Chapter Two

It had been a couple days since Lucy's arrival at Natsu Dragneel's castle, and she began to feel less like a prisoner, and more like an odd guest. In fact, she felt more like part of the castle-hold.

"Ne, Lucy!" Natsu opened the door to her room, where Lucy had just woken up.

"Didn't anyone teach you to knock?!" Lucy muttered a little harshly, earning an embarrassed chuckle from the dragon.

"Sorry. I just thought I'd bring you breakfast." Lucy regretted snapping at him immediately and stood up.

"Oh, well that was very thoughtful." Lucy walked up to him and Natsu held out a solitary apple, grinning childishly. Lucy bit back a small laugh. In the time she had been there, she had been the first to wake up and make him breakfast, so the sentiment was very sweet in the princess's eyes (though it was hardly a full meal).

"Thank you Natsu." He smiled sheepishly as Happy flew into her chambers.

"Lucy, what should we do today?" The winged cat asked, and Natsu nodded in agreement, looking at her expectantly.

"Hmm.." She was thoughtful for a moment, looking around. For the seven days she had been there, she and Natsu had been telling each other about how they grew up. Lucy talked about her mom, her unloving father and his plot to wed her off (which is how she came upon his home). Natsu told her about Igneel, how he found Happy, and how, after years of searching for his father, had decided to stay where the dragon raised him, in the hope he might soon return.

"We could clean the castle." She decided.

Both Happy and Natsu seemed confused by this suggestion, following after her as she walked down the stairs into the large main hall. "What do you mean? I think it looks fine."

"Natsu, this place is a mess! There are cobwebs everywhere, everything is dirty, and there is a dead man in your hallway!"

"Well I didn't kill him!" Natsu said defensively, before finishing in a mutter, "Igneel did…"

"Its doesn't matter, its gotta go. This place is so dusty, I almost sneeze every time I breathe!"

"You'll get used to it!" Natsu replied.

Lucy put her hands on her hips. "Natsu, don't you want Igneel to come home to a clean house?"

This question made the boy think for a moment, looking around. He decided, and pumped his fist in the air. "Alright, let's do it!"

"Aye…" Happy said reluctantly, but obliged, and followed Lucy, awaiting her orders.


Natsu hung from the rafters with a tree branch, trying his best to wind up all the cobwebs that had decorated the castle ceiling. Lucy chuckled at his effort, busy, sweeping the steps of the large staircase. They had cleaned the kitchen, straightened all the rooms, and even thrown out all the broken furniture Natsu had accidentally demolished. Happy was flying around Lucy's head, tearing down all the tattered banners and throwing them in a pile by the front door. The princess was actually pleased with their efforts, and the castle was beginning to look more and more habitable. Lucy made her way back up to the second floor, looking down over the balcony that overlooked the big room.

Natsu jumped down, holding up the web-covered branch in triumph and Lucy gave him a cheerful thumbs up.

"Great job! Now we just have to sweep fireplace and we'll be done." Natsu sighed with relief.

"Yo-ga-ta…" He sighed and Lucy laughed.

"Hey Lucy-" Happy bumped into Lucy's back distractedly, causing her to lose her balance and topple forward with a cry of alarm.

"Lucy!"

The blonde fell into a pair of strong arms and she opened her eyes to see that Natsu had caught her just in time. She stared at him for a moment, her cheeks turning red and he stared entranced into her chocolate-brown eyes.

"Lucy, are you okay?" Happy looked down upon the two from the balcony, holding the last tattered flag in his arms and breaking the spell between her and Natsu.

"Y-Yes Happy, I'm okay. Arigato."

Natsu let her go, allowing her to stand, and stepped away.

"Thank you." She said quietly. The dragon rubbed his neck.

"Ne, Lucy…"

"Hmm?"

"How would you feel, about staying here…?" Natsu met her eyes shyly from under his pink bangs. Lucy felt her blush deepen, but thought about it. She didn't really have any place to go, and it was not like she wanted to leave. Sure, at first she felt scared, but as she grew closer to the dragon, she realized that he would never harm her.

"I'd love to." She concluded and the dragon broke into a wide smile.

"Really!? That's great! You can be my princess!"

"H-Huh?"

"You know, you're the princess and I'm the dragon. I'll protect you!" Natsu smiled even wider this time, giggling and Lucy couldn't help but smile back.

"Promise?" She asked.

"I swear."


This chapter is kind of short, but fluffy nonetheless. Don't forget to leave a review!

~Cas