A/N: Hi. I'm Lumi. In case you're new here and we haven't met before. It's wonderful to have you here. Welcome, welcome. As much as I'd like to stay here and hang out a little more, I'm working on a NaNoWriMo project and I need to get back to it. But for the next few weeks, it's going to be the two of us every Wednesday. That is, until I come back in December. But I have written two other stories for Fairy Tail. One is very Natsu/Lucy centric and the other is Gray/Juvia centric. They're both based loosely on different fairytales (see what I did there? Hi. I'm Lumi. I'm clever.) and this one kind of fits into that series. Although, you don't have to read the others to understand this one. They all stand alone, but they're somewhat tied together. There are different little references in them to the others, but here nor there. I'm going to get back to work and let you get to reading. K?

Those nights…Those long, cold nights sleeping on the hard stone floor only to wake up and slave away in the hot, forgiving sun…They haunted me for so long. Although, one thing made it bearable. One thing gave me the strength to keep moving forward. I just wish I would've gotten his name. Maybe it just wasn't meant for me to know. It's too bad. I owed him everything.

He sacrificed himself for me. He fought tooth and nail to get me out of the slavery and the miserable existence we shared. He begged and pleaded for Master Makarov to take me away from all of that. And he did. I've been in Magnolia ever since. And it was all because of him. Sometimes, I wonder whatever happened after that. But those thoughts never last long. They hurt too much.

I had to keep pressing forward. No matter what happened to him, I know that's what he would've wanted for me. so, to honor his valiance, that's what I did. One morning was all it took. I woke up like any other day. I took my bath like any other day. I had breakfast like any other day. It was when I got to the S-class job board at the Fairy Tail guild hall that things took a turn. This request board was never empty. Yet here I stood in front of an empty board. This can't be right. I'm sure it's just one big mistake. Now, where would Master be?

"Mira," I checked at the bar. Nowhere to be found. Just Mirajane taking care of Cana, who was still doubled over the bar from last night. Is it disgraceful? Of course it is. Am I going to judge her harshly for it? No. If she could stay away from her vices, I have no doubt in my mind that Cana would be an S-class wizard by now.

"Good morning, Erza," Mira chimed, her sweet, lyrical voice floating through the air, "Did you sleep well?"

"Fine," I nodded, "I'm looking for Master Makarov. Do you know where he is?"

"Have you tried his office?" she suggested.

"Not yet," I shook my head, "Have you seen him today?"

"Can't say that I have," Mira put a cup of hot coffee in front of the sleeping angel at the end of the bar, "Wakey, wakey, Cana. It's time to greet the day."

"No, it's not," Cana groaned incoherently into her arm, "You're lying."

"You're right," she smiled sweetly, "I'm calling your bar tab and you're a couple hundred thousand jewel in the hole."

"Alright, alright!" Cana got up and slammed her coffee, "I'll go find a job."

"Wow, Mira," Lucy joined us, "You were ruthless."

"It's how she learns," Mira explained, "If her bar tab gets too hard, she gets a suspension. A suspension means she can't work. No work, no money, no drinking."

"A method to your madness," I approved, "Maybe one day, it'll get her to stop."

"I highly doubt it," Mira giggled to herself, "But it's wishful thinking."

I got up from the bar and checked Master's office. His very dusty and empty office. That's strange, "Mira, did Master Makarov have any business to attend to in town today?"

"He did say he had a special meeting to attend," Mira thought, "But I remember him saying that it wasn't until this afternoon."

"I saw him go into the police station this morning," Natsu took a seat at the bar, "All he would say to me was how some guy he called Icepick was an idiot. I thought he was talking about Gray, but Gray's still here."

"Thanks, Natsu!" Gray snapped from the request board, "Hate you, too."

"Can you tell me when he comes back," I requested, "It's important."

"Sure," Mira promised, "I'll let him know you're looking for him the moment he comes in."

"Thank you, Mira," I stepped out of the guild hall for some fresh air. I'm sure the empty request board is just a misunderstanding. Maybe Mira got caught up in doing a little housekeeping and hasn't put them back up yet. I'm sure someone in town has something for me to do. Downtime is not an option. Not today. Too much to creep into my thoughts that I don't have the energy to contend with. I know exactly what I could do.

When in doubt, I could always turn to the bakery for comfort. The owner and I were always on good terms. I'm one of his best customers. Why wouldn't we be? And I would be more than happy to place an order and lend him a hand if he needed me. However, when I got to the bakery, the closed sign hung on the door. Wonderful. No work, no cake, and no Master Makarov in sight. The universe was out to get me today. Or did it just severely feel like it? I guess I could just go back to the guild hall.

Things seemed quiet around here. And my day felt more and more off. I don't know what to trust now. I can't get a job. I can't have cake. The lack of mayhem around the guild hall is troubling. To top it all off, I think Master Makarov is still out. I couldn't even count on my one chaotic constant. It's like I'm in a weird dream I can't wake up from.

"Erza," Mira flagged me down, "It's good to see you again."

"Is Master Makarov back yet?" I hoped.

"He's in the courtyard," she directed me, "And he's looking for you."

"Thank you." At least one thing is starting to turn around. Immediately, I ran outside to the courtyard behind the guild hall to find Master Makarov sitting at the edge of the fountain. He glared into the distance, "You wanted to see me, Master?"

"Yes, Erza," he nodded, "Come. Sit."

"Is everything alright?" I asked, sitting on the cold, hard stone. Images from back then flooded my brain. I tried my best to tune them out, but they were too strong.

"I'm trying to get rid of him, but he's so unassuming," Master let out a heavy sigh, snapping me out of my headspace.

"Who?"

"Icepick," he looked me over, "Were you even listening to what I just said?" Honestly, Erza. I'd expect this kind of spaciness from Natsu or Gray, but not from you."

"Forgive me, sir," I lowered my head, "It's just…Do you remember what today is?"

Master Makarov stared down at the ground, "I was hoping you wouldn't have noticed that. How long has it been?"

"Twelve years."

"That long already?"

"I can't believe it myself," I shared his sentiment, "It still feels like yesterday."

"Erza," Master put his hand over mine, "I know it was hard for you, but you need to understand why what was done was done. You can't let it keep eating you up inside."

"I know," I nodded, "He wanted me to have a better life. And I can't let his sacrifice be in vain. I just need to get out of my head for a while."

"In that case," he wondered, "What is it you wanted to see me about? Mirajane said you were looking for me this morning while I had to get Icepick out of jail."

"The request board upstairs," I told him, "It didn't have any listings on it. I was wondering if you knew anything about that."

"There haven't been many S-class jobs lately," Master explained, "Things are quiet. However, I have a job for an S-class wizard, if you're looking for work."

"You?" he piqued my interest, "Master, you're a Guild Master and a Wizard Saint. What would you need to post a job listing for that you couldn't handle yourself?"

"It's not for me specifically," Master clarified, "That meeting I have this afternoon…I'd like for you to come with me, Erza."

"Of course," I accepted, "I'd be happy to escort you. What's the job?"

"In the royal family," he began, "They had adopted a child. The king couldn't have children of their own. However, the prince has had too many attempts on his life. None of his guards stick around more than a few days."

"Makes me wonder what kind of life the prince leads."

"It's more so his past catching up to him," Master went on, "The prince didn't have the easiest start in life and the man who raised him in his early life wasn't exactly the loving type. I figured you could be his new guard."

"You flatter me, Master," I twitched, "If all of his previous guards don't last long, what makes you think I'd be able to keep him safe?"

"None of his prior guards were wizards," he had a little smirk on his face, "And none of them are you. You're one of the strongest wizards in Fairy Tail, Erza. You can't deny that. Too many would dispute that, myself included."

"Thank you." If I'm being honest, I'm still hesitant about taking this job so soon, but maybe it'll get me out of my head for a while. Who knows? It might be nice to spend some quality time with the prince.

"I should be leaving shortly," Master jumped down from his ledge, "When you're ready, find me again."

"Yes, sir," I got up, too, making my way back inside. I had everything I needed. Just one final piece of business to take care of first. I walked up to the bar, "Mira?"

"Yes, Erza?" she chimed, putting the clean glasses back on the shelf.

"I'll be accompanying Master Makarov to see the royal family," I told her, "Could you hold all of my calls?"

"Of course," Mira smiled, "Hurry home."

"What's this?" Natsu slinked behind me with Happy floating over his shoulder, "Going to see the royal family with Gramps, are we?"

"Just the two of us," I put my foot down, "He asked me personally."

"So!" he chirped, "When are we leaving?"

"We aren't leaving," I clarified, "This is something I'm doing on my own."

"Come on, Erza," Happy begged, "I thought we were a team."

"We are."

"Then, let us come, too!" Natsu whined, "Lucy, get your keys!"

"Natsu," I scolded him, "Master Makarov asked me personally to join him on an important meeting to the royal family. And we aren't going to go as a team. This is a job for an S-class wizard. A s far as I know, I'm the only one on the team. We should be back by tonight. You, Gray, and Lucy are staying home."

"You never said I couldn't come!" Happy squeaked, "Come on, Erza. Tough break, Natsu."

"You're staying, too, Happy," I stopped him, "And because I know how you two are, do not follow us. Stay right here until I get back."

"Can we at least go back to Lucy's?"

"No," I called over, "Hey, Mira…"

"Yes, Erza?" Mira finished wiping the counter down, "What is it?"

"Keep an eye on Natsu and Gray while I'm gone please," I requested, "And make sure they place nicely. I don't think I need to tell either one of you what would happen if I come back and hear anything less than stellar, do I?"

"What?" I don't think Gray was paying attention.

"Erza," Master came out of his office, "Are you ready? Have you finished making your death threats?"

"I've made my point clear," I glared over my shoulder, "Haven't I, Natsu?"

"Yes, ma'am," he quivered.

"Gray?" I asked, "Are you going to play nicely with Natsu while I'm gone?"

"Yes, ma'am," Gray straightened up. I know it's done out of respect, but they don't have to be so afraid of me. Although, it's nice when they listen.

"Good," I smiled a bit at my two beloved idiots, "Lucy, don't make Mira do all of the work."

"I got them," Lucy promised, "Don't worry about it."

"Thank you," I turned to Master Makarov, "Ok. I'm ready."

The royal family...I've never been to the palace before. Hopefully, this will go well.