"Damn it, how could they possibly be strong enough to resist our men for so long?!" Demanded a gruff voice, slamming his fists on a table that held a wide, round sculpture that looked like a three dimensional war map and was illuminated by the only light in the room.
"Their men are obviously more prepared than we are for battle." Another voice resounded throughout the enclosure, this one was more feminine as an armored hand reached from the darkness and struck a red flag pin to a location on the map.
"Not to mention they outrank us in numbers." Spoke another.
"But what are we gonna do about it?" The first spoke again.
"The one thing we can do." A new voice spoke up. "We'll force them to surrender."
"How do you suggest we do that?" The third voice asked. A toothy smirk could be seen in the darkness.
"We're going to kidnap the ward." The voice said simply, his smirk grew ever wider as the others produced grins and toothy smirks of their own.
"Sire! Terrible news!" A courier exclaimed breathlessly, rushing into the throne room.
"What, what is the matter courier?" The king spoke calmly.
"I've just gotten word from Bosco, the rebel army has overtaken them!" The courier exclaimed, a horrid expression claimed his face. The king's expression became angered.
"What?!" The dark haired royal shouted furiously, standing to his feet. The courier shrunk back.
"I'm sorry sire, but Bosco has been taken by the Dragon Blades." The king cursed under his breath.
"Leave me!" He demanded harshly. The courier bowed and left swiftly. The king began pacing in front of his throne irritably. A knock was heard within the vast room.
"My lord Bora, is something the matter?" A woman's voice asked concernedly. The king turned his attention to his ward and softened his expression.
"Levy, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here. It's nothing really, we've just lost another city to those rebel scoundrels." The king said resentfully, momentarily lost in thought. He shook his head, returning his attention back to his ward. "I thought you were in town with your maid?" He asked.
"Yes, we came back earlier than anticipated. Lucy and I had much fun." Levy explained swiftly with a smile. The king smiled in return.
"I'm glad to hear it. You should return to your quarters, I have matters to attend to with my court, I'll call you for supper." The king stated, politely dismissing the blue haired girl. She bowed curtly and did as she was told.
When returning to her room her personal maid was putting her newly bought clothes into her wardrobe.
"Oh, Lucy, you should've let me do that." Levy said, picking up her layered skirts so she wouldn't trip over them and rushed to her friend. The blonde merely turned to her and smiled.
"Come on Levy, this is my job after all." Lucy said kindly. Levy shook her head.
"You should at least let me lend you a hand." Levy insisted, picking up a dress and beginning to fold it neatly. Lucy attempted to stop her but she raised her hand to halt her. "I order you to allow me to help. Besides, I have nothing else to do other than sit and read a book until dinner." Levy smiled kindly. Lucy returned the gesture and bowed her head.
"As you wish, milady." She said half mockingly. Levy laughed as they sorted her clothes together.
"So apparently the Dragon Blades have taken another city." Levy said. Lucy looked to her in interest.
"Really, again? The king must not be happy." Lucy said, hanging another dress in the wardrobe. Levy nodded in confirmation.
"Even though he attempted to hide it, I'd heard his furious voice from down the hall and went to check on him." Levy admitted with a disappointed sigh.
"What?" Lucy giggled.
"I just wish he'd be more open with me." Levy said. Lucy smiled.
"Well, even in the best of Families there are secrets. I know he may not be your true father, but that doesn't mean he isn't a father." Lucy said kindly.
"Easy for you to say, your father works with you in the castle." Levy retorted. Lucy's look darkened slightly.
"Don't remind me. Still though, I can't say I'm not grateful he ran bankrupt, it's nice not to be so entitled to money and achieve something for myself!" Lucy exclaimed cheerfully. Levy hummed in understanding.
"Sometimes I wish our places were switched." Levy said.
"Well, we can't choose our parents, but we can choose where our lives take us." Lucy smiled.
After they finished putting the clothes away the girls spent the rest of the night talking about current matters of the kingdom before Lucy's father came to tell her it was her turn to serve the tables in the dining room. With a groan Lucy bid her friend goodbye and hurried to the kitchen to prepare for dinner.
The guards ate separately from the king, his court and his ward. The guards and soldiers were served last, since they were greater in number than the royal court.
In a calm, quiet air she served the king and his trusted court curtly and with a bright smile. When she placed Levy's meal before her the ward whispered to her
"Tell me how it goes with Dan this time." Levy said with a teasing giggle.
"I'm sure I'll need a friend to vent to." Lucy replied jokingly, earning a giggle from her friend before standing and taking a step back, bowing her head and waiting for permission to leave. Once dismissed she and the other servants left in silence to serve the soldiers.
Lucy never liked serving the soldiers for one reason and one reason alone.
"Lucy baby! I've missed you my sweet!" A chipper voice said over bubbly. Lucy groaned as she walked in with trays of food. Dan Straight, the only guard that was convinced he loved nearly every damn woman that crossed his path. The only reason he was still on the guard patrol was because of his fighting skills. He'd earned the rank of a guard captain in his first year of training, an impressive feat for any soldier.
"Please Dan, I need to serve food to everyone, could you not?" Lucy begged, setting the platters of food down in front of the other soldiers who were rolling their eyes in annoyance.
"Oh, my Lucy cake is so cute when she's focused on work!" The brown haired knight exclaimed exuberantly. Lucy groaned once more, but ignored him as he sighed and ogled over her the entire time.
She was more than relieved when all the food had been passed out and she was finally able to leave.
Lucy wandered to the kitchen to clean the dishes that had been left from some of the courtier's.
A little while later Lucy's older sister, Michelle, came to her with some more dishes
"Hey, Lucy, Dan wanted me to give you a message." Michelle giggled lightly as she handed her sister the dishes. Lucy groaned.
"What did he say this time?" Lucy asked irritably, setting the plates, goblets and bowls into the filled, bubbly sink.
"He said that he was sorry that silly rules and regulations kept you two from being together and said if you wanted you two cold run away together." Michelle giggled. Lucy shook her head. Dan didn't know that she used to be noble herself and she'd rather keep him clueless of that fact lest he try to marry her.
"Tell him…" Lucy trailed off, trying to think of something that would shove him off her back kindly. Michelle smiled.
"I'll tell him you appreciate the message but you're not interested." Michelle offered. Lucy smiled gratefully, giving her approval of the message. Michelle curtsied and left to find the love struck knight.
Lucy finished scrubbing the dishes clean and put them all back in their respective cupboards. She'd begun her stroll back to her lady's quarters when a conversation caught her attention.
"Are you sure milady?" Lucy recognized her father's inquisitive tone.
"Yes, I got the letter this afternoon in town, they should be here in a few days." Levy answered. Lucy scrunched her brows in confusion. What were they talking about? A few moments of silence were shared between the two of them to the point where Lucy had thought they'd left. She was about to stand when Levy spoke once more. "I know what you're thinking, but you can't. You realize the consequences don't you?"
"Yes, but who else is going to do it?" Jude debated.
"I will, it's not like I'll-
"No, we must make it look as genuine as possible if this is going to work. Who knows just who may decide to eavesdrop?" Jude reasoned. "Now, it's late, we'll talk more of this matter in the morning." Jude dismissed and Lucy ducked behind a corner before she could be seen as he left for the servant's quarters. Lucy stayed still for a few moments, processing what she'd heard but unable to make much sense of it. Were they expecting guests soon? If so, why wasn't she informed? Lucy shook her head. Perhaps they'd just forgotten to tell her. Even so, she had a sinking feeling.
Lucy pushed the matter aside for the time and made her way to Levy's room to talk with her friend. She trusted Levy and her father. If it was a matter that heeded concern then they'd tell her… right?