Once upon a time

Chapter 1

17 years later...

"Heart beats fast

 Colors and promises
 How to be brave?
 How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?
 But watching you stand alone
 All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow

 One step closer..."

Sitting beside the water fountain, surrounded by doves is the only princess of Fiore -- Juvia. Her wavy blue hair sat perfectly on her shoulders, adorned with beautiful gold and silver ornaments. Her sapphire blue eyes -- usually filled with kindness -- were now closed, completely immersed in the song she's singing.

Every day after breakfast, she would walk to the royal gardens. The sun would be shining brightly, but the temperature would be perfect. Juvia sometimes sat under a shady tree or maybe next to the water fountain spouting cool, fresh water. Wherever she was, she always sang.

Her voice was enchanting, encapturing everyone who heard it. It made people happy, hopeful and adore the princess more. But, that was only to be expected. Juvia was blessed by the famous Makarov himself! Of course her singing brought happiness everywhere. 

Though Juvia would never say it out loud, she was extremely lonely. Which is why singing brought her happiness too. If everyone around her was happy, she was happy too. The doves loved her singing and often came to listen. When they did, she would feed and pamper them, making them like her more. If any of the royal servants were present, they pause and look in awe at their princess.

It was one such morning today.

A young, light-blue haired maid hurried towards the royal gardens. Her name was Yukino and she was the princess' personal maid. She had a message to tell the princess. A message from the king an queen. Thus, her hurry.

Yukino reached quite soon but didn't have the heart to disturb the princess as she was singing. So, Yukino waited until the song was finished, listening with her entire heart and soul.

"Your Majesty," Yukino curtseyed lightly and greeted the young princess.

"Yukino!" Juvia jumped up in surprise, startling the doves beside her. She had been embarrassed to find that someone had been listening to her. Frankly, she thought she was a bad singer.

Yukino smiled. "King Gajeel and Queen Levy wish to speak to you."

"Oh," Juvia smoothed her gown. "Well, let's get going then, shall we?"

With that, the princess of Fiore and her hand maid, Yukino left for the main hall. King Gajeel and Queen Levy were waiting to meet their oldest daughter. They had shocking news to tell her. One that would change their lives forever.

What was that news?

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Lucy Heartfilia was dancing again.

She couldn't help it. When the sun shone perfectly over the horizon without clouds blocking its path and the birds sang a melodious tune, it was very hard to stay still. Lucy spun, her long pink skirt drifting with the wind. She stepped into small places making sure not to step on little flowers, tiny creatures and undeveloped roots. Anyone who saw her would be enchanted by her flawless beauty, her happy smile, and her shining blonde hair.

Lucy lived with her aunt, Layla. Layla had beautiful blonde hair too! Layla had always told Lucy that her parents died when she was but two years old. Lucy had believed it too, until she overheard Layla talking with her best friend, Irene, about how Lucy's real parents had actually abandoned her. Lucy had been sad when she heard the news, but she decided to focus on the better parts of life instead.

Right now Lucy was supposed to be picking strawberries from the forest. Unfortunately, she got side-tracked into dancing instead. Layla, who knew too much of Lucy's obsession with dancing, sent someone with her to help her stay on track.

That someone was Erza. Erza Scarlet, daughter of Irene. Erza was Lucy's best friend. She was a witch, a powerful one too! Even though Erza and Lucy were polar opposites, they were possibly the best friends on the entire planet. Sisters even!

It was Erza who collected the berries while Lucy danced. Erza didn't mind having to do all the work because watching Lucy have fun dancing made her happy too. Lucy could sing too, but she prefered to dance. Erza couldn't sing or dance but she was content with watching Lucy do both.

Reaching home a few hours later, Lucy realized that there was a visitor at their house.

Irene.

Lucy gasped loudly and ran towards the house rather quickly, Erza hot on her trail.

"Aunt... Irene," Lucy wheezed out, tired from running.

"Lucy," Irene smiled warmly and opened her arms wide, hoping for a hug. Lucy answered her and hug Irene tightly without hesitation. 

"Mother," Erza greeted walking in.

"Oh, Erza,"Irene let go of Lucy and smiled at Erza. "Picking strawberries?"

"Yup! We're making cheesecake this afternoon!" Lucy answered instead.

"Look at you," Irene began, turning back to Lucy. "All grown up!"

"Technically, there is still four more days until her eighteenth birthday," Layla said, coming in from inside the house. She and Irene shared a look. Lucy didn't understand, it was as if they were talking with their eyes.

"Well, how has it been going around here?" Irene asked once she had settled down. Layla brought tea and some chocolate chip cookies from the kitchen and served them on a small plate. The first cookie, however, was scoffed down by Erza before it could even reach the table. Lucy gave Erza a disapproving look.

"Well," Layla began but was interrupted by Lucy.

"Everything is fine here!"

Now it was Erza's turn to give Lucy a disapproving look.

"I,I mean..." Lucy gulped. "Everything is normal here, Aunt Irene. Nothing ever happens that's worth mentioning. Wake up early in the morning, eat breakfast, do chores, dance, sing, go berry-picking, watch Erza do magic, eat lunch, eat snacks, eat dinner, go to sleep..."

Everyone stared at her.

"So," Irene said with a teasing smile. "You eat lunch, snacks and dinner together? I think that's worth mentioning."

Lucy rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean! Magic seems fun, but Erza doesn't let me even try!"

"Magic is dangerous, Lucy. "All three witches recited the line together. As if they had spent hours practising. Lucy had heard that line too many times. Of course, they had had this conversation too many times. Lucy had hoped it would work now, considering how she's turning eighteen pretty soon.

Lucy sighed. "Oh fine, then, tell me about your life in Crocus, Aunt Irene. Your life is amazing!"

Irene thought for a moment. "Well, there is nothing much going on there either. Apart from the annual festival."

The annual festival was a celebration held for the princess. She too would be turning eighteen this year, and the kingdom was certain they wanted to celebrate it with big fireworks and lots of food. For as long as Lucy could remember, she hadn't been allowed to go to the festival. Or any festivals.

"There must be something..." Lucy persisted.

"Hmm... Oh!" Irene clapped her hands, remembering something. "There is one thing..."

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