Juvia wasn't sure how long she slept but when she woke up she became very frightened because she knew that she had not finished her work and would most likely starve as punishment for it. But to her surprise she found the ashes and lentils completely sorted out. 

"How odd." She thought. 

She was certain that she had fallen asleep before finishing so how did it get done?

"So you actually finished it?" She heard the cold voice of her mistress say from where she stood in the kitchen doorway. "Well done. You've earned the right to eat."

"Thank you ma'am."

"Well don't just sit there! Get up and serve us our breakfast!"

"Yes ma'am."

She got the trays and dishes set up at the table then brought the family their breakfast.

"I heard you slept by the fireplace this time." Briar said. "You're probably covered in ash and soot. Why don't you sleep with the pigs if you insist on smelling like one?"

"Briar." Ulrich said. "That was a bit harsh don't you think?"

"Is it harsh to call someone out on the fact that they are filthy because they sleep near dirt?"

"Actually she doesn't look very dirty at all." Meredy observed which earned a hateful glare from her sister that made her go a little meek. "I mean...Well look. Her hair and face are completely free of ash."

Juvia glanced at her reflection in the looking glass that hung in the hallway. Meredy was right. Her hair and her face was clean. There was no a trace of ash or cinder to be seen and was it her imagination or did her hair appear much more shinning and sparkling today? Her master and his family noticed it as well. Now Juvia's hair had always been pretty yet hard to notice due to the kerchief and the ash but today it was absolutely dazzling and well kept.

"How on earth did a wench like you get your hair like that?" Briar asked.

"I would not know." Juvia answered. "I have no comb, no brush, both were sold to pay off that dreadful debt that I unfairly let you all with."

That's not how she really saw it but she knew if she degraded herself it would make her mistress less likely to act wrathful. 

"I shall now go wash and mend all the clothes. Excuse me."

The rest of the day was fairly the same. She did her chores, fed Gajeel and the doves, tended to every need of her mistress and her daughters, all without one complaint. By the end of the day she was back to being covered in cinders and ash, forced to go to sleep like that no less but come morning it was all gone again and that's how it was here on out. She would go to sleep ash covered and then wake up clean and looking more fair. It was confusing to her and she didn't understand how it was happening. 

Then one day it was announced that next spring the king of Western Fiore would be holding a royal ball in hopes that his son Prince Lyon would choose a bride. Every eligible maiden was expected to attend and these news filled the entire house hold with excitement.

"Just think of it." Meredy said. "We'll get to see the castle all lit up and beautiful. And we might even meet the prince."

"You've seen him?" Juvia said.

"I saw him once riding through town while we were out shopping. He was so handsome that I became lost and fell over myself like a fool. Everyone laughed at me but he..." She sighed with blushing cheeks. "He smiled at me and helped me back to my feet. He was even more wonderful than I thought."

"Maybe you'll lucky enough to be chosen by him at the ball."

"Oh no. No that could never be me."

"Obviously." Briar said. "I shall be the one he chooses to be his queen."

"What makes you so sure?" Meredy asked.

"Mother says it's my destiny to one day be a queen and this is my chance to ensure that it stays my destiny."

"You know every eligible woman has been invited. He'll have hundreds of women to choose from and he'll most likely pick someone in his own social class."

"We are in his social class."

"Briar he's royalty. We're not."

"We deserve to be royalty Meredy you stupid girl." Melanthe said. "If your sister marries the prince we'll live in a castle and have the lives that fate cheated us out of. Ulrich!"

Her husband hurried downstairs to answer his wife's call.

"Yes dear." He said.

"Tomorrow you are going to see over any merchant ships coming correct?" His wife said.

"Yes."

"Good because while you're gone I want you to buy some things for me and our daughters."

"What do you all need?"

"Anything to make us stand out among all the women in the kingdom. I would like expensive and elegant perfumes and rouges. Something to make me always appear as young looking as I am."

"Yes dear." He turned to his daughters. "What would you like my girls?"

"I want gowns and dresses of the finest silks you can find." Briar said. "I also want precious stones and jewelry. Nothing cheap."

"Could I have a few new dresses?" Meredy asked. "It doesn't have to be extravagant but decent."

"Of course Meredy." He said caressing his daughter's cheek. "And would you like some new jewelry as well? Perhaps a new necklace or brooch?"

"That would be lovely Father. Thank you."

His gaze then fell upon Juvia who was scrubbing the floors. Truth be told Ulrich felt so guilty that he had allowed his wife to torment the girl so. Especially since she was the daughter of his best friend and he wished he could stop his wife's mistreatment of her but again he was a man who lacked nerve so he did nothing. But he figured that perhaps he could bring her back something just to make things a little easier.

"Juvia." He called. She stood up from the floor and approached him. 

"Yes sir." She said respectfully.

"Is there anything I can bring you?"

"Bring her something?" Melanthe said. "Are you mad? We're in dept because of this girl and you think she deserves a gift."

"It doesn't have to be expensive. She's done her work very well, she never complains, and she never really asks for anything. What's the harm in giving her just one inexpensive present?"

"You don't need to get me anything sir." Juvia said. "I have what I need and there is nothing I want."

"There must be something."

She could tell that he was doing this because he believed it would ease some of the guilt he had over doing nothing to help her when she lost everything. She pitied the man because she knew his intentions were good but disappointed that he would not act on them. However out of kindness she would comply. 

"I guess there is something I would like."

"What would that be?"

"Careful how you answer." Melanthe warned. "Remember you already owe us so much. It would be unwise to raise your payment."

Juvia thought of the cheapest thing she could ever want. Not need but want. Honestly all she ever really wanted was something to remind her of when she was happy. Of when she lived with her father and was always so loved. Melanthe had sold or thrown away all her pictures of her father so she had nothing to remember him by. She still remembered the last time they did something together, just the two of them. 

It was the day before he brought her here and she was feeling so sad about it. She wouldn't even come out of her room to have breakfast because she just wanted to wonder why her dear papa had to go. But at noon the servants convinced her to come out because there was a surprise for her in the garden. It was a tea party her father had set up with little dishes, tea cups, tea, cookies, little cakes, and silver. They talked and laughed and her father could not help but compare her to summer roses. Saying that like a rose she was full of life and beauty, always blossoming. Roses. Yes she was sure that the sweet fragrance of those flowers would remind her of those wonderful times.

"If it's not too much to ask." She said. "I would like a rose."

"A rose?" He said confused.

"It is a funny request I know but it will not cost you much and they are beautiful."

"As you wish."

The next morning Ulrich left for his trip. Juvia was cleaning his bedchamber while Melanthe was at her vanity. 

"It would seem that you have grown wiser over the years." The vain woman said not taking her eyes away from her reflection in the mirror.

"How so Madame?" Juvia asked.

"You asked for a rose yet it is Autumn and no flower grows this season. My husband will not be able to spend a penny on you. Perhaps now you have become humble."

"Perhaps."

"He needs to focus on getting Briar what she needs anyway. After all a future queen must look her best."

"Yes Madame."

"As her mother I must push her to be all that she can be." She turned from the vanity to face Juvia. "It's a pity you never knew your mother."

"But I miss her. I don't remember her but I miss her and my father."

"Yes but we must never feel sorry for ourselves must we?"

"No Madame. We mustn't."

"But I suppose one good thing did come from her untimely demise." She said. 

"Is it that she went to heaven Madame?"

"Not quite. According to my husband she was a beauty unsurpassed however, she would have been greatly disappointed had she lived long enough to see that her daughter had grown into such a homely creature."

"Oh...I see."

"You know your appearance does reflect a certain crudeness. What can I do to make you try?"

"I do try Madame. I want to please you and I often try to think of ways that I can better myself for you."

"Oh calm down child." She said with an eye roll. "Relax."

"Alright..." She said. "I guess I've never really had a reason to work on my appearance. House work is all I want to do but maybe...Maybe if I could go to ball to I would-"

"You go to the ball? Don't make me laugh."

"But every eligible woman is invited."

"And you consider yourself eligible? A homely, dirty faced, washer woman? You would only humiliate us and ruin Briar's chances. How could you even think of doing that after all I've done for you? I have sheltered and cared for you all these years when you are penniless and you continue to repay my generosity with selfishness. Remember I took you out of the gutter and I can put you back just as easily."

"Forgive me Madame I'm very grateful for all that you've done."

"Then prove it by getting back to work and never even thinking of such a foolish request again."

"Yes Madame."

Words could not describe how hurt she felt. Following her late mother's advice wasn't easy with what Juvia had to put up with but she trusted her words and believed that she would be rewarded for her patience and compassion.

"I wish I knew why she hated me so much Gajeel." She told her cat as they sat up in the attic that night. "It's as if she'll only be happy if I am miserable but I have done nothing to her? Have I?"

"I should say not." A voice said which startled her. "If you ask me she's a vile and unfeeling woman who I'd love to see turned into a donkey. Let her see how it feels to be worked and treated like as a lower species."

Juvia looked around the attic for someone but the door was closed and she saw no other person.

"Who said that?" Juvia asked.

She saw Gajeel stare intensely at her doll which sat across from them and get into a defensive position.

"Don't be silly Gajeel. Dolls can't talk."

"Ordinary ones can't dear but I'm not ordinary." She heard the voice again and looked back at her doll which started growing again until she took human form. 

Juvia gasped in amazement and Gajeel scampered to hide between her legs. 

"Ah that's better." The woman said standing up and stretching. "Goodness. We dolls can't get sick or tired but we can get cricks in our neck. Can you believe that?"

Juvia just looked at her with wide eyes of disbelief. She rubbed them a few times to make sure she wasn't seeing things and she even pinched herself to see if she was dreaming.

"Who...What...Are you?" She asked.

"Oh really Juvia you know who I am. I'm your doll Levy."

"Oh...Right. Sorry it's just um...Alright how do I say this without being rude? How are you human?  Oh my goodness it's finally happened. The stress of this life has driven me mad."

"You're not mad Juvia." She said kindly. "And technically I'm not human. I'm still a doll but I'm a fairy doll."

"A fairy doll? What's that?"

"We're dolls made by fairies and we're given a consciousness and a little magic as a means to assist children. Fun fact all toys were originally made by magic with the purpose of not only to entertain the children they were given to but to protect them. Watch over them and help them. That's how Father Christmas intended it when he created them."

"Father Christmas? He created magic toys?"

"You think it's a coincidence that all his toys are made by magical elves?"

"Not anymore I guess."

 "Anyway said elves shared their magic toy making tips with their distant cousins the fairies and that's when fairy dolls were made. Although I wouldn't exactly catergorize fairy dolls as toys. We're much more advanced than that." 

"But if you can talk and turn yourself human why haven't you done it before?"

"That's the tricky part. We can only use our powers if the child we're given to wishes for our help or friendship. You didn't make that wish until the other night when you fell asleep in the kitchen."

"I did?"

"You wished that I was real because you felt you needed a real friend."

Gajeel yowled in an insulted manner.

"I think you mean a more human-like friend." Juvia corrected. "I have real friends like Gajeel."

"Oh yes. Sorry about that." Levy apologized to the cat. "Anyway after that I did whatever I could to help you. I had those ashes and lentils sorted out and every night when you went to sleep I would comb the cinders from your hair and wipe the ashes from your face."

"That was you?"

"Yes."

"How long have you been like this?"

"A week."

"Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

"I wasn't sure how to tell you. I was afraid you would panic. We live in a magical realm yet people still don't take well to objects that come to life but after hearing what that woman said to you tonight I figured now was the best time."

"You heard all that?"

"I've heard and seen everything that woman has done to you for the past thirteen years and it sickened me. I hated it that I couldn't comfort you properly during those nights where you wept and there is no number for how many times I wished I could turn that woman into a pig or rat." 

"Could you actually do that?"

"Unfortunately no. Fairies and Fairy dolls can only use magic to do good things. Like bring joy and happiness."

"That's alright, I wouldn't want you to turn her into anything anyway. I won't stoop to their level."

"Very mature of you."

"Thank you. So what can you do?"

 "Mostly household magic and protective spells. I only have a small amount of fairy magic so there's not much I can do besides those two things.  But I can work with animals in a way."

"How so?"

Levy looked over at Gajeel and smiled as an idea popped into her head. As if he could sense what she had in mind, the cat tried to run and hide.

"Oh no you don't. Come here you." She grabbed him and picked him up before he could get too far. He struggled and batted at Levy but her grip was a lot stronger than he thought. "Oh you're a feisty little thing aren't you? Now calm down I'm not going to hurt you."

"What are you going to do to him?" Juvia asked.

"You'll see."

With her free hand she snapped her fingers and a pair of small  but fine-looking boots appeared in her hand. She put the boots on the cat's feet, placed him back on the floor, and stepped back. 

"Oops! I almost forgot."

"Forgot what?" Juvia asked. 

"Dear could I make use of your curtains for something?"

"Sure."

She pulled all the curtains off of the attic windows and then pulled some shears and sewing tools from her dress pocket. In no time at all she made those old curtains into an outfit that was just Gajeel's size. She picked him up again and dressed him in the clothes she made.

"There we go now you won't be naked when do this." She said putting him back down.

"Do what?" Juvia asked.

Instead of answering Levy snapped her fingers again and in amazement Juvia watched her feline friend instantly transform into a big and surprisingly muscular man with long wild hair that matched his fur color.

"Tada!" Levy said.

"Gajeel?" Juvia asked bending over to the man who was formerly a cat. "Is that you?"

He put his hands to her face, next his arms, then his chest, then his legs. 

"I..." He tried to talk. "I...I...I'm human?"

"Wow." Juvia said. "This is incredible. How did you do that Levy?"

"It's the boots." She said. "They're magic. Whenever he wears them he'll take the form of a man. Now you can have a proper conversation with your pet."

"Pet?!" Gajeel said once again feeling insulted. "Who are you calling a pet? I am no one's pet."

"Really? Last I checked you were Juvia's. I mean she did feed you, groom you, and let you sleep at her bedside for about thirteen years."

"I am not Juvia's pet. I am her companion. She does not own me, I choose to live with her therefore I am not a pet."

"Right." Levy said sarcastically. 

"At least I'm not a child's play thing."

"I am not a play thing!"

"You're a doll. A toy."

"I am much more advanced than that."

"In what way? You're made of glass like every other fancy toy nowadays."

"That's china you dolt."

"Oh dear." Juvia said trying contain her growing laughter over how silly this was. Her doll and her cat arguing with each other. What an amusing display.

...

After school that day when Elkis came to pick Greige up, Juvina told her about Lusha harassing him. 

"She didn't hurt him did she?" Elkis said.

"No but she was yelling at him and I think she was trying to get him to tell her something." Juvina said.

"Tell her what?"

"I don't know but in all the years I've worked at this school I've never once seen her approach any of my students like that."

"You don't think she was trying to abduct him do you?"

"No. No Lusha has very skewed sense of morality but I truly believe that she would never do anything to harm a child."

"Why do you think that?"

"Call it a gut feeling. Don't get me wrong she is very a disturbed and troubled woman but something tells me that there are moral boundaries that even she wouldn't cross."

"Even so I find that fact that she just out of the blew walked up to him without me unsettling. Tomorrow could you keep an eye on Greige? Just in case she might try it again."

"Of course."

"Thank you and maybe tomorrow before work, I'll have a little chat with Madame Mayor."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"I'm not afraid of her."

"There's a big difference between not being afraid of someone and just inviting them to cause trouble for you. If Lusha isn't bothering you, you should just stay out of her way."

"She bothered me when she harassed my foster son."

"But I took care of that and if she tries something again I'll call security or the police. It's been handled. There's no need to confront her."

"Fine. I won't say anything to her." She huffed in frustration.

"I'm not saying that you shouldn't defend yourself or your kids Elkis. But there are times when you should just let a sleeping dragon lie. Don't cause trouble when it's unnecessary."

"Alright I guess you have a point there. By the way did Greige tell you what she talked to him about?"

"According to him all she wanted to know was if someone had told him a lie about her and who that someone was."

"Why on earth would she care if some random little boy heard a lie about her?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. There are a lot of things I don't understand about that woman but I still try to be nice to her because Lord knows she needs it."

"What she needs is a shrink and possibly a priest." Elkis said. "But that's enough talking about her for now. I need to get home anyway."

"Goodbye Elkis. Have a good evening."

"You too."