Shout out to Lord Jaric! He made a TV Tropes page for this fanfiction, which I or may not have fangirled when I saw it haha. It might seem ridiculous but this is my first ever full length fic, so even just having one follower would make me excited, let alone a tropes page. Seriously, I think it's really cool!

On a related note, I really appreciate the reviews, follows, and favorites! I smile when I see the notifications.

I had fun writing this chapter because it was something I'd been planning out for a long time. I really do enjoy these specials, with one time only POVs. This one is from Gray's perspective.

Warnings for the queen being excessively physically and emotionally abusive. Obviously there's a lot of fantasy violence when you have magic users fighting each other but I get uncomfortable when children are hurt, so I'd like to warn my readers too.

Special Chapter: Prince of Hearts

Gray held his breath as the Queen stomped past, muttering to herself. Every time she came from that room she was angry. He briefly wondered what was in there, but it was off limits to everyone but herself. He was hiding behind a statue in the corridor, which was barely enough to cover him.

Unfortunately, Ur wasn't dull enough to not notice the little prince and his dark spiky hair.

"Gray." He froze, still holding his breath.

He couldn't do it forever. It would only make her angrier if he pretended not to hear her, and she was already in a bad mood. He reluctantly stepped out from behind the statue, his movements shaky.

"Just what," she said through gritted teeth, "are you doing?"

He spoke softly. "I'm playing hide and seek."

"With who?"

"My siblings." He winced at the blatant lie. Never in a million years would his siblings play hide and seek with him. They were too busy being serious and training all the time. In truth, he had managed to convince one of the servant girls to play with him. It was hard, considering how timid she was, but she agreed in the end.

She was silent for an uncomfortably long time, but then sighed. "Gray. Tell me who."

No! He wanted to scream. He didn't want to tell her. If he told her, she would hurt her. His mother's expression told him he couldn't refuse.

"With Lucy."

In a flash her face twisted into that of a monster's, full of immeasurable rage. She didn't bother scolding him any further, and instead stalked off to seek his playmate, her shoes clacking loudly on the floor. It hurt his ears. He had left her in the next hallway over, but he desperately wished she wouldn't turn the corner-

"Prince Gray! Where are you?" She called out in a sing-song voice.

Too late. The blonde had practically crashed into the red-hot Queen. Steam was coming out of her ears. She looked down at Lucy, and he looked away and shut his eyes tight before her hand made contact with her face.

This wasn't fair. He had been the one to ask. He shouldn't have asked. He pestered her until she said yes, she always seemed so lonely! Gray just wanted to play with another kid his age. He couldn't play with Natsu, his best friend, anymore since the Queen had a temper tantrum and stopped being civil with the Diamond Kingdom. And for whatever reason, Ur hated Lucy.

He didn't know much about her. She was an uninteresting and quiet errand girl, who often went into town to fetch things for the kitchen staff and the like. She did her job just fine and was always kind to himself and his siblings, even if Ultear and Lyon acted like jerks in return. Everything to like and nothing to hate. So why? Was there something he wasn't understanding?

The Queen left the hall quickly after that, leaving Lucy clutching at her cheek on the floor. If she agreed to play with him, it was because she was lonely too. At the end of the day, she was a kid just like him.

It wasn't fair.

"Gray! Come on." His mother called.

Even though he felt bad seeing her cry, he was more afraid of his mother than anything else. He left the hall, averting his gaze as he walked past.

After seeing what she had done to Lucy, Gray defied his mother less often. He listened to Lyon and Ultear closely as they trained him, and he didn't speak to Lucy again. He never pestered his siblings to play, or for his mother to take him back to his old friend. He did everything he was supposed to, and still it all felt wrong.

It just wasn't fair. He couldn't get that thought out of his mind. There must have been something about the girl that made his family treat her so badly.

"Don't bother Gray." Ultear scowled as she handed Gray another book, using him like a shelf. He was strong for a kid thanks to magic training, but he almost dropped the stack on their feet when she placed yet another novel at the top. "She is lower class. We are royalty. Society works this way, and she just has to learn her place." Ultear had told him. Their mother said so, and what their mother said was always right.

He wanted to scoff at that. She was right about them being royalty, but didn't that mean they had to treat everyone kindly? Instead, his mother ruled through violence.

Why couldn't anyone see that this was all wrong?

Storybooks and old grandmas told tales of great kings and queens who were beloved by all their kingdom for their kindness. But in carriage rides or at public announcements, Gray would gaze into the eyes of the people and they would look away. There was no love.

Only fear.

He watched as his mother came out of that locked door again, seething as always. He wasn't sure how to get in there. A special locking spell?

"Gray!"

"Yes mother?"

She rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. "I swear the staff is never around when I need them. Find Lucy. I have some tasks for her."

"Of course."

He quickly left the hallway, already planning on "coincidentally" happening not to find her. Whenever his mother was in a bad mood after leaving that room, she'd give Lucy some horrible task that ended with her crying and getting scolded for doing so.

He didn't think Lucy would consider him a friend. She was still timid, and only spoke when spoken to. He was also afraid of reaching out because of his mother. Still, it felt good to rebel in little ways like this. He tried his best to seem like the perfect son, but truly hated it here. He hated being the youngest. If he could be king, things would be better. Instead, Ultear was next in line. His big sister was just as bad as their mother.

He thought of the mischievous grin as she practiced with her second magic on a soldier. She was getting better by the day, and that was terrifying. Correction. She wasn't just as bad- she was worse.

Gray knew that later on Ur would lash out on him for not finding Lucy, but he would take it. He believed in being kind, and Ur was not kind, especially to her. It was the least he could do.

The boy was lost in his thoughts when he bumped into the girl. By the look on her face you could've sworn Gray was a caterpillar smoking a pipe, or some other absurd sight.

"I-I'm so sorry Prince Gray! I was in a rush-"

He held up a hand. "It's okay." He tried to get away from her as quickly as possible. If he acted like he hadn't seen her, then he could get away with it.

"Gray! Where are you going so fast? Do you want to fight?"

Gray slowly turned to meet Lyon. Lyon was two years his senior, with spiked white hair that didn't quite match up with the red fire he was always eager to use. Perhaps that was what made him the most unsettling of the siblings. Compared to Ultear and Lyon, Gray must've seemed like a saint. (He wasn't really. He was just a normal human being who understood sympathy unlike the sociopaths in his family.)

Lyon always wanted to fight, too. Put blunty, Ultear was so much better than him in every way. She was naturally gifted, intelligent and strong, skilled in two disciplines while Lyon was still learning one. Gray guessed that he wanted attention from their mother, as she so obviously favoured their sister. He treated Gray like a punching bag, fighting him because he knew he'd always win against the younger and less experienced mage.

How could he say no without arousing suspicion? The only way out, he sighed, would be to tell the truth.

Ignoring Lyon he turned to Lucy, who was stark white. She must've been shocked to run into not just one, but two of the royal family. At least it was the two who were easier to deal with.

"Lucy. Queen Ur is requesting your presence right now."

"Oh, okay." Something flashed in her eyes. She looked absolutely terrified, but Gray couldn't feel bad for too long. This was the best way. If he had gone through with ignoring her, Lyon certainly would've told their mother and then they would both be punished.

"Hey brat, answer my question." Lyon said. Gray fought the urge to stick his tongue out at him.

"I'm doing errands right now, so I really can't."

Lyon scoffed. "Just get a random servant to do it for you, dumbass."

"Sorry, they're special errands from mother." He quickly made up the lie on the spot, knowing it would irritate him.

"She never gives me special errands." Lyon muttered under his breath.

Then you're the lucky one.

Was it sad that a seven year old boy only had one friend - an ugly stone knight statue that saved his life many, many times?

Gray had assigned himself a mission this month: to find out what was behind that locked door that got the Queen so angry every time she left it. The first time he conducted a stakeout, he was almost caught. Luckily, since the original statue had been replaced he was now able to hide behind an oversized shield if he crouched.

He listened as the Queen whispered to herself, and he heard the door click many times, unlocking. It was a locking spell like he had guessed. Whenever he knew he was safe from Ultear's prying eyes, he would search for books on locks in their library. Ultear had become very studious these past few months, always hungry for more knowledge. Rather, for more power.

His mother left the room and he listened carefully to her words. He thought he caught it all except for the last word, but he had a few ideas of what it could be. She wasn't as irritated as usual, but he ducked behind the knight's shield regardless.

When she left, he looked up at the statue and mentally thanked it for its protection, then ran to the door. He placed his palm on the door and furrowed his eyebrows as he tried to feel for the locks on the other side.

The only magic Gray really knew was fire magic. It was simple, destructive, and powerful. It was scary in the hands of his mother and siblings. In an instant, flames could roar to life from his palms and burn everyone alive.

But when he was younger, and they still visited the Diamond kingdom which was forever icy, he was able to learn about the other side of fire - the side that was warm. Fire could be kind and inviting. He had a warm drink with his friend by the fireplace, was greeted by the Diamond king with a warm smile, and got to know the warmth that could live in his heart.

Once they had to leave, he realized just how much of an oxymoron Ur was. A bitter cold queen, with the power of fire. He didn't want to be like that. So he needed to find out what was behind this door.

He watched Ur for so long that he figured it out fast. His heart was pounding in his chest. Finally, he would know the truth.

The door creaked, but only slightly. He still cringed at the sound, but snuck in anyways. The door shut quietly, the only sound being the thumping of his heartbeat.

It was so dark! He carefully lit a small flame in his palm, eyes widening when he saw the stairs leading downward. Whatever was down there, he hoped it wasn't dangerous. He took a deep breath and descended the stone stairs.

He was grateful for his magic. It was so cold down here. A lonely hallway, and at the end, a cell door.

He crept closer and closer to the door, hoping that nothing would pop out and scare him.

Chains rattled, and Gray jumped out of his skin. He took another moment to calm himself, and approached the cell door.

A man - no, a teenager. Maybe Ultear's age, give or take. He had such dark undereye bags Gray thought he seemed a lot older. Everything about him was striking and terrifying, from his bright blue hair to the red tattoos on his eye. There were scars on his body.

He was chained around his wrists. He could move freely around the room, but right now he was just staring blankly at the wall.

"Hi." Gray squeaked.

Now it was the prisoner's turn to jump out of his skin. That's what he was, right? Gray gulped - even if he was a teenager, if his mother kept him prisoner down here, did that mean he was dangerous?

The blue haired guy didn't bother to greet him. "A kid? What is this?" His voice wasn't super deep, but rough and broken. He looked at Gray sadly.

"I'm Gray. Um, Prince Gray. Who are you? Why does my mother keep you down here? She gets mad when she leaves." He couldn't really help it, but he had been curious about this place for so long that he blurted out all of his thoughts. What was so special about this boy?

"You're her son." He said, staring. Gray nodded.

"Why are you down here?"

"I wanted to meet you."

The boy looked shocked at that. He was silent for another moment, and tried to shift into a different sitting position. He looked pained at the motions, so he stopped.

"Are you hurt?"

The boy tried to laugh, but couldn't. "Of course. Your mother tortures me all the time."

Gray was frozen. Tortured him? Is she the one who gave him all those scars? Those strange markings?

"I don't understand."

"She's killing me. Or trying to. The only reason she hasn't yet is because there's something she wants."

Gray ran away after that.

The whole way from the secret cell, through the corridor and up to his room he thought about the pain in that boy's eyes. He knew his mother was cruel, he knew it. He watched her abuse Lucy, threaten her servants, and scare her own citizens. He was scared of her, even Lyon and even Ultear her favorite was scared of her.

But that boy? Scarring his skin just for some thing? Nothing could be more valuable than a human life.

How could someone be so evil?

And just what did she want?

Gray fell asleep late that night. He had a nightmare about a scarred boy, Lucy's face with a red hand print burning her cheek, and a forest burning to the ground.

He returned the very next day. His mother left, he jumped out from behind the shield, and ran down the stairs. He held a chocolate cake he asked the kitchen staff for. It was lame, but Gray thought that since cake made him feel better, it would help the boy feel better too.

Plus, he wanted answers.

The blue haired boy looked just as surprised to see him. Then he scowled.

"Surprised that your mommy isn't as nice as she seems?"

Gray was taken aback. "She's never been nice."

He slid the cake through the bars, over to the boy who was surprised by his words.

"...For me? Why?"

"You looked sad."

He still looked sad, but he tried a piece of the cake regardless. He poked at the cherry on top, leaving it at the side as he finished the slice. A few tears escaped, but he mostly held it together.

"...Thank you, Gray." He slid the plate back to him, leaving the cherry behind.

"Lucy loves cherries. And chocolate cake." The boy whispered to himself for no one to hear. In the silence of the cell, however, Gray heard every word.

"How do you know Lucy?"

The boy tensed. "I…" He struggled to form words, eyes wide as he stared at Gray. "Sh-She…" He tried again. It was no use. Finally he sighed, his eyes dark as he stared at the ground.

"Yesterday, you asked who I was."

Gray noticed the change in subject, but it was probably better to let him speak. "My name is Jellal." Gray nodded. He mirrored Jellal's pose, sitting on the floor with his legs crossed.

"Your queen is not who she says she is. She's tricking everyone, including you."

"What do you mean?"

"How old are you?"

"I'm seven. And a half."

"Do you remember when you were six?"

He nodded. He remembered very distinctly everything about the last year and a half. How he started training, dressing properly, really taking his role as a prince seriously. The harsh education, learning to speak formally, respectfully. Obediently. Ultear being groomed for her future role as queen, Lyon becoming bitter as the months passed by. The older siblings he looked up to turning into villains. The image of his mother tainted by greed.

He remembered all of it.

"And when you were five? Or four?"

"No, I was way too young."

Jellal raised an eyebrow. "You're young now. Just try, please."

So he tried. But he really must've been too young. All he had was vague memories of being at home with his siblings and eating dinner. But what was home? In those memories it looked like some worn down house. Nothing like the grand palace he lived in.

He shook his head.

"Once upon a time," the blue haired boy began, "there was an attack on this palace."

Gray opened his mouth to argue, but Jellal interrupted. "The king and queen fled, but they were caught by the enemies. No one saw them after that." Jellal took a moment to shut his eyes tight. He kept his eyes closed as he told his story.

"The king and queen had two children. A little girl, around your age or a little younger. And a boy. A little older. They fled too, and were also caught. But they were seperated for some reason. The girl was taken away, and the boy became a prisoner. He had no idea where his little sister went."

Jellal teared up. "The one who led the attack conducted a widespread memory spell with her followers. She called herself Queen, and the kingdom of Hearts, which was about love and light became the kingdom of fire. She tortured the ex-prince, yelling about some artifact. As an original Heart, only his family's magic could summon it."

He paused to sob, and rubbed at his eyes. With a shaky voice he finished. "He was tortured, but withstood it all for the princess. The evil queen wiped her memory and turned her into a slave, using her to threaten him."

Gray couldn't say anything. It was clear who the story was about. "If you're the prince..." Gray felt shocked to say it out loud. His role, his identity was a lie. Still, Jellal pressed him on. "Then who's the princess?"

Jellal smiled sadly. "Her name is Lucy Heart."

Gray didn't run away like last time, but he had to leave because he had spent too long in there already. But how could he face anyone now that he knew the truth?

When he passed a maid in the hall, he wanted to scream, "Do you know my mother is lying to you? To everyone?"

With Ultear in the library, forcing him to study, he couldn't look her in the eye. Did she know? Did she care? She was a fake, just like him. The real royal family was being kept prisoner, or made to serve them.

He saw Lucy, holding a bucket of crops standing next to the head chef's apprentice. She had bruises on her arms. He couldn't look her in the eye, knowing the truth while she had no idea.

Gray spent the rest of the day floating around the castle like a ghost.

Six months passed by fast, and Gray was eight years old. Still a child, yet too mature for his age with what he knew. For appearance's sake, he lived the lie he was forced to live. But for his guilt, he visited Jellal whenever he could, bringing him food. The queen had been barely feeding him.

He learned that even Jellal didn't know much about the supposed artifact only the Heart royal family could summon. But Ur forced him to try anyways, hurting him until he exhausted his magic bank trying to do it. She was starting to get frustrated after two years and no real progress.

He also found a good friend in Jellal. It was like having his older siblings back in the form of a kind older brother. Jellal relied on Gray for updates on Lucy, but Gray tried not to let him know about the bruises, just that she was fine. Or fine for the situation anyways.

The truth was that Ur's patience was wearing thin. She was getting more and more snappy with Lucy, hurting Jellal more often, desperate for the artifact. Probably desperate to be rid of Lucy too, knowing she was just another thread that could rip the seam of her lies apart.

Gray was scared she might kill Lucy, and he was tired of being passive. He wasn't the six year old kid who averted his eyes at Lucy's pain anymore. So he proposed a plan.

"Why don't we help Lucy escape?"

"By we you mean you, right? Gray, you're a child. She will actually kill both of you."

"You don't know that!"

Jellal glared at him. "You are not, under any circumstances, doing this. You don't know what you're getting into. You don't understand how much of a monster Ur can be when she's angry, how badly she would hurt you and Lucy if this doesn't work!"

"Jellal,"

"No. The answer is no. Please Gray, just watch out for her from the sidelines. Maybe when you're older, and more capable of doing things for yourself. But not when you're both still kids."

Gray left, not mentioning how they may not have that much time.

Ur was pissed, excessively, positively pissed. Too many things had gone wrong that day, and for the first time, she scarred Lucy. Gray only listened to rumours from staff, but she had bled so much and scared Spetto so badly that she almost marched to the throne room to give Ur a piece of her mind. The only thing stopping her was that Lucy needed someone and Spetto didn't want to get beheaded.

Lucy had been so happy too. She mentioned something about making a new friend (to the maid of course, but Gray was still happy to mention it to Jellal. Being the anxious brother he was, he started to panic at who this friend could be.)

Jellal looked grim when he heard the news, and decided that maybe Gray was right, and they were running out of time.

So they made a plan. She could escape through the dryad forest, where no human ever ventured. Walking by the river, she could make it to Magnolia. With Gray's name, King Igneel would surely help her.

They'd have to find her a weapon, and supplies. Clothes and food and water. The dryads could try to hurt her. They wouldn't discriminate just because she was a child. She could fall in the river and drown. She could get attacked by wild animals. Magnolia's crime was low thanks to the Fairy Tail court and the knights keeping the law enforced, but there were always desperate beggars.

Despite the risks, it was safer than being here.

Jellal panicked over every possibility of everything that could go wrong, but nothing could've prepared Gray for how badly it did go wrong.

Ur was angry, once again. She was calling for Lucy. Gray saw the fire ablaze in her eyes and ran, ran as fast as his eight year old body could take him. Lucy innocently wiped down a table, but Gray took her hand and ran to the palace entrance.

She was red, unsure of what was happening. "Prince Gray? Wh-"

"You need to go."

Lucy was scared. "Why?"

"Because my mom will kill you otherwise!"

Behind them, the Queen roared her name. She didn't know Gray was with her, which was good. He didn't have time to get the staff to help him with the resources they'd planned for. All he had was directions to give her, and his name.

"Run, Lucy. Into the forest. Find the river, and follow it into Magnolia. Find the castle, and tell King Igneel you're coming in my name, Prince Gray from the Kingdom of Hearts."

"Your highness, are you telling me-"

"Yes! I'm telling you to go!"

She suddenly stopped and hugged him tight, crying into his shoulder. "I will never forget this kindness."

She ran to the forest just ahead of them, and Gray didn't have time for anything more but a small wave until he had to hide from the wrath of his mother.

Queen Ur lit everything in her path, the fire destroying the world around her. He watched from a castle window as the forest burned alive. The flames were red, hot, and angry. Hungry for life.

Despite himself, his heart knew the warmth of fire. Lucy would survive this. She was the true Princess of Hearts, the survivor of the attack on the original royal family, the key to everything Ur wanted. Everything she couldn't have.

She had to.