Summary: Times were rough when Lords sold their daughters for money and power. A contract was none negotiable once both parties signed. So what happens when Lucy finds herself amongst a group that will do anything for their beliefs? LaLu and other couples.

Authors note: I'm so so sorry for having taken so long. But life kind of took a turn last month when the elderly man I was caring for passed away. The proud man was the grandfather of my boyfriends, a veteran of war, and a friend to many. While we're still organising things, I finally found a little time to get some writing done. I can't promise weekly updates just yet, but I'll try my best! Remember, you guys keep me going, and your reviews actually got me through the last few weeks to try write a little when I could! Thank you all so much for your support and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I, in no way, own Fairy Tail!

Previously:

"Now you listen here. She is mine. Our contract is legitimate. And if you ever, ever, do or plan anything that hurts her, or my guild in any way, I will come after you."

It was a threat the haunted Jude for the rest of his life.

Chapter 7: Twisted Hearts, Fates Untold

Despite having stood up to her father, she couldn't shake the numbness that clung to her like a fog. Her thoughts were a wreak in her head and she couldn't understand anything. People tried to speak to her, but everything was muffled, like she was drowning in the sea and there was no way up to the surface. Even her vision swam, and it wasn't until she felt the sting in her eyes that she realised that she was crying.

She could feel her spirit comforting her through their connection to her, but even that did little to sort through the wreck that was her life.

"Lucy?" Loke prodded her, but she refused to lift her head, her eyes shadowed, and yet he could see the subtle quiver that proved she was still with them.

"Leave her be, you overgrown cat." Laxus sat beside the blonde woman, his arms crossed over his chest.

"You- She's like this because of you! How can you just sit there and not do anything?" Loke leant forward, the couch jostling him as his hand fisted in the large mans shirt. The lion spirit was met with a fierce glare and he steeled himself for the captains' rage.

"I know that. But don't forget, you helped put her in this situation. You're as much to blame as I am." The harsh reality of his words crashed down around Loke and the spirit loosened his grip before collapsing back into his seat.

It was only the three of them in the carriage, the other crew members dispersing once they entered the forest outside the Heartfillia estate.

"So, shut up and let her cope with everything. She doesn't know how to handle what's going on." Laxus glanced at Lucy out of the corner of his eye, only to find himself having to grab her hand to stop the incoming slap to his cheek.

"I'm not some delicate doll! And I'm not something to be bargained with!" Her voice was high and shrill, her distress evident in her blood shot eyes. She struggled to pull her hand away from his, feeling his grip tighten uncomfortably. Her chest heaved, the strain from the day catching up with her.

"Loke. Leave us." Laxus ordered the ginger hair man without looking at him, and the sound of bells signalled Leo's departure.

"You can't order him like that!" Her face was turning red and he had to fight his urge to glance at her chest, sweat clinging to her from the heat of the day and her mental struggle.

"He's still a member of my crew. And if my order is for your benefit, he'll listen to me over you." Laxus leant forward, the aversion to him making her lean back against the seat. He pressed his face closer to hers, their breath mingling between them, "And now you have to understand, you are part of the crew. You were the second we brought you on board. Now that you're contracted to me, it only cements the idea. Do you understand?"

She nodded ever so slightly, and he smirked, his free hand tracing her slim neck.

"And don't worry. I won't make you rush into anything. No one has to know the contract isn't finalised yet." His smugness just made her angrier and she struggled, bucking her hip in an effort to dislodge him from above her. But he groaned, his head dropping to the junction between her neck and shoulder as he pressed his hip down, her wriggling doing little to calm his heart rate, "Unless you want us to finalise it now. Because if you keep moving around I'm not going to be able to stop myself."

His voice was husky and sparked a fire that burned low in her belly but she still froze, suddenly very aware of the firmness pressing against her. Cheeks flaming, she turned her head away, staring at the material of the seat backing, "Please get off..." She knew she couldn't overpower him, having seen just some of the power of the other crew members, she knew to be captain you had to be the best out of the lot.

Laxus took a deep breath before pulling away, his gaze locked with her lips. He leant down, faster than she could follow, and pressed his lips to the corner of her mouth, groaning when she gasped and just barely sitting up before he could let his instincts take over, "Like I said. I won't rush you. But we're bound together now and nothing can revoke my claim on you, so you better come to terms with it, and soon… or else our lives will both be hell."

She didn't answer, choosing instead to sit up and press herself and tightly against the carriage wall as possible. The gentle rocking lulled her tired mind into the great blackness of unconsciousness, and she was more than happy to fall into it.

xXx Contracted xXx

She woke up to the feeling of being carried, her body cocooned in something warm and soft, even nicer than the fur coats she used to have the wear around the Balls her father threw for her. There was a delicacy in the way she was being held, carefully holding her in an effort to ensure her comfort.

Voices registered in the back of her mind, sleep still clouding her thoughts and making her unable to open her eyes, the desire for rest still strong in her mind.

"Will she be alright?" A female voice flittered over her, a warmth settling in her chest at the concern she heard in it.

"She'll be fine. She's had a rough day." Laxus' voice registered with her and she connected his voice to the person carrying her. She knew of no one strong enough to take so much care while carrying her, "She's been abused. Mentally and physically. Had her father try to pawn her off for power and money and then had her future taken out of her hands... This is so fucked up." He tightened his grip momentarily before relaxing, shifting her ever so slightly in his arms.

"You think this is fucked up? My fucking mission had me nearly beat her to death. That's what's fucked. I should have pulled out the second that asshole ordered me to hit her the first time." Gajeel's voice sent a chill down her spine and she shivered. Laxus paused mid stride and she heard him mutter under his breath before he started walking again, the soft thing covering her tightening around her body.

"Lulu is strong Gaj. It may take a while, but she'll forgive you. I'm sure of it." Levy's positivity made Lucy want to cry. She wasn't sure she was as strong as the bluenette thought she was.

"Levy... I wouldn't blame her if she never wanted to see me or hear about me ever again. The things I had to do..."

"Man! Don't go throwing up again. That shits disgusting!" Gray yelled from somewhere ahead of them and Lucy stifled a giggle, feeling her head start to swim again.

"Gray! You're clothes!" The female voice finally registered and Lucy felt comfortable knowing that those that had stayed with her since she first met Fairy Tail were still with her.

The conversation grew quiet around them after Laxus reprimanded them and it lulled her back to sleep. Her body giving in to rest easily in the arms of the man she was now contracted to.

xXx Contracted xXx

Sunlight filtered through the room and Laxus couldn't tear his eyes away from the sight before him.

Lucy was curled up on his bed, the light coming through the window striking her hair and making it look like liquid gold. Her pale skin glistened and he had to bite his tongue to stop himself from moving from his seat. His fingers tightened on the pages he held and the crinkling made Lucy flinch, her eyes fluttering as she started waking.

A groan left her lips and he watched her blink, squinting against the light while she tried to take in the room she was in. When her eyes landed on him however, she bolt upright, the shoulder of her tattered dress slipping down her arm and forcing her to hold it in place lest she want him to see more than she wanted.

"Relax. I didn't do anything to you. Mira came by and dropped off some fruit. Eat up." He threw her an able and she let it drop in her lap, refusing to take her eyes off him.

"How long have I been asleep?" Her voice was quiet, and if he didn't have such good hearing he wouldn't have been able to understand her.

"You were out since yesterday afternoon. And it's about noon now... So nearly a whole day." She looked away from him when she realised he wasn't moving from his spot and carefully picked up the apple, "Relax. It's not drugged or anything. But you'd better hurry up or else the other guild members will come in here and drag you out. I can only hold them off for so long."

His words sparked a panic in her and she inhaled the apple as quickly as possible, a bit of juice dripping down her jaw and onto her chest.

Laxus stood suddenly, refusing to look at her as he stalked out of the room, "Your keys are on the table. I'll be in the sitting area when you're ready. A bathing barrel is behind the screen." And just like that, the door slammed shut and she was left alone. She took stock of the room, and realised she quite liked the cottage feel. His walls were made of a deep, rich coloured wood and the floor was covered with rugs and furs. Even with the sparse furniture, the whole room felt cosy to her and she stood from the bed, letting the woollen sheet fall away. Thhe bathing tub was exactly where he said it would be, and buckets of water were already waiting for her to use.

"But I don't have anything to change into..." She tapped her chin with her finger before she turned and marched to her keys, but before she could shout the incantation she had her mind set on, the spirit she wanted was already popping into existence.

"Hello Princess." The purple haired maid bowed and Lucy jumped, her hand tightening on the key.

"Virgo. You scared me. And please stop calling me princess. Just Lucy is alright." She waved her had at the Maiden, getting her to straighten up before taking the clothes Virgo handed to her.

"I have brought you a change of clothes princess, " The complete lack of recognition of Lucy's words didn't go unnoticed. She then proceeded to fill the bathing tub with the water before helping Lucy into it. Together, they worked in silence to clean the blonde's hair and wipe the dirt from her skin. If Virgo was bothered by her scars, she didn't show it, and Lucy was grateful for that, "Perhaps Cancer would be able to assist you with your hair Princess. I think you should call him at your first moment."

And just as quickly as she had arrived, Virgo was gone, disappearing in a cloud of pink smoke.

"Um... Sure." Quickly, Lucy stepped from the tub and grabbed a cloth before drying herself as best as she could. The clothes Virgo had left her were things she never would have imagined herself wearing, but with no other option, she donned her attire, squirming at the feeling of having a corset on again. The tunic she wore under it was thin and without sleeves, the end flaring under the corset and covering the top of her skin-tight trousers. The Maiden Spirit had even finished off the attire with leather wrist straps, thick belt and heeled ankle boots, "Well... she certainly has a flair for the dramatic."

Glancing at herself in the reflection of the window she shook her head and grabbed her key ring, plucking Cancers' from it with practiced ease.

"Open, Gate of the Golden Crab, Cancer!" The toll of a bell announced the arrival of her spirit and Lucy smiled at the man who snipped his scissors at her.

"What can I do for you, baby?" Cancer gave her a once over, snipping his scissors in appreciation, "Virgo sure knows how to make your beauty shine, Baby."

She blushed, grinning at him, "Oh stop Cancer. Now, can you please do something with my hair, something that won't get in the way?"

"Not a problem, Baby, just leave it to me."

With a few snips of his scissors, Lucy could feel her long hair being gently tugged into place by her loyal spirit and she smiled when he vanished, his job completed. He had pulled it into a messy up do, a few strands of hair left loose to frame her face, "Thank you, Cancer." She rubbed the key in her hand before returning it to her key ring and latching the pouch to her belt, ready to face whatever fate through at her.

She placed her hand on the door, pausing when she spotted her ruined dress next to her feet. With a shake of her head, Lucy lifted her head height, "Come on Lucy. This is just a new beginning. It's time to write the newest chapter..."

And with that, she left the room, ready to face whatever waited for her outside.

xXx Contracted xXx

Duh-duh-duh-duuuuuu! Newest chapter! Boom! A little bit of fluff, a little bit of development and you have what I call a filler! (Please don't kill me!) As some of you know, I've had some troubles but I'm happy with how this chapter turned out regardless. And I hope you feel the same!

Thank you to the following people for reviewing the last chapter and I hope you stay tuned for the next update!

An Amber Pen – I did edit the section of the last chapter you were referring to! Sorry about that and thanks for mentioning it!

Beautiful Astrology

Guest

JerricaHMcfarl3

Kurahieiritr JIO

Guest

CoSmO333 – They are something similar to husband and wife. History tells of aristocrats marrying their children off for power, and they made business contracts after the marriage. So I've played with that idea. They aren't married by law, but she's technically 'owned', as one would be if they were married. Hope that made sense! 😊

love crimson red ray88 – How the document was signed will come about in coming chapters! It all comes together soon!