Later that night Greige couldn't sleep. He was too busy thinking about his theory. He knew it to be true although he wasn't sure why he believed it so surely. Call it a gut feeling. But according to the book everyone under the curse was unhappy even the one who cast it and the only way they'll be happy again is if the curse is broken. He grabbed a flashlight, went under the covers of his bed, and began reading every chapter in his book that spoke of the curse with the intention of finding a clue or something. Finally he found something when reading the chapter about Jellal and Erza talking to Gray about the curse and how it can be broken.

The next morning as he was walking from Elkis's car to school he got the strangest feeling that he was being watched. He stopped, looked around himself, and discovered that he was being spied on. From a distance he could see Lusha sitting in her car watching his every move carefully. As if she was making sure he wasn't going to do something. He quickly hurried inside to escape her gaze.

Later at recess she approached him while he was sitting alone by a tree and reading his book.

"Hello." She greeted in a polite and friendly manner which he could tell was half sincere and half fake. He looked up from his book and at her then back at his book again without saying anything. "Aren't you going to say hello back?"

"I'm not supposed to talk to strangers."

"You're right. You're not supposed to but I'm not a stranger."

"Do I know you?"

"No not really."

"Are you a friend of Elkis?"

"No."

"Do you work here?"

"No."

"Then you're a stranger so technically I shouldn't be talking to you." He looked back at his book. "Also I would appreciate if you would stop spying on me. It's creepy and if you think about it it's kind of wrong considering our age differences. In fact I'm pretty sure you could be arrested for stalking a kid."

"Oh aren't you the precocious one?"

He could tell by her voice that she was trying not to be irritated. He knew he was annoying her and that was his intention because he hoped that it would make her go away.

"That's a nice book. May I see it?" She asked.

"I'd rather you not." He answered.

"I just want to read it a little."

"Why?"

"I...I have fondness for children's books."

"Then go buy your own."

"Young man you shouldn't speak to adults that way."

"And you shouldn't be approaching a kid you don't know without a trusted adult present. It kind of looks bad."

"Look I don't want any trouble-"

"Then go away before I scream and someone decides to call the cops."

"Why you smart mouthed little brat!" She said losing her patience. "How dare you address me like that. I happen to be the mayor and well respected person of the community."

"You're also an evil princess hell bent on ruining everyone's life because you think it'll fill some sad void."

"What?!" She cried in shock. "What did you just say?"

"I think you heard me. You don't exactly give off the vibe of being deaf."

Apprehension flickered in her brown eyes. As if he had just discovered her dirtiest secret.

"Who told you that?"

"Told me what?"

"What you just called me. Who told you that I was that."

"Nobody told me anything. I figured it out all by myself."

"You lie!"

"No I don't!"

"Yes you do! You liar! Who told you that nonsense?! Who?!"

"Mayor Heartfilia." Juvina stepped forward and gently, almost protective-like, put her hands on Greige's shoulders. "What are you doing here?"

"I apologise for causing a disturbance Miss Lockser, I just wanted to talk to this young man about something."

"On school property? Without his guardian present? Don't you find that a little unorthodox?"

"It's not like I'm some random person. I am the mayor."

"Yes you're the mayor not a police officer. Therefore you have no jurisdiction to speak to a minor alone without a parent or guardian's permission and I think it would best if you left now."

"Miss Lockser am I to understand that you're asking me to leave?"

"Yes I thought I made that perfectly clear?"

"Since when you did you grow a backbone?"

"When you started harassing one of my students." She said gently and subtly pulling Greige closer to her and away from the blonde. "Now again please leave or I will have to call security."

Lusha looked down at Greige who was smirking in victory. It made her blood boil to an especially high degree because she had seen that exact smirk many times before. However it was on a different face. An older one that was more dark.

She looked back at Juvina and saw something that she had never seen in her. A glare. A warning glare. One that told Lusha that she wouldn't back down and was prepared to take action if it was required to keep that boy safe.

"I didn't mean to cause any trouble. Again I apologise." She walked away after that.

"Whoa! Miss Lockser that was amazing." Greige said.

"It was?" His teacher asked.

"Yeah. You actually stood up to her."

"I did? I did. Huh...I've never done that before. In fact I was afraid to before. I wonder what happened?"

Juvina didn't know what had come over her. Usually when Lusha caused trouble she would do everything she could not to get involved and not to make Lusha angry or upset. But in that moment when she saw the mayor yelling at Greige her fears and shyness were all forgotten and replaced with a desire to help the boy and keep him safe no matter what. Where did that come from?

...

The act of kindness from that boy and the loving written words of her mother helped Juvia develop a new outlook on life. She was still abused, humiliated, and forced into servitude but she tried her best to ignore her sorrows and find ways to be happy. One of the things that kept her smiling in the face of such unfairness and cruelty was her friends although they weren't exactly typical friends. There were the doves who lived in the old cote which she would visit very often, her doll Levy who she couldn't help but feel was alive in someway, and a black cat she found hiding in the garden once who she decided to call Gajeel. Her friends were not human and they could not speak but somehow they could understand Juvia and she could understand them.

Years passed and despite her difficult living conditions Juvia grew into a young woman with a sweet disposition, a loving heart, and incredible beauty. Yes not even the ragged clothes and ash from the fireplace could hide what a stunningly beautiful maiden she was which unfortunately made Melanthe and her daughter Briar be even more cruel to her. Both were bitterly jealous of Juvia's charm and beauty, and no matter how hard the vain and selfish women tried to make themselves more attractive such as dressing in rich clothes that were of the newest fashions or wearing the most expensive jewels and wigs, Juvia was still a hundred times more beautiful than them.

Melanthe hoped that the toil and labor would eventually cause her wither into a hag but she was able to turn her work into a strength and through it all she remained ever gentle and kind, for with each dawn she found new hope that someday her dreams of happiness would come true.

"Good morning." She said as she entered the cote with a small bowl of grain, seeds, and dried corn. "Time to get up. I have your breakfast."

She took a handful of feed from the bowl and threw it out on to the ground. Flocks of white doves fluttered down and began to eat their fill. After that each of them gave her a little peck-like kiss to show gratitude for their morning meal. She was the only one who actually fed the doves since their cote had been abandoned, she also made sure that no predators got inside, and if one of them broke a wing she would tend to their wound until it was better. Because of such kindness the doves secretly vowed to each other that they would always help Juvia when they could.

"And did you all sleep well last night?" She asked.

The doves nodded.

"No foxes or hawks or snakes got in?"

They shook their heads.

"Good."

Suddenly she heard a yowl come from behind which caused the other doves to fly into hiding. She turned around and saw that her cat Gajeel had followed her and once again tried to pounce on and eat one of her feathered friends.

"Of Gajeel you mangy thing!" She scolded before picking him up. "What have I told you about trying to harm my other friends?"

The cat opened it's jaw to tell her that he couldn't help himself and that a cat has to eat.

"Now don't you give me that same excuse." She said. "You know very well you're not starving. I gave you some of my eggs this morning and it was a good amount too. You're just being a glutton and a bully. If you keep trying to harm my dear friends the doves then I won't feed you anymore and I won't let you sleep in my room anymore. You can go back to fending for yourself, how about that?"

Gajeel's ears went down in shame and he gave her a little mewl before nuzzling her neck.

"Oh no. That's not going to work this time." But he purred as he novel and gave her nose a little lick. She smiled and hugged him. "Oh I can't stay mad at you. I'll forgive you but if you try that again I'll put you out for the night."

She left the dovecote and put him down on the ground.

"Now run along and do what you please but stay out of trouble." She said sternly. "That means no going in the kitchen. If Melanthe finds you, she'll know I let you go and I'll be in big trouble."

Juvia met Gajeel back when she was a child and he was just a kitten. It had been a very cold winter and poor Gajeel had been one of those kittens who heartless people would sometimes throw into the river. Luckily Gajeel was very resourceful and managed to pull himself out of the water. Freezing half way to death he sought warmth in Ulrich's house and sneaked in through the back door which had been left open. He fell asleep in a basket of clean sheets and that's where Melanthe found him. She had screamed to the top of her lungs how black cats were bad luck and now that one had entered their house they would suffer a curse unless the creature was burned.

She chose Juvia to do it but she couldn't bring herself to harm him. Bad luck or not, he had just as much right to live as anyone else. So she not only spared his life but gave him food and a home with her. In return for food and shelter Gajeel would hunt and scare away all the rats in the attic and sleep at her bedside to keep her warm on those especially cold nights. He would get into mischief sometimes but she always forgave him. He was her first friend and she dreaded the day he would die because she knew that a cat's life span is much shorter than a human one. Some nights as she was stroking his fur coat in bed, before drifting off she mumble out loud a wish that he age like she did. And maybe it was her imagination but it seemed that her wish had come true. He was only thirteen and he still seemed so young.

After watching him scamper off, Juvia went back to the house and later into town with Melanthe and her daughters to do their shopping. And by shopping I mean they would buy things and have Juvia carry them.

"I want a new piece of jewelry Mother." Briar said. "All my old ones have become dull and ugly."

"Don't worry my sweet we'll find you something." Her mother assured her. "Something that will make you stand out and catch the eye of a count or duke."

"Do you think I get something too Mother?" Meredy asked.

"I suppose. But it'll have to be a cheap little trinket. Remember you can't outshine your sister."

"Yes Mother."

Melanthe then looked over at Juvia.

"And what of you Juvia?"

"I beg your pardon Madame." She replied.

"Would you like anything special from the market today?" She asked in a sickeningly sweet voice.

"No. Not really."

"Oh but there must be something."

"I...I guess I wouldn't mind a new frock to work in. My old one has a few holes and-"

"Typical!" She snapped. "You leave me and my husband in dept and yet you still feel the need to give yourself grander things. I thought you had learned to become less spoiled over the years!"

Juvia sighed and just patiently listened to the woman lash out at her and degrade her like she always did. Before long they arrived in town. At once all heads turned when Juvia walked by and they directed their gazes at her. They just couldn't help themselves, they had never seen anyone so lovely. Children mistook her to be a fairy, single and unfaithful men ogled her, and women thought that she was the picture of innocence.

"Now there's a lovely sight." One man whispered. "What a tender lass."

"Isn't she the most darling thing you've ever seen?" An older woman whispered to her friend.

"Yes absolutely charming." Her friend agreed.

"I don't think there's ever been anyone in this all town so fair."

"Her looks have got no parallel."

"And she carries herself with such grace."

"Do you think she's married?" A younger man asked his friend.

"I don't know but if I wasn't married." His friend said with a raised eyebrow.

"Ahem!" Scoffed his wife who hit him over the head with the new rolling pin she bought.

Juvia did not hear what the townspeople said about her because she was too busy trying to carry all the new dresses and other things that Melanthe had bought. But Briar heard them and it made her seethe with envy. She despised how eligible bachelors would come to the house asking to court Juvia but Melanthe would always refuse and try to turn their attention to Briar but they paid her no mind.

"Why don't men ever call on me?" She would to herself. "I'm twice as beautiful as her and I'm a woman of class and wealth. She's just a scullery maid."

"Excuse me Miss." She saw one young man say to the blue haired maiden. "May I help you carry your things?"

"Oh that's very kind of you but you needn't bother." She said.

"It's no bother at all. I'd do anything to help a young lady."

"Well if you insist."

"Mother!" Briar whined to Melanthe upon seeing that display. "Juvia is flirting with that man! The shameless little hussy! If she keeps this up I'll never find a husband!"

"Don't worry Briar. I'll put a stop to this." Melanthe hurried over to them and grabbed Juvia roughly by the arm causing her to drop everything. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Nothing."

"Looked to me like you were flirting and because of that you have now dropped all the fine things we bought."

"But I-"

"Not another word. Since you feel the need to fool around with boys I think we should give you more constructive things to do. Tonight after you finish your usual chores I'll give you something extra to do."

So after a long day of housework Melanthe called Juvia into the kitchen where she dumped a large pile of lentils and ashes into the floor.

"Before you got to bed tonight I want you sort out this entire pile." She said.

"But that will take me all night." Juvia said.

"If that is the case so be it. I want it all sorted out by morning and if you fall asleep before finishing, you will not be feed for two weeks."

Juvia sighed but she knew that she could not argue against her mistress. She got down on her knees and began to sort through the lentils and ashes but she was so tired. Exhausted from all the work she had been doing today.

"I can't fall asleep. Not yet." She told herself.

As she worked her doll Levy sat on a kitchen chair and watched her. Juvia thought that if she talked to it maybe would have a better chance of stay awake.

"You're lucky Levy you don't need sleep." She said feeling her eyes droop. "You also don't need food or clothes or a home or money. You just need someone to love you. Not like me who needs so much."

She could barely stay up any longer and started to sink to the floor and before completely succumbing to sleep entirely she mumbled:

"I know you're just a doll and yo can't really hear me but...But I wish you were real."

She dozed off after that, too tired to fear the wrath she could suffer from her mistress tomorrow. But then something strange and wonderful happened. The doll sitting on that chair started to grow and grow and grow until it wasn't a doll anymore. It was a petite, fragile, but lovely young woman. She stood up from the chair and stretched.

"Finally." She said. "I was wondering when she was going to make that wish, took much longer than I thought. Oh well better late than never I suppose."

She glanced over at Juvia who was still asleep and at the moment unable to wake to the sound of just someone's voice.

"Poor thing." Levy pulled a blanket from her dress pocket and covered her with it. "There you are dear. You get some sleep and I'll take care of this."

She then opened the kitchen window and whistled. At once all the doves from the cote flew into the the room.

"Now you all are Juvia's friends right?" She asked them.

They nodded.

"And she's been very good to you hasn't she?"

Again they nodded.

"So you wouldn't mind helping her out would you?"

They shook their heads.

"Excellent because right she needs your help with this." She pointed over to the pile of ashes and lentils. "It must be done before morning. Can you do it?"

Without a word the doves fluttered toward the floor and began to pick, peck, and sort through the lentils and ashes. As they did this Levy sat beside the sleeping Juvia and began to gently comb all the ash, dirt, and cinder from her hair.

"Your life is going get a little bit easier from now." She said softly. "I promise."

Now you might think that Levy is based off of Cinderella's Fairy Godmother. But she's actually based off of a character from a Russian fairy tale called Beautiful Vasilisa. The character is a magic doll who helps a beautiful girl getting abused by her evil stepmother.