Chapter four

Natsu P.O.V

I stood behind the bathroom door waiting for Loke to finish doing his hair, "Get out I have to pee!" I banged on the door.

"Pee outside if you have to, I have to look presentable for my Lucy," I could feel his smirk through the door.

His Lucy? That's stupid why would he want her?

I ran all the way downstairs to go and use the other toilet stupid Loke making me go all the way downstairs. After I got out I saw Gray eating a fully prepared breakfast, "any for me?"

I looked at his plate to see nothing but frozen food, "on second thought…"

Laxus, Gajeel, Freed and Bickslow played cards on the dining table, they greeted me, "where you boys off to?" Laxus asked.

I made myself something to eat when Loke came downstairs, "morning boys."

I sat next to Gajeel, "to see Lucy," I answered.

They all nodded their heads, "the new girl?" Freed asked.

"She's more than just the new girl," Gray said with a full mouth.

"Someone is in looooove…" Bickslow dragged out the word love.

"Love, Love, Love," his babies repeated.

I tilted my head, "why would you fall in love with Lucy?" I asked amused.

They guys looked at each other then laughed, Loke stood behind me, "If you don't know what love is, don't fall in it," he was joking but sounded serious.

I finished my food and the three of us made our way to town, I wonder if Lucy is waiting for us? I don't want her to be alone so we better rush, unfortunately the boys wanted to take the trian because it'd be faster. In all honesty they just want to kill me so they can have Lucy to their selves, damn perverts. We finally got off the train and I could hardly walk, it was torture.

"Natsu come on, Lucy wants to see us all there alive including you," Gray yelled waving his arms in front of me.

"I think I'm gonna puke," I could feel it coming up.

Loke ran in the other direction, well I think its Loke he just looks like a blur, "stay back Natsu!"

Somehow I found the strength to stand up and walk; we made it to Cannon Street when I saw a female figure with blonde hair running in my direction, "Natsu! Are you alright?"

"Luce, I can't feel my face…"

I had dozed off and woken up on something really soft; I looked up to see two round things in front of me. They look squishy, I saw blonde hair coming down when I finally realized what I was looking at, "Natsu are you okay?"

I looked over to see Gray and Loke pissed off, their face showed nothing but jealousy, "the flame freak gets like this every time we take any form of transportation."

I sat up to see an annoyed Lucy, "then why did you take the train, you could have walked?"

Loke spoke up, "true but we didn't want to keep you waiting."

Lucy sighed, "That's fine, are you alright Natsu? I can take you home if you want?"

I stood up suddenly energetic to Lucy's surprise, "no need, I'm all fired up," I grabbed her wrist running straight for the markets.

I heard Lucy laugh which made me feel relieved, Loke and Gray followed behind annoyed. Did she really care that much was she that worried? Well I guess she's never seen me like that, I'd be worried if I saw her the way I was.

We strolled through the markets browsing through all the cheap souvenirs, "why do you keep taking pictures?" I asked Lucy.

She took another photo then answered me, "well this might be the last time I go into town alone so I want to treasure it as much as I can," she held the camera up and took a picture of me, then one of Gray and Loke together.

I saw two fireballs at a stall, "hey Lucy this is my favorite snack, you have to try it," I held four up.

"Hey I wanna try on second thought.." Gray butted in.

"Whatever Lucy is doing I'm in," Loke added.

I sighed, "Fine then," I only looked at Lucy though Gray and Loke ruin everything, "you put them in your mouth and leave them there until the flavor pours out," I threw one in my mouth leaving it there then stuck out my tongue to show Lucy the flavor coming out, "see," I tried to speak with my tongue out.

Gray and Loke turned away groaning in disgust, "Natsu not cool," Gray yelled.

"That's so nasty," Loke shivered.

Lucy focused on the fireball placing it in her mouth; she jumped around waving her hands for air, "Lucy are you okay?" The three of us asked anxious.

She swallowed it smiling, "did you like it?" I asked.

She began to laugh out loud, "That was really fun, Natsu I don't know how you eat that it's literally fire!"

"Hey look that man over there is selling Ice cones!" Gray pointed out.

"I think you need that Lucy," Loke suggested.

We went over; the three of them got Ice cones while I just stared at them trembling at the thought of ice, they ate their ice whilst we watched a puppet show about a three boys that fall in love with one girl. The girl puppet had blonde hair and reminded me of Lucy and all the other guys were all very different, Lucy looked amused by the whole thing.

When it was over we walked away into a book store, "that puppet show was ridiculous, how three guys could fall for the same girl?" Lucy said absentmindedly.

"I don't know Lucy it seems pretty plausible…" Loke leaned on one of the counters.

Lucy didn't seem to believe it, "maybe if the girl was smart, beautiful, cute, caring and a fighter yeah," she looked at us, "but there is no woman that perfect," she placed a finger on her chin, "maybe Erza she's amazing!"

There were uncomfortable bolts of lightning that bolted through Loke, Gray and I in sync, Titania is amazing but not in that way.

"You know you struck me as a hopeless romantic," Gray said.

We walked out the store with nothing hut boring books, "these are all romance no action!" I complained.

"I am a hopeless romantic, but three guys one girl, it's just infatuation."

"Infatuation?" I asked.

"Short lived passion or admiration for someone of something," Lucy explained.

I thought for a moment, "so like… thinking you like someone but you don't really."

"Bingo Natsu!" Loke mocked me.

I pulled up my fist, "you wanna go Lion!?"

Lucy laughed, "So how Juvia feels for me?" Gray asked.

"Aren't you and Juvia boyfriend and girlfriend?" Lucy asked.

"Hell no! That woman is too clingy, besides I don't like clingy…" Gray tried very hard to make a strong case.

Lucy bit her lip, "Oh okay."

Gray and Luce walked ahead of us whilst I asked Loke a question, "what does it mean when a girl bites her lip?"

Loke looked at me strange, "many things, I'm glad you're finally asking me about women. I was starting to fear you were a little slow… biting your lip could mean many things such as: desire, relief, nervousness, and seduction just whatever the girl is trying to convey."

I nodded, "I knew Lucy is weird," I mumbled.

We stood at the edge of Cannon Street about to leave, "how are you getting home princess?" Loke asked.

Lucy blushed, "since when do you call me princess?"

Gray coughed coyly, "try hard," I laughed.

Lucy nudged me, "he used to call me brat, because I was always better than him in everything."

I laughed, "You're still better than him in everything, to add up you're pretty he's not."

Luce laughed awkwardly blushing, she's such a girl.

"Anyway, we are going in that direction, will you be okay?" Gray asked.

"My home is walking distance so…" I didn't let her finish.

"I'll walk you home!" I pushed Lucy lightly waving the others off.

I stuck my tongue out when Lucy wasn't looking; I knew they all had the same thing on their minds. I'm just faster and better, always will be.

Lucy and I walked in silence most of the walk, till I saw her quivering, "are you cold?"

"No I just like to shake when I get the chance, silly," she tried to smile.

What to do in a situation like this? I put my arm around her pulling her in close so she could feel my body heat, "better?"

"You have no idea what it's like to get cold do you?"

I shrugged, "only when Gray's ice hits me, then I know true terror," she giggled.

We arrived at her house which was huge; I didn't know a house this big could fit in the city of Magnolia, "you live here?" I pointed at the unnecessarily large building before my eyes.

"Yes I do, I know it's big and it's just my father and I including a couple maids, cook, butlers, drivers, you know staff."

My jaw dropped.

Lucy P.O.V

I was about to say goodbye to Natsu when Capricorn came out introducing himself, "hello I am Capricorn, butler for Lucy Heartfilia and her deceased mother Layla Heartfilia, please come in."

Natsu walked in absentmindedly, "he doesn't have to come in," I whispered annoyed with Capricorn.

"This gentleman took the time to walk in the cold and drop you home, we are obligated to show him our hospitality," he gestured for me to go inside as well.

I pouted, "You're right Capricorn. Though father won't like it…"

Natsu walked into the main sitting area which was closest, Natsu took a seat on the sofa which in the world of the upper class would be considered rude, though I found it quite amusing and carefree, "Virgo will you go and run me a bath, please?"

Pink smoke appeared startling Natsu, "yes Princess and bubbles too?"

"As always," I winked playfully.

"Luce your house is amazing, it could fit a dragon!" Natsu stood up.

I laughed in pleasure, "a dragon, Natsu that's absurd!"

"No Lucy it's true I was raised by a dragon, his name was Igneel," he was serious.

I sat down on the couch and he sat next to me, "really?"

"Yeah, you know I used Fire Dragon Slayer Magic," I nodded, "Igneel taught me… but…"

I leaned in intrigued I never knew that there were people out there raised by dragons, "but what Natsu?"

He suddenly looked very sad and almost angry, "he disappeared… I haven't seen him since but every summer holiday I search for him. I will find him one day," I liked this side of Natsu. It was caring and passionate.

I touched his shoulder, "you will one day, and I promise you that."

We were interrupted when father walked in, he had a serious face as usual, "father, your home. I thought you were on a business trip?"

"I was and now I am back, who is this?"

"I'm Natsu! Lucy's best friend," Natsu put up a fist of flames.

I looked at Natsu bewildered hoping that dad wouldn't kill him, or try, "I see, how was the town?" Father was never fond of mages, even though his wife was one herself.

"Fine, I was with Natsu today. Capricorn invited him in."

Father walked over directing Natsu to the door, "it was nice meeting you young man, I must talk with my daughter alone," he looked around, "Capricorn, please set Marcus up to send this young mage home."

"Yes your Grace," Capricorn did as ordered.

Natsu left and my father turned back to me, "meet me in my office after you bath."

I nodded walking away with Virgo; I sat in my bubble bath apprehensive as to what my father wanted to tell me, "Did Father seems a little more serious than usual?"

"It's hard to tell princess, should you punish me for not knowing?"

I waved my hands, "no that's alright."

I got out dressing into my pajamas and a night gown over them; I made my way to Father's study, he was staring out the wind smoking a pipe, "father you act older than you are," I tried to joke.

"Take a seat my daughter," I did as he asked, "I have so good news."

I tilted my head, "good news?"

"On my business trip I encountered many Princes and none suitable for you, how old are you now?"

"Seventeen father."

He nodded in approval, "you will be wed soon."

My eyes widened, "please… no…" I whispered.

"You are a Princess, and I have met two very respectable Princes. You shall meet them tomorrow, and I shall give you time to get to know the both of them and chose."

I stood up taking a deep breath, tears in my eyes, "I just started a new school, my dream school. Please don't ruin this for me with and arranged marriage."

"Arranged? I am giving you a choice!" He raised his voice.

"A choice this is an ultimatum, if I chose neither I shall be disowned and unable to marry ever!" I yelled.

I nodded slowly, "you are very right."

I sat back down tears running down my face.

"If you agree to marry one of these men you shall continue to attend Fairy Tail High and see your so called friends allowing you to live your life, if you do the opposite you shall be shipped to the other side of Earthland immediately to live with your great aunt," he stepped closer, "is that fair?"

My breaths were short and uneven, "yes father," what choice do I have.

I walked steadily to my room excusing Virgo and going into bed, I had stopped crying. Tears were no longer an option, I was to meet my suitors and make a choice over a period of time. I wasn't going to cry I am still able to see my friends and carry out my life as some would consider normal; the only difference is that my husband will already be decided. What was I to expect I am a princess, Lady Heartfilia, I am privileged? Well at least I have it better than Cousin Mary; she had to marry a man fifteen years older.

Although I can still think about boys, like Gray, Loke and Natsu, I don't know if I like them, but they do make me feel funny inside. A good kind of funny, the kind I want to feel again. I'm not too keen to break this news to Loke, though he knew one day I was to be put in an arranged marriage. I always thought it'd be with him, not until father found out his family had lost all trading deals in the East. Maybe if it was Loke I would have dealt with the situation a little more respectably for a princess, I wonder who the suitors are. They are obviously Princes and only two; we are the riches family in all Fiore so it'd have to be a family with many investments and business partnerships. The second richest, I can only think of thank fat Prince in the North. Dear Lord if it's him I shall graciously exile myself, I laughed trying to lighten up the situation.

Tomorrow is going to be the day I meet my future husband.