For those who've already read this chapter before the re-upload - don't worry, there's no significant change. I'm just removing a line that was 'commented' out and that I missed during editing.
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"Juvia. Could I have a moment?"
The lovely mermaid turned around, flinching slightly as the sudden motion rocked her fatigued frame. Her expression of pain was not missed by her shrewd friend, as Lucy grasped Juvia by the arm, gently but firmly steering the maiden to a sofa in a corner of the empty chamber. She plopped the young maiden down and hurried away to a side table where she mixed a glowing, blue drink.
"When I described your frail state to Cana, she asked me to give you this."
She took Juvia's hand gently in hers, coaxing the shimmering drink into her friend's weak grip. Juvia shot Lucy a grateful smile before she downed the potion in one long gulp, leaning back on the sofa as she finished. Lucy pried the glass from Juvia's loose hands, and placed the glass to the side as she turned to her now slightly healthier-looking friend.
"Juvia. What has been happening to you? And please do not lie to me - I need to know."
Juvia hesitated, her gaze fixed on the carpet at her feet.
"Juvia does not know what the Princess speaks of."
Lucy let out a huff of impatience. "Honestly, Juvia, do you consider me that inattentive a friend? I have noticed just how much you've been avoiding me in court. Yet you've been diligently passing on all your important information to me through trustworthy sources. It was confusing, but I assumed you had good reason to shun my presence - your intelligence and discretion in court politics has always impressed me, and I did not wish to hamper your methods. But when I accosted Erza the other day, she said something about you that was startling… And so I began actively seeking you out, to get to the truth of this matter."
Lucy took in a deep, shuddering breath.
"And when I finally managed to get a glimpse of you, I saw you like… this. It frightened me, Juvia. You look… as if… you are…"
"Dying?"
The mermaid's voice was soft and sweet, with only a hint of her hidden sorrow. She looked up, and her eyes locked on Lucy's. Lucy gasped in shock as she could see entire lifetimes of ancient wisdom shining in Juvia's ocean blue eyes.
"That is because it is true, oh Princess. Juvia is dying."
Lucy gaped at her for a long moment, unable to grasp the immense fact that Juvia had admitted too with such quiet grace and beauty.
"But why?!"
Juvia looked away once more, gazing out the window where a full moon rose, its first rays bathing the otherwise dark chamber in a mellow, white glow.
"If Juvia tells you, will you promise to tell no one else? Especially Gray-darling?"
Lucy's brow knit as her mind worked furiously. For Juvia to keep a secret from her love, and request another person to do so too, was unprecedented. In fact, Lucy had struggled to convince the devoted mermaid to keep her own identity as Princess and other confidential facts secret from the dark-haired, handsome, human mage - what secret of her own could possibly be so crucial that Juvia had felt the need to hide it from her beloved?
"I promise, Juvia. Please tell me."
Juvia relaxed considerably, her breath exiting in a soft sigh. She turned to face Lucy as the pair sat next to each other on the long sofa.
"Juvia will tell you a tale now, of how the mermaid's curse first came about." She began, a tired smile gracing her exquisite features. "Eons ago, before the arrival of the first Celestial Priestess, mermaids were a weak and powerless race. We lived in our beloved oceans, at the time, but we struggled to survive - the larger creatures of the deep sea were constantly targeting us, and our numbers continued to dwindle significantly. In a desperate attempt to preserve our race, our tribal leaders migrated us from the depths of the sea to the milder waters of rivers and lakes on land. This initially proved to be wise, for we no longer faced great threats under the water. However, new threats arose - in the form of land-dwelling magical beings. The demons and high fairies especially were threats - they were fascinated by our rather unique abilities, and constantly sought to either eat us, or absorb all our magic."
"In order to survive, once again, we sought some means to change our condition. It was then that we chanced upon the very first humans - we recognized the immense magical potential they had, and the fact that they too were fighting for survival in the far more powerful magical world. We made a pact with them - in exchange for a percentage of their potential, we would share all our knowledge of our kind of magic. A few interested humans agreed and…"
"That's how the first mages were born." Lucy breathed, her eyes wide with wonder. "I've heard stories of how the first mages were elemental mages - and of those, the very first were water mages."
Juvia nodded gravely. "The legends of your people are true. Mermaids first gave the humans power - but in their greed, they played a cruel trick when taking their part of the bargain." Juvia sighed, her voice heavy as she closed her eyes.
"Instead of taking magical potential at one shot and being done with it as they had promised, a few of the mermaids formed a permanent, secret link with the humans. They seeped energy out of these humans long after their pact was complete. One especially greedy mermaid tried to touch her human's life energy - but that turned out to be her undoing. The man finally recognized the reason behind his magical exhaustion, and instead of fighting back, he tried a new tactic. He had formed an attachment for the beautiful mermaid whilst he had completed their pact. Therefore, he sent her his immense love for her through their link."
Juvia smiled wanly. "We have always been an emotional race and our magic is intrinsically tied to our emotions. When she received such a powerful, unbridled emotion…" Juvia gulped. "She came undone. She became his 'slave' they say, and ran away from her tribe to be with him - becoming a criminal in her tribe's eyes. The remaining few who had formed these covert links were soon found and ordered to dissolve their bonds - but a handful refused, for they too had discovered a deeper pact with their humans, albeit in a milder manner than the first one. However, for refusing to give up on the humans they cared for, they were banished. The remaining ones agreed to dissolve their bonds, but found that the only way they could do so was by killing their humans. A few succeeded, but many perished before they could even lay a hand on their human partners - for a simple emotion of 'hate' or 'fear' or even 'disinterest' from their targets caused their immediate death. Those few mermaids that escaped unscathed, became immensely powerful - and those born of their bloodline also proved to be the most powerful of mermaids. But we were constantly shadowed by the possibility of inheriting the curse…"
Juvia's voice lowered to a whisper as Lucy leaned in, listening intently to every word that fell from the lovely mermaid's lips.
"As you already know, Juvia's father was a human and her mother was a mermaid. But what she did not dare tell you - or anyone for that matter, was that her mother was a victim of the curse. Fortunately for her, Juvia's father returned her love, and he helped her runaway from the tribe to start life afresh together in Pergrande." A lone tear trailed down her soft cheek. "In a cruel twist of fate, Juvia's grandfather turned them away - he did not want anything to do with magic, out of fear of repercussions from the crown. Juvia's parents were forced to settle in Icegard, instead. They could not live in peace, however, for one day soon after Juvia was born they were attacked and killed by the mermaids of her tribe. The queen herself claimed Juvia, wishing to train her and use her extremely powerful magic for the benefit of the tribe… but then Juvia met Gray darling… And she knew the moment she saw him, that she was just as doomed as her mother… It is what prompted her to return to Pergrande with Sir Gajeel's help, and make amends with her father's family - Juvia's grandfather was very remorseful after he heard of his son's death. Allowing Juvia to be a part of his family is his way of apologizing for his past mistakes. He supports Juvia in everything in the court now, as well as in her affections for her darling Gray…"
Lucy gazed at her friend in horror, her eyes filled with pity.
"Does this mean that if Gray does not love you back, you will…"
"Die?" Juvia finished in a tremulous query, her voice shaky with her contained tears. "Yes. But Juvia is like that very first mermaid - the curse works too strong upon her. She loves her Gray darling more than her own life. And when he last wrote to Juvia a few months back, he explained how he wished to offer his hand in marriage to love ri… err… Lucy, to save her from her disastrous impending marriage with that older man. And Juvia thinks it would be a wonderful idea! For even if you do not need his protection from your engagement since you found a way to break it yourself, Prince Gray would make an ideal choice of king consort for Pergrande…"
"He wants to wed me?! Is he out of his MIND?! Wait. You called him… Prince Gray?"
Juvia squeaked, her eyes growing wide as she clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Oh no! Juvia was not supposed to reveal that fact! Prince Gray wished his station to be a surprise for Lucy…"
Lucy waved her concerns aside. "Leave aside that little fact for now. Have you responded to that letter yet? Have you told him my engagement is already broken?"
"N-no. I wished to check with love rival first before sending that information." Juvia graced Lucy with a timid smile. "And I hoped to convince love rival to go through with it, for it would make Gray darling so happy."
Lucy opened her mouth to vehemently protest, but was cut short by Juvia's breathless, hurried words.
"Juvia knows she did not start on the right note with love rival. Love rival must forgive Juvia for acting so… err… possessive of Gray darling, but she does hope her help as a high court courtier has helped love rival see her in a friendlier light. Juvia hopes that Lucy understands now why Juvia acted so… extreme about her emotions for Gray darling. Juvia is sorry."
Lucy shook her head, struggling to contain the tears that threatened her own eyes as she yanked the mermaid into a warm embrace.
"Juvia dear, had I been in your position I doubt I would have stopped with merely being possessive and calling the other girl a love rival! I would have probably tortured Gray a lot more for being the dense fool incapable of realizing his true feelings of love for you! And… I would have probably poisoned my love rival. After a vicious cat fight, in which I would have tried to gouge her eyes out for even daring to look at my dragon… oh! err… I meant man… Err… Not that I'm saying you should do something like that." Lucy grinned sheepishly. "Heh. I can see why the Gods put you in this position and not I. You are far gentler and more forgiving than I could have ever been…"
Juvia pulled out of her friend's embrace, frowning slightly at the golden-haired girl.
"What does love rival mean? Gray darling does not love Juvia. He loves Lucy."
Lucy shook her head solemnly.
"No, he doesn't love me. He cares for you. He loves you. Only… he is too afraid to accept his own feelings."
Juvia shook her head stubbornly.
"Love rival should not pity me, if that is what she is doing! If she truly wishes to make Juvia happy, she should shower her affection on Gray darling! And Gray darling will love her in return. A-and they will be happy t-together…"
"No." Lucy said firmly, a steely glint in her eyes. "Gray does not love me Juvia. I am sure of it."
Juvia hesitated, a note of doubt and hope in her voice despite herself.
"Why would Gray darling wish to marry Lucy if he did not love her?"
"Because he's an idiot."
Juvia frowned, directing a light glare at her friend for daring to insult her beloved.
Lucy grimaced, amending her statement. "Well, no, Natsu's an idiot - Gray is a coward. He's scared to admit his feelings for you, because they are far more intense and confusing than what he feels for me. To marry me would be the 'safer bet'. It would even be a good political move for Icegard - I'm assuming that is the country he is the Prince of. As good as it would be for him, it would not be as good an option for me now. Especially with the plan I have already set into motion, dear Juvia. And besides all that, the most certain fact is that I do not love him either! At least not in that way."
Juvia's eyes bulged a little comically at Lucy's last few words. She gaped at her love rival.
"You don't love Gray darling?! How could you not! Are you sure?!"
Lucy burst out laughing, momentarily amused by the mermaid's incredulous tone.
"As much as the thought of not being in love with Gray may seem blasphemous to you," Lucy explained gently, "To those of us who care for him as a friend, it is quite appropriate."
Lucy halted, biting her lower lip as she pondered her next words.
"Gray and I are far too much alike in the wrong ways, Juvia. He is far too serious and thoughtful - just as I am when in the midst of problems. We would make a morbid pair indeed. I would be better off with a more light-hearted being who has a good sense of humor. Not only that, Gray's temper tends to make him haughty and aloof - which would only provoke me to be the same. Every lover's quarrel between us would turn into an endless cold war! If I am completely honest with myself, I need a romantic partner with an open temper - it is far easier to rant and rave at one who can match you and hold his own against you. Every fight then just becomes a game of sorts…"
Juvia beamed. "You mean like the way love rival used to fight with Sir Natsu."
Lucy blushed, before paling, the sparkle in her eyes snuffed out by a secret thought. The strange reaction did not go unnoticed by the perceptive mermaid, but before Juvia could voice her curiosity, Lucy hastily proceeded.
"I know how to help you, Juvia. Gray needs to be brought to his senses. And quickly. He needs to admit his feelings for you, and overcome the imaginary 'love' he bears for me. For that I have a plan…"
"It will not hurt Gray darling, will it?"
Lucy halted abruptly, gazing at the look of genuine, tender concern on the mermaid's face. She internally melted at her friend's deep devotion to the oblivious black-haired boy, and vowed to do everything in her power to save her noble and gentle-hearted friend - especially if she got to thoroughly punish a certain stupid ice mage in the process.
"Not very much, sweet Juvia. Although he will probably undergo a little bit of emotional turmoil - and maybe a teensy bit of pain - all which he thoroughly deserves for being such a fool…"
Juvia gazed warily at the wicked glint in Lucy's eyes.
"I-I am not sure…"
"Trust me Juvia."
Lucy leaned forward to wrap her friend in a warm embrace once more. Juvia melted at the affectionate gesture, squeezing her back before drawing shyly away. She nodded her consent.
"Good. And… there is one more thing, and I am sorry I must ask for it - would you do me a favor and halt your correspondence with him for two months?"
Juvia nodded hesitantly.
"Juvia trusts you, Lucy. She will do as you ask… But… Please don't be too hard on Gray darling, he's already been through so much."
Lucy raised a brow as she rose gracefully from her seat.
"He is a damned fool… But don't worry. For your sake sweet, faithful and selfless Juvia, I'll keep his torture to a minimum. Now, we must get you to Cana and Porlyuscia right away - they will find a way to keep you alive until Gray comes to his senses. You must retire from the high court first, citing health issues - no one who looks at you would doubt the veracity of that… And then…"
Juvia shot up from her own seat, almost falling back in fatigue at the sudden physical effort. She leaned on the armrest as she considered her friend worriedly.
"But how will love rival do without Juvia's help in court?!"
Lucy shot her a grim smile as she slipped her arm around Juvia's.
"I will be fine. Your health comes first. Now let us go - this moment!"
With that, the pair strode silently out of the chamber - one lost in her relief and hope, the other lost in her schemes and calculations.
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Soft moonlight filtered through the chamber's window, illuminating a head of luscious red locks. The young maiden stirred, a sleepy hum escaping her as her eyes opened a crack. She yawned and stretched as she sat up in the downy bed, throwing a glance at the sheets beside her. They were empty. She frowned, throwing the sheets off her own form and slipping into her shoes, as she wondered where her bed companion could have gone at this time of night.
She glanced around the room taking in her surroundings carefully, searching for a hint. The only thing that seemed amis in the otherwise neat chamber, was the condition of his writing desk - a gust of wind from the open window had scattered a few errant sheets that had been resting atop the table. Erza plodded over, primly arranging the sheets into a tidy pile, and trying out all the drawers to see where she could fit them. One drawer seemed especially hard to open, but with a strong tug, the powerful young woman opened it effortlessly. She cursed under her breath when she examined the inside of the drawer - it had apparently not been meant to be opened, the dangling lock an indication of someone's attempt to safeguard its contents. She had sheepishly almost fully closed the drawer again, when an edge of a sheet of parchment within the forbidden drawer caught her eye. Frowning, she carefully tugged the paper free, examining its contents.
It was a letter. And the more and more she read it, the more and more did Erza's blood run cold.
It was addressed to a location in Fiore, not one in Alvarez like she would have expected. In it, Seigrien described the magical source and its whereabouts perfectly, along with all the usual gossip that surrounded the famous, powerful treasure. He also described the keeper of the keys, down to detailed hand drawn pictures of each key Erza had on the keyring within her armored vest…
Erza felt an icy chill run down her spine. She abandoned her efforts to read the letter and fix the haphazard drawer and lunged for her suit of armor instead. She frantically pawed at the pieces, searching for the well concealed keyring…
It was gone.
She checked once, twice, carefully turning over the armored plates in her trembling hands. They were truly gone. He had taken them. He had taken the treasure entrusted to her and had fled. Probably to give it to his compatriots, so that they may steal the precious magic that lay within that safe. The man she thought loved her, had used her. She had been nothing more than a means to an end after all. And her foolish heart had fallen for his lines, hook, line and sinker. And now, because of him she had done the unthinkable.
She had failed her Princess.
Erza wept bitter tears as she heaved herself off the floor, her limbs feeling weak and her heart heavy. She had betrayed and had been betrayed. She loathed herself for being naive enough to believe that she had been loved. And despite his obvious betrayal, her traitorous heart still longed for him - she cursed herself for her helplessness. The entire occasion felt hopeless. Now that she had lost the keys to a man she had mistakenly trusted, her position was disgraceful at best, and she was a criminal at worst. She could see no way to redeem herself. Unless…
She sacrificed her life for the treasure within that safe.
In a flash her energy and vigor returned as she stood straight and tall. She requipped into a new, more powerful set of armor as she tossed aside the chest of drawers blocking another secret passage with ease. She threw open the door, and sprinted down the narrow, twisted passage, knowing exactly where to go.
She would guard that magical source with her life. And heaven help that blue-haired man if he tried to get past her.