"JUVIA!"
Juvia was surprised that she swam past Lucy and hid behind a rock. She peeked over it to see a merman holding a trident watching Lucy cautiously.
It was her dad.
And he hated intruders.
"Who are you?" His voice boomed over the waves.
"I... I fell over a ship..." Lucy said, avoiding his scary eyes.
Juvia looked over to her new friend. Lucy was the first girl who agreed to become Juvia's friend. But Juvia was scared of her father. He didn't like any other species apart from fish, crustaceans or the mer-people. He believed that it was because of them that his brother died. Juvia was always fond of other species, though her father forbids it. If he realizes that she talked to Lucy, she might be grounded for the rest of her life.
Juvia's knuckles turned white from holding the rock too hard.
"Don't lie!" Juvia's father demanded.
Lucy shuddered and bit her lip. She was trying her best not to cry at this very intimidating man in front of her.
"I-I was kidnapped b-by d-d-demons." Lucy stuttered.
'Demons?'
Juvia had heard tales about demons. They were horrible creatures who had no heart and tortured creatures for fun. Juvia had seen nets being thrown to her home and capturing little, helpless fish and crabs in it.
Juvia's father looked at the little girl in front of him. She was a tiny, frail child who had definitely gone through some sort of torture. She was dressed in a simple white dress and her hair was everywhere. She looked like she was about to cry and he wondered if it was because of him.
You see... Juvia's father - named Liam - wasn't a scary man. He was just overprotective of his people. After the death of his brother, he became strict and made rules in which mer-people were forbidden to interact with other species. He believed that other species might destroy the peace he cultivated in the sea.
Liam lowered his trident and slowly swam up to the little girl. She was shivering - in fear or because it was cold, he did not know. He was about to say something when Juvia swam up in front of Lucy. She had her arms covering Lucy in a protective manner.
"Lucy is Juvia's friend! Please don't hurt her, Father." Juvia whispered.
Liam was surprised. Then angry. He had taught Juvia better than this. He had taught Juvia to never trust someone she just met. Especially, a different species.
But perhaps, perhaps she was lonely. Maybe that's why Juvia became friends with Lucy as soon as she met her. Maybe he had been neglecting her.
He replaced the frown on his face with a smile.
"I see."
Juvia looked up at her father. He was smiling and Juvia felt hopeful about Lucy being able to stay.
Liam turned to Lucy.
"What's your name?"
"L-Lucy." Lucy squeaked.
"What species are you?"
"A nymph."
Juvia gasped. Liam's eyes widened.
"You... are a nymph?"
Lucy nodded, not understanding what all the fuss is about.
"Are you sure?"
"Certain," Lucy replied.
He looked at her again, studying her head to toe.
She looked familiar somehow.
"Any relation to Layla Heartfilia?" he asked.
"She's my mother. Do you know her?" Lucy asked innocently.
Liam was shocked.
And then he smiled, in a loving manner.
'So you did manage it, Layla. And Jude.'
"How would you like to live with us in Namidamizu?"
"Eh?"
"It's our kingdom's name!" Juvia replied.
"Oh."
"Well?" Liam pushed.
"I would love to!" Lucy replied with a smile.
"Wow..." Lucy gasped.
It was a beautiful kingdom. Namidamizu was shaped like a teardrop and was beautiful. The houses and palace were made with wet sand and stones. Corals and shells adorned the walls and roofs. The pathways - if you could call it that - were lined with seashells on the side.
It was in a word: beautiful. The most beautiful thing Lucy had ever seen in her life. Though, to be fair, she has only lived for six years.
"Come on! Come on!" Juvia was ushering Lucy to follow her. Through the streets and pathways, Juvia dragged Lucy behind her.
"Where are we going?" Lucy asked. Her legs hurt from keeping up with Juvia. She was such a fast swimmer.
"To the castle, of course!"
"This is the castle."
"Yup!" Juvia replied, her tail swishing with excitement.
"And, this is where you live?"
"Yup!"
Lucy gasped at the size of the castle. It was huge and even more beautiful on the inside. Photos of every king and queen were hung around the corridors and fish were floating in between. Lucy loved that fact that fish and creatures lived with the mer-people. She wished this was how nymphs lived.
"Do you like it?" Juvia asked, nervousness evident in her voice.
"Of course!" Lucy shouted.
Juvia smiled.
Lucy loved the castle. Her aunt never let her out of the house and she was stuck there for all eternity. She always wanted to explore the world and its beauties and now she finally had the chance!
She was a little sad though.
Sad for leaving her home.
Sad for leaving all the books.
Sad for leaving her aunt alone.
'But Loke-nii is there, he would look after her!'
Juvia was still dragging her down the hallways to her room.
"Wait!" Lucy called out.
"What's that?"
"What's what?"
"The big doors over there?" Lucy pointed at doors located at the end of the corridor, where they came from.
"Why? Juvia asked.
"I swear I saw some books. But, that's impossible because books can't survive underwater."
Juvia smiled.
"You saw books, alright? It's Juvia's and her father's books. Do you like to read?"
Lucy nodded, eagerly.
Juvia swam back and opened the huge doors and inside was heaven.
For Lucy anyway.
Books.
Books.
And, more books.
"Oh my goodness!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Do you like it?" Juvia asked.
"I love it!" Lucy squealed.
Juvia giggled.
"You can read but promise Juvia something first."
"Promise you what?" Lucy asked.
"Promise to be Juvia's best friend forever."
Lucy smiled and locked her pinky with Juvia's.
And that's how Lucy came to live in the kingdom of Namidamizu and came to be Juvia's best friend.