Thank you for all the favs and nice reviews on "A letter signed ND"! They made me real happy. (I thought people might've forgotten me here).

I couldn't finish "MLS" because this story was sitting in my brain and I had to get it out. It had been in my mind for ages now and this is now that I'm writing it up. I really have to get into finishing that up and not post many new stories. :-:

Hope you like it though!

Disclaimer: I don't own FT. Don't remind me that I don't. Please ;_;

Note: This hasn't been edited yet.

It's not love

Summary:- Throw Natsu who doesn't want to get married into a business alliance involving a woman and what does he do? Try to shoo her away. But will he succeed in his efforts? Can he get her out of his life? NaLu...

Prologue

Igneel sipped his tea as he heard his housemaid inform him that his son left just now. A frown appeared over his forehead partially hidden by the red bangs he owned. His lips twitched and irritation took over him.

"Tell me if he is ever home for more than two hours and that too for something other than eating and sleeping. My son's grown into a pig" he said with a tone of sarcasm.

The blonde man in front of him smiled at the childish remarks his friend made. Even though he was over fifty, he still acts like a kid complaining about his own son.

"Why? What's so funny, Jude? Enlighten me" Igneel asked his contemporary. "At this old age, don't you think having your son by your side feels better than living alone? He should really stop partying too much. He needs to settle down and take over the company. Was it for myself that I founded this huge corp. which is getting difficult to manage? Tell me"

"You were right about that part, although I would love them to go out and make more friends. We only live for a few more years"

"I'm living till I'm hundred!" Igneel retorted.

"I don't plan on dying earlier either okay? But we won't be living till the end of their lives too right? So it's good to see them get along with others who will help them in need" Jude finished with a small sadness in his voice.

"What's wrong? Is there something bothering you? Or did you drink too much at midday that you're supporting that idiot of my son?"

Jude fell in laughter at the concerned remark of his friend. He didn't plan on bothering him with his personal matters. It was supposed to be a small reunion of his coming back to his estate after a long business trip. It definitely wasn't to discuss about Igneel's son or…

"My daughter, I presume you remember her"

"Ah you can forget such a fine lady. She definitely reminds me of Layla"

"Right, the more she grows, the resemblances increase too" A fond smile took over the owner of the Heartfilia Konzern.

"Is it getting painful for you? Remembering Layla every moment when you see her"

"No, it's a delight to see her. It's like Layla never left my side. The problem is: every since Layla passed away, Lucy has shut herself from the world. She never left the estate for more than two hours. Even if she did, she'd be in a 10 min range of our estate. I'm worried, Igneel. Natsu is pretty outgoing-"

"Too much outgoing if you'd ask me…" Igneel mumbled.

"But that's better than not having anyone to count upon. Sure the maids and housekeeper are there but having friends is different. If something were to happen to me tomorrow, I'm afraid my child will be lost in this monetary world. My insecurity has been growing every day as I see her"

"I see…"

Silence fell upon the two older men.

At this point of time, little did anyone know that this was the calm before it stormed in a certain someone's life….

~0~

"Heartfilia Konzern and Dragneel Corps. have signed another treaty successfully. The two corporations are on their way beyond success. Cool! The founders for both the corporations have been friends from childhood and are very supportive of each other. Cool!

"Igneel Dragneel, the founder and president of Dragneel Corps. said to Sorcerer TV, "We have cherished our bond for years and hope to strengthen it now by this alliance. The kids practically grew up beside each other and have been in love since their teenage. It is only right for us to acknowledge their love and support their relationship. We'll soon decide on the wedding date-"

"Whaaaaaat?!" A big roar echoed through the hallway of the airport. It was followed by ringing of the cellphone of a certain pink-haired person, who had the physique of a celebrity actor. People looked at him as he shouted at the other person on phone saying loudly that he didn't know any one like that. But it looked to them that the other party hasn't given him any easy time.

"Shut up, you ice freak and tell my sis that I can't come over to the resort. There are matters I have to take care at home. For the nth time I'm telling you, I don't know who Lucy Heartfilia is" he hushed his voice to make it audible to only the other person on the phone.

Pissed off, he stomped his way out of the airport not before getting his ticket cancelled.

"Like I ever asked him to find me a bride…" he scowled, planning on his long lecture he would give his father.

~0~

"Miss Lucy, are you alright?" the housekeeper, Mrs Spetto asked her young miss. The news she heard on tv must have struck her hard. She has seen various ways of disclosing things to children but this must be the newest, weirdest and the most wrong way to tell something this important to them. How can parents do that to their own kids?

"Miss Lucy?" she called for her attention a second time and gladly she responded to it.

"Yes Mrs Spetto. I'm perfectly alright" she replied adding a smile at the end.

"I can talk to master if you want. You don't even know the lad. You can't be betrothed to some stranger" Mrs Spetto said. After their mistress passed away, she took care of her young miss like her own child. She couldn't see her in pain at any time.

"Ah no. Not at all. Nothing happened now did it? If Papa made a decision, he must've thought well about it. He must be a good person, that Natsu Dragneel. If you would, can you please leave me alone for a while" she asked for a few minutes in solitude.

"As you wish. But you have to go to sleep soon" she replied, leaving her alone.

As soon as the young mistress heard the door close shut, she left a sigh. Switching off the television, she brought her knees to her chest and buried her head in them. And there, like always, she let out the tears which no one has witnessed after her mother's death.

"But I don't want to get married…" she said, her cries muffled.

So, what do you think about it? Should I continue? Want to hear more or this story?

Truth is this will be a pure romance story. But sadly, I don't have too much of free time on hand. I don't know when I will update this next. It might be as fast as tomorrow or as slow as in the next three months. I can't guarantee it. Take this as a warning before following this chapter.

I'm trying to be active on my twitter. Also, you can find this story on tumblr, from now on, on my writing blog archaicarchives (link on my profile). If you want to reblog, you can reblog it from there. ^^

Leave a review if you can. They inspire and encourage me. (Don't forget to include your thoughts on what will Natsu do or about Lucy or about anything else in this story you would like to point out or see :D)

Love

bea