With that matter settled for now, Erza had a very expensive looking automobile pull up for the four of them to ride in and off they went to the gala. The location of the event was a huge manor house that was overflowing with wealthy and high class guests who were chatting their heads off. Cultural music was played by an orchestra and there was much dancing taking place. When Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Juvia's false names were announced none of the guests doubted who they were and a lot of them even tried to get friendly with the group.

"Mr. Gatz it is an honor to meet you." One guest said to Natsu. "Tell me how is the steel business going?"

"Oh um...It's good. Going good. Profits are very high this year."

"Miss Buchanan I have been most eager to see you for some time." Another guest said. "I heard that you had grown into quite the pretty thing but I never suspected that you would be stunning."

"Thank you, you're too kind." Lucy said.

"And you two must be the upcoming new couple." The first guest addressed to Gray and Juvia. "Congratulations Mr. Carraway, you've caught yourself a real beauty. If I may ask, when's the wedding?"

"Next month/year." Gray and Juvia answered simultaneously. "Uh...Next year/month..."

"We haven't officially made a decision." Gray said.

"Well if I were you I'd hurry up before someone snatched your bride away from you."

That's how it was for the first hour. Making introductions, total strangers acting as if they were good friends in order to elevate their status, Lucy was accustomed to this but it ignored Natsu very much.

"Are rich people always this fake nowadays?" He whispered to the blonde.

"Sadly yes but just play along. Remember how angry Erza will be if you blow our cover."

"Right. Sorry."

Eventually the guests were escorted to a grand dining room where a sumptuous feast was served. Natsu was all too ready to just devour the fine delicacies like a starved wolf but he acted with perfect table manners just as he was taught to do. After dinner the dancing and chatter continued on for the other guests but Natsu's group decided to do a little investigating. They each split up and kept their eyes and ears open for any sign of vampiric activity. The boys couldn't sniff out anything, Lucy had no such luck, but Juvia spotted a figure upstairs who seemed to be trying to sneak off. She would have followed said figure but she was then approached by a gentleman.

"Well hello beautiful." He said.

"I beg your pardon?" She responded nervously.

"Let me guess, first time attending one of these?" He grinned.

"You could say that."

"I could tell. You're by yourself which means you don't know how to socialize in big crowds like this yet. But I could teach you."

"That's kind of you to offer but I'm not up to learning anything new right now so if you'll excuse me."

She tried to walk away but he blocked her way.

"What's your hurry?" He asked. "Relax, have a drink, how about a dance?"

"I don't think that would be a good idea. I don't mean to be rude, I don't even know you."

"Then why not get to know me toots?"

"I'd rather not."

"Come on." He said taking her by the hand. "I don't bite."

"But I do."

That's when Gray shoved the man away from Juvia and gently pulled her to him, giving the annoying creep a cold stare.

"I don't know if you're aware of this but Miss Baker and I are engaged. So do not touch her so familiarly. In fact do not even lay a finger on her. Have I made myself clear?"

He was practically growling his words and those stone cold eyes made the man cower like he was being cornered by a wolf.

"I understand." His tone was calm but his body was shaking like death was at his door. "I'll just be going then."

He scurried off like a scared rat.

"Are you alright?" Gray asked Juvia.

"Yes." She replied, surprised by his approach to the man. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it. I'm just keeping up the charade."

"Mr. Carraway! Miss Baker!" The host of the party, Edgar Browning called them over. "First of all my most sincere congratulations to you both. I hear that your sparing no expense for the wedding."

"That is true." Gray played along. "Caroline deserves the best. I love her deeply and I want our wedding to be just perfect."

"You two make such a charming couple." Mr. Browning said. "I would be most honored if you two would start the next dance."

"Oh that's very kind of you Mr. Browning." Juvia said. "But we wouldn't want to upstage you."

"Yes you're the host." Gray added. "You should be the center of attention."

"Nonsense. I insist. Let the everyone see how deeply in love you two are."

There was something about his tone that worried Gray. It sounded like may have suspected who they really were. That he was testing them, trying to see if they were who they claimed to be. After all this man was a spy of Regine so he obviously wasn't a fool.

"As you wish Mr. Browning." Gray said before turning to Juvia. "Shall we?"

She answered by placing her hand in the one Gray offered and together they slowly walked to the center of the room. For a moment all was quiet and eyes were on them. The silence was broken when the orchestra played the next song, Gray and Juvia's fingers interlaced, her arm rested on his shoulder, and his moved to lay around her back. Slowly they took strides and their steps moved in sync with one another. At first it was just for show, an act to keep up the facade of being an engaged couple. But when their eyes met there was a sudden change.

For a moment everything and everyone seemed to disappear. It was just the two of them alone, alone somewhere else. In another place, in another time. From Gray's point of view, he kept seeing Juvia and another woman take turns dancing with him. One minute he would see Juvia looking back at him just as confused and unsure as he was and then another minute he would see a brunette look-alike of Juvia smiling at him.

Juvia noticed that he was looking at her differently then he had before. His cold and aloof gaze had now become one of tenderness, insecurity, and longing. One that she seemed to recognize instantly. She felt as if he had looked at her that way many times. He yearned for her but was afraid to have her. Feeling like he didn't deserve her. There was also guilt laced within those eyes. A painful and hidden guilt that had been tormenting him for years.

"I know you." She whispered softly as her mind slowly brought back memories of the man she was dancing with. Memories of him before Erza had made them partners. Before she had even met Erza. "You have such sad eyes."

She recalled a time when his eyes were especially sad and full of pain. Blood came from them but it was not due to open wound. They were his tears. His tears were blood in place of water. He was crying. He was a devil. A devil who was tall, dark, and frightening yet he had tears in his eyes.

"Why do you cry so devil?" Juvia asked Gray.

That's when he went stiff.

"Why do you cry so devil?" His memory teased.

His arms slowly encircled her and he held her so close, as if he was afraid she would disappear forever. His body trembled and his voice turned hoarse as he choked out one thing;

"Madalena?"

Suddenly the crowd began to take part in their own waltz and it woke the dancers from their trance. Reality set back in and they realized the awkwardness of the situation.

"Umm...I'm sorry." Gray said releasing her. "I guess I became too swept up in the act."

"It's fine." Juvia's head felt foggy and she took a moment to shake it off.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm okay. Just a little dizzy but...I...I...I felt so strange for a minute. I guess that's what happens when you dance after not doing it for a long time. Last time I'm dance it was with Gajeel on Easter Sunday 1925."

"Maybe we should go meet back up with Natsu and Lucy."

"Good idea."

However as they searched for the other members of their group, Juvia found herself trying to figure out what had happened. Why did she have memories of things that she knew couldn't have possibly happened in her life? And was it her imagination or did Gray call her by a different name?