Chapter 2

Earlier, Lucy's P.O.V

I'm Lucy Heartfilia, age 18. My father wanted a boy to inherit the Heartfilia name but, when I popped out, he was disappointed. Mother on the other hand, loves me dearly, even after she died all those years ago.

Anyway, today is an unusual day. Father called me to his office, this only happens when something big is about to go down. And so I made my way to the place where he dwells.

When I got there, I stood quietly and properly, back and legs straight, hands together, arms in front of waist. That is how I've been told to stand all my life.

"Child, we have something to talk about," He said. Father has never and will never call me by name. I nodded seriously. Then he continued, "You have been chosen by the Magnolia family to be a possible wife for their son, of course there will be others but, their son, Natsu chooses the girl." His voice seemed to have echoed through my ears. After a few seconds, I finally processed her situation.

"Are you saying that I must make him choose me?" I inquired. Only to be answered with…

"Of course not, you fool! First of all, I want you to marry into a richer family, like the Dreyar family, they are the richest people in Fiore, excluding the royal family. Second is about the boy, Natsu. The Magnolia's adopted him when he was young. If you were to marry him, a lot of bad rumours would go around about how 'he isn't a legitimate son so the fortune won't go to the Heartfilia family.' Remember Lucy, money is everything." He kept on talking. It seemed like this lecture would last forever. He's all about the money, which is stupid. What would be wrong with marrying Natsu. Speaking of Natsu, I don't even know what he looks like. If he ends up being fat or ugly, I will leave. Lucy you are so mean! I mean fat and ugly on the inside, like a bad personality. Let's not have an argument with myself.

I went back into my room and took out my key chain, I am a celestial wizard after all. It would be nice if there was such thing as a magic guild, I would definitely run away there.

"Open! Gate of the Canis Minor, Nikora!" I bellowed. There stood a dog who I named 'Plue' he looks more like a snowman than a dog but he is one... I think. I needed Plue for comfort, tomorrow will be a busy day.

I woke up the next day. One of the maids laid out a long, candy-pink dress and a matching corset with white frills. There was also crimson heels that complemented the dress.

I put on my clothes and had breakfast, luckily, I showered the night before so I won't have to worry about that. The next thing I knew was my father dragging me on a carriage.

I can't believe that the whole ride from Acalypha to Magnolia took an entire day. I was morning again when I finally got there. The road had 8 other carriages, all stopping in front of the Magnolia mansion. Since I arrived last, I would see Natsu last. Father has already left in order to talk to the other adults.

The other girls are so pretty; I even see the current 'Miss Fiore!' but, I don't know why there are two young boys. They entered first, and have yet to come back out. The line of girls in front of me was slowly get shorter. No one has come out yet. After a few minutes, I was the only one waiting. What does this Natsu character look like?

"Miss Lucy Heartfilia, you may come in now." Said a guard.

I slowly sauntered into the hall. I first saw a small girl sitting in a chair, wearing clothes that don't suit her. The young boys kneeled before her. Oh the girl must be Natsu's little sister. Why would they force a girl of that age to choose who she will marry?

Don't be side tracked, Lucy. Eyes ahead. That was when I first saw Natsu. His most notable feature would have to be the pink hair, it's so wild and spikey yet; he can somehow pull it off. The next thing is his scarf, it's white and scaly. There were two things wrong with his clothes though. First, is the sandals. Who wears sandals to such an important and formal event. Second, is how he only has one sleeve, leaving his right arm completely bare. I can see that he is muscular but not in a buff way. If I look at him as a whole, he looks… handsome. Things like that always surprise me. Natsu hasn't spoken a single word and looks bored out of his mind. His face brightened when we were told to go to the dining room for dinner.

When we got there, everyone ordered their food from a menu. I also found out that Natsu's adorable sister is called Wendy. At the table, Natsu's magical cat, Happy appeared, along with Wendy's magical cat, Carla. Happy ordered fish, Carla asked for fruit. I requested for a vegetable curry, Wendy ordered from the kid's menu, the boy with her asked or the same thing. How sweet. The others wanted salads. Natsu quietly whispered his order to the chef. I didn't take that long to say it so I assume that he didn't ask for much. It makes sense to eat a small amount of food to keep that toned figure.

Everyone's food soon came, everyone except Natsu. Wendy, Happy and Carla started without him. How rude. Me and everyone else were waiting for his food do we can all start together.

"You can eat without me; my food always takes the longest to cook." Stated the boy with the pink hair, followed with a toothy grin. That was the first time I heard him talk and I like how his voice sounds for some reason. That smile brightened my day. We all started to dig in. Then the chef came with a massive silver dish. He placed it on the table, revealing that it was big enough to cover over half of it. The chef lifted the lid revealing a lot of food, probably enough to feed a small army.

We doubted that Natsu could eat all of that. We were wrong. It was already all in his stomach before we anyone else finished their meals. The problem was how he ate like a savage dragon. This was a turn off to most of the girls. Only me and a nice woman called Lisanna were left standing. Then I asked something I shouldn't have.

"How are you not fat?" I bluntly asked him. Big mistake. I was so embarrassed that I hid my face in my hands and looked down. But, Natsu just laughed at me, which honestly made me feel even worse. "Let's just say that I'm good at burning calories." He replied. I don't know what to say about that.

"Wait, you're not mad at me?" I said.

"I would ask how I'm not fat too." he answered, completely serious. The next thing Natsu did surprised me a bit. Due to him eating the food really quickly, it ended up with him burping. It was the loudest burp I have ever heard. Lisanna was grossed out by it and left.

He looked at me. "I thought that you would be leaving too." Natsu wondered.

"But, it's way more fun here. Besides, it would take me a whole day by carriage to get back to Acalypha." I responded. He started to puke a bit. Weird.

"Is all that food coming back up?"

"No, Natsu has a serious case of motion sickness, even the thought about being on a vehicle will make him feel sick." Stated Happy.

When the pink haired boy recovered, he realised something big.

"Since you're the last one standing, I guess I have to make you my mate—I mean marry you." He said, blushing at his goof up. Why did he accidentally say mate? He also seemed to be cursing someone under his breath 'stupid Ign-'what?

Later on, we all went to bed. Natsu's room is just above mine. I was about to go to sleep, then my dad walked in. He picked up the whip I use for self-defence. I knew what would happen next and I don't like it. Father started lashing me with it. I didn't make a single sound in order to not disturb anyone. I was hit a couple of times until the sound of a bell was ringing in my ears. It was the fire alarm. Father left in a hurry, in case he might get caught. I however, stayed in my room. Burning to death will be a nice way to go. But, my door flied open. It was Natsu. I put two and two together.

"Did you set that off?" I asked him. He nodded. I mouthed the words 'thank you.'

Natsu patted my head and went to his room through the window. He is a weirdo.

The next morning, Natsu and I were summoned to the gathering hall, along with Wendy and the boy she chose, Romeo.

We were told a few rules and conditions:

Lucy Heartfilia and Romeo Conbolt must live in Magnolia Mansion.

If Lucy leaves the premises, Natsu must accompany her. Same goes with Romeo but Wendy shall tag along with him.

Natsu and Lucy must sleep in the same room. Wendy and Romeo will be separate at night until they are old enough.

Natsu and Lucy shall get to know each other first. Natsu can propose to Lucy anytime within a year from now. If he fails to do so after a year passes, the two shall automatically be engaged. The wedding shall take place 6 months after engagement.

Those four were the basics, the rest were more about politics. I'm not too keen on condition 3 but, we can work it out. Now that I think about it, all I know about Natsu is that he's adopted, has and adopted little sister, is a big eater and he always wears his scarf. I figured out the last fact when he came downstairs with his pyjamas (only pants) and scarf.

To make things worse, all he knows about me is my name and appearance.

We left the hall and decided to get to know each other first. I know, sounds boring. But not with Natsu.

"Where should we start?" He asked.

"How about we start with if we use magic or not?" I suggested.

"Yeah! Great idea! You start."

"Okay. I practise celestial magic; I have keys that I use to summon celestial spirits to help me out."

"You're so tyrannical." The nerve of that guy.

"What's that supposed to mean!?"

"Anyway, I use a form of lost magic called dragon-slaying magic. I have full use of fire, it won't hurt me and I can even eat it." Hey says as if it's the most normal thing in the world. We talked for what seemed like an eternity, until one thing popped up.

"So, I heard you were adopted, do you know anything about your real parents?" I queried. I regretted ever asking once I saw the look on his face. He looked… sad. I didn't know that he would speak up.

"Yes and no." Stated the fire boy. I'm really confused. He then continued. "I never knew my real parents. But, when I was little, some guy called Igneel found and raised me. After 7 years, he disappeared. I was searching for him. Then, Hag and Geezer took me away and decided to adopt me. And here we are now."

By 'hag' and 'geezer' I think he meant Duchess and Duke.

"Are you still looking for him?" I questioned. He nodded.

"Describe him to me, maybe I've seen him before." I proposed.

"Well, the first important thing would be that he's a real fire dragon…" I cut him off there.
"Wouldn't you think a dragon would keep a very low profile."

Natsu didn't know what to say afterwards. We kept talking and before I knew it, it was already night-time. That means I have to share a room with him! I don't know what to do.

So, we made our way to his room. It was at the top of a tower. As soon as the door opened, a blast of heat surged through, I was sweating immediately. I noticed how the walls were strange. The colours of red orange and yellow were painted across them in the shapes of fire and dragons but, there was one corner that had a bunch of fish paintings on it. I suppose it's the work of Happy. Speaking of which, is he going to stay in the same room?

I was right. In came the blue cat. When I turned around, Natsu was already asleep in his bed- wait, no. It's a hammock? This guy-

"Hey Loony, we set up a place for you to sleep in." Said the cat. My name is Lucy but I'm too exhausted to retort anything. Sure enough, there was a cosy corner with pillows and blankets. After today I was so tired so, I just went to sleep, not looking back on anything. Maybe, it won't be as bad as I first thought.