"Help, Help!"
Lucy cried out and staff was quickly in with Capricorn swiftly taking her to the medical facility. Staff waiting alongside Lucy completely on edge outside of the exam room for any news on the beloved princess.
They waited until the king passed them demanding they get back to their stations leaving Lucy to wait by herself.
"Please let me know how she'd doing when you see her."
Lucy bowed down before the king who scoffed at her.
"I have no need for her ill. Have her come to me healthy or not at all."
He walked away leaving the blonde in utter shock. Levy had told her of his cruel words darted at her yet she partially didn't believe her. Lucy saw what the whole country say, a kind man who put his daughter above all. The pedestal she was placed on the in the public eye was now quickly forced down under his foot.
She instantly felt terrible for all those times Levy confided in her about her emotional abuse she was receiving. She didn't believe the man was capable of such things. He was loved by all, well now minus one.
Lucy was finally allowed in to visit the blunette who was laid in bed peacefully sleeping while hooked up to every machine possible.
"She pushed herself once more."
A tall woman with tied up pink hair crept up behind her almost as if intentionally trying make her run away.
"Is she okay? What happened? I mean she looks fine now but will she be fine when she's released…"
Lucy went on asking question after question like any concerned friend would do. Yet his pestering infuriated the medic.
"Get out!"
She pushed Lucy out after handing her a copy of Levy's medical report.
It stated, "Fainting due to exhaustion. Recommendation: bed rest for a day, drink plenty of fluids, and no stressful situations."
Lucy sighed in relief from the situation not being any worse from what she immediately assumed.
The next day, Lucy came over to check up on Levy bringing along a basket full of get well goodies. While walking up the stairs, she passed by the living room noticing Jellal seated by himself. He looked anxious unable to remain still in his seat. She brushed it off in order to focus on getting Levy better.
She walked into Levy's room taking a seat beside her while she gave off her radiant smile.
"Are you feeling any better?"
Levy nodded while speaking.
"So much better. Can you hand me my water?"
Levy unconsciously accepted the cup with her left hand letting her silver band be visibly seen.
"Levy, what is this?!"
Lucy quickly halted her hand taking a good look at the band and its position on her hand.
"I-It's not what you think!"
The blunette let out a built up deep breath before softly revealing all to her friend. She had to physically shut Lucy's mouth a few times from her gasping trying to prevent anyone from over hearing. The release was welcomed as the built up stress from hiding so long lifted off of her shoulders.
After a few tearful moments that occurred in between, Lucy finally was able to ask.
"You're lying, tell me you're lying Lev."
Levy looked down ashamed of herself while thinking about what she had just admitted. She nodded none the less.
Lucy's stomach slightly turned when she took in the whole situation in letting the words sink in.
She never believed the blunette would get herself into such a predicament. Yet the glimmer in her eyes along with the smile she wore while speaking of him, the blonde couldn't ruin such a sight.
"Lev, no matter what, I'm behind you."
Lucy slightly forced a smile to make her feel more at ease.
"Please, no matter the situation, don't tell anyone."
"My lips are sealed."
"Thank you Lu."
Levy laid back in bed as the sleepiness came over her.
"I won't allow it!"
Jellal's voiced boomed from down the stairs so suddenly waking Levy. She rubbed her eyes for a moment trying to shake of the sleep while leaving her bed. She walked out making her way towards his voice that soon became over powered by others slowly getting louder.
"You have absolutely no say."
Levy recognized her father's voice while she walked slower hiding behind the wall listening in.
"She wouldn't agree to such a thin—"
An unrecognizable voice cut off Jellal from continuing his argument.
"I mean her no harm, please rest assured of this fact."
-Where have I heard that voice?
She tried to peak in without being caught. Her father and Jellal stood facing each other as if ready to brawl. Unfortunately, the third male voice was out of sight.
"From the moment I saw her, I knew there was that connection."
He continued before being stopped by the king.
"Ah it seems she heard the good news herself."
Levy noticed she was caught and tried to hide once more. Though the damage was done and her father walked her in.
Laxus stepped forward more than ready to accept her though Jellal butted in taking Levy into his arms shielding her from the blond.
"Levy get back into bed, you shouldn't be out. You need your rest."
Jellal tried to take her out away from the danger in front of her. Levy trusted in Jellal's judgement, combined with the few snippets she had heard, tried to leave with him. Guards quickly blocked their only path out fencing them in.
"Don't be afraid, please just take my hand."
Laxus extended his hand out while Levy hid behind Jellal ignoring his advances.
"Jellal, step away."
The king demanded fed up with his protective nature that he obviously was severely lacking. He initially refused to budge until threats began coming from the king.
"Back away or I'll have you banned just like your fathe—"
Jellal stepped to the side before he could finish knowing exactly where he was going with it.
"I'm sorry Levy."
The male blunette whispered while still remaining close at her side.
"Now Levy, your future has been set."
Levy looked at her father nervously confused by his choice of wording.
"Please your majesty, allow me."
Laxus spoke up trying to win over the blunette with the charm he was so confident about.
He took her right hand forcing her to step forward leaving Jellal a few steps behind her. Her immediate reaction was to hide her left hand behind her back hiding her secret. Jellal took note of the glistening metal around her ring finger mentally questioning it. He tried his hardest not to jump to any conclusions focusing on the petrifying debacle before him. It took all the strength in the world to not to stop it like he wished.
The look of disgust on Levy's face was like no other but Laxus ignored it in order to continue with his own agenda.
"I've received your father's blessing and I'd like to ask you just one question."
A guard quickly grabbed Jellal holding him back as Laxus got down on one knee pulling out a small velvet box from his pocket.
"No Levy!"
Jellal yelled out while being dragged away.
"Run Levy!"
The last words Levy heard clearly from him as his next words were muffled while being forcibly taken away. She tried to move but the shock before her left her stunned. The moment became worse as a group of paparazzi's rushed in prepared for the biggest moment of the royal family.
"Will you marry me?"
Laxus opened the box to reveal a large diamond on a decorative band. Multiple snapshots were taken of the pain the mists of their intimate moment. The king and Laxus put on a great show appearing as joyous as possible to the cameras.
"You've got your shot, now leave."
The king's voice demanded authority and all quickly left just as they arrived.
"Now that all the formalities are over, this is what's going to happen."
Levy's father along with Laxus turned into Hyde with one switch. The proposal box was slammed shut before he tossed it at the blunette carelessly.
Levy laid in her bed in the fetal position crying her eyes out. Just when she thought she couldn't cry anymore, more tears were mustered up. The horrific words her father spoke replayed while haunting her.
"All you need to know about what's going to happen is that you're going to get married. Wither you're happy or not, it's not my concern."
This along with Laxus' devious laugh made Levy scream out loud tossing the box away from her. She held the velvet pouch which Gajeel had given to her. She couldn't believe how the objects of the same material made her feel so different. The pouch brought her so much happiness while the box brought so much despair.
Guards had been posted all around the castle preventing the blunette from running. She was truly a princess locked away in her castle when she looked down from the second story realizing guards were even posted outside on the ground. She was only allowed to leave if she completely obliged to the conditions which were fairly simple in the king's eyes.
1. Completely follow along with the charade.
2. Do as Laxus says, no matter what.
3. Allow no one to know about this agreement no matter what.
Staff walked by constantly in order to check up on the princess who had locked herself in. Her screams of anger were easily heard through the door easily stinging their hearts. Virgo and Capricorn had received strict orders not to interfere. The lack of familiar faces drove Levy slowly down wearing her out.
What had felt like an eternity had in reality been two days. Two days of hell.
She slammed down her sliver band and replaced it with the diamond one. Emotionless, Levy walked out of her room forcefully pushing the guards before her away.
"Where is my fiancé?"
The guards were taken aback from her robotic demeanor that suddenly overcame her. She was ultimately escorted into what would soon be the new couple's bedroom. While innocently walking in, he caught glimpse of the ring on her finger as the door closed behind her.
"Perfect."
Laxus mentally cheered for himself for being able to almost too easily change her mind.
"You'll soon see it's not so bad living with me."
One of his large hands easily cupped her chin turning her face to him.
"Actually you're quite cute, I might just have to…"
Laxus' hand grabbed her waist while bending down trying to steal a kiss. Levy turned away making Laxus land a kiss on her neck before gently pushing herself away.
"No no, save it for our wedding night."
She teased brining a perverted look on his face.
"Til tomorrow."
Levy spoke as sweetly as possible while taking her leave.
She rushed out to back into her room barricading herself in the bathroom. She stripped her clothes off as quickly as possible throwing them straight into the trash.
-He touched these.
With the hottest water available, she scolded her skin while rubbing the area of her neck which Laxus had defiled. The blunette scrubbed until the pain was unbearable that she couldn't continue no matter how much she wanted to.
After hurting herself, Levy stepped out taking the diamond ring off and carelessly tossing it into a drawer while picking up the silver band. She was about to place it back on her finger where it belonged but instead set it carefully back down.
"I'm sorry."
Levy whispered to it before clutching her dragon stuffed animal and forcing herself to sleep.
After tossing around for a few hours, dreams began.
Levy's pillow was slowly replaced by a warm lap. The comforting scent emanating from the man she laid on brought her complete happiness. The meadow before her began to shape into a small cottage surrounded by large sunflowers. Light soothing air wisped by swaying the flowers into a soft dance.
"Levy."
Gajeel called out breaking the peaceful moment.
"Yes?"
"Wake up."
"What?"
Her eyes opened to reveal a barren land.
"Gajeel…Gajeel?"
Levy's eyes opened in real life while she canned around her room. The sun peaked slightly through her curtains forcing her to fully wake.
Tears slightly feel from her eyes while a knock on the door signified her escort. She shamefully slid the diamond onto her finger continuing her charade. While being forced to sit next to Laxus, more blows arrived while he brought out a freshly printed magazine. The title read, "Royal wedding is on! Meet the lucky man inside" along with a picture from that disgusting staged 'proposal' was plastered on each page.
The beautiful day inspired Lucy to instead walk to the castle hoping to catch up with Levy. She skipped by the newsstand noticing the same magazine for sale on each row but not paying much attention to its title until the bright blue head of hair made her back track her steps.
"L-Levy?"
Lucy quickly scanned the magazine picking up on what no one else noticed – the pain on her face. She ran towards the castle before being stopped half a mile from the entrance. Large crowds of excited citizens clumped around just to catch a glimpse. They all looked up at an empty balcony who was quickly occupied by a 'happy' couple. Laxus and Levy walked hand in hand out to an excited crowd.
Yay finished editing early so it wouldn't be left on such a cliffhanger.
I was going to cut it short but I didn't want it to appear on a Stockholm syndrome note;
Btw if you're wondering; Rubio = blond in Spanish~
