1790

It was a bright, warm, and sunny day and Gray at age twenty-three was playing in the garden with Wendy who was now twelve. Words could not describe just how much the young man loved his sister. Ever since she was born he had loved and adored her as much as he could. There never was an older brother more devoted to his younger sister.

"Gray can you teach me how to skip rocks?" The girl asked him.

"Sure it's all about coordination and arm strength." He picked up a stone at what appeared to be with great ease threw it and it skipped three times across the surface. "Now you try."

He handed her a stone. She tried to mimic her brother's actions but it ended up sinking.

"It sunk,"

"Better luck next time Wendy." He said.

"Oh it's no use I'll never do anything right." She said feeling discouraged.

"That's no true."

"Yes it is. I've made no accomplishments."

"Wendy you're twelve you're not even old enough to make accomplishments."

"Oh well when I an old enough I'm sure I won't accomplish anything."

"Well I know one thing you've accomplished."

"What's that?"

"Being a faster runner than me which is a good thing considering how much I like to tickle you."

He immediately lunged to tickle her, Wendy dodged her brother's attack and ran. He chased after her but just as he said she was a lot faster than he was. So he went around back and hid behind a tree. Then just when she was running his way he scooped her up and tickled her mercilessly.

"No fair! You cheated!" She said between extreme fits of laughter.

"All's fair in love and war." He told.

"Gray! Wendy! Come inside!" Called their brother Lyon who was now twenty-six. "Dinner is ready."

"We'll be right there." Gray called.

He then picked up Wendy and took her inside. After dinner and when the evening became late Gray retired to his room where he found Ultear waiting for him.

"Ultear what are you doing in my room? I didn't summon you?" He said.

"I am tired of waiting for an invitation." She said undoing her blouse.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I've seen the way you look at me. Admit it, you've been awaiting my visit for quite some time."

Now Gray did find Ultear very attractive and desirable, in fact she was often described has having long legs, perfect skin, and a body built for sin but he could not see her as anything more than a staff member. He still remembered the day she had confessed to him. He rejected her kindly and assured her that he did care for her but not in the way she wanted.

"I have been waiting for no such visit." He said.

"You lie." She said walking toward him. "I see the way you look at me."

"A look doesn't automatically mean I'm interested. I'm sorry Ultear but I don't want any kind of relationship with you besides a professional one. Besides even if I did have feelings for you Father would never allow me to pursue you."

"So that's it. You want me but you won't have me because you think I'm poor trash."

"That's not it. I don't want you in that way. I'm sorry if I ever did anything to make you think otherwise. Now please leave."

She did up her blouse again and left the room but she wouldn't give up. She convinced herself that eventually Gray would "come to his senses" and love her. But she was proven wrong for just a month later Gray went with his father to Edolas on shipping expedition where he met Juliette Daae the daughter of an aristocrat. Gray was quite taken with her beauty and her feelings for him were similarly tender. They became paramours and intended to marry. When the wedding was a fortnight away Juliette came to live with the Fullbuster family. Gray had a bedroom specially made for her and eagerly awaited her arrival.

"Would you stop pacing so much Gray? You'll give yourself a headache." Ur said.

"I'm just worried. The journey is taking longer than I thought it would." He told her

"All will be well I assure you."

"I can't wait to meet her." Wendy said. "I hope she's as wonderful as you say she is."

"She is I promise you."

"Do you think she will like me?"

"She'll adore you."

A few moments later there was a knock at the door. The foreman answered it and a pale beauty with azure hair that was tightly curled at the base stepped inside. This was Juliette, Gray's fiance. He smiled and went to greet her.

"Thank God you're here." He said. "You didn't have any trouble on the way here did you?"

"No everything was fine." She assured him.

"Juliette I would like you to meet my sister Wendy." He said introducing her to the young girl.

"It's very nice to meet you." Wendy said politely.

"It's nice to meet you too. Your brother has told me so much about you but he never mentioned that you were such a pretty young lady." Juliette said with a smile.

Wendy blushed and giggled at her comment. Gray then introduced her to his father Silver.

"Welcome to our home Miss Daae." Silver said.

"Thank you sir. I look forward to joining your wonderful family." Juliette said.

"Allow me to introduce you to my other son Lyon."

"Charmed." Lyon said taking her hand and kissing the back of it. "Tell me what's a woman as lovely and intelligent as you doing marrying my good for nothing brother?"

Everyone minus Gray laughed at his joke.

"You're just jealous because I managed to get engaged while women flee at the sight of you." Gray said.

"You're both so very funny." Juliette giggled.

"Ur would you mind taking Miss Daae bags to her room?" Silver asked.

"Nonsense I shall carry them myself."

"There is no need Miss." Ur said. "It is my job to carry luggage. Mine and my daughter's."

"Then at least allow me to help you."

Ur and Juliette went upstairs to the room that had been prepared for her where she helped her unpack her bags and settle in. Later in the evening when she joined the family for dinner she won their admiration and affection with her natural charm and sweet nature. After dinner Gray led her on to the balcony of the house for a moment alone.

"Why did you bring me out here Darling?" Juliette asked him.

"I have something for you and I've been excited to give it to you all day." He said handing her a small box.

Juliette opened it up and inside she found a silver music box with a rounded case and a jeweled lid that could be lifted on a hinge. Lifting up the lid a wonderful melody began to play.

"It is beautiful." She said.

"You like it?"

"I love it. I'll keep this with me for as long as I live and it's music will haunt my heart forever."

"I'm glad because there's no other woman I could ever imagine myself giving this to."

"Really? No other woman?"

"No other. You're the only woman I'll ever love."

"Do you promise?"

"As God as my witness Juliette, I promise that as long as you live I will love no woman other than you."

Juliette smiled and leaned in, his lips met with hers and they shared a passionate kiss which unfortunately was witnessed by Ultear who was scrubbing the floors of that room. Envy and rage boiled and seethed inside of her as she watched the lovers kiss and embrace. Ur walked by to drop off some folded, clean sheets for the bedrooms when she saw her daughter gazing angrily at Gray and Juliette. She sighed, put down the sheets, and went to her daughter.

"Ultear." She said.

"Yes Mother?"

"You remember my good friend Emilia don't you?"

"The woman who sells fruit at the market?"

"Yes that's her. Her son has grown up to be a very handsome young man and he's very fond of you."

"Get to the point Mother."

"Ultear I think that it would be best if you allowed Emilia's son to pay court to you."

"Him?"

"He's a good man. He's kind, hardworking, and he owns twelve acres. He'd make a fine husband."

"I don't want to be a farmer's wife."

"Well you won't be Gray's wife that's for sure." She said sternly. "Gray doesn't love you Ultear. He never has and he never will. My dear I do not say these things to be cruel but they are the truth. Leave this place and find a man who will love you instead of wishing for something that can never be."

"You don't know what you're talking about Mother."

"As a matter of fact I do. I was the same way with your father. I obsessed over him, I let him use me whenever he was bored, and then he tossed me aside like I was nothing. You were the only good thing that came out of that obsession but I suffered so much pain and heartbreak. Luckily Gray has the decency not to toy with your emotions like your so called father did to me. Still you're heading down a path that's filled with hurt. Forget these feelings please."

But Ultear just walked away ignoring her mother's advice. Later she jumped Gray again when he went to his room.

"What the hell are you doing?!" He asked her.

"Do you truly think that you can resist me?" She said forcing a kiss on to him only for him shove her off.

"Ultear why do you put yourself through this torture? You know I love Juliette."

"I don't believe you. I know the truth Gray. You're only marrying her because she's rich and has a high status. Your father won't allow you to marry any woman who's not like that. If I had what she had you would marry me."

"No I wouldn't because I don't love you. When are you going to realize that?"

"I bet if your father wasn't around anymore you'd change your mind about me."

"I think not." He said sternly before going into his bedroom.