When Worlds Collide

Chapter 41

Lucy couldn't hide the astonishment on her face when she beheld the Summer palace. A most magnificent estate, heavily influenced by Verdenshav's culture while also giving off the appearance of something she had seen in the illustrations of fantasy stories. It seemed to somehow glow in light that she imagined was spawned from the meeting of different worlds. In fact, this whole nation seemed to have that kind of glow. This was a realm that she had dreamed of seeing. A realm where you see and learn things that come from all over. It was more than what the young princess could have hoped for.

At last the carriage stopped at the palace front and she and her father were greeted by the prime minister Lahar.

"Ah Sultan Jude." He said with a smile. "I thank you immensely for accepting my invitation."

"And I thank you immensely for inviting us." The sultan replied.

The front castle doors were then opened and Gray began to make his way down the stairs in order to greet the monarchy of Lazan City. He saw the princess first and he could not deny that she was certainly a stunning woman. One dressed in an exotic, jade-green djellaba with her hair perfectly wrapped up and in place by silken scarves, adorned by the finest jewelry. Her stance was one of great respect and pride, of one who had been born and bred in the proper ways of royalty and nobility.

"Allow me to present, his royal highness, Prince Gray of the Verdenshav Kingdom." Lahar spoke.

Gray bowed before the sultan and his daughter.

"Welcome to my humble home." He said politely.

"Prince Gray it is an honor to finally meet you." Jude said. "Allow me to present my daughter, Princess Lucy."

"A pleasure to meet you Prince Gray." The princess said in a respectful tone.

"Likewise." The prince said.

"He is very handsome." Lucy thought. "And there seems to be a trace of humility in him. Quite a rare in someone of his status, I must say."

From the behind the palace doors, Juvia watched them feeling both fear and excitement. She was frightened to see who her rival for the prince's love was yet at the same time she was most eager to see her. Especially after hearing what so many of the servants had to say about her. They all said that she was beautiful, talented, intelligent, just perfect for Gray. And that's what Juvia was afraid of.

But eventually her curiosity got the better of her and she slowly came out from behind the doors, slowly going down the steps to see the princess. Suddenly she became startled upon recognizing that the princess in question was Lucy of all people. So startled that she lost her balance and tumbled down the stairs.

"Oh good lord! Are you alright?" Gray was instantly at Juvia's side, gently helping her up and steadying her. "Are you hurt? Anything broken?"

Juvia shook her head, blushing over her clumsiness.

"You must be careful my dear." Lahar told her. "These old steps can be quite hazardous."

"Who is this?" The sultan asked looking down on Juvia.

"Another guest who will be staying at the palace." Gray explained. "She's the survivor of a shipwreck and she has nowhere to go and no one to take care of her. Until further notice, she's just as welcome here as you and your daughter are."

Because Juvia was dry with hair that was properly groomed instead of mangled and dripping wet, clothed richly, and having a pair of legs in place of a tail, Lucy did not recognize her. Though she did think that there was something familiar about her.

"What's her name?" Lucy asked.

"We don't know." Gray said. "She can't tell us. She can't speak at all. We think she may have lost her voice in the wreck."