Yo! I'm back with a new chapter! Don't forget just to ignore my mistakes… Hope you'll enjoy it!
Chapter 2: Disappointment
Lucy arrived home along with the hope of escaping and starting a new life with her new best friend. After having a few words with her father that hadn't really seemed to realize she was gone again from the castle, she entered her room happier than anyone would expect after getting in trouble. She found there a maid who was facing the ground a little sad and thinking of the words she could use in her explanations. Lucy sensed that something happened and her smile lost a little if it's usual shine.
''P-Princess Lucy…'' the maid said.'' Um…I…I am really sorry to tell you this but…well, while you were gone, your majesty's royal cat…She was ill and…you know she didn't have much more to live…'' she said slowly as if that cat really meant something to her. Lucy's face turned pale and tears appeared in her eyes. If she could have spoken, she would've probably just said ''no…''. But Tiger was her beloved cat, the only animal that she loved so much. She tried to wipe her tears, but others would just come and replace them. She just went slowly to her bed, sitting on it's verge as she kept on crying for the poor kitty. But, she thought, now that the one thing that kept her from leaving the castle was gone, she would be more than happy just to leave them behind.
Night fell slowly. No matter how much she wished hours would pass faster, the clock would move just slower. She thought she got over it, but she realized she was still crying in the dark night. The bright moon formed shadows on her walls that just made feel even more uncomfortable and afraid. Now she cried because she was afraid, too. Even her own sobs seemed to be a little scary. She pulled her eiderdown over her head. All her crying made her fall asleep fast, and soon she didn't hear anything anymore when she started to fall into the abyss of dreams…or nightmares.
Suddenly, a loud noise woke her up to see the pillow wet. But that didn't matter for her because she was more concerned about that sound that really scared her. Lucy's heart started beating faster and she barely breathed. Her child imagination lead her to monsters that were in her room and wanted to eat her. She closed really hard her eyes, waiting for something as she heard steps getting closer and closer to her bed. Then she felt a little hand on her shaking her easily.
''Lucy?...'' she heard a whispering voice. She calmed down fast as she realized it was Natsu. He had a pretty big wound on his face, which meant he fought with the guards. She got off her bed, wiped out her tears and looked at him purposeful. It only passed a few hours from the midnight.
''Are you ready?'' he asked smiling. She nodded. ''Then follow me!'' he said jumping off the window. For a moment, Lucy thought he just fell from the third floor of the castle, bun when she saw him on a rope that he tied up for her when they were going down, she suddenly came back to reality. Hardly, she just managed to stay hung on the rope by the other side of her room. Natsu whispered in the dark, telling her to hurry up before someone would find them. She whimpered when she saw all the way down. Natsu sighed, climbed up to her and told her to get on his back. She first shook her head because it was to risky and she didn't want to die. But finally, the little Lucy had to agree, and after a lot of effort, feet in eyes and ''ouch'' -es, Natsu was going down the rope like a little pro, barely breathing because Lucy was squeezing him. His burden was double now, he was still a little boy, but it was OK since he was doing this for his friend. Through the dark woods, it was a little hard again because she was really afraid. This was again a new obstacle.
''Invitation:
Prince Natsu S. Draganeel of The Kingdom of Fire is inviting the princesses from all Kingdoms along with their princes to a royal ball at the Fire Kingdom's court. The ball will take place on XXXX, by the midnight . . He shall be delighted by your noble presence.
His Highness,
The King.''
The atmosphere in the castles all around the world changed from the moment the invitations arrived to the princesses. Natsu was known as a bishie among the princes, so no lucky girl that received the invitation was ever going to miss such an opportunity to meet the son of the Dragon of Faith and Strength. The royal dressmakers were wanted more than ever in every palace. Everything had to be perfect! But Natsu was maybe the most easy-going person in the world. The preparations for the ball were all done very fast and he just relaxed until the big event. But for him seemed more like a big meeting with his old friend. He just thought everything is going to be OK and everybody is going to be pleased.
The big night finally arrived. Everybody was gathered in the big ballroom talking to each other happily about this exciting event. Suddenly, the lights turned off, and silence slept among the dark. Some princesses whispered a little afraid. Then one by one little candles lit up making a circle around the huge room. An enormous dragon of fire came out of nowhere scaring some of them and started spinning in circles above everybody's heads, making the smiles and sparkling eyes look like gold. Everybody was watching amazed by the show. A loud, heavy and yet soft voice sounded from every corner of the castle, making it vibrate.
''WELCOME!''. Everybody started to clap and to acclaim as the lights came back to normal and as Natsu was going down the stairs with his arms raised as for a big hug. He smiled from the bottom of his heart for everyone that was there. But as people started a conversation with him, his eyes were secretly looking for her.
Both of them were panting when they arrived at the castle. Lucy was trembling with every corner of her body. She was cold, afraid and nervous. But Natsu was happy. The sun already arose a few minutes ago, so probably half of the castle was already awake. He entered the front gates running and holding Lucy by her hand. He passed by a sleepy servant that whispered ''Y-Your highness?'' when he saw the little prince running into the castle in the first hour of the day dragging a stranger, while Natsu used to wake up at 9 or 10. It was already too much for him, so he probably though he was still dreaming or something. Natsu entered his father's work room smiling, while saying: ''Father, father, let's take Lucy in our family! I know you will love her! She is a great friend! And..''
''Whoow- whoow! Hold it! I can't understand a thing that you say. Calm down!''
Natsu told him how he met Lucy and that she wanted to leave her home and he said she could live with them, but when the king heard she is from The Kingdom of Lightening he smacked his son. That's when he finally stopper talking.
''How dare you do such a thing, Natsu! I told you I am a step away from a war with her father. This is the only thing he was waiting for to start one. Look at the people that are fighting for this kingdom!''. Some injured men were standing speechless in the king's office. '' One day they will be you people, son! This country is my child and I am not going to let it be ruined by the foolishness of my other one. Just because you made a friend, that doesn't mean you can sacrifice my and one day your kingdom!''. The king knelt to face his son at his height. Maybe you don't understand this now, but you will someday. For now I have to ask your little friend to forgive me if she is disappointed, but I can not tolerate a friendship between you two. Don't worry, princess, I give you my word that you will arrive safely home along with a letter of apologizes for your father. I am sorry, but you can't see my son ever again. Just maybe in a day when war will pass away. And that goes for you too, son!'' said the man with a harsh look on his face.
Lucy's eyes were full of tears and Natsu's as well. He wasn't able to say a word, but Lucy's eyes said enough for both. They were sad. They were angry because their dreams were killed with cold blood. Not only the fact that they can't be together everyday, but now they can't see each other ever again. All she thought she gained was lost and it hurt that she actually made a special bond with him, a strong friendship that they never thought it could be so easily blown away. So…it was over, huh? It was short…wasn't it?
Beautiful ladies everywhere that kept their eyes on him hoping he would notice them. They were from every corner of the world, and they all came especially for him. Yes, they had a great time, they made new friends and met a lot of new great people, but he was the main idea of the ball for them. They sighed sadly with a smile on their faces because they knew he was looking for someone else. A woman always knows when a man is looking her or someone else. Lucky her! they thought. Guess it's not meant to be. But the problem was that he was a acting a little weird. His eyes were looking for her for a long time. His heart stopped a moment when he realized he had to accept the situation… She wasn't there.
