A pair of eyes fluttered open, body tensing, jaw clenching – he reached his bloodied sword and pointed its sharp end to me. Black eyes were staring at me and it gleamed dangerously with a hint of red, as red as pigeon blood – as red as the blood that gushed from the forehead down to the jaw, down to the slender neck, into the depth of his broken chest plate.

He was menacing.

But beautiful.

A Tale from Thelua

[24] once upon a dream

Brown eyes cracked open, taking in the gentle ray of sunlight that penetrated through the window. She brought a hand to cover her eyes and a sigh rolled out of her lips. The leftovers of exhaustion of last evening rode her sigh, making it rougher than she intended it to be. Her eyelids were heavy as if it wanted to remain closed throughout the day. But she couldn't do that. She had promised Wendy that the two of them would spend the day together. A walk in the garden. Wendy told her she wanted to show her something she had yet to see here in the palace ground.

Lucy pushed herself to sit on the bed. A strand of tousled hair fell on her face, but she bothered not to brush it back. She glanced to the side. The space beside her was empty and it was cold. Natsu must have awoken hours ago. As usual, the man never woke her up. She was grateful, for sleep was all she needed to recover.

A gentle knock on the door then came in her ladies-in-waiting. She had learned recently that the ladies who attended her every day was called ladies-in-waiting and that they came from an esteemed noble house. She didn't know such a thing existed. Back in Feliose, it was just her, her nanny, and Wendy. She hardly saw the maids nor attended by them unless for the preparation of a party or some of the sort. Strictly only when her nanny needed their assistance.

The bath she took this morning was more pleasant. Perhaps it was caused by the change in the bath oil, but she felt more refreshed than how it was usually. Millie, the oldest of the three ladies, dressed her in a baby blue dress that was light yet warm enough to be worn for a walk in the garden. The spring here was colder than in Feliose and apparently, the rise of temperature wouldn't be anytime soon. But the weather was nice, and that was all she needed.

Ange poured her a tea as Millie braided her hair. The gentle aroma filled the space around her, but what made her surprised was the familiarity of the tea aroma. Green-golden liquid danced inside the teacup, reflecting her eyes in the same green-golden color. It reminded her of Feliose.

"Ange, did you brew this tea?" Lucy asked the youngest among them. "Do you know what kind of tea this is?"

"M-My apologies, my lady," the girl's voice was trembling, "but I didn't brew this tea. Lady Wendy did."

That brought a smile on her face. "Of course, Wendy," Lucy murmured as she took another sip of the warm tea. "This is a type of tea that can be produced only in Feliose. Back then, Wendy often brewed it for me. Drinking this brings back memories of Feliose."

"Is it good?" Ange asked, and getting shushed by Millie for being impolite. Lucy laughed lightly at the dejected Ange.

"It is good, Ange. Very good," Lucy placed the teacup back in its saucer on the table. "Have a seat, ladies. I feel awful for not sharing this tea with you."

Her braid was finished by the time she said it. Agne retrieved three teacups and placed them on the table. Millie sat first, followed by Agne then Ange. To think about it, it was Lucy's first time having a conversation with them. Mostly they left her alone unless she needed their assistance, but she never found their company bad at all.

They shared the same reaction towards the tea, complimenting the distinct flavor. It was then Agne decided to start the conversation.

"Lady Wendy is worried about my lady," Agne said. "She insisted on brewing the tea herself. Lady Wendy wished for your wellness and to cancel today's walk if my lady is feeling unwell."

Lucy could not deny that she still felt the fatigue, but it had been a while since they last met and converse. Wendy had been busy catching up with the things she needed to learn while Lucy had been busy with the party and replying congratulatory letters she received.

"I'm fine, Agne. Please tell Wendy that I will be waiting in the east garden."

The conversation then took a turn to the party yesterday. While Millie had been engaged with a gentleman before she began serving as Lucy's lady-in-waiting, both Agne and Ange had yet to decide their suitor. Thus, yesterday's event was a golden chance for them to find one, and apparently, Ange had her eyes set on one of the knights.

"I've seen him, my lady, even before the party yesterday and yesterday was my first time seeing him," Ange said in a low voice, face reddening.

Millie glanced at her. "That couldn't be. Where did you see him if the first time you see him is at the party yesterday?"

"Inside my dream, Millie!" Ange said excitedly. "I've dreamed of him once and since then, I've never once forgotten his face."

"That sounds too good to be true, Ange. Are you sure you aren't sick, now?" Agne shook her head in disbelief.

"I braced myself yesterday and I managed to dance with him! I'm the happiest maiden alive!" Ange continued to talk dreamily, making Lucy laugh. The teapot was empty before long, and Lucy decided to dismiss the ladies so they can rest more.

Wendy had a morning class today with Lady Ellen, and it wouldn't end until ten. She still had an hour left before their meeting, so Lucy decided to visit Natsu in his study. Maybe she could help him with his paperwork–

"Would you believe me if I say that I love you?"

–or not.

Natsu's voice rang in her ears, making her stop dead in her track. Her lifted hand, ready to knock the door to his study, was still. She remembered how she replied to him with silence. She remembered how his question only added more weight for her to shoulder. She remembered the talk she had with Zeref. She remembered it all. It suffocated her. She felt like running away.

She took a step back, only to find herself bumping into someone.

"My lady?" She heard a surprised voice. Lucy quickly distanced herself and looked up.

"Ah, Sir Gray? I apologize for bumping into you," Lucy said, quickly putting on a smile.

The knight's surprised expression was quickly masked with a calm, composed one. "Are you going to visit the lord?"

"I thought of greeting him, but I'm afraid I will only bother him," Lucy said. "Natsu is busy, but please pass my message; today I will be taking a stroll at the east garden with Wendy."

The knight nodded. "I will definitely pass the message to him."

"Thank you, Sir Gray," Lucy smiled and dropped her gaze to somewhere else. "Then I will be going."

"Wait–!"

"Yes?"

"Will you be going alone?"

Lucy nodded. "I let Millie, Agne, and Ange rest today, but Wendy and Lady Emma will join me later after Wendy finished her class."

"I will accompany you until then."

He looked like he would not take a 'no' for an answer, so Lucy had to give in. The east garden was a private garden that belonged to Wendy, so Lucy thought she would be safe even without having Gray. But Lucy didn't want him to take the blame for whatever happening to her. It had always been better safe than sorry, and besides, she could try and converse with him.

"I heard you and Natsu are childhood friends, Sir Gray?" She asked as she opened the parasol and stepped outside to the garden. The knight had been walking several steps away behind her so Lucy had to turn into him to make sure he was willing to converse with her.

"We are, my lady," he replied.

Lucy bowed and stared at the blossoming pink flower with yellow anther. It was indeed different from the flowers back in Feliose during springtime. "Really? What was he like?"

"He was strong, he excelled in swordsmanship," there was a pause before he continued, "and he was strong-headed."

She chuckled at the thought of Natsu and Gray in their childhood bickering. "I take it you often bicker with him?"

He sighed. "All the time."

"Were you training sword together?"

"We did. Natsu… My lord wanted to be a knight."

"But he didn't?"

"…He didn't."

"Hm." Lucy stroke the pink petal absently. "Is that so?"

When the knight didn't reply, Lucy straightened her back and continue the walk. They reached a small building with glass as its wall. Inside were chairs and a table. Lucy closed the parasol and took a seat on one of the chairs while Gray stood outside the building.

"What about Lady Beumann?" The words suddenly spilled from her before she could stop it. "Lady Lisanna Beumann. I heard she is also your childhood friend."

There was silence between them. With her back facing the knight, she didn't know what kind of expression he made. She thought it was alright if he didn't want to answer and almost said it out loud when Gray replied, "Strauss was her maiden name. Her mother was a commoner who married a nobleman and became my lord's nanny. She often brought her, and my lord often played with her."

I see…

"You didn't play with her, Sir Gray?"

A beat passed before she heard him whispered, "I never liked her."

"Sister! I'm sorry I'm late!"

The wind that brushed past her carried the cheerful voice that called her. Lucy turned and saw Wendy running toward her, following her was Lady Emma who walked. "Wendy, don't run," Lucy said as she stood, "you might trip and fall."

The girl didn't heed her warning and proceed to hug her. "I miss you, sis," Wendy said with a muffled voice. Her face was buried into Lucy's dress and she giggled as Lucy patted her head.

"I miss you too, Wendy," Lucy said, smiling gently. "Good day, Lady Emma."

The lady with brown hair curtsied. "Good day, my lady. I apologize for Lady Wendy's behavior."

"It is fine," Lucy shook her head. "You look pale, Lady Emma. Do you happen to be sick?"

"I'm afraid that is the case, my lady. I have been feeling under the weather recently."

Wendy released her hold on Lucy and approached her nanny. "Please rest, Emma," Wendy said, "We will be fine, I will be fine. We won't go anywhere, and we will be back before midday. I promise."

"Well…"

"I will be here with Wendy. Please take care of your health, Lady Emma," Lucy said. "Sir Gray, will you escort her?"

The knight nodded. "Then I'll take my leave, my lady," he said and left with Lady Emma.

The two of them sat on the chair. Wendy leaned onto her and Lucy combed Wendy's hair with her finger. Neither of them talked for a while, but it was Wendy who broke the pleasant silence between them. "You managed to find the place I was going to show you, sis!"

Lucy glanced around the glass building. "It's really beautiful, Wendy."

"Mother and I used to visit this place often," Wendy said, "Before I went to Feliose. I think this garden was originally hers."

It was a building with a window upon window, with white windowsills and white marble floor. Surrounding the building was the bushes with pink flowers she saw at the garden entrance. It created a lovely yet serene atmosphere. Lucy now understood why Wendy wanted to show her this part of the garden.

"Why are you alone, sis? Where is Millie? Or Agne or Ange?" Wendy asked.

"They look tired this morning. I guess yesterday's party was too much for them, so I have them rest for the day."

"I saw Ange danced with a gentleman, a knight! Who that might be, sis?"

"Hm," Lucy remembered the story the girl told her earlier this morning. "A certain Sir Arthe, that's for sure."

"Sir Arthe… Sir Arthe…" Wendy mumbled to herself, seemed to think if she knew anyone named Arthe. "I don't think I know someone called Arthe."

"Although, Ange said she had met him once before."

Wendy faced Lucy with wide eyes. "Really? When? Where?"

Lucy giggled and smiled as she continued to pat Wendy's head. "She said inside her dream."

"Sounds like too good to be true," Wendy sighed. "It's like a fairy tale. What was it?"

"Once upon a dream?"

"Yes, that!" The girl sighed for the second time. "I wonder when I will meet mine, sis."

Once upon a dream. A fairy tale.

Come to think of it. I dreamed something weird last night.

"You are still young, Wendy. You will definitely find him." Lucy said.

A black-haired man with black eyes.

"But when?"

Lucy shook her head. "I do not know, but time will tell. We only have to wait and see."

His bloodied sword pointing at me.

"I don't think I will be content with just 'waiting and see'." Wendy crossed her arms, no longer leaning to Lucy. "Let's start with this Sir Arthe. Maybe we can ask Sir Gray if he knows anyone that goes with that name."

"Sir Gray is part of the private knight, Wendy. I think the gentleman is a part of the knight that was just returning," Lucy said.

His eyes gleaming dangerously with a hint of redness in it…?

Lucy tried to picture the man in her dream. She only managed to remember his eyes. It was rather peculiar as she never met someone with such eyes before. The red that was of a ruby, of pigeon blood. It was strangely familiar, yet Lucy couldn't place her finger on whose. She couldn't remember the scenery around them so it couldn't become a clue either. All she knew was that this man was a knight and he was injured.

But there is something in those eyes.

"Sis? Are you okay? Are you tired?"

Wendy's voice brought her back from deep thought. Lucy glanced at her and saw the girl with a worried expression. "We can return early if you are tired, sis," she added.

There was disappointment that flashed in Wendy's eyes. Lucy quickly shook her head and grasped the girl's hands. "I am fine, Wendy. I just suddenly remembered the dream I had last night."

"What kind of dream?"

Gleaming black eyes with a hint of redness in it. The blade was cold, and it touched her skin. So cold it made her shiver. It felt so real. "A dream that feels so real?" She wondered, not sure about it herself.

"Well," Wendy said after mulling it over, "they said that dream is what your heart is wishing. Maybe sister yearn it so bad that it feels like reality? Just like Ange?"

Something her heart wished for. Or was it simply an ordinary dream even if it felt so real?

Lucy sighed inwardly. She stood and asked Wendy to walk around the garden with her. There was no use in thinking about something she did not understand. And even if she tried to think about it, she would only come into one conclusion. Him. Always him. Zeref.

"I've been missing you."

"I've always been wanting to see you."

She hated it. She hated how those sentences replayed in her mind over and over. But–

Me too.

She couldn't bring herself to lie.

Me too…

After all, a dream was a wish your heart made.

thank you for reading! i hope you enjoy this quick update