It was nighttime and the moon shined brightly against the night sky. Down on the beach, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy were trying to come up with new ideas for how to get Gray to fall in love with Juvia, but it seems they were thinking up more frustration than ideas.

"I can't believe it! They were so close!" Natsu yelled. "Juvia was only mere inches away from that kiss! Mere inches! Mere inches, man! So close!"

Lucy sighed, "We were there, Natsu. You don't have to remind us a million times over."

Happy floated onto a rock and sat down. He asked, "So what do we do now? There's gotta be a way outta this."

Lucy suggested, "What if we tried bargaining with Kyôka? We can get her to break Juvia's spell for a treasure or something in return—"

Natsu shook his head, "It won't work. Juvia signed a contract and has to stick to it until it expires. That's what contracts are for."

Happy wondered, "Is there anything we can do now? There's only one sunset left! And if that's done, all bets are off! Juvia belongs to Kyôka! Game over!"

"What's the point?" Natsu slumped his legs on a rock in disappointment, "I'm completely out of ideas. I was about to get back to Fairylantica and inform King Makarov that Juvia's gonna be the property of a banished sea witch, but I can't risk telling the fate of someone with a spell she alone can break. But with all the time left…"

Lucy interrupted, "You know, Natsu… I think Gray now has feelings for Juvia. Back at the lagoon, I could see his heart beating like crazy as Juvia's when they were about to kiss."

Happy added, "Me too. All he needs is a little bit of time to figure out how he feels about her, and everything will be fine. Who knows? It might be before sunset."

Natsu smiled warmly, "You're right, guys. Love takes a little bit of time. Whatever happens next, we'll just have to wait and see." He sighed to himself sadly, "We can only hope…"

A cool, salty breeze blew in from the restless waves, weaving its way through the kingdom. While most of Lamia Scale Town slept in their nice, warm beds, Prince Gray strolled through the palace garden all alone. Sighing to himself, Gray had only one thing on his mind; the voice of the girl who rescued him from the sinking ship. He described her figure as beautiful as the sunlight, and her voice a swell of endless music. He even resorted to playing the same tune of the mystery girl on his flute over and over again to try and find the answer.

Still, the mystery girl continued to haunt his dreams. It spun Gray's mind round and round until it flew off. He can sense her laughter in the ripple of the waves against the shoreline, he can see her smiling in the moonlight, and he can hear her voice singing out a melody too lovely to withstand. Gray can't stop thinking about that dream girl even now. He had hoped with all his heart that the mystery girl could set him free, take him away to a brand new world…

"Gray?" Lyon's voice broke Gray out of his trance. Not too far away, Gray's best friend and faithful butler stood watching, concerned of Gray's melancholy. Gray was in many ways like a brother to him, and it pained him to see him like this. Sighing, he slowly approached Gray and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Gray," Lyon said. "Your father taught you a lot, but the one thing he ever wanted for you was to find the girl of your dreams." The latter said nothing, merely looking at his friend.

"But if I had to say, if there's anything better than any dream girl, it's one of flesh and blood. One warm and caring, and right before your eyes," Lyon smiled assuredly, gesturing to one of the palace windows as he walked away.

Looking up, Gray was met with the sight of Juvia, the silent beauty pacing in her room and brushing her hair with the 'dinglehopper', and he couldn't help but smile. Would she ever learn to use a comb instead of a fork? That's odd.

A moment later, Gray's smile faltered into a sad expression. Grasping his flute, he stared at it and began questioning his every thought. What did he really think he was chasing? His savior with a voice? Or an angel without one?

But that was just it. His so-called 'dream girl' was nothing more than that; a dream, a voice… True, he thought he saw her smiling down at him when he woke up on the beach, but what else did he know about her? Nothing, that's what. She may as well be nothing more than a siren – a beautiful voice that took control of his mind and sent his heart on a wild goose-chase looking for her.

There was the voice, and then there was Juvia – a girl, like Lyon said, of flesh and blood. True, he knew nothing about her background, her interests, or anything about her in that respect, but personality-wise, her heart was an open book. She went through life with a smile on her face and her heart on her sleeve, never taking a single moment for granted. He might have been after the heart of the voice, but he wasn't blind. He had known from the start that she was beautiful, and now he knew that that beauty wasn't confined to the surface.

It was only then that the thought struck him. Suppose he found that voice, then what? He would have a girl he knew nothing about, who – in all honesty – he only fell in love with because of her voice. And the cost to have her in his life? He'd lose the only girl he ever had genuine feelings for.

Clutching the pipe, Gray gazed at the night sky. He couldn't bear the thought of falling for two girls at once – he had to choose one. With a groan, he tossed the pipe out into the open ocean with all his strength. Standing tall, he gazed one last time at the ocean, before he turned back and made his way back to the castle. He was certain that nothing would come between him and his true love... whenever he finds one.

Just then, a beautifully eerie voice vocalized on the breeze. Gray was convinced he was just hearing things, but nevertheless went back to the balcony. Down on the beach right outside the palace, a young woman walked beside the waterline, her ever-so-familiar voice ringing loud and clear on the salty breeze. Leaning further over the balcony, Gray squinted, trying to get a better look. It was dark, but he could see her long dark hair and purple dress.

Suddenly, swirls of light were coming from the small gem around her forehead as she sang. Sneaking their way through the air, the invisible swirls of magic made their way up to him, seeping into Gray's head. Unaware of what's happening, the young prince felt his senses slowly slipping away, until his mind went black.

Life in Lamia Scale Town was almost always bright and cheerful; that anyone knew. But if there was one thing Lamia Scale Town was famous other than its breathtaking sunsets, pristine waters, festivals, entertainment, tour sites, and friendly townsfolk, it was the close-knit relationship between the kingdom and its royals. For ages, the Royal Family had been dearly loved by their subjects, especially the late King Silver and Queen Mika.

It was hardly surprising that news of their only son's engagement had spread through the streets like wild fire. The kingdom was buzzing with excitement, and it wasn't long before a certain Exceed caught wind of the gossip.

"JUVIA! JUVIA!" Happy cried loudly as he flew into his friend's guest bedroom, landing on the bed. "Juvia, wake up! Wake up! Wake up!" The sapphire-haired girl stirred from her sleep, sitting up and staring at the blue Exceed in confusion.

"I was just flying around town when I heard the news!" Happy continued. "Congratulations! I knew you could do it!" He then pulled Juvia into a hug, which she awkwardly hugged back, clueless as to what he's talking about. Released from the hug, Happy began jumping up and down in celebration, "Yeah! We did it! We did it! Oh, yeah! We're the best!"

Natsu yawned as he woke up and stretched his arms and legs. He jumped off the pillow and said, "Oh, hey, Happy. What's going on?"

"Don't worry, Natsu," Happy assured. "I already told Juvia the big news."

"What big news?" Natsu asked skeptically.

Happy laughed, ruffling Natsu's hair playfully, "Oh, like the two of you didn't know, huh? The whole town's buzzin' about Prince Gray gettin' himself hitched this afternoon!" Juvia and Natsu looked at him blankly. "You know, he's getting married," Happy clarified.

Juvia's eyes shot wide open, astonishment quickly flooding across her face, while Natsu's mouth dropped. He exclaimed, "Wait, what?! He's getting married? When did that happen?!"

"I don't know, but at any rate, you can fill me in with all the details," Happy replied. "I'm gonna tell Lucy the good news." He hugged Juvia again, "Just wanted to wish you the best of luck, Juvia. I'll see ya later at the wedding! I wouldn't miss it!" With that, he flew back out of the window.

Juvia sat on the bed, this unexpected news taking a moment to sink in. If Gray was planning to marry her this afternoon, that means he's fallen in love with her! Not only that, but at the end of the ceremony, after the vows had been said and the rings exchanged, they'd have to kiss each other, and she'll remain a human permanently. At last, a lifetime with her beloved prince was right around the corner!

Unable to sit still a moment longer, Juvia leapt to her feet, attempting to untangle her hair with her fingers. She kissed Natsu on the cheek, thanking him for everything he had done to help her the past two days. Juvia hurried out of the room and down the stairs as fast as her legs could carry her, the salmon crustacean hot on her heels. Her heart pounding wildly in her chest, she started planning what she would do when she saw Gray. When she found him, she'd run into his arms. He would hold her close. They would stay like that for a minute or two, before he gently pulled her in for their very first kiss…

Her love-struck daydream came to an abrupt halt when she saw Gray in the dining room with Lyon, and an unfamiliar woman holding tightly onto his arm. Gray was dressed in a blue handsome prince's outfit.

"Well, Gray, it appears I was mistaken," Lyon chuckled, clearly surprised. "That mystery girl of yours does exist! And I have to say, she's stunning."

Juvia peeked into the room, studying the 'mystery girl' as Natsu appeared at her side. The girl had long dark hair with two strands tied to a ponytail, and was wearing a purple dress and a small gem around her forehead.

"Congratulations, Miss… um…" Lyon shook the dark-haired girl's hand.

"Please, call me Samantha," the dark-haired girl corrected with a sweet giggle.

"So now that you've met your mystery woman, what do you want to do?" Lyon asked Gray.

"We wish to be married as soon as possible," Gray informed him, his voice soft and loving in an almost eerie sort of way.

"Married?" Lyon asked in bewilderment, before he shook his head briefly. "I mean, yes, of course. Absolutely. We'll make preparations for the event immediately. Of course, these things do take time—"

"This afternoon, Lyon," Gray insisted with an unknown firmness. "The wedding ship departs at sunset."

"Really? That soon?" Lyon asked, his head buzzing slightly. He then sighed, "Very well, Gray, as you wish."

Feeling as if a knife had gone through her chest, Juvia turned away from the room as tears started flowing down her cheeks. She then raced off and disappeared upstairs, pained by the sudden throbbing in her chest.

However, everyone was completely unaware that the 'mystery girl' was grinning wickedly, looking up at her glowing forehead gem. It appeared that everything had gone according to plan…

Several hours later, most of the kingdom had packed themselves onto a glorious wedding ship, which quickly came alive with joyous laughter and excited chatter. Everyone aboard was in their best clothes, eagerly awaiting Prince Gray and his bride; their soon-to-be king and queen.

As the ship pulled away from the shore, no one noticed Juvia lingering on the pier, watching on with tear-stained cheeks and a broken heart. The weight of her heavy heart dragging her down, her back slid down one of the pier's wooden pillars and she hugged her knees close to her chest. Natsu rested a gentle claw on her ankle, but it did no good to comfort her.

Juvia was unable to bear the thought of losing Gray to another woman, when he should be falling for her. The worst part is, he didn't even talk to her or look at her even before the wedding started. Instantly, all of the moments she shared with Gray – her Gray – flashed across her mind. Each memory made her tears flow faster, some of the droplets falling through the gaps in the pier and blending the ocean water. Burying her face in her arms, she sobbed harder than ever, completely unaware of her friends' sympathetic tears. In the distance, the sun was inches from touching the water as it began its descent.

Out at sea, Happy sailed through the air with his wings, singing a salty wedding tune as he went. His usually cheerful mood was something much stronger, his eyes glowing with a kind of ecstatic bliss. Today was his best friend's wedding to her one true love. At least, he thought it was…

Mysterious Voice: What a lovely little bride I'll make
My dear, I'll look divine

A voice sang from within the ship, laughing in a slightly 'unnerving' way. "Juvia?" Happy wondered, recognizing that voice anywhere. He may not be the smartest Exceed, but he had enough of a brain to know that something smelt fishy. Swooping down to the boat, he peeked in through the window. In the room, a young lady was twirling around the room in an elegant, white wedding dress, pinning back her dark hair.

Wedding Girl: Things are working out according
To my ultimate design

She pulled a single pin from her strands of hair and tossed it at the mirror. The pin crashed straight into the center of the glass, and Happy gulped as fragments of broken glass scattered across the wooden floor.

Wedding Girl: Soon, I'll have that little mermaid
And the ocean will be mine…

She climbed onto the dressing table and tilted the ruined mirror up. From the few large fragments still clinging to the backboard, the woman's reflection was revealed. But rather than a young girl, the mirror harbored a familiar cackling figure. It was Kyôka!

"The Sea Witch!" Happy gasped. He started flapping frantically, rambling about how he had to do something, only getting his senses back when he accidentally knocked his head into the window. Shaking himself, he flew for the dock to warn Juvia of the bad news.