The first of the new chapters! Huzzah for updates! R&R is welcome! Most welcome, in fact!
Gajeel spent the next few days surrounded by advisors and planners, preparing for his coronation. He was sure, or at least Mirajane was sure, to always send Levy an apology at not being able to take meals with her, but really, Levy did not mind. She enjoyed her free time, and spent it exploring the ground with Lucy. They walked the great sweeping courtyards, the beautiful gardens, the tall, arched hallways that gleamed in the natural light that streamed in. And while the grounds were lovely, it was the small, private garden just outside her suite that Levy fell in love with.
At the center of it was a simple wooden bench that was old and weathered. Behind it began an archway of latticework, which met the ground on the opposite side of the path; fragrant, purple wisteria hung from it almost like a curtain, perfuming the air, and hiding Levy from view as she sat on the bench. It was quiet here, and peaceful, and besides Lucy's occasional company, it was hers alone.
Often, she would sit cross-legged on the bench, her delicate shoes discarded somewhere, and she would read from morning till sundown. Or, if Lucy joined her, they would talk and laugh and pretend they had not a care in the world.
Of course, that al ended five days later as the guests began to arrive for the coronation. The palace was so busy, so suddenly full of life, it was hard to get a moment to oneself. Levy was excited, however, for she knew some of the guests, some of the dignitaries from the other countries allied with Magnolia and Oak.
Levy sat at Gajeel's side in the throne room on the day of everyone's arrival, Lucy at her right, Jose at Gajeel's left. They were all dressed in their very finest; even Gajeel's hair had been tamed. Levy admitted silently that she liked it a little wild better.
One of the first guests to arrive was Natsu Dragneel, Duke of Hargeon, one of King Makarov's most trusted men, accompanied by his little sister Wendy and their two cats, Happy and Charle. Levy had grown up with Natsu, and she often thought of Wendy as her own little sister. She was happy to see them, and told them so.
"Miss Levy, I missed you," said Wendy, curtseying sweetly.
"Princess, Wendy. It's Princess Levy," reminded Natsu.
"Oh, I am sorry," said Wendy, turning bright red.
"Wendy, dear, think nothing of it. You may call me whatever you wish," reassured Levy, smiling brightly at the young girl.
"Come Wendy," said Natsu. "Your Highness, congratulations on your coronation, and on your upcoming marriage." He and Wendy bowed deeply and were ushered to their rooms by the servants.
"Your countrymen are very polite," said Gajeel quietly to Levy.
"Who, Natsu? He was only showing off in front of Lucy," said Levy, pointing to her handmaiden. "Natsu is the biggest practical joker and general purveyor of annoyance you will ever meet. But he has been madly in love with Lucy since we were children."
"With a servant girl?"
"Of course. Is there something wrong with that?" Levy suddenly remembered the story of Cinderella, and wondered how a prince in real life could be so vastly different from the one in the storybook. "Besides," she added, "Lucy is a duchess. Her family have been retainers for mine for generations, and so they were titled and given large tracts of land in the southeast of Magnolia."
"Oh," replied Gajeel stupidly. He kept his comments to a minimum during the rest of the greeting period, watching his future bride win over each and every guest with her brilliant smile and her kind words. He was quite impressed with her ease of conversation and intelligence. She would certainly be good for him from a political standpoint.
That night there was a grand reception for all the guests. The palace ballroom was bedecked with gold and white, all aglow with bright candlelight. Tables were set up around the edges of the room, leaving space in the center for dancing.
Everyone ate first, Levy next to Gajeel at the head table, surrounded on either side by their closest allies. Dinner was pleasant and Levy made new friends in Gray Fullbuster and his companion Juvia Lockser. Gray was friendly in a general sort of way, and Juvia was sweet, always referring to herself by her own name, and ranting endlessly about Gray. Levy found out that gray did ice magic, and Juvia used water magic; when she told Juvia they made a great pair because of the similarity in their magic, Juvia hugged her emotionally, tears of happiness streaming down her face. She and Lucy and Levy were inseparable until the dancing began.
Levy was certain she and Gajeel would dance at some time during the evening, as they were engaged to be married, but she had expected him to put it off till the very end, preferring to dance with the noblewomen form his own country first. She was surprised then, when he stood at the end of their meal and proffered his hand to her.
"Princess, may I have this dance?" he asked so suavely that Levy actually blushed.
"You may, Sir," she replied. Gajeel pulled her up with ease, and led her around the table to the dance floor.
At the corner of the room, the musicians ceased their repertoire of background songs, and began to play music to dance to. If Levy was shocked at Gajeel's dancing ability, she said nothing, though her heart was pounding inside her chest. Gajeel led her around the dance floor elegantly, his skill exceeding even her own; she had not expected him to be so well rehearsed. She was beginning to see that all of her expectations of him were being thrown out the window, one by one.
When the music stopped, it took both of them a moment to realize it was time to stop dancing. They parted then, blushing slightly; Gajeel moved to ask Juvia, who he knew quite well, to dance, while Natsu stood for Levy's hand.
The night swept on, and eventually the guests began to leave one by one for their bedchambers. Levy gave Lucy the rest of the night to herself, knowing her friend had been preparing all day and was terribly tired. Lucy agreed to have Natsu escort her, which he did after giving a look of pure gratitude to Levy.
Soon, only Gajeel and Levy were left in the ballroom. The musicians had long since gone back to town, and the servants had not yet come to clear up at Mirajane's order; she wanted Gajeel and Levy to have a moment alone after the sparks she had witnessed between them during their dance. She prayed one of the sparks would ignite into the flame of love, for she was a bit of a schemer, and Gajeel and Levy were the unknowing victims of her newest plot. They would be married no matter what, but she wanted them both to be happy about it.
"What a lovely evening," said Levy, taking a sip of her water. "I have not had so much fun in a long time." She smiled warmly at Gajeel. The smile quickly turned into a long yawn. "Oh, excuse me."
"I am glad you enjoyed yourself," said Gajeel in his usual gruff manner.
"Does that mean you did not enjoy the evening?" she asked, eyeing him. She remembered him laughing loudly, and somewhat drunkenly, towards the middle of the evening at some of Natsu and Gray's antics. Natsu and Gray had been seated across from each other and had formed a sort of friendly rivalry within the first ten minutes of their conversation.
"In general, I do not enjoy being around that many people. I prefer being alone or with one or two people."
"Are you uncomfortable in crowds?"
"No, I just dislike them. I have little in common with most people, so it is difficult to be amongst them."
"Well," said Levy, moving closer to Gajeel, "I appreciate the honesty, but we are going to have to break you of that. A good leader needs to be comfortable around people so he can lead his people."
"I have you for that," he murmured. Levy was close enough, she managed to hear him and had to hide her smile.
"Your Highness, I thank you for a lovely evening. And now I am off to bed. Would you be so kind as to escort me to my chamber?"
"Y-yes, of course. Come," he said, extending his hand to her for the second time that night. She took it gladly, felt the warmth of him.
"You are so cold," said Gajeel, suddenly looking at her. "Is that normal?"
"Oh, yes. I am always very cold." It was true, too. Levy had been anemic all her life and was so small that she froze, even in summer. Enough blankets and she was fine, but she woke every morning with cold feet no matter how bundled up she was.
"Is your chamber warm enough? Do you have enough blankets?"
Levy smiled at his worry and reassured him she was all right. He nodded and extended his elbow, around which she slipped her arm, and led her through the halls to her bedchamber. At her door he kissed the top of her hand and bade her goodnight and walked to his own bedchamber with a grin on his face.
Yes, Pantherlily will show up in this story. Since Happy and Charle are in it, Lily, DEFINITELY has to be. He will come in later though, in kind of a special way. So do not fret, our favorite cat is coming soon!
Till next Time!