When Ulrich finished the week of seeing over the trade business of his ships he immediately bought all the fine things his wife and daughters had asked for. He bought perfumes, rouges, dresses, shoes, and jewelry but due to the cold weather of the season he was unable to find a rose for Juvia. He was disappointed not to have a gift for her but he could not help if a flower refused to bloom in Autumn.

At the end of the week he mounted his horse and made his way home. The quickest way back to Western Fiore was through the forest and his horse knew the way so there should not have been any trouble. But during the trip he found himself caught in something terrible but also odd. A storm of ice and cold wind, unheard of in the season of fall yet somehow here it was and it lead to him making a wrong turn. He began to fear that he had lost his way however the storm did not last long and when it cleared he could see a path that would take him straight home.

But before taking that route he spotted something in the distance that peeked his interest. He directed his horse toward what he saw and drawing nearer to it he discovered that it was a magnificent yet ominous looking castle.

"Strange." He thought. "Why would a castle be in this God forsaken forest?"

With his curiosity now even further peeked, he steered his horse to take him all around the castle grounds so he could get a better look at it. Now pretty much everything surrounding this castle was covered in snow and withering away. Absolutely nothing was alive or thriving. But then Ulrich caught sight a very peculiar looking gate that was behind the castle and well hidden but obviously not to where it would be impossible for it to be seen.

He got off of his horse and approached the gate. It was locked but he could see what was behind it and it was the most amazing thing. Outside of the gate it was barren and cold from the touch of the mysterious Winter climate change but inside of it was a garden that was flourishing and warm like Summer. This confused the man for he did not understand how such a miracle could exist. However his confusion and wonder quickly turned to joy and relief when he saw a hedge roses blooming around the gate.

"It seems that God has favored me." He thought to himself. "At last I can do something that will ease my burden."

Without thinking he stuck his hand through the gate a plucked a single red rose from the hedges. But at the exact moment the flower was removed from it's place the sky suddenly seemed to darken all around him and something jumped down, pinning him to the ground with it's clawed hand gripping his throat. When Ulrich's vision cleared from the shock he looked up at what had him pinned and in that moment he felt as he would die of fright. He knew who this creature was. He had heard countless horrifying tales about him during his many travels, he had even seen the monstrosity once and watched as he cruelly snapped the neck of one of his former employees who had gotten mixed up in one of his many deals.

It was the Shadow Beast. Gray. 

"And just what do you think you're doing?" He asked. His voice was calm and he was grinning but his eyes were overflowing with rage. "Who gave you permission to trespass on my property?"

"Please." He sniveled. "Let me explain. I did not mean to trespass I...I lost my way. There was a storm! I could not see!"

"Really? Well if that's the case I might be able to forgive you but while you were trying to find your way through I presume you noticed the gate? The locked gate!"

"Ye-yes."

"And what do you suppose the lock on that gate is for?"

"To...To...To keep people out?"

"Exactly!" He tightened his grip on Ulrich's neck. "Funny, I thought you must be stupid because only an idiot would dare steal from me!"

"I did not know this castle was yours! Nor did I know that this rose was yours as well! Please! I beg your forgiveness!"

"Forgiveness?" He chuckled sinisterly at that. "Why you should you be forgiven? You trespassed on my property and you stole something from me. No one steals from me and lives to tell about it!"

"It was only a rose!"

"Every rose in that garden is valuable to me. More valuable than anyone could ever realize."

"I'll gladly return it to you!"

"That would do me no good! Once a rose has been plucked it's as good as dead! You killed one of my roses so in turn I shall take your life."

"Oh no!"

"Oh yes! And please don't bother shouting 'Help! Help! I'm dying! Can someone save me?!' Because there's not a single soul for miles around who would hear you!"

"You don't understand! I have a family who depends on me! If you were to take my life they would all starve! I beg of you! Show mercy!"

Nothing would have given Gray more pleasure then to kill the pathetic man right then and there, and he was just about to do so but the fact that he had a family made him rethink his decision for a moment. As he was thinking he took notice of Ulrich's clothes. They were quite fine, expensive, and grand. Obviously clothes that could only be worn by the rich. So this man was someone of wealth which gave the beast an idea for something that would satisfy him better than watching the fool die.

"Alright." Gray said loosening his grip. "You've appealed to my better nature so I'll let you live...For a price."

"If you spare me I promise you a chest of gold from one of my ships."

"Ah now you see I make gold. What I want is something a bit more special. Something that'll really effect you once it's mine."

"What is it you want from me?"

"You are a merchant are you not? I mean you did mention owning a ship with gold so I presume that you are in the merchant business."

"Yes. I serve the king of Western Fiore."

"In service to the king? Oh well this has just become much more amusing to me." His grin spread. "My price is your ships."

"My ships?" .

"Yes. Your entire fleet. Every ship you own and use for trade business."

"But if you were to take those I would be destitute. I would have no means of money. It would be no different if you were to just kill me because my family would still starve."

"Not necessarily. You could always work as a farmer. Oh sure you wouldn't be living in the laps of luxury anymore and you'd be humiliated and shamed but hey you'd be alive and able to support your family somehow."

"You're asking too much of me."

"Am I now? Because I consider it an equal exchange. That rose you took from me will leave me with a great loss so I think it's fair that I take something from you that will leave you with a great loss."

"But surely there must be something else you would want."

"Would you rather that I take something more precious to you than your income? Say one of your children?"

"Oh God no! Not that! Anything but that!"

"So we're in a agreement? As payment for stealing my rose you'll give me your fleet of trade ships. Deal?"

He held his claw-like hand out to him. Ulrich hesitated.

"Of course you could always give me your life as payment." Gray reminded.

"No! It's a deal!"

He shook his hand.

"Wise decision. Now you have one week to get everything in order." Gray explained. "When those seven are up I shall send a horse to bring you to where we will meet again. By then I expect you to give me the deed to your ships. Understand?"

"I understand."

"Good and if you break our deal or try to run I will find you and kill you in front of your family."

His final words before Ulrich found both himself and his being whirled away from the castle by a powerful wind that dropped him off at the path to the village. The poor man had never been so frightened, he tried to convince himself that it was only a bad dream but the rose in his hand was real which meant that his deal with Gray was as well. What would his wife think? What would his daughters think?

Speaking of which the next morning his wife went away shopping and his daughters had decided to go through their closets, trying to see if any of their dresses were suited for the upcoming ball.

"When is Father going to return with those dresses I wanted?" Briar complained. "I have absolutely nothing to wear! It's humiliating!"

"Father has been gone longer than usual." Meredy said. "I pray that nothing terrible has happened to him."

"Don't worry so much Meredy. He's probably just off somewhere getting drunk. Now help me get rid of these old rags."

Meredy blew in frustration but she complied with her insufferable sister's demands. She took the basketful of old dresses downstairs with the intention of putting them away but had to stop when there was a knock at the front door. She went to answer it and when she saw who it was she became completely speechless. It was Prince Lyon.

"Good morning young lady." He greeted with a charming smile. "I apologize for the intrusion but I am looking for someone who I believe lives here."

Meredy wanted to speak but she was much too shy and nervous to do so. She just stood there, trying so hard not to shake.

"Are you alright Miss?" He asked with concern.  "Are you unwell? Or have I upset you?"

Meredy tried to answer but before she could even get a word out she was shoved roughly to the side by Briar.

"Oh your highness!" She said with her most flirtatious smile. "What a nice surprise."

Lyon's gaze turned to Meredy who had fallen and offered his hand to help her up. She shyly accepted his hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet.

"Thank you." She managed to say.

"You're not hurt are you?" He asked.

"No. I'm fine."

"Oh don't bother with my clumsy sister. Ugh." Briar said turning him away from Meredy. "She can be such an annoyance sometimes. Apparently she doesn't know how to behave in front of royalty."

"Well I wouldn't say that-"

"So what brings you to our humble home? Something important I'm sure."

"As a matter of fact yes. I have come to drop off personal invitations to my father's upcoming ball."

He pulled five envelopes from his royal coat pocket and handed four of them to Brair.

"Your highness we are most honored." Briar said. "You can expect all of us to be in attendance."

"Glad to hear. Also I am looking for someone who lives in this household. A maid called Juvia. Is she here?"

"Juvia." Briar said while trying to hide the distain in her voice. "What do you want her for?"

"I merely wish to discuss something with her. Would you mind telling me where I can find her?"

"She's in the kitchen on her hands and knees."

"Thank you."

Briar kept smiling until the prince left the foyer and once he was gone she gnashed her face in a very unladylike manner. Lyon went into the kitchen and found Juvia scrubbing the floors. When she saw his shadow, she looked up and was surprised to see him again.

"Prince Lyon." She said quickly moving to curtsey for him again. "You startled me your grace. I never expected to see you again."

"Good morning Juvia."

"Can I get you anything? Tea or cake?"

"No thank you."

"I wish I could talk with you but I must finish my work."

"Juvia you were not made to be a servant." He said. "Even the floor longs to be your mirror."

"What makes you say that my lord?"

"I have talked with the men in service to Ulrich and they have told me all about you and your father."

She briefly stiffened at the mention of her beloved parent who she still mourned despite the fact that his death was so long ago.

"You mustn't go on slaving day and night for that repulsive mistress of yours."

"I have no choice. I am in dept to her."

"It is her own fault that dept exist. She is the one who spent all that money not you."

"Still someone must work it off."

"Why don't her daughters work?"

"I suppose they are too beautiful."

"You are the most beautiful of all."

"I beg you your highness do not jest."

"Play a jest with you? Never. And please call me by my name. Lyon."

"Lyon...Why have you come?"

He handed her the fifth invitation.

"I came to personally invite you to the royal ball."

"I thank you for the invite but I'm not sure if I will be able to attend. I would like to though."

"Will you at least try to attend? I would so very much like to see you there."

"I'll try."

He smiled at her, she smiled back.

"It was very nice to see you again Lyon. But really I must finish my work."

"Very well. Goodbye then Juvia."

"Goodbye Lyon."

He left the house after that, Juvia was pleased and little excited that the prince had taken such an interest in her. But she wouldn't get her hopes up too high because she was almost certain that she would continue living a simple life as someone's scullery maid. Little did she realize that her life was about to change.

...

Nasha hoped that this little deal she made with Greige would finally get him to stop obsessing over this storybook of his. It wasn't healthy. He needed to get a grip on reality because if he didn't he could get himself into a lot of trouble.

"Okay let's go." Greige said getting up from the table.

"Go? But Elkis is still working." She said.

"Not go home. Go to the drugstore." He said. "I need to start trying to get you to believe and fast."

"Wait a minute how is a drug store supposed to get me to believe you? Hey it doesn't count if I'm under the influence of pills."

"No it's not the drug store that's going to help. It's Detective Fullbuster. I believe that he remembers who he really is. So we're going to talk to him."

"And then what? Accuse him of being some monster from a make believe world?"

"We're not going to accuse him. I'm going to trick him into admitting that he remembers."

"And what if he doesn't remember?"'

"Plan B then."

"Which is?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there. Now we better hurry before Elkis finishes her shift. She doesn't want us talking to him you know?"

"Yeah and maybe she has good reason to. Ever consider that?"

"Relax he can't do anything to us. He doesn't have his magic in this world and he wouldn't dare try to hurt anyone in public. Too many witnesses."

"How do you know that?"

"Because unlike you I read and it says in my book that Gray a.k.a Detective Fullbuster is very patient and smart. He thinks before he acts which most villains fail to do, hence why they often fail."

"But Greige we're not supposed to leave the diner. If we do Elkis will kill us."

"She doesn't get off for another thirty-minutes. We'll be there and back long before she notices we're gone. Now let's go."

He grabbed his book and backpack then headed out the diner door.

"Greige wait!" Nasha called. "Come back! You're gonna get us in trouble!"

But he didn't return. Nasha tried to make herself stay put so that she wouldn't get into trouble once Elkis would inevitably discover he was gone but a certain instinct she had developed over her time with Greige, urged her not to leave him alone and to keep an eye on him.

"Oh man." She huffed before grabbing her stuff and following him. "I swear if I get grounded for this I'm going to pop him right between his doll eyes!"