Chapter 25

Natsu's POV

The sound of chirping birds greeted me. Footsteps echoed in the hallway and stopped at my door.

A knock rang in my ears, even after it's stopped, "Come in..." I mumbled from under the covers.

The door opened with a creak, "Natsu, it is time for your breakfast. Would you prefer it eaten downstairs or here?" Gray asked as he pulled the curtains open.

A bright light blinded me, "Downstairs..."

Gray coughed. I looked at him, "What?"

"Um... Beside you? Maybe you should look to your right?"

With his words, I did look to my right. My eyes widened as I saw the head of an angelic sleeping lady. Her hand laid upon my chest. With only a singlet covering her body. Her pink laced dress thrown across the room. Gray walked over to it, picked it up and put it at the foot of the bed.

"Well, looks like you had fun. Douche bag." He said with an irritating smirk.

"Shut up..." I said in embarrassment while looking to the side.

"Well, hurry and get up. It's time for breakfast." He walked away to stop midway and chuckle, "Oh and Natsu? Next time be a bit more quiet in your activities with the lady. I don't want to see another party of our Dragneel servants at your door." He finished with a loud laugh.

I sighed. Well had I last felt this nostalgic? I looked at Lucy again. She looked so innocent while gently taking small breaths and every now and again mumbling something in her sleep which added a slight hint of cuteness.

I fell asleep again. Only to be woken by the gentle pokes of a lady's finger, followed by giggles when I furrowed my eyes-brows. It fell silent. I felt a hand touch the side of my cheek, while soft warm breaths blew on my ear. The scent of roses filled my nose.

"What are you doing?" I asked to feel a sudden jolt of her body.

"So you were awake?"

"Yes, and I had enough patience to handle your random attacks." I mumbled as I stretched and opened my eyes. The sight of Lucy sitting up with a strap of her singlet fallen made me blush and look away. In the corner of my eye I saw her confusion that was later replaced with a mischievous smile.

"Like what you see?" She shuffled closer.

"..." A shade of red covered my cheeks as she reached out to hold my arm.

"Do you?" She continued in a seducing tone. It was obvious that I was falling for her. She teased me as if were a game.

"Fine... I do..." I said as I looked her in the eye. She sat there frozen. Staring at me with emotionless eyes. Not a muscle moved. Moments later she burst into a fit of laughter.

She straightened herself again. "I didn't hear you? Care to repeat yourself?" She grinned.

"You heard me clear enough... And are you one to talk? I bet you like what's in front of you."

She blushed as she took a quick glance at my well defined, chiseled 6 pack abs. I smirked as I knew the tables had turned. I moved closer to her and whispered in her ear, "Well, how about an answer?"

"I... d-don't tease me!" She said as she pushed me away.

We burst into fits of laughter, until Gray came in, "Natsu, -ahem-"

I quickly covered Lucy with a blanket and turned to Gray, "What's wrong?"

"No need to cover her up, I'm not here to steal her from you." He said as he held up his hands in defense.

"Then what business do you have here?" I quickly asked.

"Lisanna is here to discuss a matter with you and the Lady." I froze as her name reminded me of a great tragedy and great depression.

"Why does her name make me feel so irritated?"

"..." Both Gray and Lucy fell silent.

"Gray, don't bring her name up in this kind of situation. Natsu, if you are reminded of who she really is then there is a possibility that she'll be in danger." Lucy warned.

We headed downstairs, at the bottom waited the very suspicious Lisanna.

"My Lord and his Lady. Good morning to you both." She said with a bow.

"Good morning to you too." I inspected her form. None of a threat she showed... Why did I feel so insecure around her. Or should I say, uneasy.

"Well then, My lord. I have something you would want to hear. As for your lady too. Though she already knows, much she would oblige for you to hear of this information."

"Is that so?" I thought for a second and gave a quick glance to Lucy. Noticing my gaze she looked away, "Very well then. Shall we all have a seat in the lounge?"

"Yes my lord." Both the ladies replied. A feel of 19th century manner washed over me. It was as if I was always like this.

I looked over to Lucy, signally her follow as we all walked to the lounge to sit and talk.

I sat down. Lisanna too did the same. Lucy stood by my seat, there was an odd aura. As if she was somewhat lost in what she should do. I smiled and held my hand out. She looked at it like it was something she shouldn't touch. She'd been acting strange ever since Lisanna entered the manor boundaries.

"What-ever is troubling you My Lady?" I said. Confident in my skills of an earl. This new me I realized I had found in a fog.

She bent down and whispered in my ear, "Natsu, in front others. I must always act appropriate, after all I am the Dragneel earl's woman."

I nodded in response, "Come sit down, Lucy. It is not suitable for you to be standing."

"My lord, I know much and not to sit on the same couch as the earl." She said formally.

"You are my woman are you not?" She answered with a nod, "Then come here, sit beside me." Lisanna in the awkwardness, coughed loudly almost rudely.

Lucy took my hand, and I pulled her with force causing her to squeal, later replaced by giggles and soft laughs.

"Well, go on. Lisanna, tell us what you have to say." I leaned back on the couch.

"First, My lord a few words to my Mistress." She turned to Lucy and spoke with a smile, "My Lady, if this discussion take turns for the worst. Even if you still won't forgive me, I will still wait for that 'one day'. Today I will tell him of the past, feel free to add to what I miss." They smiled at each other like they had been friends for the longest in time.

"My lord, under all circumstances please remain calm as I talk. Please don't question me from how I know all this." I nodded in response, "You and Lucy have been re-birthed from a tragic death in the early 19th century, late 18th. You had met from a meeting of your parents. They had plans for your marriage. Of course Lucy at that time was a cute girl and she knew no boundaries in her home, instead of sitting down to listen to your parents talk, she was playing in a rose garden. For your meeting wouldn't have been if you didn't follow her there.

Of course it's love at first sight. You two were meant for each other.. It was seriously shown through the meeting, the affection you two had for each other. Each day you sent a carriage to her mansion as an invitation to yours, and without doubt she always accepted. Each day your love grew, to the point where your 'believed' friendship turned into 'unbreakable' love. You promise her, a marriage. It was your royal promise, and to this day that promise still exists. You promised her you'd fulfill it. You promised her you would grant it at all costs.

After all that time that you said you would... Someone came along to destroy that love, that promise. She never did though, in all true fact, the way she tried over and over again and never succeeded to gain what she wanted showed how strong your love for each other was. But Lucy died, she died from poison. Because someone wanted your love, she died. You cried day in day out, and yet you still never forgot her and never accepted the feelings of that wretch.

You killed the woman after you found out that it had been her. She was the one that had poisoned your lover. Soon you saw Lucy under the moonlight. Her spirit. You missed her. It was all clear that you missed her. You tried to reach for her, but you couldn't. She thanked you for being alive and for killing the murderer.

You had missed Lucy to the point where you even considered taking poison yourself. You did, for your lover you said you would do anything. You too died and plunged your family into great depression, you father past mother and servants of Dragneel manor. But thy hear news after all these years that there was someone called Natsu Dragneel that looked like him in town. And Gray, your past butler who refuses to age, found you. Lucy kept her memories, but it was a great pain for her to tell you of this..."

Memories were ready to be played when I asked, "What about you? If you knew all this then you were bound to be part of the story as well."

"...Yes, you're right. I am a part of the story."

"Then... who were you?" I had the worst feeling in my chest. This kind person, she can't be her right?

"I was-"

"That's enough!" Lucy cut in.

"Lucy?" I was shocked that she would snap.

"Lisanna, don't bring yourself into trouble again. We just became friends again, please don't... Please don't-" Lucy was at the verge of tears. She was begging Lisanna.

But she cut in to tell me, disaster, "I was the person that ruined everything. Killed Lucy, ruined everything..."

I froze on the spot. My heart beats were loud and slow. Time had stopped. I clutched my head as memories played before me. The person who I really was. Natsu Dragneel. I was in agony.

"My lord!" Lucy held me tight.

"I- Um- My Lord! Please hang in there-" She stopped talking and was shut with silence.

Lisanna held her red cheek. Tears trickled down her cheek. Lucy froze, she didn't dare move as my intense aura filled the mansion.

Gray grinned and walked before me and knelled, "My lord. You have awoken from your long slumber. We welcome you back into this world with our warmest greetings." I smiled.

"Thank you, Gray..."

A corrupting power filled me. I was once again. This mansion next owner. I smiled as I knew I found my memories. The ones I thought were someone else, were mine. This body is mine to control. This mind is no longer fogged, It is crystal clear.

I turned around, "Lucy... Finally we meet again." She was sobbing and it pained me to see her like this. I pulled her arms and brought into a warm and loving hug, "My Lady, I am back. Please, cry no more."

She hug me tightly, "Do you know how much I missed you! Do you know how hard it was for me when you said you didn't know me. Do you know, I spent my night's crying, and begging god for you to remember me-" I cut her off with a kiss.

"I don't know anything do I?" She shook her head and burst into tears.

"Natsu..." I missed the way she called my name...

I sighed and turned to Gray, "Lead the Lady to her room, later."

I turned to Lisanna and stood staring at the mark I made on her face when I slapped her, "What are we going to do about you... Men!" Guards came at my order, "Put her in a cell, she will be executed in a few weeks time."

"Natsu!" Lucy cried, "Natsu I beg of you, please just let her go. She came back to earn our forgiveness. Please, she even let you remember everything." I walked over to Lucy and held her close while snaking an arm around her waist.

"Then in order to thank her... I will give her a chance to find reason why I shouldn't kill her, well Lisanna?"

I eyed her powerless figure.

"My Lord, I don't have any reason to live after all I've done." I was shocked by her words. She really meant it. She really means to die.

Hello! I'm sorry to announce that...'Royal Promise' might be over soon... It's confirmed that it's ending around maybe November or December. BUT. There could be a second season.

If you would like a second season, please throw in some very interesting ideas. Keep in mind my ideal type of story genre is 19th century like. Thanks!

Also there will be another story created once this series ends. There will be no spoilers. I do know for sure that the title will probably be 'Love is our crime'.

Thanks for reading!

Please leave a review!

~Cheryl