Chapter Text
Lucy walked around the marketplace trying to lose herself in the crowd. Had she been anywhere else the blonde was certain she’d have succeeded by now but since this was Bosco her pale tresses functioned like a homing beacon amongst the browns and blacks that were prevalent in this country. Even calling Cancer would only be a waste of magic no matter how amazing and quick he was at changing anything and everything about her hair because her pale skin called just as much attention when compared to the deep tan fully on display by the local populace.
It was mid-winter but felt as hot as Tenrou Island had in the height of summer when her guild, Fairy Tail, last went for their S-Class exams so trying to cover up to hide her features with a cloak would only draw even more attention in addition to making her look suspicious.
Of all the things she knew about the country why hadn’t practical aspects been covered in her business lessons? Why had she not thought for even a minute to check what the weather and people were going to be like before she even attempted this? No…logic dictated that since Bosco was north of Fiore it should have been colder than her snow covered homeland at this time of the year and one bundled up person looked much like any other, right?
Well they would have if Bosco’s Grass Sea didn’t fuck with how winter in Ishgar was supposed to be making wearing layers, not only impractical but, impossible. Bosco was like a landlocked tropical paradise and no amount of wardrobe change, thanks to Virgo, was going to hide the massive amount of pale skin her bikinis and shear sarongs – what was typically worn in this country year-round - left on display.
So, instead of going unnoticed in the chaos of holiday shopping for last minute New Year’s preparations like she was supposed to, everywhere Lucy went eyes followed her making the reason she’d come to Bosco in the first place incredibly difficult to do. It’s not like she could even come back at another time; this was her one shot and she was not going to waste it. Some things were just too important.
Casually Lucy drifted into a darkened side street silently summoning her contracted spirit Corvus so she could continue with plan N. Thick muscled arms wrapped around her waist as they sunk into the shadows silently.
“I see Princess is up to no good.” Corvus’ dulcet tones always made her shiver.
“Yes, well, I see this as more of a Robin Hood type of scenario,” she snipped back not in the mood for the crow spirit’s teasing brand of humor.
“But you don’t plan on giving away what your stealing,” he replied his mouth hot against her ear as he masterfully wove them towards their destination unseen.
“Is it really stealing if the objects in question have already been stolen?” Lucy fired back.
Corvus chuckled coming to a halt at the curb of a closed off road smirk still firmly in place.
“Far be it for me to go telling you what is right or wrong. I’d have just killed the bastard in his room, taken the keys and let the chips fall where they may.”
“Don’t think I wasn’t tempted. How can Princess Kurino even think of inviting King Karadin to a peace summit over New Year’s? That man is evil.” Lucy shuttered as what she’d learned all those years ago from her business tutor played through her mind. She’d made an innocent observation that the man had skipped over Pergrande’s trading laws but was rewarded with the reality that as a woman she’d never be able to do any business with that country for her own safety.
“Miss Lucy, you must understand. I fully believe you to be intelligent and capable enough to take over your Father’s business should the time come. In fact, I think you would be more successful at it than he is but Pergrande…You think your Father and the other nobles here in Fiore are chauvinists? Women in Pergrande have no rights, are seen as something less than human. The only time you will see a female clean, fed and at all cared for is if she’s pregnant or just given birth to a male child. No, you would do best to stay as far away from that country as possible.”
“Ah well, if the rumors I’ve been picking up from the shadows are true, so is Bosco’s Crown Princess.”
Lucy’s breath stalled in disbelief. Princess Kurino was next in line to the throne of Bosco, a country known for their equality and freedoms. As the Crown Princess she’d have had to be immersed in Bosco’s Sacred Light, a type of light based magic that purges corruptive influences from your very soul if her history books were to be believed, before she could even be considered to be inaugurated.
“But…”
“While as you know not all darkness is evil, Princess, like calls to like and feels no need to keep secrets. The shades whisper of her cruelty, how she blackmails men into her bed, drugs them, beats them, rapes them,” Corvus said just as the Royal procession turned the corner and came into view.
“Why hasn’t she been stopped?” Lucy was fuming. As wonderful as Bosco’s laws were there was a flipside to everything. Their punishments for breaking their laws were harsh; rape was a death sentence.
“How does evil everywhere escape justice?” he questioned back, both arms now securing his key-holder in place. He knew she wanted to go after the woman but now was not the time; she’d be arrested and clasped in magic cancelling cuffs before she took a second step and that was unacceptable. Someone like her didn’t deserve that fate.
His Princess had been his salvation when she found his key months ago. If he’d been in a place to care at the time, he would have worried that the foulness he carried from endless previous disturbed and evil masters would infect her like all the other once half-decent mages who’d contracted with him before her. But in the end, as their contract was finalized, her brilliant soul and unshakeable will prevailed over his tainted existence not only keeping her safe but cleansing him in the process.
“Power and wealth,” Lucy gritted out but stopped trying to pull away eyes narrowed on the seemingly benevolent royal. She had a mission from the Spirit King to worry about right now, but now that she knew about Princess Kurino…she’d be back.
“Ooooh this will be like taking candy from a baby,” Corvus crooned pulling Lucy’s eyes from the Princess and onto their target.
“He’s fucking wearing them!” Lucy’s fists shook by her sides. The last known holder of the Ivory Keys had been Garnier Pradesh, the wife of Bosco’s Premier Ambassador, who died in Pergrande from a terrorist attack at the newly built Boscan Embassy along with their youngest child decades ago. The fact that Karadin was wearing the lost keys on his hip in the middle of Bosco’s New Year’s Peace Parade was more than just a slap in the face.
New Year’s was Bosco’s most important holiday. It focused on the future, moving forward and self-improvement. Families traveled hours to be together where personalized meaningful gifts mean to uplift and support immprovement were exchanged. The holiday embodied a Boscan’s way of life.
By wearing those keys not only was Karadin proving he had something to do with Garnier’s death, but he was as good as declaring that there would never be peace between Pergrande and Bosco. The only bright side to his arrogance was it saved Lucy a whole lot of trouble.
Requiping the specialized key copies Lucy passed them to Corvus to make the exchange.
She watched as the slightest movement of shadow passed over the keys and it was done. Never again would that man hold these keys. They were powerful, special in a way the other gate keys a celestial spirit mage could call upon weren’t. Not to say they were better, only that they accessed an entirely different plan of existence to the Celestial Spirit Realm. No they connect to the realm of Archangels. Contracting with one of them, let alone the entire set, would exponentially grow her strength as a mage.
Up until now Lucy had intended to do just that; contract to each key. Finally she’d have the brute strength she’d need to fully fit in with Erza, Gray and Natsu. Maybe even have the power to prevent the bulk of the damage the trio caused when they took missions together.
Lucy could only be grateful that after the Alverez war her team no longer felt the need to follow her on every mission she took so she’d been able to save up for a small Victorian cottage to call her own. Now if only she could manage to prevent them from breaking into it to read her manuscripts or clear out her pantry things would be ideal.
In a flash decision of conscience, the celestial spirit mage decided not to keep the Archangel Keys like she knew Stache Face intended for her to do. No, after all this time they would finally be going home.
Besides, Arman Pradesh was an amazing man, her idol. After losing his wife and second child in such a devastating event he didn’t turn on his only remaining child like her father had. No, this man dedicated himself to his son and adopted more children fulfilling his wife’s desire for a large family. It was from her lessons on his anti-slavery and peace work that gave her the courage to run away from her father to become a mage.
The fact that she was no longer keeping her spoils thus making her much more like the Robin Hood in stories was only icing on the cake.
Arman sat back watching his adult children running around the living room in their pjs, bows and ribbons in their hair, bits of wrapping paper scattered across the floor and acting just like they did when they were all under 10. A smile spread across his face as Bickslow, home for the first time since he was fifteen, flipped from his “babies” to tackle Cristoff to the ground.
This entire week had been amazing with all his kids at home. They’d each taken work off just to spend time together at home now that Bickslow was no longer exiled because of his soul magic. They’d even forgone watching the annual Peace Parade opting instead for a massive slumber party. It helped none of them were interested in attending it this year anyway knowing exactly who was participating.
“Sir, this was just forwarded from your office at the Embassy.”
Arman looked up at his long time house keeper, an angel of a woman who’d been irreplaceable in helping him raise 7 magically gifted children over the years.
“Thank you, Mrs. Elan. You’re kindness itself and as enchanting as this beautiful New Year’s Day.”
“Now, now, no need to flirt. I’ve already put in an order for your gold labelled whisky.” She smiled wide turning to join her husband in the kitchen.
Arman chuckled then looked at the small parcel opening the attached letter without a second thought. If it had been sent to him at the Embassy, then there were no additional safety procedures he could take that his workplace hadn’t already conducted.
Dear Ambassador Pradesh,
I saw these on King Karadin at the Parade this morning and decided to return them to where they rightfully belonged. May your New Year bring you and yours’ happiness and your greatest desires realized.
Sincerely Yours, Lucy Heartfilia
Arman’s breath hitched as he read the signature fingers ghosting over the name. He’d not had any communication from his good friend Layla’s daughter since his friend’s death, hadn’t seen little Lucy since a year after his own Garnier’s death.
Jude Heartfilia, Lucy’s father, had been a jealous man and Arman’s friendship to his wife had only ever been tolerated because of Garnier. Once she’d died and Arman was “on the market” again the railroad mogul did everything in his power to prevent him and Layla from seeing each other again. They’d still managed to write but visits became impossible. Then after Layla had passed, a complete injunction to knowing Lucy was established.
That his goddaughter obviously had no clue they were family, yet still knew of him and sent him something for New Year’s had his heart pounding. Maybe, just maybe, she’d be receptive to him reaching out? He hadn’t done so after Jude’s death because he hadn’t known if the man had poisoned her against him. Arman didn’t know if he could stand it if his little Lucy rejected him.
Hands shaking slightly Arman’s slender finger’s slipped under the paper’s seam pulling it back. His heart stuttered. Garnier’s keys…Lucy found Ganier’s keys? Turning back to the letter again one name stood out. Karadin. That bastard had been wearing his wife’s keys and at the parade no less…
When they’d searched the building after the bombing only a few things were missing from the pile of clothing that was all that was left of his beloved wife, her keys, one of her ruby stud earrings and any sign of his second son having been there. At first he’d thought that thieves had got in the building before they’d got it secured and stole anything they could use, leaving the feminine clothing behind because this was Pergrande and would be seen as worthless.
Now though, if Karadin had had Garnier’s keys all along…what else happened that day? Could Zen still be…Arman stopped his thoughts right there. Losing his wife and child had almost broken him the first time. Without any sort of proof that Zen didn’t die that day he couldn’t afford to even hope.
“Kaleb,” he called quietly but it was like he’d shouted. Everyone froze and the room was silent. “I need a celestial spirit mage you trust to call a key without creating a contract.”
Kaleb’s pale lavender eyes widened as he applied his mind-bending magic to quickly peruse his father’s thoughts to see what was going on as he took in his father’s pale skin, hands clutching a handful of white keys to his chest.
“White Sea only has 2 mages of that type and, while they are decent people, the power boost they’d get from one of those keys…”
“I know one in Fairy Tail. Total sweetheart and wouldn’t even think about taking a key that wasn’t hers. She even turned down 2 Zodiac keys a while back when she already had the other 10 just because she felt the other mage’s reasons for giving them up was misguided when they tried to give them to her,” Bickslow suggested.
“Call her Bicks. I’ll get an airship setup to bring her here,” Farron, the oldest of the Pradesh children, said already pulling out his com to make some calls. His brand of sound magic let him hear a person’s soul so while he couldn’t search through the mind like Kaleb, he knew enough from the dissonance in his father’s usually calm soul that this was serious.
“Got it!”