"Wow!" she stares in disbelief, captivated by everything she is trying to take in. All around her are rows and rows of shelves filled with books, scrolls, maps, and other literary instruments. "It's so much bigger than the one my dad had…" The spacious library even has a cozy area with couches and lounge chairs, tables and other amenities perfect for relaxing in; including a fireplace. Her eyes dart around trying to decide where to even begin.

"I knew you'd like it in here." He smiles from ear to ear.

Quickly kissing him on the lips she shrieks and runs towards the closest shelf. "Natsu there's so many to choose from! Levy would just die if she was here!" Scanning as she walks, "History of this world, ooh history of Earthland; even the Celestial World! Edolas too! Magic books of all kinds! Ehh! Lost magics!" She grabs a book on the history of Kelekona. "But, I think I'll start with this. I wanna learn everything I can about this world," clutching the book to her chest.

Walking up to her, he wraps his arms around her waist. "You'll have plenty of time to read as many as you wish. Come on, let's continue to explore. I'm interested in the pantry!"

"Of course, you would be." She chuckles

"Well I need to know where to raid when I need a midnight snack!" She laughs even harder.

"Alright, hunger monster." She drags him by the arm. "I smell it this way."

After Natsu grabs a snack in the kitchen they check out the gardens next. Strolling hand in hand they walk along the picturesque paths, chatting about everything and nothing, just enjoying the peaceful afternoon together. Little pecks on the lips or cheek, whispers and giggles as he pulls her close; some of the servants smile and whisper amongst themselves when the blissful couple walks by. 'Is that Igneel's boy?' ' Yes and his wife.' 'What a striking couple they make; our future King & Queen.' '…Mmhmm, I agree.' Natsu just grins when they pass by from the comments, content in the knowledge that the Castles servants are accepting of he and Lucy. Hopefully, no he's sure, that the rest of the dragon world will be as well.

Finding a Chasitsu (Japanese tea house) next to the rock garden they stop to relax on one of the ornate lacquered benches. Natsu keeps his arm around her shoulder as she leans her head on his. "It's so beautiful here." She sighs. "I was so worried I wouldn't like it, but it's growing on me."

"I know I'd be happy anywhere as long as you are with me."

"Awww!" she pecks his lips and puts her head back on his shoulder. "Natsu, could I ask you something?"

"Of course, anything."

"I know my dragon senses are developing and some of it is very exciting; smells and tastes and sights are all enriched, heightened. The colors of the flowers are just so much brighter! But it scares me a little too; so much more magic than I'm used to… I don't know; how did you learn to handle all of this?"

"Well I was born with all of this remember; it's all I've ever known, and since Igneel was raising me he never hid anything from me. But I do remember when by accident I lit my hand on fire for the first time, I think I was about 3 and it scared the hell out of me. My dad was in the other room and ran in when he heard me screaming. He hugged me, told me everything was going to be okay and then explained what was going on. Lucy, I am here for you, your mom, my dad, we're all here for you. If something scares you just call and I'll come running and we'll get through it together. You're not alone in this."

Sigh, "I trust you Natsu."

"I hope so; it would have been kinda crazy of you to marry me if you didn't." He tickles her side.

Giggling, "Maybe I just wanted to be a real Princess!" she retorts with a smirk.

Tickling her side more, "Uh, using me like that, how shameful! Take it back!"

Laughing uncontrollably, she surrenders; "Okay, okay I married you cause I love you! Now stop tickling me!"

Relenting on his torture he pulls her onto his lap with her facing forward. His arms hold her around the waist to keep her from slipping as he rests his head against the side of hers. "I love you too Luce. I don't know what I would have done if you had turned me down. Maybe just kidnapped you anyways and dragged you here," he chuckles.

She laughs along with him, "That would have been a sight for your father to see. I have a feeling he would have made you take me home."

"Maybe, or maybe not; I can be convincing when I need to be."

"You're such a goof, but that's one of the qualities I love about you." She squeezes his arms. "Hey, I wonder if we'll run into Wendy them's parents here?!"

"That's a good question. We could always ask my dad about them, maybe he'll know who they are."

"It'd be so cool if they could see them again…"

"Prince Natsu, Princess Lucy, Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes."

Natsu, "Thank you Junko." She bows and returns to the castle.

"Well I guess we should start heading back." He stands up and puts her down. Extending his hand she interlaces her fingers through his. "I can't believe we spent the whole afternoon out here."

"It's was really nice to be able to just relax, back home we never really had opportunities to do that."

Dinner was just like breakfast with the same people sitting around the table. Light conversations lead to Natsu telling his father about some of the missions and adventures they'd had. And of course, Elysian and Minori wanted more details on how the two met. Lucy tells them about the Port of Hargeon, the fake Salamander, about being kidnapped, and how Natsu had rescued her on the boat despite his motion sickness and invited her to Fairytail. "…and our lives became a real fairy tale from that point on…" She squeezes Natsu's hand, "… including the part of him the Prince always having to rescue me the Princess." She chuckles, "But I think he enjoyed that role."

"Yes, I did actually." He grins back

Minori, "That's such a beautiful tale, one day we'll have to have to ask Skiadrum to write it all down to memorialize for the royal records." Lucy is about to ask about Skiadrum when Igneel asks her a question instead.

"So, Lucy, how do you like the castle?"

"It's huge!" Everyone chuckles. "But my favorite places are the library and the garden."

"Hey dad, Lucy and I were wondering if you know Wendy and the other's parents?"

"Yes, I do. Any hybrids that you had contact with I made sure to find out more about them."

"You were keeping an eye on me!"

"Well I wouldn't be a good parent if I hadn't!"

"Tch, well you could have at least dropped in to say hi!"

"That would…"

Lucy chest begins to heave from laughter causing Igneel and Natsu to look at her like she's gone crazy. "S,sorry it's just, now I know where Natsu gets his personality from!" Now everyone on the table starts rolling in laughter.

Minori, "She's got you there Igneel."

"Tch. Anyways, as I was saying. Grandeeney is a highly respected healer in this world, she is the courts physician. Metallicana makes weapons; we often purchase things for the army from him. Skiadrum is a historian, and Weisloggia a theologian; they are friends in this world just like their sons are on Earthland. Laxus' mom Astrapí..."

Lucy, "Wait Laxus?! He's half dragon?"

"Yes, why does he not know this?"

Natsu, "No, and I don't think any of them know; well Rogue might since he believed the Dragon King story. But who is Laxus' mom and why did he need a lacrima implanted in him?"

"Astrapi is a Lightening Dragon who lives and works at a temple, the same one as Weisloggia in fact. Shortly before Laxus was born she became very ill and nothing on Earthland could help her. So when she gave birth to Laxus he ended up being born very sickly. She is the one who gave Ivan the lacrima to implant into their son to make him stronger before she had to come back to this realm to get the care she needed. I think Ivan was part of the problem, I don't know why she fell for such a despicable man. But luckily Makarov was there to keep Laxus from becoming like his father."

Lucy, "Question, so I'm assuming that the portal we came through is not exclusive to us, I mean if others like Metallicana who are not royalty have travelled to Earthland it is possible for others to use them."

Igneel, "Yes, but it is not something they could just take advantage of when they feel like it. The portals can only be opened by a select few, and it is one of these people who must allow it to be used."

Natsu, "And who are these 'Select' people?"

Igneel, "The royal family members of course, Takeshi who is the Captain of the ground soldiers and Priya who is Captain of the air soldiers, Grandeeney because she sometimes goes to Earthland to help with health issues and Damari, Maksim, and Eliseo who are Provincial Advisors; they keep an eye on the 3 provinces of this Kingdom and report to me. We also send them from time to time to Earthland to check on the government's state of affairs. These are all those approved to use the portals."

Lucy, "Approved?"

"Well… from time to time there are others that have figured out how to open portals. We try to deal with them as soon as we find out they've done so without permission."

Natsu, "And are we able to bring humans here even if they aren't part dragon?"

"Such as?"

"Like our friends from Fairytail."

"It is possible, but I wouldn't do it lightly; we have to be careful when introducing non-dragons especially to dragons who have never seen a human before."

"Dad I wouldn't bring the whole guild here, but say Lucy wants her best friend Levy to visit, is it possible?"

"Yes, I don't see why not."

Natsu sees Lucy's eyes sparkle. "Thanks Dad, that's all I really wanted to know."

Note, the next chapter will contain sexual content.