Hello, everyone !

I'm back with the thirty-sixth chapter !

I hope you enjoy reading this one !

Disclaimer: I only own this plot

P.S: I'm done plotting the story, therefore I can announce that this fic is reaching its end ! *confetti boomed*

There are six chapters (including this one) left until the finale !

Brandish held Lucy and didn't say anything at all. She listened to every word that Lucy said, while gently running her hands on Lucy's back to soothe her. Pain stung her heart and she blamed herself a bit for never knowing what Lucy had been going through all this time. If only she had known, she would have done something to help her.

But Brandish also realized that it isn't too late for her to lend her hands to Lucy now.

"Lucy." she softly called and put a bit of space between them. Her thumbs gently wiped tears from Lucy's eyes and she lifted Lucy's head to face her. "Listen to me. What you're about to do is a very dangerous thing and very risky for you. Let me help you."

Lucy shook her head. "No… I have to do this alone."

"Lucy…" Brandish was at loss of words. She knew that kind of look in Lucy's eyes all too well. A look which was unwavering, determined, and stubborn. She might have only spent a short period with Lucy back in the Celestial Country, but Brandish knew her through and through. Once Lucy had that kind of look, nothing would be able to change her mind.

However, Brandish also had her share of stubbornness and determination.

"Then, come with me." she said. "As the next Countess Spriggan, I can help you. I can protect you in the Blue Pegasus Country. I know I can, and I will."

Instead of replying, Lucy just smiled back at Brandish. She then gently took Brandish's hands away from her face and held them in her own. She stared at their hands in silence for a few more seconds, then shook her head lightly. "As the next Countess Spriggan, what you have to do is to not get yourself involved in this problem, Brandish. You have a great life ahead in the Blue Pegasus Country, I won't let anything ruin it."

"Lucy…" Brandish was more at loss of words.

She lifted her head and stared back at Brandish with a smile on her face. "I have to do this alone. Besides, you know how capable I am."

"I'm worried because I know exactly how capable you are." Brandish retorted, unconsciously squeezed Lucy's hands a bit tighter. "Lucy, you did everything you could to set Sting free, why won't you allow me to do the same thing for you?"

"Because I can't let Sting be caught up in all this." Lucy said. "I can't run away either because I'm the only one who can end this."

"Then, why won't you tell the Dragon Country about this?" Brandish said. "Judging from what you told me, I'm sure they will understand you! You might be sent there as a spy, but you're not one! You're doing everything you can to protect them instead!"

"I can't." Lucy shook her head.

"Lucy…!"

"You know I can't tell them, Brandish." Lucy said, pain and hopelessness flashed in her eyes. "No matter how understanding and kindhearted they are, they won't be able to forgive me. From what I've learned ever since I came to this country, there are some things that cannot be tolerated by them."

"Lucy…"

"It's okay." Lucy smiled reassuringly, both to reassure Brandish and herself. "Knowing you're there for me is more than enough. I can't drag you into this mess."

Brandish didn't know what to say against Lucy's sheer determination. She could only stare back at Lucy in defeat and finally sighed deeply. "Very well, I won't force you either. But Lucy, if there's anything I can do for you, just let me know, okay?

Lucy nodded. "Thank you, Brandish."

Brandish smiled weakly and pulled Lucy into another hug. "You're not alone, Lucy. I'll always be there for you, remember that. After all, I did spend 11 years trying to find a way to reach out to you."

Lucy happily hugged Brandish back and nodded. "Thank you."

Their hug lasted for a bit longer until Brandish pulled away. "I should head back." she said regretfully. "My grandfather will chew my ears off if I get home late."

Lucy chuckled. "I'll send you off."

Both of them stood up and walked out. Brandish's carriage was waiting outside of the gates already. Brandish smiled and hugged Lucy for one last time before entering the carriage.

Lucy waved to Brandish as her gaze followed Brandish's carriage away. After the carriage was out of her sight, Lucy was about to return straight to the mine when her eyes caught another carriage waiting behind. Lucy raised an eyebrow as her brain spun, wondering whom that carriage might belong to.

"So, you do have another friend except those around Natsu."

Lucy turned her body around and widened her eyes a bit in shock upon seeing Lisanna standing behind her. What was she doing in here? When did she come here?

"Li—I mean, Lady Lisanna."

A subtle smile appeared on Lisanna's face. "Just call me by my name. You have a higher rank than me, after all."

Lucy was a bit taken aback by Lisanna's response. It wasn't exactly friendly, but it wasn't as hostile as before either. Cold, yes, but she could no longer feel any hatred from her.

Without waiting for Lucy's response, Lisanna spoke. "I'm going away."

Lucy blinked as her brain spun to process. Hold on, could it be…? Did… Did Lisanna come all the way here to the Sand Country just to tell her that she was going away?

"You don't look surprised." Lisanna said as she observed Lucy's reaction. "Did Natsu tell you already?"

"Y—yes." Lucy admitted in a small voice.

Hurt flashed in Lisanna's eyes, but she quickly averted her gaze away. Lucy didn't know what to say, and she didn't dare to ask why Lisanna would come here to tell her that either. They just stayed silent for a while.

It was Lisanna who broke it first. She took a deep breath and stared back at Lucy, hurt was no longer seen in her eyes. "I didn't come all the way here just to tell you I'm going away. There's another reason why I'm here."

Lucy still wasn't saying anything, but Lisanna knew she was paying attention to her. She was giving her time to regain her composure and tell her everything she wanted to tell her.

Lisanna hated how understanding and kindhearted Lucy was towards her, even after all those things she did to her. She hated the fact that she now knows why Natsu was head over heels for her. She hated for being here, even if it was her own decision to come looking for Lucy. She even hated the fact that she wanted to come looking for her. But above all, Lisanna hated herself for behaving so badly like that for these past few years and even blamed everything on Lucy.

Lisanna took another deep breath as her hands were fisted beside her body. She closed her eyes to muster all of the courage she had and then opened them to stare at Lucy. She needed to say this right now, before she changed her mind.

"I'm sorry."

Lucy widened her eyes. She knew Lisanna was struggling to say something to her, but… She didn't expect her to apologize to her at all.

"N—no, you don't have to apologize for anything, Lady Lisanna." Lucy said bewilderedly.

"Shut up for a second and let me finish what I want to say before I change my mind." Lisanna flatly said, which effectively shut Lucy's mouth. "I'm sorry for everything I've said to you, for everything I've done to you. I'm not over with everything yet and this is what I can say to you for now, but… Once I'm finally over with it, I promise I'll come back to you and apologize to you properly."

Lucy's eyes teared up.

For Lisanna to make a promise with her… She felt so moved by Lisanna's efforts. Her tone might be cold, but Lucy could still her sincerity beneath it. So, this is the Lisanna whom Natsu and his friends treasured so much.

Lucy wiped a tear away and smiled at Lisanna. "Thank you, Lady Lisanna."

"That's all I want to say." Lisanna said. "I'll head back now."

Lisanna didn't wait for Lucy's response and quickly walked past her towards her awaiting carriage. Lucy stared at Lisanna's back and smiled.

"I pray for the happy ending you deserve with Bickslow, …Lisanna."

Lisanna stopped walking at Lucy's words. She couldn't see her expression, but she knew how sincere Lucy was. She knew Lucy didn't mean anything shady by saying that, she just genuinely hoped for the best for her and Bickslow. Lisanna's hands were fisted tight, guilt and pain washed all over her again.

How could she ever win against this kind of person? Now that Lisanna has regained her senses, she realized just how impossible for her to win over Natsu's affection. Especially not when there was someone like Lucy beside him.

Tears filled Lisanna's eyes, but she pushed them down. She took a deep breath to calm herself down and started to walk towards her carriage again. She didn't say anything to reply to Lucy's words, but she lifted her hand and lightly waved goodbye to Lucy.

Not a goodbye for forever, but a temporary goodbye as they wait for a better time to meet again.

See you again, Lucy.

1 month later…

"Your Highness, Lord Loke is here."

Lucy looked up from a glass-shard she was staring and followed the servant out of the training center to greet Loke. One month had passed since the training started and it showed a positive result. The workers were getting so much better in crafting jewelries from the glass-shards, and their skills were getting polished more and more by each day.

But hard work never fails to pay off. That was why Scorpio sent Loke to personally see the progress and report back to him.

"Your Highness." Loke bowed in greetings.

"Hello, Loke." Lucy smiled back, her fear towards him had completely gone. Now, Lucy could see Loke for who he is and not for how similar he was to his step-brother.

"I'm here to see how far the training progress is." Loke said.

"Of course, please come with me." Lucy said.

Lucy then brought Loke around the training center and to see how the workers trained. She then handed him the very first jewelry—a necklace—made from those glass-shards.

Loke carefully inspected the jewelry and his eyes glinted in amazement. It was a very beautiful necklace. The stones were bright blue in color—as blue as the sea—and its edges were so smooth. The gold chain and the stones themselves glinted under the light. It was hard to believe that these stones were made out of glass. "Did you polish the shards with diamond dust, Princess?"

Lucy chuckled. "Of course not. These stones are 100% made of your glass-shards, Loke."

"Amazing." Loke muttered in disbelieve. "It shines as bright as diamond."

"A very amazing one, isn't it?" Lucy agreed. "It is precious in its own way, absolutely comparable to diamonds and gems although isn't as expensive."

"King Scorpio will be so delighted to hear about this." Loke said.

"I am thinking of giving this to you, Loke." Lucy said as she carefully took the necklace and put it into a box. "This is a gift for Queen Aquarius."

"My queen will be delighted to have this, Princess." Loke bowed in gratefulness.

"I hope Queen Aquarius likes it." Lucy said as she closed the box and handed it to Loke.

"I'm sure she will love it." Loke assured. "But is this the only jewelry produced after one month of training?"

"There are more in process right now, but yes, that's the only one which is ready for use." Lucy said. "Don't worry, the training program is going really well."

"I'm glad to hear that." Loke said. "King Scorpio is quite concerned because he is afraid our workers didn't have the adequate skill."

"Oh, they're all amazing!" Lucy corrected. "This necklace is specifically made by them for their queen."

Loke smiled. "Another reason why my queen will love it."

Lucy smiled back, then took Loke to the guest room in the center so that the two of them could continue talking about the project. Lucy then excused herself to make some tea for them. There weren't any servants from the palace in the center because Lucy didn't want to have any special treatment while she was there.

After Lucy stepped into another room through a connecting door, Loke who was left alone then put the necklace box onto the table and took out something else from within his shirt. His mind then wandered as he stared at the locket in his hand. Loke was so preoccupied with the locket he didn't even realize Lucy was back with a tray of tea.

Lucy carefully put down the tray onto the table and was about to call on Loke when her eyes caught the locket on Loke's hand. Lucy's eyes squinted a bit, her brain spun to remember where she had seen that locket before. It looked strangely familiar to her…

"Aries."

At the mention of that name, Loke was suddenly snapped back into his senses and looked up. He was a bit startled to see Lucy suddenly was sitting in front of him again. Lucy glanced up at Loke and smiled. "That's Aries's locket, isn't it?"

"How do you know that?" Loke asked, half confused and half suspicious. "Do you know Aries?"

Lucy nodded. "I met a beautiful young lady around five years ago, she was crying while sitting on the fountain at the capital. I remember seeing that locket encircling her neck when I approached her to ask her what was wrong."

Loke widened his eyes for a moment before letting out a small chuckle. "I see. So, it was you whom she meant back then."

"What do you mean?" Lucy asked.

"Aries told me that she made friends with a beautiful blond girl who looked like an angel in front of the capital's fountain." Loke chuckled. "I have no idea who she meant back then, but now I know she meant you."

"I see." Lucy smiled, her gaze became a bit faraway as she reminisced her meetings with Aries for a couple of times.

Loke also didn't say anything, causing the two of them fell into silence.

Lucy was the one who broke it first. "How did you know her, Loke? How is she? I haven't seen her for a while."

Loke clenched the locket in his hand. "She's great. I haven't seen her for a while either, but I know she's doing fine."

"I'm glad to hear that." Lucy smiled.

"For your first question…" Loke trailed off for a moment. "I know her because… We were engaged. She was my fiancée."

Lucy gasped a bit upon hearing Loke's answer. She had never thought Aries was Loke's fiancée! But… Was? Did something happen between them?

However, knowing that it wasn't her place to pry, Lucy decided not to ask anything even though she was curious. "…I see." she simply said.

Hold on.

Could it be…?

"Loke." Lucy softly called. "Aries… She's the one you said I remind you of, isn't she?"

Loke chuckled lightly. "Yes, Princess."

Lucy wanted to know why would Loke think that, but she didn't dare to ask. She didn't have to though, because Loke decided to tell her. He looked up from the locket in his hand and stared back at Lucy. Hurt flashed in his eyes as he recalled the memory he didn't want to remember.

"Just like you, Aries is an illegitimate child. She is the illegitimate second daughter of Count Lilica of the Celestial Country."

Lucy's breath hitched. So, that's why…

"Tragic, isn't it?" Loke scoffed. "An illegitimate child of a count family was betrothed to a step-son of a marquess family. A nice combination for a pitiful couple, don't you think?"

Loke's gaze then softened and was painted with longing. "But even so, we fell in love with each other. Aries was the best thing that has ever happened in my life. Even now, I still love her as much as I used to."

"But everything didn't go as we wanted. The count's heiress—the legitimate first daughter—hated Aries for being happy. She decided that she wanted me to be her fiancée, so that Aries wouldn't get her happiness. I was too naïve back then and too late to realize, and the next thing I knew, Aries Lilica is dead. Karen Lilica and the man that Aries called 'Father' killed her."

Lucy was shocked upon knowing that Aries was dead. She did wonder where Aries might be after she suddenly didn't appear at the fountain anymore for a few weeks. But she couldn't believe that such a sweet girl was no longer alive in this world. Killed by her own family? Lucy was inwardly grateful that even though she was hated so much by her family, they still gave her a chance to stay alive.

Loke's tone was so spiteful and full of pain, it made Lucy's body flinched and shuddered. She couldn't blame him, though. Aries's death must have affected him so much. If Natsu was taken away from her like that… She would definitely feel the same way as Loke.

Lucy's heart thumped at the thought of Natsu leaving her for forever like that. Her fists were unconsciously clenched, inwardly swore to herself that she would do everything she could to make sure such thing didn't happen to Natsu. She would make sure that Natsu died out of old age, and not because of other reasons.

"Her death is the reason why I rebelled against the Lates family and got my butt kicked to the Sand Country." Loke closed his story. "A total sad-ending story, right?"

"Loke…"

"But I guess I couldn't let myself go from being a Lates at all, even though I am only a step-son." Loke laughed at himself. "When I knew about you, I instantly took an interest on you because you are so much alike Aries. And when I saw you… The urge of messing around with you was so great, I almost couldn't stop myself. That twisted and sadistic habit of Marquess Lates… I guess I do inherit it."

"No, Loke, you're different from him and the rest of the family." Lucy shook her head. "At the end, you proofed that you are different. You didn't do anything to me, remember?"

"Do you know why?" Loke flatly smiled. "Because you fought back, Princess. Something which Aries couldn't do. That's why I can't do anything to you."

"Loke…"

"That's why I told you not to let yourself be drowned in your past." Loke said. "Look at me, a man who let himself be trapped in his past. If you truly want to betray the Celestial Country, then you can't be like me nor Aries."

Lucy couldn't say anything as she was taken aback by all sorts of feelings that were swirling in Loke's eyes. Hatred, anger, sadness, longing, pity… It was clear as day that Loke was so scarred by Aries's death.

Feeling his pain in her heart, Lucy stood up and gently sat beside Loke. She then wrapped her arms around his neck, sharing her warmth with him. She also lightly patted Loke's back.

"It's okay, Loke. You don't have to feel guilty for what you did to me."

Loke was stunned with Lucy's kindness to him. But feeling her warmth broke something within him. Tears started to flow down along his cheeks, his whole body started to shake. Loke was powerless to stop the sudden stream of tears coming out of his eyes. "Aries…"

"She's okay now, Loke." Lucy's gentle voice tried to soothe him. "She's in a better place now…"

Loke's sobs became heavier. He clenched Aries's locket in his hand tight. Enveloped within Lucy's warm hug, Loke cried out all of his pent-up sadness and pain.

Done !

Whew… This chapter is sure an emotional one.

I am so glad Lisanna finally apologized to Lucy, showing how she is finally willing to take a step further. I've been itching to write this down, because I thought Lisanna wouldn't be able to completely move on without having a proper closure with Lucy. And Lucy does deserve an apology from Lisanna.

On the other hand, man… I've decided Loke's history with Aries ever since I wrote down his character, but when actually writing it… I cried T_T Still, Loke's actions towards Lucy couldn't be totally justified and I'm glad Lucy understood him.

I think I made Lucy too angelic—albeit too stubborn as well—in this fic *LOL*

My imagination is something else sometimes, even for me *ROFL*

So, what do you think about this chapter ?

Don't forget to leave your reviews and/or flames :D