Making my way down the elegant stone steps with Gajeel and I could hear his laughter before even rounding the corner into the grand dining room. He sat there, laughing with a few of his men still as shirtless as she had left him. Making my way to my uncle's table I could hear him talking about a recent battle he had led his team to a successful mission. The men all cheered him when they seen me approaching and then passing by. I sat near my uncle and began drinking the wine that was awaiting me there. I could hear all the rumblings and grunts of the men bouncing off all the walls and tried to drown out as much noise as I could before a booming voice pulled me back out.
"I trust you and my son had a nice talk, Princess." Lord Fullbuster said behind almost mountains of empty ale cups. I laughed slightly and set my wine down.
"It was honestly quite enlightening, My Lord." His laughter made the whole room seem silent before he gave me a wink.
"He's a bit stubborn, I'm sure he will come around eventually. Since his mother was killed, he's grown rather. . . distant. The demon in him didn't help much to that either. I kept the agreement despite this because my late wife was adamant that you would be his perfect match." Gray must of voiced his disapproval on the way here as his father seemed to understand what subtle words I left for him to decipher. I had no idea it was his mother who made the final choice on it being me. Briefly, I wondered what she had idealized about me as a one year old babe she'd never even laid her eyes on that made me the perfect match for one such as him.
"It is rather a rough transition, my dear," Uncle Jose reminded. "The man has many pressures. He is to be King. You must bear him sons."
I picked up my wine and drank the whole glass my eyes never leaving his. "I understand my duties. Lord Fullbuster, what of our agreement to my people? Will they have all they require?" I questioned.
"Oh ho! Quite the young delegate, aren't you? You will make a marvelous queen yet. We bought 100 pallets of wheat, grains, and fruits. And even more of ones filled with meat. I had Gray and his fastest rider deliver them to the villages on our way in to show how our alliance was strong. He made all the drops in celebration of his and your impending marriage. Did he not tell you?" I looked down at my chest and quietly answered him.
"No, My Lord. He did not." Why had he kept that hidden from me? He openly defied our alliance to my face when I asked about what my people needed, but he had already met their needs. He had gone to my small villages and told them that it was in celebration of them. Gray had done this for me, but never tried to take the credit I would've given him for already attending to the needs of mine and well, soon his people. Starting off with such a wonderful way to win over the people, I could close my eyes and imagine his joyful speech. 'It is I, your new Prince and soon, King. I have come from far to lay claim to my arrangement to Princess Juvia of High Sea. This is our wedding gift to the lands. All shall eat happy and reach fulfillment this night and next so long as I shall live!'
I turned my gaze to him, still laughing with his men. His eyes reached up and met mine and I could see he had begun to feel the dizziness from the ale. He didn't seem emotionless anymore, in fact, his face said everything else. I watched as he stood, slowly walking towards me, his eyes never once flinching from mine until he stood right before me.
"Prince Gray! What a strong young king you will be!" Jose proclaimed as he and Lord Fullbuster clinked their ale mugs together. "I suspect all your needs are being met, Your Grace?"
"And then some. Thank you for the hospitality, My Lord. I have had my fill for this evening and it has been a long journey. I am in much need of rest." Gray only glanced away to thank my Uncle before looking down again. He took my hand in his and slowly raised it to his lips. "Goodnight, Princess."
I waited another 15 minutes and two more cups of wine before standing and saying my good nights. I bowed before Lord Fullbuster thanking him once more. I took my leave without saying anything else as the wine I had begin drinking began to slowly twist my reality. I made it to the big open windows when I realized the day was done and it was almost dusk. My mothers flowers would bloom soon, and I sure needed to believe I could find the light right now. I went to turn around before someone grabbed my wrist and my waist and threw me into the stone wall. I fought as hard as I could for a minute, before gathering energy from inside when I realized it was Gray was holding me. I calmed, but only a little as he still held me tight to the wall. I noticed now as his hot breathe hit my neck that he was a lot more drunk than I had thought earlier.
"Do you know who I am?" He mused.
"Gray-sama-" was all I managed to get out before his lips were crashed onto mine. He was so cold and yet so warm that I wasn't sure what to do for a moment. My first kiss was stolen from me, and I always knew it would be his steal but never like this. I moved my mouth with his and wait. . . when had I started kissing him back? Just then he tangled his hands in my long hair, pulled back and watched me. I could feel my face begin to blush as I stood there unsure of what to say or do. He had every right to kiss me, but why had he done it?
"You've never kissed until just then, had you?" He said almost breathless as I fought to feel the same anger for him that I had felt before. I couldn't find my voice so I nodded my head. He moved his hands still through my hair as he made me look up at him. "Back home, I am one of the most wanted men alive. I've had amazing women as my compliments for winning wars. What are you compared to them? You've never done anything worth sustenance have you? Nothing for your nation, nothing for even your own very personal urges." He smirked as he slowly pushed away from me and began walking away down the hall. I stood there for what felt like ever trying to convince my heart of what my head warned. He was no doubt, trouble.
