Chapter Text
Toma E.Fiore entered the office of the Master of Fairy Tail under cover of dark. Master Makarov was waiting for him, tuning out the sounds of chaos the King had just slipped through- the Salamander had taken the Ice Prince's boxers, and the two were brawling across the tables of the Guild Hall for them.
"Greetings your highness." Makarov nodded- not kneeling, not even leaving his desk. Toma was glad. He was not here as king. "To what do I owe this honour? You were vague in our letters... what job is so important you need to deliver it personally?"
"My daughter's life is in danger." Toma replied, cutting through any formalities. "We received a message informing us of an assassination attempt- and while my guards dealt with that attack, the killers were mercenaries, and we have found no leads on who paid them."
"...it must've taken one hefty sum, for them to risk treason for it." Makarov noted, a single eyebrow raised. "So, you come to ask us to help her guards? Why come directly? Surely, it would be better to send this through official channels- bring as many trustworthy guilds as possible into some form of rota..."
"...I wish for your guild specifically..." Toma admitted, not meeting Makarov's eyes. "Please. Allow my daughter to hide within your children."
"Absolutely not." Makarov denied, without a breath's hesitation. "I will not put my children in such danger."
"She will be disguised- for all purposes, she will no longer be Hisui E.Fiore for the time she spends within your guild. Until the danger has passed, she will simply be another child with no where else to hide." Toma begged, removing his crown, "Please- I ask you not as your king, but as a fellow father. She is my only child- all that is left of my wife. My most precious Jade."
Makarov hesitated.
"...tell me what little you know of her would-be killers."
Hisui tugged the cloak she'd been given further over her distinctive hair. She'd intended to change it, but had been warned against it by the man she was to meet with- apparently, the greater the changes, the harder it was to maintain a transformation, even with a trinket like the one she'd painstakingly carved to mitigate the effort. So, it was decided she'd keep most things intact- her jade green hair, her emerald eyes- and focus on merely softening her sharp, royal features into something more commonplace and forgettable- at least, until she was older. He'd expressed surprise, in their previous brief meetings, how much magic she had at her age- teasingly comparing her favourably to Titania Scarlet and the She-Devil at her age. Considering his own grandson was a contender for the title of Wizard Saint, she was fairly certain he had just been humouring her.
She really should stop fidgeting with the hood though- the action would only bring more attention to the hair she was trying to hide, and it was unbefitting of a princess to fidget so openly. Not... that she was a princess, not really, right now. She wasn't Hisui E.Fiore, she was Jade Bloom, Fairy Tail's newest young member, a promising mage the Master had run into while on business in the capital and who's supportive but non-magical father had been easily convinced to let her join the guild of the caring guild master she had been trailing after for most the weekend trip. As far as the country knew, Hisui E.Fiore was still in her rooms in the Palace, and as far as Fairy Tail was to know Jade simply returned home to see her father as often as travel constrictions allowed.
"Ah, sorry that took so long kiddo!" Master Makarov chuckled, waving as he approached where she had been waiting outside the Magic Council Building. "I got caught up with an old friend- with how often Yajima's got me off the hook for something my crazy brats have done, I can never get out of dropping by!"
"It's perfectly fine, Master." Hisui replied, bowing her head gently as she kicked off the wall- not a habit a princess should have, but one that made her feel less awkward waiting in the busy streets. "Are we to head to the guild hall now?"
"Yup- I'll get you the stamp once we're there, and you're officially a Fairy!" Makarov chuckled, ruffling her hair. As he did, funnily enough having to reach up to the ten-year-old, he gently whispered, "You look perfectly unlike yourself, princess, don't fret."
"...thank you, Master." she said, bowing her head once more- she was fairly certain the Master's reassurance wouldn't help her nerves, but she was happy to hear it regardless...
They didn't talk much on the train ride, Hisui deep in thought and Makarov perfectly willing to leave the silence be. She should really get used to being referred to as Jade... normally it was only her father's nickname for her, and even then only used when out of view of the public. She... wasn't entirely certain how to interact with the public without the rules of royalty in place... maybe she should've somehow found chance to practice that? Ah, but then, if she'd been discovered the whole plan could've been jeopardised!
The train ride was unfairly short. Hisui kept fidgeting with her hood as she followed the Master through the unfamiliar town of Magnolia... it seemed a beautiful place, tranquil in a way that was at odds with the Fairies that lived here's destructive nature. A few of the passer-by's cheerfully waved at the master, and a few others stared at her, curious but unrecognising. At least, she hoped they weren't recognising her... they would react more if they were, right? Right, definitely!
Before she knew it, they were stood before the doors to Fairy Tail.
Her sanctuary, for however long it took to find who the scary men after her worked for.
Makarov didn't even hesitate, pushing the doors open with a chuckle.
…immediately, a flaw in her father's plan became apparent.
She needed to survive her protector's day to day life.
A flaming chair flew right by her head, crashing into the streets behind her and quickly burning through. Makarov just sighed, and guided her towards the bar, barely even looking as he extended his arm to swat the pink haired fire mage on the back of his head.
…Oh well, here she was.
“Where do you want your Guild Mark?”
Jade Bloom smiled, and silently pointed to her forearm- a place prominently displayed in most outfits, but easily hidden by the gloves expected of a Princess.
The jade-green Fairy fit perfectly.