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: So I say this now, and I stand by this – I love where this story has gone! I have no regrets with the events that take place in this chapter!

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

Previously:

"Lucy. You… Why would you do something so… You could have-" He huffed, landing on the ground in the middle of his destroyed guild. He knew those conscious were watching them, but he brushed them off, lifting Lucy higher in his arms so that her head resting in the crook of his neck, "Don't you ever worry me like that again."

He buried his nose in her hair and took a deep breath, letting the feel of her against him calm his racing heart. She just sobbed harder, the pain and worry of the day leaving her.

Chapter 10: Letting Go

She stared, unblinkingly, at the tall man before her. What should have been a deep seeded pain, a feeling of utter agony as she turned her back on the only place she had called home, was an abyss so deep that nothing could escape from it.

The calls echoed through the street, the clatter of bags being loaded drowning out the cries that tried to get her to turn around, to acknowledge that there was only one person that was okay with the proceedings. The notebook clenched in her hands creaked against the strain of her hold as she thought, back straight as she refused to turn around.

She wasn't sure when it happened, when she realised her feelings of gratitude where far greater than she had originally anticipated, more than she had given it credit for. They wrapped like a vice around her heart so tightly that she almost feared it would stop her heart from beating. Almost if only afraid if only to stop the pain that tore at her from the inside out.

"My dear child… This… I couldn't talk him out of it." The friendly voice sounded from beside her and she dared to look down at the small man, the one that had claimed her as his own, amongst all his other children. The tears burned, threatening to throw her entire demeanour and show just how much of a show she was putting on.

"I understand. This is for the best." Despite the inner turmoil, her voice was steady, hiding just how how destroyed she actually was.

"Lucy…" Another voice called to her, the familiar warmth she had once heard at his voice just making her stiffen, a fire in her belly burning so hot it chilled her from the inside out. She wasn't too sure, but her affections and her distain rivalled with each other, but she still refused to turn. A horse huffed at her, and she noticed that all the bags had been loaded, "Are… are you ready?"

The absences of his usual confidence was not lost on her, but she ignored it, nodding her head mechanically as she opened the carriage door. It was all to reminiscent of the first time she'd fled from home, having jumped from the carriage into surround woodland to escape her marriage. Only this time, she didn't want to leave. She pulled on every lesson she had ever been taught, every notion of how a noble woman needed to act before she finally turned, her face a stone mask she would not allow to break.

"I have everything required for my travels. I thank you all for everything you've done for me… I suppose… That this is farewell…" She gave them a stoic smile, the sadness threatening to overtake her. But her friends, her family, renewed their efforts, calling out Laxus, calling to her, but she sealed shut her emotions, shutting it all down in favour of holding her façade long enough to disappear.

Lucy held her head high, skirts twisting around her legs, almost as though the fabric itself had wanted her to stay before disappearing into the carriage, closing the door quickly before drawing the curtains, hiding herself in the darkness. It was only then that she allowed the tears to fall, her memories of the previous day replaying like a broken record.

"Lucy. Can we… talk?" The hesitance in his voice had her on edge instantly. Since their encounter with Phantom, the blonde man had become increasingly distant. No matter how she tried to interact with him, he would always draw away, disappearing for hours at a time and only returning to sleep. It had gotten to the point that he had started to feel like a stranger to her.

"Of course." She gathered her skirts, wiping her hands in the fabric as after placing down the plate she was cleaning, "Is something the matter?" Lucy took a seat opposite her husband, brows furrowing when he didn't respond. His silence only made her heavy with doubt, waiting for him to speak.

"Actually…" He took a deep breath, something akin to pain flashing through his eyes, "There is something… regarding your, uh, circumstances."

She felt something heavy drop inside her than chilled her to the bone, but she cleared her throat, trying to feel positive, the scar on her thigh burning as she pressed her legs together, "And what, exactly, have my circumstance brought up?"

Laxus stood from his seat, causing Lucy to crane her neck in an effort to maintain eye contact. But he had other ideas. He paced the room, eyes glued to the floor, "You've been in danger since you left your home. And now… now that Phantom has been dealt with, your free… but at the same time… You are not."

"Laxus." Lucy stood, her hand shaking as she reached out to him, only for him to wince, shifting further from her grasp, "I don't understand."

"We signed the contract. I can get it dissolved. But only once you've settled down. When you're safe. We have a cottage for you already, up in Waas Forest. You'll be close enough to the local village to get supplies. And we'll give you an allowance until you can set yourself up properly… You can start over-" He was cut off when a hand snapped around his wrist and he looked down to see piercing brown eyes staring up at him. Despite the height difference, their was a fire that negated it, making him wither under her stare.

"What, exactly, are you saying Laxus." Lucy took even breaths, forcing herself in a state of calm long enough to hear his answer.

"We're letting you go Lucy." He may as well have struck her as she staggered back, her breath catching in her throat.

"What? But… I don't-" She swallowed a sob, vision already blurred by the amount of tears threatening to fall, "I don't want to go anywhere. This… this is my family now. You can't take that from me. Not after-"

"Not after they risked their lives for you? Despite everything we did, you still threw yourself at Jose." Laxus glared, nostrils flaring, "You nearly died Lucy. It's not safe for you, or for the Guild, while you still have people out there trying to get you!"

Her breath left her, eyes wide, indignation lost. A sense of resignation filled her, putting out the fire that had blazed on moments before. The independence she had felt since Fairy Tail had rescued her receded, falling behind a mask of aristocracy that she had spent years perfecting. A numbness set in as she straightened, her hands straightening her skirts and adjusting her petticoat, "Of course. I apologise for the inconvenience I've caused. I suppose I'll go apologise to Master Makarov then." Her body moved on autopilot, breaking eye contact completely to bow her head, "I fear I must pack and say goodbyes. When…" She cleared her throat but he didn't let her continue, his own words drowning out her quiet whimper.

"Tomorrow. We have a carriage coming to collect you tomorrow morning." Laxus signed, watching her head bob.

"I… understand." But every part of her screamed out, trying to break down her mask in any way possible. She had left her life as an heiress to make her own decisions, but now… she couldn't help but give in, shoving her new found independence into the corner of her mind and locking it in an iron box.

Without any further talk, Lucy escaped to her room, gathering her items and placing them in sacks and bags that her family had given her. Each one held a fond memory of shopping trips, weeks of learning about the outside world, a world outside the gilded walls and crystal ornaments. She spent the day writing letters and packing, making sure everything she needed was packed and the items she planned to return or give away neatly placed on the dressed. The letters also sat on top of her purse, ready to distribute. She watched the sun dip low, slipping beneath the horizon and cementing her last night in her home.

"No!" She shook her head, hissing when the familiar burn of tears returned, "This is his home. I was simply leech-" A leech that desperately believed she could have had the world if she stayed. In truth, she had received the world and more under Laxus' roof, and she curled up on her bed, tears falling silently. Laxus had left the house soon after there discussion and had yet to return. Even as the candle flickered out and doused the room in darkness, she was unable to sleep away the pain, her eyes burning by the time the sun rose again the next morning.

A hand startled her awake, her gasp quickly followed by a tight hold on the offending limb, only to smile at the concerned look her newest spirit sent her.

"Lucy? Are…" Loke shook his head, lips pressed tight, "No, that's a ridiculous question. I think the better one is, are you ready Lucy?"

She tilted her head at his question, brows furrowed until she realised that the carriage was no longer in motion. Her back ached from the days of travel and sleeping on the hard bench, but now, five days after leaving behind her family, they had arrived outside her new home.

Lucy patted her cheeks, sending Loke a half hearted smile, "I… think I am. But at this point, I have no other option." She opened the door and stepped out, relishing the cracks that echoed from her spine. The little cottage was quaint, with a porch that was weathered by well kept. The whole place was made of wood, there weren't many windows, but she supposed it was because this was something of a stop over cabin, something Mira had explained to her were used by the mages while out on jobs. Thought there hadn't been work so close to the border in years.

"That's as far as I go Lady. Take your stuff off the cart. I gotta get home to the missus." Lucy nodded and together with Loke, emptied the carriage as quickly as possible before watching it disappear back up the road.

"Well, are you ready Lucy?" Loke placed his hand in hers, tugging her forward while pulling a key from his pocket.

"As ready as I'll ever be." With a small smile on her face, she waited for Loke to unlock the door before she twisted the handle, ready to embrace her new future.

xXx Contracted xXx

This story is not over! I promise! This is just linked to the second arc! Which is why it's just a little shorter than other chapters. I already have the next chapter half finished, so stay tuned!

A major thank you to those that reviewed the last chapter, you guys keep me going:

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