, you were wrong.

Get ready, because this chapter will leave your jaw hitting the ground.

POV: Natsu


"Why, thank you dear," Jose Porla, a tall thin-framed count, thanks Mirajane who hands the male a cup of tea, "I always do enjoy the hospitality of the castle when I get the chance to visit," the older male gushes as he fixes himself in his seat before taking a light sip of his tea with a light jovial smile on his face. He hums happily at the taste of his drink as he places the teacup on the saucer still in his hand.

Watching the older male, I can't help but feel a bit annoyed at the male's enigmatic presence. It has been such a long time since I've seen him that I almost forgot what an unusual man the count really was. His jovial smiles and candid way of speaking always left me feeling a bit with unease, but also tolerance that came from the many years I've known him.

Jose always seemed to enjoy visiting the castle when I was younger and Igneel was still alive. He seemed to be one of the only nobles not angered at the fact that Igneel had adopted me and named me as his succeeding heir. In fact, he almost seemed to welcome me as if I were a part of his family as well acting like an overexcited uncle who would constantly give me advice when I needed it growing up.

Other than Igneel, Jose was one of the few people I could confide in about my worries of being a crown prince, even though I was adopted. He was also one of the few people to push me into marrying Lisanna at such a young age saying, "If you love her, why let her get away from you," and showed up to my wedding and even seemed to cry when Lisanna and I had said our 'I dos". He was always an assertive presence in my life, but that seemed to change when Igneel died.

After Igneel's death, and the rumors of other nobles wanting to take the throne from me rose up, Jose seemed to disappear. He had assured me that he was not a part of the rebelling group and that he was always on my side, but he never seemed to defend me against the other nobles as well. After that he only stopped by the castle a few times every other year to either catch up or do business with me. Usually it was the latter and the easy-going communication we had built since I was a kid completely vanished after he had not shown up to Lisanna's burial when I had needed his comforting presence the most.

I actually haven't seen the male since about a year ago that we got the news of the Heartfilia manor being burnt down with accusations saying he had ordered the burning.

For a long while I couldn't believe that Jose would do such a thing. He had even said that he, or his men, had not been anywhere near Magnolia when the incident had happened. Apparently, to him, it was just Jude attempting to point his finger at Jose since they had had a long rivalry over a misunderstanding that he still refuses to tell me about.

Looking at the male, I try to take in his appearance feeling strange seeing him in front of me after such a long time of not seeing each other. The male was still taller than me as no years of growing ever allowed me to catch up to the male's height. He was still thin although now his skin seemed to appear more ashen and wrinkled with age. His shoulder length dark burgundy hair now has grey streaks as well as his thin mustache that frames above his mouth as well as the sides. His dark olive eyes still resemble something rotten, but there is happiness that shines within them as if he had no care in the world. Overall, the older male of fifty hasn't seemed to change all too much.

"It has been quite some time since I've been able to come as see you my boy. Tell me, how have you been doing recently?" Jose quite amiably asks as he sets down his teacup and saucer on the edge of the desk situated between us.

"I've been well. Simply buried in paperwork for the past year with complaints and proposals," I inquire while sighing heavily.

Jose hums, almost knowingly, as he lifts his cup up to his lips while asking, "The Heartfilia's still at your throat?" Before taking a sip of his tea.

"The usual," I shrug while lifting my own cup of tea that Mirajane had handed to me only a moment ago before retreating out of the library to bring us some snacks. "Most of the complaints I receive are from them complaining about you and your men," I inform the male whose long thin eyebrows rise as if surprised.

"Me?" he asks as he shifts in his chair to get into a more comfortable position while chuckling with amusement, "Those cowards, always blaming me and my people for their own misfortunes. Now what is it that I supposedly did to them this time?"

"You apparently sent men to attack a few members of the Heartfilia house," I inform the male who laughs as if it were such an absurd lie.

"Did I now? I don't recall sending anyone to do such a heinous act," He chuckles while wiping the corner of his eye as if the 'joke' had brought him to tears, "Tell me men, have I sent out anyone to go out and attack the poor defenseless Heartfilia's?" Jose asks the three accompanying men standing just off to the side of the library.

"Of course, not Monsieur Porla. Zat would be an utter betrayal to the kingdom," Sol, one of the three males accompanying Jose, says with a grand flourish as he twists around his thin green mustache.

"You see my boy, we've done nothing wrong," Jose smiles as he sets down his teacup back on the table before leaning back in his seat, "Now, onto business…"

Just as he says that, Juvia walks into the room with her arms full of the documents I had asked her to bring to me.

Upon noticing who has entered the room, Jose jumps up from his seat and goes to greet the bluenette whose eyes widen when she realizes who has come to visit.

"Juvia, my dear, it has been far too long since I've seen you," Jose gushes as he pulls the startled female into a hug that nearly crumples the papers in between them, "What a treat it is to see you again. The last few times I've come you were indisposed and I was unable to see you, but I see that it is not the case this time!"

The female looks uncomfortable as the male looks her over with a wide smile stretched frighteningly across his face, "It has been some time, hasn't it?" Juvia grimaces as she attempts to pull out of Jose's hold on her.

I'm not at all confused by her uncomfortable nature towards the burgundy-haired male. Not since I found out that the older male had once been her foster father when she was younger and attending the Phantom Lord Academy before she left to come work for Igneel years ago. She said that her time in the academy was not particularly the best experience she ever had, but it had allowed her to find her real home in the Dragneel castle along with the rest of us.

"What's this?!" Jose asks as he lifts the female's left hand to inspect the diamond ring situated on the female's thin ring finger, "My word! Boys, look! Our little Juvia is engaged!" the male gushes as he waves for the other males to see Juvia's ring, but the males only seem to hum with half-hearted enthusiasm, "Tell me, who is the lucky man?"

As if on cue, Gray walks into the room looking irritated at the way the older male was man-handling his fiancé, "That would be me," he states as he eases Juvia out of the older male's grasp so that she could move to hand me the papers that she's brought for me. I also can't help but notice the panicked look in her eyes as she hands me the paper before turning to look at the males.

"Well I believe that congratulations are in order my boy," Jose states as he pats Gray's back while chuckling, "I wish you two the very best and will patiently be awaiting my invitation to the ceremony."

That last comment leaves Gray making a face, but he says nothing as he makes his way towards me before handing me another report.

I look over the papers given to me by the couple and asking, "Where is Lucille, I have yet to see her today."

Juvia glowers at me as if silently asking why I want to know, but before she can say anything, she is cut off by Jose who asks, "Lucille my lord?"

He watches me curiously from where he's taken his seat once again across from me. The three other males behind him also seem to perk up at their boss' insinuation, but I don't understand what it is.

"My current governess," I inform the male who nods in understanding before realizing something.

"Governess? Ah, yes, how are the little one's doing? I'm sure they've grown so much since the last time I've seen them."

"They have," I inform the male, "They're as troublesome as ever, but otherwise they've been behaving much better with their new governess' guidance. There are hardly any incidents since she was hired."

Juvia and Gray give me looks that mentally call me a liar, but I ignore them as I continue to scan through the paperwork given to me. What Jose and the other nobles don't know about me and my family will not hurt them. Besides, who are they to judge how I speak of my children? I'd get reprimanded by all the females of the castle if I even so much as spoke of one ill word of my children.

I would never hear the end of it.

After looking over the paperwork, I then dismiss the couple before informing the female to tell Lucille to bring the children so that Jose could see them.

"Remember that they were going to go out to town with Lucille, Erza, and Jellal? They'll be leaving soon and won't be back until much later," Gray says before his fiancé can say anything, but I don't recall ever having that conversation with anyone. Not that it really mattered. They were in Erza's care and that meant that they were safe lest the children decided to terrorize the townspeople when the red-haired female wasn't looking.

"It's fine your majesty. We can always see them when we finish with our business. I'm in no hurry after all."

I motion for the couple to make their way out as I go back to reading the paperwork that was tied in with a construction proposal that Jose had sent in some weeks ago. Apparently, he wanted to expand the boarding school by building another academy down near Hargeon to 'expand Phantom Lord's education to all the corners of Fiore' as he had stated in his letter to me.

We spend a few minutes discussing the expansion proposal and all the while the male walks around my desk seemingly unable to be seated. He explains that it was due to him sitting down for four days in his carriage to get from Oak Town to Crocus. I allow him to walk about as he then peers outside the windows behind me that looks out towards the garden and path that leads to the stables.

Jose remains quiet for a few minutes before he pipes up, his voice sounding a tad less approachable, as he asks, "Have you heard of the rumor circulating around the grapevine?"

"What rumor?" I ask the male without looking up from my work.

"The one where Jude and his daughter have gone missing since the incident a year ago," The male states, "Rumor has it the two of them have gone into hiding to make plans, of what? I am not yet sure," The male states, his voice sounding almost dangerous as he continues to look outside the window, "Don't you think it strange to no longer tend to hear news of either Jude or Lucy Heartfelia any more your highness?"

Taking a deep breath, I don't want to talk about that family, but if the rumors Jose is talking about have been going around how is it that I have yet to hear about them?

"It is strange, but what is even more strange is that I have been in contact with Jude himself and have yet to hear any of these rumors you speak of," I inform the male who perks up about the news, "In fact, I hear that Jude is still attempting his expansion of railways up north while his daughter is said to be married in the near future to a lord from up north."

"What?!" Jose asks, clearly confused, "How is it that you heard of this news of the young Duchess' engagement? It does not seem to have been made public to my knowledge."

"Loke Celeste himself told me," I tell him while turning in my seat so that I can see his alarmed reaction, "In fact, this knowledge came to me this past fall at the ball you seemed to miss again."

Looking at a loss of words, Jose peers back at the window with a questioning look before moving to take his seat from across me once again, "My apologies for that, I had business back at the academy," he apologizes while taking a seat, "But I had no idea of this… news. When is the wedding I wonder?"

"No idea. I was not informed, nor do I care when the Duchess plans on getting married. It is not like I have ever formally met her to care."

Jose nods, looking pensive, before he seems to compose himself to exude that easy going attitude that also has me calming down a bit.

"Tell me about your new governess. How is the lady holding up with those two little rascals?" he asks, seemingly interested in my answer.

"She's doing great, considering with what she has to work with," I joke and the male chuckles with amusement, "In fact, she's the longest employed governess that we've ever had. The children both took a liking to her as soon as they met her which has never happened before. She's a force to be reckoned with and has a heart of gold. Because of her a lot of things have changed around here, and not in a bad way."

"Fascinating. This woman seems to have a charm like no other, I would say," Jose inquires in that way he had when I had first talked about Lisanna when I was younger, "Tell me, my boy, is the governess as beautiful as your eyes maker out to be?"

Confused at the question, I look at the male and his insinuating smile, "She… She is beautiful, yes, but…"

"Tut-tut, say no more. It is clear to me that this fair damsel has taken your heart. Why else would you talk so highly of her and with such praise?" Jose asks, and I want to tell him that she has indeed taken my heart. That I've known for a long while now, but then I remember the last time Lucille and I talked and the way I had acted with her.

If you stand by your word of not reciprocating my feelings, then things between us cannot remain the same.

This will have to end. We can no longer pursue each other so long as I continue to remain here…

The memory of the blonde's words hurt me, but not as much as my own actions had hurt me.

When Lucille had said those words, I had taken her into my arms and every fiber in my being wanted nothing more than to express my desires to her. The desire to return her loving words, to kiss her, love her, and never let her go. I wanted nothing more than to believe her, but something in me stopped me from doing any of that. Stopped me from believing her words of never leaving me and loving me which cut me like knives.

As much as I loved and cared for Lucille there was an underlying feeling of scrutiny that has clenched my gut ever since I began to question who the governess really is. The very feeling that tells me not to trust her sweet words and innocent smiles, because what if they hurt me again? But how could they hurt me again if I had never met her before… or had I?

It's a never-ending battle in my head that leaves my brain reeling and my heart yearning for answers that are taking too long to come.

Either way, the way I had acted towards Lucille by pulling her around by being nice and loving one second and then suspicious and cold the next was not fair to the blonde. Especially since she has been nothing but a blessing to my family.

I needed to apologize to her, and soon, because the last thing that I want is to drag this tug-of-war of emotions any longer.

We both needed closure.

Clearing my throat, I grab another stack of papers before handing them to the older male who scowls at my evasion of his question.

"We should get back to work," I tell him, and without another word we get back to our work.

Not once do I realize that the discerning look the older male was giving me had nothing to do with me but with what I presume was a secret I was supposedly keeping from him.