Chapter 22:  Shadows in the Celebration 

The grand banquet hall overflowed with elegance and festivity. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow, illuminating the nobles and guild members who laughed and shared stories, celebrating Princess Luna's birthday. Musicians played softly in the background, their melodies adding a refined touch to the evening's ambiance.

Lady Rose—Lucy, with her hair dyed a soft blue and dressed in a stunning azure gown—sat beside Ajeel, her heart racing with anticipation and hidden nerves. Across the hall, she spotted two young children from Fairy Tail. As her gaze lingered on the little girl, recognition sparked in her eyes.

"Asuka…she's grown so much." Lucy's eyes softened with a mixture of pride and longing. Her eyes then landed on the boy standing beside Asuka, and she felt her breath catch. His dark hair, cool blue-gray eyes, and composed demeanor reminded her of two people she cherished dearly: Gray, her steadfast friend, and Juvia, the guildmate who had become family.

"That boy…he's theirs," she murmured to herself, her voice barely audible. She felt an overwhelming urge to run to them, to embrace them. But Ajeel's hand lightly touched her arm, his steady presence reminding her of her place.

["Hold yourself steady, Rose,"] he whispered, his tone soft yet firm. ["This isn't the time to be emotional. You cannot take risk of them finding you out. "]

Lucy forced a smile, her heart aching as she tore her gaze away. "They're my family, but I can't ruin this new life for Luna. I have to stay away…even if it hurts."

Sensing her mother's turmoil, Luna glanced up at Lucy and placed a small, reassuring hand over hers. ["Don't worry, Mother,"] she said softly, her voice tinged with innocence. ["They seem like fun. I'm happy just being here with you."]

Lucy's eyes filled with warmth, squeezing her daughter's hand. Luna, unaware of the heavy emotions tied to her mother's past, turned back to watch the festivities with bright eyes. Her cheerful laughter was contagious, and Lucy felt a bittersweet pang of joy, cherishing the moment.

Meanwhile, across the hall, Levy, Wendy, and Fried were engrossed in conversation, but each felt an inexplicable pull toward Lady Rose. Wendy tilted her head, narrowing her gaze as she observed the woman. Her aura had an almost ethereal resonance, faint yet familiar, like a distant echo.

["Levy,"] Wendy whispered, leaning closer. ["Don't you feel it too? There's something about her…"]

Levy glanced over her shoulder at Lady Rose, her brows furrowing as she tried to place the strange familiarity. ["Maybe we're just homesick, Wendy,"] she replied, but the feeling lingered, nagging at the back of her mind.

When the Fairy Tail delegation was finally summoned to greet King Ajeel and Princess Luna, Dimaria and Jacob stood on guard. Dimaria, her sharp eyes scanning the Fairy Tail members, was tense, while Jacob subtly positioned himself between Lucy and the guild.

Fried took the lead, bowing with poise. [" Aje—"] he stammered, then corrected himself with a smile, ["Apologies, Your Majesty,"] he began, though a faint smile betrayed his familiarity,

 ["it's an honor for us Fairy Tail members to be here today to celebrate Princess Luna's birthday. Queen Hisui also sends her regards and presents for the Princess."]

Ajeel's stern expression softened, a touch of humor in his voice. ["You Fairy Tail folk and your formalities. No need for all that. Let's keep it relaxed tonight."]

Luna giggled, her eyes sparkling with delight as she leaned forward. ["I've heard so much about Fairy Tail! Mother, Aunt Brandish, and Aunt Dimaria told me wonderful stories about your guild."]

Wendy smiled warmly, her gaze softening. ["Thank you, Princess. It's lovely to meet you too."]

Curious, Asuka moved forward, eyeing Luna with open interest. Max tried to pull her back, murmuring, ["Behave yourself, Asuka."]

But Lucy interjected with a gentle smile, ["Let her be. It's good for them to interact and enjoy themselves."]

Asuka, eyes wide with excitement, suddenly asked, ["Can Georgie, Luna, and I go play down in the hall?"]

Luna's eyes sparkled with anticipation. ["Yes! Please, Mother? We'll stay close by,"] she promised, giving Lucy a hopeful look.

Lucy hesitated, glancing toward Dimaria. ["Alright, but don't go far,"] she finally relented, noticing Dimaria's reluctant frown.

Ajeel nodded approvingly. ["Let them have some fun. It's their evening as much as ours."]

The children hurried off with Brandish following closely, and Lucy felt a faint wave of relief watching them enjoy the celebration. She turned her attention back to the Fairy Tail members, who now settled around the table, engaging in animated conversations. Dimaria and Jacob remained vigilant, their gazes occasionally flickering toward Lucy, monitoring her interactions with Fairy Tail.

As Fried and Ajeel discussed matters of state, Ajeel inquired about Fiore's handling of the recent Titan King rumors. Fried nodded, his face thoughtful. ["We're trying to piece things together, but information is scarce. Our guild remains prepared, though."]

Ajeel's expression darkened. ["Alvarez has been on alert as well. It's a worrisome time for everyone."]

Jacob then spoke up, cautious. ["And…any news of Lucy?"]

An uncomfortable silence followed. Wendy lowered her head, her voice almost a whisper. ["We hope…someday she'll return to us. We'll never stop searching."]

Lucy's heart clenched painfully, her carefully constructed mask cracking. "They still care…they haven't given up."

Carla, sensing Lady Rose's shift in demeanor, leaned closer. ["Lady Rose, are you alright?"]

Dimaria quickly intervened, feigning concern, ["She…she's missing her family. It's…a tender subject."]

Wendy's curiosity was piqued. ["Did you lose them, Lady Rose?"]

Lucy took a steadying breath, giving a faint, sorrowful smile. ["My Mother passed away when I was very little and I ran away from home when I wasa 17 years old I wanted to find my own path but... My father…he passed before I could return. I had left to make my own way in the world, but learning of his passing… It's a regret I'll always carry."]

Ajeel, Dimaria, and Jacob tensed, sharing worried glances, but Lucy pressed on. ["But I was lucky. I found friends who became my family and supported me in ways I never imagined."]

Fried, compassion in his voice, asked carefully, ["And Luna's father…?"]

Dimaria immediately interjected, ["That's…not for discussion,"] but Lucy raised a hand, silencing her gently.

["He's not with us,"] Lucy replied, her voice barely above a whisper. ["He's…a remarkable man. He was my strength in my darkest times, and though we're apart, I know he would have been a wonderful father."] She offered a bittersweet smile, hoping it would quell further questions.

The group sensed her reluctance and let the topic drop, shifting to lighter matters. Just then, Carla's fur bristled, her gaze turning sharp as she looked toward Wendy. ["Something's wrong,"] she whispered urgently. ["I just got precognitive dream that something strange disturbance will happen near the children."]

Lucy's heart skipped a beat. ["Dimaria, go to Luna. Jacob, guard Ajeel."]

Dimaria shot out without a second's hesitation, and Jacob swiftly moved to Ajeel's side. Fried turned, motioning for Romeo and Max to stay alert while Levy, Wendy, and Carla followed Lucy's swift steps toward the hall's center, scanning for Luna and the other children.

A sudden, deafening crash shattered the festive atmosphere. The glass windows exploded as towering figures cloaked in dark robes stormed through, their heavy steps echoing as they landed. There were at least fifteen intruders, most with twisted, grotesque features. Two appeared human, but the rest bore monstrous mutations.

["Everyone, stay calm and head toward the exits!"] Ajeel's voice boomed as he gripped his sword, ready to defend his guests.

Lucy's heart pounded as she searched frantically for Luna, Asuka, and Georgie. ["Max, Fried—stay with the guests!"] she commanded. ["Levy, Wendy, Dimria and Carla come with me we will find the children and take them to safety."]

In the chaos, Fairy Tail members readied themselves, preparing to confront the attackers. The air buzzed with tension as guild members and Alvarez guards stood shoulder-to-shoulder, each bracing for the oncoming fight. Lucy's gaze turned steely, her resolve fierce as she spotted a glint of redish golden hair in the crowd—Luna, hiding behind Brandish, clutching Asuka's and Georgie's hands tightly. A sense of fierce protectiveness surged within her, driving her forward.

Tonight, the banquet hall was no longer a place of peace. In the midst of the chaos, Lucy knew one thing with chilling clarity: she would defend her daughter and her Fairy Tail family with everything she had.