The two young women talked during the entire walk back to the cottage and once inside  Erza seated Juvia to a table and prepared the tea. They continued chatting as soon as the tea was served and Erza found Juvia to be such a delight. She was so sweet, polite, humble, and though beautiful was obviously unaware of it. Erza didn't see many women like that. She only hoped that Juvia was actually who she said she was because if she turned out to be another fake, Erza would just give up on friendship altogether.

"So how long have you been working for this employer of yours?" Erza asked her.

"About a month now." 

"What's he like? Is he one of those old bachelors looking for something young?"

"No. He's young, about a year or two older than me. He's not really interested in a romantic relationship though oddly enough he's very fascinated with beauty. Natural beauty that is."

"Huh...Is he hard to look at? I hear if a man isn't exactly what you would call an Adonis, they'll be obsessed with beauty and not have any relationships with women."

"Well." Juvia said thinking. "He's not what you would call conventionally handsome but he's not ugly. His appearance is more along the lines of...Well...Terrifying. But you know he has a certain charm to him if you look at him the right way and he has very beautiful eyes."

"How about his personality?"

"Very complicated. When I first started working for him I thought he was an outright monster. Mean, coarse, unrefined, had deplorable manners, an unsettling sense of humor, and his temper my goodness. He didn't get angry often but when he did he would just lose it. Shouting and making demands. Refusing to listen to any kind of reason. At least any kind of reason that came from my mouth."

"With all due respect, aren't servants supposed to obey employers without any objections and keep their mouths shut?"

"They are and I did. I obeyed every order he gave me and I never complained but if he was ever  unnecessarily and unfairly cruel to anyone I drew the line."

"Did he whip you for it?"

"I expected him to but he didn't. We bickered and he threatened me but I stood my ground and eventually I appealed to his better nature. I even got him to apologize once. He knows when I'm right but hell will freeze over before he admits that he was wrong about anything and he acts like he doesn't listen to me but I think he does. He's recently become more decent and in someways dear. Dear, unsure, and a little anxious."

"Sounds like your classic love story."

"Love? Oh no. It's not like that. It's more like a mutual respect and friendship. I mean I could never...And he could never-"

"I was jesting."

"Oh. Of course. Truth be told I've never been in love and I don't think it's in my future. I would like for it to be but unfortunately I was sentenced to be lonely for life as soon as my father passed. I have some friends and maybe I'll make more but a husband and a family, never."

"I can relate." Erza said. "So far my only companions are a gluttonous knight and some owls."

"What a small world, I'm friends with doves."

"Really? I thought I would be considered odd for associating with birds."

"It is unusual to some but if you think about it plenty of people associate with animals. Even royals, they have their prized horses."

"True."

"But what about this knight friend of yours? Do you think there could be something more?"

"I don't think so. We're good friends and that's for the best. Besides I get the feeling he's already spoken for. So I don't have anyone special."

"But you are pinning for someone aren't you?"

"What? No."

"Yes you are. I can sense it. You've met someone and they've been on your mind a lot lately."

"I think you're misunderstanding your senses."

"Alright then answer me this, how long since you last saw him?"

"Last season."

"So you have met someone?"

Erza blushed in humiliation at how easy she gave herself away.

"Alright I have but that doesn't mean he's special. I don't have any special feelings."

"Is that so? Then tell me, during that whole last season have you had trouble eating? Sleeping? Focusing on anything other than him? Do you feel the need to talk to him again?"

Erza denied all accusations but she couldn't fool Juvia. The bluenette saw right through her and Erza realized that these feelings that had been troubling her during that whole season were ones of infatuation. Not love. Not love yet and she was still mad him for the deceit but despite that she still couldn't get him out of her head. She just couldn't stop thinking about him and it was only made worse when villagers passing by would casually talk about Jellal's impending marriage to the Princess Mirajane. Jealousy and longing? No use denying it any longer. She was hooked.

"Okay so he's been in my head for sometime but it'll pass." Erza said.

"Are you sure?"

"It has to."

"Why?"

"Well for one thing he's a prince."

"And?"

"And he's royalty. That means he can only marry a woman of royalty or nobility. Not me, a woman of poverty."

"That's not always the case you know. The prince of the kingdom where I used to live is free to marry any woman he chooses. Royal, noble, or peasant."

"Then there's also the fact that he's engaged. To a beautiful, elegant, and basically perfect princess."

"No one's perfect and how do you know he wants to marry her? A royal marriage is often arranged and there have been many cases where the bride and groom weren't really willing to go through with the arrangement."

"Even so, he lied to me. He deceived me. How could I possibly have anything with a man who's not honest?"

"Well you got me there. Love can't work without honesty."

"Exactly."

"But then again we're all human. We all make mistakes. The only difference in that situation is if a person learns from their mistakes and tries to do better. Which raises the question, does he seem like that kind of man to you? When you found out he lied did he want to explain? Apologize? Make amends perhaps?"

"He...He did. But...I was just so mad. I didn't want to hear any excuses."

"I'm not saying you should excuse his actions. But is there anything wrong with trying to understand them? Trying to see things from his point of view? You can understand a person doing wrong without necessarily condoning what they did. I do it all the time believe it or not."

"Doesn't that get frustrating?"

"Yes but no one ever said that understanding a person would always be easy. I'm not trying to tell you to see him again. If you really believe that it won't lead to anything and that he's not the one for you, then let it be. But if you feel that maybe there is something, a connection or bond that could become love then don't miss out on your chance.  Don't let fear or anger keep you from love because it's not worth it. "

"You really think so?"

"Yeah. I do."

"Are you sure you've never been in love? Because you seem very knowledgeable about it."

"I guess it's one those things that comes from instinct rather than experience. Somehow I've always had a way of knowing how a person really feels about something or someone." 

"Well experienced or not you have made some valid points. I'll think it over."

"Wonderful. I've enjoyed your company but I should probably get back. It's no where near dark but I think my employer is already worried. Worried that I've spread his deepest and darkest secrets to enemies who seek his demise."

"That's why he doesn't like you leaving the estate?"

"I told you he was paranoid."

"No kidding. Do you want me to walk home with you?"

"You can walk with me for most of the journey but we'll have to part ways half a mile from the estate. Another one of his conditions is no strangers and no visitors."

"Fair enough."

Together they walked through the forest and in the direction leading to the estate of where Juvia lived. Half way there they said goodbye and hoped to see each other again sometime soon. 

"A romance between a peasant girl and the prince of Northern Fiore." Juvia said to herself as she continued on alone. "It's so unconventional but so sweet. I wonder what Gray would think of it? He'll probably just think it's unimportant and ignore me when I tell him but who knows? Maybe for once he'll find something entertaining besides comeuppance and vengeance."

...

"I should have said no." Elkis said to Minajane Strauss. Minajane was a nurse at the local hospital and Elkis would volunteer there from time to time which led to them becoming good friends. Elkis had made plans to volunteer at the hospital after her talk with Dr. Fernandes and anyone with eyes could tell that she was overflowing with anxiety and nervousness.

"What makes you say that?" Minajane asked. "You said it was just a simple dinner to discuss matters regrading Greige and Nasha."

"I know but I don't think it was the right setting. It almost feels like a date."

"I think it is a date."

"He said it wasn't a date. He said it was professional."

"Maybe it is. But if that's the case, why are you so nervous?"

"I don't know I...I guess it's because I haven't really gone out to dinner in a long time. In fact I don't think I can ever recall the last time I did."

"What you really mean is that you like this guy and you can't recall the last time you did something with a guy you like, right?" Minajane teased with a smile. 

"I will admit that I do find him attractive but again this is strictly professional and I don't have time for a romantic interest. I've got two kids to support."

"You know a lot of guys find single moms attractive. It let's them know that they're real loving, kind, and determined. Also he's a psychiatrist which means he's intelligent, sensitive, well off. And from what I've seen he's very handsome. A man like him would be pretty good for someone in your situation."

"Mina please. Don't start with the matchmaking again. Why must you always try to push people together?"

"I do not push people together. I just help out a bit if I sense potential between two people."

"Sure." She said sarcastically. "You know I think I'm just going to call him and cancel."

"Don't do that. He'll be insulted. He'll probably worry that he did something to offend you."

"Good point. But still I feel like if I go out out to do this thing tomorrow I'll only humiliate myself. I don't even have anything to wear."

"Really? You don't have anything nice like a dress or maybe some heels?"

"No. I can't afford stuff like that. I'm paid minimum wage and any money I have saved up I'm spending for anything the kids might need."

"That's true. You can't always shop for fashionable clothes when you have children to consider."

"Exactly."

"But I don't have children to consider." She said. "You and I both have the day off tomorrow, how about I take you out to get a dress, maybe some new shoes and a little make up?"

"That's nice of you to offer Minajane but I can't allow you to spend money on me."

"Yes you can because I want to. In all the time I've known you Elkis you've never once done anything as a means to enjoy yourself and as sweet as that is, everyone should have at least a little pleasure and fun in their life. You need a night out and I'm going to ensure that."

"But-"

"No buts. No I'll pick you up tomorrow morning and I won't be bringing you back until we find something for you."

"So basically you're forcing me to go shopping?"

"This is one of those occasions where force must be used for your own good. You'll thank me for this later. I promise."

Elkis rolled her eyes. It was no use arguing, Minajane was just as stubborn as Elkis was. Once she set her mind to something there was literally no stopping her. Like it or not, Elkis would be going dress shopping tomorrow.