A week passed and during that time, Juvia spent almost every hour of every day visiting the surface world. Traveling from one body of water to the next and seeing all the wonders that awaited her above. She saw the fruits in the garden ripen till they were gathered, the snow on the tops of the mountains melt away, the sun rise and set, the humans walk and run, but her favorite thing to do was to visit Lucy through the oasis. Their friendship had become very strong throughout these visits, especially when the mermaid would learn all about humanity from the princess. Learning about clothes, shoes, dancing, houses, land creatures, human ceremonies and traditions, but Lucy mostly educated Juvia on art.

She would tell the mermaid about the history of art then show paint or sketch for her. Showing off lovely and surreal displays of color and design. The many different shades of dark and light. Straight lines, or curves, spots or dots, splats and streaks. The variety of the princess's work seemed limitless, and each piece was just one beautiful expression of passion after another. And Juvia liked to look at each painting and listen to Lucy's story behind it.

"I like this one best." Juvia said admiring the medium sized canvas that bore a painting of two lovebirds perched together on a tree branch, in the light of the sunset. "It appears so realistic and the imagery is beautiful."

"I painted that one last spring. The ambassador gave me a lovebird as a gift and at first I was so pleased with having her as a pet, but she would never sing for me. Not once. She would just sit in her cage and look so sad. For the longest time I didn't understand why she was so sad. Then one night I awoke to hear her singing for the first time and I saw that it was because another lovebird was perched on the balcony across from where her cage stood. That's when I realized that he was her mate and she was so sad because she was being kept away from him. At once I released her from the cage and she flew off with her mate. They didn't go far though, they built a nest in the palace gardens and one lovely sunset, as I watched them together in a tree, I thought it would make the perfect painting."

"What a wonderful story. Just as wonderful as this painting is." She sighed at the artistic image. I wish I could see such lovely things in my world."

"You really like it?"

"Yes."

"Why don't you keep it then?"

"Oh no I couldn't. You made this yourself, it rightfully belongs to you."

"But I get to see lovebirds almost everyday. You're lucky if you get to see a regular bird everyday. I think you would appreciate this much more than I ever would."

"Oh thank you Lucy. Thank you so much. Look Conlan, isn't it pretty?" She showed the paiting to her water horse friend, yes even Conlan was a common visitor to the oasis and he was the only one Juvia could trust with the knowledge of her secret, human friend. Granted it was because Conlan couldn't talk, but hey one less person she had to keep secrets from.

When Conlan saw the painting he began to excitedly flip about in the water He didn't understand Juvia's fascination anymore than any other sea creature did, but he loved seeing her happy.

"You know I read in a book the water horses were supposed to be a lot bigger. But he's about the size of a dog." Lucy observed.

"Well that's because he's still just a baby." Juvia explained. "Just wait til he's grown, he'll be so big he won't be able to fit in this body of water."

"Will he still be cute though?" Lucy giggled.

Conlan liked that comment, he suddenly jumped out from the water, startling Lucy into falling back.

"Conlan, what are you doing? Come back!" Juvia called.

But Conlan just playfully waddled over to Lucy, jumped on to her, and began to lick her cheek like overly excited puppy. At first Juvia was worried that Lucy would become angry with the water horse's bold move and possibly go into a fit. Well, she did go into a fit. A fit of laughter.

"Stop it! That tickles! Ha! Ha!" Her smile was as big and bright as the sun itself. "Good boy! Down! Down! Ha! Ha!"

"He likes you." Juvia said.

"Really? I never would have guessed?" She laughed.

"Alright Conlan that's enough. You're getting her clothes wet. Come back in the water before you dry out."

The water horse did as the mermaid requested. For another hour she and Lucy talked before they parted ways and headed home. Juvia eagerly swam toward her garden with the painting in her arms, eager to add it to her little sanctuary. Unfortunately, in her haste to get there, she bumped right into her brother.

"Oh! Hi Gajeel!" She said. "Sorry, I didn't see you there."

He looked down at the painting in a very displeased manner.

"What's that?" He asked her.

"What's, what?"

"That thing your holding. What is it and where did it come from?"

"Oh that?"

Uh-oh, not good. If she told Gajeel that someone gave it to her then she'd have to tell him who, and that would reveal that she had been in contact with a human which was forbidden. Now Juvia hated to lie, especially to her family. But if Gajeel knew the truth, he'd lose his temper and heaven knows what would happen then. Also her brother had never been one to be open-minded or discuss things in a reasonable manner. Not unless Levy was around to keep him in live and currently, she was not at his side. So Juvia thought a little white lie was the only thing she could do to avoid trouble.

"I...I found it. It fell off a ship and sank right in front of me. Humans call it a painting. Take a look, pretty right?"

But Gajeel didn't think it was pretty at all. He didn't think anything that came from the above world was pretty or nice or good. He thought that they were dangerous and nothing else.

"Get rid of it."

"What? Why?"

"Because it's a human thing and anything human is dangerous."

"What danger could possibly come from this thing?"

"I don't know and I don't care to know. Humans are evil, nothing good can ever come from them. They make fish hooks to catch us and nets to trap us, not to mention all the foul pollution they carelessly drop down here."

"But Gajeel this painting hasn't caused any harm. It's a thing of beauty."

"Beauty is the eye of the beholder and I see no beauty in this."

"I agree." Panther Lily said looking over it in revulsion. "I mean just look at it, it's hideous."

"Oh you two just don't understand art." Juvia scoffed.

"And how is it that you do?" Gajeel asked her suspiciously.

"Oh...Um...Well..." She squeaked, remembering not to say too much. "I observe the humans up close, I listen and learn from their conversations."

"How close?"

"Close enough to where they can't see me but I can hear them."

"Juvia." Gajeel raised eyebrow suspiciously. "Have you been talking to humans?"

"No! No, of course not. Why would I do a stupid thing like that? It's against the law and as a princess I must always follow the law. Always."

If Gajeel had been a merman who paid attention to detail, he would figured out very quickly that Juvia was lying. She was exhibiting all the signs. Change in speech pattern, her eyes were not focused, and she was fidgeting excessively. But lucky for Juvia, Gajeel did not notice little details like that so she was able to fool him. For now, that is.

"Alright, just get rid of that thing."

"But I don't want to get rid of it. It's mine."

"I don't want you playing with human objects."

"I don't care, you're not my father."

"No but I am your king and I am ordering you to get rid of it."

"That's not fair! In fact it's an abuse of power! There are no laws saying I can't keep human objects."

"You know I'm starting to think that maybe I made a mistake allowing you to go up there. Ever since your birthday, you're always swimming up to the surface and you're hardly ever home.You're pushing your limits. If you're not careful, you might be seen by one of those barbarians."

"Gajeel they're not barbarians."

"They're dangerous. Do you think I want to see my little sister be snared by some fishermen's hook."

"Gajeel I'm seventeen years old! I'm not a child!"

"Then act like one. Listen to me for once."

"Why should I? You never listen to me."

"I don't have to. I'm the king and I'm older than you."

"By eight years."

"I'm still more mature than you and I know more than you."

"You do not."

"Do to."

"Do not."

"Do to."

"do not."

"Do to! Now enough of this! Dispose of that thing and I never want to see you with another human object ever again! Is that clear?"

Juvia tried to stare at her brother to show him that she wouldn't back down. But it was no use. Once Gajeel made up his mind about something, not even fate itself could change it. So she just swam away with Conlan following behind.

Gajeel sighed. It wasn't easy being a king and being a guardian to his sisters. He loved them all so dearly and only wanted to raise them in the way his parents would have wanted. But he was also petrified of losing them in the exact same way he lost his parents. He had to be tough on them, but what if he went too far?

"Do you think I was too hard on her?" He asked Lily.

"Well maybe somewhat, your majesty. But then again you always get a little cranky on the day you have to meet with the fish heads of state."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Gajeel said.

"Oh I try not to your majesty." Lily chuckled. "But sometimes it just comes out."

"I have to be firm Lily. Humans will be our ruin. Oh why won't she listen to me? Why won't any of them listen to me? Sherry talking about moving to a whole other ocean after she's married even though she doesn't know how to navigate. Meredy wanting to study in the northern areas of our realm, at only sixteen, much too young. And Chelia wanting to use my trident, is that girl mad?"

"Well I don't think they can help it your majesty. They're just stubborn." Then Lily muttered under his breath. "Runs in the family."

"But at least with Sherry, Meredy, and Chelia, I know they're doing anything really dangerous. But with Juvia always going up to the above world, you just never know."

"Maybe she needs more supervision."

"You mean someone to watch over her and keep her out of trouble?"

"Exactly."

"Good idea Lily. Thank you for volunteering."

"You're welcome your majesty- Wait! What?"

"From now on I want you to keep an eye on Juvia. Make sure nothing bad happens to her when she goes to the surface and if possible try to keep her from going up there period. Maybe you could distract her with some lessons. She needs to work on her singing more anyway."

The sea cat froze. That was not what he had in mind. Taking care of Juvia would be a full-time job. He was the royal court composer, not a bay-sitter. But he knew that there would be no arguing the king. When the king asked you to do something, you did it. Like it or not.

"Oh I'm never opening my mouth again, except when I'm eating."