(")è

Once again, she arrived at the country. This time, it wasn't for a visit. It was for her engagement to the eldest prince that would be held one week later. This one week would be used to know him better and to understand the culture of the country better.

As she arrived, only Wendy waited for her at the foyer. And another bluenette. She had seen the noble lady a lot around the castle during her previous visit. And she seemed very close to the royal family. She then brought the princesses to Levy's room. The same room she had before.

Gajeel wasn't there to greet his wife-to-be. He wasn't even there when she was having dinner. And he still wasn't there when lights were off, leaving only the small lamps enough to light up some alleys.

(")è

King Yajima reread some letters he received not long ago. Watching him was Damien Loxar, waiting for him to say something. The gentleman had spoken his mind. Now, it was the king's turn.

"I understand what you've said. From all letters I received, I believe that there's could be ..."

His door suddenly opened and his first son appeared from it. The door was gently opened and closed behind him.

"I heard that you want to see me," he said.

The king smiled, before he glanced to Lord Loxar. The noble man stood up and bowed before the king. But the ruler stopped him.

"Indeed, but I'm in the middle of something important. I'll see you once I finish."

Gajeel glanced to Lord Loxar before he nodded to his father and left. Lord Loxar sat back on his chair.

"If what you've told me is true, there must be someone from this kingdom who's their ally." He returned to the head of Loxar family.

"How about someone from the party?" he proposed something else.

"Did you mean those accompanying the princess?" He silent for a few moments. Thinking. "These things aren't something easy. It needs careful strategy and implementation."

"Do you have someone in mind?" He stopped and stared deep into Loxar's eyes.

"Why?"

"If what I said is true, the first victim would be you."

He silent again. Ever since the matter risen, he was aware about that.

"Then, you have to assist my successor in this matter. Never let him act without thinking."

Lord Loxar stood up.

"I'll try to help in any way. Just be very careful and please tell me if you spot something unusual. And one more. I think it's alright to bring one of the general back here. General Laxus will be fine alone there." With that, he left the king's study.

(")è

Gajeel stood in front of his father's study, waiting for his meeting with Lord Loxar finished. He stared straight to the door with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Prince Gajeel." He didn't move to see the voice's owner. Such small voice which didn't fit Wendy or Juvia, and even addressed him as 'Prince Gajeel'.

"Nice to meet you again, my prince." She waited for him to reply. "I didn't see you since I arrived. Where were you?" she asked.

"Outside," he answered. She smiled.

"Are you waiting to see King?"

"Waiting to be scolded."

Lord Loxar appeared from the door. Gajeel quickly entered the room. The blue-haired man bowed before Levy, then stared at her. Made her uncomfortable.

"I'm Damien Loxar," he introduced himself while stretched out his hand. Levy nodded slowly and took it.

"Levy." He kissed her hand.

"Please be careful," he said.

She watched his retreating back. He was so strange. Advised her to be careful but his eyes saying different. They were, like, telling that 'I'm watching you!'

She knocked the door and slowly entered the room. The older man smiled to her while the younger one glared at her.

"I'm sorry for his ill attitude," the king apologised. Levy shook her head smilingly.

"What are you doing here?" Gajeel asked.

"Gajeel!" his father reprimanded.

"I'm just asking," he defended himself. He turned his face away.

"I come here to ask permission from you, sire. I'd like to invite a friend of mine over. She can help with the preparation," she said.

"No need 'cause there's nothing to prepare," Gajeel whispered, but the princess could clearly heard it.

"May I ask who the friend is?" the king asked.

"Lucy Heartfilia."

"Uh, that blondie," he whispered again. She glanced at him.

"Sure. She can help Juvia with the preparation," King suggested.

"Thank you, but...who is Juvia?" she asked. Gajeel chuckled, making both the king and the princess glared at him.

"Gajeel will take you to her."

The prince's eyes widened. He wanted to object but he forgone it.

"Fine. Come with me." He walked to the door. Levy quickly bowed down before the king and ran after him.

The prince walked ahead of her, made her to fasten her steps to catch him up.

"Slow down please," she said. He snorted.

"You should learn to walk fast. Wendy walks faster than you," he said, glance to her from the end of his eyes. Somehow, he slowed down a little.

"Is Juvia the wedding planner?" she asked. He suddenly stopped.

"Can we not talk about this wedding thing? It's just an engagement." He turned to her.

"Well, I know that you're not really interested in the wedding, but I don't know how much you know about it. From the agreement, the wedding will be held a week after the engagement," she explained.

Gajeel cursed under his breath. Levy slightly grinning. It felt good to pissed him off sometimes. He started to walk again.

They finally reached the arena where Gajeel once defeated his brother. There, they saw the brother was training. With a girl. Levy looked carefully at the girl as they climbed onto the audiences' seats. The girl was familiar.

Instead of training, they looked like having fun. Maybe not Natsu. He seemed breathless and mad. He was the one that made attacks which were missed. On the other hand, the blue-haired girl seemed happy. She managed to miss or deflect the attacks. She ran, jumped or flipped away from the younger prince. She could giggle and laugh every time she drew away from Natsu.

"Oi! When are you going to stop playing?!" Gajeel suddenly barked. Levy almost jumped away from him, startled. She slowly rubbed her chest, glared sharply at her future husband.

"Who's playing?!" The younger prince shouted back. "Juvia, be serious!" The blue-haired girl giggled again.

Levy then realised why she felt the girl so familiar. She was the girl that welcomed her at the entrance during the dance. She was nursing Natsu when she and Lucy went visited him before they departed home.

"That's Juvia?" Levy asked. Just a 'hmm' heard.

Juvia, who was happened to hear the princess' voice, quickly turned to the audiences' seat.

"JUVIA!" Natsu screamed, warned her.

At that moment, Natsu's sword launched directly toward the girl who was astonished by the princess' sudden appearance. Juvia, as fast as she could, flip, ducked the sword. At least she tried. She fell on the ground and the sword fell embedded in the ground not far from her.

Gajeel and Levy ran to her. As they reached her, the young noble lady slowly sat. She brushed her face.

"Ha! I thought you're dead!" Natsu relieved.

"Natsu, you really want to kill me?" she whined, rubbed her scratched cheek. "My cheek. If it scars, how I'm going to face Gray-sama?"

"Gray? What's that?" Natsu asked, scratched his head.

Juvia looked at the three simultaneously, which then realised what she just said. She quickly stood up. She brushed her dress and bowed before the royal bloods.

"Hey, where are you going? We haven't finish!" Natsu shouted again.

Gajeel was going after the young Loxar when the princess stopped him. After saying that she wanted to talk to the girl, she walked as fast as she could to the girl.

"People in this country walk really fast," she whispered to herself.

At the same time, the two princes were looking at each other.

(")è