Letters to You

Chapter 9

Gajeel,

I can not thank you enough for what you did for me last night, there arnt enough words in any language to tell you how happy it made me. The book you got me has been by my side all day and is already dog eared in several places. I'm not sure if your a reader, but I would be more than happy to lend it to you, it's a wonderful story.

I can't remember the last time I smiled so much or laughed like that, it was a wonderful feeling. I wish we could have another night like that, or at least walk through the garden together, (without having to dive for the bushes.) Please, give my thanks to Mira, she is such a wonderful lady.

After spending time with you, I have decided I would like a husband exactly like you. Your humor, your smile and your laugh, all of that out weighs whatever temper you might have. I only wish... No, never mind, it is silly. Again, I can not thank you enough for the wonderful time you showed me, and I wish we could do it again.

Yours,

Levy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I frowned down at Levy’s letter, sighing slightly. Although her letter was cheerful as usual, something had definitely been wrong when I picked her up from the meeting with her father that afternoon. What changed between this morning and this afternoon? She hadn’t even smiled at me when she got into the carriage, and it had me thinking that maybe I had done something wrong.

“She didn’t seem upset about sneaking out,” I murmured, wondering if that’s what it had been. No, if that were the case, her letter wouldn’t have spoken so highly of our trip to the bookstore. And, I knew that she had genuinely enjoyed herself when we snuck out, so I wasn’t sure what was wrong.

“Hello, Gajeel,” Juvia smiled, taking a seat beside me. I was sitting on a bench in the town’s shopping district. I had sat down before going to buy food to read Levy’s letter, hoping it would hold some answers. Unfortunately, it didn’t.

“Hey, Juvia,” I nodded.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, reaching for the letter. I let her have it, sighing again. “Gajeel, did you—?”

“Sneak her out of that damned prison so she could enjoy herself for one night? Yeah, I did,” I said. “I took her to Mira’s bookstore.”

“And?”

“And nothin’,” I shrugged. “I bought her a book, then walked her home. I got her letter this morning before I took her and her father to the samurai meetings.”

“Then why do you look so sad?” Juvia frowned, her blue eyes searching my face.

“Something’s definitely wrong with Levy,” I admitted. “She seemed off this afternoon. She barely looked at me, and she didn’t smile like usual when I helped her into the carriage.”

“Perhaps she feels awkward?” Juvia offered. “After spending so much time with you, maybe she’s confused about her feelings?”

“What feelings?” I scoffed.

She gave me a disappointed sigh before holding up the letter. “Juvia can tell that Levy likes you. Maybe even loves you. Since she is a noble, that would be very confusing for her, because she feels torn between her feelings and her duties to her clan.”

“Don’t be an idiot,” I grumbled, unable to shake the tightening in my chest that her words caused. To be honest, I hoped that Juvia’s theory was correct. Even if it is, and even if Levy does have feelings for me, what will that change? I frowned.

Nothing. She was still a noble, and I was still just a carriage driver. There was no future possible between us, so it didn’t matter how she felt—or how I felt. Because, God knows I feel somethin’. Every time I looked at her, or read one of her letters, or even thought about her, I got a weird ache in my chest, and I couldn’t help but smile. You’re an idiot for falling in love with a noble, Gajeel.

I knew that, but it didn’t change the fact that I was still in love with her. And, if she loved me back, I couldn’t say I wouldn’t be happy about it. Anyone would be happy to find out the person they love has feelings for them, too.

Very briefly, the thought of asking her to run away with me crossed my mind, but I immediately dismissed it. I couldn’t do that. Despite not having many freedoms, at least she was well taken care of. I had barely enough money for myself, let alone enough to give her everything she deserved. No, she deserves a comfortable bed, a stable home, and a rich husband. Although that wouldn’t be me, as long as she was happy, I would be happy, too.

Except, she didn’t look happy this afternoon. Still, I wondering what could have been wrong. Juvia’s theory was preferable, but I have a feeling that wasn’t it.

“Gajeel, Juvia thinks you should—“

“I really need to buy some food and go home,” I interrupted, knowing that she was going to tell me to tell Levy how I felt. I can’t do that.

“Alright,” she sighed, nodding. “Juvia will see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah,” I said, walking towards a vegetable stand. I put Levy’s letter in my coat pocket, but kept my hand on it. Levy, what happened?