Ancient Rome: A Gruvia Fanfiction

~Chapter 1: Meeting The Ice Mages~

JUVIA POV

Adjusting my toga, I walk into the open atrium of Bora, my master. My life has not been a very happy one, no romance, no friends, just the life of a simple slave in ancient Rome. I am 17 years old, turning 18 tomorrow, in fact. For my birthday I’ve planned no events, no celebration… nothing. I’m sure to ask Bora if I can take the day off and visit the lake, my favorite place to be. Anyway, enough about my sad life story, I just hope someday, my life will get better. Is that just wishful thinking? Perhaps, but a girl can dream. Right?

“Juvia.” His voice pulls me out of my thoughts. Unfortunately, not in time to stop me from tripping over the edge of the marble fountain with nymphs sporting flower crowns. If splashing into the cold water wasn’t enough to bring me out of my daydreams, I don’t know what was. I huffed as I pushed up on my arms, my long, wavy blue hair flattening to the sides of my head as water rushes over me. His voice breaks into a soft chuckle.

“Just like you dear, in the water where you belong. You are so clumsy.” He jokes and offers me his hand. Hesitantly, I take it and he pulls me up and out of the fountain in one fluid motion.

“Sorry Domine.” I bowed my head, using the Latin word for master.

“Normally, I’d find that clumsiness charming, but not in front of important guests.” His soft voice and smile gave way to that of sternness and a frown. He gestured to the two most handsome boys I’ve ever seen, over his shoulder.

“Juvia is so sorry Domine.” I bow quickly, getting ready to take my leave, my white toga, and blue hair already starting to dry. I turn and something stops me from taking another step.

“What was that?” His frown deepened. “Talking in third person again?”

“Uh- no Juv- I- I am sorry and will go now.” I try to escape his tight grip, to no avail. His grip tightens on my wrist and he pulls me uncomfortably close, turning his head to whisper in my ear.

“You will be punished later FOR MAKING A FOOL OUT OF ME DEAR.” He said the last part loudly, pushing me to the floor. Bora wound his hand back, about to strike me. What can I do? He’s my master and I am but a slave… What could I do but let him. All I could do was close my eyes and wait for impact. When a few seconds passed and there was nothing, I boldly opened my eyes.

“That won’t be necessary, Bora.” Said a raven-haired man, holding Bora’s arm back and stopping it from striking. “I’m sure she’s learned her lesson already, what with you screaming at her a second ago and everything.” The young man couldn’t have been much older than I, but more handsome than Apollo could ever hope to be. I felt my cheeks grow red as his eyes met mine. Immediately averting my gaze to the floor, I got up and left, mumbling a simple, “Thank you.” as I passed. As I was about to push open the door, it swung open. Lifting my eyes, I see the other man, this one with white hair. He smiled as I passed.

“Let me get that for you, Miss.” He holds it open for me while the other boy glares at him from Bora’s side. Weird I think and shake it off, walking through the door and clasping my arms together in front of me. I’m just a slave, why would anyone call me ‘Miss’? With that distraction, it’s not long until I see the blue door to my room. I love it so much, It’s the deepest blue and decorated like the sea. It even has a door leading to a small cove if I ever want to swim. I know, It’s not the typical room of a household slave, but I am the head of the slaves here. Bora tends to show more of a softer side to me, than with the others in his Villa. Yea. Softer. I roll my sapphire eyes. Since I’m already wet, I change into (Roman swimwear. A/N:I am sorry, I couldn't find anything for that and decided to leave it like this, rather than have the clothing be inaccurate for the setting.) and decide to swim, clearing my mind with the cool water and natural beauty of the outdoors.

RAVEN HAIRED MAN POV

I can’t believe he almost hit her. And for what? Falling into water? Since when was that a crime? I am the Empress Ur’s son, I have seen how many other Romans treat their slaves, but never before have I ever acted in such a manner. Even we, as the royal family, treat our slaves with respect. They may be ‘slaves’, but they are still people. Wait, what is Lyon doing? He’s.... holding the door open? And calling her ‘Miss’?

*TIME SKIP*

Lyon and I were in our temporary room in Bora’s Villa. Lyon was babbling non-stop about something, I really didn’t care about what he had to say, and I was staring out the window into the courtyard when we heard a splash. Both of us threw our heads in the direction of the courtyard the sound came from, me having to peek around the curtains on our window. What we saw was not something we expected to see. It was the blue haired girl from earlier, she had just fallen into the water of what looked like a small cove? The waters were rough and splashed onto the rocks, throwing a salty mist in our faces.

“Wasn’t that-” Before Lyon could finish his sentence I lept out the window, “Gray! Where are you going?!” He called after me, leaping out too. Arriving at the water’s edge, I stare deep into the angry liquid. It would be impossible to find her in all of this, her hair was the same vibrant blue as the water itself, and her skin as pale as the white caps of the waves. Not thinking at all, I dive into the water, instantly feeling the cold soaking my toga. I don’t mind the cold, I never really have, being an ice mage and all, I’ve really gotten used to it. I swim downwards, or at least what I think is down (it’s hard to tell in the dark waters) until I feel a hand. I grip on to it, and pull, feeling somewhat of a resistance. I pay no heed and pull harder, this time bringing her up to the surface.

“What the hell are you doing? Let me go.” She demands, looking at me confused and a bit upset. Immediately, my grip loosens until it is no more and my arm falls lightly to my side. “Juvia is sorry!” She suddenly panics as if she just remembered her place. “Ugh- I mean I am sorry. I didn’t mean to shout at you Domine.” She looks down, climbing out of the water and offering her hand to me.She pulls me out of the water with surprising strength, and I shake my head at her.

“It’s just Gray.” I told her. “You don’t have to worry about Domine.” I give her a slight smile and she returns it.

“Juvia would feel bad if she didn’t address the Empress’ son in a more respectful manner. If you do not wish to be called Domine, Juvia has a better name for you… Gray-sama.” She smiles and bows. I roll my eyes and laugh.

“First of all, you don’t have to bow. And secondly- did you just talk in third person?” I ask her, and the corner of my mouth lifts up, I find it adorable.

“Oh sorry- Ju- I talk like that on accident. I thought that I had broken the habit years ago, but sometimes I slip up.” She looked down at something on her arm subconsciously. “Dominus Bora doesn’t like it, he says it makes me seem childish. Even though I am turning 18 tomorrow.” Now she was running her fingers along what looked like a scar, where her smooth skin turned into a sharp, jagged line, no longer than her pinky, but still visible.

“What happened there?” Surprised, she jumped a little and swiftly pulled her arm behind her back.