For the rest of the time he spent with the kids, Nakku barely said anything which neither one of them noticed since by lunch time Elkis came back from her interview and was happy to report that she had gotten the job. Nakku's reason for suddenly becoming the quiet type was because he was still in shock over witnessing Greige revive those dying flowers. He knew that what he saw was impossible but that didn't change the fact that it did happen.

"Thanks again for watching the kids Nakku." Elkis said. "You're a real friend. They didn't give you any trouble did they?"

"No. They were fine." He answered. "But Elkis can I ask you something about them?"

"Sure. What is you want to ask me?"

"When you agreed to take care of them did you find any unusual about either one of them in their files or something?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because...Because...Uh...Uh...Okay I'm going to tell you about something I saw today and please don't think I'm crazy when I do."

"What? What did you see?"

"Griege, the boy. He...He brought dead flowers back to life."

"Come again?"

"Earlier today when I was showing them around town he told me that for some reason he can bring dying flowers back to life. Now of course I didn't believe that but he insisted on proving it to me so he asked me to pull over to the flower shop. I did it just to humor him and he touched some wilting flowers that were in front of the shop. Elkis they...They came back to life."

"Nakku is this a joke?"

"I'm not messing with you. I actually saw it happen."

"You're still drinking Irish coffee in the morning aren't you? I told you to stop that. It's not healthy to drink early in the day."

"I wasn't drunk. That kid there's...There's something not right about him."

"Nakku how can you say a thing like that?"

"It's true. You know he sneaks around and spies on people? Eves dropping on their conversations?"

"What child doesn't do that?"

"Alright how about the fact that he thinks we're all story book characters?"

"What are you talking about?"

"When I was in the car with the kids today he had this book with him and he told me that I was really a character that was in that book. I was and apparently so was Lusha."

"He has a very active imagination."

"Elkis this wasn't him playing some pretend game. He actually believes that."

"I think you're freaking out for nothing."

"All I'm saying is that maybe you should consider finding out some more information on them. Especially that Greige kid."

"You're acting like he's mentally unstable."

"I'm not saying that but I am saying their might be a little something off about him. Maybe some birth defects that you didn't know about. Who are his biological parents or how was he born? What's his genetics?"

"This is ridiculous. There is nothing wrong with him and besides even if I did want to look into all that I can't. The agency has no records of anything regrading his birth or his parents."

"What do you mean they don't have any records of all that?"

"What I mean is they don't know. They don't know who his parents were or when he was born or where he was born. All they know is he was found as a baby just outside of town ten years ago."

"Outside town? You mean this town? Our town?"

"Yes. Right by the sign I believe."

"So let me get this straight, a baby just appears outside of our town with no information about his birth or family and then just ten years later he's placed in a foster care system that's located in the exact same town where he was found."

"Yes."

"Don't you find that a little...Suspicious?"

"It is a funny coincidence."

"Do you think his birth parents could have been from here?"

"The thought has crossed my mind but I volunteer at the hospital and I don't remember anyone in this town having a baby ten years ago in March."

"March?"

"That's the month of when they found him."

"What about pregnancies? Do you remember anyone being pregnant with a due date in March or some time before that?"

"No. Come to think of it, during all the time I've been here I don't recall any woman in this town being pregnant or having given birth. Weird." She said. "Ten years and not a single woman in Edolas has given birth?"

"Now there's something wrong with that. One year can't go by without at least one woman having a kid."

"I know. It's bizarre and you know what's even more bizarre?"

"What?"

"We're just noticing it now."

"You're right. Why is that?"

"I don't know." Elkis was getting that feeling again. That feeling that everything she knew wasn't right. Wasn't true. She got the feeling the first time when she tried to remember when she first moved to Edolas but could not. "Nakku."

"Yeah?"

"Do you remember when you came to Edolas?"

"Yes."

"Okay what was the date?"

"Well it was...It was...Huh...I don't remember."

"Do you remember the month of when you moved here?"

"No."

"The year?"

"No. No I don't remember it all. How can that be?"

"I don't remember when I moved into this town either. I've tried but I can't. It's like it never happened."

"But it had to have happened right? Because if it didn't how else could you be living here? Or how else could I be living here?"

"So if you don't remember when you moved here and I don't remember when I moved here, does that mean some of the other people in Edolas don't remember moving here?"

"I don't know. My head hurts." 

"You know I think tomorrow I'm going to ask some of the townsfolk a few questions."

...

Erza walked with Mirajane to the royal dinning hall. Mirajane took her seat at the royal table which was set with the finest silver and goblets not to mention lit candelabras. A most romantic setting, perfect for a prince and princess on the verge of falling in love and eventually getting married.

"Tell me have you met the prince yet?" Mirajane asked Erza.

"No I can't say I have." Erza answered. "I've never even seen him. I don't know what he looks like."

"He'll be sitting across from me. I'm still unsure about this whole marriage but I must admit out of all the royal and noble men who have courted me, he is the most decent. He is of royal birth yet very humble and considerate. He really empathizes with his subjects and tries to be both their ruler and their equal. Quite rare and very admirable in one of royal blood during these times."

"So he's probably the best candidate for you my lady."

"I suppose. He does have everything I require in a future husband. Wealthy, due to inherit the throne, noble, honorable, yes Prince Jellal is most likely the best choice."

"I'm sorry did you just say Prince Jellal?" Erza asked not sure that she heard correctly. 

"Yes."

"His name is Jellal?"

"Yes he is. Did you not know? I'm certain that you would have at least known the name of the son of the man who sent for you."

But Erza could not answer. She was too busy trying to stop the rising panic inside of her. She kept telling herself that it was a coincidence. That there was no way the man she met in the forest could be the prince she was trying to get blood from. But at that very moment it the royal family arrived at the dinning hall and took their seats, and sitting across from the princess was the young man she recognized as the same one she hit with a rock just a few days ago. Poor Erza thought she would faint. Not sure what else to do at the moment, she pulled her servant's cap over her face.

"Princess Mirajane we are most honored that you were able to accept our invitation to spend the summer here with us." King Lysander said.

"And I am honored that you all have invited me." The fair haired maiden said. "The palace is beautiful. One of the finest I've ever seen."

"We do hope that you are comfortable in your chambers." Queen Hermia said.

"I am and the hand maid you sent for me has been most helpful. If it's not too much to ask my lord, please reward her handsomely for her excellent manners and assistance."

"Why you need not hesitate to ask for anything." Lysander said before turning to Erza. "You there good woman."

Erza became stiff with fear.

"Come forth."

Erza swallowed so hard that it was as if she was trying to keep down bile, then quietly walked toward the king who was sitting next to his son.  

"What is your name?" He asked.

"My name is...Uh...Uh..." Erza said meekly. 

"You need not be so intimidated. You have the favor of Princess Mirajane therefore you have my favor. Tell me how may I reward you for making our guest feel so welcome."

"Uh..." She kept her voice low so Jellal wouldn't recognize it, he did notice something familiar about her but he couldn't figure out why. "If you please your grace...I have a most unorthodox request."

"Which is?"

She figured maybe this was the best way to get what Gray wanted without facing the risk of being sent to prison. 

"All I wish is for a few drops of your son's blood."

Jellal looked at her in utter confusion as did everyone else in the room.

"I beg your pardon." The king said.

"A friend of mine did a very rash and thoughtless thing. He is in life threatening danger and he can only be spared from this fate if somehow he can produce a little blood from the prince. It's not much, just a drop or two."

"Well father that's not too much to ask." Jellal said. "Especially if it's to save someone's life. Good woman I'll gladly comply."

"Now wait just a moment." His father protested. "Why is my son's blood needed to save a man's life? That doesn't make any sense."

"Please believe me. No harm will come to your son through this."

"i don't believe that. You're being awfully secretive. How do I know what you say is true? For all I know you could be a witch attempting to use my son's blood to make some voodoo doll of him."

"No sire! That's not true."

"But how can I believe you? Especially when you won't even show me your face when you speak of this. Remove your cap woman."

"Really I beg you."

"Now."

Erza went as slow as possible as she did this, her hands went to her cap and she removed it from her head allowing everyone in the room to see her face. Jellal thought that he would fall out of his chair when he saw her.

"You are not the hand maid I sent for." The king said.

"Erza?" Jellal said.

"Jellal you know this woman?" The queen said.

"I...I...I...I've seen her. A few times from my window and I heard a peasant call out her name once." He lied. "Father she's an honest woman. We can give her what she requests."

"How do you know she's an honest woman if you've only seen her from a distance?" Lysander asked.

"Sire forgive me for my deception but I am desperate and pressed for time." Erza said, ignoring how hurt she was feeling by Jellal's lies. "If I do not get what I came here for my friend Natsu will suffer a terrible fate. You must believe me."

"I wish I could believe you dear lady but I don't know who you are. You are an imposter. You sneaked into my palace and masqueraded as a servant. I cannot simply-"

"Hold on." Mirajane spoke up. "Did you say Natsu? As in Sir Natsu?"

"Yes my lady." Erza said. 

"King Lysander, three years ago Sir Natsu saved not only saved my life but also the life of my brother from a great evil that threatened us and my kingdom. There is nothing I could do to repay his debt but I beg you please forgive this woman and help her save his life as he saved mine."

The king looked astonished by Mirajane's words but he could not deny the code of helping one who saved the life of a royal. 

"Very well. Whoever you are woman." He said to Erza. "I shall spare you just this once and I shall grant your request but after this you must never return to this palace again."

"Don't worry your highness I have no intention of returning here." She said almost coldly. She then pulled out the needle she brought, pricked Jellal's finger with it, and he squeezed three drops of his blood into her bottle. 

"Now leave at once." Lysander ordered.

"Yes sire. Thank you."

"Wait Father! Please allow me to escort her home." Jellal asked.

"Son we are in the middle of dinning." 

"And I can get home on my own thank you very much." Erza replied while refusing to face the young man.

"It has become dark Father and my code as a gentleman cannot allow me to let a lady to travel alone at night. Also if I follow her home I can make sure that she is in fact telling the truth."

Lysander thought for a moment and he wasn't sure if it was a good idea but he figured that his son had a good point so he agreed. They both left the dinning hall and the palace together, neither one of them said a word until they were outside.

"Erza I can explain." Jellal said.

"What is there to explain?" She asked still not facing him. "You're the prince. I already figured that out."

"Yes but-"

"You're the prince and you lied to me."

"You don't understand I had to lie."

"Is that so? Tell me when we met did someone have a knife to your throat and say that they would slit it if you told me who you really were?"

"No."

"Did someone threaten to hurt a family member or friend of yours if you told me the truth?"

"No."

"Hmm...Then how is it that you had to lie?"

"It's complicated."

"Complicated or not it doesn't change the fact that a lie is a lie."

"Erza I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing? I'm just a peasant. It really doesn't matter if someone of your position lies to someone of my position does it?"

"I don't think like that."

"How do I know how you think? I don't even know who you really are."

Her tone was completely calm but he could tell that she felt betrayed, hurt, and angry.

"Ironic that your fiance says you're honorable yet how can anyone have honor if they're not honest?"

"Fiance?" Jellal said but quickly looked embarrassed and ashamed when he realized what she meant. "Oh...You found out about..."

"About your impending marriage? Yes and congratulations. She's very lovely, you'll make a fine couple I'm sure."

"Erza when we met I couldn't just-"

"Please spare me your excuses. I have nothing more to say to you. I have what came for so I shall return home and you need not escort me. My friend Natsu who has never once lied to me about anything, will gladly see that arrive home safely."

Jellal tried to think of anything to say that would justify his actions and get her to understand but at the moment he couldn't find the right words.

"I bid you goodnight your highness and if you care for me at all you will go away now because right now I cannot bear the sight of you."

She heard him sigh in defeat.

"As you wish."

She heard his footsteps as he left went back into the palace and she did not turn back until she heard a familiar sinister giggle from behind.

"Well that certainly couldn't have gone worse." It was Gray. "But nevertheless I was still greatly entertained by the whole thing." 

"What are you doing here?"

"I've come to collect and I must say I'm impressed that you were able get it and still keep your head on your shoulders."

"Whatever." She huffed in annoyance before handing him the bottle. "So you're not going hurt Natsu right?"

"Yes, yes, yes of course. The fool will live to see another day." He grinned at it with twisted glee.

"Why did you need that blood anyway?"

"What does it matter to you it's not your blood? But here's a hint blue blood is very valuable."

"Blue blood? Royal blood? If that's why you wanted it then why not take some from Lucy?"

"Oh my dear but ever so naive Erza. Blue blood is not the same as royal blood. Blue blood means that one comes from a family tree that is completely royal. Lucy despite being royal is not completely of royal descent."

"What do you mean?"

"She's royal on her mother's side but not her father's. You see Xavier married into royalty. Before he seduced Esme he was a worthless, gambling, low life, peasant who very few could stand the sight of."

"How do you know that? You probably didn't even exist when he married her."

"None of your business and if you want to get technical I did exist when that wedding took place. I wasn't born yet but I had already been conceived."

"Conceived? You mean...You came from..."

"Yes! I'm the product of sexual intercourse like everyone else in the world!" He said feeling insulted. "What? Did you think I was made out of clay or something?!" 

"No it's just that...With your reputation there have been a lot theories and no offense, but what exactly gave birth to you?"

"For your information I didn't always look like this and I suggest we change the subject now."

"I agree."

"Anyway both Prince Jellal's parents are of royal birth so naturally his blood is blue or some would say completely pure. By the way I hate that saying, how pure and good you are isn't based on your parents."

"Okay you have what you want so can you leave now?"

"Sure. Pleasure doing business with you."

He was gone after that and even though she was relieved that Natsu wouldn't have to suffer Gray's friend, she couldn't help but feel greatly saddened by Jellal's deception. When she met up with Natsu he asked her why she looked so glum but she just changed the subject by telling him that she gave Gray what he wanted. He brought her back to her cottage, thanked her for her help, and went on his way.

Next time we get to see Juvia's origins while Elkis and Greige begin doing some investigating into the strange things about the town of Edolas.