Chapter Six – The Lost Prince

""Enter," said a curt, masculine voice.

Lucinda closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door to her father's study.

"I'm home, Father," she said quietly, gliding towards the silhouette of a tall figure, curtsying. His attention was seemingly turned towards the scenery of the background, but his tone suggested otherwise.

"Explain."

Straight-forward as always, the Princess thought despondently.

"I was captured by a band of thieves in the middle of the night. Evidently, I was still unconscious, so I had no idea what was happening to me at the time. They took me to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, where the Winter Sprite intervened—"

"And why was that?" the King interrupted.

"It was his territory. Naturally, he would want to protect it from having his area trampled over by brigands," she replied stiffly. She had a lot of time to think and revise a fake testimony during the long carriage ride back.

He nodded tersely.

"The sprite took on a human form, and was able to defeat the thieves, rescuing me at the same time," Lucinda continued, "afterwards, he took me to his home and watched over me and waited until I woke."

"You were missing for approximately six months, Lucinda."

"A dragon attacked. The Winter Sprite was severely hurt, and I could not simply leave him in a broken state, after everything he's done for me. So I stayed and nursed him back to full health. Despite him being a spirit, he used a human body; therefore his injuries were as real and as painful as if I was harmed," the Princess lied.

"And the dragon?"

"He flew off, but when decided to return when you sent the Royal Guards after me. Again, the Winter Sprite protected me. They shot at the dragon," she swallowed, "with arrows dipped in toxic poison. H-he's most likely d-dead by now."

She winced at the wobble in her last sentence, but if her father had heard the slight break in her voice, he made no indication.

There was a tense silence.

"Very well," he said, eyes still focused on the large window behind his mahogany desk, "there will be a ball in honour of your eighteenth birthday that will take place in one week, in which I will be inviting the Northern Kingdom royal family. Your engagement to their Prince will be announced during the dance."

"E-engagement, Father?" Lucinda's eyes widened.

"Their Prince had just returned. Like you, he was missing for quite a long period of time. They desperately needed to gain a foothold without an heir, but now that they have one, your marriage with him will ensure the two Kingdoms' unity and we will stand stronger against the Eastern and Western joint monarchy," he answered briskly.

The blonde clenched her fist. It was completely and utterly unfair!

"I understand, Father. I will marry him for the future of our empire," she said flatly.

…But what choice did she have? Her father was King, thus his word was law, even for her.

"Good. You are dismissed."

Lucinda restrained herself from fleeing from his study, instead forcing herself to take slow, measured steps to the hefty, double doors.

As soon as she was free of her father's presence, the Princess picked up her skirt and ran to her room, stumbling a few times and startling a number of servants, who watched her with pity and sadness in their eyes.

Lucinda threw herself onto her bed and released the torrent of tears she'd held back.

"Princess? The tailor needs your measurements," a voice knocked on her door.

"I'll deal with it later," she replied, rolling to her side and hugging her pillow, staring at the sun that had begun to rise above the horizon.

"Will I be punished, Princess?"

"No, Virgo. You may leave, thank you," Lucinda said tiredly, a silent tear trickling down her cheek as she continued to watch sky lighten with a heavy heart.


【 】


The week blurred in her mind, the Princess no longer able to function with enthusiasm.

She went about her usual routine as the Southern successor, attending "important" meetings with her father (who barely glanced at her, or asked her judgment on anything, which made the conferences unbearably boring), studying the history of the Four Kingdoms, and practicing her waltz for the upcoming ball.

At least he remembered my birthday, she thought sourly.

But she was almost positive that it was one of his attendances who reminded him. After all, such an inconsequential thing like that was hardly worth the greatKing's concentration or effort.

Lucinda kept her word, and stayed inside the castle at all times, either reading whatever novel her maids could sneak in for her, or simply thinking about her former companions, the daring and bold Winter Sprite, and the ferocious and benevolent Fire dragon. She was certain that the two must despise her for deceiving them, and putting them in danger. It wasn't her intention; all she wanted was an escapade! The blonde prayed that Gray would be able to heal the injured Natsu before the poison reached his bloodstream. This was what she was counting on. As long as her two knights were safe, she wouldn't mind being a Princess and held captive to her own home.

After all, falling in love with a dragon wasn't exactly on her list of things to do before she died.

"Princess, your final fitting, please," the blonde teen turned around and nodded, forcing a smile on her face.

It used to be so easy, hiding a sad face behind a cheerful façade, but now, it was tedious. Maybe it was because she'd truly found happiness … only to lose it.

Lucinda sighed and followed the younger servant towards the dressmaker's room for minor last minute alterations.


【 】


"Finished," the lavender-haired maid announced, stepping back. "Will I be punished, Princess?"

"No. Thank you, Virgo," she smiled warmly.

The female in contract bowed and excused herself from the dressing room.

"Wahh, you look so pretty, Lu-chan!" Lucinda turned and smiled at the azure-haired noblewoman.

"You too, Levy-chan!"

Her one and only other friend that was allowed inside the fortress occasionally, was Levy McGarden, a female born into a noble family.

They'd met at a diplomatic convention, where Levy's father was the head of the committee, next to the King. The two girls clicked instantly, and became the best of friends, writing letters that often contained their wishes and dreams for the future or whimsical desires. Their meetings always gave Lucinda a flutter of joy.

Tonight, Levy's blue hair was straightened and fell smoothly to her shoulders. She abandoned her usual headband, instead trading it for an indigo ribbon to keep her bangs from falling into her eyes. Her dress was a light purple, lilac-coloured, with layers of chiffon, jewels, and ruche satin on the bodice. Her arms were bare, apart from a single, silver chain that rested on her right wrist, a present from a special someone.

"Hoping to catch someone's eye?" Lucinda nudged her friend playfully.

Levy blushed. "W-what are you talking about? I didn't dress up for Gajeel!"

"Ah, but Levy-chan—I never mentioned anything about Gajeel," her eyes gleamed mischievously, laughing softly when the bluenette spluttered excuses. She always knew her shy, intelligent female bookworm had a spark of interest for the delinquent aristocrat. Personally, Lucinda found herself slightly intimidated by the glowering male, but knew that he had a soft spot for the scholar.

"Are you excited to see your new husband?" Levy changed the subject quickly. "You look magnificent tonight!"

Lucinda wore a beautiful, crimson-coloured ball gown, the bodice and upper skirt layer in a luscious deep pink peony, created by her seamstress using the finest silk in the country. Below, the fitted, ruched bodice was accented with flowers at the strap and dropped waist, the dress flaring at her ankles.

Her glossy, blonde hair was tied in an elegant, chignon bun, her look completed with smoky eyes, neutral lips, and a light coating of rose-coloured blush. Delicately hanging from her earlobes was a pair of miniature diamonds. On her feet, she wore pale, cream-coloured, Latin dancing shoes.

"He's not my husband, Levy-chan," the Princess sighed, "and I'm not sure how I feel about someone I've never met before in my life."

"Not yet," the bluenette said impishly.

"Besides, you know who I like," Lucinda murmured, eyes dropping to the floor.

"Aww, Lu-chan! Maybe the Prince will turn out to be good looking," Levy hugged her friend consolingly.

"Maybe," she agreed when she was released.

"Let's go," the azure-haired female hooked her arm around the blonde's, pulling her towards the door. They could hear the laughter and clinking of wine goblets floating up the grand staircase.


【 】


"Ladies and gentlemen, the Princess of the Southern Celestial Kingdom, Lucinda Heartfilia!"

Lucinda took a deep breath and plastered on a feigned smile, descending down the steps slowly as the crowd parted for her, clapping politely.

She ignored the hungry gazes of the perverted men in the room, focusing her gaze forward as she reached the bottom, where her father waited for her.

Just as her heels touched the waxed floor, a familiar voice called, "Lucy!"

Lucinda froze, turning her head around so fast that she nearly gave herself a whiplash.

The world seemed to disappear when her eyes widened in recognition.

"Natsu!" she whispered in shock.


【 】


"Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?"

Lucinda giggled, looking up at a grinning Natsu as she rested her head against his hard chest.

"Mmm, maybe once or twice," she murmured, tightening her hold on his neck as they swayed to the slow beat of the music.

She laughed softly to herself as she remembered the details of the night that lead them to this point.

"What's so funny, Luce?" he tilted her chin up, onyx eyes twinkling.

Instead of answering his question, the Princess leaned up and kissed him gently.

"I still can't believe you're here," she responded to his silent inquiry.

He chuckled. "The stripper really came through. I owe him one."

Lucinda closed her eyes.


【 】


As soon as she'd realized it was Natsu, she picked up her skirt and ran towards him, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. Later, she would be thankful that Virgo had done her makeup with waterproof materials, but at the moment, all she could concentrate on was the familiar warmth of the man in front of her as he embraced her.

He grinned the grin she loved, the wide, happy smile she first fell in love with, soothing her as he murmured, "shh … I'm here, Luce."

"How is this possible?" she'd asked weakly, hiding her face in his clothed, human chest. "'Cause the last time I checked, you were still a dragon!"

The crowd had melted away respectfully, all of them sensing the magnitude of the two teens' reunion.

"Yeah, well, there's something I hadn't mentioned," Natsu winced. "I was actually enchanted by an old jii-chan I met while I was on a mission. I kinda … yelled at him by accident. I'm actually the Prince of the Northern Kingdom."

At this point, Lucinda couldn't tell if she was laughing or crying. Probably a mixture of both.

"Oh, Natsu," she blubbered. She pulled away for a moment to take in his new (well, old-ish, considering that he was the same age as her), human features.

Natsu's hair spiked up in random directions, almost defying gravity, retaining the same salmon colour as his scales was when he was a dragon. He was a few inches taller than her, with a lean, well-built body. She was fascinated by how fit he was, similar to Gray.

He wore top the same shade of red as her dress, with gold epaulettes, black trousers, and black boots. A sash crossed his left shoulder to the side of his waist, decorated with medals and buttons he earned as a soldier (something the Southern Princess demanded he stop immediately—there was no way she was going to lose him again, in which he agreed, albeit reluctantly) that shined in the dimming lights of the dance hall. He was exceedingly handsome as a human, and she disliked the glances he was receiving by the female population in the room (just like the way he glared at the males who tried to inch closer to peek at her cleavage).

"Luce," Natsu gently wiped her tears, beckoning her with a hand as the first strings of, "The Blue Danube," the famous waltz, composed by one of the members in the Strauss family (she'd forgotten which one in the heat of the instant) began to drift through the air.

Her cheeks began to hurt from all her smiling, but she didn't care—for the first time in two weeks, they were genuine.

Lucinda took his hand and they started the customary First Waltz in the center of the ballroom, the swarm of nobles and royalty alike shifting back to watch. But the newly reunited couple only had eyes for one another. They fell into step seamlessly, gliding across the polished floor effortlessly.

When the last notes of the song faded and the second began, another surprise that was in store for her decided to pop up unexpectedly.

"May I have this dance, Lucy?"

The Princess gasped. "G-Gray?"

"I see flame-brain here made it alright," the smirking male remarked.

Natsu merely rolled his eyes and dropped his hands from her waist, letting go of Lucinda grudgingly. "Whatever, droopy eyes."

Gray was about to retort, but quickly snapped his jaw shut when he saw the tears that welled up in her eyes at hearing their accustomed antics. "Er … Lucy! Don't cry! We both came back, right?"

She shook her head ruefully and smiled through her tears.

"I missed you guys so much!" she sobbed, throwing her arms around the two stunned males.

They shared a glance and the dark-haired Winter Sprite gently tugged her towards a more empty area of the room, Natsu disappearing into the crowd, letting them have their moment.

As they begun to sway to the beat of the cellos and violins at the front of the room,—where Lucinda's father sat, watching them with a knowing smile—Gray rested his forehead against hers.

"I won't be coming back," he spoke softly.

"W-what?" she froze in his arms, "w-why?"

"I'm a spirit, Lucy. We're forbidden to speak to humans, unless it's an emergency," he sighed.

"Then why—"

"Did I show myself to you?" Gray smiled, "because I am your guardian. I made a contract with your father eight years ago to protect his one and only daughter."

"So when you saw me that night—"

"Did I know you? I suspected, but I haven't visited the inside of the palace in a long time, so I couldn't be sure," he replied quietly.

"Why—"

"Wouldn't I visit the castle? It brought too many memories back. See, I was a human once, too. I was your childhood friend, Lucy. But I was poor. A peasant, and by law, I was prohibited from seeing you. Ever. But our mothers were friends—my mother used to be your mother's seamstress, so I lived in the palace with you, but I rarely ever saw your face. Being a Princess and all," Gray chuckled bitterly.

A flicker of navy-blue hair and echoing laughter flashed in her mind's eye.

"R-Ryou?" Lucinda gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.

"Glad you remembered," he smiled wanly.

"W-what happened to you? I heard you disappeared during a hunting expedition—"

"Yeah, I was ten, lost in the snowstorm, afraid, and so, so cold," his orbs distanced.

"Anyway, the Four Nature Guardians took pity on me and raised me in the wild. I replaced the Winter Sprite when he retired," Gray blinked, reverting his gaze to the shocked blonde in front of him.

"Gray …," she whispered, cocoa-coloured eyes glowed with sympathy.

"Ah, looks like my time's up," the indigo-haired male spotted the pink clump bobbing from the crowd, releasing his hold on the Southern Princess as the music ended.

"Wait!" Lucinda grasped his hand as he began to withdraw. She touched his chest (somehow still fully clad) and kissed his cheek shyly. "Thank you, Gray. For everything."

The Winter Sprite was taken aback for a second before smiling. "I'll always be watching over you, Lucy … even if you won't be able to see me," was his parting words before he vanished.

"Don't worry, he'll be fine," a voice said reassuringly.

Lucinda watched as snowflakes began to drift from the night sky with an unfathomable gaze before turning back to her Prince, smile widening when she saw the warmth and adoration in Natsu's onyx orbs.

"I know."