The night had fallen in long ago. The fancy, dark and huge bedroom or the queen was only lightened up by a little candle standing on an empty table. The curtains were covering the big windows except for one, where a girl was looking depressively in the outside world through the opened window. Her blond hair was flowing in the cool window that was entering the room.

Lucy was depressed ever since she saw Natsu. Every time she remembered his smile tears would fill her eyes. She didn't want to see him suffer like that. She didn't want to see anybody suffer like that.

Suddenly, the doors opened and the queen herself entered without a word. Lucy immediately straightened her back and hurried to close the window. How could she be so careless? The queen was supposed to sleep and she kept the window open to cool the room!

''Leave it.'' The queen said shortly. ''I'm warm anyway.''

The woman let herself fall in the sea of comfortable sheets, her long hair flowing beautifully in the golden light. She sighed exhausted, leaving the blond wonder what she should do.

''Is Your Majesty willing to go to sleep right now?''

She guessed that if the queen weren't so sleepy, she would have glared at her. In response, she kept silent. Only after a few uncomfortable moments, Lucy heard a ''Yes'' from under the pillow, which she surprisingly found quite cute.

''Isn't Your Majesty going to change clothes first?'' Lucy asked with a caring manner. She was going to do this new job and she was going to do it well.

''I'm too tired…'', the queen replied and Lucy was more and more surprised of how …honest she seemed to be when tired. But wait, not to change clothes is an unpleasant thing, so Lucy immediately disapproved:

''No, Your Majesty, it's not a good thing and you won't feel comfortable in that kind of… armor…''

''Do you have a problem with my armor?'' she hissed.

''N-No, but… ''

Thinking about it, the blonde realized it wasn't right. The queen was always scaring her people and so, they always do what she said, but this wasn't right. Lucy raised her look and set it upon the woman's body. She… might've not been so scary… after all. She was probably pretty weak emotionally. What if… just what if Lucy managed to break that think wall around her heart and got to know the queen for real? This might've been the only thing she and Natsu needed to get out of that place. So just… what if she would gather her courage and try talking to her?

''…But it's a really bad thing for you, so please change your clothes.''

Well, there was still room for more confidence, but for now, she knew she was already risking a lot. Because the woman turned her head around slowly and faced Lucy with a cruel glare. Half of her face was sinking in the soft pillow while her whole head was completely out of the reach of light. If she weren't looking at the girl that way, you could've even considered her adorable in that position.

''Excuse me?''

The blonde felt a bunch of shivers travel her body and the hair at the back of her head rose fast. That cool voice was still echoing in the room and Lucy could picture the flame of the candle shut with a little cloud of smoke, leaving the two in the cold atmosphere of the night. That light was just too warm for the queen's personality. But, instead, she noticed her eyes soften a little and her mouth opening in a little sight. The next moment she rose up and walked toward a closet.

''You're right. I should change.''

Lucy remained silent with shock. Her wide eyes followed the queen's movements. And then, a sudden giggle escaped her mouth. The woman was acting a little like a child.

''Are you going to stand there and stare the whole night? Help me change my clothes!''

''Help you… change your clothes?!'' she repeated with surprise.

''You are my maid, what do you think your role here is?'' the queen replied with cold and made Lucy wonder why weren't she even crueler.

''O-Of course, please forgive me.''

Well, it seems like this little detail about life in Middle Age escaped Lucy's knowledge.

While she tried to help take that annoying armor off, Lucy started a conversation with the woman. She sincerely hoped the queen wouldn't refuse talking to her.

''Has Your Majesty been working up until now?''Lucy started.

The woman narrowed her eyes being trustless. After analyzing the question and the best answer a few moments, she replied:

''Yes. But it's none of your business.''

''Well, I'm just concerned for Your Highness' health.'' Which was entirely true. ''It's dangerous not to have a good night's sleep. If you don't sleep enough, you will be tired next day and your body and brain won't function effectively.''

Again, the queen replied carefully:

''How do you know?''

''I… ''

Lucy thought fast about all the things she's leant in school and high school; and she decided it's not a lie to tell:

''I know more than doctors and teachers know these days.''

The Queen widened her eyes in surprise. How could that be? She could've been an excellent student back at her own kingdom, but how could she know more than the teachers?

''You must've been a good student, then.''

Lucy's mind flew with sadness back to her homeland.

''I was.''

After a short break, the blond suddenly remembered something she had been curious about.

''Your Majesty, what is your real name? All I have head is you nickname, which is the Bloody Que-''

She suddenly stopped and scolded herself for being such an idiot. The woman, as expected, got angry, but she didn't face Lucy.

''I-I am sorry, I just…''

''How dare you! You think I don't know what my nickname is? I don't need someone like you to tell me!''

Wait. She couldn't be. . .

''And yes, they are damn right to call me that way. If you don't think it's reasonable, you might want to try my anger on your own skin!''

She couldn't be mad that they named her this cruel way, could she? Instead of getting afraid, Lucy softened and looked at her with a sad smiled. This woman was just a normal person! Who was the one that called her a monster? And it was only surprising to have found this out so soon.

The queen sighed, calming down.

''Erza. Erza Scarlet.''

Wow, she actually told her?!

''Such a beautiful name… Thank you for telling me, Your Majesty.'' Lucy smiled kindly.

She couldn't see her face, but I will only tell you that Erza flushed.

''Well, here you go! Aren't you feeling better now?''

The queen wore a simple white nightdress that suited her better than expected. She didn't reply and walked toward her bed.

''Close the window now.''

Doing as she was told, Lucy asked her one more thing, which she was somehow more afraid to ask than anything else. She hoped she would get a satisfying answer. No, she only hoped she would get an answer.

''Your Majesty. . . May I ask you one more thing?''

''Go on'' Erza answered simply.

''Today… when the Mysterious Prince was taken to your office…''

She started trembling out of the blue. She almost gave up asking, but she was too curious, so she opened her mouth intending to continue, when Erza cut her off.

''The Mysterious Prince will be all right. I only had him learn a lesson for kidnapping someone as yourself. Today I saw his condition and had a little talk with him. Are you not satisfied with his weak punishment?''

The woman watched carefully every reaction of Lucy. She saw her look into her own eyes with sadness and begs.

''N-NO! I…. I mean… it's quite enough what he had born and… I hate watching people in pain…''

''You sure are kind hearted…'' Erza said spacing out, probably drowning in a sad memory of hers.

''Tell me, Lucy Sketchnik. . . How did the prince treat you?''

This time, Lucy searched through the intentions of this question and looked for a proper answer.

''He… He didn't do anything to me. He took pretty much care of me…''

Erza widened her eyes a moment and Lucy started fearing her answer hadn't been the right one.

''Do you know why he stole you?''

The blonde started sweating. This wasn't good. Erza was smelling that something was fishy and she could see that quite well. Why would a prince steal a princess while they were supposed to marry each other? Maybe he wanted to live a life with her without marriage? No, too unreliable. Maybe they wanted to escape the live from the castle and to live a commoner's life? No, too unrealistic. Then why? Why would he? She couldn't tell her right away her story!

''I… don't know…''

Lucy found the queen study her face and movements carefully. After a big pause of fear and silence, Erza suddenly spoke.

''You told me the prince didn't harm you at all, right?''

''R-Right…'' the girl answered with fear. She knew well this wasn't right at all.

''But Commander Marcus Johnsgate told me a completely different thing.''

Lucy's face turned completely white. The little lights in her eyes were shaking along with her body. Marcus! She had forgotten about Marcus!

''You must've been the only one to tell the truth. I wouldn't have trusted any of Marcus nor the prince. But is seems like I also have my doubts in your situation.''

''Y-You have questioned… the prince about this, too?'' Lucy freaked out. What if Natsu said a completely different thing from what she said? This would be a disaster!

''Yes, I have. And it seems like Commander Marcus Johnsgate and The Mysterious Prince are blaming each other for your past condition, about which, by the way, I have no clue how recovered.''

So Natsu blamed Johnsgate? So he told the truth. The girl sighed easily, which Erza didn't forget to notice, calming down a little.

''The only thing that remains is to hear who you are blaming and we'll consider it the truth.''

But her look told Lucy a completely different thing. She had to think carefully. If she agreed with Natsu and told her Marcus was the one who harmed her, the queen won't believe her and accuse her of betrayal and she might be as well executed. If not, only fired from the position as personal maid. If she told her Marcus was right and the prince was the one who harmed her, it will be like a self sentence to death! She already said the prince didn't harm her, so it would have the same ending. In the end, she decided it was best to stay neutral.

''It… It was still dark, Your Majesty, I couldn't tell which one was. But… ''

''But what?''

''But I have a hunch about who it might have been. I suspect one of the soldiers… B-But I'm not sure, so please don't punish anyone!''

Erza narrowed her eyes once more. She knew very well how fresh Lucy's wounds had been. It was impossible to have stayed with them ever since the night before they arrived. But she decided to give up on this unimportant matter.

''I see.'' she moaned getting into the bed.

Lucy remained silent. After a few minutes in which she couldn't dare move, the queen said:

''Now I can't sleep because you kept insisting for me to change.''

''I-I-I-I'm extremely sorry!'' Lucy flushed with embarrassment.

''Will you shut the light already?'' Erza continued annoyed.

Lucy bit her lower lip. She was doing this job awfully bad! She blew the light and the room sank into darkness and silence.

''You can go to sleep, too, you know?'' Erza told her quietly after a while.

''I… I don't know… the way back…'' Lucy admitted with embarrassment.

The queen didn't reply. She just turned to one side, facing the wall on which the moon was placing calming rays through the shadows of the clouds. They were both drowning in the silence without being able to make a sound. Somehow, Lucy felt the queen really calm and comforting. Outside, the clouds have partly covered the sky and it soon started to rain with monotony.

''I wonder if the prison keeper is sleeping yet. . . '' Erza said softly.

Lucy widened her eyes and looked in the direction on the queen. She understood well what the woman meant. She felt gratefulness fill her fast beating heart.

''Your Majesty…'' she started.

Erza kept silent a little, then continued: ''It's past the midnight and people should just go sleep at this hour. After all, they have to wake up at the dawn.''

Lucy bit her lower lip not to burst into tears and not to jump on the woman and hug her.

''Thank you'' She whispered and the queen heard her loud and crystal clear. Then, the loud sound of an enthusiastic girl closing the door could be heard almost in the whole castle.

Erza sighed. She couldn't tell why but she started feeling a little lonely.

As for Lucy, she was sprinting down the halls, trying to remember the way out the castle. The message Erza meant was clear: ''Go see your prince, but you have to get back before dawn and before anybody sees you.''

She eventually managed to get out of the castle through the backdoor of the kitchen. She immediately spotted the little building of the prison. She didn't even notice the rain. She was happy that the queen allowed her to see Natsu!

She reached the tall gate that separated her from the hall with the cells. It was closed. So how was she going to get past it? She managed to open the little portion that allowed the short keeper to see through. She also looked through and noticed the man sleeping on his chair. But how was she going to open the gate? She laid against the iron door, thinking, when she felt her back falling as the door was slowly opening under her weight. So it had been opened?! She ignored the thought that these people were much too careless when she remembered that they would never try to run away from the fury of the Bloody Queen. From the fury of Erza. She entered carefully and quietly, instantly looking where she was stepping. She entered the hall with the cells. The smell was disgusting.

She walked at first without looking into the cells. She knew that it took more to get to Natsu's cell, so she didn't mind studying those poor filthy men of even skeletons. But the hall was soon ending, so she started looking for a dark shade of pink. It only took her one minute to find him. She sat on her knees and whispered his name, looking upon the thin blanket that was covering his entire body except for his hair. She didn't see any movement. Suddenly, a dark thought crossed her mind. What if he was dead?

''Natsu!'' she whimpered trying to get rid of her doubts.

The body flinched and Lucy flinched as well.

''Natsu!'' she called over once more, as silently as she could not to wake anyone else up, least the prison keeper. She saw the body move and a hand came out, removing the blanket from his face. He knew there was only one person who knew his real name here. Lucy smiled widely when she saw his surprised face. He was looking great compared to the last time she saw him. He was clean and, even if he didn't have much of bandages and much of the wounds and scratches were still uncovered, he had his face back. She giggled with happiness while he got off his wretch bed and approached her with excitement, also sitting on his knees. The both of them were happy to see each other.

''Lucy!'' he exclaimed still on shock.

''How are you?'' Lucy smiled, her eyes shining in the moon light that broke through into this place. Natsu felt even happier when he saw her own happiness. She was so wonderful, he forgot about his pain.

''I'm ok, how about you?''

She didn't answer and, instead, couldn't control herself and took her hand through the bars and to his face. He flinched under the feel of her cold and wet skin that sent shivers in his whole body. She fondled his cheek with tenderness and bit her lower lip trying not to cry.

''I… I was so worried about you, Natsu…''

He stood there, looking at her beautiful face with his eyes still big from the surprise.

''I'm glad you're all right.'' she said smiling and took her hand away blushing, but he caught it fast and took it to his chest, trapping it between his own trembling palms.

''Don't worry about me; but you! How are you? Lollipop told me everything.''

His face saddened and he almost started crying.

''I can't believe what you did! How can you be so careless?''

She lowered her look. It pained her to see him kind of angry about her.

''Do you have any idea how many hours I spent crying and hoping you will be all right?''

It shocked her that he just admitted he cried. She felt his trembling hand going through the bars and catching her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. His other hand was still holding her own hand, having her feel his fast heartbeats.

She could spot little tears rolling down his cheeks.

''Don't ever do that again. I don't care that you did it for me; I'd rather die than have you like that ever again! Promise me you won't do that ever again!''

She looked away once more, escaping his hold.

''Lucy!''

But how could she promise him such a thing? She would always do that for the ones she cared for.

''Lollipop healed me, so I'm all right.''

''Yes, but Lollipop won't be there every time! What would've happened if you hadn't had her magic in your body? You would've died!''

She bit her lower lip harder, trying not to cry.

''Lucy… I don't want to lose you…'' he said more softly.

They heard a thunder crush the silence. Lucy flinched.

''How… How did they treat you, Natsu?''

He grinned bravely.

''It's no big deal. Nothing's too much for Natsu Dragneel.''

She also smiled.

''I'm glad to hear that.''

''How about you?''

''I… I managed to become the Queen's personal maid. You know, she isn't such a bad person, after all. She allowed me to come here.''

''You could've done that even without her will.''

''No, you don't understand! It's impossible to do something out of her will!''

''But you could've done that without her knowing.''

''Why do you keep arguing with me? Maybe you could do that, but I can't!''

''That's Lucy for you. Never out of somebody's word.''

''Will you cut it out? I'm just saying I don't have the skill to do that!''

He kept silent.

''Skill? You think that's a skill?''

''I…'' she flushed. ''Of course I do. It's a difficult job. I… always admired you for being able to escape school so easily.''

He looked at her with surprise.

''I… didn't know that.''

She smiled amused.

''How could you? I never told you.''

''So did Lollipop tell you the plan?''

''Yes. I managed quite much of it already.''

''Good. We're in your hands for now.''

The both smiled. Natsu grinned out of the blue.

''So what else did Lollipop tell you?''

''Um… she kept pitying me for my condition… and…oh!''

She suddenly understood why he grinned and blushed when she remembered the kiss he had sent her.

''Y-You rat! You promised you won't do stuff like that again!''

''Well that was for back then. Now you have to be careful around me.''

He smirked and she frowned, her face completely red.

''I-Idiot! You were crying moments ago.''

His smirk disappeared and he frowned.

''I never did such a thing.''

She revolted with a long ''What?!'' and started arguing with him again. She gave up fast, being forced to admit he hadn't cried. These were Natsu and Lucy after all; always fighting, no matter the situation. After that, they both kept quiet. Lucy started noticing the room get a little brighter.

''Oh no! I really have to go now!''

''C-Can't you stay a little more?'' he asked looking at her with sadness and longing as she was getting up.

''If anybody sees me here, I'm doomed!''

He caught her arm before she would leave.

''Please, wait. I…''

She knelt again just to get closer to make him speak lower.

''I won't let you get away before I give you something.''

She looked at him with curiosity.

''Give me what?''

He grinned devilishly and closed the distance between them.

''You never learn, Lucy Heartfillia, do you?''

He let his lips press against hers through the bars. It only took one second, because she immediately threw herself back, blushing.

''Natsu!'' she screamed, but immediately covered her mouth and ran away before she was caught by somebody.

Natsu was still smiling.

''That girl. . . ''

He sat back on his bed, placing his arms under his head and staring at the ceiling. He could still feel the sweet kiss on his lips and it was already making him feel better in this stinky prison.

As for Lucy, she managed not to be caught. She got back in the queen's room quietly before she would wake up.

She touched her lips, still blushing.

For some reason, she didn't mind it as bad as she did the first time.

Well, guys, I am sorry. I made you (probably) expect something more romantic, but it seems I kind of had some problems here, so… Whatever… hope you enjoyed it! Looking forward for the next chapter!