When Elkis arrived to pick up Greige she asked Juvina to speak with her privately about something.

"Is it about Greige?" Juvina asked.

"No but I want to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"It's a little weird but do you remember when you moved into this town?"

"Why do you want to know that?"

"Just answer me and then I'll explain."

Juvina searched her memory for when she first moved into Edolas but just like with Elkis and Nakku she couldn't find that memory.

"Huh..." She said.

"You can't remember can you?"  Elkis said.

"Strangely enough no I can't."

"I can't remember when I moved here either and neither can Nakku."

"You mean you don't even know the dates of when you moved in?"

"No. None of us can."

"That's peculiar."

"Not just peculiar, creepy. Like Twilight Zone creepy."

"What does this mean exactly?"

"I have no idea but something's not right. We've lived here for all this time and we can't even remember ever coming to live here? Juvina do you remember anything that happened ten years ago and further back? Like your childhood and your family?"

"I remember what I was told. My mother died when I was born due to complications and later my father died while serving over seas when I was a little girl. I spent my childhood living with a neighbor's family but they weren't that good to me."

"But do you remember any of that?"

"Well obviously I don't remember my mother or her dying. I was a newborn when that happened."

"But what about your father? Or growing with that neighbor's family? Do you remember any of that?"

Juvina closed her eyes and tried to picture her father's face. They said she had been eight when he passed so she should at least remember him a little, no matter how hard she tried nothing came up. No memory of her father, no memory of her childhood or how she grew up, she couldn't even remember going to college and getting a teacher's degree. How could that be?

"I don't remember any of that at all." She said in shock. "I can't remember anything from my life ten years ago and back."

"I can't either and I bet Nakku can't or anyone else in this town."

"This is getting a little scary."

"You think? Just what the hell is happening here? Why is it that our memories are so mixed up?"

"Well Greige has a theory for why that might be and please don't be alarmed by it but...He thinks we, as in everyone in town came from another world and that Lusha used a curse to bring us here and make us forget who we really are."

"He said that to you?"

"Yes."

"Was he playing a joke or something?"

"He looked serious to me. It's that book of his, he says we're characters in his book."

"Nakku mentioned something about that to me the other day. I thought he was overreacting to a child just playing pretend but does Greige really believe that?"

"I think so."

"Oh this is not good. Not good at all." She said. "It's bad enough I have to worry about making sure one of my kids is labeled as crazy but now the both of them?"

"What do you mean? Is something wrong with Nasha?"

"Honestly I don't know. The thing is do you remember when my house caught on fire a few days back?"

"Yes of course. An underground gas pipe burst and it seeped into the vent."

"Yeah that's what Gren managed to get everyone to think."

"That's not what happened?"

"I don't know what happened but." Elkis checked to see if anyone was listening. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Sure."

"On that night when I was getting the kids out of the house I found Nasha completely on fire."

"Completely on fire?" She inquired in a confused manner. "As in?"

"As in her entire body was enclosed in flames."

"Good lord." The school teacher said in horror.

"But the strange thing was she was sleeping in it. She wasn't screaming or burning or moving at all. She was sound asleep as if nothing was happening and she had no burns. None what so ever."

"But that's impossible."

"I know it's impossible but that's what happened."

"Are you sure she was on fire? Maybe the fear and adrenaline of what was going on caused you to see things."

"I know what I saw. I wasn't hallucinating or anything. There was fire all around her and it wasn't hurting her." She said. "Juvina I think Nasha did start that fire but I don't think she did it on purpose. I think she did it while she was asleep."

"But that makes no sense."

"You think I don't realize that? I know it doesn't make sense and that's why it's scaring me."

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know. Right now I don't know what's happening or why it's happening and I am scared for the kids. If this gets out I know Lusha will use it to take them away from me and God forbid stick them in a mental home somewhere."

"Do you think that's where they belong?"

"No. They're not psychotic or mentally unwell but they're...They're not like normal kids. They have something that makes them different and I want to get them help but I am terrified of things getting misinterpreted and them getting declared as insane or psychopathic. But maybe...Maybe I'm just living in denial. What do you think? Do they belong in a home somewhere?"

"Well I can't say for Nasha because I haven't spent that much time with her but I don't believe there's anything mentally wrong with Greige. He's lonely and imaginative but that's normal for kids. Especially ones who never had a family."

"Everything is just so confusing and sometimes I feel like I'm losing my mind. Maybe I should consider seeing a therapist."

"It might help but I can't say for sure."

"I'm sorry for bothering you with this."

"Oh no don't apologize. We're friends and friends are always kind and helpful to each other."

"Still I shouldn't drag you into my business. I gotta go now."

"Okay. See you around."

"You too and please don't tell anyone about our conversation alright?"

"My lips are sealed." She assured her with a smile.

...

Juvia's stay in Ulrich's home was fairly decent. Ulrich always spoke kindly to her and saw to it that her needs were tended to. He would ask her if she was comfortable and if she needed anything though she didn't really ask for much. She liked Ulrich but he seemed to be very weak willed and easily dominated by his wife and older daughter. She remembered how her father always said that if a man cannot stand up for himself then he is doomed to live a pitiful life.

Melanthe spoke kindly to her too but Juvia could not help but feel that her sweet words and nurturing tone voice were completely false. Whenever Ulrich asked Juvia if she wanted him to bring her anything back from his many trips to the market, Melanthe would always advise against it, saying in a passive aggressive manner that a child like her is spoiled enough and that her money shouldn't be wasted on trivial things. Yet Juvia had seen Melanthe use that money to buy many expensive things for herself. Like new dresses, wigs, jewelry, shoes, furniture, and other things. It wasn't long before Juvia realized that Melanthe's only interest in her was her father's wealth which she wanted exploit but she chose to hold her tongue on the matter and be gracious anyway.

Briar the elder daughter of the family did not like Juvia from the very moment she arrived at the house. It was no secret that Briar was her mother's favorite child and those lessons were really just Melanthe grooming her to one day become the wife of a baron, duke, or even the prince of Western Fiore.  But Briar saw competition with Juvia due to her better manners, more proper etiquette, and advanced knowledge on how to be a lady. You see while Briar understood the title and look of a high class woman she knew nothing of grace, humility, respect, and empathy which Juvia had memorized to a fault.

Meredy the younger daughter was happy with Juvia's presence. Her sister always bullied her and never wanted to play with her. She had tried to make friends with the other children but her snob of a mother didn't believe someone of Meredy's status should associate with poor children. She and Juvia enjoyed sharing a room together and they would always make up the most fun games to play. Sometimes they would pretend to be princesses, other times they would go into the garden to look for flowers and animals, and on some occasions Ulrich would set up a tea party for the girls and play music so that they could dance at their own ball. 

"She's so pretty." Meredy said to Briar one day. "When she grows up she'll probably be the most beautiful lady in the world."

"I don't think she is pretty at all." Her sister scoffed. "Just look at her skin. It's so sickly pale, you'd think she was dying or something."

"I think it glows like freshly fallen snow."

"Of course you would. Plain looking  people like you don't know anything about real beauty."

"I'm not plain."

"Oh really? Then why isn't Mother trying to get you ready for when you need to find a husband?"

"Because I'm too young right now."

"Meredy we're only a year apart. The only reason she's not giving you lessons is because she knows you'll never have a husband because not only are you plain but you're also dumb."

"Stop saying that or I'll tell Father."

"He won't do anything and you know it. He never does. You're just a nusiance to him and everyone else in the house. He'll probably trade you to pig farmers one day."

"Why must you always say such cruel things to me?"

"Because they're true. You're a dumb, plain, mousy looking runt and that's all you'll ever be. Even when you get older."

"How dare you speak to her that way." A calm but stern voice interrupted. The girls looked behind themselves to see who the voice belonged to. It was Juvia. 

"Were you addressing me?" Briar asked.

"Yes I was. How dare you to speak to your sister in such a horrid manner. I've never seen such a cruel display in all my life." 

"So? I can say whatever I want to her. Mother and Father don't care but they do care if someone disrespects me. You have no right to talk to me like that."

"Maybe I have no right to do so but you should be ashamed of yourself for even thinking of saying such hurtful things and to your own sister no less. If that's how you talk to people including someone who's your family then Meredy has a much better prospect at finding a husband in the future than you do."

As expected Briar complained about it to her parents who had mixed views on the subject.

"Well...Juvia wasn't entirely wrong." Ulrich said. "You really shouldn't say such things to your sister."

"Oh hush Ulrich." Melanthe said. "Briar was only telling the child the truth to save her the embarrassment of being rejected by every man she would foolishly try pursue in the future."

"Aren't you going to punish that brat?" Briar asked.

"I'm afraid we'll have to let it slide this time Briar." Melanthe said. "Remember the money her father is paying us."

"But I don't like her."

"Neither do I but one must be able tolerant certain things when a great deal of money is involved. Just think of all the wonderful things I'll be able to buy you once her father pays us."

"When will that be?"

"I don't know but we must be patient and keep in mind." She grabbed Briar roughly by the chin and spoke in a threatening demeanor. "That I have made many expensive purchases and I am relying on her father to pay the bill. If he finds that Juvia was unhappy during her stay and we lose that money because of you things won't be as easy for you as they were here on out. Understand?"

Briar nodded and understood her place in the scheme of things. That same night as the girls were getting ready for bed, Juvia could not help but notice how sad Meredy was looking. 

"Are you okay?" Juvia asked her.

"Briar isn't wrong you know. I am plain looking."

"No you're not."

"Yes I am. That's why Mother never buys pretty dresses or shoes for me. It would be a waste."

"I think you're very pretty."

"You're not just saying that to be nice are you?"

"No. I'm not."

"Thank you but why are you so kind to me? You're not even my sister."

"No but I am your friend and friends are always kind and helpful to each other."

Meredy hugged her, she hugged her back, and they got into their own beds where they fell asleep with happiness. It wasn't a perfect life and there were difficulties but Juvia would have been just fine living that way. Had that man with that horrible message never come.

It was only a week later in the fall when a knock came to the door. Ulrich answered it and a man bearing the most dreadful news entered the household. After speaking with Ulrich and his wife for an hour he left and Melanthe called Juvia to speak with her in the drawing room alone. As the little girl was making her way she could hear the lady of the house talking with her husband.

"Melanthe this seems cruel." She heard Ulrich said. "Surely we can think of another solution."

"Don't be so soft hearted." His wife said coldly. "That spoiled, pampered, fanciful child has been left a pauper on our hands and we are now in dept. Someone must pay and I think that it should be her."

"But Melanthe-"

"Just get out of here and let me handle it!"

She saw him protest for a moment but eventually he gave into her demands. As he was walking out of the room he looked at her with great pity and remorse. Juvia knew that what she was about to hear would not be good.  She moved slowly when she walked in and when Melanthe faced her their was no facade. No false smile or caring manner. Her face, her eyes, her stance all cold and cruel. 

"I'm afraid I have some bad news Juvia." She said without a hint of pity or comfort. "Your father was just recently killed in a battle against the trolls and to make matters worse they invaded the Western shores and sunk every merchant ship your father owned so his fortune is lost as well. "

When she heard this Juvia just stood quite still and looked at her without making a sound. She shook her head a few times as if to deny that what she was hearing was a mistake but eventually she realized had to be true otherwise Melanthe wouldn't be showing her true colors.

"You have no living relatives nearby and you are quite alone in the world." She continued. "Unless I decide to keep you out of charity."

"Charity?" She managed to bring herself to say.

"Yes. I should throw you out and leave you to be a beggar or food for wolves because the expenses you incurred have left me and my family in debt. But I'm not so heartless, you may stay but you will earn your keep here. Everything you own will now belong to me. That includes your clothes, shoes, books, toys, everything. You will no longer share a room with Meredy. From now on you'll sleep in the attic and work as a servant. Now go to the attic and stay there, I will be up in a moment to explain your duties to you."

Without a word and as if in a dream Juvia left the drawing room and went upstairs to the attic but not before stopping by Meredy's room to get the box which contained the three gifts her mother gave her. Luckily no one else in the house knew of them so Melanthe wouldn't try to take them. But she did take everything else. She emptied Meredy's room of everything that belonged to Juvia and divided it into two groups. Stuff she would sell and stuff she would give to Briar.

In the evening Melanthe came up to the attic to explain to Juvia what she would be doing from here on out. 

"You will be sweeping the chimneys and halls, scrubbing the floors, helping my daughters bathe and get dress, dusting the furniture, serving our meals, weeding the garden, going out to the market for what we need, washing and mending all the clothes. If you do not do as your told or if I hear any complaints you'll either been starved, beaten, or thrown out. Is that clear?"

Juvia could only nod. Melanthe then slammed the attic door as hard she could leaving Juvia alone and finally giving her the prefect moment to mourn. She dropped to the hard floors, removed one of the wooden planks that had weakened over the years, and pulled out her box which she had hidden in the floor boards. She gently grabbed the doll called Levy from the box and held it close to her heart while quietly sobbing:

"Papa."