There was an hour of final fittings for the girls' dresses as they came back to their room from the seamstress's work, the guys' tuxes fit perfectly the first try and were waiting patiently to get to work. Their hair combed neatly back; Gajeel's pulled into a low ponytail tied with a violet ribbon, Laxus merely slicked his hair back since there wasn't much else he could do.

"We should start heading out if we want to blend in with the crowd coming in." Lucy said as she and Levy walked through the doors in their gowns.

Both men were in awe at the sight before them. Levy was wearing a light blue dress with a soft violet accent; a corset sweat heart A-line dress that flowed effortlessly down to just above the floor, a fabric violet rose sat just slightly off to the right side of where the skirt began, draping more fabric away as if opening curtains of a window. At the hem of the smooth skirt was embroidery design shaped as wild flowers to separate the two colors. Her hair was straightened with the bottom curled inward, it was parted so that it slightly covered her right eye as the other side was pulled back behind her ear and held by a pin with two small blue roses with white beads acting as water droplets.

Lucy had a more complex design; a white corset dress with a black accent, a black wild rose with a grey lining sat at the cleavage of her V shaped neckline as the broidery flowed with tiny white flowers shaping her bodice. Keeping even with the neckline, her sleeves flowed and waved down, her shoulders bare, just past her knees like a small waterfall. They parted and were held by a small black rose at the bend of her arms. Her skirt matched the sleeves with three layers of fabric off set to one another and held in place by the same type of rose, and lightly brushed on the floor. Her hair was pulled back into a wavy waterfall of golden locks, braided on top to look like a tiara and small roses on either side made with her hair. Small jewels were diligently placed in her hair to make her sparkle in the light.

Both of the dresses complimented the girls perfectly. Without hesitation, they walked up and hooked their arms with the men and led the way outside.

With so much commotion outside, it was easy for the group to slip out of sight within the front gates. Evening came quickly as guests started to arrive by the carriages.

"We should go in separately so that we don't catch anyone's attention." Levy whispered, the three nodded in agreement.

"You and Gajeel go first, then. We'll follow after more people come in behind you." Laxus stated as multiple horses came to the entrance of the front gate.

"See you inside Lu." Levy smiled and waved, timing their approach perfectly, they walked naturally after an older woman in a large silver ball gown with two escorts, with an appropriate distance from the group, they didn't catch anyone's eye.

After about six women, did Laxus and Lucy make their way to the front door, Frederick and a house maid were handing the women numbers. Glancing at Lucy, the butler raised an eyebrow as he handed her a white slip with the number 34 on it.

"Good luck." Frederick spoke as the two mages stepped inside.

The ballroom was filled with classical music and mild chatter. Bust boys were walking around with trays of finger foods to snack on. There were round tables lined up against the walls as more and more guests filled the area.

"May I have your attention, please?"

All talking slowed to a stop as eyes turned to the Lord of the house, Vince. Standing next to the band on stage, he was at home in the limelight. The way he held himself proved that he was well aware of the people he was around, his presence alone radiated power and finesse that all the women around, almost in union, breathed a sigh of admiration and longing.

"I would like to welcome all of you that have come to present themselves to me, alas there can only be one that I will take as my lovely wife-to-be. I hope that we can all get along swimmingly and I do so hope you all enjoy yourselves. With that said, let the songs of your heart reach mine. Would the holder of the first number kindly step up on stage please?"

A young girl with short wavy black hair made her way to stand next to Vince; he was a good foot taller than her and her face flushed as he smiled at her, taking her hand and the number.

"Let your words be heard." He softly spoke as he walked off. He easily made his way through the guests at the other end of the room where he sat on a high grand throne. Leaning on one elbow, hand to his mouth, crossing his legs, he stared at the girl and waited for her to begin.

Needless to say she was nervous; her first words were stuttered as she tried to start her song.

"I feel kinda bad for her." Laxus said as he, along with everyone else looked at the girl. "This is pretty cruel, don't you think?"

"It's not for us to say," Lucy said, taking a glance and Vince, "he's the one we're working for. What he does, though unpleasant to us, is normal for these people." Laxus looked around at the faces of the crowd, girls were giggling and some men had wicked grins on their faces.

"Keep a look out for anyone out of place, but remember not to leave my side." Lucy hooked her arm with his and started to make her way closer to the stage.

"May I offer you a drink?" A bust boy spoke politely to the two mages, a tray of champagne in his hand.

"I'm fine thank you." Her words were soft and kind; it took the boy by surprise before he turned his gaze to Laxus. "I'm good." He said as he continued to walk with the small blonde.

The girl on stage finished her song shortly after. Light applause came from the crowd before she was helped off stage by Frederick. Speaking up, he called, "Might the young lady, with the second number, please step on stage?"

The evening continued in the same manner, one after the other, each suiter sang. With every song, Vince was looking more and more displeased in his seat. Those that were still waiting for their turn were confident that their song would catch the Lords attention. The air between each woman was hostile; trying to speak to any of them was challenging and would ultimately mean you would be on their list. Lucy was faring well and holding her own with them, Levy on the other hand, not so much.

From where Lucy and Laxus could see, the only thing keeping the other females away from ganging up on the poor Script Mage was the ever more terrifying Dragon Slayer. Gajeel was glaring down every pair of eyes that would attempt to make a retort at the girl standing slightly behind him. Girls would stick their nose up from Levy, to them; she wasn't any more of a competition than a helpless field mouse.

"I think we should help pry her away from their sharp claws." Lucy was getting concerned for her friend; these girls were like angry lionesses trying to rid the weak from the herd. If actions continued to escalate at this rate, someone is going to try and throw their drink at Levy. And if that happens, then their cover will be blown when Gajeel intervenes.

Sure enough, just as the two were approaching their friends, a silver spooned female was continuing her rant about how Levy couldn't possibly make any more of an impression that the first girl. Gajeel was getting ready to snap as Lucy saw the girl raise her glass. Just as Lucy was about to stop her, her wrist was grabbed by another.

"A vial mouth should learn to hold its tongue in my vicinity." The mages weren't the only ones aware of the situation; Vince had noticed the event from his perch and didn't take kindly to the disrespect. "Your number ma'am."

The girl was mad; her face flushed in embarrassment, and was hesitated to pull her paper. About to make a retort, he cut her off and spoke more forcibly, "Your number. Now."

She was in disbelief, but she did as he said, slapping the paper in his hand before Frederick escorted her out by her arm.

"Number 27," Vince said looking at the slip, "if I'm not mistaken she would have been up next." He looked at the girls with an innocent expression, " What are the numbers you have?"

"34" Lucy said, looking to Levy.

"28" Levy said with a soft voice, looking at Lucy.

"Then you're up Miss McGarden." He extended his hand to her to lead her on stage. With a small hesitation, she took it. All three walked through the crowd; women were in mild distaste as they saw the young Lord holding Levy's hand. Helping her on stage, he bowed slightly to the young bluenette before stepping off, "You may begin."

Even though she had no desire to win, standing there in front of all these people still made Levy nervous. Looking at her two friends in the back smiling with encouragement, she looked at her Dragon escort; his nod of approval gave her the push she needed before her words took flight.

"Those lips that Love's own hand did make

Breathed forth the sound that said "I hate"

To me that languished for his sake;

But when he saw my woeful state,

Straight in his heart did mercy come,

Chiding that tongue that ever sweet

Was used in giving gentle doom,

And taught it thus anew to greet:

"I hate" he altered with an end,

That followed it as gentle day

Doth follow night, who like fiend

From heaven to hell is flown away.

"I hate" from hate away he threw,

And saved my life, saying "not you."

There was subtle muttering from the crowd. It wasn't until Lucy started to clap did everyone else follow. Content with her performance, Levy curtsied before walking to the edge of the stage where Gajeel effortlessly picked her up and placed her on her feet. They shared a short glance before Lucy and Laxus came to share her applause.

"That was beautiful Levy." Lucy hugged her friend tightly. "I never would have picked a more suitable piece for you to recite."

"Funny, it was the first thing that popped into my head." She laughed.

The girl with the number after her had already started her turn, feeling like they were standing in the wrong spot, the group moved to one of the tables against the wall. Most of the guests were around the performance so it was easy to talk amongst each other.

"How has the search going for suspects?"

"Aside from a whole ton of spoiled tight asses, there really isn't much to go on." Gajeel sat on the chair backwards so that he was able to rest his arms on the back as he spoke to the others. "My bet was going to be that snobby brat that the Lord kicked out, but doesn't look that way now."

"I have a few bets of my own." Laxus said straitening upright, his chest flexing out as he peered around the room. Women that had been close enough, saw how he held himself, grew flush as they peeked at his frame. His suit was a perfect fit to his body, but they did nothing to conceal his masculinity, his muscles were well apparent from under the fabric.

"I saw a girl walk in with five guys on her arm," Lucy and Levy giving him their full attention, Gajeel had taken to looking around the room. "She seemed pretty proud of herself, she's over by the Lord, just far enough so that she doesn't seem desperate."

Everyone looked to where he had nodded to, sure enough she was there at a table with her guards. Thick, curly hair held up in two tails, it easily reached to the small of her back, crimson red and topped with a small tiara. Her eyes were fixed on Vince and she wasn't showing any sign of moving.

"The moment she walked through the door, she stayed at that spot and hasn't moved. Her guards take turns stopping the help that go to offer her snacks and beverages. She won't acknowledge them and I haven't seen her speak one word."

"Another was the one that came in right after us," Lucy turned to Laxus, "Long black hair and wearing a simple blue dress, she only had one escort. He wore glasses and had short black hair as well." There was a pause before he kept talking, "I lost sight of her after we entered and I haven't been able to find her." They all turned to the crowd hoping to catch a description. Before Lucy spoke he cut her off and continued. "Frederick assures me that no one has left this room though, none of the help posted at the doors saw her leave but that doesn't help any."

"We'll just have to keep looking then, she'll have to show up when her number is called. When that happens we'll keep an eye on her." Levy said, Lucy nodding in agreement.

The girls told the guys about who they had eyes on. Lucy pointed out a girl with forest green hair sporting a spiked pixie cut, she wore a bright pink ball gown with red floral beading, and dragging three escorts. She made a point to be within six feet of where Vincent was at all time. Aside from her dramatic appearance, her attitude was none so kind. Others that got too close, met her sharp tongue, and often left crying. The only thing keeping her from being kicked out like the last girl was the fact that she never attempted to place a hand on anyone.

Levy agreed that they were promising but she needed to tell them about who she was weary of.

"Lucy, does the name Mannoura, mean anything to you?"

Looking at her friend, Levy's face was a mix of serious and concern. "Why do you ask?" Lucy was cautious about answering, though there were little evidence that anyone had noticed their behavior in their group, she did see that few within earshot had quieted when they heard the name.

"I believe that there is someone of that name here, whether it's of coincidence or not I'm not sure, but people act differently at just the mention of it."

Noticing that the girls that took notice were gearing to cast a stone at their conversation, Lucy hooked Levy's arm and started to a dining table. Making sure no one was around, Lucy spoke. "I remember that there was a man with that name, my father had done business with him plenty of times when I was a child. But I wasn't aware that he had any children."

"I haven't had a chance to look for this girl, but she might be a best bet, judging by the way people are acting. If her family has this high of a status, marrying Vince would surely boost any rep. Or," all eyes were on the mage as she hesitantly continued, "it would be a good reason to get rid of him, if it meant that he would gain a status above her own."

"Well that's just great." Gajeel was pissed at the options. "We have two unknowns and two that are too open to make a move." Arms crossed, Gajeel was grinding his teeth to keep from shouting.

They were in a jam with how the event was currently progressing to, none of Levy's spells had activated, guards around every corner, and Lily taking watch above the ball. How are they supposed to find a target?

Looking up at the exceed perched above a mantle, he went unnoticed by anyone that didn't know about him. With the ceiling so high up, he had a perfect view of who was where. But it didn't look like there was any call for reaction.

"I haven't seen anything on my end." Lily's voice was heard from a small microphone in their ears. Easily hidden behind the hair of Levy and Lucy. He could hear their conversation crystal clear on the ground. Gajeel and Laxus were able to hear him fine with their dragon senses, the girls were the only ones wearing a set.

"But there is one thing," Lily said getting their attention, "I found a girl matching the description that Laxus had."

Laxus couldn't help but look up at the cat as he spoke, "She's just behind the stage toward the back." Trying to take a peek at the direction Lily was telling them, even with the height advantage, Gajeel and Laxus couldn't see where she was. "She's taken a table with her escort, it doesn't look like she's even a bit concerned with what's happening around her. But from the looks of it, she could care less about the Lord."

"All the more reason to keep her in watch," Lucy said casually walking back to the crowd, "we have our suspects, everyone, stay diligent. Good work Lily."

Time seemed to be crawling as they waited. One after another, girls performed and stepped down. None seemed to make an impression as Vince sat at his post looking like a child slumped in his seat. Shifting to get comfortable, he was barely listening to any of the songs.

"Number 34."

It was like a bell went off at the announcement. Lucy looked up to see that Frederick was waiting for her on the podium. Vince sat at attention, watching the girl walk with her Dragon escort on her arm. Glares from the girls that she passed by, none took to taking action with Laxus standing there. Taking her hand, the head butler helped the mage up the steps to the middle of stage. The microphone in front of her, she looked out at all the faces in the crowd, even those that were sitting off to the side.

Even the redhead took her eyes off Vince to see who had caught his attention, looking at her curious and annoyed, she placed her tea cup on the table and waited.

Silence was deafening as the Celestial Mage stood there. Then, her voice chimed as soft as a cool breeze.

"Love of mine, some day you will die
But I will be close behind
I'll follow you into the dark
No blinding lights or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight
Waiting for the hint of a spark

If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the No's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark

In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black
I held my tongue as she told me,
"Son, fear is the heart of love."
So I never went back

If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the No's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
I'll follow you into the dark

You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of our shoes are all worn down
The time for sleep is now
It's nothing to cry about
'Cause we'll hold each other soon
In the blackest of rooms

If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the No's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark
Then I'll follow you into the dark"

The crowd was silent; eyes were fixed on her. She looked to her friends, Levy was beaming the biggest smile, Gajeel stood with a grin. Looking to the girls they suspected, the red head looked stunned, the pixie looked pissed with her hands balled into fists as she shook, and the one that would be next looked at her with a smile. Bringing her eyes over to Vince, he was on his feet looking at her as if it were he was seeing for the first time, down to her guild mate standing next to the butler, he was in awe of her.

Before anyone could make a move, Lucy quickly stepped down. The first to applause was the Lord as others soon followed.

"That was…" Laxus couldn't really tell what that was, Frederick left them to walk back to the mic. "We should head back." Lucy smiled, just as they took a step, the next number was called. "Number 35."

They both stopped in their tracks as they saw the one Laxus mentioned, with her escort in tow, she walked without worry past the two mages. Her hair was perfectly straight and was black as night, falling to just passed her hip, eyes that sparkled like the ocean, she was gorgeous. Her dress was just as elegant, simple to Laxus because he didn't see what all the others did. An ice blue satin straight sweetheart dress, it flowed with her figure beautifully with every step. A transparent shawl to match hung over her shoulders, her dress sparkled. Lined with tiny diamonds, this dress could easily cost more than the total rebuilding of Fiore. She held herself with the vigor of a lioness and the grace of a swan. Taking center stage everyone waited to match her voice to her frame.

"Ask not the sun why she sets
Why she shrouds her light away
Or why she hides her glowing gaze
When night turns crimson gold to grey

For silent falls the guilty sun
As day to dark does turn
One simple truth she dare not speak:
Her light can only blind and burn

No mercy for the guilty
Bring down their lying sun
Blood so silver black by night
Upon their faces pale white

Cruel moon, bring the end
The dawn will never rise again."

Thank you, everyone that have waited so patiently, I have not given up on these stories so don't you worry. Don't forget to RR and I will see you in the next chapter. I found a few typos so I quickly fixed them. :P