Chapter 7

I Won't Let Him.

Lucy's eyes were filled with shock. The feeling of Dan's cold lips against hers made her want to scream in horror. He pulled away, gazing at the woman in front of him. Dan's mouth formed a smirk, leaning in closer to Lucy's face.

"Get used to that, sweetheart." He mocked her. Her hand formed a fist, her knuckles turning white.

"You shouldn't have done that, asshole." She picked up her fist, slamming it against his face. He fell to the ground, yelping loudly as he hit the ground. He looked up to her, his eyes stared her down.

"You just hit me!" He shouted, getting back up on his feet.

"And you're going to regret touching me." She laughed and turned away, Dan's hand went to reach for her, only to be grabbed by the wrist.

He turned, Natsu's head was to the ground. His breathing was unsteady. "Ever fucking touch her again and I'll kill you."

Natsu kept his gaze lowered as he twisted Dan's arm sharply. Dan cried out in pain, but Natsu continued to twist it until a bone-shattering snap was audible. Dan screamed in agony, collapsing to his knees. Finally, Natsu looked up. Lucy only smiling cheerfully, Natsu followed her, wrapping an arm around her body.

"I'm ready to go back when you are." She said, Natsu laughed lightly.

"Since when are you willing to come with me willingly?" He turned to her, moving his hand down to intertwin with hers.

"Well you didn't really kill my father, but we'll talk about that later." She finished, Natsu gulped, only hoping she would still trust him afterwards.

Moments later, they were next to a white horse, Natsu picked up Lucy, putting her on the steed. He leaped on after she was set and ready to go. Lucy wrapped her arms around Natsu's muscled torso, leaning into him as he snapped the reins and the horse took off galloping down the dirt road. The villagers scattered to make a path for them. They rode through the village in a comfortable silence, the only sound being the hoofbeats underneath. Lucy finally relaxed for the first time that day, watching the scenery pass them.

"Stop! I demand you to stop!" A deep voice yelled that at them ahead. Lucy leaned over Natsu's shoulder, only to see two men in armor and her father block the road before them.

"Hold on, Natsu. I'll handle this." Lucy said with anger in her voice.

Natsu pulled the reins, the horse coming to a halt a few feet away from the guards. Lucy jumped off, her feet lightly hitting the ground. She walked to her father in a steady pace. Jude moved in front of the guards, meeting his daughter halfway. She stopped, her arms crossed in front of her. Her father's footsteps slowed, stopping in front of her.

"What do you think you're doing, Lucy?" He growled at her.

Lucy leaned her head slightly to the side, "I'm not going with you, Father. I'm going back to Fiore without you."

Jude picked up his hand from his side, "How dare you!" Lucy slapped his hand away from her.

"There is nothing in this world that would make me come back to you," Her voice was ice cold. "All the money in the world can't buy you happiness. I figured that out when mom died. So if you think I'm just going to marry Dan, you're dead wrong."

She turned away from him, heading back towards Natsu, who had a smirk plastered on his face. Jude's expression was blank, he faced the guards, "Let's go."

As Natsu helped Lucy back on the horse, she watched as her father went back to the carriage nearby, and see it move to the village. Jude stuck his head out, "We will be back for the kingdom."

Natsu pulled on the reins, the horse moving from a trot to a gallop.

"Why did you lie to me?" Lucy asked Natsu. They had arrived back at the castle moments earlier. The two had headed to the room they had been staying in. No one had entered the room since they had gotten back.

Natsu let out a deep breath, "Because… I had thought if you didn't know your father was alive, you'd be lonely enough to marry me. Apparently I didn't see how stubborn you were going to be." He turned his head, facing the woman next to him. "And I was going to tell you after you stormed out, but then you were kidnapped."

Both of them had collapsed on the bed after entering the room, exhausted from the events earlier. Lucy stared up at the ceiling, the warm sun hitting her face from the window. She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. "I don't know if I want to be married to yet… I mean, you're sweet, Natsu, I just… I want to know that I can trust you. It's hard to do that when you lied to me."

"I know, I'm sorry." He apologized. He moved his hand to hers, grabbing it lightly, "But, I'm still going to try."

They laid there in silence, only hearing quiet breathing coming from both of them. Natsu turned his head, Lucy had fallen asleep. He smiled lightly, leaning into her face. He placed a small kiss on her forehead. "Sweet dreams." He whispered.

Natsu moved slowly, leaving the bed. He covered Lucy up with the blankets, watching her snuggle into them. He turned and tiptoed to the door, pulling it lightly to leave. Once out, he closed it behind him, making sure to make as little noise as possible. He sighed once fully out. Had he fallen this hard for her? What came over him at act so caring for a woman like her? Natsu walked down the corridor, it was quiet. Through the silence, laughing could be heard down the hall, bouncing off the walls, making it louder. As Natsu drew closer to the laughter, he found it was coming from Juvia, who once again was clinging to Gray.

He sigh, lightly rolling his eyes. "Juiva, I know you want to go have some fun with Gray, but I'd like to speak with him."

Juvia nodded, letting go of her beloved. She waved goodbye to both men, turning and walking away from both of them. Gray stared her down, his mouth having spit spill out of it. Natsu looked at him, his eyes narrowing and a brow raising. "Gray, stop drooling like a fucking idiot."

Gray snapped out of his trance and spun around quickly to his best friend. "I'm not an idiot, flame brain!"

Natsu laughed, it boomed throughout the corridor. He shook his head slightly before he started to walk away from Gray. Once Gray had noticed, he followed close behind. The two were silent, both enjoying the silence. They approached the throne room, two maids open the large doors for them. Erza stood by the throne, her head down to the ground, but her stance still held strong. Her eyes pulled up to Natsu as he drew closer to the throne. She picked her head up, bowing to him as he passed.

He flopped down on the throne, huffing loudly. "Erza, Gray." He paused, looking at both of them. His hands intertwined, covering his mouth, "I didn't kill the king."

Gray stepped back, looking at Natsu wide eyed. Erza shared looks with Gray before they both looked at the king. Erza shook her head, rubbing her neck. "But why? Wasn't that the whole plan?"

Natsu kept his eyes low. He had told them that he killed the king, it was their plan from the beginning. He knew he might lose their trust, but it was better for him to tell them, unlike how Lucy had found out. "I'm sorry."

Gray laughed lightly, "We kind of knew you hadn't."

Natsu pulled his hands away from his face, looking to Gray with confusion. "What do you mean you 'kind of' knew I hadn't?"

Erza stepped forward, "We had only thought you hadn't was because you're brutal with your kills, the king's body was never found or thrown away."

Natsu sighed, sitting up in the throne. They were too smart for their own good at times. Given how well they also knew Natsu, nothing could never get pass them. Natsu stood up slowly, giving a glance at Gray. "Listen Natsu, we are not mad at you. But you should tell Lucy that her father isn't dead."

Natsu grabbed the back of his neck, sighing softly. "Yeah, uh, about that… She already knows… That's also why I came to talk to you guys." He let go of his neck, his hand falling to his side. "We met her kidnappers. Her father and Dan Straight. They plan on getting the kingdom back."

Gray and Erza stared at Natsu, then sharing looks with each other. Erza went up to Natsu and grabbed his jacket, tugging him forward, "So you're telling me the guy you let go, now is trying to take his kingdom back?"

Natsu stiffend and he nodded, "I know, I shouldn't have let him go- I should have killed him."

Erza sighed, removing her hands off Natsu's jacket and placing her hand on her hip. Gray places his hands over his face, groaning lightly. Natsu relaxed, plopping down on that small steps in front of the throne. Burying his face in his hands, he felt defeated.

"He won't take over the kingdom." A female voice cut through the silence. Three heads turned to the doors, Lucy walked through. Natsu's mouth opened wide, gawking at the woman who walked in. His eyes were locked on the princess. She was wearing a short black vest with a brown belt, a short white skirt, thigh high brown boots, and her hair in a long ponytail. She walked through the throne room up to the three, her hair swaying behind her.

"Lucy…" Natsu whispered out, standing up and meeting her. "What do mean?"

She stopped inches away from Natsu. The room was silent as she jutted her chin up.

"I won't let him." She said, curling her fist.

Natsu blinked, taken aback. He glanced to Gray and Erza who both looked just as shocked.

"You're… Helping us?" Natsu tilted his head like a confused puppy. "After everything we've done… Why?"

Lucy looked at the faces around her, focusing on Natsu, "I've never seen first-hand what my father had done to the people of Fiore. I never want that to happen again- and if that means fighting beside you, then so be it."

Natsu allowed the surprise to melt from his face, instead he furrowed his brows, "You're willing to fight against your own father?"

Lucy was quite a moment, choosing her words carefully, "I will do whatever it takes to keep him from power."

Natsu finally smirked, "That's what I like to hear. We still need to discuss things of your father's allies. We cannot allow them to regain control of the throne. Come on," he held out his hand to Lucy. "We should talk more about this. Gray, Erza, I will keep you two updated."

Lucy took his hand, gazing into his eyes, almost in a trance as she allowed him to lead her. Their steps became in sync as they walked away from the still shocked people behind them. Natsu held Lucy's hand tight, afraid to let go. Lucy only sighed happily, giggling shortly after.

"The look on your face was priceless." She laughed out.

"Hey! You'd be surprised too if some girl you threatened days ago is willing to work with you." He defended himself, holding his other hand in the air out of frustration. Natsu's lips made a frown, he pouted down the corridor as Lucy continued to laugh at him.

"Oh, don't be so butt hurt." She said in between giggles. Natsu looked to his side, his expression softening. The look of the princess being happy made her look beautiful. He felt as if his air escaped his lungs.

Lucy turned to him, noticing his stare. She stuck out her tongue, giving him a small raspberry before letting go of his hand and sprinting away from him. Natsu looked at his hand then at the princess, only to run after her. He grinned as his feet slammed against the ground. Lucy giggled feet in front of him, trying to keep her run.

Lucy bursts through the bedroom door, Natsu following close behind. Natsu jumped after her, his arms wrapping around her body. Their laughs joined together as Natsu tackled Lucy to the bed. They sighed, catching their breath. Silent steady breathing, Natsu sighed heavily, Lucy followed suit, only after bumping her arm next to him.

Natsu sat up, studying the girl beneath him. Her mouth formed a small smile as her arm lifted up placing her hand gently on Natsu's head. His thick hair kept Lucy's hand lifted partly, her fingers intertwined in his locks. Her expression softened, eyes begging to close. Lucy raised her head as she pulled Natsu, his head coming down to hers. His eyes opened wide in shock, he wanted to scream in joy, but he melted into the kiss that Lucy was giving him. He closed his eyes, deepening the kiss between them. They pulled away, staring at each other deep in the eyes.

"Lucy… marry me."