Lucy and her company were staying in the Millionaire Suite. Empire style lodgings, compromising two bedrooms, a bath, a wardrobe room, and a large sitting room. In addition there was also a private 50 foot promenade deck just outside. Dan was drinking a glass of champagne served by the service waiter while Lucy was decorating her suite with new paintings she had purchased.

"Those mud puddles were certainly a waste of money." Dan scoffed at the piece Lucy was slowly taking out of it's case.

"You're wrong. They're fascinating." She said admiring the cubist portrait. "It's like a beautiful dream and there's truth without logic."

"Please, artists are nothing more than foolish dreamers who can't make it in any business. I can't imagine seeing any truth or beauty in this garbage."

Lucy held back a frustrated sigh. Splendid, another thing about Lucy that Dan had criticized and belittled. That's pretty much all he ever did since they had met. He belittled her love of art and dance, he laughed her desire to go traveling, and he was always telling her what to say and how to act. He was almost just like her father.

Lucy Heartfilia had been born into a life of luxury and splendor, and for eight years it was a very happy life, because she had spent most of her days with her dear mother and although her father was a busy man, he made time for her and his wife. But then she lost her mother to smallpox and after that father devoted himself solely to money and work. He used to own a shirt-making factory back in England and would spend nearly every hour of everyday there, leaving her to be raised by servants. The only time he ever spoke to her was to instruct her on how to be his proper daughter. He told her that she was to be obedient and quiet. Anything less and she would disgrace him. Needless to say, the remainder of her childhood had been empty and lonely.

However things only became worse once she reached young adulthood because that was when her father's factory went out of business and he was left in debt. Jude Heartfilia absolutely refused to live any life that was at the bottom or in the middle, he wanted to remain right at the top and in those times there's was only one way to ensure that given his circumstances. His daughter had to marry someone richer and more successful than he had been.

Dan's father owned several steel making factories, the most popular were in England and America. Dan was to assume ownership of the American factory which would make him one of the richest men in all the world so of course Jude thought he'd be the perfect husband for Lucy. Not only was Dan rich but he was good-looking, sophisticated, adored by high-society, Jude was certain that it would be a perfect match.

"It smells so brand new Miss." Levy cried cheerfully as they explored the richly furnished bedroom complete with vanity and canopy-style bed. "Like they built it all just for us. I mean, just think that tonight, when I crawl between the sheets I'll be the first."

"And when I crawl between the sheets tonight, I'll still be the first." He smirked, looking at Lucy with lust-filled eyes.

Both Lucy and Levy blushed at his innuendo. Their discomfort was furthered when Dan came up to Lucy and put his hands on her shoulders, which was an act of possession rather than intimacy.

"The first and only." He breathed against her neck. "Forever."

Lucy didn't like Dan. She didn't like him at all. He was arrogant, self-centered, inconsiderate, and horribly perverse. There was no number for how many times that lecherous weasel had tried to fondle her when no one was looking, just feeling his hands on her made her ill. She had put off going to bed with him for as long as she could, claiming that it would tarnish her father's reputation and perhaps that excuse would still work while they were on this ship, but once they were married she wouldn't be able to fend him off any longer.

"Excuse me sir." Lecy spoke up, being the only person able to recognize Lucy's disgust. "But I think Mr. Heartfilia mentioned discussing something with you. He's in the saloon I believe."

"Very well."

Finally he left Lucy alone.

"Thank you Levy, I owe you."

"Oh do not concern yourself." Levy said. "I've had my fair share of unwanted admirers. But at least I was able to avoid them forever."

"It won't be so bad." Lucy said. "After all, this is how marriage is for women like me, and we always find a way to be content with such matters."

Though Lucy was mostly trying to convince herself of that rather than her maid.

"Miss, do you mind if I take a moment to familiarize myself with the ship?" Levy asked. "It's just so I don't get lost. I have to be at your side when you call and to accomplish that better I should know where everything is-"

"Levy."

"Yes?"

"If you want to explore the ship just ask." Lucy said with a smile.

Levy smiled back.

"I'll return before tea." She assured her mistress before exiting the suite.

Juvia threw herself on to the mattress of the lower bunk bed and smiled into the pillow. It had been so long since she had felt the warmth and softness of a suitable bed. She had spent countless nights sleeping on a cold kitchen floor, underneath a leaky roof and next to drafty walls, it was a miracle that she had never caught pneumonia. What made it even better was that her brother was going to sleep in a warm and cozy bed too. Growing up, he always let her have the only blanket they were given and allowed her to sleep closer to the hearth where they cooked their meals. He was the oldest child so that was to be expected, but she couldn't help but feel that it wasn't fair to him.

"I can't believe we're actually here." She said, watching Gajeel unpack their knapsack. "And we're on our way to America. Oh I've always wanted to see America. Do you remember when Da used to tell us stories about America?"

"Aye. I do." Gajeel said. "He said that it was like Tír na nÓg. An island of beauty far to the west where hunger, thirst, and homelessness does not exist, and music is celebrated all around."

"And just think, once we're in America you'll become a famous musician just like Da wanted to be."

"God willing."

"I wish there was something special I could do in America. Something that could make me famous like your music will do for you."

"What are you talking about? You've got something special. You have the voice of an angel, you could probably become America's most famous singer."

"Oh no Gajeel." She said modestly. "You know I could never perform on stage, with everybody staring at me. I'd be too nervous."

"And her place is not out there on stage." An emotionless voice spoke. "It is with me in our new house. Your father is gone and you children are grown, someone needs to take care of me."

If one word could be used to describe their stepmother Selene, it would be icy. She was dazzling and pretty like ice. In her youth she had been a famous stage actress and was greatly adored for her looks. She had even done some modeling and once served as a pin up girl. This made her very proud and vain. One of her favorite things to do was gaze at her reflection in a mirror and imagine that there was an adoring crowd applauding her.

But also like ice, she was cold and unfeeling. Off the stage and away from cameras, she behaved hatefully. When rumors spread about her true personality, she decided to disprove them by marrying a poor lighthouse keeper who's wife had died giving birth to his youngest child and only daughter, while the oldest child and his only son was still just a boy. She played the role of the good, sweet wife and mother well. She kissed the widower romantically and would act as though she would worship him. She embraced his children and promised to love them as her own.

When they first married, she was barely around. She was either on stage or attending parties, only being near her husband and stepchildren for show. Then she became old. Too old to act in any shows requiring an ingenue, and she was dismissed. But she blamed it on the family she had married into. She said that a husband and children had made her look old and that was why she had lost her career. So she resented all three of them.

The lighthouse keeper would have left her and taken his children with him, but she threatened to cry rape and the world would believe her because she was a very talented actress. So he stayed married to her and endured her abuse while sheltering his children from it the best he could. But all that misery she inflicted on him became too much for his heart to bear and it gave out.

He died just like his first wife did and his children were left to the mercy of his second wife. Gajeel, his son, took over his father's profession to support them. His daughter Juvia stayed home and was made into their stepmother's slave. She kept all decent clothes for herself and gave them poorly made clothing. The bedroom they shared was made into another private room for her while they slept in the kitchen. If they ever tried to leave or disobeyed her, or displeased her, she would lash them. They were only children at the time so they were afraid and they were too poor to go anywhere else.

"Juvia unpack my things." She said admiring her reflection in a hand mirror.

"Yes ma'am." Juvia got up from the bed and did as she was told.

"I am going to the general room to mingle." She said. "While I'm gone, Gajeel make yourself useful and learn what we're allowed to do on this ship, and Juvia you are not to leave the cabin until I come back."

"But I was wondering if I could go explore the ship." Juvia said.

"I said that you were not to leave this cabin. Do as I say or else."

She was calm but Juvia trembled as though she yelled.

"Yes ma'am." She sighed in a melancholic tone.