Damn, this is a long chapter. i didn't really like too long or too short chapter.
however, please read, enjoy and review!
disclaimer: i didn't Fairy Tail, Mashima Hiro-san did.
(**)è
All the princesses and princes gathered at the dining table for the last time. They chit-chatted with each other happily while the breakfast served. Levy, as usual, sat next to her best friend, Lucy. They talked about something which earned a blushed blond princess. Gajeel entered the dining room which caught everyone's attention.
"There's come the fallen warrior," said Lucy, half-whispered. Levy gently hit her hand. Gajeel sat at one edge of the big, long table, near to a vacant seat for the king. Not long after that, King Yajima joined them.
"Thank you for coming. I hope all of you enjoyed your days here," the king said. "I apologised for my sons' ill behaviours. And I apologised for any inconvenient you have here. Please enjoy your meals." The guests started to eat when the king added, "One more thing. I will hold an engagement party for my sons. I hope you can be there to celebrate them." He ended his speech.
Every guest enjoyed their breakfast. Except Lucy Heartfilia. She didn't touch her food. Levy eyed her friend.
"Are you alright? You're not eating." Lucy smiled, shook her head. She put a small piece of food into her mouth and chewed slowly.
(**)è
Juvia just arrived from her home. She intended to visit Natsu first before managing the princesses leave. The princesses would leave the castle today. So, she needed to make sure everything works smoothly. Oh, the princes too. Not much princes accepted the invitation for the ball. This reminded her to a certain handsome black-haired prince. She smiled when remembering him. Of course not Gajeel. Don't get the wrong idea. How the heck will she fall in love with him?
She saw a white-haired man walked toward her. She panicked. She tried to look for other ways to avoid him. Suddenly, someone grabbed her hand and pulled her into a small room. Her heart beating faster and her knees felt weakened. Juvia was known as a strong young lady, despite her noble status. She never felt this way. It was more frightening than facing a mass murderer.
"You alright?" Her saviour asked. She looked up.
"G-Gray-sama?" He realized he still held her hand which then he quickly let it go.
"Lyon was looking for you since last night." She nodded. Gray peeked through the small opening of the door. "Haven't seen you last night. Where were you?"
"Hmm, I went back home."
"You didn't stay here?" She shook her head. He grabbed her hand, making her startled. "You're going anywhere now? I'll help you escape," he said, looked directly into her eyes.
"I'm going to visit Natsu."
The black-haired prince pulled the bluenette young lady and asked her to lead to Natsu's room. His eyes wandered in order to avoid meeting his brother. As they reached their destination, they quickly entered the room.
The pink-haired prince was resting on his bed. His neck and his left arm were bandaged. He was not allowed to leave his room until he was fully recovered. He raised his brows as he saw Gray.
"What is he doing here?" he asked. Juvia looked to Gray, before walked to Natsu's bed.
"He was helping me. How are you?" she asked, taking a seat on his bed.
"Fine." He turned his face away.
"Have you changed your bandage?"
"Wendy did." Juvia nodded. "Why is he still there?" He rubbed his forehead.
"Looks who's talking. You're beaten half-dead yesterday and now you talk big," Gray interrupted. Natsu turned to him and smirked.
"I still can beat you to pulp even I'm in this state." He tried to move down from his bed. Juvia held him, halted him from moving. Gray laughed.
"Bring it on!" His arms were crossed against his chest. Natsu struggled against Juvia who pinned him against the bed. Juvia had to use her body to keep Natsu on his bed. Even though he injured but his strength was like nothing had ever happened to him.
"Natsu, please calm down!" she shouted.
"Let me go! I'm going to kick his ass!"
Gray walked to the door. Before he opened the door, he turned back to the prince.
"I'll be waiting, to see who will kick whose ass." He smirked.
"Come back here, you idiot!"
As he opened the door, a blond princess appeared.
"Gray? What are you doing here?" Next to her was Levy.
"Nothing. Just visiting some IDIOT, ARROGANT prince in bed." He left the two princesses dumbfounded.
From outside the room, they could hear Natsu's voice.
"Get off me, Juvia!"
"No!"
"Get off me now! I want to beat him! That droopy eyes!" Juvia still didn't move from her spot.
"Not until you calm down," she said.
The two princesses stood by the door. Watching the two struggled on the bed. Juvia turned to them after she felt they been watched.
"Princess!" Natsu stopped struggled. He looked to the way Juvia's sight was on.
"What now?" he asked. Juvia moved down from the bed as he relaxed.
"We'll be leaving today. So, we come to visit you. You seem alright," Lucy said.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Death is still far," he replied. Lucy nodded.
"Good. Well, then goodbye." Lucy left the room. Levy quickly followed her best friend. Juvia frustrated with Natsu's ill attitude.
"What are you doing? They're just showing some gratitude."
"Get out," he said. "GET OUT!" he shouted when Juvia didn't move. Slowly, she walked away. She sighed as she walked through the door.
(**)è
A long, green-haired man exited the king's study. He was then led to another room.
"Princess," he said, as he saw a blue-haired princess in her room. The princess smiled.
"You're here," she said. He bowed to her and kissed her hand.
"I met the king. He sends a few suggestions to our king, regarding your engagement."
"So, how is it?"
"It will be held two months from now." She nodded. "Princess, how's your preparation?" he asked.
"Done, I think. Well, I don't have many things. Just that they give some souvenirs for us to bring back home." He nodded.
"If you're ready," he said. Levy smiled.
"I am." She led him to the foyer. At the same time, the green-haired man asked his men to bring all the princess' stuffs.
As she arrived at the foyer, she was greeted by a few princesses. The eldest Southeast princess pulled her a little away from the others.
"Is Lucy and Natsu ended?" the white-haired princess. Levy smiled, tried to process her mind to find the right words.
"Well, I don't know if they have started." Mirajane's eyes widened.
"There's nothing between them?" she asked. She looked a little upset.
"They're just friend. I think Natsu still frustrated about his lost against Gajeel, and he accidentally took it on us. That's why Lucy mad," she explained. The other princess seemed contented.
"Excuse me, princesses." They were interrupted by the green-haired man. He looked at Levy. "We're ready." She turned her sight to the hallway.
"Fried-san, please wait a moment. I want to see my friend." She went back in, to see Lucy. The blonde girl was definitely late, and she was not going to leave without seeing her first.
"They are really close," said Mirajane, stole Fried's glance and making the man blushed. He quickly turned away. "Fried-san, you are…"
"My name is Fried Justine. I'm general of East country. I'm here to bring Princess Levy back to our country," he explained. Mirajane nodded.
"Did you just arrive? I haven't seen you before."
"Yes, princess. I was missioned to bring Princess Levy home safely." The princess giggled. Fried who was been glancing at the beautiful princess once in a while turned pinkish. He turned away his eyes. His heart was beating faster and kept accelerating. He glanced at her again. She was so damn beautiful when she smiled. Her voice beautiful too. It's like singing.
"It's an honour to know you, general. Please excuse me," she said. Fried bowed to her.
"The honour is mine, princess." He saw the beautiful princess walked away from her. She went to a guy. A blonde one. He knew him. They met during the meeting of generals. He watched how close the princess and the general were. The way she smiled and giggled between their conversations. And the way she playfully hit his arm. Enough of watching, he returned into the castle, looking for his princess.
Mirajane whispered something to the blonde general, making the general silent for a few seconds.
"No," he replied. The princess gripped his arm. "I'm not going to involve in such thing. He never listens to anybody once he made his decision. Not even me. I can't help you," he explained. She made an unsatisfied face while crossed her arms over her chest.
"Look, all you have to do is follow everything I say. It's not that hard." He chuckled.
"You're really a witch. Maybe you should change your title into Witch. Let me tell you something. In this case, I've warned him once. Now, he is ready to let it go. I think it's your job this time. Convince your damn friend to do the same." Mirajane inhaled deeply.
She grabbed his arm harder. She stared into his blue orbs. Her cheeks slowly turned red and her eyes watered. Her hands trembled.
At the same time, the other general arrived. They were going to return to the border any minute soon. He pulled his friend's arm but he didn't move. The blue-haired general stopped and looked at his friend with a confused face. Then that he saw the princess.
"I'll be waiting down there," he told his friend, allowed the blond general to settle any of his problems.
Laxus sighed. "Damn. Fine, you won. Only this time. I will not involve in any of your obsession anymore." She shrieked happily and jumped to hug him. He sighed again. How did he ever think to talk with this witch?
"I know you'll help me. You're a good guy."
"No. I'm not going to do anything but I'll talk to him again. It still depends on him," he said, making her smiles faded. "See you." He was no longer talked leisurely or joking as she first met him.
"Laxus," she called. "Are you against them?" she asked.
"No. I just do things I think a friend should do." He left without turned around. She watched his retreating back till he disappeared. She bit her lower lip. For the first time in her life, she doubted her decision.
