Synopsis: AU. And to you, I give my all.
Author's Notes: Random. Dark. Cliche. OOC. Slavery. Weak Juvia because I want one and I missed damsels in distress.
Cover Art from DeviantArt by ZenithOmocha.
I got into Greek Mythology during the typhoon chaos. Have it all thought through but idk when I'll finish it. Again, not expecting anything from this one; just needed to get it out of my system.
Proceed with caution.
Standard disclaimers are applied.
Piece 3: Alcestis
"You bastard! Don't just go taking what's mine!"
"My Duke, we need to address the coming winter."
"The Empress wishes for an audience with you, Our Lordship."
"There's also the problem with the previous dukedom you've taken over…"
Jaded eyes looked away from the current discussion and towards a frail figure touring the arid space too unworthy of what it should be called.
It had been a good week since the incident. They got a good beating and scolding from the roses of high society.
Clearly, an Emperor and his righthand being subjected to the fists of an ex-general-turned-Queen of the neighboring Edolas kingdom was a sight to behold. And if that wasn't enough, the duo also received an earful from the Empress and their greatest Sage.
"What could have happened if she hadn't bumped into Jellal?"
"Poor Juvia might've been disappointed at this place even more."
Juvia. Gray thought. So that was her name. He had lost count of the many times he repeated the name in his musings, his busy days, his sleep.
It sounded so natural for him to say; and he felt that it wasn't enough. He needed to see her, to hear her, to know more about her.
He felt compelled to never part from her.
But Erza strictly forbids him to get anywhere near the mysterious woman. It would have been a warning he'd easily brush off if the Edolas Queen did not use such a threat: taking custody of the woman.
"You are not to approach the Lady until Wendy arrives. Or else we'll be taking custody of her even if it means war. I mean every single word, Gray. Do you hear me?"
It was enough for him to stand down and just watch from afar.
Until he saw her looking back at him.
"… Juvia as a slave –"
That was enough for Gray's thoughts to stop and turned to glare daggers at the person who spoke such words. "What was that?"
"S-Sir. W-w-we w-were discussing the c-current investigation regarding L-l-lady Juvia as a s-slave."
The attendant wasn't a stutterer of sorts. But, to have half of your body frosted in place was enough of a justification for his faulty, yet successful speech.
The Isvan duchy knew well of their Lord's loathing for the inhumane trade; as well as his sudden interest to take a woman under his care. This is why they were very careful not to offend the woman.
Gray cleared his throat, clearly aware that he was at fault, and immediately dispersed his magic on the poor subject. He slumped back on his chair and rested his chin over a hand before turning back to his mysterious salvation outside.
The view from outside, though, was the least of his expectations.
"MY LORD!"
Curious hazel orbs scanned the area. Juvia hugged herself as a soft breeze passed through her.
It had been a week…
It had been a week since her previous panic attack.
It had been a week since she woke up.
"A week…huh?" Am I really awake? She thought as she stared at her pale hands before pinching her cheeks only stopping when she could hold it no more.
She was awake. Wide awake. But she couldn't shake off the fleeting feeling that all of this could just be a really long dream.
Juvia let out a small laugh at her exasperation. Not only were there no more fresh scars in her body, the luxury she found herself waking up to had slowly sunk in her.
Stone cold pavements were replaced with the warmest and softest of mattresses.
Baths only taken when it rained turned to a daily routine of bubbles and natural oils of her liking… she had yet the audacity to choose, so it was technically the choice of her maids, but still, she liked it.
Leftovers became banquets…
Tattered clothes to gowns…
A long-running nightmare now a dream…
"Lady!"
Juvia turned around, startled at the person running towards her. She pointed at herself, dumbfounded. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't get used to being called that way.
"Of course! There is only one Lady in this mansion!" the outspoken one replied matter-of-factly.
Juvia can only nod helplessly. Speaking of the Duke… Juvia turned and tug on the sleeve of the woman's dress.
"I told you, My Lady, if you wish to ask me anything, ask away! BUT say my name first! Now, what's my name?"
"…"
"I can't hear you~"
"…"
Juvia fidgeted. She wanted to talk. She really did. But the trauma of speaking her mind throughout the years wasn't something she could let go of that easily.
Resigning yet again to her failed attempt, she looked up to the Lord's office. Merudy already gave her a quick tour of the place and even told her of the Duke's schedule. At this time around, he'd be busy with state affairs.
"…"
She had tried seeking an audience with the Duke for the past week. It was wrong of her to suddenly bolt out of the room he had prepared for her – even if it was clearly the Duke and Emperor's fault for being so loud in front of a patient's room.
Nonetheless, she was probably the only lowlife who'd ever have the audacity to do such actions in front of two of the most powerful figures in all of Fiore.
Merudy, finally being aware what the woman wanted to ask about, as well as knowing full well why her family was acting that way, sighed and opened her mouth to come up with another excuse when –
"I was wondering how such a dismal place had suddenly gone bright."
"Lyon!"
This Lyon man ignored the greeting and went straight towards Juvia.
Juvia stepped back a bit as if prepared to take off any second. She knew it wasn't wise to just run away from a man who displayed regality and power. But her action of staying, she realized, wasn't because she couldn't defy the immense force in front of her; but because she was under the protection of the Duke of Isvan.
The person she's yet to clearly meet regardless of the many instances they've been in proximity, regardless of being under the same roof…
Lost in her thoughts, Juvia failed to realize the cold hand that had grabbed hers.
Nor the soft lips that touched the back of her pale hand.
Not even the sugarcoated words the man had uttered her.
What she did feel, though, were rough hands that gently tugged her away from the flirting man…
The strong, heaving chest that told her this person took immediate action to get there…
Finally.
Finally.
Juvia didn't cry. She'd long forgotten how to.
She'd gone past that point.
She'd always thought there was no reason for her to do so. Especially if it would just add to the counts she had to scream as she received the lashes from her previous owners.
But who knew being overwhelmed would relight an emotion deeply locked in her heart?
Juvia – entranced by his scent, his embrace, his overbearing presence, yet oblivious to the subzero aura he was emitting, reached out to his darkening face.
Juvia couldn't understand the swarm of emotions bubbling inside her.
Was it because this was the man she'd been wanting to see?
To thank?
Juvia couldn't understand.
But one thing was for sure even though she's yet to believe where such a resolve sprang from…
She had decided to never make a mess and serve her savior with her utmost.
She was going to devote herself to this man.
"My Lady, no!" Merudy's warning fell on deaf ears and could only gape as she saw Juvia cup the Lord's face before opening her mouth.
"D-Duke!"
Thank you for the save, mihairu7-san!
No promises. Reviews are much appreciated still. Keep safe.
-nakneknik