Levy glanced at the man who stood behind her. He seemed awkward, standing against the wall while she and her family were eating dinner. However, he was only a servant so he was not allowed to dine with them. Levy turned back around and continued eating. She continued glancing around the room and table to occupy her bored mind.

Levy's father seemed to notice Levy's glancing eyes. He asked, "Levy, how are things going with your new bodyguard?"

Levy looked at her father. It was odd talking during dinner, but she certainly didn't mind. "It's going well. I took Gajeel on a tour around the house so that he could start getting used to the different rooms. We haven't had that much time to talk though."

At that her mother decided to speak up. "Well it's not like you need to talk to him. His duty is to protect you. You don't need to be nice to him."

Levy frowned. "But I want to get to know him. I feel like I should know about the man risking his life to protect me."

"Your mother is right, Levy. He doesn't need to be your friend. He just needs to be there to look out for you, nothing else."

Levy looked at her older brothers Jet and Droy for some support. They looked at her and shrugged, as if saying, "What can you do."

Levy continued frowning, upset at her parents' comments, but decided not to press the issue. She stared down at her plate and ate. Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she could see Gajeel smiling.

After dinner Levy liked to spend time in her family's library. She had read nearly all of the books they owned, but she still found it enjoyable to reread some of her favorite stories. She had just picked up one of her favorite books when she remembered Gajeel standing by the door.

She looked over at him and gestured for him to come over. He smirked at her but didn't move. Levy sighed, "Come over and sit down. You make me feel bad for making you stand all the time."

Gajeel chuckled but actually came and sat down. He continued staring at her, resting his head on his arm.

Levy looked down at her book, intending to read it, but was soon distracted by Gajeel's constant staring. She put her book down angrily and glared at him. "What is it?"

He smirked and asked, "How come you're so short?

Levy blushed. "Wha-?"

Gajeel continued smirking and continued. "Your brothers aren't that short. Your dad's even as tall as me. So how come you're a shrimp?"

Levy got even redder than before. "It's not like I chose to be this way!"

Gajeel leaned toward her. "Well it'll be tough findin' someone small like you. So don't leave my side*."

Levy frowned at him. "I'm not completely helpless, you know."

His eyes raked up and down her body and Levy blushed even more than before. After he finished sizing her up he said, "You have potential, but I doubt you could do much to a guy my size." He grinned and leaned back in his chair.

Just then her older brothers walked in. They both smiled at her, ignoring Gajeel. They both greeted her and sat down in the chairs nearest to her. Gajeel stood up and went back to his earlier position by the door.

"What are you reading?" Droy asked.

Levy looked down at the book she was holding. "Anatolia Story: Red River**. It's about a girl from our time who magically travels back to ancient Turkey and has to adapt to life there."

"Looks really long," commented Jet, indicating the book's size.

Levy smiled. "I guess, but long books are often the best. It's also worth the length because there is so much that happens." She looked up at them. "But I doubt the two of you came here just to talk about books. Is there something you wanted?"

Jet and Droy frowned. Jet was the one to speak first. "Do we need a reason to spend time with our little sister?"

Levy smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. I guess it's not like you need a reason."

"Well, we did have another reason than just talking to you," Droy admitted. "Princess Lucy called." Droy lifted up the phone in his right hand and suddenly seemed to realize he was keeping the princess on hold. He quickly handed Levy the phone, cringing in apology.

Levy sighed and put the phone to her ear. Sure enough, her best friend Lucy was on the other end. "Hi Lucy, sorry about that, Droy seemed to forget you were waiting."

Lucy laughed. "It's okay. I called your cell, but you didn't pick up."

Levy looked around and patted her pants. "Sorry, it looks like I left it somewhere. What did you want to talk about?"

"I'm getting married!" Lucy yelled.

Levy had to pull the phone away from her ear to protect her eardrums. When Lucy stopped squealing she asked, "You're getting married?"

"Yes! Oh my goodness, it's so weird saying it!"

"Okay. Explain, please."

"Oh! Sorry. Well, Natsu and I were on a really romantic date, we went to Fairy Tail actually. It turns out the whole staff was in on it! Our private room was completely decked out with candles, low lighting, everything. It was probably all Mira's idea, since I can NOT see Natsu thinking of doing all that by himself. Anyway, we sit down and we order and while waiting for our food Natsu got all nervous and serious. Then he asked me. I couldn't believe it! I mean, he must have asked for dad's permission first, obviously, but I didn't have a clue!"

Levy's eyes widened. "Wow! Well you've told me before he seemed like the perfect guy. So I guess he must have realized you were perfect for him too."

"Apparently! Oh my goodness, I'm so excited. We need to wait a while before actually getting married so there's time for planning and if it seems rushed people would spread false rumors. But I want to start planning immediately. I also really want you here! I can't imagine planning one of the biggest events of my life without my cynical best friend right beside me."

Levy laughed. "Wow, thanks. And you know I would never say no to you. I'll have to make sure with my parents first, of course, but I doubt they'll say no since it's your request."

"It might be a few months. I know it's a bit outrageous for you to stay so long, but it also seems like forever since we've actually hung out. Plus, it will give you some breathing room away from your parents. I know that your mom can be a bit suffocating."

Levy nodded unconsciously. "Yeah, well, that's what parents are for. I'm going to go ask my parents now, so hopefully I'll be in the capital by tomorrow. I'll call you later and let you know for sure."

"Thank you so much Levy! Talk to you in a bit." Lucy hung up and Levy gave the phone back to Droy.

"I think you all heard her news."

Jet cocked an eyebrow at her. "Well? What are you going to do?"

"Do you think Mom and Dad will let me stay at the castle for at least a month?"

Droy chuckled. "Well she is the princess, it's practically summoning you. But since there hasn't been a big announcement yet it seems as if she wants this kept on the down low for now."

Jet nodded. "Yeah. You'll still have to ask Mom and Dad for their permission, and I doubt they won't let you since it's the princess, but if possible you should probably not tell them the reason. Mom loves to gossip after all."

Levy smiled in thanks. "Well I better hurry and get their permission." She quickly put her book down and left the room, letter in hand. She didn't even glance at Gajeel on the way out, but she heard his footsteps follow her out of the room.

It didn't take Gajeel long to catch up and fall into step beside her. "What is the princess to you?" he asked.

"She's my best friend. My parents might not be one of the highest ranked nobles, but Lucy and I are so similar we just clicked as soon as we met. Apparently Natsu proposed to her recently and they're getting married as soon as possible." She glanced at Gajeel and added, "Natsu Dragneel. He's another noble, and he's also a good friend."

Gajeel nodded. "I've heard of Dragneel. A bit hot-headed isn't he?"

Levy laughed. "He can be, but he's also very sweet and funny. Lucy's very lucky."

He smirked. "Oh, do you like him?"

Levy rolled her eyes. "No, it's not like that. Natsu and Lucy fit each other perfectly. She's lucky to have found a guy as great as he is who loves her and treats her well."

Gajeel looked at her with a serious look on his face. "How old are you?"

Levy frowned and looked at him. "21, why?"

He looked away and said, "You might have to get a husband soon yourself."

Levy frowned but didn't say anything. It was true; she would have to consider who she could marry soon. She wasn't old enough to have to get married, but her parents would probably want to set her up with someone soon. As a lady it wasn't as if she could marry anyone, but she hoped her parents wouldn't marry her off to just any noble who showed interest. If possible she would like to choose her own husband, but she wasn't too optimistic.

She reached the door to her parents' sitting room and knocked. She heard her father's voice allowing her entry and entered, shutting the door behind her.

Levy's father was sitting at his desk, writing letters of some kind. He turned his head to see who it was at the door, but turned back to his work when he saw it was only her. Her mother was sitting on one of the sofas reading a book. Levy knew exactly what book it was even without looking at it, her mother seemed to only read one book. Levy had read it once and couldn't figure out why her mother liked it so much.

Her mother looked up from her book and put it down. "Yes?" she asked.

Levy stood up straighter, trying to think only about what she was going to say. "Princess Lucy called requesting I visit her for a couple of months. She asked if I could come as soon as possible."

Levy's mother's eyebrows rose in surprise. Her father even looked up from his work and said, "The princess is summoning you to the castle for a few months?"

Levy nodded and her mother asked, "Did she give a reason for this visit?"

Levy hesitated slightly but said, "She didn't say an exact reason. Only that she really wanted me."

Levy glanced at her father as he smirked and nodded. "Well if the princess is summoning you it is not like we can keep you here. It is fine with me. Go and stay as long as the princess wants you." He turned back to his work.

Levy looked back at her mother, who seemed to be scrutinizing Levy's face to see if she was lying. Levy waited for her mother to say something, not wanting to make her annoyed. Finally she said, "Well since your father said it is fine, I guess you can go. However, do not stay longer than you are needed. You do not want to overstay your welcome. You can leave first thing in the morning."

Levy's face lit up with a huge smile. "Thank you so much Mom and Dad! I'll send Lucy my reply tonight and start getting my things together."

She hurried out of the room as fast as possible. She smiled at Gajeel on her way out and headed towards her own room.

"So?" Gajeel asked.

"We're going to the capital!"

*- I quoted and tweaked it a little

**- One of my favorite manga that I think every romance fan should read. It actually is pretty historically accurate for a fiction manga.

This is a little AU I've been working on. I know I need to continue my other fanfiction, Dragon Mating Season, but this story just keeps popping into my head. Anyway, leave a review to let me know what you think! Comments, suggestions, critiques, all welcome!