Here's the 10th chapter. seems this will be longer than planned.

however, please read, enjoy n review!

and also, i didn't own Fairy Tail, Mashima-san did.

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EAST COUNTRY

Levy McGarden walked down the stairs accompanied by her two maids. She had just finished a book and heading to the royal library for another book. As she entered the book storage, she saw Fried Justine. She asked her maids to left and walked to the general. Aware of the princess appearance, he quickly turned to her and bowed. Levy smiled and took a book from the nearest bookshelf.

"Looking for books?" she asked. The general followed her.

"Yes, princess. I have generals' meeting within two weeks," he explained.

"Two weeks from now?" He nodded. "Hmm…I will have princess' gathering in the North country. Will the generals' meeting there too?" she asked.

"Yes, princess. We'll have it in the royal library of North country."

"Oh, that's why my gathering cannot be made there. You booked it first." Levy smiled.

"I guess so, princess."

"Fried-san, since we have our meetings in the same place, would you mind if I join your trip there?" She looked at him smilingly which he didn't.

"Sure, princess. Remind me when you're ready." She nodded. "Please excuse me."

The young general left the princess in the library alone. Levy watched him disappeared behind the door.

"He refused."

She remembered her conversation with her father a few days ago. Fried was known with his firm decision. Nothing would change his decision once it made. And his decision was made years ago. Even her father failed to convince him on one thing. One thing that was very important. If her father had failed, she didn't know if she could.

She sighed.

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NORTH COUNTRY

North country was known as the coldest country on earthland. The whole country was covered with ice and snow. It was like a white island in the middle of the sea. The only transport to reach the country was ships.

As cold as the country, the royal family was cold too. Prince Gray was the coldest. Prince Lyon was a playboy, so he was not that 'cold'. Princess Ultear was as cold as her brother, but she could be nice sometimes. When she was in the mood of manipulating people. Her daughter, Princess Meredy, was a very cheerful one. Maybe because of she wasn't a royal blood; she wasn't that cold as her mother.

…

Levy and a few princesses just arrived for the princess' gathering. She was accompanied by Fried, her general, who was there for Generals' meeting which would be held at the royal library. They were welcomed by Princess Ultear and her daughter at the port. They were brought to the palace to rest. The princess' gathering and the Generals' meeting would be held on the next day.

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The hall where the gathering hold was decorated with blue and orange ribbons. Tables and chairs were covered with light blue and white cloth. A vase of blue and white roses was placed on each table.

Princesses were soon to fill the spacious room. Levy sat with her best friend, Lucy and the North princesses. Table next to her was filled by Mirajane and her sister, and Erza and Evergreen. Each table was seated by four princesses.

The noisy room turned silent as Ultear stood and asked for their attention. She stared at each princess' face.

"Good morning, princesses. Thank you for being here. As I mentioned in the letter, our gathering today is to celebrate Levy who is getting married." She smiled at the said princess. "Well, I hope that I didn't disappoint her because I couldn't make this gathering in the royal library." Levy smiled sheepishly as shook her head, signed that she didn't mind at all. "Our lovely Levy loves books so much, so I thought of gathering in the library. Unluckily, our generals had it first." Ultear raised her glass. "Still, I wish the best for Levy."

The other princesses raised their glass too. Then they emptied the glass as Ultear drank hers.

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Laxus and Jellal were the last one to leave the royal library after the meeting ended. The blond general stared at his friend. He rarely spoke to him after their conversation the other day. Even during the meeting, his friend was not speaking much. He was, like, not there. At least, he knew why his friend behaved like that.

"Hey, you alright?" He stopped the blue-haired general on the hallway. The friend leaned against a pillar.

"Yeah, guess so," his friend answered.

"Still thinking of what I told you?" he asked. The friend smiled bitterly. "What I told you the other day was what someone wanted me to tell you." Jellal stared at his friend. "But, after I said those entire things, I think she was right." Laxus chuckled, like he wasn't believed what he just said.

"You don't understand," Jellal said.

"Make me," Laxus replied, received a sharp glance from his friend.

"You know that royal's rules, right?" Laxus nodded. "She isn't like other princesses. She has a huge responsibility. She has a throne waiting for her. She has her people that expecting her. I'm just a disappointment to them."

Laxus took a deep breath.

"Do you remember when she arrived at our border?" Jellal nodded while listened to his friend. "I still couldn't believe there was such princess. Till today. Even it was her." Laxus glanced to his friend. "She was there for two weeks. I know nothing about her. But…there was one thing I'm certain." He stopped. Waited for his friend's reaction which was disappointed him. "She wasn't a person that make rash decision."

Jellal looked at the blondie. He lost of word.

"Or you rather watch her marry other man, entertain him day and night?"

Jellal pushed his back off the pillar. But his movement froze.

"Yes." His eyes caught a red-haired princess. Staring at him. "Are you going to stay for dinner?" he asked Laxus. The blond general gave a positive answer. "Okay, send my regard to General Azuma. I'm sorry for not staying long." His eyes were set on the scarlet princess.

"Why?"

"I've to sail back home. Need to see the King by tomorrow." Laxus nodded slowly.

"Okay."

Jellal walked away. As he passed across Erza, he bowed a little and continued his way. Laxus, on the other hand, stopped right in front of her. He stared at her for a few seconds, and then bowed down slowly. After raised his head back, he patted her shoulder, before followed his friend.

Erza stood there for sometimes. She always knew why he behaved that way. Always. Even though she tried to think other reasons that would make him a bad person. But Jellal was always the same person she knew from two years ago. Always. He never changed. Like he said, she was a princess and he was just a general of an army. They had their responsibility. But her responsibility was greater. She had a throne for her and her people expected her to be their queen. That was the reason why she joined the two-weeks-training at their border two years ago. She did it for her people.

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Disappoinment... :(