"Your father…" Mrs. McGarden looked away from her. "Lucio… his heart was ripped out by our attackers."

Levy gasped, and took a step back. "No… not father…"

"Father is gone, Levy." Mrs. McGarden replied, face shadowed. Lucy looked away from them, and buried her face into Natsu's chest.

"No… he can't be dead…" Levy fell to her knees, shaking as tears sprung up in her eyes. Mrs. McGarden hugged her as both began to bawl.

Lucy whimpered, starting to cry as well. She had liked Mr. McGarden, and she and Natsu had always seen him as an uncle. He was a great loss to all of them.

Gajeel stepped forward, and crouched down, stroking Levy's hair softly. Levy pulled away from her mother and began to cry into his chest.

Mrs. McGarden slowly raised her face to look at him. "You."

Gajeel looked back at the woman, his hands never ceasing their stroked on Levy's hair.

Mrs. McGarden stood up, and practically snarled at him. "You. Redfox."

"Yes?" Gajeel kept his tone even, not showing any signs of fear or intimidation. He could feel that whatever was about to come wouldn't be good. The older woman growled at him, and shakily pointed a finger at him.

"You Redfoxes are the cause for all this." She hissed. "Your very own bastard brother was behind all this, didn't you know?"

Gajeel tried his best not to show any of his surprise and shock on his face. "No, I didn't. I ain't my brothers keeper." He bit back.

"Scum." Mrs. McGarden growled. "Redfox. That name does not deserve the title of royalty! Scum! Scum, all of you!"

Gajeel glared at her, and tightened his hold on Levy.

"You do not deserve the honor of being a royal child." She hissed. Gajeel rolled his eyes.

"Oh, I'm royal?" Gajeel said sarcastically. "Man, I didn't know. It's not like anyone treats me like one."

"You bastard."

Levy had frozen in Gajeel's arms in the middle of her mother's tirade. "Mom… what?" she whispered, not having ever seen this side of her mother before.

"Hold on, dear." Said Mrs. McGarden. "Wait until I'm done."

"Mom!" Levy said, horrified. "This isn't Gajeel's fault."

"It's his father's fault." Mrs. McGarden sniffed. "I have no idea why you chose him anyways… he is not a good boy for you, Levy."

"I can't believe you!" Levy screeched, pulling away from Gajeel. "My own mother… can't you just be happy I chose someone?"

Mrs. McGarden faltered as Levy turned her back on her and walked away, dragging Gajeel by his collar.

"Let's go," Levy said, tears streaming down her face. "I need time to think, kay?" Gajeel nodded, sighing as he wrapped an arm around her as they walked out of the ballroom.

Once they were out of sight, Lucy and Natsu watched as Mrs. McGarden slowly walked over to her late husband's body, kneeling down in order to stroke his hair.

"I'm sorry, Lucio." She sniffled, voice hoarse and eyes red. "I think I've just failed both you and Levy…"

"Mrs. McGarden-" Lucy started, but she cut her off.

"Don't." she said. "I… I need to be left alone."

Lucy sighed and went over to Natsu, who was still bleeding. His arm was in an odd angle, his eye was heavily bruised, and he was bleeding from cuts all over his body.

"You need to go see a doctor." she stated simply.

"Do I have to?"

"Yes."

"But…" Natsu staggered suddenly, making Lucy yelp and grab his shoulders. After wincing in pain for a few minutes, he gave her a weak grin.

"I-I'm okay!" He smiled cheekily and forcefully at her. Lucy felt her lip quiver.

"No you're not!" she said, helping him stand up and making him balance against her shoulder. "Baka! I'm worried about you!"

"But-"

"Natsu, you baka!" Lucy wailed, and started to cry. Natsu winced, and pulled her against his chest. "Why did you go against all of them, huh? Now you're hurt!"

"Luce, I…" Natsu sighed, tightening his arms around her. "Don't cry."

"Baka baka baka!" she yelled, pounding her fists weakly against his chest. "You could have died!"

"Nah, I'm invincible!" he grinned again at her, and her lip puckered. His lips gently brushed against her forehead in an effort to make her calm down. "And besides… I'd take down an entire army of slayers for you, Luce! You're going to be my mate, after all!"

Lucy blushed a shade of pink that put Natsu's hair to shame. "That… That was an army, baka!"

"Meh, could do better." Natsu placed a hand under her chin, tilting her head upwards. Lucy could feel her heart suddenly beat faster in her chest as he settled his hands on her waist, bringing his face closer to hers. Their lips found each other, kissing hungrily and deeply.

Lucy was blushing even harder as they pulled away-even vampires needed air- and looked at each other.

"Yep," Natsu gave her a shit-eating grin, one that she was very familiar with. "Definitely my future mate."

Lucy smacked him lightly on the arm. "Baka."