:Rebirth - Chapter 1 (To be rewritten)
Lucy's POV
During middle and high school, I was often set apart from the others...
Other kids always looked down on me for many reasons I wasn't aware of.
When I finally discovered the reason after hearing my "friends" talking, it was already too late.
"Lucy is such an easy girl."
"She's always trying to impress guys and make them like her! How annoying."
After hearing this, I was really disappointed. Never in my life had I had a boyfriend, much less the time to impress multiple men like they've said. But, of course, to them, these were just excuses.
Later on, when I became an adult... I realized.
Perhaps my friends were right about me...
For some weird reason, I was always asked out by guys.
I don't understand, but I gradually gave up rejecting their gifts.
If it's free, why not? I had thought back then.
But after a while, I began to change. A change for the better.
This change happened when I first began to date Natsu.
Natsu Dragneel.
He wasn't particularly rich or good looking (although he was definitely on the better side of things), he really did care for me. A lot.
With him, I was truly happy.
Every moment spent with him, he always treated me kindly and lovingly.
Every moment felt special with him, and he would always tell me how he felt about me.
Me? Well... I haven't told him how I felt yet... But I do love him so much.
But then everything changed again.
Someone who had a crush on me in middle school was following me around. Of course, I didn't feel comfortable with this.
Today was different, though. That man was too close. My instincts told me to go far, far away from him as possible.
And I tried, but he followed.
And that's when he finally spoke to me, when daylight was fading and so were the people around us.
"Lucy... You know how much I wanted—want— you, right? I love you so much!"
I backed away slowly.
"I love you... I love you..."
A glimmer caught my eye. A knife.
Before I knew it, he was already on top of me, stabbing me.
If we can't live together, let's just die together! I faintly heard.
I love you... I love you.
My body was being shaken.
Why won't you wake up?! Why won't you love me?!
"No..." I tried to say. My phone clattered beside me.
I need to call the police...
I need to call...
My eyes fell on the words displayed on my phone.
Natsu.
Natsu, please.
From: Natsu
Luce, I just got home and made flaming hot chicken like the way you taught me! :D Come home and let's eat it before I eat them all! I miss you lots!
Natsu's waiting. I can't let him wait. I can't let him find out that... I'm like this.
I want to live...
I had never told Natsu I love him, but now, thinking of him, I realized how much I loved him. I want to see him again.
The pain of not being able to see him again...
"I love you... I love you..."
I felt tears slide down my cheek. I don't want to hear this person say he loves me. All I want to hear it from is Natsu. My Natsu.
"Natsu..." I said.
Darkness overcame me.
Was I asleep? I opened my eyes to see bright sunlight seeping from old-fashioned windows.
Everything seemed normal. Where did that man go...?
Was I saved...?
Where's Natsu?
I quickly tried to get up, but realized I couldn't control my body very well.
Natsu. I tried to say his name, but only soft cries would come out.
Something's not right...
This doesn't feel like me.
And I realized... I'm... a baby?!
"Another girl? Useless..."
My mind was swirling with endless questions.
Why am I a baby?
Where is this place?
What's wrong with being a girl?
Everything seemed to be going wrong...
Days had passed. I didn't hear that voice again.
I see my mother from time to time. It's my same mother.
Layla Heartfilia...
"Oh, princess. If only you were a boy, instead..."
Oh, how offensive.
I couldn't believe those words were coming out of my own mother's mouth.
And everything around me seemed very old fashioned. What is this? A west European kingdom in the early days?
Candles illuminated the room, with lush amounts of fabric covering the bed and windows.
Over the course of the few days, I stopped attempting to communicate. They all came out as weak cries, anyway.
But that kind of backfired.
I heard a few servants whisper.
"Hmm.. The princess is not crying. Is there something wrong?"
"She hasn't said a thing for a few days. Maybe we should call the royal physician..."
I began to cry, just to throw them off.
I guess it's better than seeing a doctor over nothing.
I spent more days sleeping than listening to my surroundings.
However, I've already seen enough to conclude a few things.
Women didn't matter in this society. They had few rights. Perhaps I've come here to change that.
I am one of the king's many daughters.
I have at least one brother, I think. The maids were speaking of him earlier.
I either traveled to the past, or I'm in some completely alternate universe.
And one more thing...
The maids were talking again today.
"The princess seems to be behaving normally."
"Indeed, she cries from time to time, but also sleeps well."
Their voices lowered.
"So I presume the engagement is still on?"
"I believe so."
Engagement?!
The only person I believed I would ever marry was Natsu. No matter how few rights girls may have in this era, I will most definitely not be forced to marry someone I do not like.
"Ah, yes. To the duke's second son, Natsu Dragneel."
If it was possible, I think my heart would have shattered in that moment.
Natsu Dragneel.
-End of Chapter 1-