The next morning, Juvia's eyes fluttered awake to the morning light warming her skin and to the song of the birds greeting her ears. She had forgotten where she had fallen asleep last night and was astonished to wake up to the sparkle and flecks of rose gold in her new room. The silk bed sheets, the floral lace curtains, the four poster bed frame. When you spend your whole life under water, this is quite a place to find yourself in.

She slowly slid out of bed, opened the large windows, and went out on to the balcony to gaze upon the sun rising over the horizon of the sea. She couldn't have imagined a more beautiful sight to wake up to. For so many years she had longed to have the privilege of seeing the sun everyday as the humans do and at last she had gained it.

"Good morning dear." Ur greeted with a creek to the door. "Glad to see that you're already awake."

Ur came in carrying a tray with Juvia's breakfast and behind her followed to maids carrying a collection of beautiful dresses that Lahar had purchased for her.

"Today is a very important day. A princess from a far off country is coming to stay with us." Ur explained. "No doubt another one of Lahar's attempts to marry off the prince but it'll probably end the same."

But this worried Juvia. A princess coming here? Oh no. What if Gray fell in love with this princess and married her instead? Poor Juvia feared that she wouldn't stand a chance. Yes technically Juvia was a princess too but no one up here knew that. As far as they knew, she was just a common mute girl. Why would a prince choose her over this princess who was probably perfect in every way. Beautiful, refined, and had a voice.

"I don't know why Lahar puts Gray through this." Ur said pouring the tea. "It only embarrasses him. Lahar should just leave the boy alone and let him fall in love and marry when he's ready.  But what do I know? I'm only a lowly servant."

She served Juvia her breakfast in bed and as the silent maiden ate, Ur set about picking out a dress for her to wear today. She chose a form-fitting, straight, periwinkle dress of muslin and she combed Juvia's hair into a half up, half down look, tied with a purple, silk ribbon.

"You look simply darling." Ur said. "And this dress will be perfect for tonight. The skirt is light and flowing, perfect for dancing."

Just when she thought that nothing else could make her more nervous. Dancing? Juvia didn't know the first thing about dancing. She had never danced a day in her life. She only gained legs and feet yesterday, and was still having trouble walking. Just how in the world would she be able to dance?

"What event is that again Ur?" One of the maids asked.

"Just a dinner and a concert to welcome the sultan and his daughter. Lahar arranged the whole thing. He's having the cooks prepare their best cuisine, having our best musicians play, and is bringing in the nation's finest singers."

"He is certainly going all out for this one."

"Well that's probably because she's the last suitable prospect for a bride. But in my opinion he's wasting his time. He'll just turn her down like he did the others."

"Because the only girl he wants is the one he made up in his head." The other maid teased.

"Hush!" Ur scolded. "Do not disrespect the prince in such a way."

"I meant no harm Ur, but you must admit his obsession with her is-"

"Is none of your business. Now be gone, both of you, before I forget I'm a lady and lose my temper." She said dismissing them and then turning her attention back to Juvia. "Please don't listen to any rumors spoken by the women around here. They're notorious and unreliable gossips."

Juvia nodded.

"They like to tease him because he's become enamored with a young maiden who saved him from drowning and then just disappeared without a trace. Lahar insists that she's not real but Gray swears that she is and he hasn't been able to think of anything or anyone except her since."

Juvia was stunned upon hearing this. Gray didn't forget about her or dismiss her as a mere vision like Lily had said. He believed that she was real and he had been thinking of her just as much as she had thought of him. Oh if only she had not been made to give up her voice then she would have run straight to her darling prince right now and told him that it was she that had saved him. What would he have done if he knew she was the one? Would he hold her? Would he kiss her? Would he tell her that he loved her every bit as much as she loved him? Over time, would he grow to love her so much that he would marry her?

"I guess I'll have try to win his love with something other than my voice." She thought. "But what else is there? All my life my ability to sing has been the only charm I have. Without it I'm just a strange girl. Not special at all."

Still she had to try. Falling in love and bring loved in return was no easy task, and if there was one thing she had in common with her brother, it was that she had determination and the will to not give up without putting forth her best effort.

"Oh Gajeel." She thought once again putting her hand to her necklace. "I miss you and our family already. I wish you could be here with me."

...

In the underwater kingdom beneath Verdenshav poor Gajeel was beside himself with worry. Ever since his argument with Juvia, he had not seen her or Panther Lily at all. No one had. Not their sisters, not Levy, not his servants, and not his subjects. When Juvia wasn't at breakfast that morning, he immediately sent out a search party and his guards looked from tide to current, but neither the little mermaid or the sea cat could be found. It was as if both had completely vanished into thin water.

"Any sign of them?" Gajeel asked Ren, one of his guards when he returned with the latest progress report.

"No your majesty." He said regretfully. "We've searched everywhere but we've found no trace of your sister or Panther Lily."

"Well keep looking!" Gajeel insisted. "Tell the others that they are not to rest until she's safe at home!"

"Yes sire, I give you my word that none of us will stop searching."

"And please tell Sherry to come home. I don't want her out this late."

"I already tried that sir but she insists that she search with us night and day. She won't come home until Juvia does. But don't worry, I'll be with Sherry always and I'll make sure that nothing happens to her."

"Thank you Ren."

He dismissed the guard and he returned to where the other guards and his devastated fiance waited for him.

"You really should rest my love." Ren told her. "Let us handle the search."

"No." Sherry refused. "She's my little sister, and she's out there, all alone. I can't eat, sleep, or do anything else until I know she's safe. I don't think I can even get married until we find her. Forgive me Ren, I know that's not fair to you but-"

"You have nothing to beg my forgiveness for." Ren said holding Sherry close. "I know you couldn't possibly smile on our wedding day if all your sisters weren't there by your side, so I'm more than willing to wait."

"You are too good to me my love." She embraced him.

As for other sea princesses, Meredy and Chelia were in their royal chambers sobbing while Levy comforted them.

"There, there, it'll be alright." She told them. "They'll find Juvia. I know they will."

"What could have happened to her?" Meredy wept. "Was she kidnapped?"

"She must've been!" Chelia sniffed. "She wouldn't just up and swim away for no reason. Would she?"

"Of course not!" Gajeel answered, as he entered the chamber. "What reason could she have to swim away from home? I mean I know things have been a little difficult for her lately but things are difficult for everyone. It was nothing she couldn't handle."

"Well...Actually." Meredy said, slowly realizing something.

"Well actually what?" Gajeel said. "Meredy do you know something?"

"I...I...I." She was so upset, it was almost hard for her to speak. "She never told me but I...I always suspected..."

"Suspected what? Meredy if you know anything, anything at all! You have to tell us!"

"I would hear...I would hear our people whisper about her. They would...They would tease her and make fun of her..." She choked on sob. "They'd say things like...Like she was a disgrace to our family...Juvia never said anything...So I never said anything...I didn't think it was so bad but maybe it was...Maybe it got so bad that she...That she couldn't take it anymore. I'm sorry! If I said something maybe she'd still be here!"

"It's not your fault Meredy." Gajeel said. "It;s not like we did anything to make her..."

Terror and guilt suddenly appeared on Gajeel's face.

"What is it dear?" Levy asked.

But at the moment Gajeel couldn't speak. He appeared to be in some form mortified shock, he just slowly floated out of the room as the realization of his previous actions began sink in. Levy quickly followed after him.

"Darling what is it?" Levy asked him gently. "What's wrong?"

"I called her a threat to our family."

"You what?"

"I didn't mean it, it's just that when she told me she loved a human I was so angry and so scared that she'd die like Mother and Father did that I...Oh dear God what have I done? If what Meredy says is true, then Juvia's probably spent her whole life fearing that she'd ruin us and I just confirmed that fear! Oh Levy it's all my fault she's gone!"

For the first time since Metalicana and his wife had passed, Levy saw the eyes of her beloved well up with tears, and he broke down. She wrapped her arms around him and cradled his head lovingly.

"How could I have ldone this? I promised my parents that I'd never let anything happen to either one of my sisters! That I'd always take care of them and make them happy! They'd be so ashamed of me!"

"That's not true."

"Yes it is!"

"You know it's not true! Your mother and father wouldn't blame you for this! Because they would know that you can't be expected to fix every problem your sisters have or to always know what to say or what to do for them."

"I'm the oldest! It's my responsibility!"

"You do the best you can, and you've sacrificed so much for this kingdom and for your  family. You gave up your youth and every dream you ever had just so you could be there for your sisters! Your parents would be proud!"

But Gajeel still could not help but feel like he had failed his father and mother. Levy didn't know what to do, she was just as sad as her husband but chose to hide it and be strong for him. Things were just going so well. Sherry was getting married, Juvia and Meredy were becoming mature and independent, and Chelia was entering womanhood, Gajeel would soon no longer need to look after them. Which meant he could finally focus on other things. Like the fact that he would soon be a father.

Yes, Levy was pregnant. She and Gajeel had always wanted children but decided to put it off having any until his sisters were grown. They had intended to wait until Chelia was sixteen but nature had other plans. Nevertheless Levy was sure that they were ready for a baby now and she was so happy and so excited to tell Gajeel. She had planned to tell him over a romantic dinner but then Juvia went missing and now the sea queen didn't know if her husband could handle it.

"God in Heaven." Levy prayed. "Hear our prayer, watch over Juvia and bring her back to us soon."