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Chapter Text

Throughout history there have been many great empires and perhaps one of the first great empires to have ever been known was Ancient Egypt. Appeared in Africa by the Nile river, a dynasty full of statues, monuments, and pyramids dedicated to their polytheistic faith. The people of this empire, the Egyptians had many things to take pride in such as vast wealth and noble bearing. But no empire is perfect no matter how great and the worst flaw that the empire of Egypt possessed was that it was an empire that had been built on the backs of slaves. 

The royal dynasty of Egypt permitted slavery and saw it as a way of life. So for many decades, Egyptians had been capturing and enslaving two types of people who resided in the same continent as them. 

First it was the Hebrews. Commonly lived in Canaan, believers of a monotheistic faith, descendants of the great Abraham, and God's chosen people. Some came to Egypt seeking refuge due to harsh environments that they could not live with while others were taken to Egypt against their will. Either way they all ended up with the same out come and that was to become slaves of the Egyptians. Though worked and beaten like mules daily, the lot of them never gave up hope that their God would somehow deliver them to freedom. 

The second race of people they enslaved were the Nubians. They came from Nubia an ancient region in Northeastern Africa which like Egypt was a great empire as well. Unfortunately this led to a long time war between them with for many years. Eventually Egypt invaded Nubia and although the Nubians fought back in the end their home was destroyed. Even worse, as Nubia was being ransacked a good number of it's citizens were captured by the enemy. 

The Hebrews and the Nubians were treated no better than dogs or cattle. Forced to work day in and day out in the hot sun without any form of payment, suffering brutal whippings and lashings from task masters, women raped and violated, even the children were not spared from these hardships. But their cries of agony and torment did not once move the hearts of the pharaohs who ruled over them and the most vile of them all was Pharaoh Precht. He was everything that was expected of a pharaoh. Proud, strong, fearsome, and regal but he was also cruel, power mad, remorseless. In his mind the slaves were not even human beings. Just sub creatures who existed for one purpose and one purpose alone, to serve him. To worship him. To see him as a God.

To many Egyptians he was a God or the very least a messenger of the Gods. To the Hebrews he was the devil. To the Nubians he was a tyrant. But whatever they thought of him, no one in all of Egypt would dare do anything to intentionally displease the pharaoh for they knew if they did then it would most likely be the last thing they would ever do in this world. They were all too afraid to do anything against him. However everyone has their breaking point even slaves and one day Precht pushed a slave to his which in turn would cause his destiny to be forever changed in the future.

It all started one day when Precht was observing the construction being done to another large idol dedicated to the Egyptian God know as Ra. The heat of that day had been most dreadful so he took a moment to rest in the shade and that was when he caught sight of a Hebrew woman weaving fabric for her mistress. She was called Levy and despite being a slave who worked in the sun and dirt, she possessed remarkable beauty and grace. Her loveliness held something that the pharaoh had not seen in either his queen or his concubines, both of which he had now become bored with. At once he lusted for her.

"Woman!" He called to her. "Come here to me."

She stopped her work and trembled as she approached him.

"Yes." She said with her face to the ground.

"Look upon your pharaoh woman!" He demanded. 

She did as she was told. He made a grin that was sicking and lecherous. 

"Take me to your home woman."

"Yes my lord."

Her heart was pounding rapidly the whole time she led him over to the clay hovel she lived in. Upon arriving he dismissed his soldiers and entered her home.

"What is it you wish of me great pharaoh?" Her voice was laced with nothing but fear. This pleased Precht greatly. He enjoyed the sight of a someone apprehensive and frightened. It made him feel like a true deity. 

"Undress for me." He said.

When he spoke those words Levy became more afraid than ever. 

"Oh no sire." She pleaded. "I beg of you. Please do not ask that of me. Ask anything of me but that."

He struck down the terrified slave woman without any pity.

"I asked you nothing! I commanded you! Be silent and do as your told!" He snapped. "I am pharaoh! You are a slave! You will do as I wish when I wish it!"

He climbed over top of her fallen body and started tearing at her ragged clothes. Tears ran down her eyes when she believed that this horrible act could not be prevented. Although her tears were not for herself, they were for her husband whom she felt would be betrayed once Precht had his way with her. 

She was married to Gajeel a Hebrew slave like herself who spent most of his days building the temples and monuments. His entire body bore countless scars from the many lashings he received over the years. This was because his master secretly envied him. Envied for not being like other slaves or rather how his master believed other slaves should be. He thought that he should be weak, puny, uneducated, in other words useless for anything besides hard labor. But Gajeel was strong, educated, and very witty. Both he and his wife were extremely clever and intelligent. They could understand more than one language and they knew of things that were completely foreign to Egyptians. Sadly it was because of their intelligence that he was mistreated so much worse than usual.

He endured so much abuse and obeyed every command without objection. He knew it was the only way to stay alive in this world. But pain has a way of building up sometimes and his just kept building and building until it could be contained no more and it was released as soon as Gajeel glanced over to the window of his hut and saw what Precht was doing to his wife. 

Now there was only one thing in this world that kept Gajeel living. One thing that could make him happy in this God forsaken life he was forced into. One thing that kept him from just acting out and letting the soldiers kill him for it. That one thing was Levy. She was the love of his life and the only goodness he had ever known. He cared for her, devoted himself to her, went out of his way to make her smile if it was possible. There never was a husband in Egypt who loved his wife more than Gajeel loved Levy. So when his eyes beheld the sight of Precht attempting to violate her his inner rage finally broke forth.

The wicked pharaoh had just began to make a grab for her breast when Gajeel came charging in like a mad bull. He jerked Precht off of Levy, threw him to the ground as hard as he could, and proceeded to beat him in the face as many times as he could. 

"Gajeel no!" Levy cried.

But he ignored her cries. He was too blinded by rage. Precht never thought a slave could have so much strength and fury. His attempts to stop him were futile and he might have ended up beaten to death if the soldiers did not hear him call. They restrained Gajeel and helped the pharaoh to his feet, his entire face battered and his eye so swollen, black, and bleeding. He had been beaten by a slave. Him the great pharaoh beaten by a common slave.

"You dare attack pharaoh!" He snarled. "Your ruler! Your master! The one who reigns over all! The morning and evening star!"

"I don't care who you are!" Gajeel roared. "If you ever put your damn hands on my wife again I'll kill you!"

"Guards! Take his head!"

"No!" Levy threw herself at Precht's feet in desperation. "Please great one, spare my husband! Can you not understand why he lashed out against you? How angry and hurt he felt."

"The feelings and well being of a slave are nothing to me! He has disgraced me! Humiliated me! And I shall not be undermined by anyone!"

"Oh please! He meant no offense! It was an act of love! He only did what he did for me! Because he loves me so much! Have mercy on a loving husband who only wanted to defend his wife!"

He was just about to strike her down again when an idea came into his twisted mind. One that made him think of far more dreadful way to punish the Hebrew who had dared challenged him. 

"Well an act of love brings a whole new meaning to this." He said. "You say that you are married yes?"

"Yes sire." Levy answered. 

"And you both appear quite young. Any children? After all if you two are as deeply in love as you say then naturally children are to come of it."

"We have no children to speak of yet but we are hopeful."

Precht turned to face Gajeel.

"Very well. The penalty for your insubordination will not be death. Death would be too merciful for one who humiliates pharaoh." 

"Is that so?" Gajeel asked. "Then what exactly do you have in mind?"

"By disgracing me you have disgraced the mighty and powerful Ra. For I am messenger and favored servant to all the Gods. Your punishment is that you must appease them with a sacrifice."

"What sacrifice? I have no cattle and no sheep. I own nothing that could be considered sacrificial."

"Not yet." He chuckled sinisterly. "But you will. In time you will."

"What are you talking about?"

"To make up for your disrespect, the sacrifice you make to Ra shall be your first born child."

Gajeel and Levy's faces were overwhelmed with horror at hearing this. 

"No." He said in a voice barely above a whisper. 

"Please no!" Levy begged. 

"I'd rather you kill me!" 

"That's the point." Precht sneered. 

"I won't do it!"

"Then I shall do it myself! If you and your wife have a child then my men shall take it from you and give it to me to do with as I please!"

"I won't let you!" 

"If you fight my men they will simply kill you and take the child! Either way your first child is mine and there is nothing you can do to stop me from taking it!"

Levy begged and pleaded for the pharaoh to reconsider but he refused. The couple then decided to never again lie with each other. Unfortunately and unbeknownst to them at the time, Gajeel had successfully planted his seed a week before the incident and when Levy did not bleed for two months they realized that she was with child.

Chapter Text

Poor Levy had spent hours crying her eyes out while Gajeel prayed to God for a solution but it appeared that no answer would be given. Not verbally that is. Desperate to keep their child from being killed, Gajeel and Levy concluded that their only option was to somehow flee from Egypt before it was born. Now they weren't the only slaves who had the idea to run away but nearly every slave who tried ended up killed or recaptured. Escaping was a very risky act but considering that staying would result in the death of their child, Gajeel and Levy chose to take that risk.

For six months they carefully planned their escape while secretly stealing enough materials to sustain them at least until they found fertile land. Food, water, a weapon or two, and a basket to use as a cradle for the infant. They were also careful to conceal Levy's pregnancy by making sure that no one saw her growing belly. Once they had enough materials and were informed of a night when few soldiers would be around the two were ready to leave.

But fate can be very cruel. The moment they were about to leave was the exact moment that their child was ready to be born. Levy endured painful labor that lasted long into the night yet she did not scream or cry out once for that would risk alerting the soldiers. It was the wee hours of the morning when she had finally birthed a healthy baby boy and by then she was much too weak for any journey so their escape was delayed. As she recovered both she and her husband did everything in their power to keep their son hidden. He was never seen by anyone but them and whenever he cried, a loyal friend of theirs would make loud noises to drown out the infant's cries while his parents soothed him with lullabies and music. Oh how they hoped that it work until they were safe and far from Egypt.

"Do you have everything?" Levy asked her husband the day of their second escape attempt.

"Yes." He answered after double checking the satchel of supplies he had packed. "But we must hurry. I think one of the soldiers heard him crying last night."

"Alright." Levy lifted her baby from the cradle, swaddled him in her shawl, and held him close.

"Is he calm?" Gajeel asked.

"He has been fed so he should not fuss for sometime." Levy assured him. "But Gajeel where shall we go? The only thing out there is desert."

"I'm not entirely sure but I've heard of a place called Midian, that the people there are God fearing like us. Maybe they'll help us, maybe they won't. But either way any place is better than here."

She then grabbed the basket she had weaved and with her husband slipped out their hut as unseen as they could be. They moved quickly and quietly, staying close to the shadows and out of sight the best that their abilities would allow. But one especially watchful soldier spotted them and thought them to be suspicious.

"Halt!" He shouted. "What are you doing? Why do you carry so much?"

"Run Levy." Gajeel said. "I'll hold them off while you escape."

"But Gajeel-"

"If we are both captured then our son is dead! There's no argument!"

Though reluctant to leave her husband she knew his words to be true. So she ran while he stayed behind to keep the soldiers from going after her.

"Stop that woman!" One soldier shouted. "She's trying to escape!"

Gajeel was strong and Levy was fast but there were just too many soldiers. He was eventually overpowered and she would inevitably be caught.

"What shall I do?" She thought fearfully. "Oh God please help me."

That was when she saw the tall reeds of the Nile River. Tall reeds that could probably hide just about anything placed within them. Her heart ached at the idea that her mind was forming. To leave her son, to leave the product of her and Gajeel's love, to leave something that she treasured with her whole heart and soul, it would be more painful than any lashing that she had ever known. But more painful than both combined was the idea of her son dying before he had even begun to live. As heart wrenching as this choice was it would probably be her child's only chance.

She crept into the reeds and situated the basket to where it was in a secure position. The baby in her arms became frightened and started to fuss.

"Shh." She hushed gently. "Don't cry. It's alright. It's alright."

She then proceeded to sing one of the many lullabies that she and her husband had sang to him many times before. Her soft voice lulled the baby to sleep and his mother tearfully gave him one last kiss on the head before placing him in the basket.

"Blessed God, protect my son and one day bring him back to me." She sobbed.

At the sound of soldiers coming she quickly moved out of the reeds and led them away. Now it just so happened that those reeds were just a little ways from a shallow part of the river where Mirajane, the wife of Pharaoh's captain Laxus typically bathed. The elegant and refined young woman made her way down the stairs of her manor house and toward the water with only her maid servant and a toddler accompanying her.

The toddler was called Natsu and he was her first son. Although recently it would seem that he would be her only son. You see she had been expected to bring a second child into the world but sadly the child died while still in her womb just a few weeks prior. The tragedy left her very grief stricken.

"Why would the gods bless me with a child only to take it away?" She had wailed many times.

Her husband and servants tried to ease her pain but nothing they did or said worked. The only thing that could come close to consoling her was her living child whom she adored above all things in the world. This morning when she saw the three year old splashing about in the nile, she could not help but smile at him.

"Look Mommy it's a lotus!" He said bringing the flower toward her. "Your favorite."

Her smile grew.

"Thank you my son. It is beautiful." She took the flower from him and kissed his cheek. "Now then continue with your bath. We must be clean for your father."

"Yes Mommy."

He went back into the water. He was about do as he was told when he noticed a small frog. He then got the idea to make the frog a pet and tried to catch it. Mirajane giggled, Minerva the head of the maid servants rolled her eyes in irritation.

"Truly my lady, why must you spoil the boy?" She scoffed. "He acts foolhardy already. As your first born he is the heir to everything your husband has so you must be more firm. You must not indulge him."

"Oh Minerva you are only happy when others are miserable." Mirajane replied. "Let my son be a child while he still can. Soon my husband will take him from my arms and mold him into a man."

She sighed in a melancholy way.

"That is why I was so desperate for a second child. Because I knew that my time to hold my first child would be limited. Even though I am proud that he will be my husband's heir."

Said heir moved forward to grabbed the little frog he had targeted but it escaped his grasp and jumped into the reeds. He followed it into the reeds but instead of finding the frog he seeked, he found a basket.

"Mommy! Look what a found!" He said bringing the basket over to her.

At once Mirajane became frightened when she saw the basket. She feared that it might have contained a snake or some kind of other deadly creature.

"Natsu don't touch that thing!"

She grabbed her son and moved him away from it. Then she herself approached the basket and slowly opened it with great fear and apprehension. But once she saw what was inside those two emotions were replaced with great astonishment and joy.

"What have you found my lady?" Minerva asked.

"The answer to my prayers." Mirajane walked toward them with a smile on her face and an infant boy in her arms.

"Where did that child come from?" Minerva asked.

"The gods have favored me Minerva. In place of the child they've taken from my womb, they've given me a new one. One who is as beautiful as I knew my unborn child would be."

But Minerva was not quite convinced. She looked down upon the baby in her arms and took note of his dark hair and dark eyes. Traits commonly found in Hebrews.

"My lady you cannot truly mean to keep this child as your own." She said. "This is a Hebrew slave's child. I am certain of it."

"Not anymore. As of now he is my beloved second born. Therefore he shall be as loved and adored as my first born."

"I implore you to reconsider. Raising a Hebrew child will disgrace you and my master."

"Rubbish! He shall bring comfort and relief from the pain that we have been suffering through."

"I will not serve a Hebrew."

"You will serve any son of mine." She said sternly. "And you shall never speak ill of him for if you do there will be dire consequences. Is that clear?"

"As you wish my lady but your husband will not accept him. He will insist that the child be rid of."

"You will find Minerva that I can be very persuasive. Especially when it comes to my husband." She glanced back at the baby boy, admiring his beautiful gray eyes. "Such a lovely child. Surely Laxus cannot reject him. Why he is just as perfect as Natsu."

Natsu walked toward his mother and curiously gazed at that baby she was holding.

"Come Natsu." Mirajane said to her other son. "We shall show your father your new baby brother Gray."

Chapter Text

Laxus had just returned from a long day of seeing over pharaoh's men when he caught sight of his wife and child approaching him. It was his son that he looked at first, his pride and joy. The brightest star in his life. His prized heir to all that he possessed. The one who would lead his family name to great honor and riches. Truly to many men of this time period, nothing was as precious as a first born son.

His gaze then moved from Natsu to Mirajane and he was quite with what he saw. What was it about her at the moment that pleased him so? It was the elated look on his wife's face. He feared that he would never again see any kind of joy such as that be expressed on Mirajane's features.

"You're in a good mood this afternoon." He said. "What is it that has finally brought you at of your seemingly eternal grief?"

Before answering, Mirajane sent Natsu to his chambers and dismissed the servants present.

"Oh beloved." She then replied to Laxus. "A great miracle has happened. The Nile God has brought back what we have lost and so desperately yearned to reclaim."

"Whatever do you mean?"

"He has given us a second born."

"MIrajane what in the name of Ra are you speaking of? We have no second born child. Any second born we may have had entered the house of the dead before you could even bring it into our world."

"Yes but it would seem that the great God of the Nile River pitied us and returned what was un-lawfully taken."

She presented the bundle in her arms to her husband and drew back a little of the shawl that baby was swaddled in.

"What is this?" He asked.

"Natsu and I found him adrift in a basket among the reeds. Sent to us from the river god. It is our new son."

"This is no son of ours. You did not birth him."

"Nevertheless I believe that the Gods have chosen us to be mother and father to this beautiful boy."

"Are you mad? We cannot possibly make this child ours."

"Why ever not?"

"Mirajane look at it. Look at it's eyes, it's hair, it's not Egyptian like us. It's Hebrew."

"So?"

"So an Egyptian taking a Hebrew's child as it's own, that's no different than taking an ox's calf as your own."

"Oh really Laxus." Mirajane scoffed at the absurd analogy. "Can you not see what a great blessing this boy is?"

"All I see is shame and disgrace.  Best to get rid of it."

"No. I intend to keep him and love him just as I love the son that I carried and birthed. I've already given him the perfect name. Gray." She tickled the baby and kissed him which made him giggle and coo. "It suits him divinely doesn't it dear?"

"Mirajane you know that I've never been able to deny you anything but I'm going to have to put my foot down this time. I'm sorry but you can't keep it."

"Him." She corrected. "He's a him, not an it and I don't care what you say. I'm his mother now and I'm going to take care of him."

"But Mirajane think of the scandal. What will people say?"

"The opinions of others have never really mattered to me."

"Well they matter to me. Especially the opinions of the pharaoh. He will not stand for an Egyptian adopting a Hebrew child."

"He need not know that Gray is Hebrew or that he is adopted. The people have known for quite awhile that I was with child a second time and word has not spread very far about our second child's premature death. They'll just assume that Gray is biologically ours."

"And what happens when people notice that there is no resemblance between him and the three of us? When they notice the dark hair and dark eyes he has."

"You worry too much Laxus. No one will suspect a thing as long as we keep quiet."

"I can't take that risk. The humiliation and the wrath of Pharaoh Precht is too great."

"Laxus if you make me get rid of him I know that I shall die of grief. This is probably my only chance to have another child. Don't take that away from me, I beg you!"

Now Laxus was one of those people who based all of his choices on status, class, and society's views. Something that he wanted very much in all of Egypt was the pharaoh's favor and he knew that prize could never be obtained if anyone knew that he had taken in a slave's child. But despite having such a shallow flaw, he loved his wife dearly and it had been utter torture for him to watch her suffer with the loss of their unborn child and he could clearly see how happy this Hebrew baby made her. So luckily in this situation love overcame pride.

"Does anyone else know about this?" He asked her after a long moment of silent thinking. "Does anyone know that you found this infant?"

"Only Minerva but you and I both know she would not dare reveal any secrets of ours. Less she lose her tongue."

"And what about Natsu? You said that he found him along with you."

"Yes but Natsu is still so very young. As he matures he will forget this day."

Laxus sighed.

"Then you may keep him."

Mirajane smiled brighter than she had ever been.

"Thank you beloved. I just know he'll be a wonderful son."

But he was not convinced. Just then they heard the doors slam open and some Laxus's men enter dragging a slave with them.

"What is the meaning of this?" Laxus asked his men.

"A thousand apologies sir." One of the soldiers said. "But we caught this slave running on your land and looking very suspicious. We think that she was trying to flee Egypt."

Laxus and Mirajane looked down at the slave who was brought before them. It was a woman. A Hebrew woman. It was Levy.

"Do we turn her over to Pharaoh?" The same soldier asked.

"Yes."

"But won't she be executed?" Mirajane asked with concern.

"She brought it on herself for foolishly trying to escape."

She looked at Levy and took note of how frightened she was. Her entire body was trembling and she had tears in her eyes, tears that were praying for anyone in the room that moment to show some form of mercy.

"But Laxus this woman could prove useful."

"Useful, how?"

"Well has you know our nurse has become much too old and barren to produce milk. Our son Gray is still a newborn and in desperate need of nursing. This woman appears to be a maid still and a healthy one too. Why not make her nurse to our children?"

Normally Laxus would have objected to making a filthy Hebrew slave woman nurse to any child of his instead of a respectable Egyptian servant woman. But then he realized that this woman would only be breast feeding the Hebrew child he reluctantly took as his ward and truth be told he'd much prefer that instead of his wife or a fellow Egyptian breast feeding the child.

"Very well." He turned to Levy. "You woman, can you still produce milk?"

"Ye...Yes." She stuttered.

"In that case here is the arrangement. We will not report your little escape attempt to Pharaoh thus allowing you to remain alive but in turn for that you must be nurse maid to our..." He choked before finishing. "New son."

"If I do this will you pardon my husband as well?" Levy asked.

"You are married?" Mirajane asked.

"Yes. At the moment my husband is being whipped before be brought to you your grace. If you do not speak of our attempt to run to pharaoh then I shall do anything you ask of me just please don't tell."

Laxus and Mirajane looked at each other.

"I could always use another slave to work around here." Laxus decided. "I'll take you both as slaves. Men, bring the woman's husband here."

The soldiers released their grips on Levy and went to do as they were commanded. Mirajane then placed her newly adopted son into Levy's arms and when she recognized the baby as her own little boy who she thought that she would never see again, her tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy.

"His name is Gray." Mirajane said. "It is becoming late now and I have some things that I must attend to so would you please nurse my son and soothe him?"

"Yes my lady." Levy answered.

It took all her will power not to let it show how happy she was in that moment. When she was finally alone with her son Gray she nursed him and cradled him in her arms while whispering lovingly into his ear.

"God has a plan for you. Someday you will bring about greatness."

The baby did not understand her words but he nuzzled deeper into her chest and soon dozed off. His true mother intended to hold him until her new mistress said other wise but then she heard the door to the room creek open. Standing there was Natsu.

"Mommy says that I have a new baby brother." He said. "Can I have a closer look at him?"

She answered with a touched smile and kneeled down so the Egyptian toddler could have a better look at the newest member of his family.

"Huh." He said curiously. "He sure is small and he's kind of funny looking. Does he talk?"

At the sound of a close voice that wasn't soothing or maternal like Levy's or Mirajane's, Gray was awakened and when this unusual thing leaned in his tiny hands couldn't resist reaching out to grab hold of it's salmon colored hair.

"Ow! Hey!" Gray grabbed his nose next. "Stop that!"

Natsu was beginning to think that maybe having a baby brother wasn't the best thing in the world. But as he was freeing his locks from Gray's grip, the baby's hand moved to grab one of the toddler's fingers and for a reason Natsu did not understand this did not annoy him. He just stood there and locked eyes with Gray who appeared to be just as curious about Natsu as he was of him.

"What's he doing now?" Natsu asked.

"He's looking up to you." Mirajane answered as she entered the room. "That's what little brothers do. They look up to their big brothers and that means big brothers have to look out for their little brothers."

She gently put her hands on Natsu's shoulders and kneeled down like Levy did.

"You have a very important responsibility now Natsu and that's to make sure that someone is always there for your little brother. Someone who will be his friend. Can you do that?"

"Uh-huh." He nodded. "Don't worry Mommy I'll look out for him."

He looked back at Gray and smiled.

"Always."

And brothers they would be but unknown to them both at the time, God had a plan for these two boys. It was no coincidence that Gray had been adopted into Natsu's family because in the future it would be their brotherly love that would lead them to end Prect's tyranny and grant Egypt true freedom.

Chapter Text

So it was that both Natsu and Gray were brought up as sons of Laxus. Sons who were looked after and cared for by all who served in the house hold. Most notably, Levy. She proved herself to be more than an excellent nurse to the boys and luckily no one ever suspected her of being Gray's true mother. Of course it was not easy for her to act as if he wasn't her own especially during those occasional fits he would throw and she ended up being the only one who could soothe the infant. Or how baby Gray much preferred to be suckled by her rather than Mirajane. But despite the subtle hints, no one made the connection.

Natsu in time forgot all about how Gray had been found adrift in the river and was led to believe that he was in fact his biological brother. The two were inseparable. They were always together whenever it was allowed and they were rambunctious as all young boys are. Racing chariots, playing tricks on the high priests, teasing the alligators and hippos who swam in the Nile, even defacing the idols of the Egyptian gods. Oh what a pair those two were.

Natsu was the more outspoken and reckless of the two. If there ever were any mischief, he was the one who typically started it. He was also very arrogant and prideful, one reason because the boy had been gifted with incredible strength that could one day surpass even that of Pharaoh's best soldier. But arrogance aside Natsu was brave, honorable, and completely loyal to his family.

Gray more humble and shy. Being the youngest, he naturally followed suit with whatever Natsu did but he was definitely the more likely to think before acting than his brother. From an early age he displayed remarkable intellect and fast learning capabilities, blessed with the wit and cleverness of a fox. But his best qualities would most likely be his endurance, willingness to empathize with others, and a seemingly unbreakable sense of faith.

Mirajane loved and doted on both boys. Everyday they always did something that made her so proud to be their mother. Sometimes Natsu would surprise her with a lotus flower or a beautifully carved sculpture. Other times Gray would play a lovely song for her on the flute or dance with her to lift her spirits. In her eyes they were completely equal. Her perfect sons. Her princes.

But the same could not be said for Laxus. Now he treated them both well but it was no secret that he favored Natsu over Gray. For years he had told Natsu that he was the brightest star and the pride of their family while barely finding anything to say about Gray. Whenever the boys got into trouble as most boys will do, Gray was always the one Laxus blamed even if Natsu was the instigator which made the younger boy feel very belittled and ashamed. The favoritism only became worse when the boys reached schooling age.

While Natsu excelled in the subjects of combat and craftsmanship it was Gray who proved to be more advanced in the subjects of mathematics, writing, astronomy, and music which angered Laxus greatly for you see he wanted his favorite son to be superior in both strength and mind. Now Natsu was by no means dumb he just had a more difficult time understanding subjects involved with wit rather than the strength. The only non physical subject Natsu surpassed Gray in was the subject of the polytheistic religion in which the Egyptians worshipped but that was because Levy had been secretly schooling Gray in her monotheistic faith.

Now she knew how risky it was to do such a thing especially considering that Egyptians did not take kindly to any religion other than their own but if she could not raise her own son as a Hebrew the least she could do was bring him up to be God fearing for she believed that it was God that had saved her son's life and that the boy should know and respect his savior. But her lesson to him on her faith was always private and she swore him to secrecy on the matter.

"What can't I tell anyone about God, Levy?" The young boy asked her one time. "If he is truly so wonderful and if he is truly the one true God, why keep it a secret?"

"Others do not understand God as you and I do." She answered him. "And because of that they may react negatively to our beliefs. It is best to keep it secret."

"Does anyone else believe in him?"

"The Hebrews like myself do."

"You mean the slaves?"

"Yes."

"But the high priests say that slaves are too dumb to even know what a God is."

"The priests are greatly mistaken and you should know that God does not approve of slavery. It is sinful."

"You mean it's bad?"

"Yes. God says that a human being has no right to own another human being. He also says that no race is better than the other."

"Does that mean you're a bad person if you own slaves? Are Mommy and Daddy bad people?"

It always hurt her whenever he referred to those two as his parents when she and her husband actually were his true mother and father. But she dare not correct him. Nor she dare not speak ill of the people who raised him, especially Mirajane who is responsible for the very reason her child lived.

"No dear." She said. "Your parents are not bad people. But they are human and all humans make mistakes."

"Should I tell them that owning slaves is wrong?"

"No Gray. Don't tell them."

"But if it's wrong shouldn't it be stopped?"

"Yes but sometimes stopping what's wrong is very difficult and you are only child. There's nothing you can do now. Just know that slaves are just as deserving of kindness and respect as their masters and mistresses. Don't ever treat them like there any less human than you are."

"Levy."

"Yes?"

"Why do you only tell me this stuff? Why don't you ever say anything like this to Natsu?"

"Perhaps someday I'll be able to explain my reasons but for now just keep everything I have told you a secret. But never forget it."

"Alright."

But even though Gray in a way was cared for by his real mother, he barely ever saw his real father Gajeel. Unlike his wife, Gajeel spent most of his time slaving away outside and could only get glimpses of his son now and then from the windows of Laxus's house. But he treasured those glimpses especially the ones where he would see the boy perched on the ledge whistling a tune or playing one on his flute because Gajeel knew for a fact that his son had inherited that talent from him. It filled him with great pride. A pride that Gray desperately wanted to earn from the father who had raised him yet would only give it to Natsu.

Not that Natsu had it any easier. Being the favorite wasn't as splendid as one would often think. You see being Laxus's heir meant that constant pressure was always put upon him. He couldn't count the number of times his father had told him how he needed to become a great noble or he would disgrace and ruin the family. He pushed him very hard in his schooling and scolded him non stop whenever he struggled in academic subjects. His mother would often try to remind her husband that Natsu was still only a child and that he needed to be patient but Laxus had never been a patient man. He would just continue to push and pressure him to no end.

"What does he want from me?" He complained to Mirajane as they were feeding the storks in the Nile together.

"He only wants what's best for you." She told him. "That you grow up to be a great man and you will be a great man but it will take time. Your father keeps forgetting that."

"How do you become a great man?"

"Well there are many ways. Your father most likely thinks it's getting into pharaoh's court."

"If I don't ever do that, will he stop loving me?"

"No precious." She replied with a kiss to his head. "There is nothing in this world that could ever make your father or myself stop loving you. I know he's hard on you but he really loves you so much. Oh if only you could remember how happy he was the day you were born."

She sat him down in her lap.

"The high priests told me that I was barren. That I could never have children and we were both so devastated. But then you came along and we were so overjoyed. You were the first of our two miracles."

"I was?"

"Yes and the very moment your father held you for the first time he declared that you would be the jewel of our lives. That nothing would ever be as dear and valuable to him as you."

"You're lying." He teased.

"No I'm not. How dare you call your own mother a liar. For that you must be punished." She smirked before hugging him closer and tickling him lovingly. Natsu laughed and tried to get away but she had a good hold on him. She tickled him until he laughed himself into exhaustion then she herself decided to tuck him into bed along with his brother. She kissed them both on their cheeks, caressed their hair affectionately, and whispered softly,

"Good night my Princes of Egypt."

The boys were very content with the life they lived. It wasn't a perfect life but it made them happy and they hoped that it would always stay that way. However as I said before, God had a plan for those boys and once they reached adulthood they would find their lives forever changed by the Lord's plan.

Chapter Text

As the years passed, Natsu and Gray grew up filling their days with pranks, laughter, and chariot races—two seemingly carefree young men living life on their own terms. That is, until their parents discovered their antics. One memorable escapade involved a wild race through the construction sites of Egypt. They pulled their horses back, urging them down a hill at breakneck speed, each taunting the other about who would claim victory.

"Second born, second place!" Natsu boasted as his chariot surged ahead of Gray's.

"Not for long!" Gray shouted back, spurring his horses to go faster.

"Hey, I have an idea! Let's try going up the stairway," Natsu suggested, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Won't we get into trouble for that?" Gray hesitated.

"Not a chance! No one will see us; all the workers are on break."

"I don't know..."

"Chicken!" Natsu mocked, clucking like a hen.

Naturally, Gray accepted the challenge. Unfortunately, their thunderous ride resulted in the destruction of a month's worth of construction on a monument their father was having built in honor of the pharaoh. The weight of Gray's chariot caused wood and steps to splinter, sending debris and sand flying everywhere.

"Uh-oh," both boys said in unison upon witnessing the damage.

"Maybe no one will notice," Natsu said, trying to sound optimistic.

But everyone noticed—especially Laxus, who was predictably furious about yet another disaster caused by the two boys.

"Why do the gods torment me with such reckless, destructive, blasphemous sons?" he scolded them upon their return to his estate.

"Father, I—" Natsu began.

"Be still!" Laxus ordered, cutting him off. "I am the Pharaoh's most trusted palace guard, captain of his entire forces. He depends on me for protection and expects nothing less than respect and honor from my household, which includes my children. Yet you both choose to amuse yourselves by tearing down my tribute to him and making me look like a fool? Have I taught you nothing?"

"Father, the fault is entirely mine," Gray stepped forward, his voice steady.

"Why am I not surprised?" Laxus sneered at the younger boy. "Per usual, you're the one instigating all the trouble."

"No, Father," Natsu interjected. "I'm to blame. I goaded Gray."

"But it was my chariot that caused the accident," Gray insisted. "I am responsible."

"Responsible?" Laxus turned to Natsu. "Do you even know the meaning of that word?"

"I understand, Father," Natsu replied, his voice low.

"And do you understand the destiny that your birth has bestowed upon you? You are my firstborn, destined to bring honor to our family name. Why can you not cease this juvenile behavior? Are you not mature enough to ignore your brother's childish influence?"

He then turned to Gray. "And you—why must you always drag your brother into trouble? Do you not understand his position? Do you want to tarnish our reputation and ruin his future?"

"No, Father," Gray said softly.

"I often wonder if I was wise to let the two of you spend so much time together. It's clear one of you is a negative influence."

His gaze was fixed on Gray. At that moment, their mother, Mirajane, stepped forward.

"My dear husband, may I please have a word with you?"

Laxus dismissed the two young men, leaving him alone with his wife.

"With all due respect, my love, you're wrong about Gray. Natsu is the instigator. I've seen how they behave; Gray follows Natsu's every move. He looks up to him. That being said, I wish you wouldn't be so harsh with them. Can you not see that they only want to please you?"

"Then why must they behave so foolishly?" Laxus retorted.

"Because they are young men. It's natural for them at that age. And if I recall correctly, you were ten times worse at their age."

"Nonsense," Laxus protested. "At their age, I was responsible."

"Responsible for flooding the bathhouse, wrestling crocodiles and hippos, even defacing the pyramids. It's a wonder your grandfather didn't disown you," Mirajane chuckled.

"This is not about the past or me. This is about the present and them. The Pharaoh expects only the best from my sons, and I hate to say it, but they're not living up to those expectations."

"Well, you haven't exactly given them a chance."

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe if you gave them some real responsibilities, they would take their positions more seriously. After all, you keep them cooped up all day in our household, only allowing them to study. They're not children anymore. They've grown restless. They need a change—an opportunity."

"You really think so?"

"Let me put it this way: you didn't straighten out until your grandfather arranged for you to guard the Pharaoh's vizier and his daughter—also known as my father and me." She wrapped her arms around Laxus's neck and kissed him. "Give them a chance; they might surprise you."

Laxus spent the night contemplating his wife's words, while his sons lay awake, reflecting on what he had said—particularly Gray. It didn't take a genius to realize that he was the son Laxus was hardest on. He always felt scrutinized, as if he were to blame whenever he and Natsu got into trouble. Sometimes, Gray caught his father looking at him with a strange suspicion. But suspicious of what?

"Blasphemous," Natsu said, breaking the silence. "Now there's a new word he used to describe us. To be honest, I'm surprised he chose this occasion to use it and not the time we switched the heads of the gods in the Temple of Ra. Remember? The priest thought it was a horrible omen and fasted for two months."

Natsu laughed, trying to lighten the mood, but Gray only managed a weak smile.

"Yeah, I remember," Gray sighed.

"You know, he thinks I'm a bonehead too," Natsu added. "You should have seen him two weeks ago when I caused a cattle stampede. He really laid into me then. I think he actually accused me of not being his son. He said no son of his could possibly be so stupid."

"Thanks for trying to make me feel better, Natsu, but I'm alright. Really. I just think I need some air."

Gray stepped out onto the balcony, gazing up at the starry night sky, wondering what the heavens were thinking. Did they even listen to prayers? Perhaps he was such a disgrace that even the gods turned away from him.

"Mind if I join you?" a gentle voice asked.

He turned to see Levy quietly approaching. Much like Mirajane, she was years older but still looked as beautiful as the dawn itself, her kind and intelligent eyes shining brightly.

"Of course," Gray said, smiling at her. "I'm always happy to have your company. How did you know I was up here?"

"Oh, I just know," she replied. "So, what's troubling you?"

"How do you know that I'm troubled?"

"Because you behave so much like my husband when something upsets him. He always tries to hide how he feels and goes off alone, thinking I don't know his every move and thought by heart."

"And you think you know my every move and thought by heart?"

"Oh yes. I most certainly do."

"Because I behave like your husband?"

"At times, but not always. My husband goes off alone when he's upset, but I like to look to heaven when I'm troubled. You seem to do a little of both."

"I guess."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

He did. Gray opened up to her about the day's events and how much Laxus's words had hurt him.

"I'm sorry, Gray," Levy said kindly. "I'm sure he means well."

"I don't know, Levy. Sometimes I think he doesn't like me at all. Sometimes I wonder if he even loves me."

"That's impossible. Who in the world couldn't love you? You're smart, talented, and so adorable," she teased.

"You sound like my mother," he chuckled. "She's always making sure I don't doubt my place in this family or my worth."

"She's a good mother, Gray. She loves you very much, you know?"

"I know, and she tries so hard to get my father to be proud of me. That's why I can't ever tell her how I feel. I don't want her to think it's her fault or that she failed as a mother."

"And that's why you always have these talks with me and not her?"

"Yes. Part of it."

"Oh? What's the other part?"

"Well, I know it's crazy, but as much as I love Natsu and Mother, and as close as I am with them, I feel you're the only one I can really talk to about anything."

"It's not crazy. I'm a slave; I can't tell anyone what you say or I'll lose my head."

"Over my dead body. As long as I live, your head will remain on your shoulders," he insisted in a mock-noble voice. They both laughed, but then Gray's expression turned melancholic and slightly guilty. "You know, if I could, I'd set you and your husband free, right?"

"I know. But even if you could free us, we wouldn't leave."

"Why not?"

"Because I love you too much to leave you behind. You see, Gray, Gajeel and I had a son once, but we lost him, and we were too scared to ever have more children. Over the years, I've come to view you as the son we never had."

Each word Levy spoke to Gray pierced her heart. She hated lying to him, despising the fact that, for his own safety, he could never know the truth. God only knew how many times she wanted to cry out, "I am your mother!" and wrap her arms around him as she had when he was a baby. But the most painful truth of all was that Gray never knew his true father. For eighteen years, Gajeel had been unable to hold or even speak to his own son, forced to be satisfied with mere glimpses of him and the stories Levy shared. Gajeel never made his feelings obvious, but Levy knew it was agony for him.

"Levy, are you alright?" Gray asked, noticing the tears brimming in her eyes.

"Oh yes. I'm well," Levy said quickly, wiping her face. "My eyes are just growing weary. May I have your permission to leave?"

"Yes. You don't even have to ask. Not me, anyway."

"Goodnight, Gray."

"Goodnight, Levy. Give my regards to Gajeel."

And like many years before, the mother left her only child to spend the night in another home—one far from her own.

Chapter Text

That very night, Natsu experienced a peculiar dream. He envisioned three wolves: a male, his mate, and their pup. They were being pursued by an old, decrepit lion with a bad eye, yet he remained a formidable threat. The male wolf bravely stayed behind to confront the lion while the female attempted to flee with their pup. However, members of the lion's pride soon pursued her. Realizing escape was impossible, she hid her pup in the tall reeds by the river and led the lions away.

Then, Natsu saw a lioness and her cub approach the river to drink, only to discover the hidden pup in the reeds. The lioness immediately began to groom the wolf pup, allowing him to play with her cub as if he were one of her own. Soon after, a younger, stronger lion appeared—her mate and the father of her cub. He regarded the pup with fear and distrust, growling as he approached. But the lioness rushed to protect the pup, and after a silent exchange between the two lions, he relented and allowed them to be.

Finally, Natsu watched as the lioness attempted to nurse the hungry pup, but she could not. None of the other lionesses in her pride could feed him either. Just then, the pup's true mother—a female wolf—was brought before them, and the pup joyfully suckled against her as she nuzzled him tearfully.

"It was so strange, Mother," Natsu told Mirajane the next morning.

"Dreams often are, my son," she replied.

"But what made it so strange wasn't just the dream itself; I had this odd feeling that it meant something."

"Oh? You think it could be a vision sent by the gods?"

"Maybe."

"What exactly happened in your dream, my son?"

"I dreamt that a pride of lions was trying to kill a family of wolves. They hid their pup in the river, among the reeds. Then, another pride found him, and the mother lion took him in and raised him alongside her cub, but she couldn't feed him. Only a female wolf—the pup's real mother—could nourish him. But none of the lions knew that. Isn't that strange?"

Mirajane's expression shifted, as if she had seen a ghost. Her sun-kissed face paled, and a slight tremor coursed through her.

"Mother, are you alright?" Natsu asked, concerned.

"I'm fine," she said, though her voice trembled. "I'm just a little weak from hunger. I should know better than to skip breakfast."

"You're shaking."

"I will be well once I've eaten my fill. But tell me, where is your brother?"

"Studying scriptures, as always."

"Why aren't you studying with him?"

"Because he's studying Hebrew scriptures," Natsu said thoughtlessly.

"What?" Mirajane's eyes widened.

"Oops. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone about that," Natsu panicked, realizing his mistake. "Please don't tell Father! It'll only make him harder on Gray than he already is!"

"Oh, I most certainly will not tell him. But how long has this been going on?"

"It started when he was five, when Levy began teaching him about Hebrew culture."

"Levy? Your nurse?"

"She didn't mean any harm, Mother. It's just that she knows, as the second-born, Gray won't have as much of a purpose here as I do. She wanted him to be able to go out into the world and make something of himself if he couldn't do it here. That's why she taught him about other cultures. I know it's forbidden for a slave to share any beliefs or cultures, but she never let it interfere with what our tutors taught him. She never made her subject sound superior and always advised him to pay attention to our own culture."

"Why did she teach Gray and not you? Why take such a risk for him but not for you?"

"Like I said, I'm the firstborn. I have a better chance of becoming something great here than he does. She just wants to help him expand his gifts."

"Now that I think about it," Mirajane mused, recalling the boys' childhood, "Gray and Levy have always been especially close—closer than expected for a child and a nurse."

At times, she had noticed a resemblance in looks and behavior between Gray, Levy, and her husband, Gajeel. It was a curious coincidence that the day they took Levy in, she was already able to produce milk. She had claimed it was because she had recently delivered a stillborn child, but there was also the fact that Gray had taken to her so quickly as a baby.

"I need to speak with Levy," she declared.

"Mother, I beg you, do not punish her," Natsu pleaded.

"I'm not going to punish her. I just wish to speak with her in private. And, my son, you must not breathe a word of this to anyone."

"I won't. But what is it?"

"I will tell you when the time is right. Now, please have the guards bring Levy to my private chambers and instruct them to do so respectfully."

Natsu nodded and obeyed his mother's command. It didn't take long for Levy to be brought before her mistress. All servants were ordered to leave the two women alone; anyone caught listening in would face severe punishment.

"What do you wish of me?" Levy asked, her voice trembling. "Have I offended you?"

"No. But I have learned of the secret teachings you have been giving my son," Mirajane said.

Levy's heart raced with fear. Such actions were punishable by death.

"You have been a good nurse to both my children, but I cannot deny that you have always treated Gray differently than Natsu. I wish to know why."

"It is because I... I... I..." Levy looked down, unable to lie while meeting Mirajane's gaze. "He is your youngest child. He will not be given as many opportunities and adoration as your eldest would. At least not from the people, mind you. I know you have loved them both equally."

"Is that your only reason?"

"What other reason could there be?"

"I have a theory."

Mirajane slowly approached Levy, lifting her chin gently to meet her eyes. She studied each feature of the slave woman.

"Gray shares no similarities with myself, my husband, or my other son. But I've noticed that he shares quite a few with you and your husband. And I recall that the day you came to us, you had recently given birth."

"Yes, but my child died."

"So you say. But when Pharaoh had his men search your house, they found no body of an infant, nor did they dig one up near your home."

"We put his body in the Nile."

"I am not an expert on your faith, but I know that it insists you always bury the dead. You would never simply throw your dead child in the river."

Levy's heart pounded rapidly. She struggled to breathe, feeling as though she might suffocate.

"If... If I may ask, what are you implying?"

"I always believed that it was the gods who gave me my son. But now I fear that might not be the truth, and I must know: did you give birth to my son?"

"No."

But Levy's tender, tearful eyes betrayed her.

"Your lips deny him, but your eyes cannot," Mirajane said, standing up to hide the tears welling in her own eyes. "He was conceived by your husband's seed, he grew inside you, and you brought him into the world."

"No!" Levy protested. "No! He's not mine! My child is dead!"

"Don't lie to me!"

"I must lie! The lies are what have kept him alive for eighteen years! And even though it goes against everything I believe, even though it hurts me worse than the lash, I'll suffer and sin to keep him alive!"

Mirajane turned to face her.

"So you admit it?"

"Yes," Levy sobbed. "Yes, he is my son."

"No, he is not! He is my son! I don't care if he came from a slave instead of the gods! He has always been my son, and he always will be!"

"And for that, I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life," Levy said, bowing her head. "But you must understand, I didn't want to leave him that day. I had no choice. Pharaoh wanted him for a sacrifice. We tried to escape Egypt after he was born, but we were caught. Gajeel held them off while I tried to run, but I couldn't get far. There was no escape, so I had to give him away. It was his only chance. You cannot imagine the torture that my love and I have endured for eighteen years—never acknowledging our own son as ours, lying to him, denying him. But there was nothing else that could keep him safe."

"So you never told him?"

"Never. It was too great a risk. If anyone ever learned the truth of his heritage, he could have been killed instantly."

"In that case, you and your husband must leave Egypt. If I have figured out that it was you who birthed him, then it's only a matter of time before others find out. I'll arrange for you and your husband to be well cared for. I'll ensure you want for nothing, and you shall be given freedom."

"Forgive me, but even for freedom, we can't abandon him."

"But you must! For his sake!"

"I can't!" Finally, she broke down in sobs. "I just can't! Please! I beg of you! Do not ask this of me! If I leave him forever, I know I shall die! That is the only reason how giving him up to you did not kill me! Despite him no longer being mine, I was still permitted to see him. Don't take that away from me! Please! It's all I have!"

As foolish as it might have seemed to others, Mirajane viewed herself as an equal to Levy in that moment. Both were mothers who loved their children more than life itself, and it would be utter torture to never see their children again. She knew Levy could never be persuaded to leave.

"Very well," she said. "But no one must ever know this conversation happened."

"I agree."

"You may go now."

"Thank you, your grace," Levy replied with a bow. "Thank you so much. For everything."

And with that, Levy left, both she and Mirajane hopeful that the secret of their son would remain safe for his sake.

Chapter Text

The following day, Laxus approached his son Natsu with exciting news. He had secured what he believed to be a remarkable opportunity for his eldest son: a chance to serve as a new palace guard for the pharaoh. But Natsu wasn't exactly thrilled with this new position. He'd never admit to it, especially not to his father, but he didn't like the pharaoh. He thought he was an odious, insufferable, pig whose benevolence only existed in his own head. Why the Gods chose him to rule Egypt, Natsu would never understand.

But he wasn't foolish enough to let his distaste been known. He knew he'd probably lose his head if someone even suspected him of disliking the pharaoh. So he smiled when his father told him the news and he would look his best, work very hard, and show the pharaoh respect. To please his family and people, and to save his own neck.

"You are to serve Pharaoh, his wives, his high priests, and his children." Laxus instructed him. "You are to obey every command without question. You will bow when Pharaoh enters and you will not speak until he gives you permission to."

"Yes Father." Natsu said.

"And you must never ever enter the royal chambers or the harems. You must never sit at the royal banquet table or partake of any food or drink unless permitted to, and knowing your stomach-"

"Father I'm not that stupid."

"That remains to be seen."

As they approached the pharaoh's palace, Natsu momentarily stopped to take in its great majesty. The palace loomed before him, an architectural marvel that shimmered under the blazing sun. Tall columns adorned with intricate hieroglyphics reached towards the sky, while golden accents glinted at every turn, reflecting the opulence of the pharaoh's reign.

"Remember, Natsu." Laxus continued, his tone serious. "You are not just representing yourself; you are a reflection of our family and our lineage. Carry yourself with honor."

"Yes Father."

As they reached the grand entrance, a massive door adorned with carvings of mythical creatures swung open, revealing a lavish interior filled with vibrant colors and the soft glow of oil lamps. Once inside they walked up a stairway and entered a room with a marvelous balcony.

"Wait here my son, I shall alert them of your arrival."

Natsu nodded and Laxus left. Alone, Natsu walked out on the balcony and looked out at the great view. He could see the bustling streets full of merchants shouting their wares, children playing, and the scent of spices wafting through the air. In the distance, the Nile River glistened like a silver ribbon, winding its way through the landscape, a lifeline for the people of Egypt.

His gaze fell upon something he knew he shouldn't see, yet he found himself unable to look away. A woman bathing in the river, her neck slender and graceful, her high cheekbones accentuating skin that glowed like polished copper. Her lips were red and moist like a ripe pomegranate, while her almond-shaped brown eyes sparkled with life. Her hair flowed like the finest gold, shimmering like treasures from the world's greatest vaults. She eclipsed even the goddesses Isis and Hathor; he had never encountered such a vision. Who was she?

His answer arrived in the form of handmaidens, who approached to bathe her, anoint her with fragrant oils, and wrap her in silks, adorning her with gold and jewels. Only one woman in all of Egypt was permitted such opulence, radiating with such beauty: Pharaoh's daughter, Princess Lucy. Natsu felt as if he might leap out of his skin. He had gazed upon the naked body of the pharaoh's daughter—an offense punishable by death. Of all the mistakes he could have made, this was undoubtedly the gravest.

He looked away, silently praying to the gods that his accidental eavesdropping would remain undiscovered. Though there was no law against listening in, he still felt a pang of guilt.

"I will not wear that garment." The princess declared, dismissing the scarlet fabric one of the handmaids had offered her. "Get it out of my sight."

"But, Your Highness, this was a gift from the Prince of Ethiopia." The maid protested.

"As I've said before, I shall accept no more gifts from him."

"But he is your betrothed."

"I assure you, that union will never happen."

"Forgive me, Princess Lucy." Another handmaid interjected. "But your father has commanded that you marry the Prince of Ethiopia."

"Father cares not for who I marry; he only seeks to seize their land and treasure."

"But the prince is said to be very handsome, strong, and wise."

"And no doubt he already has several other wives, just as my father had multiple wives when he took my mother."

"Perhaps, but you would be the queen, his most treasured wife."

"Enough! I wish to hear no more of this!"

Natsu couldn't help but glance back at her, captivated as she settled in the sun, the maids fanning her.

"Speaking of which, I heard Father has decided to take another wife." She said.

"Yes, Your Highness. The bride is set to arrive tomorrow. She hails from Greece—a commoner, but a great beauty." The handmaid replied, her voice quivering slightly.

"So that makes her wife number twelve?"

"Yes, Your Highness." The handmaid confirmed.

"But she is said to possess a rare talent for music and dance, which may please the pharaoh."

Princess Lucy scoffed, her expression a blend of disdain and amusement.

"Another pretty face to adorn his harem. It seems my father prefers collecting women over valuing their worth."

She was fiery, quick-tempered, easily irritated, and the most radiant creature Natsu had ever seen.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching. Panic surged through him as he quickly stepped back from the balcony, heart racing. He could not afford to be discovered, not now, not ever. The consequences would be dire.

Laxus returned, a serious expression on his face.

"They are ready for you, Natsu. Remember your training and conduct yourself with honor."

"Yes, Father." Natsu replied, forcing a smile as he pushed aside the thoughts of the princess and the turmoil she stirred within him.

He entered the grand hall, and there sat Pharaoh Prect on his throne. Natsu took a deep breath, steeling himself as he approached the throne. Pharaoh Prect, a man of imposing stature, sat with an air of authority, his jeweled headdress glinting in the light.

"Welcome, young guard." The pharaoh boomed, his voice echoing through the hall. "You are here to serve, to protect, and to uphold the dignity of my reign."

Natsu bowed deeply, keeping his eyes lowered.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I am honored to serve."

"Honor? Think of the penalty should you disappoint me." Prect continued, his gaze piercing.

Natsu felt a chill run down his spine at the pharaoh's words. He nodded, suppressing the urge to shudder.

"Your loyalty will be tested." Prect continued, leaning forward slightly. "You will witness the inner workings of my court, the intrigues, the alliances, and the betrayals. You must remain vigilant and silent."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Natsu replied, his voice steady.

"Your first task begins tomorrow. I am expecting a bride and my allies from Ethiopia to arrive, and we will hold a grand ceremony and banquet to celebrate their arrival. It is your responsibility to ensure that nothing disrupts these events."

"Understood, Your Majesty. I will ensure everything goes smoothly."

"Good." Pharaoh Prect said, a satisfied smirk crossing his lips. "Now don't look so frightened, I am a fair man. You and your family are invited to partake of the festivities, but be on your guard."

"Yes your Majesty."

"Now go." Pharaoh Prect commanded, waving a hand dismissively. "Prepare yourself for tomorrow. You will be in the presence of royalty."

As Natsu exited the grand hall, he found Laxus waiting.

"How did it go?" His father asked, eyes filled with a mix of pride and concern.

"It went well, Father. The pharaoh has given me my first task." Natsu replied, forcing a smile.

"Good. Very good."

"He's invited us to the festivities tomorrow." Natsu added. "You, Mother, and Gray."

Laxus paused, a look of dread on his face.

"He's invited your brother?"

"Well not specifically, he just said my family was invited. What's wrong Father, I thought you would be pleased?"

Laxus's expression darkened, and he sighed heavily.

"Natsu, you must understand the implications of this invitation. The pharaoh's gatherings are not merely celebrations; they are opportunities for political maneuvering. Having Gray there could attract unwanted attention."

"How so?"

"It's...It's complicated."

"So you're not going to let him come? I don't think Mother will like that."

Natsu was right. Mirajane was furious that her husband would even suggest that Gray not attend.

"Laxus, you can't seriously think about excluding Gray from the festivities!" Mirajane exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief. "He's our son, too!"

"Mirajane, you don't understand the risks involved." Laxus replied, his tone urgent. "Pharaoh Prect is no fool. If he suspects Gray's true heritage—"

"He won't suspect a thing, no one has for the last eighteen years. You worry for nothing."

"What if he embarrasses us?"

"Laxus, how can you say such a thing?" Mirajane's eyes flashed with anger, her protective instincts for her sons igniting. "If you love me, you will treat both our sons with the same honor and acceptance."

Laxus sighed.

"Fine." relented, his voice low. "He may go."

Mirajane nodded, her expression softening.

"Thank you my love."

She kissed him with passion, a gesture that seemed to ease the tension in the room. Only she could soften his hard heart. Some say he was more devoted to her than to all of royalty and nobility, more than to his own life, and their sons would soon be pulled into the same kind of love.