This story is rated M and contains multiple rape scenes, so if you cannot handle that, I would thoroughly suggest backing out about right now.
If you, however, go ahead with the idea of reading this twisted story which my head crafted, I hope you still retain the right frame of mind by the end of it because mine clearly wasn't. This is a short story so I suspect it shall finish in four chapters or something along those lines.
This is the only warning you get.
By the end of this month, however, this story will be complete, your patient wait for it will be appreciated.
If you begin reading this story, I request you to stay until the end.
Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima and thank God, it does honestly.
Chapter one
-•-•-•-•-
Crown Prince August, at the age of seventeen, walked alongside General Invel in the Corridor of the Royals.
He passed his father's portrait which had been detailed to the strand of his hair, August had honestly seen no replication of his father made better.
Next was his Uncle, who seemed a little more like himself in the painting that was done with him wearing his armour.
Then were the usual ones, the relatives he didn't care much for.
August fiddled with his locket as he came across one that was shrouded in a black cloth, August hadn't let his curiosity bother him much but the notion was lost on him really.
Shrouding the portrait was done rarely, in fact, August couldn't remember one instance where it had been done, this may have been the first time itself.
If a person of royalty had disgraced the Emperor or the country, through any means, they would completely be removed from the Corridor of Royalty, their portrait would be burnt to ashes leaving only literal residue behind and no hint of respect or grace for the said person. It was an act equivalent to being disowned.
Yet on this particular wall was the painting of someone who had disgraced the court or the King or both but had not been removed for some odd reason.
"Invel, remove this cloth."
The General frowned at the request as he looked at his Crown Prince.
"Your father would disapprove."
The Prince rolled his eyes.
"If you don't do it then I shall." August caught the ends of the cloth before pulling it away to reveal the mysterious portrait and he almost forgot to breathe when he did.
Blonde hair spilt over her dainty shoulders as she held her head up in force and conviction that flared with radiance, beaming in the kind of a grace that a royal could not possess and oh but in her eyes was a pervading swirl of defiance, pure defiance.
She had the brilliance of the moon and her stars it would seem.
And when August looked down at the inscription, he understood why.
Lucy Heartfilia, Priestess of the Midnight Skies.
General Invel critically looked at the painting,
"You know, Prince August, I have come across many women." He said as he admired the portrait, "frail, strong, annoying and charming. All kinds but I am yet to find a worthy comparison to the woman in this portrait."
"Truly?"
Invel let out a chuckle,
"She left a trail of disasters at her feet, storms if you had to ask."
August knew Invel well enough to know that the man never exaggerated so he must have meant it factually.
"What was she like?"
"In a word?" Invel raised a brow, "defiant."
-•-
Ten years ago,
The Western Province,
Bothest Uprising.
His sword slashed through the last remaining leader of the rebellion.
Natsu Dragneel stared cruelly as the man begged for his life, weren't they warned? If they didn't give up this foolish protest against the rule of his brother, it was obvious he would come for them.
He was known for having no mercy.
Did they really think he'd spare them?
With one sleek move, he beheaded the leader and the blood of another death washed his soul.
The battle was over.
He was going home.
Finally.
-•-
"Oh did you hear?"
"Say, of what?'
"The return of our Warriors from the battle?"
"The one in the west?"
"Yes, that one. They return this evening."
"Is that so?"
"An enormous feast has been laid out for them. Everyone will be there."
"Even Lucy Heartfilia?"
Levy McGarden knew she should've stopped eavesdropping on the conversation between the palace ladies the moment she realised she was doing so but the mention of Lucy Heartfilia attracted her attention once again.
Levy was the new librarian and she had heard much in the reputation of Lucy Heartfilia. She had even seen her and the Priestess was the most exquisite beauty Levy had ever had the privilege to catch a glance of. So it was in truth that her perfection could rid one of any flaws completely. That was the view shared by almost every citizen of Alvarez.
"Yes, her included. Pretty little thing she is, don't you think so, Dimaria?"
"Fiesty as well. But- but I wonder, Milliana" Dimaria asked introspectively, she had been in court for a long time but she never knew to the exact kind of title the Priestess held, "what position does she hold in court?"
"Oh, she reads the stars, her position is the Priestess of the Midnight Skies," her friend replied, "the highest title a lady could receive, save that of the Empress."
"It's strange why she would be at the celebrations tonight."
"Dimaria, don't you understand?" The brunette waved mildly, "It would be impolite to be absent for the welcoming of our Warriors who have so valiantly fought."
"And for what, Milliana?" Dimaria asked as she leaned against the wall of the library. "There was no reason for such bloodshed. And not that she has any interest in such victories especially when it pertains him."
Milliana rolled her eyes, "I fear you have always been too soft."
"Soft? But there was no necessity of bloodshed because the rebels would anyway give in to us? What was the use of such barbaric means of slaughter?"
"Umm excuse me," Levy said meekly, attracting the attention of the two palace ladies.
"Oh Levy, hello." They greeted.
"Hello, Milliana, Dimaria. I'm sorry, I couldn't help but overhear the pair of you saying that it's strange Priestess Lucy attending today's function."
Dimaria narrowed her eyes, "You don't know?"
"Know what?" Levy asked, confused.
"She's new, Dimaria. Obviously, she wouldn't know." She shook her head as she continued, "I just thought it was strange that Priestess Lucy would even make an effort for tonight's event seeing how she despises him."
"Him?"
"Natsu Dragneel, my dear." Milliana said, arching a brow cattily at her, "didn't anyone tell you anything?"
Levy inclined her head in negative affirmation, clearly, no one had bothered, she had tried melting into the routine of the Palace but it had just been a week so it was obvious she needed more time.
"Isn't Natsu Dragneel our warrior though? Why would anyone hate him? Especially someone like Priestess Lucy."
Dimaria snorted in derision, "Honey, that's all outside-the-Palace talk, everyone has to be amicable with one another in front of the people."
"Could you imagine the scandal if the citizens of the Alvarez empire got to know that their loved Priestess and cherished Warrior couldn't be left alone for the fear they'd kill each other?"
"Kill?" Levy asked, widening her eyes. "Why is it that they despise each other?"
"Nobody knows. Apparently both of them never entertained anyone's queries if the topic revolved around the other." Dimaria said.
"I hope they have a secret romance going on. That would be such a fairy tale really." Milliana twirled a strand around her fingers.
"Milliana, don't you have somewhere else to be?" Dimaria said with a questioning stare.
"Oh well, I was supposed to go tend to Lady Irene. See you all later." She chirped and skipped her way through.
Dimaria simply shook her head as she sighed at her friend's naivety.
"You don't share her beliefs." Levy duly noted.
"For good reasons, Levy." She replied, running a hand through her golden hair. "Milliana thinks the world is nice through her rose-coloured glasses but it really isn't."
"What do you mean?"
"Natsu Dragneel is one of the most ruthless men you will ever meet on this land at least. He has a profound inclination to futile bloodshed and God forbid you to make a mistake in front of him, he will punish you in a way unimaginable."
"But isn't he the brother of the emperor? Isn't he supposed to be accountable to him?"
Dimaria chuckled loosely.
"Emperor Zeref would rather give up his crown than go against his brother, he favours him too much." Dimaria shrugged, "Nepotism runs through thin lines of the Court."
"So why does he hate the Priestess?" Levy asked as they sat down in the corner of the library.
Dimaria smirked as if she savoured what she was about to next.
"Because she's the only one with the gall to stand against him. His equal and his enemy in court."
Levy found it hard to wrap her head about it.
"Let me start from the beginning," Dimaria said when she noticed her incomprehension.
"Back then when Warrior Natsu was on his baseless murderous rampage, he would burn every village down with his sword, every single one which he deemed unworthy. One such village was the tribe of the Heartfilias, he killed them all without mercy."
Levy gasped lightly as feelings of horror arose in her, she had never thought of their cherished warrior to be that way.
"And then?"
"He found Lucy who challenged him in a duel and won by foul means."
"Foul means?"
"She cheated by throwing dirt into his eyes, blinding him temporarily." Dimaria shrugged, "and threatened to kill him until Emperor Zeref made her an offer to be the court's Priestess, the highest Lady of court Alvarez."
"And she accepted?"
"Yes, that's why she's here," Dimaria said, sceptically, "to Natsu Dragneel, she represents the one fight he lost. And he hates it. There's nothing that boils his blood more than her."
"But isn't it stupid to remain here?" Levy asked.
And now Damaria was confused.
"I don't get your meaning."
"Well, seeing as one almost killed someone, wouldn't being in that someone's presence be next to life-threatening for one?" Levy said while flicking her wrist to make her point.
"What if Warrior Natsu was looking for revenge?"
Dimaria let her words sink in, the girl had a point even she didn't understand why Lucy had even accepted Zeref's offer much less stayed around Natsu, giving him enough time to plot against her life. Well, maybe the Priestess was just loyal to a fault that way.
"Natsu Dragneel has always been looking for revenge, and I fear, one day he will have it by doing exactly what she did."
"And that is?" Levy prodded as Dimaria's face took a grim turn.
"Publically humiliate her."
-•-
Soft blonde locks that reached her mid-thighs were being braided as her helpers aided her in getting dressed into red transparent robes above her inner clothes that wound itself around her like a second skin.
Not that she really needed help, this was something she could do by herself but her helpers always insisted that they assist her in tasks like those.
Lucy tried hard to understand why she really was making an effort really.
For someone of his standing.
The event hadn't been imposed on her to attend but when it had been announced a few days before in court, Zeref glared sternly at her, the Emperor in silence had clearly made sure that she knew not to make her absence known in this event.
Which was odd.
Because she was certain that the warrior did not want to see her.
A silver brassard adorned upon her right arm and of the same metal rested a plain choker around her neck which was essential to denote her position in court.
"Priestess, you are ready." Michelle Lobster, her maidservant said.
Am I? Lucy thought cynically.
She wondered what she would even do in a room full of people where no one cared about her well-being nor she theirs. They were nobles and she was in the end, a villager no matter what the stories of valour might be, her blood was yet inferior to theirs.
Lucy had never expected herself to attain a position in the court of Alvarez but fate was funny in those ways.
She was escorted to the courtyard where the banquet was being held, it had been decorated delicately in white and red colours to honour their warriors who had returned from a victorious battle. She leaned against one of the white columns and watched the kind of idiocy celebrated.
Lucy looked up to the stars, she hoped the souls of those that had passed in the battle rested their souls in peace.
Especially those who were innocent.
She prayed to the stars watching over her.
Her brown eyes fluttered open just in time to witness the soldiers striding in, headed by their leader.
As if he felt it in his bones, Natsu raised his gaze to meet hers across the room.
Lucy hoped he could see hate in them which was well met by a match of its own in his eyes and being as truculent as she was, Lucy moved her sights away from him. Though she didn't need to look back to know that he was still glaring.
Good, then. She could stay for just a while more, take in a drink and leave.
If Zeref was expecting anything more then she would surely give her condolences the next time they met.
Natsu briefly scowled at the woman before morphing his face in a grin as he embraced his brother.
"Natsu, it's been too long, my brother."
"Too long since I've been afar from home, I agree." He said in reply.
"And you've returned victorious nonetheless."
"So I have."
Zeref called out to the crowd, seeking their attention as every noble in the courtyard looked at him.
"My brother has come back from the war and he's brought victory to our doorsteps. This night I dedicate to the strength of him and his soldiers. May Alvarez never grow short of such gallantry."
The crowd cheered as they raised their glass in respect but Lucy kept hers down for she didn't share their excitement and had the defiance to show it. It's what Natsu reckoned he would always loathe from her, why couldn't she just accept his victory in any battle?
No, he didn't want her approval but her dissent at every step was annoying after adding the fact that she had defeated him in a duel by foul play.
And now she dared to look disappointedly at him?
The audacity.
"Brother," Zeref said, bringing him close, "I need to leave to my quarters, it is time for my medicine."
"How has your health been, brother?"
"Not as well as it should be," Zeref said before coughing a bit, "but I shall recover."
"You better," He said with a smile, "after all you have to spar with me."
Zeref returned it in a blink before turning to leave.
"I hope you enjoy the celebrations, dear brother."
And Natsu hoped he would.
He sat down on the soft cushions as celebratory drinks went around and then there was a line of vibrant dancers and singers who twirled around, tapping their tambourines, dressed in their colourful veils but leaving nothing to the imagination.
Natsu felt himself relaxing, it really did feel good to be back.
Levy looked around the courtyard this was quite an interesting place inside the Palace with many interesting people. She had noticed the silent interaction exchanged between the Priestess and the Warrior and Levy wondered if she would be as biting as Lucy had the same fate fallen on her.
She reckoned no.
But anyway, Levy wished to be introduced to Lucy, she always did like her from afar and in spite of her reputation, she decided she would like to know her.
"Excuse me,"
Lucy looked up, startled that someone would try approaching her.
"Yes, may I help you with something?"
"Umm, I'm the new librarian Levy McGarden."
"Ahh yes," Lucy smiled charmingly, " I was supposed to make a trip to the library this week but work held me back."
"Was there a particular scroll or book you wished to see my Lady?"
"The ones that were written by King Igneel for the well-being of the people before his wife died."
"Oh those," Levy said, she hadn't seen that section of the Library yet and decided she would at her earliest convenience, "I would look for it and keep it aside for when you come the next time."
"That would be very kind of you, Levy." She smiled as they parted and Levy hoped she had given a good impression and by the way, Lucy looked at her as she left it would so seem.
Lucy searched for the emperor's face in the courtyard when she didn't find any sign of him, her heart did a happy somersault. She turned to leave the event in favour of returning to the Shrine when a voice called out her name.
It was Jason.
Lucy grunted inwardly and Natsu knew why, in fact, everyone did.
Jason was one of the most foolhardy soldiers the Alvarez army had ever seen. Natsu wondered often how he was still alive sometimes but decided that it was the beginner's luck lasting way longer than it really should. Dimaria almost slapped her forehead noiselessly because if one thought Levy was oblivious then Jason superseded it.
"Priestess Lucy! Why don't you come over here? Are you so enamoured by the bravery that you wish to admire us from far?"
Natsu almost choked on his spit as he maintained an uninvolved expression.
This man really was foolish huh.
"Of course, Jason," Lucy said, as she gracefully walked to him but maintained her distance.
"After all, what is the wisdom of the stars to the," she looked at Natsu as she sweetly coated her venom, "bloodshed of a warrior? I simply pale in comparison."
Natsu simply raised a brow at her, containing his anger. This wasn't a night for being affronted by her views. But of course, Jason was as heedless as someone living under a rock or a mountain for that matter.
"Oh Priestess, if you feel that way I must suggest a way to make you feel better." He grinned.
"Oh, will you now?" She asked, drily.
"Yes, of course. It's my duty as a soldier to make sure a Lady feels proper all the time."
"I have no doubt of it at all." Although it sounded like she did.
"To show how much you admire us, why not present us a dance?"
Lucy froze. Her, a dance? The Priestess never danced unless it was a very special occasion, like the coronation of the King, this by no means qualified anywhere near that.
"Jason," another soldier chided, "the Priestess dances only for the king's coronation."
"But Jeremy, listen to me," Jason said, "it is an auspicious event after all our leader, Natsu Dragneel has made the Emperor proud and its people, doesn't he deserve appreciation?"
"Well, he didn't ask for it, did he?" Jeremy said.
"Oh he's just being polite-"
And Lucy silently snorted, polite, sure.
"-but everyone secretly wishes to see you dance, Priestess."
"Oh for God's sake, Jason."
"What? Jeremy, I'm just saying what everyone is thinking."
Natsu was pretty sure everyone didn't think that way but for once decided to humour Jason.
"It's not that he's lying." He admitted, making Lucy turn to his direction, "everyone secretly does wish to see you sway, Priestess, including I."
Lucy narrowed her eyes, what was he on about?
"But it would obviously be too much to ask for if I did ask for a dance, wouldn't it? Priestess?"
Was he challenging her or aggravating her? Or both?
"See!" Jason squeaked and honest to God, someday Lucy would take his own sword and make him taste the wrath of it.
"I am afraid my warrior's concern is proven right," she said, putting her hand on Natsu arm, lightly brushing it as he gave a side-glance to the touch.
"I cannot perform for much unless it is the Emperor's crowning, besides, I fear I will be too tipsy turvy with the drinks being served." Lucy smiled at Natsu, it might as well have been venom and it didn't take an idiot to understand then the tension between them but apparently Jason was much more of an idiot than anyone surmised.
"Or are you afraid of being a terrible dancer?"
"Jason!" Jeremy screeched at his brother, insulting the Priestess wasn't a lightly taken crime and what he was doing was beyond it.
"It's nothing of that sort, Jason." Natsu said, slyly with a tone of mockery as he looked at her innocently, "it's just that the Priestess is very tired."
Lucy clenched her jaw subtly.
"A shame really then." Jason shrugged.
She withdrew her hand as she would upon touching sewer waters, this was a question upon her honour. It certainly couldn't go unanswered.
"Very well then. I suppose I can make an exception."
Natsu was impressed, would she now?
"Michelle, could you please get my tambourine?"
"As you wish, Priestess."
"Ha! Cheers to you, Priestess. It is truly an honour to our lot." Jason grinned and Natsu made it a point to actually appreciate the soldier, for he made the stubborn, head-strong Priestess do an act against her will, even he couldn't do that.
"Please dance for my pleasure." He whispered to her as she scowled at him through the corner of her eyes as he sat down, more than intrigued awaiting for Michelle to bring her tambourine.
And when the servant did, she handed it over to Lucy who had removed her braids in favour of a simple high pony. Lucy removed her first transparent robe almost earning a small surprised gasp from the old, conservative ladies around but if she cared, she didn't show.
The bonfire at the centre reminded her of her home in the village and it made her feel joy in spite of the incredulity of the affair.
So happy it shall be.
She was doing this for herself rather than anyone else.
Natsu sat down as he witnessed her taking the tambourine, she whispered something up to the stars and the moon, a prayer probably.
As the music began playing and she glided gracefully from place to place, her fingers touching as her breasts bounced with orange hues lighting on her skin, reflecting the deepest desires of the fire. Natsu licked his lips as heat consumed him.
Moving in dazzling grace, her hips rolled with the rhythm, her sensuality sauntered out as her body had turned into liquid and Natsu was a man parched. He drank her sight with concealed thirst and just as quickly as she had begun she finished it with the tap of her tambourine.
Her maidservants rushed in to robe her back into those transparent clothes.
"Marvellous," Jason said. And for once, everyone agreed with him.
"I must retire to my Shrine and of course," Lucy said staring at Natsu as if he was beneath her, "I hope you did enjoy, my Warrior, for this meagre display."
She floated out of the courtyard and for the rest of the night, no dancer could compare.
-•-
"You had danced well, Priestess," Levy said the next day as Lucy went over the scrolls, parchments and books of the ancient kind.
"Oh, thank you. Not by my consent although."
"Oh yes, Jason has always been -and I fear- will always be an oblivious idiot," She remarked and Lucy awarded it with a chuckle.
"Thank you for these books I was looking for them. May I please send my helpers to take them from you?"
"Oh, Priestess, must you really ask?"
"It is your library after all." Lucy smiled before bidding her goodbye and walking out of the library, somehow, the librarian newly appointed was much better than the previous one who was rather rude to Lucy at every single visit.
It was a clear-cut way of showing that her presence was not appreciated here.
Not like she didn't already know that.
Lucy had skipped court today, just to spite Zeref and besides, she would like to mentally prepare herself before getting used to seeing his brother in court as well since he was not going to any battle or war anytime soon.
She hummed lightly to the tune of the moon although it was still day time as people stared at her strangely. Was it really her fault if the dark of the night reached out to her even when the light still showed?
Lucy went into the gardens, springing lightly, to admire the flowers that bloomed around this time of the year and narrowed her eyes when a scent furthest from the floral kind hit her.
"Those that bleed on battlegrounds tend to be delicate in gardens, I've heard them say," Lucy said aloud as Natsu leaned against one of the columns.
"Have you?" He said as his hands stroked the flowers.
"But it's obviously false. Since your kind still exists." And Natsu snapped the flower bud from its stem.
"What a welcome indeed." He said dryly, "it's almost to say that you're unhappy to see me return."
"See you return alive that is." Lucy corrected, tenderly letting her hand graze over the flowers but as quickly as she had said that her wrist was snatched away to be pulled by a hand holding it in a firm clasp.
"Know your place, woman, you defeated me in foul play." He snarled, black eyes flaring in indignation.
"My strength surpasses yours by the greatest to the lowest."
"Yet," Lucy echoed, ignoring the pain that came from him clutching her tightly. "you still lost."
His figure towered over her, caging her in his arms as he stared down at her in due wrath but nothing shook her, the defiance in her eyes was still bright as the day he had encountered her.
"All because you refused to bow to me," Natsu said, close to her ear in an embittering tone.
"Gods and monsters of men have worshipped me what makes you think you can resist?"
Lucy turned to him as she stared at him directly.
"I will never worship an idol who is washed in innocent blood and cries of mercy." She managed to push him off.
"Then I will force you to."
Lucy gave a chuckle.
"You can try, your Highness." and she added, "to fail at the end of it."
Lucy left the gardens, delicate steps sounding her leave as Natsu clenched his fists. Ever since she had assumed the title of Priestess in court, Lucy made it no secret that she despised him and his bloodshed in spite of the glory it brought to the Alvarez Empire, she was such a nuisance to bear with. Defying laws and cases in the court, throwing mean and subtly hinted jabs at him and executing herself in a way where nothing threatened her, even if it did, that did not in any way deter her way of grace.
She feared no man or woman in court and was loved by the people.
Which was why Zeref couldn't get rid of her easily. She helped the slaves as the first thing she did when she came, Lucy was simply just good. They adored her as she climbed the ranks and won the hearts of common people outside the walls of the castle.
Too intelligent for her own good and blessed with the beauty of the moon that bore her skin.
Lucy was perfect.
And he despised it.
Because she was his equal, not by marriage, not by class but by simple defiance.
And he hated the way he couldn't control the wilderness she was born from, in battles he could, he could hold his sword to the neck of a man and make him a puppet to his fingers.
But with Lucy?
It was futile.
Every time he caught her, she slipped away leaving a mark of his failure to capture her.
No more, he thought darkly.
She would belong to him, sooner or later.
And when she would,
He would break her.
Piece by piece.
-•-
Levy realised maintaining the royal Library was more difficult done than said.
The enormous scrolls falling off from the cart that was filled with books, parchment paper, quills and ancient scrolls which were of more worth than Levy's life. The cart would have to be taken by someone else, she decided.
"Oh Levy, how wonderful it is." Milliana screeched quite literally from nowhere meanwhile giving the bluenette the scare of her life.
"For Goodness' sake, Milliana!" Levy said, keeping her hand on her chest to slow her heart down.
"You scared her, Milliana." Dimaria said in chiding tone, "you could be a little more gentle not everyone is made of stone here."
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright, so what has got you in such elation, Milliana?"
"When is she not?" Dimaria remarked, rolling her eyes and Levy agreed.
"Listen to me, the contest is to commence today," Milliana stated, dancing and twirling.
"What contest?"
"The one which happens once in a decade, Bellicus, it is a tournament held once in a decade to test the resilience of all and every man or woman who can fight in brutal strength to win the tournament."
"And what's the prize?" Levy asked.
"That the Emperor will grant him anything the victor asks for." Milliana hummed as she played with her purple bracelet, those wear customary for the ladies who resided in the Palace.
"Even the kingdom?"
"Obviously not, Levy! How foolish would that be?" She responded disapprovingly as Dimaria giggled in good humour.
"As foolish as it is the idea of giving anything one wishes for." Levy reasoned.
"True." Dimaria agreed, "but Emperor will give the victor anything he asks for provided it does not harm the well-being of the kingdom or his Kingship."
"Yes but I don't think the victor would ask anything that compromising from his brother."
Levy furrowed her brows.
"Is Warrior Dragneel taking part?"
"Of course, he is." Milliana said sighing dreamily, "but have you seen him? What a dashing figure indeed. I wish I was the woman in his arms but his sights are always secured on one person."
Levy appeared confused yet before she could voice her dilemma on who the woman was, Dimaria answered her doubts.
"A pity really," The golden-blonde stated with a wry smile. "For the women of the Palace would catch the stars readily for him and-"
"-he reserves his sights only for her who reads them instead." Milliana completed
Oh, they were talking about the Priestess.
"Lucy Heartfilia isn't as bad as everyone implies." Levy reasoned.
Dimaria looked at her as she exchanged a curious expression with Milliana.
"No one ever said she was bad, Levy," Milliana said, her tone impartial for once, "in fact the right opposite, she's quite literally the only person in court with purity in her heart."
"So why is she so disliked?" Levy asked.
Dimaria smiled, the sad sort of smile which one gave after knowing the bitter truth.
"Levy, understand this," She asserted.
"Sometimes when one is as inherently good as Lucy Heartfilia, people try to dim the light out because they could never even hold a candle to such a rare quality. Lucy possesses a heart of gold and her soul is pure of blemishes."
"You'll find that lacking in everyone within the court, including the Emperor himself."
"The Emperor as well?" Levy questioned, taken aback.
"Yes. Why do you think August has never been taken to his mother?"
Levy widened her eyes. The rumours were true then? She realised as she recalled the story, that the Emperor had impregnated a Palace Lady? And in order to protect himself from the scandal that would arise, they locked her in deepest pits beneath the Eastern tower made where no person inhibits, it was called the Ankhseram.
No one ever saw the woman again. It was said she was trapped in a tower for decades to come.
Goodness, was madness a family trait?
"You seemed to have figured out," Dimaria said, kindly.
"But you mustn't judge them harshly, Levy." She said, "They were brought up as orphans and after Igneel's death they didn't have anyone."
"So what?!" The blunette asked, scandalized, "like it justifies anything, cruelty done is still cruelty done no matter how many reasons you give, in the end, it is wrong."
"But he is our Emperor, Levy, and we love him with all his flaws unconditionally."
Levy felt like gagging.
And even when the evening came, she still couldn't help feeling like a pit had been had sunk her stomach. The contest went on for three days but she went only on the last day because Dimaria and Milliana requested her presence.
Levy pretended to have forgotten about the conversation but it had reduced Dimaria and Milliana's respect in her eyes. To love someone so cruel unconditionally simply because he was the Emperor? Even if there was good within the court of Alvarez, it would become tainted.
It was an old saying but it rounded against Levy's head like the waves of the ocean, in a profound fashion and in the voice of her grandmother who once told her- Levy, history does not repeat but it often rhymes.
She hadn't understood her grandmother very well but the more she grew, the more it made sense to her.
Levy shook herself from her daze and concentrated on the victor of the tournament who the crowd cheered onto as he came into court. Only this once, she was allowed inside the court with the rest of the Palace ladies.
With pride flaring his eyes as toil and dirt from winning rubbed across his muscled chest, Natsu Dragneel grinned at his brother across court who returned it.
Mirrors have seldom known to not reflect, Levy thought with disgust.
"Hello, brother."
"Zeref," He said.
"So what is it that you wish for, brother?"
And everyone found it hilarious to laugh at the little joke crack, Natsu was the brother of the Emperor.
He had everything, what could he possibly want?
But they waited patiently, Levy looked for the Priestess but it appeared she had skipped court today. And she knew why, because honestly, it was obvious he was to win and why would she stick around to see that.
"Or rather who, brother." Natsu gently corrected and Levy gasped almost audibly.
He couldn't.
"Do you wish someone to be yours, Victor?"
They couldn't give people as a form of prizes, people weren't cattle but it seemed like Levy had been living a lie for a long time in her life.
"Yes."
"Ask away then, they shall be yours to keep."
To keep?! Levy screeched in her head.
And as if her trepidation was right, Natsu whispered a name.
She waited for an objection in court, for someone to raise vocal rejection, anything in the name of God.
When no one raised a voice of dissent, Levy almost stood to her feet and before she could voice her concern Dimaria clasped a tight hand around her mouth and pulled her down.
"It is granted."
It was diabolical.
Sure.
But almost everyone in court agreed that Lucy Heartfilia had it coming for a while. Natsu exited the court as he went in search of his prize, to do God knows what but it could not have been anything short of evil.
Levy hoped for the well-being of her friend but even she knew it was all wishful thinking
-•-
She had finished closing the shrine for the nightly hours as she stepped into her carriage which took her to her quarters where she stayed. Honestly, it was too big of a place. The architectural columns and arches only succeeded in making her feel more lonely.
Lucy reached her quarters and found it surprising when there was no one to greet her, Michelle was nowhere to be seen.
The contest, her mind bleakly reminded.
Of course, her helpers had gained her permission but wasn't it over yet? Really if she knew Dragneel half as well as she did then he'd rather finish his victory the quickest to celebrate whatever it is that he wanted as a prize.
She entered the dark quarters and head straight to her room.
Daintily, Lucy pushed the heavy doors apart to the pitch-black room. Instinctively, she went to the curtains, drawing them to tying them to the corners with the strings.
The moonlight entered the room and Lucy knew, without a shadow of a doubt. She felt the presence of someone in her room as soon as she headed to the curtains.
"It is called impertinence to enter the room of a woman without her permission, especially if said person is a part of the Royal Court."
"Then impertinent I am."
Lucy turned around to face Natsu who seemed to be pleased with himself, marks from the tournament were still fresh on his body which in all rights begged the question.
Why was he here?
"What are you doing here?" She asked, plainly.
"I won the tournament."
"So you've come here to what, gloat?" Lucy snorted with derision.
"Not in the sense but to inform actually."
Lucy raised a brow.
"To inform what?" She asked, taking the stick holding her hair in a bun out to twirl between her fingers.
"Of what my prize is."
That made her narrow her eyes as she looked up at him, glimmering in the dark.
"Brother said I could take a person,"
Lucy narrowed her eyes, there was no possible way.
"So it was obvious I had been pondering about it for a long time," he said, playing with the sheets on her bed, "and of course I chose-"
"-don't," Lucy said, dread overshadowing her heart.
"Don't say it."
Natsu resumed to his full height as she dropped the stick.
"I am going to say it regardless, I asked him-"
"-I said don't say it! Do-"
"-for you, Lucy Heartfilia." He stood in front of her.
"I am not a piece of land that you can simply wish for and it's yours." She spat out, moving away from him.
"But you are my prize." He said and she could hear the joy in his voice as she continued to make her way to the door.
"I worked hard on the grounds, Lucy, and now," He said, "and now I've come to collect and claim."
The doors weren't opening, Lucy's face crumpled in raw emotion, why weren't they opening?
"They aren't going to come for you, Priestess. Everyone knows."
She turned to look at him in horror as she realised he was right, but if not the doors, she thought with hope as she started for the balcony, surely, she would be able to make the jump.
But before could even step out in the light of the moon, an arm wrapped itself around her waist and pulled her back. Lucy immediately reacted by elbowing hard which loosened his grip on her as she ran into the balcony but he managed to pull a fabric of her robes.
It caused her to trip and fall to her knees, Lucy rolled to her back and found him looking at her.
The look in his eyes, the lust and the need to claim. It shook her mind that the Warrior could even think of something like that and for the first time, unconcealed panic flashed her eyes.
It gave him satisfaction.
"I should've expected struggle from you." He said, advancing towards her as she hurried to her feet only to be pulled back.
"Leave me." She pushed him away as he stopped her hand from doing so.
"Do you regret it now?" Natsu asked, content with her protests. "defying me at every step you could."
"You took my family away from me!"
"It was indemnity."
"You just wanted to kill everyone in that village because we didn't honour you at your entrance, we didn't even know it was you!"
"Your father, Judas Heartfilia, was a disgraceful rebel-"
Lucy raised her free hand and slapped him right across his face before he could even finish.
"Do not," Lucy warned with ire in her eyes, "take my father's name you filth."
Natsu was confounded, no one had ever struck him. His hand went up to massage the area scorching in heat. Lucy noticed the change in his face, it had turned darker if it was possible and the moon above them hid in clouds, sparing no light as she took a step back in care.
"They say blood never lies." Natsu uttered, prowling towards her as she stepped back, "I reckon it's true for all your conduct is like that of a village girl after all."
Her violence had ignited something in him, a raving monster who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted and oh how fiercely he desired her.
Natsu stumbled forward, "All those years I've watched you and you've never surrendered. Maybe this will teach you to respect those superior to you."
He caught her wrist and dragged her as her to where her nightly cot, Lucy screamed and thrashed, anything she could to make this beast stop but his strength was greatly intimidating to her own.
He threw her on the bed and Lucy stared at him terrified at the man she had first duelled with, this was not him. She had never imagined him to behave so, so animalistically.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because you belong to me. That has always been your fate."
Tears ran down her cheek, as she realised, nothing would stop him. He wanted to claim her, he would.
"I will never belong to you."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, pet." He climbed atop her, holding her hands in strict custody before Natsu dipped down, taking in her alluring scent and licked her skin before biting down on it to mark what was his.
His breath took hers away, the heat of his body made her shiver as he felt her up.
Lucy clenched the sheet underneath her.
She turned her head to the side she saw the moon witness what he committed on her as she lost her voice to the dead of the night. Her robes were destroyed to bits as he tasted every part she had been privy to, his fingers leaving dark marks on her dainty skin with multiple bruises that had already been laid to rest upon her flesh.
Natsu penetrated within her with the agility he knew, mixing their scents with what seemed as bitter reluctance. It was a sweet reward to him, for years of loathing boiled down to this and he was finally pleased of it.
Control over her felt lovely.
It lasted till morning light was shone, he didn't stop until he felt the warmth of the sun's heat hit his back and only then he took his weight off her. Staring at her as if he admired the canvas he had just ruined.
"Leave." Her voice growled though it sounded with cracks as fresh trails wet the sheets beneath her
"I will return, this is not the last time my hands will find your flesh."
And he left with his robes properly kept as he had managed to destroy her world at a single glance.
Lucy lay within her broken skin and torn flesh, he had desecrated her and he would do so again. She lost connection with the world outside, feeling a strange form of abandonment come over her, the kind which she knew only when her parents were taken away by the fire.
The same fire which took her now.
-•-
Lucy couldn't remember how long she laid there.
She really couldn't feel, the numbness had taken it all and she lay naked on the bed, cold as the day she had step foot into this blasted palace.
"My Priestess! Where are you ?!" Michelle's voice echoed in the room as she came to a halt before gasping heavily.
Tears presently made way as she wept for her mistress and her form, the servant had heard of what Warrior Dragneel wanted and she swiftly went to inform her Priestess but they trapped her, threw her in a room below as they heard the screams of their mistress batter against their hearts.
Lucy didn't feel anything until her skin met warm waters in her bath. It was only then she was finally aware of her body, the scourge of the water against her battered flesh, she dismissed her servants and though they seemed unwilling of it, they left.
She tried to scrub his marks away from her flesh. The water struck her bruises and they hissed but she embraced the joy of pain to numb her memories.
His hands around her, asserting their rights and teeth-baring down at her neck.
His warmth that burnt her skin and Lucy felt heat pool around her belly.
Lucy jerked awake, what was this? Had her body responded to his touch? Without her consent? She clenched her hands as she brushed more vigorously to remove the dirt, to remove his wounds. Lucy scratched the skin he had marked to tear it away from her flesh and blood
Why did the feeling not go away?
She felt blurs covering her vision as tears mixed with the water. Lucy shook her head as she stepped out of the bath.
"Why, mother?" She asked to the moon at her absence.
Delicately, she made her way back to the room as her servants waited patiently to dress her but Lucy fell unconscious the moment she slipped into her first robes. It was at nightfall her eyes awoke again to the whimper and soft wailing near her bed.
She looked beside her to find Michelle weeping at her side.
Noticing her mistress was awake, she stiffened, "My apologies if I woke you up, Priestess."
"It's alright. Michelle." She softly voiced out, her body aching sorely.
"What grieves you, my child?" Lucy asked, reaching her hand out to gently pat her head.
She looked up to Lucy and the blonde almost flinched at her blotched face, swollen from crying.
"Priestess, we weren't-" she breathed a sigh of regret, "we couldn't protect you."
Lucy's brown eyes softened to pools of honey in spite of the pain that racked her body and soul.
"It's alright, love." She said kindly wiping the tears away, "it's hardly your fault."
"My fault? Priestess, had it not been for us wanting to see the tournament, we would've been with you-"
"-and what? He would hurt you all to get to me, I'd rather you wouldn't have offered any resistance."
"But my Priestess,"
"Hush now," Lucy said, "It is not any of your faults. You did everything you could to prevent this and that alone is enough for me."
When she touched Michelle's arm however, she hissed in pain and Lucy narrowed her eyes at the reaction but she was still too weak to pursue her curiosity.
"Priestess, do you wish for anything?"
And oh, if Lucy wanted anything Michelle would've plucked the very gems from the deepest caves of the Alvarez realm to see her Priestess back to the shine she had. Her eyes dimmed at the light outside, her voice was duller than Michelle had ever heard and deep in her heart, she knew her beloved Priestess would never be the same again.
"Nothing at all."
-•-
She stared at the ceiling, feeling the blithering ice reach her. Her eyes rested nonchalantly at the moon that seemed to turn away from her, she flinched when she tried to stand. A throbbing pain stretched across every nerve of her body as she took little steps to reach out her balcony.
"Mother," Lucy called out quietly to the moon.
The rays of lesser light began to shine on her wounds, tears slipped past her control and Lucy found a sob quelling at the back of her throat. The pounding in her thighs made her unable to stand as she fell to her knees.
"Mother, he will come again." She said softly as mourned the loss of her innocence.
"Mother, he does not know mercy nor it him, he won't leave me until I belong to him."
She dropped to sit on the cold ground as the moon rays and her stars wept at her state.
The lights continued to shine on her scars, the ones hidden by her transparent robes now shredding, fingerprints marred her flesh in an alarming form of desecration.
"It is his Palace, mother, he's the brother of the Emperor. The next immediate King in line should Emperor Zeref falter." She said, looking up to high skies and the clouds felt alarmed at her pain. They moved away to southern corners as the starry skies sat still.
"He will not stop and he will not let me go."
And that was the raw truth, breaking her resolve before her a fresh trail of tears made its way because Natsu was who he was and he always got what he wanted.
Oddly, however, in spite of the tears, in spite of the pain, a distinct will was built with the fortitude of stardust found Lucy's heart as she looked back at the sky.
"But mother I shall never belong to him."
Lucy stood her feet withstanding the agony that came along.
"I pledge in the name of the stars under which I was born," She gritted her teeth tenaciously, "I will never belong to him."
Reviews are always appreciated and constructive criticism is valued. Including grammatical errors, please. Also, the 'history doesn't repeat. .it rhymes' quote was by Mark Twain, pretty cool dude if you had to ask me. And yeah, this story isn't a romance, at all. What I'm going to portray is something many people go through. Modern or ancient, the situation today seems the same. Anyway, until next time.
Thank you.