All the characters belong to Hiro Mashima.

Note: I decided not only to mix the story with Cinderella, but also The Sleeping Beauty at one point, so don't be too surprised ;) and yes, I DO know all the fairy tales' Disney versions.

Prince Gray Fernandez, the older son of the King Jellal and Queen Erza was wandering around the royal garden, walking between countless trees, sculptures, and other strange inventions of his parents' architect who was clearly a modernist, no two ways about it.

So, that's it. Time to be wiser and grown-up, he thought bitterly, stepping into another alley he knew by memory. The prince could not have understood his parents, being in such a hurry. The moment Gray would have married someone, they would have to stop ruling the kingdom and pass the throne to him. Or, like Erza's parents, rule the kingdom in four. Foolish, Gray shook his head and hit the nearby tree with his fist.

Suddenly, he felt some strange power inside of his body, something that diverged all over his vivo. He experienced an odd sensation of his blood freezing, seconds later changing into a feeling of being broken and destroyed into millions of small pieces of the ice. What… What is that… Gray was breathing fast, holding his heart. A sickness? Or black magic casted on him?

"No, I need to get away from here. I need some time alone… Far away from here." He murmured to himself and straightened up. The young man turned right and hurried to the stables to get his horse. A stableman who had noticed his prince, bowed down and took the saddle, but Gray lifted his hand and spoke: "No, I'll do it myself." The stableman who was wise enough not to interfere with the visibly angered prince bowed down once again and disappeared, leaving the saddle on the hanger.

"Hello, Hielo (NOTE: hielo – read: yelo, means: ice in Spanish:)" The brunet approached the loosebox of his horse and stretched his arm to touch the animal. "We're going on a ride."

The horse stayed still as the prince was dressing it. Finally, he was ready to go and Gray took the animal out of the stable and jumped on its back. Then, without looking towards the castle, he goaded it with his calves and rushed ahead.

Gray was worried about bereaving him of freedom and youth, of course. However, it was not the only thing that he was concerned about.

I am not the son of my parents. The man did not care that Hielo was going on his own, almost out of his control, with no aim and extreme speed. He was a finding, an alien child which was not even related to the royal family. Why, oh, why did they tell him the truth… It was more than he could have borne, too much for him to understand and accept at once.

All those words, all those chambers, all those clothes, and people… They're nothing more than just strangers and things I shouldn't have and shouldn't know, he thought, being at the edge of his sanity. Natsu's the only righteous son of the King and the Queen…No. It was simply too much.

"Woooh." He exclaimed with shaky voice, pulling the reins and managing to stop the wild gallop of Hielo. The horse exhaled heavily and started to pant. Gray sighed and leaned forward to pat it on the neck. "Easy, boy." He looked around just to realize he was in a completely unknown place. He had never travelled that far before. "Where am I?"

Gray decided to get down from Hielo and walk, however, when he put his feet out of the stirrups, the brunet froze and so did the horse.

From a distance he had heard something strange… It sounded like a voice… A high voice of a singing woman… But it was impossible to hear it in the middle of the forest, which even he had never been in before… Right? I must be imagining things, he told himself, got down and hoisted up the stirrups. Although he was trying to convince himself that it was only a mishear, that it could not have been anything more than a bird, Gray heard the woman's voice for the second time. It was beautiful, almost too beautiful for it to be humane… But that time, he also understood the words.

"And weeee will liiiiiveeee… Liiiiiike… Thiiiiis!"

"Hielo. I hope you can hang in a little longer." Gray told the horse and readjusted the hoisted stirrups and jumped on its back again. The curiosity was consuming him from inside and he just had to see the one who was making such magic with her voice. "Because we're gonna see who sings like that."

A while ago, in the Heartfilia house a huge wrangle had taken place. Lucy, who had been the one at whom the two stepsisters had been yelling, had had to endure the full range of pretenses and shouts. When the quarrel had been over, she had been ordered by the stepmother to go to the village across the forest and bring some fresh milk and eggs for the cook. Little did Minerva know the whole scheme to hurt her unwanted stepdaughter was quite a relieving solution for Cinderella. The order had meant she was going to be away from that horrible house for a longer time. Cinderella had agreed in silence and had left the room, intending to take a basket and a cloak in case it was going to rain.

The very moment the girl had left the house, she had stopped being Cinderella and had turned to Lucy once again. She could have been herself and let go of every worry which was accumulating on her loving and good heart.

"I think I won't be home earlier than tomorrow's midday." Lucy said to herself and inhaled the fresh air with pleasure. Is this how freedom feels like? I don't remember anymore, she thought with a tone of sadness.

Yet, when Lucy wandered far into the forest which became much thicker and the trees were growing closer to each other, she took off her hood and sighed out loud. She heard the small animals running somewhere to her right – she smiled and sped up herself. She heard some birds singing somewhere up high and joined them. The blonde started to sing a song which her mother, Layla, had been singing for her when she was little.

The whole forest seemed to listen carefully to Lucy's singing which was beautiful. Her voice was full of emotions, sad ones tangled with joy and happiness which was gone for long by then. Lucy's dancing was light and full of grace, like the world did not exist anymore.

The disadvantaged girl finished the song with a long, high note and collapsed on the ground. She sat down on a small clearing and sighed loudly.

"But it'll never happen." She said to herself with such a heartbreaking face that even the trees stopped humming.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Lucy jumped onto her feet, ready to run away any moment. She looked around with fear and asked in a small voice: "Who's this?"

Behind her, there was a sudden rustle. She turned around quickly and froze. On the ground, leaning against one of the trees, there was a man. A man of raven black hair, dark, intelligent eyes and a handsome face. He started to get up and there was another movement beside him. The girl spotted a horse. W-who is he… He looks so elegant, I wonder… The man smiled to her. And spoke up.

"It was beautiful, miss."

"T-thank you.. But, do I know you?" Lucy asked fearfully.

"Not yet." He hummed a little and started coming closer. She automatically took a step back and the brunet stopped. "No need to worry, I won't hurt you."

His voice was placatingly low.. Lucy did not have any choice. She would not have managed to escape – he had a horse and probably was a better runner… So she stopped and let him approach her. On the man's face there was curiosity and friendliness.

"You didn't run." He said with – was it possible? – a little bit of regret. "I'd catch you."

"There's no need, sir…"

"I'm Gray." He told her and bowed down in front of the girl.

Lucy's brain worked fast and she managed to remember all the lessons of etiquette her mother had been giving her and curtsied. "Pleased to meet you, sir Gray. I'm Cin… I'm Lucy."

"Lucy, huh? What a pretty name." He declared. Then he chuckled. "And I'm not a knight."

"Oh." She bit her lip, but did not correct herself.

"So, what are you doing so far away from civilization?"

"I-I'm going to the village." She explained and abruptly squealed. "I'm sorry, but I must go. Um… It was nice to meet you, sir…"

Lucy tried to back away, but the man reached out and his long white fingers got hold of her wrist and turned her delicately yet firmly. His dark big eyes were piercing into hers like he was trying to understand or explore something… The girl's cheeks flushed and a shiver went through her body. The man… Who had introduced himself as Gray probably mistook it as a tremble of fear and loosened his grip.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to hurt you, miss… It's just that I don't want you to go anywhere." He told her quietly.

"B-but I'm in a hurry…"

"I can take you to the village in half an hour. Just… I know I am a stranger to you, miss Lucy. But…" The brunet did not finish, although he obviously wanted to. His hold eased and Lucy seized an opportunity to run away, however, the man stayed in one place and did not even try to chase her… She casted an eye on the backwards. He was bowing and coughing, holding his stomach with an expression full of panic on his handsome face. Then he collapsed.

Lucy stopped, worry painted all over her face. It was a perfect opportunity to run away from the strident stranger… But right then he looked like he was in terrible pain and she did not want him to die. No! He must not have been dead?! Her good nature won over self-safety reasonable thinking and she rushed back to the lying figure.

"Sir.. Sir Gray… Gray… Open your eyes!" She yelled and lifted his head, but he never responded. The blonde got onto her feet and went for the horse hidden in the bushes. The animal must have realized something was wrong, because it let her lead itself to its owner. "Hang in there, Gray… Sir…"

She gasped when tried to lift his body up. No way, he's too heavy… Lucy cried in the air and tried again, this time with much of success, yet still not enough. When she realized there was no way for her to make it, she turned to the horse and tried to make it lay down.

"Come on, you understand me, don't you? Please, just get lower to take your master on the saddle…" She was moaning, but talking to the horse was almost like talking to the deaf. Well, unfortunately, it was not a fairy tale and she could not have talked to animals…

Lucy felt helplessness overflowing her heart and soul. Was there really nothing to be done? And that poor man was to die in the middle of nowhere? Despite him being the stranger, she started to cry, big tears rolling on her cheeks to the chin. All of a sudden, the girl heard the horse moving and when she removed her palms from the eyes, she saw it lied down and tried to help its master.

"Y-you must be trained to act this way… Right?" She asked in the space and slowly approached them. She made a real Herculean effort just to put Gray onto the saddle, but her guardian angel was with her that time and she succeeded. Fortunately, the saddle was big enough for her small hips to fit as well, so when the horse stood up, she put her foot into the stirrup and hopped up. How unbelievably lucky she was– or he – that in her childhood she was taking horseback riding lessons…! However, it was in a lady's saddle, not man's one… How uncomfortable, she thought and lifted up her dress. How inappropriate, but if I don't do it, he'll die.

And that way, with the man hanging from the saddle and an unknown horse, with visible legs and her dress high up, Lucy Heartfilia rushed towards the nearest village to get some help.

"Please, Mrs. Porlyusica, please, help him." Lucy moaned, standing in front of the pink-haired older woman who was standing in a position of await and looking from up at the girl cooly. "He'll die, please, Mrs. Porlyusica!"

"You understand how many people I see dying every day, Lucy?" She said emotionlessly.

"Yes! But…"

"But? Understand, child, that there's no but when death comes into your life."

Lucy bit her lip so hard that she was tasting her own blood after a moment. "So, there's no hope? I've brought him here for you to help, not to listen to your life advise…" She sobbed and added: "Please, Mrs. Porlyusica, you don't want to do it for me, fine. But look at him. He's so young, and there's something wrong with him… You don't even want to try…?"

The woman glared at her with inscrutable eyes, then silently passed by the girl and approached the horse. She touched Gray's forehead and tried to move him, but failed. "What are you doing?! Come here and help me, you little witch!" She yelled at Lucy who jumped, astonished, yet she ran to the healer and assisted in moving his body inside.

"Let's put him here." The woman showed a bed with her chin and they both transported him there. "Now, go and do what you were told to and then come back. I'm not going to sit beside him on your account. Clear?"

"O-of course. Thank you!" Lucy stuttered and went out not to annoy the elder even more. She did not really understand it, but her whole heart wished for the Gray boy to recover quickly and be healthy. He didn't do anything to me, although he had a few occasions… I suppose not all the strangers are the bad ones. She smiled and went on with all the mantle.

Two hours later Lucy was going back to Mrs. Porlyusica's place. She was hoping to see that Gray had at least woken up. She was expected at home the following day, so there was no need to leave the village that day. What a relief it was for a young lady who entered the house of the elder woman and headed right to the room where she had left the unconscious man.

And there he was. Laying with closed eyes, breathing rhythmically and tranquilly. Lucy took a chair and placed it on the height of his chest to look at him closely. The brunet did not have any bruises, his face was smooth and young. It was obvious that he had just became a man. Half-long, raven black hair were messed up on his forehead and chaotically set on a white pillow. Gray's face was truly handsome; big eyes, dark eyebrows, a nose, not too big, not too small, just ideal… And those lips, which were resting peacefully…

Lucy sighed and reached her hand to readjust his hair. They were soft and thick, which she did not expect. "Get better already." She asked him and took her hand away from his head.

"Oh, you. Lucy." The blonde heard and turned around to face Mrs. Porlyusica. "He's sleeping now. I don't really understand what's wrong with him, but he is attacked by some strange force inside of his organism… I think blood is being affected and that caused his loss of consciousness. I mean, sudden standstill."

"Oh, my goodness." Lucy covered her mouth with both her hands and faltered. "B-but… Will he be all right?"

"I don't know."

Blink. There's something heavy on my eyes… Blink, blink. No, there's nothing. Blink, blink, blink. Why can't I…

Gray growled and forcefully separated his heavy eyelids. Ouch. The light hit his pupils which from dilated suddenly went small and he lost his vision for a short while. He heard a movement to his right and turned his head that way.

The prince spotted a blonde girl, the one he had met in the forest and the one of an adorable voice. Truth to be said, her whole appearance and behavior was angelic and when that angel spoke up with that smile of hers, he felt his heart beat speeding up and something tickling in his stomach.

"You're awake."

"Lucy." He replied, smiling a little. "So you didn't leave me in the forest."

"How could I do this?" She shook her head and sighed.

"Thank you, miss Lucy." He uttered and looked around, perplexed. "Um… Where am I?"

"In the nearest village across the forest. I rode you here on your horse… And Mrs. Porlyusica, a healer, took care of you." She explained. Lucy started to stretch her hand like she wanted to hold his, but after all hesitated and took it away, ashamed. That young man really did remind her of her mother during the last days of her illness and before death. But he did not need to know such thing.

"I see." He murmured and closed his eyes once again for a moment. What was it, his hear would not have stopped pounding in such speed… "I'm sorry for wasting your time on me."

"There's nothing to apologize for." She opposed vividly. "You're only human. So am I. It's normal… Things like this happen."

Amazing, Gray thought and smiled to the girl. She's simply amazing. Out loud he said: "I guess you're right. Tell me, miss Lucy, where do you live? I will be able to take you home safely…"

"Oh, no, please, don't bother. I'll go back myself tomorrow morning." Lucy said rapidly, blushing and trembling. That was the last thing she wanted to do to him – to make him more trouble and be a burden.

"I insist!"

"But…"

"Please… Lucy." He looked deep into her eyes with such request that she could not have resisted. Especially when her name sounded so beautifully in his mouth.

"I… All right." She promised with red cheeks and turned her head away. However, she had a feeling that she will regret it – Lucy could not have told why and when, but her instincts were clear about that one.

The next day in the morning, Lucy and Gray left the healer's house. The prince spent some time with Mrs. Porlyusica alone when Lucy was taking care of Hielo. Then they left, Lucy seated in front of the prince who took his position as the equestrian, holding the reins. The girl was wearing stirrups in order not to fall down since it was her second time ever riding on the man's saddle. Not to mention her aching muscles and buttocks. On the other hand, he was more than sure to succeed in holding his place thanks to his knees, even without any outside helpers.

The young people were riding calmly, talking on unimportant topics. Lucy insisted on Gray leaving her in the clearing where they had met a day before. Soon enough, Hielo came on the clearing and stopped, pulled by the rider. He jumped off the horse and helped the lady stand on the ground.

"Thank you so much, sir…" She whispered when he took his hands from her waist. "I must return now. My stepmother will get angry if I don't get home soon and do some work…"

"I see. However, isn't it some work for the servants?"

"Oh, uh, I mean… Y-yes, of course…" Lucy stuttered and turned her head so that her hair hid her face from him. "So…"

The man took a deep breath, preparing himself to say something he had wanted to, he needed to… Before they parted. "Miss Lucy… I must confess of something." He cleared his throat and continued. "I'm someone, who you would never think I might be… I told you my name was Gray. Yet I didn't revealed my true identity."

"You're saying that your name is not Gray." She uttered.

"Oh, no, it is, indeed. However… Uh, how to put it… I am Gray Fullbuster, the first prince of Alyssum." The brunet stated with a serious expression. Then he looked at the wide-open eyed woman in front of him. "S-say something, please…"

"M-my prince…!" She squealed and tried to bow down, but he held her by the arms.

"You do not bow down in front of me. You saved my life, miss." He told her. "Moreover…"

"M-moreover?" She made a soft voice, staring into his eyes. She felt the prince taking her hand and holding it in his both palms.

"Miss Lucy… No. Lucy. I know we've just met… Yet, I feel like I know you for a long time. And I feel… I don't know what I feel. What it is. I don't want to lose you. I don't want to let you go. However, I am the prince… And if my parents decide to pick a fiancé for me, there's nothing I can do… We may never meet again. B-but! I want you to know, I came to like you."

"Oh, sir!" Lucy blushed in the pure red of the darkest color Gray had ever seen. "I…"

"Do not sir me, Lucy. I want…" But he never finished. Instead of doing so, he shook his head and pulled her to himself. Lucy felt his full, soft lips crushing into hers with such need and desperation that she moaned into them. Wha-what is this!? What is this feeling?! At first, Lucy wanted to break free from his touch, but then she realized they would have probably never met again… And it felt so good! His moving mouth prayed for her respond, his long fingers clenched on her arms. Finally, Lucy tried to move her lips in the rhythm which Gray was enforcing. She had never been so happy before… Also, it was her first kiss.

After a long time he pulled away, craving for both air and to the kiss to never end. His sparkling eyes drowned into Lucy's brown irises. She was beautifully flushed, her lips still trembling.

"My prince…"

"Shh." He whispered and looked at her with request. "Please, just one time… Call me by my name."

"The first and the last time." The blonde laughed nervously.

"Lucy. Please."

"G-Gray…" She whispered.

"Louder." He asked of her, getting on Hielo with stony face.

"Gray."

"Louder." He turned his horse and started to ride away.

Lucy stood in one place with opened mouth and could not have voiced anything until she saw his back disappearing. Then she cried: "Gray!" But the man had already been gone, leaving the girl feeling sad and abandoned. Although she knew that was the only possible way, it still hurt.

And I'll never see him again, she sighed dramatically.

Sorry for the terrible break. I had so much to do, and I'm completely foolish, because I write so many stories at once. And I love all of them, so I can't abandon any of it. So, please, don't kill me.

I know that to love, it's a long process, but falling in love is something what just happens, right? And let's consider that the first sight love just happened to the prince and a poor Cinderella. Wait to see what will they do:)

Thank you or your reviews and support, it makes me very happy! And please, do review to share your impressions :)

Much love from Poland!

Isabelle.