Rewritten chapter 2 here! Again, much better than the original chapter. I hope you enjoy this. I am having a lot of fun working on this one again.
Two days after their first meeting, Levy received an invitation to visit Gajeel's palace in Oak for an extended time so she could not only attend his coronation, but also so she could get a feel for the palace grounds and halls. She was going to be living there within a year after all.
Levy had been nervous enough at the neutral location they had chosen for their first meeting, along the border between their two countries, but to be going to Oak for such an extended time, to be away from her dear family, made her more nervous. Suddenly, the personal implications of the marriage hit her. She had not even thought about having to leave her family and her home, the only place she had ever really known.
She read the invitation again and sighed, but readily agreed, calling for her calligrapher to draft a formal reply. She was set to leave the next day and would be gone for two weeks. So first, there were a few things at home she needed to settle.
Number one on her list was to bid farewell to her parents, the current King and Queen. She would say goodbye to her younger twin brothers, Jet and Droy, in the morning. Levy skipped through the halls of her castle, knowing it was probably the last time she would be able to do so, taking it all in. She stopped just down the hall from her father's study and smoothed out her gown, hoping her romp had not wrinkled the fabric. Slowly, gracefully, she walked towards the study, in front of which stood two massive guards.
"Elfman, Nab, is my father in?" she asked cheerfully. The study was the most likely place he would be, and so she came here first. Her assumption was proved correct.
"Yes Your Highness," said Nab, stepping aside, opening the door for her.
"My Princess, we'll take care of that prince if you ever need us to," said Elfman suddenly, grinning widely, his admiration for her showing in his eyes. Nab smiled and nodded in agreement.
"You guys are the best," said Levy, flashing them her most heavenly smile.
From inside the study came an insistent throat-clearing noise and Nab and Elfman snapped back into position, but not before Elfman winked at Levy. She chuckled and darted into the study, where her father and mother both sat waiting.
King Makarov of Magnolia sat at his desk, rummaging through the drawers for something to write with, and Queen Porlyusica sat on the green, velvety couch by the fireplace, reading a novel. When Levy was little, she used to sit in this room with her mother and father; the King would work and smile as he listened to his wife reading aloud to the small princess, developing her deep love for books from such an early age. Levy had not sat with her mother for a long time, but she felt the sudden need to.
She plopped down on the end of the couch like a little girl, curling up against its high arms, dipping her legs beneath her mother's blanket. As if on cue, her mother began to read aloud from her book, filling the room with memories. King Makarov stopped his rummaging and listened, his expression shifting to one of fond remembrance. The story did not matter, nor did the words; this was the last time they were going to be together like this. Jet and Droy were not as close to their parents as Levy had always been, and the King and Queen knew this was their last chance to see their darling girl in such a way. Soon she would be married, eventually having children, running her own household in another kingdom. They all wanted to savor this innocent family feeling for as long as they could.
Levy fell asleep after a while, the stress of the day and the lateness of the hour finally making her succumb to exhaustion. King Makarov used his magic and grew to a huge height, allowing him to pick up his daughter with ease and trudge through the castle to her bedroom. He laid her down and kissed her forehead and called Elfman and Nab to keep watch at her door.
Then he wandered to the next door where Lucy Heartphilia, Levy's handmaiden, stayed. He knocked politely, and at her urging, entered.
"Oh, Your Majesty," said Lucy, clearly startled. She had been expecting Levy. She stood and bowed deeply.
"Stand up dear, do not be so formal." He shook his hand in front of her face, dismissing her stiffness.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. How might I be of service to you this evening?" This was the first time the king had ever approached her directly, so she was nervous. She caught herself shaking a little bit, and grew stiff again, trying to calm her nerves.
"I have a simple request. You will accompany Levy tomorrow, correct?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good, good. When she is at the palace in Oak, if anything happens, anything at all, it is your duty to report it to me. You have known her long enough to know when she is hiding her unhappiness, and I fear there may be much of that in the time to come. Tell me if anything seems off about her. I will cancel the marriage in a heartbeat if it will spare her any grief, consequences be damned."
Lucy smiled, wishing secretly her own father was this sort of man instead of the domineering maniac that he was. "Of course, Your Majesty. I assure you, princess levy will be well looked-after."
"Good," he nodded. "Now, off to bed with you. You have a long day tomorrow as well."
"Yes. Thank you, Your Majesty." Lucy bowed again as Makarov left. She vowed to herself then and there that she would keep Levy from any harm, no matter what.
They set out the next morning, earlier than either Levy or Lucy would have liked. The ride was swift and over good soil, the half day the trip took passing quickly. The scenery between Magnolia and Oak was beautiful, especially in oak, which was mostly forest. Trees were just beginning to bud, and the first of the spring flowers were beginning to blossom after the harsh winter. It gave hope.
They arrived at the palace just after noon. Levy marveled at the enormous building in front of her. Her home had been a castle, all stone and drafts and candlelight, and though she loved every inch of it, it was dark and sometimes dreary. Oak's palace was light and open with great tall windows after the newest of architectural fashions. Upon entering, she saw it was more like a formal country house, or several of them, considering its size, than like a castle. The newer design of it certainly showed Oak's youth as a nation, but Levy looked past that. She fell in love with the place instantly.
Before any of them had a chance to look around, they were whisked away to their rooms by a fleet of menservants. They also brought Levy's many bags and boxes, containing her garments and supplies, so her own small group of servants had very little to do. The butler slipped Levy a folded note as his men finished and retreated from the princess' bedchamber. Levy opened it and read it aloud to Lucy, who was to share Levy's room to be at an easier distance should her mistress require anything.
Princess Levy,
It would be my great honor if you would join me for some late supper in the dining room at 7:00 this evening. I am tending to some affairs of state or I would have met you upon your arrival. One of my men will show you the way tonight if your journey has not tired you too much to join me.
Hoping you had a comfortable journey,
Gajeel Redfox
"How much do you want to bet he did not write this himself?" asked Levy.
"Of course he did not write it, Levy," said Lucy. "No man's handwriting is so clean and neat."
"How much do you want to bet he did not dictate this to someone with better handwriting then?" a=offered Levy.
Lucy laughed. "Come on, Levy, it is sweet. Even if it is someone else's words, it is his sentiment. At least he is trying."
Levy sighed. "Aye, I will grant him that. And I suppose I will be hungry by then. Our short picnic in the carriage should tide me over until then. And I am interested to see what sort of table that barbarian keeps."
"Oh Levy."
Hahaha snarky Levy.
Till next time!