Chapter 11: Arriving at the Foudre Estate
Lucy was jittery. The entire three-day journey to the Foudre estate was quiet, not even a bandit attempting to rob them. Even so, Lucy felt as though she was being watched and it set her on edge. When she brought it up to Freed he said that he too felt as if something was just not right, but there was nothing that they could do until something happened. Yet nothing happened, not even a time where the group had to unexpectedly stop, and it was making Lucy start to feel as if it was just a little too quiet of a trip. The carriage had just entered the Foudre grounds and was slowly making its way across the cobblestone path towards the main estate. Lucy noticed a small green flash as the carriage passed through the gates, the tell-tale sign of protective runes surrounding the estate. Lucy looked to Freed with a questioning look. Freed pointed behind the carriage as he spoke.
"I did that last year at Christmas. My little sister was being stalked after she turned down the proposal of a noble because he was, and I quote 'Too pushy with no sense of grace or fashion.'"
Lucy laughed lightly and rested her head on his shoulder as the main courtyard got closer, her thoughts once again returning to that awful feeling deep in her gut. The carriage finally came to a halt and the trio exited, entering the main house. Freed led Lucy and Mika through the halls and to his father's study, the staff taking their things to their rooms. Freed lightly knocked on the door of the study and then opened the door to allow Lucy and Mika in ahead of him. Lazare looked up from where he was sitting behind the desk and smiled, pushing his paperwork to the side.
"Freed! Lucy! How great it is to…um…Children…who's the little one?"
Lucy Pushed Mika lightly towards Lazare while she spoke, Mika taking the hint and walking up to the man with a smile.
"This is Mika, after a very odd turn of events we ended up being her guardians."
Lazare smiled even brighter and walked around his desk to crouch down in front of Mika, becoming eye level with her.
"Hi Mika. I'm Freed's father Lazare. It's very nice to meet you."
Mika smiled at Lazare and spoke softly.
"Nice to meet you too. You look a lot like daddy."
That struck something in Lazare, his eyes softening even more when he realized she was talking about Freed.
"Well he is my son." He tapped his chin as he continued to talk "which makes you my amazingly adorable granddaughter!"
"Does that mean I can call you grandpa?"
Lazare hugged the girl a happy smile on his face.
"That would make me very happy."
Freed and Lucy smiled as Lazare hugged Mika. After a couple more seconds Lazare picked Mika up and walked over to Freed and Lucy.
"Have you to gone to see your mother yet Freed? She's been extremely excited about you two attending the gala and I'm sure she's be ecstatic to know that Mika is here too."
"Not yet father, we have actually just arrived."
"You just get here and come to see me, I'm flattered! Come though. Your mother and siblings are probably already in the dining hall."
Freed nodded and left the room with Lucy and Lazare, who was still carrying Mika, close on his heels as he made his way to the dining room. When they got there Lucy noticed that there was three people sitting on one side of the table, all of them laughing and conversing happily. In the chair to the left of the head of the table was a woman with dark brown hair held in a bun and green eyes. Next to her was a guy with green hair that was cut in a slightly longer style then Lazare and who had green eyes as well. The final person seated at the table was a teenaged girl who also had very bright green hair held in a French braid and she had green eyes.
Lazare finally put Mika down by the chair to the right of his and sat down. Freed helped Mika into the tall chair next to his father before sitting down next to her. Lucy sat down on his other side as Lazare spoke.
"Mika, I want to introduce you to Michelle, she's your grandma. Next to her is Michael, your uncle. Next to Michael is your aunt Felecia."
Mika smiled brightly and waved.
"Hi. I'm Mika. I'm happy to meet you for the first time. Daddy says that you are all really super nice and I can't wait to get to know everyone a whole lot better."
Everyone at the table gushed at the cuteness of the little girl while the kitchen staff come with their meals. Lazare thanked them for their hard work as they were leaving and gave the staff the rest of the night off since they would be working extra hard the next day. Lucy smiled seeing Lazare's interaction with the staff. It was while Lucy was lost in this thought that Michelle decided to start conversation.
"Oh, Lucy dear, I may have gone a little overboard on ordering you a dress for the gala like Freed asked. They were all so pretty I couldn't help it! Especially since Felecia doesn't let me buy her clothes anymore."
Lucy laughed lightly.
"There are several piles of dressing waiting in the suite isn't there?"
"Quite possibly…But like I said, I got carried away. It was quite fun!"
"Well that just means I get to bother Freed to help me find the perfect one!" Lucy laughed when Freed groaned "Besides Mika here still needs a gown for the gala. She'll only be there for an hour or two but still needs something suitable… Plus it would give you two time to bond."
"Oh, that's a wonderful idea Lucy!" Michelle looked at Mika "So what do you think? Want to go shopping with me?"
Mika nodded her head softly.
"I would really like that grandma."
Everyone at the table smiled and continued to eat, the conversation flowing. Freed smiled as he watched everyone interact, he had been so afraid that there would be strain between his family and Lucy when everything first happened. Three times now his fears had been thrown out the window, and he couldn't be happier.
The Next Day ~
It was the day of the gala, and everyone in the Foudre house was running around getting ready. Well, everyone except for Mika that is. Michelle had kept Mika out well past midnight getting everything the young girl may need for her outfit. Lucy knew that she would son have to wake the slumbering child. With a sigh Lucy stopped helping prepare the house for guests, in lieu deciding to get ready for the gala herself. The night before it had taken Lucy several hours to pick from the dresses that Michelle had purchased for the occasion but had finally found the perfect one.
It was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. Unlike the other frilly and poufy dresses many wore to such parties, it was a sleek form-fitting gown that reached the floor. The dress was a sleeveless turtleneck style that featured mid-thigh high slits on both her left and right sides. It held a deep blue, almost purple, color with silver trim and spiraling sequins. If looked at from afar the dress would appear to be a representation of the night sky. Lucy paired the dress with silver six-inch stilettos and silver bangles. She maneuvered her hair into a high bun that was held in by intricate silver and blue chopsticks. Her make-up was also very simple, so it didn't take away from the dress. She featured a clear lip gloss, silver eyeshadow, and very thin black eyeliner.
The now fully dressed and ready Lucy walked out of the in suite bathroom to see Freed also fully dressed, but he looked much different then he usually did. In a good way. He has traded his usual red suit for a black tuxedo with a silver shirt, cufflinks, and hankie. By far the biggest difference however was his hair. His usual low pony was long forgotten and in its stead was now a high ponytail, several strands free and framing his face. It gave him a noble air that Lucy both despised and loved. Freed looked up from what he was doing and saw Lucy, a smile adorning his face.
"You look magnificent Lucy. Absolutely stunning…"
"You look quite handsome yourself. I love your hair like that."
Freed smiled his voice softening dangerously.
"I may have to keep it this way then, if you love it so much. Oh, I have something for you."
Freed pulled a box out of his pocket and handed it to her gently, she opened it to see a beautiful silver necklace with a topaz drop encased with small silver decals holding the stone in place. Lucy picked up the delicate chain to examine it closer, amazed at its beauty. Freed took the necklace and had her turn around, helping put the piece of jewelry on her while his voice remained soft.
"It belonged to my great grandmother. She passed it to her daughter, which passed it to my mother, and now she is passing it to you."
"I can't accept something like this! Felecia should have it."
Freed chuckled a little.
"It is meant to go the Lady of the house; you will be the next lady of the house so it's only fitting."
Lucy teared up and smiled, looking back to a see Freed smiling gently at the look of his great grandmother's necklace on her.
"It fits you perfectly, almost as if it was made for you."
"Thank you. I love it." Lucy looked around. "Um… where is Mika she was here before I went to change."
"Mother came and got her, apparently Mika wants her outfit to be a surprise."
"Oh? The it must be adorable. I can't wait to see our little Mika in a pretty dress!"
"Me either." Freed offered her his arm with a grin "That being said, we should make our way down to the ballroom, the guests should be arriving very shortly if they have not already. My father and brother will be greeting guests while the girls get ready."
Lucy hooked her arm in his with a giggle.
"Well let's head down then."
Freed and Lucy walked down to the ballroom arm in arm, socializing with a few new arrivals as they passed them in route to the ballroom. When they finally arrived in the grand ballroom it was to see Mika dancing playfully with her grandmother Michelle. Mika looked like a princess to Freed and Lucy. She wore a frilly gold gown with silver accents. The dress itself was short-sleeved with a square neckline, flaring at the hips into a perfectly sized basket skirt. The dress was paired with gold flats and jewelry. The small girl's long hair was French braided with small gold flower barrettes to keep her unruly bangs in place and away from her face. The couple stayed near the entrance of the ballroom, watching Mika prance around with her grandmother, giggling and smiling the entire time. All too soon the ballroom began to fill more and more. It was a total of fifteen minutes later that Lazare took the mic in hand and welcomed the guests.
"Welcome everyone to the annual winter gala! I am very honored to be able to welcome everyone here this year. Today's gala has been blessed with so many wonderful things happening not long before it. For starters I wish to congratulate everyone who has recently married or gotten engaged. May your lives with your partners be forever filled with joy and love."
Several in the audience blushed when everyone clapped. Once the applause dies down Lazare continued.
"Secondly, it is my great honor to announce that my eldest son Freed has taken a wife and secured his place as the next head of my house. In addition to this wondrous news my son and daughter-in-law have also brought an amazing young girl into the family as well. I am proud to introduce Lucy and Mika Foudre!"
Applause once again filled the air, this time it being much louder and longer. Once it died down Lazare finished his small speech.
"And without further ado, please eat, drink, dance, socialize, and enjoy the gala!"
Everyone gave one last round of applause as the music started. Mika quickly made her way to her parents and the party began. Everyone laughed and danced long into the night. Freed and Lucy allowing Mika to stay the entire time even though they had said earlier she could only stay for a little while. Little did they know that there was danger lurking right behind the corner.
~ 3 a.m. the next morning ~
Mika awoke in a cold sweat, a nightmare raking through her system. She looked around for her parents just for them not to be anywhere in her sight. When she had fallen asleep the night before she was tucked securely in between her parents, them cuddling her to keep the nightmares at bay. She took another look around the large bed and surrounding room, but they were both gone. Terrified, Mika got out of the warm, soft, bed and began to franticly search for her parents. Each passing second making her worry more as she searched through the estate. She looked everywhere for her missing parents: The suite, bathroom, library, kitchen, dining room, ballroom, everything. She had somehow come to stop in front of her grandparent's door in her searching and decided it was time to ask for help. She knocked frantically on the door. When the door finally opened it was to show a sleepy Lazare. When he saw the small girl in front of his door he crouched down to look her in the eyes.
"What is wrong sweetie?"
"It's mommy and daddy. There gone! I'm so scared grandpa."
The tears she had been holding back fell down her cheeks in rivers, her grandfather wrapping her in his arms to comfort her.
"Tell me what happened Mika."
"I don't know grandpa. I woke up because I had a bad dream and they were both gone. I looked everywhere grandpa, but I couldn't find them and I know they wouldn't just leave because they promised to never leave me all alone."
Lazare furred his brow and picked up the small girl, bringing her into the room and laying her gently on the bed as he woke Michelle with a light shake.
"Get some rest Mika, I'll figure out where they are."
Mika nodded as Michelle stirred, rubbing her eyes lightly, her drowsiness vanishing when she realized the urgency in the room. She gently played with Mika's hair as she waited for Lazare to explain what was going on.
"Freed and Lucy have gone missing. With what Mika said I'm sure there was foul play involved. See if you can pull up the security lacrimas."
"Yeah. I'll look for it right now."
Michelle got up and went to her desk, pickling up a small viewing lacrima. She infused magic into the device and began to rewind the footages until she saw someone who was not on the guest lists, staff lists, and was not a family member exit Freed and Lucy's room with two human sized sacks in tow. She continued to watch the feed until the culprits left the estate looking for any clues as to who they were. After rewatchig the footage eight times she finally found something, one of the men was wearing the Bosconian crest.
"Lazare, contact Makarov and the Princess. The kidnappers where from Bosco."
"Bosco? You don't think it was that sleazy Duke, do you?"
"No idea my dear, but this is call for war between Fiore and Bosco. A no... two nobles rather, were kidnapped by a foreign country."
Lazare nodded and picked up his communication lacrima, powering it and dialing Princess Hisui. She had an irritated voice when she answered.
"Lord Foudre, I hope this is a matter worthy of calling in the middle of the night."
"I apologize for calling at such an hour, however something has happened."
"What's the issue Lord Foudre?"
"Freed, and more importantly Lucy, has been kidnapped by agents wearing the Bosconian Crest."
Princess Hisui narrowed her eyes at the thought of Bosco stealing her dear friend.
"How long ago."
"The recordings says they left the estate around an hour ago."
"I see. I will mobilize the Fiorian army to intercept anyone going towards Bosco and contact ERA. Send me the recording so I can submit it to ERA, then you should call Makarov. Have him assemble the legal guilds under my order. Fiore is going to war, I refuse to stand for this treachery any longer. The Duke of Bosco will pay."
"As you wish Princess."
Hisui cut off the connection and went to do what she had said over Lacrima. Lazare quickly dialed Makarov when the connection with Hisui ended. When Makarov answered he was in his usual cheerful and peppy attitude.
"Lazare! How wonderful to hear from you! How are Freed and Lucy enjoying the gala?"
"Makarov, something happened which is why I called. Freed and Lucy were kidnapped by Bosco. The Princess is mobilizing the Fiorian army and contacting ERA for more support. However, she also asked me to have you ready the guilds. Apparently, she's fed up with the Duke of Bosco and Fiore is going to war."
Makarov's face was grim.
"There's more to it isn't there Lazare?"
"There is. I fear that even if the army intercepts the kidnappers that they won't be able to do much. The army has very few mages, yet the people who took Freed and Lucy were able to do so without a trace or struggle. They must be powerful mages themselves. Especially since they also bypassed Freed's runes."
Makarov nodded and thought for a minute, his once cheerful attitude now long gone.
"I will assemble a team and the guilds. We will bring Freed and Lucy home, and then we will wreak havoc on those who dare challenge Fairy Tail, Fiore, and the safety of those who we represent."
The lacrima went blank once again, signaling that Makarov had left the conversation to prepare. Lazare looked at the sleeping forms of his wife and granddaughter. The shock and urgency of the situation wearing off and something completely different taking its place: Grief. The same type of whole hearted soulful grief he felt when the Tenrou incident happened, but it was twice as bad. In a matter of twenty-four hours he had gained a granddaughter but lost a son and daughter. The tears flowed down his cheeks softly as he quietly cried.
"No… Not again. Not my boy. Not my sweet daughter in law. It's all happening again…Mavis help us."
That night is stormed, as if the heavens themselves were crying