Lucy looked into Gray's eyes, perplexed by the unusual suggestion. The idea of joining the team seemed absurd to her, but Gray's intense gaze and the promise of a possible solution to the obstacles they faced stirred her feelings.

"Gray, this is crazy! Entering the selection wouldn't solve anything, it would only complicate things even more, and what's more, they've only released two places for each city and not to mention that here in Magnolia there are a lot of girls, I would never be one of those selected."

Exclaimed Lucy, slightly irritated, trying to resist the proposal at all costs.

Gray, on the other hand, kept his gaze firm, showing a mix of desperation and determination as he looked at Lucy.

"I know, but trust me, just like I trust in your beauty; you should too."

"But I don't know, Gray..."

Lucy said, still undecided.

"Lu, trust me; worst case scenario, we'd just have to face my father."

Argued Gray at all costs, trying to change Lucy's mind.

"But I don't want to be anyone's princess, Gray. I just want to be with you and nothing more."

Said Lucy, with a trembling voice.

Gray, with a gentle smile, tried to calm her concerns. He approached her and, with a caring hand, hugged her, and then kissed her on the forehead.

"Lucy, I understand your fears, but believe me: this selection could be the key to our future. It's not about being a princess for someone but trying to find a solution together. And if by any chance we can do that without having to divide both my and your family so much, why not give it a try?"

Said Gray, giving a compelling reason, causing Lucy to pause for a moment to think but deciding not to show it.

Gray knew my weakness very well; whenever he portrayed himself as a victim in any situation, it was basically certain that he would win. After all, I was incapable of hurting him, let alone harming him.

And I didn't need to worry so much; there was no chance of me being chosen in this selection. After all, I didn't have any qualities that would attract so much attention. It was easier for me to simply accept this submission to participate in the process and wait for them to send me away.

"Please, Lucy, this is our only way out."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Said Gray, sighing in my ear, making my whole-body shiver afterward.

"Alright, you've won, you bossy!"

Said Lucy, letting out a small smile.

After Lucy said those words, she ended up being bombarded by Gray, who hugged her from behind and began placing several kisses on her face.

The soft touches of Gray's lips on my face made me surrender to that moment. Despite the doubts that lingered in my mind, his reassuring presence convinced me that maybe that madness could indeed be the only solution I had to solve that problem.

But, as nothing in life lasts forever, our moment together wouldn't either. After all, Gray would have to leave before the patrol showed up where we were.

"Sorry, I can't stay with you any longer, Lucy."

Said Gray, already preparing to leave.

"You don't need to apologize; unfortunately, this is not something within our reach right now."

Said Lucy, putting her hands on Gray's face and caressing him gently.

With a resigned sigh, Gray stepped away from Lucy, getting ready to leave that place. Lucy watched with worried eyes as he got into a black Lamborghini and slowly distanced himself on the dirt road.

***

I've taken care of Mr. Lockser's horses so much that today, I could even distinguish which one was a thoroughbred with a single glance. A good example of that was Mr. Lockser's horse, Secretariat, with its dark coat blended in a purple hue.

"Lucy, I don't know, but I think you should at least try to sign up for this selection. What if you win? It would surely change your life. I, as your friend, just want to see you well."

Said my childhood friend, Zeref Lockser, a tall man with a well-exercised body, in his early twenties, with short hair as dark as night, nothing like that of his younger sister, who was also my best friend, Juvia. Zeref was also highly coveted by the girls in the village, and this was largely due to his peculiarities. The first was that, as well as being a great turf racer, he was also a "two" from birth, meaning that whoever managed to marry him would enjoy a good, carefree life. And the second was his eyes, which intrigued me greatly: one was as blue as fire and the other as black as night. This unique condition, called heterochromia, gave him a cold and mysterious look.

"And I know there's this story about Secretariat only behaving when he's with you, but think about it, what would you lose if you entered the competition? I can only see the upside to all of this. And not to mention, you wouldn't be alone in this; Juvia is like a madwoman all morning getting ready for the selection photos."

I listened to everything Zeref said in complete silence. For them, I had nothing to lose; after all, I did everything for my family. But I was no longer willing to give up Gray or give up everything I had just so I could please my family once again.

"Wait, a photo? What do you mean? Why would they need photos if the girls are going to be chosen in a draw?"

Asked Lucy with a confused expression while looking at Zeref, who was on the horse.

After I spoke those words, Zeref looked back at me with a confused expression and laughed with those perfect teeth of his, and with a smile that hid something that no one else knew, much less understood.

"My little Lucy, I'm already giving you the tips, just follow them. Do like your friend: dress up and look beautiful, as if your life depended on it. And don't show up in your riding boots, let alone with that old tool belt of yours, understand? You're going to make a good impression, not to scare everyone."

Zeref replied, turning back to face Lucy.

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