Somebody give me high-five. Two updates in less than a week?! Yes, I did it. This week i had more time on my hands (not really, i just stopped caring about homework). I'm already ready for summer. This is going to be a long year...

Enjoy!

Chapter 11: A Game of Words

Natsu

Days later, we were nowhere near closer to getting rid of the debt hanging over our head. The lesser gangs were getting cocky. We were facing more and more outbreaks from the lower ranks. I had already sent Sting and Rogue to handle them but they hadn't come back yet. Laxus and his team had gone to the lower country to deal with the rebellious portion of our gang. We were cracking and soon, if we weren't careful, our entire system could collapse.

I was stressed out. Lord Zeref was gone trying to seal a deal with our rivals. I was in charge of the mansion and everyone in it. That included our new guest. The daughter of the CEO of the company we owed was here in the mansion right now. I hadn't even met her yet. I had sent Gajeel off to look after her. She was supposed to negotiate options with us. But that wasn't really why she was here.

It was my plan. My father also jumped for joy when I explained it to him. He looked so proud of me. Lately though, I've felt less and less proud of myself every time I'm able to fix something. I've felt worse about my father being proud of me. In fact, I've been feeling like it's something I shouldn't be striving for. I knew my duty to this gang. I knew that I would have to become its next lord, but I wasn't sure if I even wanted that anymore.

For as long as I could remember, I've always been in awe of my father. He was strong and powerful and people bowed at his wake. I wanted to be like that. To have people fear me so much that they would bend over their backs just to do my bidding. I loved the idea of being so powerful that no one dared to touch you. I strived to be just like him. The only thing I couldn't see until I was much older was how much humanity I would have to let go of to become that powerful.

I would have to forget about friendship or love. I had to be cruel, merciless, and ruthless. And I thought I could do it. I thought I could push away any human emotion and become a stone cold gang lord with no regard for anyone or anything. I didn't realize until a few years ago that there was no way I could be completely cold. I couldn't simply turn my cheek when someone was being punished in front of me, or worse, if I was the one doing the punishing. Over the years, I've gotten used to hide the sick feeling in my stomach, but I've never been able to get rid of it completely.

And I don't think I ever will.

I couldn't remember that last time I had slept. I had spent all-nighters trying to correct my mistakes, or the mistakes of my team. I was angry all the time. I snapped at everyone and felt more on edge than usual. For some reason, everyone and everything was getting on my nerves. Even Wendy, who is the only one who could ever get through to me, only spouted out annoying crap that did not help at all. She had even called me out on my irritable attitude but I had paid her no attention.

The one person who hadn't annoyed me once was one room away. And for some reason, that was the most annoying part about it. Lucy had barely said two words to me since she woke up from her panic attack. She kept her head down and kept minimal interaction with me. She did her chores and then escaped to the slave quarters for the rest of the day. She now addressed me as Master or Sir. She was the perfect submissive.

I tried to get the old her back by teasing her, insulting her lightly, I even went as far as to threaten her a bit. I had roughly grabbed her arm and ordered her to speak openly with me. She simply gave me a blank loo and waited patiently for me to let go. And I did. I didn't know what else I was supposed to do. I could just demand that she stop being this shell of a human. I knew she was still resentful, if not more so now that she knew we were responsible for her father's death.

I think the thing that killed her was the betrayal of the person she thought she trusted. Now she's got it in her head that she can't trust anyone and she shouldn't let anyone in because they will just betray her in the end. It's a good strategy, one I've used a lot, but it's not so obvious on me. I don't let people get close, but I let them think they are getting closer. She just puts up a wall.

Today, I had to meet with the daughter to show her around the castle. Of course, I was only going t show her the areas she was allowed to venture in. I would not show her any rooms where she could stir trouble. She was not here on her own accord. She was here on ours. And as much as she thought she had the upper-hand, she didn't. I had to make that clear to her today.

I glanced out of the window as I pulled on my one-armed vest and buttoned it up to the top. I needed my game face today. I had to hold in all my irritable behavior and turn into a polite, but firm gang lord. I could do this. This was nothing compared to the other things I've had to do over the past couple of years.

I frowned, turning my head towards Lucy's door. I was getting nervous about her behavior. I had racked my brains thinking about whys he would suddenly flip the switch. Besides the obvious choice, I could only come up with one answer. She was planning an escape. I knew I had to keep her in my sight at all times. I couldn't have her going off on her own anymore. The last couple of nights, I've locked her door. I couldn't take any chances.

If she even thought about escape and my father caught wind of it… she thought she was suffering now…

I took a deep breath and walked to her door. I banged on it twice.

"Buttercup! Get out here!" I ordered. I waited for a few second before the door opened and her blond head shuffled inside, eyes cast to the floor. I couldn't even see the brown. All I could see was her eyelids. She curtsied politely and clasped her hands in front of her. I rolled my eyes, feeling irritable again. I felt like snapping at her. I calmed my breathing and turned away, so I wouldn't have to look at her broken form.

"You're coming with me. We're meeting an important guest. Don't speak unless you are spoken to. If she asks you for anything, get it for her immediately. Am I clear?" I didn't look back at her but I could almost see her bowing her head in respect and acknowledgement. It really only felt like a knife to the gut.

I gritted my teeth, leaving the room with her close behind me. My eyes were focused in front of me, my legs automatic as they took me through the halls and down the stairs. My head, however, was all over the place. Mostly, it was thinking about the girl behind me. She had taken the transition from princess to slave extremely well. Anybody else in her position would have probably had a mental breakdown by now. Even if she did stumble a little but, here she was, alive and kicking. It took a hell of a lot of self-control. I wasn't sure if I could do it in her position.

If I was in her position, people would be dead. I kept that in mind as I listened to the short clicking of her heels.

Finally, we reached what I liked to call the Great Hall of our mansion. It was the hall that led to the grand double door entrance. Standing in the middle where two people. One of them was a man I recognized as Gajeel. I had to glance at him twice to make sure it was him because he was wearing a smart suit. He never wore suits. Confusion passed through me but I ignored it. He could have been wearing that suit for a number of reasons.

The second person next to him was the one I needed to focus on. She was a young women with short blue hair, pulled back in a bob. She was wearing a smart gown and long gloves that completed her look of 'princess'. She had deep brown eyes and light skin. Her lips were ruby red and they were pursed in a thin line. As we walked closer, she acknowledged me by narrowing her eyes slightly. She was petite, barely over five feet tall, but she was extremely intimidating. I felt like I needed to straighten my nonexistent tie.

As we approached, I noticed Gajeel's annoyed and uncomfortable position, his arms crossed pulling at his collar. How he agreed to where the suit, I would never know. I couldn't even get him to wear a nice jacket, let alone an entire tuxedo. I turned my attention to the lady and stooped to a respectful bow when we reached her. She didn't bow her head, or anything, she simply lowered her eyelids as a form of greeting before lifting them again.

"My lady, I'm so happy you've arrived safely. My name is Natsu Dragneel and I am the lord of this household, my father being none other than Lord Zeref himself. I trust your arrival went smoothly?" I asked respectfully. The Lady clasped her hands in front of her and have me a sly smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"I know very well who you are, Master Natsu. Thank you for allowing me to stay in your humble home. However, with all due respect, I don't believe this brute you entrusted me with will be necessary." She didn't even acknowledge Gajeel but he huffed and rolled his eyes. I gave him a warning look and turned back to the lady, forcing a smile on my face.

"I do apologize if he has been difficult. I can assure you, he will be dealt with accordingly." I cast a glance at Gajeel who gave me a scowl. "However, I must insist that he remain with you at all times. Gajeel is one of our best fighters. He is here for you protection." The lady's indifferent smile broadened as she cast a glance behind me.

"As I said, his protection won't be necessary." I turned to see where she was looking and lay my eyes on two men clad in black at the back of the hall. They both looked at me with harsh glares and I recognized the crest on their left chests. They were the lady's personal guards. I knew that she wasn't stupid enough to come on her own, I just didn't think she would bring two highly trained bodyguards to come with her.

"Gajeel is our protection. I'm sure your men are very capable, but I must insist that Gajeel accompany you anyway, he knows his way around the castle better than anyone and get help you escape at any time should you need to. But please understand, this castle is very well fortified and an instance such as this will not happen during your stay, I can assure you of that." The lady simply smirked, lifting her chin.

"With all due respect, no fort is without its flaws." I had no response and felt slightly taken aback. Was that an indirect threat? I couldn't tell. Her expression told me nothing, her polite smile masked all other emotions. She reminded me of the girl standing behind me when she first arrived. Calm, serene, and trying her hardest to keep herself from losing it.

However, the only difference was that the lady was conniving. I wouldn't put it past her to have more men in the building, probably watching all of us. I knew that the lady was anything but stupid and that she carefully planned her visit to where she wanted it. The fact that she was trying to get rid of Gajeel so badly only proved my point. So I had to make sure Gajeel remained with her to keep an eye on her. If I didn't, there was no telling what she would plan.

"I'll make you a compromise." I blinked, realizing that she had taken a step closer to me. Now she was looking up at me, but I still felt extremely intimidated. "I'll allow this brute to accompany me, so long as you find me a suitable female companion." I breathed a sigh of relief that this was all she wanted. I expected the worst.

"Of course, one of my most trusted advisors, Wendy, would be more than happy to—"

"You misunderstand me, master Natsu. I don't want one of your advisors. I want someone who can come to me if ever I need something, who will run errand for me, who will send and take messages for me. A companion, yes, but I would also like a servant." She glanced behind me and I knew who she was referring to. I swallowed the bile in my throat as I turned to look at buttercup. She was staring at the lady through her lashes. We made eye contact for a split-second and her gaze returned to the floor.

"Those are my terms. If you do not agree, then I will not hesitate to leave at once and forbid my father from negotiating with you. I'm sure that's the last thing you want. So… do we have an arrangement?" I inhaled sharply, hating the position I was in at the moment. For some reason, allowing the two girls to be together was not the best idea in the world to me. They thought too much alike and they were too compatible for my liking. But I knew I had no choice.

"Very well. Lucy, this is the Lady Levy. Please assist her in anything she may need." I said softly as Lucy nodded her head respectfully and curtsied, walking over to Levy's side. Lady Levy smiled broadly.

"Thank you, Master Natsu. I'm sure my stay here will be very beneficial to both our families." With that, she turned and strode away with her entourage following closely behind her.

I watched the go, slightly conflicted. I had a feeling I had just made a huge mistake regarding those two. Something told me that they would bring on a world of pain for me and my gang. I just hope they didn't get scarred in the process.

Introduced a new character! Leave a comment if you think I integrated her well. I can only imagine what kind of trouble these two are going to get into.

Also, I think this is the first chapter that has been in complete Natsu POV. Weird and random fact.