Chapter 15: Watching From the Shadows
The day after the Fairytail party Lazare left Magnolia to return to the Foudre Estate. Currently the family was standing in front of the train station, waiting for the loud speaker to announce it was time for Lazare to board the train. Mika was at the guild, socializing with Romeo and Wendy. Lucy and Freed were talking with Lazare.
"Oh. By the way. I'll be mailing over some documents that I need you to look over Freed. They have to do with adding Mika into the inheritance of the Estate just in case anything happens to you two."
"I'll keep an eye out. It would be wise to have her left something in case me and Lucy are injured or killed on a mission. I also need to make sure that there is documents transferring guardianship to you and mother in that same circumstance."
Lazare nodded, and Lucy tapped her chin as she spoke.
"Yeah, if anything were to happen to us I don't want to be unprepared. Not like last time. I'm just grateful that Princess Hisui gave you temporary guardianship. I would have hated for her to have been placed in foster care for that month when there was family."
Both Freed and Lazare nodded sadly. Lucy looking at the ground as she thought about it. After a couple of seconds, the loud speaker called for boarding. Lazare smiled lightly and waved as he turned and boarded the train.
"Come visit soon you two and bring my sweet granddaughter along too."
Freed and Lucy smiled with a gentle wave as they watched him board the train. Once he was out of sight the duo left the station and headed to the guild hall. It took them about ten minutes to walk from the station to the guild hall. The two were just about to enter the property when they saw a cloaked figure looking in one of the windows. They both stopped, Freed resting a hand on his rapier while Lucy had a hand on her keys. Freed spoke, his voice clear and demanding authority.
"Can we help you?"
The cloaked figure stiffened and turned just enough for Freed to see a wicked grin before they ran off. Freed looked into the window the figure was and saw Mika sitting in its direct line of sight. Wendy, Carla, and Romeo sitting around her. Freed narrowed his eyes and rushed inside, Lucy close on his heels. Everyone in the guild stilled and looked at the doors that were just snapped open. Freed looked around for Makarov, and when he didn't see him began to head upstairs to the offices. Lucy frowned and followed her husband upstairs, Laxus followed the two mages concerned. Soon everyone returned to what they were doing.
Makarov was sitting at his desk doing paperwork when Freed burst into his office, Lucy and Laxus close on his heels. Makarov looked up with a confused look as Laxus sat in the leather recliner and Lucy stood next to Freed.
"Freed, this is quite unlike you. What's wrong?"
"There was a cloaked figure staring into the guild, directly at my daughter. When I asked how I could help them they ran off as if they did not belong there. I think it may be a sign of another attempt to take Mika back to her biological father."
Makarov frowned at hearing this and looked at the group in front of him. Laxus had visibly stiffened, tears were threatening to fall from Lucy's eyes, and anger was clear in Freed's eyes. Makarov sighed and pushed his papers to the side. It was a difficult and sensitive situation.
"This is indeed troublesome. Laxus my boy, what do you think we should do?"
Makarov smiled when Laxus looked at him wish shock, he could tell that he was going through several different options in his head.
"Well our main priority is Mika's safety, however that will be as simple as having the Raijinshuu stay over at Freed and Lucy's. We also don't know who her father is, that should also be a main priority. From the last attack it's obvious that whoever is after Mika is at minimum an upperclassman, maybe even a noble. We need some sort of power play, so we can investigate the rich and famous, maybe even get Levy to research the nobles and upperclassmen to see if there is any similarities between them and what we know of the girl's father."
Makarov nodded and rapped his fingers on his desk thinking.
"Indeed, Freed is there anything your father may be able to do?"
Freed's eyebrows furrowed as he thought.
"He may be able to organize a party where we would be in close quarters with many nobles."
Makarov nodded and pulled out a communication lacrima dialing Freed's father. The green haired man picked up the lacrima with a smile.
"Makarov! It's good to see you old friend."
"Lazare, great to see you again. I have some things to discuss with you."
Lazare's demeanor slowly turned from happy to sour as Makarov and Freed told him everything. It then began to rise again when Laxus stated his plan.
"Hm. I think it may work. I'll plan the gathering for one month from today. All the Nobles and upperclassmen would have enough time to prepare and travel. I will also open it to the guilds. It will be a party for the safe return of Freed and Lucy."
"Indeed. I'll send formal invitations to the guild masters of Sabertooth, Blue Pegasus, and Mermaid Heel. Freed and Lucy, you two explain to Mika what's going on and get ready to leave for the Foudre estate. Laxus get your team ready, and anyone else who would act appropriately at a party like this. Especially Mirajane, Erza, and Wendy."
Laxus nodded and left the room to do what he was told, Freed and Lucy following close behind. Makarov and Lazare continued to talk while the trio left the room, the soft click of the door cutting Freed and Lucy off from the conversation. Laxus was already long gone so the duo went to go find their daughter. Mika was still sitting with Wendy and Romeo, a smile on her face. They approached the table calmly, a soft smile on their faces.
"Mika my dear, it's time to go home. We have some things to talk about."
Mika looked up at her father and nodded. She then stood and gave her two companions a hug before weaving her arms in Freed and Lucy's.
"So, mama, papa, what's so important?"
Lucy smiled and laughed lightly.
"What's so important is the fact we have to pack. Your grandfather is holding a party in our honor, all of the guilds and nobles will be there so we have to go get ready. Even uncle Laxus is coming."
Mika's face lit up.
"Really?! Uncle Laxus is coming! What about auntie Mira?"
Freed was the one to answer his daughter.
"She's coming as well as your Aunt Erza."
Mika smiled even brighter and began to run home.
"Come on mama, papa! We have to get ready!"
Freed and Lucy continued down the road, completely oblivious to the dark entity that was watching from the shadows. The figure chuckled and looked at the family with envy and hate. "Soon I will not only fulfil the job I was hired to do, but extract my own pleasure from it as well. Watch out little Fairies, because soon I will rip off your wings."