My name is Lucy Heartfilia, and today was just a normal day, wandering around the castle of Fiore, white brick on every wall and pillar and the Heartfilia insignia around every corner. 12 gold stars in a circle and a massive one in the middle surrounded by navy fabric. It represents the 12 zodiacs, my family lineage having keys to at least a few. However many years ago a powerful celestial wizard, Anna Heartfilia gathered the 12 zodiac and summoned the Celestial King, asking him to grant her a wish in exchange for something most precious to her.

Nobody really knows what she wished for or what she sacrificed as it was over 7000 years ago, but after the wish the keys were scattered along the land, only 3 making it back to the heartfilia family. Virgo, Leo, and Aquarius, and I was gifted them on my 13th birthday and told the story of my ancestors by my father, and have loved them ever since.

Since then the Hearfilia family had searched for the remaining 9, my mother supposedly being one of them, disappearing late one night nearly 20 years ago now. But being a human in a world of fantasy creatures my father has been sending out adventurers ever since, even criminals if it means a chance to find his love again.

Being an elf however means she will live far longer than him, already living nearly 200 years herself. But he would do anything to find my mother, even if it means sacrificing his mortality.

Me being a half-elf means that I age rather quickly compared to a normal human, much like my mother. But unlike my mother who seemingly stops aging at a certain point, I continue to age. Already being 27 in human years, and having lost my mother when I was only 7.

There are many other races in the world that I've read about, there's of course the elves, half-elves and humans, but also dwarves. Men and women with skin as hard as stone and a desire to forge with some living in mountains, our kingdom having a few running the local blacksmiths.

There's also Halflings, a smaller human united with nature, living in meticulously crafted holes in the ground. I've always wanted to see a halfling hole, only ever seeing them drawn in the kingdom's library.

The next few are the more "sinister" races according to a lot of people, tieflings of the underworld and dragon slayers. Tieflings being born of hatred and malice according to historians, horns and a tail making them stand out from the crowd. However some tieflings are missing their tail or horns, or sometimes both, and nobody really knows why. Some speculate it could be because of battles in the underworld, others think it's a way to pass as a human to seduce them into following them to the underworld, being nicknamed succubus, or succubi.

Dragon slayers are similar to tieflings in that they both have horns and a tail, but unlike the tieflings, they have dragon blood infused in them, giving them scales that run along their skin hence the name dragon slayer. They also have horns missing sometimes, many thinking it's a way to blend in with tieflings and go into the underworld, but with their scales I'm not so sure.

There's so much about the world that I would love to learn about, different cultures and races, and different kinds of magic. But for right now my favorite place is the castle library.

Massive floor to ceiling bookshelves on every wall, white brick pillars scattered around in a uniform pattern and windows on the back wall and ceiling, casting the room in a lovely warm light in the mornings. Plush couches in the middle over a dark blue rug with the night sky sewn on it, and desks against the back wall, having a giant window there looking into the courtyard. It was my favorite place to be in the morning just reading the random books that lay there, history of the kingdom and other non-fiction books.

But my favorites were the adventure books, fully immersing myself in the adventures of the characters inside. Magic and love make me wish to have my own adventure, traveling the world and hopefully finding the other zodiac keys to reunite them with the Heartfilia family. But my father would never let that happen, already losing his wife. He's been rather protective of me, not letting me leave the castle unless absolutely necessary.

However, around noon there was gossip around the castle. I'm not much of an eavesdropper but what they were saying piqued my interest. I wandered around the halls for a bit, just seeing if I could pick up on any conversation through the stone walls.

And as I was about to round the corner of the throne room, giant white stone pillars blocking my view I overheard conversation, and I recognized the voice as my father, king Jude Heartfilia.

"Now, travelers I've heard that you 3 have burst into my kingdom's tavern and started a brawl, and not only have you damaged property, but also nearly killed one of my own men. Now, please explain yourselves."

After he finishes, I slowly peak my head around the pillar I was hiding behind and catch a glimpse of the travelers my father was talking about.

Kneeled before the throne are two men and a woman, however their appearances catch me off guard.

The woman looks to be a human, dark brown eyes and bright red hair adorned with silver beads cut off around her breasts as her bangs fall gently against her forehead, swaying slightly as she leans forwards. An iron chestplate covers one breast and a navy tunic covers her top as black trousers wrap around her legs, shielding them from the world. At her waist a belt with a rather large silver sword, sheathed in a leather holster. And at her feet are leather boots, stopped at her knees and having decorative belts around her ankles, serving no real utility besides looks.

Next to her kneel one of the men, dark blue eyes and shiny black hair stops just below his pointy ears as 2 horns protrude just above his forehead, black at the tips and white the rest of the way matching his pale skin. He doesn't wear as much as the woman, merely a navy vest going down towards the back of his knees with white cuffs and a collar reaching up to his ears. On the right side of his body lay a solid black tattoo, nearly covering his breast as it travels up his neck and seeping up to his eye. White puffy trousers sit on his legs as black belts wrap around them and stop at his leather boots halfway up his calves.

His scowl is almost frightening given his appearance as he eyes the woman next to her as she speaks, a deep yet stern voice explaining how the 3 of them didn't mean to start the fight, or accidentally hit the bar patron with magic that may have almost killed them. They just tend to get a bit excited at the prospect of a fight after years on the road.

As she continues to talk to the king I look over at the last man, peach hair spiked in the front and falling to his pointy ears as well. He's also not wearing much, simply a vest but sleeveless on the right side and black with orange trim. He also wears bandages on his left forearm with a black bracelet and a white scarf around his neck, barely covering a scar on his cheek and red scales adorning his neck and forehead. And around his waist lay an orange sash and the bottom of his vest stopping just below his knees, his white puffy pants doing the same as he only wears a pair of sandals on his feet. More red scales sit on his exposed skin, scattered around in seemingly random places but not in any bend of the joint from what I can tell.

I continue to look at the man before he looks my way, sending a chill down my spine as his olive eyes seem to stare into my soul. To my surprise he gives me a small smile before I dart around the pillar hiding from his view. My face begins to heat from embarrassment after getting caught before my father says something after a deep sigh that makes my ears perk up.

"I understand that you are powerful adventurers, and I understand that you didn't mean to start a brawl. However, as a personal request I must ask you, if I let you go will you help me in finding my missing wife?"

The question seems to catch the group off guard, making them jump with wide eyes to stare at my father. But after a short pause to gain their composure the woman speaks again, "Of course your majesty, I must thank you for your understanding and not sending us to the brig, as much as I feel we deserve it. However I must ask, why us?"

Curious of my father's answer I carefully peek around the pillar, careful to keep out of view of my father but also the man who spotted me. To little surprise he lets out a small sigh and sinks deeper into his throne, the one next to him empty, adorned with dark blue leather and gold stars over the top, his once brown hair now grey with age and stress lay long to his shoulders, and dark bags under his eyes prominent even from my distance, due to sleepless nights without his love.

"You see, " He starts solemnly, "it's been nearly 20 years since she left in the night, not a trace of her disappearance. And I can't run her kingdom alone, I need her by my side, and our daughter needs her mother back.." I watch as my father bows his head after spilling his heart out, a tear forming in his eyes that silently falls from his cheek into his mustache, making my heart ache for my father. "I beg of you please, help me find my queen."

My throat tightens as wetness drips from my chin, not noticing I've also begun to cry. I quickly wipe them away before turning my attention back to the group in front of him, their faces also morphed into sadness some more than others.

Before the woman has a chance to speak, the dark haired man says something, making my stomach clench and everyone stare at him in disbelief. "Are we going to be getting paid for finding her? I mean, if you're asking us to go out of our way to find your wife, surely we'll be getting something out of it."

After my father recovered from the absurd question his eyes narrowed and his mouth creased up before he spoke. "Your reward is not being thrown in the castle dungeon for inciting a brawl in my kingdom's tavern, does that sound like a good enough reward for you?"

The peach haired man lets out a low chuckle as the redhead glares at him before back at the king, bowing her head. "Of course your majesty, I apologize for my friend's rude question. We will do our best to find your queen, and thank you again for your understanding, my friend isn't used to talking to royalty you see."

My father nods before beckoning them to stand, speaking as they do so. "I appreciate your honesty, but I must ask, what are your names? If I am to entrust you in my request I would like to know your names"

The redhead nods in agreement before showing a soft smile. "Of course your majesty, I am Erza Scarlet, and my friends here are Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fulbuster."

"Fulbuster?" My father asks, "that name sounds familiar, have I heard of it before?"

Erza nods slowly, almost hesitant before speaking. "Most likely. It's a pretty common name where we're from, you probably ran into one or two as they also like to travel."

The king nods. "Probably. Anyways, I shall let the guards know that unless you get into any trouble again you're protected under my name." And he beacons a guard over before relaying the information to clarify as if he wasn't standing by him the whole time. "And with that you three are free to leave, and please, don't make me regret my decision. Guards, please show them the door."

And with that the group is escorted out of the throne room, talking loudly as my father sighs, placing his head in his hands as if he's deep in thought. And a thought runs across my mind as well.

What if I went with them?

My eyes grow wide as I bolt out of the back of the room, not giving it much thought as I run down the twisting corridors down to my bedroom, slamming the doors shut. I run to my closet and quickly change out of my blue gown into something more suited for travel. Doing the buttons on my favorite shirt, a light blue sleeveless top. I throw on a white skirt and thigh high leather boots, as well as a pair of fingerless gloves that run up my arm. And a pouch for my keys that wrap around my belt before throwing my long blonde hair in a side ponytail and shrugging on a large black hood.

I also throw some spare clothes in a large pouch I hid in my closet as well as some of my favorite books, my journal and some other sentimental items. What's left of my allowance, my father giving me gold throughout my youth that he let me spend on my birthday. I got a couple celestial keys from that. Nikora, The Canis Minor, a little snowman creature I named Plue as a child. Lyra was a gift from my father when we were unable to go out on my 15th birthday, I usually have her play music as I read in the castle library, filling the room with beautiful music. And horologium, bought to play hide and seek with some of the maids' children and keep track of time since my mother left, holding some sentimental value.

But not as much as my locket, a gift from my mother as a child. It holds a picture of the 3 of us, me, my mother and my father, a family photo that I treasure even more so since her disappearance. A single tear falls down my cheek as I look at the picture inside, softly closing it before hanging it around my neck, stuffing it in my shirt before hastily writing an apology to my father in my journal before tearing out the page and leaving it on my desk.

"I'm sorry father, but I must go find mother. I promise I'll be back." I whisper before throwing my pouch over my shoulder and carefully exiting my room, looking out both sides before leaving. Tiptoeing, I walk down the imposing halls before ending up at the front courtyard out the window of the library, sneaking around the lush garden filled with marigolds and forget-me-nots, thinking the shrubs would keep me hidden.

Or so I thought.

"And what do you think you're doing young lady?"

My body freezes as my ears hear the sound of my father's voice, stern as always.

Think of something, anything

Before I can properly think of a response my mouth opens on its own. "I was just.. some of the handmaidens' children wanted to play guards and criminals so.. I'm playing the part of the criminal..?"

That was so shit

And he thought so too, raising a brow before shaking his head. "Lucy.. I know what you're planning."

His words made a chill run down my spine, today's events replaying over and over in my mind trying to recall when I could have been spotted.

But before I could think of it, my father spoke up. "One of the guards saw you behind the pillar, you weren't exactly sneaky in that regard. And you running off caught my attention too."

My face turns warm, of course I forgot about the guards! I was trying so hard to stay out of view from that peach haired man and my father I completely forgot about the guards!

I drop my head in shame as my father sighs in disappointment. "Lucy, I know you want to find your mother, I do too, but I don't think this is the way to do it. You can't just sneak out without at least talking to me about it."

"I'm sorry father." I whisper, "I didn't mean to upset you, but it's been 20 years since mother left and nothing has changed. I just want to go out and find out why nobody has found her since none of the other adventurers you've sent out have."

He frowns before looking to the side, "I understand, but I feel like there's something different with that group. I really think they could find her." I look up at him in confusion waiting for him to continue. "I've been.. observing them since they arrived, they've been here only 6 days but they haven't gotten into any other trouble besides the altercation at the tavern. And even then some witnesses and guards testified that they weren't even the ones who started it."

My eyes grow wide as he chuckles, what does he mean they didn't start it? Didn't they attack an innocent man? The maids were gossiping about it earlier as I walked to the throne room, but they were saying they just attacked someone out of nowhere. Just a burst of energy charging at the man flinging him back against the wall, I mean sure they came to the king to apologize but surely..

A thousand thoughts run through my mind before ultimately landing on one, making my face twice as I ask, "Have you been.. stalking them?"

He looks away almost bashfully, a reaction I was not expecting at all. "If a group of loud and obnoxious adventurers showed up at your doorstep you'd keep an eye on them as well." Clearing his throat he continues, "according to multiple guards and eyewitnesses, one of the tavern's regulars was getting rather loud and drunk. And before long he started loudly hitting on multiple of the barmaids. A couple of other regulars tried to stop him but he ended up punching one of them which started a sort of chain reaction. Mugs were thrown, men and women were screaming, and apparently the dark haired man, Gray, just blasted the man with some sort of magic which sent him flying. After that they were taken here and the regular thrown was taken to the medical building to be taken care of."

My jaw dropped. The man who asked my father for payment was the one who attacked the man, to save someone? Surely there's something more, something we're missing. A tiefling normally wouldn't go out of their way to help someone, most of the time it's for personal gain, but what could he have to gain?

My father shakes his head, "I know tieflings like him tend to be stereotyped but if he left the underworld surely there must be a reason. Not very many are able to leave on their own, unless he was exiled.." He raises his hand to his chin in thought, mumbling something to himself before looking back at me. "There is one other thing that surprises me about that group, they have one other member who usually looks after their ship while they're gone. A child."

A chill runs down my spine, "W-what do you mean a child?"

"Some of the guards over by the port saw those three leaving behind a little girl," he frowned, "They say she looked no older than 15 but she was smiling as they left, having two exceeds by her side, a blue one and a white one, so I don't think she was there against her will. They also said she looked alot like Natsu, the peach haired man."

He chuckles at my face, a mix of shock and confusion. "In the sense that she had scales and a tail, although they were light blue instead of red like his so I doubt they're related by blood."

I let out a shaky sigh of relief in knowing they didn't just steal a child before realizing something. "Father, why are you telling me all this?"

His face falters as he looks to the side for a moment, deep in thought before frowning and pulling something from behind his back, something I could have never expected.

"Moms whip, Fleuve d'étoiles!" I gasp, hands over my mouth as I look up at my father in shock, tears forming in my eyes. "How- Why do you have this?"

He reaches for my hands hesitantly before placing the whip in them, curling my fingers around them before smiling softly. "I know your mother would want you to have this, she always talked about giving it to you when you decided to go off on your own.." Tears form in his eyes as his smile fades, his brow creasing as if trying to find the right words. "What I'm trying to say.. is if you'd like to go and try and find Layla, I don't wanna say I'd feel comfortable if you went with that group, but I'd trust them to keep you safe if that's what you decide.."

My eyes grow wider at every word as they sink in, is he really letting me go on my own adventure? To find mother?

"A-are you sure?" I ask, a lump forming in my throat as tears stream down my face.

To my surprise my father swiftly wraps me in a hug, and I do the same, burying my face in his chest and him my hair. "Just please be safe," he croaks, "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you too.."

I nod against his chest, "I promise.. thank you father, I promise I'll bring mother back." I mutter before squeezing him tightly.

We stay like that for what feels like an eternity, just crying against each other before he pulls back to place a kiss on my head. "I know you will, and I know the others will too if they find out you're a princess." He chuckles, lightening the mood before giving me one last squeeze.

As we pull back from each other's grasp, eyes red and swollen, my father smiles as I place my mother's whip on my belt, looping it against it before turning back to him, whispering, "Thank you father."

He nods before pulling me into one more tight hug, letting me go when all the air has escaped my lungs. "You can exit from the front gate if you'd like, I don't think they're too far away if the guards were keeping them occupied like I asked." He chuckles before reaching into his back pocket, handing me an envelope.

"What is this?" I ask, turning it in my hands. It's a simple white envelope with the Heartfilia crest sealed in wax, keeping it closed.

"It's something I want you to have." He smiles at my confusion before tapping the seal. "If you ever miss me I want you to open it, but promise to wait until you leave Fiore."

I nod before tucking it safely in my pouch, now on the ground after being caught. My cheeks turn red in embarrassment at that thought before I throw the pouch once again over my shoulder. "I will, thank you father."

After one more quick hug I turn towards the door, opening it before turning towards my father and smiling. "I love you" I shout, waving as he chuckles.

"I love you too Lucy."

And with that I make my way towards the castle doors, worry and excitement coursing through my veins as I toy with my new whip, thinking of all the fun to be had.

But first, I have to find the group of adventurers who started it all..

.

Sooo im gonna do my best to try and actually finish this damn thing, I already have most of it thought up so its just a matter of typing it up.

I cant guarantee the rest of the chapters will be this long but I'll try.

Anyways, I'll try to have the next part done sometime next week so hopefully keep an eye out for that.

Also, sorry if some of the wording is weird I'm not used to writing in first person lol

But with that I will start writing the next part hopefully soon.

Until next time, Ciao~