Letters to You

Chapter 3

Lady McGarden,

Just call me Gajeel. Titles don't really suit a man like me. Gihi.

Levy. Such a beautiful name. Quite fitting, if I may say so.

My life may seem free, but it isn't what you may think. Being just a carriage driver (or whatever job I may be doing at the time) also holds expectations of me. I am expected to marry a girl who will give me children and then work for the rest of my life to support my family with her. Sure, that doesn't sound so bad, but I want more than that. I'd like to one day be able to give my children something more than a poor man's life.

That's enough talking about my foolish dreams, though. Tell me about yourself, Levy. If I may call you that? What are your interests? Your dreams? I already know that you are the daughter of Sir McGarden, and belong to the Fairy Tail samurais, but I can tell there is so much more to you than that. You don't seem like any other noble I've met before. Most would have pulled away from that small touch yesterday, but I noticed the way your hand seemed to linger for just a second. I appreciate that. Most people (women especially) are frightened because I don't have a typically handsome face.

I don't know how it works with you nobles, but have you ever tried asking your father to let you chose your own husband? With the lower class, the father still chooses, sure, but the women do get a say in who they marry. Honestly, the thought of you being given away to some man just for money or power makes me sick. You're something to be treasured, not a tool for joining two clans.

Well, little bird, although it isn't for the best reason, I am grateful to your father for taking you out of your cage. It means that I may get the chance to see you every day.

If you wish to write back, and I hope you do, I will be permanently driving your carriage now. Your father hired me this morning as an employee for the McGardens. That means, dear Levy, if you ever need anything, I will be in the employee house just beside the main McGarden manor. Although I know it would be foolish to ask you to visit me in person, the small mail bin beside my door will always be open to your letters.

Yours,

Gajeel Redfox

~~~~~~

Again, I lost count of how many times I read his letter and I couldn't seem to wipe the smile from my face. I went to my window and pushed it open so I could look across the garden at the employee house on the other side of the compound. I wasn't sure why, but a chance to see him everyday sent my heart pounding out of my chest.

" You got another letter didn't you?" A voice from her door made her jump and she turned to see Lucy, hands on her hips and trying not to smile. " What if I did?" I pouted, holding the letter close. Lucy crossed the large room in five easy strides and sat next to me, holding out her hand. " No!" I whined but she easily snatched it from me. She perked up and peeked out the window, trying to see the mystery man.

" Don't be so obvious woman!" I said, yanking her back by the obi on her kimono. She squeeked as she fell back on her butt and I snatched the letter back. " I wanted to see who this letterman Gajeel is." She pouted and I rolled my eyes. " Your gonna write him back right?" She asked, almost excitedly. I frowned slightly.

" Why?" She giggled. " Because Iv never seen you so happy! Especially after your first prospective husband." I scrunched up my nose at the thought of the large disgusting man who eyed me like I was a piece of meat. " And beside," she grinned. "Tragic love never gets old." "Lucy!" I gasped. " For one," I held up a finger. " We arnt in love, not happening. And two, if by some far fetched way we did, why would it be tragic?"

She rolled her eyes."I will ignore the, not happening part and skip to the tragic. Two different classes, him he can marry some girl or stay alone, he has a choice. And then he gets to watch the petite beauty he fell in love with marry another man and carry his children. It's perfectly tragic! Because, despite what he thinks, we know neither of us have a choice." She added the last part quietly and I looked down, absent-mindedly rubbing the spot on my arm that used to be bruised.

" Yes well, it is nice to have someone who isn't in this stuffy setting to talk to. No offense Lu." She grinned and waved it off. "No offense little bird." She smirked as my face heated up and I tossed one of the sitting pillows at her. " Lucy!"