Once upon a time

Chapter 3

The sun was setting in the sky, illuminating Juvia's white bedroom with shades of red and orange. She was up against the window, sitting on the window sill, her knees up. She could see her reflection in the window as she looked out at the bustling city below her. People were happy and excited to celebrate Juvia's birthday. And marriage.

Juvia couldn't understand why her parents would hide it from her. It was her marriage, so she deserves to know. Not only that, her marriage was fixed five years ago. Five! And her parents chose to keep it a secret? She should've been given time to adjust. Juvia had much to do before she fell under the rule of her husband. If they had told her earlier, she could've done everything she wanted beforehand. But now, with only four days - three after tonight- she had no time. 

A knock echoed through the room, breaking Juvia's train of thought. She sighed deeply and stood up from the window sill. Smoothing her dress down, she plastered a fake smile on her face and mustered up her cheeriest voice. "Come in!"

The wooden door creaked slightly as it opened. It was Yukino, her personal maid and best friend. Now, Juvia was friends with every servant in the palace but Yukino was the one she was closest to. There were many reasons, but the biggest one would be that Yukino was the only one close to her age and had been with her for a long time. She was quiet, kind, timid, and thoughtful - everything Juvia was. Juvia always trusted Yukino with secrets, but, her dreams were one secret no one could ever know. 

"Princess?" Yukino walked closer, clutching her long black skirt. She sensed something was wrong with Juvia ever since she was called to her parents' chamber. Whatever she heard in that room had disturbed the princess, Yukino was sure of it. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Juvia was quick to deny. She heard her maid sigh and walk towards her. Juvia was a terrible liar, but she had hoped it would work in her favor today. A princess may not dream, that was what she was taught. Not directly, of course, but it was very much implied. She was taught etiquette, manners, speech, and 'how to look beautiful'. However, she yearned to spend time with nature, walk around barefoot, sing and dance to her likeness, and be accepted for who she was. But, she had accepted her fate. She knew she couldn't dream after marrying, so she had planned to do it before marriage. But now, her plans were ruined. 

"Princess," started Yukino. "I have known you for a very long time. You should know by now that you are a terrible liar and that you can never lie to me. Please, princess, I beg you, let me know what is troubling you."

Juvia looked up at Yukino, her beautiful blue eyes filled with tears. Without warning, Juvia engulfed Yukino in a hug, one filled with despair. Juvia's knees buckled, pulling Yukino down to the ground with her. She felt as if the entire world was against her, apart from her faithful maid. Juvia did not speak, but Yukino was fine with that. The princess did not have to tell her what was wrong. As long as it did not weigh her mind as much as it did before, Yukino would be content. 

After a few minutes, Juvia sat up, sniffing and wiping her tears. She looked at her faithful maid, gratefulness apparent in her eyes. She stood up, smoothing her skirt and wiping her eyes. Juvia slowly walked towards the window and rested her hands on the cool glass, looking out through it.

I'll do it!  She decided.

I'll run away!

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Lucy sniffled as she sat at the edge of the cliff. Yes, she knew it was dangerous, but it was one of the best things in her life. Sitting by the cliff, her legs dangling over it, it was a beautiful place. She and Erza had found this place over four years ago and had agreed to keep it a secret from their mothers. It was one of the fun things Erza agreed to do with her.

The cliff was a beautiful place to be, sure, it was very hot during the day, but it was the perfect place to view the world from a higher position. It made Lucy feel free, alive, on top of the world, but most of all, it made her feel like... herself. You could see the edge of the forest from here, that was where Crocus, the capital of Fiore, began. Further, Lucy could see the beautiful, glistening castle. She didn't know why, but she always felt a connection to the castle. It was one of the unexplainable occurrences in her.

Right now, the sun was setting, illuminating the grand castle. She looked up at it, once again feeling the sense of longing to go there.

"You're too immature,"

The words repeated over and over again in Lucy's head. She knew Layla didn't mean those things, but it was hard to not let it into her head. Layla wasn't the type to insult her often but she was very overprotective of Lucy. And Lucy didn't like that at all. She was going to be eighteen! She didn't need Layla's protection, she was completely capable of being independent!

And just like that, an idea came to her.

She would run away.

Well, not forever, of course. Guessing by the distance, it would take around three days to reach Fiore. By then, it would be Princess Juvia's birthday. Lucy could celebrate her birthday in the city, watch the princess's wedding ceremony and come back! It's a wonderful idea!

Just as Lucy was about to stand up, someone put their hand on her shoulder. Lucy screamed, swatting the hand away and jumping onto her feet.

It was Erza.

Lucy sighed a breath of relief. "Oh, Erza, you scared me!"

"Sorry," Erza said. "I thought you'd be cry-- sad."

"I heard that!"

"Sorry." Erza paused. "You know she didn't mean it, right?"

"Yeah, I know," Lucy sighed, sitting back down again. Should she tell Erza? Then, Erza can go with her and Layla wouldn't be that worried! But, Erza was never the type to break rules. In fact, she always went by the rules, which very much annoyed Lucy. There were only very few instances when Erza acted "fun".

No, Lucy decided, I won't tell her. I'll run away tonight without telling anyone. What's the harm anyway? I'll be back in a few days.

With that thought, Lucy turned back to Erza. "Let's go home?"

"Sure."

And they went home, but as soon as Lucy reached home, she discreetly packed her bags, preparing to leave at night when everyone was asleep. It was only a few hours until her grand escape!

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