June 7, X794; 3:04 PM
Lucy recounted what had transpired in the last few days. On June 5th, afternoon, Team Thunder had its first meeting. During the meeting, Laxus had divided his detailed notes to the three of them. These notes contained his observations about the Magic and skills their competitors possessed.
Laxus instructed them to study the personality profiles, strengths and weaknesses of each candidate, and to exchange folders once they are done with their set of notes in order for everyone to have a basic idea on how to counter whoever they will come up against.
Lucy pored over the assigned documents to her that night, intent on exchanging with Wendy and Romeo the next day.
Come the next day, June 6th, Laxus had called for them in the ungodly hour of two o'clock in the morning to start their warm-up exercises in a clearing 50 feet into one of the nearby mountain ranges in Magnolia. That was their first day of training. She had brought her already read documents to exchange it with Romeo.
What followed after that was a blur, yet it was a series of god-awful training regimen focusing on areas such as speed, agility, upper and lower strength, power, balance, and Mana-enhancement drills. Their first day ended by nine o'clock at night. And they still had to take the trek down the mountain, and walk towards their own separate homes.
Today, June 7th, was their second day of training. She has also finished reading her second set of documents, and has exchanged with Wendy. Now, every fiber and every muscle tissue in her body is screaming, yelling and hollering for her to sit her ass down and rest. But, Laxus, is a slavedriver when it comes to training. And while he has not yet said a word regarding punishment, Lucy would bet her 80, 000 Jewels that he would fry the ever-loving shite in her, should she decide to procrastinate in their training.
Cough. Lucy felt her breathing halt for a moment, then one cough turned into two, and two turned into more; but, Lucy stayed up and running, ignoring the constricting feeling in her chest. They have to finish this now. Otherwise, she would reveal that.
'Laxus has only been using minimal attacks, while parrying and evading,' Lucy observed the older man's strategy. Their trainer wanted them to do something. 'Ah,' she suddenly realized.
"Romeo, can you create anything that would obscure Laxus' vision for a moment?"
"Yes, Lucy-neesan," Romeo made a series of hand gestures, before turning to Wendy. "Wendy, do you have something that would protect our sense of sight and smell?"
"Yes," Wendy nodded her head, and gathered a small orb of light in her hand. The orb divided into three and floated to each of their heads. Once it touched their skin, it made a popping sound. "This is a Protection Enchantment. Why do you need it?"
"My Spell would cause a very stinky smell to emanate from the fire. It has the side effect of making a person hit to tear up," Romeo explained, summoning two tongues of fire that lazily circled each other in the palm of his right hand. "Yellow Fire X Orange Fire."
Lucy used her Gemini Star Dress, and immediately transformed into Gray. His identity immediately settled inside Lucy's mind. In Gray's baritone voice, Lucy said, "When I give the signal, throw those flames towards Laxus' immediate vicinity. Make sure that the explosion is very big. Wendy, continue enhancing the magical output with your Enchantments, and manipulate the surrounding air to ensure that the aftereffects of the explosion are centralized…no, it would be better to imprison Laxus within the fumes created by Romeo's Fire Magic."
"Q-Questions?" Lucy strained against the prickling sensation blooming inside her chest.
"None," the two younger mages replied.
"Okay. Charge!" Lucy roared in Gray's voice. Romeo took to the front, Lucy in the middle and Wendy closely following in the rear.
"Arms! Armor! Vernier!" Wendy chanted, and a reddish-orange aura enveloped Romeo's body.
"Now!" Lucy signaled, memorizing Laxus' general area.
"Yellow Fire X Orange Fire!" Romeo shouted, and shot the jet of flames from his open palm.
"You'd have to do better than that, kid," Laxus snickered, readying himself to punch the flames with a lightning-empowered fist.
"Is that so, Laxus-niisan!" Romeo grinned.
"Huh?" Laxus was confused for a moment.
The flames did not make contact with any part of his body. Instead it hit the ground near his feet, and it engulfed him into an explosion of yellow and orange fires.
Laxus coughed violently. "What the fuck is this?! It fucking stinks like someone shitted their pants!"
"Wendy, now!" Lucy nodded to the blue-haired girl.
Lucy did not know if it was because of the ensuing chaos and excitement, but she could hear the blood pumping in her ears, and the loud hammering of her heart. She could even feel how her pulse was racing.
Wendy made a sudden gesture, and the smoke and fumes produced by the explosion encircled Laxus like a dome-like barrier made of tornado.
"Lucy!" Laxus hollered in indignation.
Lucy cannot help but giggle at how exasperated the older man was.
Prick . Lucy ignored the stinging sensation in her chest. Now was her chance. Using Gray's familiar posture, he molded his Magic, "Ice-Make: Magical Vehicle!"
An ice version of the transportation unit powered by an SE Plug immediately appeared where Laxus was standing.
"What the hell!" Laxus shouted, as the Magical Vehicle began to drive away.
Lucy winced. Her heart kept on thumping like crazy from all the adrenaline.
BOOM! The ice sculpture exploded sending shards of ice everywhere. A jet of lightning burst forth from the ground and flew skyward.
"Ice-Make: Shield!" Lucy called forth, protecting from the debris. "I…ha…knew…ha…That. It. Was. Far. Too. Easy."
"Lucy-san," Wendy approached her. The younger girl has this concerned face. "You're running out of breath."
"Lightning Dragon's Heavenward Halberd!" A large lightning trident flung in a beeline towards them.
"I'm alri-" Lucy waved her hand to placate them and resumed her battle stance. She would have to fortify the shield to withstand that attack. But she was not able to finish her sentence as the shooting pain erupted inside her chest, bringing her to her knees.
Her Gray transformation immediately deactivated itself, and she could feel her hair in her arms standing on end. "N-No!" she exclaimed worriedly. That means that the Ice-Make Shield was also undone.
"Lucy!" Laxus barked. "What are you doing?! Get out of the way! Dammit!"
"I'll protect you," Romeo stood before them.
"Run, you idiots!" Laxus shouted as he tried to catch up with the trident to no avail.
"N-No…D-Don't…" Her chest continued to constrict itself, and yet she soldiered on. With the last of her remaining strength, Lucy grabbed both Romeo and Wendy and jumped out of the way.
The lightning trident hit the ground with a shattering sound, sending tendrils of electricity into the air and carving a crater from where they stood seconds ago.
They rolled against the hard ground, eventually stopping on a relatively safer area. They were sprawled messily on the dirt, with their faces and chest touching the land. On Lucy's left side was Romeo. On her right was Wendy. She was in the middle, with her arms laden protectively on their backs.
"Lucy-san…" Wendy gently spoke after a few seconds.
"Lucy-neesan," Romeo was looking at her face. "Are you alright?"
Lucy wanted to respond, but her mind was abuzz. She can only register the pain that coursed inside her body and how it also simultaneously shifts into sensations of nothingness. She was also certain that a warm liquid was flowing from her lips, preventing her from speaking.
"Laxus-san!" Wendy exclaimed, scrambling to get up. "Help! Lucy-san… Lucy-san is…"
"Lucy!" Laxus skidded to a halt, kneeling down to inspect her. "What the fuck was that? What kind of idi-"
"La…ha…xus…" Lucy said through labored breaths, her vision blurring as her eyes refused to stay open. "Guh!" she winced as her chest continued to constrict.
"Let's get you out of here!" Laxus gathered her in his arms before standing up.
"Laxus-san, what are we going to do?" Wendy asked worriedly.
"Gather your bags," Laxus instructed. "Hold tight on my cloak. I will be activating my Lightning Form so that we can arrive immediately at the guild. Do not let go until I say it. Understand?"
"Yes!" Both children replied.
The sky split open with a deafening crack as Laxus materialized at the guild's entrance in a violent burst of lightning. His boots slammed against the wooden floorboards, the impact sending tremors through the nearly empty hall. His breath was ragged, his body still buzzing with residual electricity, but none of it mattered.
His arms held Lucy's limp form, her weight far too light, too fragile in his grasp. Her skin was cold, far colder than it should've been, and the only sound from her was the shallow rasp of her breath.
'That wasn't good. That wasn't good at all,' he thought.
His heart pounded as he pushed forward, his voice booming with panic.
"Mira! Gramps! Help! Lucy is—Lucy is—" His words choked in his throat, tangled with the lump of dread constricting his chest. What the hell was happening to her? "Damn it, someone get over here!"
The usual warmth of the guildhall felt suffocating, pressing down on him as he rushed inside. But there was no bustling crowd, no familiar shouts—just empty tables and a few wide-eyed stragglers who froze at the sight of him, their expressions morphing into shock at the state of the woman in his arms.
"Laxus-san!" Wendy's voice rang behind him, breathless but urgent. He barely turned his head to see her and Romeo stumbling in after him, their faces pale with fear.
"The infirmary!" Wendy gasped. "Follow me!"
He did not hesitate. He could not.
Laxus stormed forward, his pulse roaring in his ears as his eyes flickered back to Lucy's face. She looked worse—somehow even paler than before, like every ounce of warmth was draining from her with each passing second. Her breaths were thin, strained, her lips parted slightly as if struggling to take in air. A smear of blood stained the corner of her mouth, and the sight of it sent a fresh surge of panic through him.
His jaw clenched. Not happening. Not on his watch.
They reached the infirmary doors in seconds, and Laxus did not slow—he reared back and kicked them open with enough force to rattle the hinges. The room was empty, save for the sterile scent of herbs and medicine lingering in the air.
He crossed the space in two strides, lowering Lucy carefully onto the nearest bed. He kept his grip firm until he was certain she was on the mattress, reluctant to let go, to step back. Her body barely moved with her breaths.
'That wasn't right. That wasn't—'
"Wendy," he ground out, his voice tight with strain. "Fix her. Now."
Laxus stood rigid, his sharp eyes trained on Wendy as she assessed Lucy. Every second felt like an eternity, and with each labored breath Lucy took, his stomach twisted tighter. Her pale skin looked almost translucent under the infirmary's lights, her chest barely rising and falling. He watched, unblinking, his breath coming shallow. His gut churned, something deep inside him whispering that he already knew. He knew what was happening, but he refused to say it—refused to acknowledge it.
The strange antiseptic fragrance mingling with Lucy's strawberry-vanilla-scented cologne.
The inconsistency and vagueness in Lucy's explanation as to why she was still in Crocus despite only being there for a meeting with her publishers.
The sudden change in the fact that she cannot sleep properly at night.
The fact that she knew how and where to go to reach Ivan's room like she memorized the blueprint of St. Asclepius.
The way she was very familiar with Ivan's ailment to the point she can identify some of the contaminants in his system.
The weird familiarity in Dr. Medella's voice as if she has known the Heartfilias for such a long time.
The telltale sign that Lucy seemed to immediately run out of energy even if she only used a basic Magic Spell.
All of it points to that one harrowing truth that—
Wendy's hands froze midair, her face paling in horror. "N-No. Why?"
Laxus's heart slammed against his ribs, a sharp, painful thud that sent a jolt of adrenaline surging through him. "What?" His voice came out harsher than intended, rough and ragged, but he could not help it. His entire body thrummed with tension, barely restrained lightning crackling along his skin. "What the hell does that mean?!"
Wendy did not answer right away. Her fingers trembled as she hovered over Lucy, uncertainty flickering in her wide blue eyes.
"I—I can't say yet," she stammered, shaking her head slightly, as if trying to will the truth away.
Laxus scowled, a low growl rumbling in his throat. "Like hell you can't." The words were a sharp crack of thunder, barely restrained fury behind them. His fists clenched at his sides, magic surging violently in response to the sheer helplessness clawing at him. "Tell me what's wrong with her. Now."
Wendy shook her head again, her face drawn tight with conflict. "I don't want to say anything until I'm sure," she said, voice trembling. "If I'm wrong, it could do more harm than good."
Everything inside Laxus stilled. The room faded, his surroundings dulling into white noise. It was like his mind shut down for a brief second, unable to process anything beyond the sheer weight of those words. His lips parted, but no sound came out.
"I...uh..."
Concern flashed across Wendy's face. "Laxus-san," she urged gently, taking a step closer. "Try to locate Porlyusica-san first. Usually, at this time, she's gathering herbs in her garden."
Laxus did not respond at first. His body moved mechanically, his limbs stiff and foreign, as he turned on his heel and stalked out of the infirmary. His mind raced, heart pounding like war drums in his chest. But by the time he reached the hall, his steps picked up—until he was sprinting, his boots hammering against the wooden floor, the walls a blur around him.
The moment he entered the main hall, the low murmur of voices hit him like a wave. A crowd had formed, their confused and concerned whispers only fueling the fire raging inside him. His sharp gaze cut through the chaos, locking onto Mira and Freed in an instant.
Mira stepped forward, her usual warmth replaced with worry. "Laxus? What's—"
"No time," he snapped. "Get to the infirmary. Wendy and Romeo needs help with Lucy."
Mira's brows furrowed, but she didn't hesitate. Without another word, she turned on her heel and hurried toward the infirmary.
Laxus then zeroed in on Freed, his voice like rolling thunder. "Find Erza, Natsu, and Gray. Tell them that there's something wrong with Lucy. Now."
Freed's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of alarm crossing his face, as if he realized something…as if all of his mind suddenly identified the answer to a question. Laxus wanted to ask what it was all about but he did not have the time. Freed made a sharp nod before vanishing into the crowd.
Laxus did not wait. Could not wait. His every nerve was alight, coiled tight with the need to act, to fix this before it was too late.
He stormed outside, sucking in a sharp breath of air before summoning his magic. Lightning surged around him, crackling violently as his body dissolved into pure energy. And then he was gone—a streak of electricity tearing through the sky, driven by sheer desperation as he raced towards wherever Porlyusica was.
June 7, X794; 5:00 PM
Silence greeted Lucy as she gradually opened her eyes. Harsh fluorescent lights flickered into focus, casting a pale and sterile glow up the ceiling.
"Ouchie," she let out a whimper, as a dull ache washed throughout her body. It seemed that she had been sleeping for quite a while since some of her muscles and joints refused to move as she intended.
With a groan, she attempted to shift, only to be met by a nauseous sensation that seemed to spread from her nasal area outwards.
Struggling to sit up, she surveyed her surroundings, taking in the clinical white walls, the array of medical equipment carefully placed in various cabinets and containers within the room.
"..." Distant murmurs of voices emanated from beyond the closed door.
Lucy held her, pressing circles in vain attempt to alleviate the throbbing pain. She winced slightly.
'First things first,' she decided. How had she ended up here? What happened?
Knock. Knock. A tentative knock came from the door. "May I request entry?"
"C-Come in…" Lucy said in a soft voice.
In all honesty, Lucy expected Team Natsu to be the first people to come here. But then, they would not have knocked. They would surely barge in, guns ablaze. Lucy chuckled at that.
The door creaked open, and Lucy was met with one of the last persons she expected to visit her. Like the proper gentleman that he is, in came Thunder God Tribe's de-facto leader, Freed Justine.
"Freed?"
"Art thou well, Lady Lucy?" The lime-haired man stepped forward hesitantly.
"Yes," Lucy replied, adjusting herself so as to fully cover her legs with the blanket. "Come in. You may sit here," she invited him to sit by the wooden chair placed near her bed. "Where's my team?"
Freed moved and sat. Lucy recognized that walking posture. Freed Justine truly embodies the genteel, etiquette and gait of a true nobleman. Once he sat down, the lime-haired man began, "When Laxus asked me to locate Team Natsu, I found that they were called by the Magic Council regarding their latest mission at Gronov."
Lucy felt a wave of nausea assault her senses. She breathed in and out, moving slowly as she carefully considered Freed's answer. "Is it…trouble?"
Freed's eyes widened for a moment, panicking. He probably would not want for her to be surprised by another mission going awry…especially given her situation. He faltered for a moment before he recomposed himself like the noble gentleman that he literally is. "No. It turned out that the thugs that they apprehended at Gronov are part of a huge network of syndicates. Basically, what seemed to be a simple mission turned into something bigger. They were called in as witnesses. I decided not to tell them yet since they're probably busy."
"Oh, thank Gods," Lucy exclaimed. "I thought that we're going to pay once again. And thank you for not telling them. They're going to worry and rush here." Lucy chuckled lightly.
"..." Freed shifted uncomfortably. Then he immediately dusted his clothes, once again in that very formal posture.
In a split second, something inside Lucy worked and clicked itself into place like cogs in a wheel. The way Freed spoke and conducted himself just now was so familiar, that it brought out the side Lucy has tried so hard to suppress.
Without meaning to, and as if all of her training as a noble lady possessed her, she began, "It is not the esteemed members of Team Natsu for whom thou hast come, is it not? By what grace doth this joyous occasion grace mine presence, Lord Justine?"
Freed was visibly taken aback, and Lucy giggled. It suddenly snapped him back to reality. She felt her cheeks blush for a moment until another wave of giggles bubbled from her lips.
Freed soon joined in on the laughter. Not many from the guild would understand this kind of language-based humor. To be perfectly honest, Lucy missed these kinds of light conversation starters. While she loves Fairy Tail with all of her heart, there was still a part of her that ached for all the times that she spent in the high life of an heiress.
Freed, speaking in such a way, brought back those fond childhood memories.
Their laughter gradually transitioned into a comfortable silence, and Lucy took that as the opportunity to talk. "Freed, what's the real reason you visited me alone?"
"I…" he began. "I asked the Master if I can be allowed to talk to you alone."
Okay, that does seem to answer the question as to why she is not being hounded by guild members. But that does not answer the question as to what Freed's true purpose was.
Lucy put her hand by the man's shoulder, patting it in encouragement. "Hey," she said. "If it's too difficult to go about it, know that you can be frank with me."
Lucy saw Freed smile hesitantly. She added, "Come on, we've spent at least half our lives indoctrinated about the correct and polite way to speak. Perhaps today, we could make an exception, ne?"
"Lucy…" Freed's stoic eyes met hers evenly. "For years…for years, Laxus has been looking for someone. He met this girl when he was seventeen."
Thump. Lucy's heart skipped a beat but she remained silent and waited for Freed to finish.
"He said that when he met this girl, she was wearing a bunny suit costume," Freed paused for a moment, his voice suddenly incredulous. He let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah, I know. It sounds preposterous but the Master has confirmed it too. Laxus actually met a Bunny Girl in the past."
Lucy nodded, wordlessly telling Freed that she, in fact, believes him.
"When we asked why he was so invested in this Bunny Girl, Laxus would always say that he would just like to invite her to the guild because she had more balls than Macao and Wakaba combined," Freed shook his head as he laughed slightly. "But the Master said that that was the first time Laxus has ever held an intense romantic feeling of…"
Based on the trajectory of this conversation, it is safe to say that Lucy knows the next word that would come out of Freed's mouth. "Affection," she said.
Freed's eyes widened a fraction, as if looking for something in Lucy's face.
Lucy returned the man's gaze with her own. "Is that the reason why there are rumors that Laxus goes from one cabaret after another?"
Freed exhaled for a moment, admitting that, "It wasn't a rumor, Lucy. So many have gossiped about why the Thunder God Tribe took missions after missions. There's that we are ambitious Mages for our age; there's that we want to make it big in Wizarding World; there's that we want to get stronger to protect the reputation of the guild; there's that we were grew up so poor that we're greedy for any and all kinds of money. There's the fact that we cannot wholly form bonds with the other guild members." Freed had bowed his head, staring at his clenched hand. His mind seemed lost, and his voice was weary. "They were right, though…to a certain extent. But we've been following Laxus for such a long time, and we know…we're certain that he's been looking for that woman…"
Lucy stared at Freed intently. The man seemed to be finally letting out things he held back over the years. Lucy guessed that Freed may be feeling envy towards this person. They were the closest people Laxus had to siblings, after all. But something inside Lucy was telling her that it was not the case. It feels like Freed is feeling so many things at once.
Regret… regret that they were not of more help.
Pity… pity that, for all of the power that Laxus has, he still cannot achieve all the things that he wanted to.
Despair…despair that it may take more years, more hope, only to end with nothing.
Lucy heard a change in his voice. Freed's hands have now covered his face. "We… Bickslow, Ever, Me… Laxus, we were trapped in an impossible wild goose chase, searching for a woman that may not be alive anymore."
"Why didn't you just say these things to him?" Lucy said carefully.
"We can't. We couldn't bring ourselves to do so."
"Why?"
Freed recomposed himself, wiping the beginnings of a teardrop with a handkerchief. Then, he looked at her, as if he was stating the most obvious reason in the world. "You know the reason, Lucy. Because we are a family."
Lucy froze momentarily at the conviction behind what the man said.
"When one member is resolute and adamant…the most sure they are in their entire lives… as a family, you will do whatever it takes for them to achieve it. We follow Laxus not because we worship the ground he walks on. We follow him because we have utmost respect and admiration towards him. And I'm sure the same is true for you and any of your teammates."
Lucy nodded without hesitation. She would even believe if Happy is very sure that the world is a triangle. She sighed, readying herself. Now is the time to get at the heart of the matter. "I'm still confused as to why you are telling me this?"
Lucy knew the answer. There was a certain niggling sensation at the back of her mind telling her that the woman Freed is talking about is her…at that time their Team was transported to the past.
Lucy wanted to say that it was her. She truly wanted to, but telling it to Freed right now to alleviate his sentiments did not sit well with her. So, Lucy just let her palm rest on Freed's head to comfort him. Later, once Lucy has fully thought everything through, she would tell Laxus.
Regardless of the reasons or motivations behind Laxus' actions, that Spark Plug needed to hear the truth from her. He deserved the truth from her.
Freed cleared his throat, sat straight and stared at her with the most honest eyes Lucy had ever seen. "Because ever since you came into his life… not the part where you joined Fairy Tail… but the part where we first met you in that fateful escort mission to Duke Sawarr's party…well, you made quite an impression on him so much so that he gradually stopped going to cabarets."
Lucy gulped. That was such a long time ago. It practically felt like a different lifetime
"I know I cannot make excuses for his unbecoming behavior towards you that time he called you…ahem…"
"A big-boobed newbie," Lucy supplied with a comedic nod. Freed coughed once again to recompose himself.
"Or when he practically propositioned Mirajane to pimp me to him." Lucy found herself shooting him a knowing smile. " Tell her that if she'll be my woman, I'll help out, " she recounted. "Was it?"
Freed also nodded, suddenly sinking in his seat. "I apologize. Again, I know I cannot make excuses for him… I can only tell you that there's something there, buried inside his issues, insecurities…twisted into something stupid causing him to treat you in such a repulsive manner…"
Lucy bit her lip, her fingers absently gripping the infirmary blanket draped over her lap. The distant memory resurfaced—the moment Evergreen had turned her into stone. She had remained conscious, trapped in a frozen body, able to perceive only in a fogged, detached way. And yet, she distinctly recalled the weight of Laxus' arm draping over her petrified shoulder, his voice ringing with unrepentant arrogance as he boasted about his supposed triumph over the so-called weak members of the guild.
Her grip tightened. How ironic that moment had been.
Freed's voice cut through the silence, steady and solemn.
"You were his first mission failure, Lucy…" He folded his hands over his lap, his sharp emerald gaze unreadable. "But you were also his salvation… our salvation from a life of endless pursuit."
Lucy's brows furrowed slightly, but she remained silent, allowing him to continue.
"I tell you this not to burden you with feelings that may or may not exist on Laxus' part," Freed added, his voice softer now, laced with sincerity. "I am telling you this on behalf of my team—to thank you. Whether deliberately or accidentally, you liberated us… and for that, I am eternally grateful."
Then, to Lucy's astonishment, Freed rose from his chair. Before she could react, he pressed a fist over his chest and lowered himself into a deep, formal bow. The movement was fluid, reverent—a gesture befitting the nobility he had been born into.
Lucy gasped, hastily extending a hand toward him. "Freed—"
But he was faster.
In one smooth motion, he dropped to one knee before her, his head lowered. His next words were spoken with quiet urgency.
"Shameless as I may be, from one noble child to another… from a Justine to a Heartfilia, please… I beg of you—do not die."
Lucy's breath caught. A sharp jolt of surprise coursed through her, making her momentarily forget the dull ache in her body. She parted her lips, but no words came.
"…So you knew?" she finally whispered, her voice barely audible.
Freed said nothing. Instead, he lifted his head slightly and tapped two fingers beneath his right eye.
Lucy exhaled softly. Of course.
Beyond his intelligence and his meticulous nature, Freed possessed Eye Magic. He could see through things others could not—perceive abnormalities even when they were carefully hidden.
"W-Who else is aware?" she asked hesitantly, her fingers twisting into the fabric of her blanket.
"Bickslow, Evergreen…" Freed straightened, his expression carefully neutral. "Then Porlyusica...she checked in on you. She did not disclose your condition. She said she'll talk to you first."
"Oh…" Lucy's gaze lowered. A strange sensation settled in her chest—part gratitude, part apprehension.
Freed reclaimed his seat but did not lean back, his posture still composed, formal. "Know that we shall not pry further into the matter," he assured her. "This is a private affair, and we will not act nor speak of it against your wishes. We haven't told Laxus anything."
Lucy lifted her gaze, meeting his unwavering eyes.
"Thank you, Freed," she said sincerely. Then, after a beat, she added, "You won't have to keep this secret much longer. I will be speaking with my team and Master about it soon. I just…" She exhaled, fingers fidgeting in her lap. "I'm just gathering the courage to."
Freed inclined his head slightly in understanding.
"Are you seeking medication?"
"Yes."
Having had enough of the heavy conversation, Lucy attempted to steer them toward something lighter. She shifted slightly in the bed, resting her weight more comfortably against the pillows. A faint, teasing smile curled at her lips.
"You know…" she began.
Freed lifted a brow, intrigued. "What?"
"Had we stayed with our respective families," she mused, tilting her head thoughtfully, "then we may have been the ones married to each other now."
Freed blinked, momentarily taken aback by the statement. Then, to Lucy's delight, a smirk slowly formed on his lips.
"Alas!" he declared, placing a dramatic hand over his chest. "'Twas not fated so!"
Lucy laughed, her shoulders shaking slightly with the effort. Freed chuckled with her, his usually refined demeanor giving way to a more relaxed mirth.
Then, as the laughter settled, Freed regarded her with a softer expression. "Although," he admitted, voice quieter now, "it would not have been such a terrible fate."
Lucy stilled, warmth blooming in her chest at the gentle sincerity in his gaze.
"I believe so too," she murmured, smiling. She leaned back slightly, closing her eyes for a brief moment. "Lucy Heartfilia-Justine… It really does have a nice ring to it."
A chuckle rumbled from Freed's throat. "Indeed."
Lucy's own laughter subsided before she asked her question, "Um… Freed, where's Laxus?"
Freed hesitated for a moment. Perhaps he was weighing whether he should tell her or not. Then he smiled knowingly.
"Oh," Lucy realized. She jumped up and bolted for the doors, ignoring Freed's protests. She was giggling as she looked back to see him. He has a strange yet peaceful expression on his face. "I'll talk to him."
"Thank you," he mouthed before bowing again.