Sister Lucy didn't like it when it came to dancing. Because the dance was different from the dance she had learned before, the dance originated from Feliose. No, she didn't like it in the slightest. The dance from Thelua lacked grace, so would she say, and too much variation. She never showed it; the displeasure. I knew she was respecting the teacher who came from Thelua just to teach her the dance.

I never said it to her, but I like it when she danced. Both Feliose and Thelua dance. I think she had more grace than the teacher. Sister Lucy was good at memorizing the steps and the basic moves was done in two days. The variations were done in five days. It was exactly one week that the teacher stayed in Feliose.

I never heard any compliments coming from the teacher, though.

Maybe Sister Lucy was just enduring it all.

A Tale from Thelua

[4] embarrassment

The night the wedding ceremony ended, Lucy had to sleep with him. The priest who blessed the bedroom and the witness were already left. It felt weird, the shift from being in an open room with crowds to a quiet, closed space of bedroom. Both were still sitting on the bed and she was waiting for him to move first. She knew he wouldn't be touching her. And neither would she.

Lucy glanced to the window and saw moon peered in the sky. It was cold, the spring night was windy and even if the window was shut, she still felt cold. Maybe she was tired from today's ceremony. Maybe she was tired of putting up the façade.

In the end, she was the one who made the first move. The pillow was soft beneath her head. Soft and pleasantly cool. When she closed her eyes, she could hear rustle coming from beside her. When her mind was drifting, she felt thick clothes over her. When she opened her eyes, she came to see an arm over her and when the arm withdrew, she came eye to eye with him.

The light had been turned off, but she could still see the line of his face. He was staring back at her impassively. She found herself smiling a little. "Lucy Dragneel," she said.

The man blinked and took her stretched hand in his, kissing the back of her small hand. "Natsu Dragneel," he said. He leaned into the bed and slept on his side. They shared the blanket and it was warm. Lucy found herself studying her hand, the place where he had placed his lips on. I hope I don't have to dance tomorrow.

The night quickly changed into dawn and Lucy woke up with the empty spot beside her. He wasn't there, and the bedding was cold. She studied the scenery through the window. The sun had barely rose high. Did he, perhaps, woke in the middle of the night and return to his room? Lucy was aware of the true nature of this marriage, but did he had to openly show her his distaste?

The door was knocked, and several maids entered the room carrying clothes and jewellery. She was glad that she managed to wake up on her own. At least the maids wouldn't have to see her sleeping face.

"My lady, the bath is ready," said one of the maid.

Maybe she had to try to accustom herself with this pattern of waking up, bathing, getting dressed; all with the help of three maids. And maybe she had to remember the kinds of perfume used in the water, so she could tell the maids beforehand. Rose never appealed her nose, but she doubted they had green tea in Thelua.

When she was all dressed, Natsu came in with a man whose hair had the colour of cobalt. He had a sword on his left, dressed like a knight, but she didn't once saw him since her arrival one week ago. He must be Natsu's private knight.

"I'll wait outside," the knight said to Natsu and left with the three maids following suit.

The door was shut lightly, and Lucy opted to study the hair arranged by the maid in the mirror. She glanced briefly to the left side of the mirror and saw the reflection of him still standing, looking at anything but her. That didn't upset her, no, but it itched her that he made no pleasantries to break the silent.

She didn't like to make assumption, but almost five minutes passed and all he did was shifting from standing to leaning to the door. Okay, maybe he is not the type who talk much. Lucy slipped into her shoes and stood. She walked towards him and stopped several steps away from him and greeted him.

"Good morning," she greeted.

"Good morning," he replied, "Lucy."

She smiled, not because he replied her greeting, but because he could address her name casually. That meant he didn't have any problem with talking. He would be the next ruler, after all. There bound to be charisma dwelling somewhere in him and she was prepared to force it out in case he was just how she expected him to be.

"Those shoes," Natsu suddenly said, "is impractical for dancing."

Lucy studied her shoes that the maids prepared for her. The heels were too high and thin. She never wore one with such heels back in Feliose, but she guessed the ladies in Thelua loved being tall. She knew if she forced it she might end up embarrassing herself.

"Of course. But I suppose it's better than dancing with bare feet."

Natsu offered his hand and Lucy couldn't help but questioning the gesture silently. "Shall we practice?"

That made Lucy smiled. "Very well."

She took his hand and they moved to the centre of the room. He bowed, and she curtsied. They danced the basic move. Lucy knew it, even before he told her. They would also dance the basic one for the next two days. The celebration lasted for five days, in which she had to lead the dance for three days.

His offer wasn't ill-intended, but there was something bitter behind it. Maybe it was because she was over-thinking the state when she woke up this morning; she didn't dare to ask him why. Yet. Maybe it was because she had to endure the five days of celebration. Maybe it was finally sunk in her head that she was representing two countries, hence she ought to be perfect.

Lucy didn't have anything against being perfect. She was supposed to be the luckiest girl of all.

In such society, where one might marry someone ten years older, she managed to marry one whose age is just a few years older than her. She was born in a loving family, educated properly, and loved by her people. It wasn't wrong to think that she was a girl who born with all. Of course, that was what the people see and what she was supposed to show.

If only, she thought, if only by dancing she could show how perfect she was, then she was fine of having blisters on her foot. She just prayed to the Moon God that she managed to dance without having her shoes slipping or broken.

"Natsu, did you return to your room last night?" She found herself blurting out the question.

Natsu gave her a sidelong glance. "I did," he said, and Lucy was unable to decide whether she should be insulted and mad because last night was supposed to be their first marriage night, even if all they do was sleeping, or be thankful because sometime she moved around as she slept.

"You kicked me out of bed," Natsu murmured. "Several times."