Chapter one

The bluest of skies hung over the kingdom the day she was born. The sun was shinning almost as brightly as her mother's eyes. The news spread quickly of the new baby princess. Baby Lucy, the hopeful future of the kingdom.

The day after she was born a marvelous party was thrown and the people rejoiced. The sparkle in their queen's eyes was unmatchable, not even by the sun. She celebrated with her kingdom for four days before the sun in her eyes faded just as the sun in the sky sets after a long day.

The kingdom was devastated. Not only had they lost their queen, but their princess had lost her mother.

The funeral was held a week later. Clad in black, the kingdom marched through the streets on the hot sunny day. The king despised the sun for rising on such a dark day. It reminded him too much of his queen's eyes. King Jude locked himself in his office after that, only coming out for meals and appearances for the kingdom.

Baby Lucy grew and grew. She learned her duties as princess from her nanny Aquarius and by the time she was four she was making appearances with her father. It was the only time she spent with her father. He preferred to keep to himself. At meals he rarely spoke to her. Lucy didn't mind too much. She had a whole staff of friends to keep her company.

Virgo the maid insured there was never a dull moment. Cancer the stylist never failed to make her laugh. Her loyal guard Sagittarius was usually tasked with keeping her entertained. She loved them all dearly, and they loved her twice as much. Every time she giggled it reminded them of their late Queen Layla.

When Lucy was 5 she was assigned a personal guard, to keep her company, to grow with her, and to watch over her as she cared for her kingdom. He was the son of the King of the dragons. Prince Natsu represented the union between the two kingdoms, and his father Igneel was honored that his son was serving his long time friend Jude.

Natsu and Lucy were quick friends. He was a good two years older than her, but it didn't matter too much. They would play tag in the garden, chasing each other through the hedges. Aquarius would chastise them and force them back to their lessons.

They would sneak food from the kitchen and sit under the stairs and eat it. Lucy would scold Natsu for eating too fast and he would just laugh.

They spent every day together. Sagittarius taught Natsu the ropes. Natsu usually didn't listen and always called him Goat Man. Ms. Spetto taught Lucy her lessons accompanied by Aquarius. Lucy learned the history of her Kingdom and her people. She learned the languages of her ancestors and the languages of the neighboring kingdoms, as well as Draconian which she quickly taught Natsu behind their backs.

Natsu was 10 when he changed for the first time. His spreading red wings sprouted from his back the morning of Lucy's eighth birthday. He was absolutely terrified. His father Igneel arrived at the castle promptly to help his son through the first time.

Lucy sat in her bedroom listening to the pained noises of her best friend. She cried on her bed not knowing what to do. With a quick spurt of bravery she ran into the room they were keeping Natsu screaming "I'll save you Natsu!" Only to discover a dragon stomping wildly in the place of her best friend. Sagittarius had shooed her out of the room promptly. It was the worst birthday of her life.

He was gone for four days. He had flown away to live with the dragons for those four days. Or that's what Lucy was told at least.

When he returned home she couldn't help but tackle him in joy. "I missed you!" She had cheered. Natsu only hugged her back happily.

"Being a dragon is weird," he noted with a scrunched up face. Lucy giggled at that and they went to the kitchen for food. Natsu had apologized for ruining her birthday, but Lucy said she didn't care. He was back and that's all that mattered. They ate stolen birthday cake and Natsu talked about his adventures as a dragon.

When Lucy was ten she was assigned two more guards. Erza was a year older than Natsu and seemed much more like a strict mom, and Gray was the same age as Natsu and loved to pick fights with the kid. Natsu had been jealous at first. Lucy was his best friend! But they soon became friends and everything was ok again.

By the time Lucy was fourteen, Natsu was a whole head taller than her. Him and Gray we're getting in daily fights which Erza would always split up.

He changed every other month now and Lucy always worried when he did. She couldn't help it after he had come back after being gone for seven days with a huge gash on his arm. He had passed out as soon as he entered the castle. Lucy cried on his hospital bed that night Erza had tried to console her but to no avail. And when he awoke he apologized over and over again saying he didn't want her to cry over something so stupid. She shook her head. "It's not stupid you idiot! I was scared!"

He just rolled his eyes and hugged her. "I'll always come back to you Luce. Always."

On Lucy's fifteenth birthday the kingdom held a celebration for both her and the loss of her mother. She grieved in her room for the first half of the day.

Natsu comforted her and when she had calmed down he convinced her to join the celebration. She agreed and they walked out of the castle doors together talking happily. Natsu was so distracted by the conversation, in fact, that he never noticed the archer perched on a nearby building aiming for Lucy until the arrow was shot. Gray had screamed at him and he had acted just barely fast enough, shoving Lucy to the side and stepping in front of her quickly igniting his fists with red hot fire. He was a dragon after all.

Erza yelled at him to protect the princess while she chased the culprit. He had pulled Lucy back into the castle to calm her down.

They went to the party after that, but Natsu was on edge the entire time. After the celebration was over Lucy asked him if everything was alright.

"Fine." He had replied curtly. Lucy was having it.

"I demand you tell me what's wrong this second Natsu!" Shut huffed as she stuck a finger at his chest.

"It's just..." he sighed, "I'm not strong enough to protect you Luce..." he looked down at his feet in shame.

"Oh please shut up!" She blurted. Natsu looked up confused by her outburst. "Natsu you are the strongest person I've ever known! You are the only person I would trust my life with," she smiled at him and engulfed him in the biggest hug she could muster.

"Thanks Luce." She always knew how to make him feel better.

The next year Lucy asked Natsu to teach her how to fight. He had argued saying he would always be there for her. She had countered saying she wanted to be able to help.

"It's my job to protect you Lucy! I can't let you get hurt because you want to help!" He had shouted. He regretted it instantly, seeing the look on her face.

"So I'm just supposed to be some helpless girl!?" She fumed.

"Luce that's not wh-"

"No Natsu, I don't want to hear it. You know you won't always be around to protect me. If you won't teach me how to fight I'll find someone who will!" And she stormed off. But it was a lot harder to find someone else. They all thought a lady shouldn't know how to fight. Even Gray and Erza refused. Later that night Natsu came up to her.

"Look Lucy I'm sorry 'kay? I just can't have you getting hurt under my watch." He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "I'll teach you how to fight."

Her face lit up.

"But only because I wantcha to be able to hold your own when I change and am gone for a week."

Lucy had nodded and they began. Natsu started with hand to hand combat focusing on Lucy's agility. They then worked up to sword which Lucy didn't like nearly as much as using a bow and arrow. Within a couple months she could hold her own against Natsu. They'd spar whenever they had time. Natsu usually won, but Lucy enjoyed the challenge. And then, Natsu's dad died.

He was absolutely devastated. He sat with Lucy on her bed and cried. She hugged him and said that she would always be here for him. He only nodded and sobbed louder. It had been a huge blow for him and he wasn't the same for a week. Lucy knew how much Igneel had meant to Natsu. That week he changed for an entire month.

Lucy barely slept. She was terrified for Natsu. He hadn't changed for this long ever. She paced in her room and barely ate. Erza tried to coax her into eating something but she refused. Gray offered to go look for him but the rest of the guard quickly shot down the idea.

He returned a month later to a fuming Erza who told him not to be so selfish. He was confused at first, but then the nurse told him about Lucy's condition. He felt awful. He had rushed to the hospital wing and apologized profusely to Lucy. She didn't say anything, just hugged him and said he was an idiot for leaving for so long. She said she was so worried about him. He told her she worried too much. She didn't think that was true. She fell asleep for the first time in weeks and slept soundly. Natsu stayed by her bed all night. He would always be there for her.

Especially now that he fucking loved her.

XxXxXx

What did you think lovelies? I've been wanting to write this story for soooo long. I know this chapter was a little fast paced but trust me it will get better. Thank you for reading beautiful people!