Chapter 9

Levy ran through the halls and skidded across the marble floor. After an entire week of being forced to remain bedridden, she was finally free! She thought she'd go mad with boredom, no matter how much dear Lucy tried to keep her spirits up.

She would have escaped her prison…er, bed…ages ago, had her father not looked at her with his wide, teary eyes and mentioned yet again how happy he was for her to be home; how worried he had been, and how much his heart just ached at the thought of his precious child being lost in the storm during a trip she insisted she take despite all of his warnings to be safe and on land.

Levy paused at a wide window and stared at the ocean in the distance. Her mind wandered down the shoreline and to the crystal blue waters. How she longed to run down to the sand and she would have the moment she awoke that morning, if she had not seen the numerous guards stationed at each door in the palace. Their stern looks followed her every step and she had the distinct feeling that her father had given them strict commands to keep her guarded and indoors at all cost.

Maybe I can find a way to sneak out.

Her heart panged at the idea of causing her father, and Lucy for that matter, more trouble, but she hadn't been down to the ocean in an entire week. She wondered if Gajeel had made it home safely, if he had suffered the same heatstroke she did.

She wondered if he had even thought about her since their adventure.

Levy resumed her brisk walk, shaking her head. There was no way a merman would be interested in someone as boring as she. Surely he had plenty of pretty mermaids clamoring for his attention and wasn't pining after some human girl he was forced to swim halfway across the ocean.

Clanking armor startled her out of her musings. She gasped and held a hand to her heart, noticing Jet's startled bow and quick apology.

"Your Highness…His Majesty requires your presence."

"My father?" Levy dropped her hand, mind reeling with what she could have possibly done wrong in the short amount of time she had been out of bed.

"Yes, Princess. He is waiting for you in his study."

"Yes, thank you…" Levy slowly and serenely walked down the hall. Her long, yellow skirt swished with every step, another one of her attempts at an apology to her favorite maid.

She held back a smirk and took a quick glance behind her to make sure Jet hadn't noticed her boots. Lucy glared something fierce when Levy requested boots for under her dress; Levy didn't even want to think about what her maid would do if she found out Levy had put on trousers underneath the dress as well, but compromises must be made for the sake of one's own sanity.

Her favorite guard escorted her to her father's study and gave a smart bow before walking off. Levy took a deep breath and knocked on the office door with her knuckles. After waiting for her father's permission to enter, she opened the door a crack and peeked her head inside.

"You called for me, Father?"

"Yes yes. You're not in trouble, so do come in," he answered with a knowing smile.

Levy's cheeks dimpled and she opened the door wider. She skipped to her favorite sofa and sank into the cushions, smoothing her skirts to keep the trousers from showing.

Her father leaned his hands against his desk and simply looked at her. Levy fiddled with a ruffle and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, taking a peek at her father from underneath her bangs.

"My dear, it warms my heart to see you up and about," he finally sighed, his eyes turning misty.

Levy couldn't help teasing her father. "I would have been up and about a lot sooner, if those doctors had listened to me." She huffed and crossed her arms.

"Now don't be too angry with them, they were just following this old man's orders," her father sat on the cushion next to her and took her hand in his. "You gave me quite the scare, young lady."

A tear traced down her father's wrinkled cheek. Levy sniffed, her own eyes burning, and drew him into a tight hug. "I'm fine, Daddy."
She felt him nod against her hair. "I know that. And I thank the mages every day. But what I don't know…" She drew back, the tone in his voice making a shiver go down her spine, "is how you ever managed to find your way home."

Levy licked her dry lips. She detested lying, but how would anyone believe the truth? Not that she would betray Gajeel like that in the first place; he was a safely guarded secret that she would protect for the rest of her life if need be.

"I'm…not sure. I remember falling into the water. My foot was stuck…" she shivered, flashes of dark, angry water and fire filling her mind, "but someone must have gotten me out."

The king stiffened. "Someone?"

"Yes," she nodded, crossing her ankles, "When I came too, I was on an island…there was a man. A young man, around my age I think. He took me back to the lagoon."

"What did this man look like?" A growl laced her father's words.

"He didn't hurt me, I promise! But he was um…long, dark hair, very deep voice. Um, tall…"

At least, Gajeel looks like he would be tall, if he were human.

"But the guards said they didn't see anyone where they found you."

"I don't think he likes people that much."

Her father waved a hand. "That doesn't matter to me, you know I won't judge. But we must find him."

"Why?" Levy squeaked, earning a raised brow from her father.

"So I can reward him, of course. He saved my precious daughter, after all, so how can I not show him my deepest gratitude?"

He cupped her cheek and all Levy could do was agree.

"Don't worry, I will take care of everything. You go back and get more rest." They stood and her father walked her to the doors. "Just tell Lucy if you remember anything else and she will pass the message onto me. But you may go now, I need to call in the guard to conduct a search for your mysterious savior. Did he happen to give you a name?" He released his hold on her hand.

"I'm…not sure…" The lie burned her tongue.

"Hmm," the king scratched his gray beard, "that will make things harder."

"But he had red eyes!" She stammered, holding back a wince.

Forgive me, Gajeel!

"Really?"

Levy nodded, some of her guilt easing. "Yes. Red eyes and black hair."

"Very good. I will call for you if I find anything. Now go rest, I'll see you at dinner."

"Yes, Father."

He kissed her cheek and she left the room. A bell chimed behind her and she knew that her father must have summoned one of the guards, most likely Commander Erza. With a determined look around her, Levy snuck her way to the front door. Droy, her other favorite guard, turned and began his walk down the hall. Levy scurried ahead and slowly opened the door just enough for her to squeeze past.

"Your Highness…"

Levy yelped and jumped into the air. She spun on her toes, seeing Jet already taking up Droy's vacant position. He frowned in her direction, but his lips drew into a tight line as if he were fighting back a smile. Levy sighed and closed the door.

"...Fine," she grumbled and sulked past the guard. She peeked up at him, trying to make her eyes as wide and pitiful as possible.

Jet squeaked, worked his mouth for a moment, then moved to stand directly in front of her escape route, not even bothering to look her in the eye after his betrayal. Levy huffed and stomped away, ignoring the calls of apology following her.