Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima. I do own the Original Characters (OC's) and ask that you do not use them without at least asking for permission first. Please respect this as I am possessive of my OC's and don't share as easily as other authors.

Author's Notes: I have no remorse for why it has taken so damn long for me to update this or any of my stories. I work with my muse and his whims, not against them. I know some of the stuff I post is not always quality, but meh, it is better to have nothing then leave a story undone for an extended period of time... without the proper external reasons. And again, this chapter will be on a darker note, but more subtle. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you to turn around and leave now because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine.

Lucy was sitting in the garden, enjoying the gentle breeze and soft scents of the flora of this strange world. It was a rare treat for her to be out and about like this since Lu'Arna had been sent off on a mission to a distant place. Al' Tana had been frank with her that it was because he was a thorn in the King's side. Lucy wasn't stupid and quickly put the pieces together that Lu'Arna was more than just a soldier that Rei'Neira had a strong dislike of. But she couldn't ask that question because she wasn't ready to open that particular can of worms.

"Miss Lucy?"

At the softly spoken words, Lucy blinked slowly and turned to look at Al' Tana and smiled softly. It was just the two of them right now, and she was being rude, ignoring her companion for her thoughts.

"Sorry, Al' Tana, I decided to go wool-gathering," Lucy mumbled sheepishly.

The warm, knowing smile that appeared on the woman's face had Lucy relaxing. Ever since the incident a few weeks ago, Lucy had gotten closer to her. And the stories she had been told about a younger Lu'Arna were hilarious.

"Do you wish to stay here a bit longer? It is almost time for the afternoon repast," Al' Tana spoke, her eyes shifting through the various shades of orange.

Giving a small shake of her head, Lucy leaned back on her hands on the small bench. His royal pain in the ass had to deal with many meetings from those that came from the various villages. It meant that she wasn't couped up in the room for the day again.

"If you change your mind, you know you let me know," Al' Tana replied. "But, I do have a request if you will humor me."

At this, Lucy turned her head to look at the woman next to her. She was letting a smile appear on her lips, already guessing what her new friend wanted. So with a small lift of her chin to indicate she would, Lucy was rewarded with a wide smile.

"Will you tell me more about your friends from that thing you called a guild?" Al' Tana asked, her voice showing her excitement.

He was not in a good mood. The moment he woke, he was beset with the request from those who led the villages and the captains of his royal guard about other small issues. It was rather annoying, especially when he had gotten to take a late lunch only to find that Lucy had been in the gardens with his nephew's servant. But he knew very well from his father that he could not shirk his duties as King to dally as he wanted. What was worse than a few of the village leaders had seen Lucy in passing and had marked upon her.

The woman was something he wanted to be kept a secret, more-so since she was an outworlder. That could cause panic or worse an uprising. Already he knew that there were dissenters who sought to throw him from the throne. Though nothing stated, they'd seat his nephew upon it—a small salve but not enough to not make him feel extremely paranoid.

Sighing as he turned the corner, only to pause at the sound of feminine laughter. Letting a small smile curl his lips upwards, Rei'Neira did his best to school himself and made his way towards the gardens. PAusing at the entrance to see both Lucy and Al' Tana relaxed, laughing happily in the late afternoon sun, and it was a scene he would burn into his mind forever.

Standing tall and projecting his presence as he stepped into the garden, coughing aloud to draw their attention. Rei'Neira didn't miss the look of annoyance that briefly appeared on Lucy's face before it became a blank mask, hiding her emotions and thoughts. This aspect of her aggravated him to no end.

"I had heard that you were resting here and decided to see if you needed anything now that my duties are done, Lucy," he spoke as he came to a halt before them both.

The way Lucy just stared up at him for a few minutes longer than necessary before she answered. "No, your Royal Highness. I am perfectly content."

The tone she used was bland, but he didn't miss the meaning of her words. He had gotten rather good at reading between her words. She wanted him to go away, and that was not something he was going to give her. Shifting, he looked at Al' Tana and flicked his eyes to indicate she should leave him alone with Lucy.

"Do you mind if I sit with you, Lucy?" He asked.

The slight downward turn of Lucy's lips let him know she had seen him dismiss Al'Tana. He was curious as to how she would respond as the servant stood to excuse herself.

"You may sit; this is your castle and your garden, your Majesty," Lucy stated. "But are you not taking liberties a bit freely? I am an unwed woman, and you are the King of your people. Is it not unbecoming to be left alone with me? All it would take is a guard or a servant in passing to look in and see us alone, unchaperoned. It could harm your image."

He froze for but a few seconds as he sat down beside the woman. Putting on a polite, disingenuous smile, Rei'Neira looked at Lucy as his anger began to bubble up inside him.

"Oh, you are correct," he stated coldly. "Al' Tana stand by the door where you are visible, so no one gets the wrong idea."

He watched as the woman bowed and moved silently to do as told. When she was positioned, he turned to look at Lucy. Who was sitting back straight, face and eyes still blank, and giving off an icy vibe? Rei'Neira enjoyed trying to get her to break and show her emotions. To react to his person. The fact that she was not easy and gave him what he wanted, making it so much more fun for him.

"So, Lucy, how have you been doing? I hope that you have been taken care of and made comfortable?" He asked.

"Yes, your Majesty, I am fine, and I have been treated fairly by Al' Tana and the others who take care of me while I am staying here," Lucy replied.

He frowned a bit at how clipped her words were. Shifting so he was leaning closer to her, Rei'Neira too in that otherworldly scent of hers. He was relishing in how it seemed to set his blood on fire in his very veins.

"Then why do you sound like you are not happy? Surely it is not me that makes you this way?" He asked, knowing that if she replied rudely that he could take her to task, have a reason to put his hands on her soft skin. "Ah, and I have told you that you may address me by my name, Rei'Neira."

"No, your Majesty, it is not you... per say," Lucy stated as she tilted her head to look at him. "Just that I find I do not know you well enough to use your name. That would indicate that I am a part of your inner circle. Which I am not. And I am a bit uncomfortable at you leaning into my personal space, that is a liberty that I have not yet given to you, your Majesty."

He was stunned as he watched her arch an eyebrow, draining him silently to find fault with her logic. Rei'Neira narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched Lucy stand up and smooth down the toga she was wearing, soaking in how it clung to her voluptuous curves.

"Please forgive me, but I must excuse myself... Nature is being rather persistent. I appreciate you giving me some of your precious time, your Majesty."

All he could do was watch as she bowed politely at the waist and turned and left. If he spoke up to make her stay, it would be rude. And she was correct; she was not a part of his inner circle. Thus she had every right to refuse his offer to call him by his name. It incensed him that she kept dancing circles around him using manners and propriety. Still, he couldn't help but smile as he watched her hips sway as she walked out of the garden, leaving him behind without a second thought or glance.

He just stared down at the rebels he had been sent to quell. It didn't sit well with him that he had to harm the people who had been faithful to his father. But he was nothing but a soldier, a puppet to his Uncle. Lu'Arna shook his head when one of the others in the small unit that had been sent with him lifted a cudgel to strike the young man who had spoken out.

"If you strike them, I will personally strike you," He snapped, his voice cracking like a whip even to his ears.

When the male stopped and looked at him, horror on his face. But there was no mistaking the disgust that was there either. It pained him that his Uncle had let such people into the Royal Guard, a once-proud military unit that protected the people. Now they were rough brigands who would attack and pillage the people of the land.

"Sir!"

Turning his gaze away, Lu'Arna turned to look at who had spoken, only to do a double-take at what he was seeing. This private was a new person and under his wing training him. But the youth held two small children in his arms, and it was clear that they were not healthy. Reaching out carefully, he brushed against their minds and wanted to scream. The horrors he had just seen were blasphemous.

"Bring them to our unit medics tent and get them treated and fed," he said, letting his voice drop to a low octave as he turned his gaze to the gathered rebels and villagers. "I will not tolerate this. You all know who I am. What I am capable of. And the harm that has been done to those two children, as well as other children."

The way they all flinched back as he stood tall, Lu'Arna took a deep breath and motioned for a few of the units to separate them into groups. He would not be back as quick as he wanted, but then again, he had a feeling his Uncle had planned this. Meaning that Lucy would have to fend off his Uncles advances. He would punish those involved, get more information on those that are responsible for the abuse of the children in this village. Then get it set up so that it is safe and self-serving so his Uncle would not get a handhold again.

It had been a few more months, and hope was starting to vanish. But as Erza sat there next to Laxus and Master as they listened to Yukino talk. Beside her was Libra, who confirmed what was being said. A part of her wanted to jump up and shout and praise the stars, but still, she stayed where she sat and didn't move because the part in the control of her guilt and depression ridden mind said that this could be wrong.

"You mean it? That you have narrowed the area for where Lucy is at? And that we need to get back to the temple?" Natsu squeaked in excitement.

Narrowing her eyes, she turned her gaze to her friend and teammate, who slumped a bit under her gaze.

"Yes, and yes. Libra and Pisces need to be in there with Opichuous to get a feel of the magic and the star maps on the ceiling. It is important to figure out just where Lucy has gone, but if it is the cluster his Majesty is thinking, then there is a good chance we can retrieve her soon," Yukino stated, her eyes shining with a child-like eagerness.

"Gramps?" Laxus asked as Erza felt his hand squeeze both of her clasped and clenched ones.

He had become a pillar of strength for her since Lucy had gone. Laxus never asked for anything more than she was willing to give. He was listening to her when Erza needed to vent, sparing with her to help her manage everything. A part of her felt like she was betraying Jellal, while another felt this was right, and this was home? It was confusing, but she said nothing.

"I am worried, there is still a chance that the Dark Guild that you stumbled upon would have gone back and set up traps," Makrov said. "And while I am just as eager to bring Lucy home to us, there is still the possibility of a Time difference between the worlds. It could be years for Lucy. What if she is happy?"

Erza stiffened as a sharp gasp from almost everyone present. This was a thing they all didn't want to think about. What if it was years, would Lucy be happy? Would she have started a new life there? Did she forget all of them?

"I don't care, Gramps! I just want to see Lucy again, to know she is okay. To hear her say it herself," Natsu snapped as he stood up quickly.

At this, Erza couldn't help but smile at his reaction. He never strayed too far from who he was, and while she knew this whole situation had him down, Natsu continued to see the best in everything... or pick a fight trying to.

"Well, then I won't stop you. But remember that the Magic Council is still interrogating all the prisoners and haven't found a clue," Makrov said with a small nod of his head. "Erza, you and Team Natsu will be going, and I want Freed, Levy, and Laxus to go as well."

Standing up, feeling a purpose flow through her, Erza gave a single curt nod, looked at everyone silently, and then marched from the room.

TBC!