A Subject's Horror - Book Three

Chapter Two

Living in a mansion wasn't all it was cracked up to be, mainly since I kept getting lost and had to have my personal butler, Ash, help me.

It was truly a good thing that I hardly ever went anywhere alone since I did have a personal butler/assistant.

Though it made me feel a bit bad for how much I depended on the other.

"If I have to deal with one more simpering fool, I will scream," I muttered under my breath the moment I could move away from the others at the large party. "You'd think the royal family was here with how everyone is acting."

Then again, our family had funds that almost rivaled that of the royal family along with having full monopoly over the railways.

This was something I didn't plan to give up even when we joined Fairy Tail and became active mages.

That was why I had assistants and people who worked for me.

But because of me showing interest in the family business, along with investing in a few other businesses in my own name, Jude had begun to put more work onto my shoulders.

Not that it didn't happen at first, but by the time I had been here for a full year, I had a lot of control over things. Though that also meant I was forced to attend the parties.

Lucy was able to wiggle out of most of them.

"There you are," called out Maxwell Evans, an up-and-coming businessman and one I found worth it to the point I had hired him onto my own staff. "I've got a few contacts for a couple interesting businesses that I believe you'll want to invest in."

He was also the main one I planned to make the figurehead of the railways when Jude went too far and tries to force Lucy to marry someone.

We'd still leave for Fairy Tail, but this time it would be with full understanding that if he tried anything, he would regret it.

Mainly since there had been many who were traitors in his business and employ, something I took advantage of with Maxwell's help. This meant more control went into my hands.

You had to love how there weren't any laws here on an age limit for running a business.

This meant I could start to takeover before Jude would go bankrupt.

"We'll have to review them later," I mused with a light hum even as I tilted my head while my eyes remained locked with Ash's causing him to begin heading my way. "For now, I will leave most things in your capable hands, though it will still need me to personally sign off on any new investments or businesses."

People would be more willing to do things for you if they also reaped benefits from it.

I also had the two celestial keys I found in the safe for making it all possible.

Because of what I lacked in knowledge to run a business, they held in spades and were more than willing to teach me the ropes. It also helped that I seemed to be like a sponge.

Soaking in all knowledge and lessons given to me.

~ Time Skip ~

Years flew by until we finally turned sixteen, the same year Lucy would originally run away to travel for a year before running across Natsu when she was seventeen.

In that time so much had changed.

"You seem to be mistaken," I breathed out smile nothing but ice as I leaned back in the chair while facing Jude. "Lucy will not be marrying anyone, she has the right to choose her own future husband at a later date. Did you forget the promise you made your wife?"

When in doubt, throw guilt and light scolding onto someone.

"Calix," snapped Jude making my smile widen even as Ash stepped forward to hand over the specific file I had been preparing for this day. "What is the meaning of this?!"

"One should also keep a closer eye on any employees and partners when running such a large and expensive business," I continued as if I hadn't heard a word from him. "Otherwise, well, you might end up being stabbed in the back and have your business run into the ground."

Which is what would have happened, leaving Jude to sell everything to stay out of debt.

Even then he still had some he had to pay back once he got another job.

This time around our lands and home would be safe, even if I planned to turn the place into a large orphanage slash magic school for those who wished to learn.

It was an idea I had gotten from reading a few fanfiction stories in my first life.

Maxwell was already drawing up the paperwork.

But even then, there would be parts the large manor only accessible to myself, Lucy, and those we trusted. This had been our home and that of our mother's after all.

"You," seethed Jude words turning into sputtering curses.

"Me," I offered in agreement. "You can continue on as a member of the board I have created, and even give your opinion on things concerning the railroads, but only if you agree to my terms."

By this point I had placed him in a corner with nowhere to run.

All by finding the right people for alliances and friendship.

Because there was too much of my own meddling in place for him to ever wrangle control from me or those I have placed on the board. This was mainly to keep everyone in check and corruption to a minimum, so the business and railroads and railways ran smoothly.

Heartfilia was more than just a name.

No, it now held a lot of power and backing thanks to Jude and my own businesses.

Something I could use to help Fairy Tail, when and if needed.

"You've become a monster," hissed Jude even as he reached out to yank the file and contract, we've created closer. "Your mother would be ashamed."

"I am what you created," I mused with a light chuckle even as my hand grasped Ash's wrist so he wouldn't move to attack Jude. "As for my mother, well, she loved Lucy and me with her whole being. So, in truth, I cannot see her being ashamed of me.

Especially since everything I did was for family and nakama.

From there it was taking the now signed documents to Maxwell, who will file them away and make multiple copies, before setting my next bit into action.

"Everything alright?" wondered Lucy hours later as I returned home with a tired sigh, it made me thankful that Ash was a mage who could teleport.

"Yes, everything is alright," I answered smile warm as I looked towards my twin and the girl who would sacrifice everything she was and had for her friends and family. "We can set out in two weeks to travel a bit before finding Fairy Tail."

Her bright smile and loud squeal of delight made all the hardship and stress worth it.

Maxwell: