Lucy's father tried to persuade her to at least speak with Prince Etherious, but she refused outright, stating she was in no mood to entertain yet another pompous suitor. She would spend the rest of the day in her room. Alone.

To recover her composure. To steady her thoughts. And, most of all, to make sense of the silent maiden now staying within the palace walls. Was it really Juvia? The face had been unmistakably familiar. The necklace, too. And yet... Juvia was a mermaid. Not a human girl who could walk freely through palace halls.

Still, the uncertainty refused to leave her.
Lucy found no peace in doubt. And no relief in ignoring it. By late evening, she had made her decision.

Guards were stationed outside her chambers, as always. But Lucy slipped past them unseen, trading her usual attire for a maid's uniform she had quietly taken from the laundry quarters. With her hair tucked away and her steps measured, she moved through the palace corridors like someone who worked there, until reached the other guest wing.

Stopping before the door, Lucy knocked. A few minutes passed before the door finally opened.
Juvia stood there. The moment she saw Lucy, she gasped silently and recoiled a step, panic flashing across her face.

"Calm down." Lucy said quickly, stepping inside before anyone in the corridor could notice. She closed the door behind her with care, lowering her voice. "I'm not here to hurt you."

Juvia hesitated, trembling slightly, unsure whether to run or stay. Lucy softened her tone.

"Juvia is that really you?" She asked gently. "You don't have to hide from me. We're friends, remember?"

Juvia paused. Deep down, she knew the princess was right. So she gave a small, reluctant nod.

Oh... it's so good to see you." Lucy closed the distance and pulled her into a hug. "After I've been losing my mind with everything that's been happening, it's great to see a real friend again."

Juvia's arms slowly wrapped around Lucy in return. A small, quiet smile formed as she leaned into the embrace. She had missed her too.

"But what are you doing here?" Lucy pressed softly. "What happened to you? And why do you have legs?"

Her hand slowly rose to her throat, a reminder that her voice was gone.

"Oh... I guess you can't really explain any of this, can you? Well, I'm still glad to see you. Here, let me get a good look at you."

Her expression shifted from concern to quiet amazement, as she took in Juvia's human appearance.

"Wow," Lucy breathed. "You look absolutely gorgeous. More so than me, I'd say."

Juvia looked pleased at the compliment, but she immediately shook her head.

"No, I really believe you are. Oh we must plan a day together! I've been eager to spend time with you on land for a while now. The oasis was lovely, but there's so much more to do here."

Juvia paused, then smiled softly, clearly liking the idea. It sounded fun.

"We'll go tomorrow." Lucy said decisively, already getting carried away with excitement. "We'll have so much fun."

Juvia nodded eagerly. But wait what about Gray and this new prince? Wasn't Lucy supposed to remain here? To be courted properly? To take her time and decide which one she would marry?
Not that she was particularly fond of the idea of Gray pursuing Lucy—far from it—but even she understood that such arrangements were rarely avoided.

"What's wrong?" Lucy asked, reading the confused expression on Juvia's face.

Juvia answered by gently reaching out and taking the princess by hand. Before Lucy could ask what she was doing, Juvia carefully formed a ring shape with her thumb and forefinger and slid it onto Lucy's ring finger.

"Oh...that. Juvia right now I have no intention of getting married." She said firmly, though not unkindly. "As far as I'm concerned, this whole trip is my own personal holiday. But if you ever do consider matrimony, I'll see to it personally that you marry the noblest and most handsome knight in the entire realm."

Juvia's smile faltered—just slightly. For a moment, something softer, almost wistful, passed through her eyes. If only she knew. If only Lucy understood that Juvia's heart had already chosen and that the one she loved was the very man Lucy was expected to marry.

Juvia lowered her gaze, pressing her hands together quietly, holding that thought to herself.

"However in the meantime, it should be a holiday for you as well. Tomorrow, I'm going to buy you twelve dresses. You're going to be the most lovely and elegant lady in the land...except for me, of course."

Lucy gave Juvia's hands one last, reassuring squeeze.

"Get some rest," she said softly. "We have a big day tomorrow."

Juvia nodded, smiling as she watched her go.

"Goodnight, Juvia."

With that, Lucy slipped out of the room and quietly closed the door behind her.

The palace halls were hushed now, lit only by dim lanterns that cast long shadows across the walls. Lucy moved quickly, keeping her head down, her borrowed maid's attire helping her blend into the quiet rhythm of the night.

She was nearly back to her chambers when raised voices caught her attention. She slowed. Carefully, she edged closer and peered around the corner. Two guards stood in the corridor, their posture rigid, their expressions stern.

Between them stood Gildarts. In his hands was a small chest, its lid slightly open—just enough for the glimmer of gold inside to catch the light.

"What are you doing wandering the palace at this hour?" one guard demanded.

"And what exactly is in that chest?" the other pressed.

Gildarts, as always, appeared completely at ease.

"This?" he said casually, lifting the chest a fraction. "It belongs to Prince Etherious."

The guards exchanged a wary glance.

"And why are you carrying it?" one of them asked.

Gildarts shrugged.

"Because he asked me to deliver it," he replied. "Earlier, he overheard Prince Gray paying off the debt of a farmer—the man's land's been hit hard by famine. Was about to be thrown into debtor's prison. Gray helped him settle things and now is trying to help him find work."

The guards' expressions shifted slightly.

"Prince Etherious heard about it," Gildarts continued. "Thought he could lend a hand too. Asked me to bring this to the farmer and his family—keep them fed until he's back on his feet."

Lucy remained hidden, her thoughts beginning to shift. That didn't sound like a boastful prince seeking power or status. Most of the princes Lucy had known were nothing like that.

They hoarded wealth, clung to power, and measured worth in titles and advantage. Many of them would sooner cut off their own hand than spare a single gold coin to a peasant out of kindness.

"I know it's a little unusual," Gildarts said with an easy shrug. "But to him, money doesn't mean much—beyond keeping his stomach full."

"So if we were to ask him about this right now?" one of the guards questioned.

"He won't deny it," Gildarts replied easily. "He knows what it's like to go hungry for days. Wouldn't wish that on anyone."

Lucy's brows knit together in quiet disbelief. A prince going hungry for days? What kind of prince knew that kind of hardship? Every other prince who had come into her life before this had spoken of banquets, hunting parties, and eating more for pleasure rather than out of necessity.

Yet, it was refreshing to see someone consider such matters. Perhaps she had misjudged this Prince Etherious? Maybe she had overreacted. After all, Prince Gray had already proven himself to be kind and honorable. It wasn't impossible that Prince Etherious could be the same.

Still Lucy would remain cautious. She would not be swept away by gifts or grand gestures. She would not fall for charm or bravado. No, she would offer him a proper apology for her earlier behavior. She would be courteous. Civil. But nothing more.

Lucy slipped back to her chambers unnoticed, the guards none the wiser as she eased the door shut behind her. She changed out of the borrowed uniform and prepared for bed, but sleep did not come easily. Her thoughts kept circling, refusing to rest. As she lay there, staring up at the ceiling, another question surfaced—one she hadn't considered in a long time.

"What would Mother have done?"

Her mother had been in the same position once. Promised in marriage. Expected to accept, to obey and yet, somehow, she had found love in it.

Lucy turned onto her side, pulling the covers closer.

How did she do it? How had she looked past the arrangement, past the expectation and seen something real in her father? Was it something that grew over time? Or had she simply been lucky?

Lucy exhaled softly, her thoughts drifting between doubt and curiosity.