"Lucy!" The yelling brought shiver down to her spine. She knew who that voice was. "Lucy-hime"

No, how come they know? Why is he here? Lucy's thought was trying to process the situation, she was sure she did not leave any trace when she ran away from home. But how come he is here?

"Excuse me, I need to go," she said as she walks away from Natsu and his companions leaving them confused. She tried walking faster but the man caught her arm.

"Lucy-hime!"

"Leave me alone Loke! What are you doing here!?" she yelled trying to release from the grip of Loke. Loke was her parent's most trusted guard. He was serving their family for almost how many years.

"Hime, your parents want you back," he said keeping his grip on her firm.

"Ow! You're hurting me," Lucy cried in pain. She knew that Loke was angry because she disobeyed her parents and ran away from home. "Let me go!" she struggled.

"The lady said to leave her at once," Lucy turned and looked and saw Natsu's hand holding Loke's arm. "She said she did not want to go with you,"

"Excuse me sir but you have no business here," said Loke trying to shake off Natsu's hand. He noticed the firm grip and he knew it was someone he would not mess with.

"I have, she's our tour guide and you are disturbing our trip," Natsu replied coldly. Lucy's eyes became teary, she never thought Natsu would save her.

"I think you should let go sir," added Gray, "You might not want the damage you'll have if you won't let go,"

Loke sighed. He knew he would not be able to argue with them so he let go of Lucy. He walked away but shouted, "I will be back Lucy, I will take you home,"

Lucy staggered her legs made her weak. She did not want her old home. She wanted a free life, away from the ruthless training. But because of what happened today, she somehow had that fear that she won't be able to run away from her family. She began crying silently.

Natsu, Gray and Erza did not know how to comfort her. So they just waited until she finally smiled and said "I'm okay,"

They were back at the inn. Erza offered Lucy a glass of water. "Who was that?" she asked, "What did he want from you?"

"He was my family's most trusted guard. My father was a great businessman, he owns a few estates in Fiore, they wanted me back home,"

"Why?" asked Gray, "I mean if you are living a life of comfort why did you choose to run away?"

"You don't know my parents" she smiled painfully, "they are cruel and harsh people, I have lived my entire life being confined in the walls of the estate. All I ever wanted was to live free and discover the world that was hidden from me,"

Natsu who was looking out of the window heard every word Lucy said. They were the same kind of people. All they wanted was freedom from the walls that was surrounding them. He understood her pain. He admired her tenacity to run away from her home just to see the world. He did not even have an ounce of that bravery. If he just ran away from the palace, he would not have been seen as a threat by the people living there. Then he might still have some communication with his brother by now. He gave a deep sigh.

"I don't want to go back," Lucy said

"Then come with us," Natsu offered. Everyone looked at him. Lucy was no teary but smiling. "But you need to first know our true identity,"

Natsu removed his scarf. Lucy just smiled. "I know who you are, 2nd prince of the Kingdom of Fiore, Natsu Dragneel,"

"You knew!?" exclaimed Gray.

Lucy nodded. "Yes, it was obvious anyway, but how come you are travelling without any guards around you?"

Gray and Erza fell silent. It was an answer that only Natsu is allowed to explain. He explained every single detail to Lucy. He knew she was someone he could trust. He also told her his plan of finding the Knights of Fiore.

Lucy listened intently. Her heart was bursting with so much joy. It was the adventure she was longing to have. She would swear allegiance to him if she has to. She saw Natsu's determination and passion to save his brother and his kingdom. Lucy saw the authority in Natsu's voice. How come he did not become the king? she thought.

"Are you willing to join our quest?" Erza asked.

"Yes!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Do you have any idea of someone who lived here with these last names?" Natsu showed her a piece of paper. Her heart pounded as one familiar name was seen there "Heartfilia". Is their family connected to the Knights of Fiore? She shook the thought. Maybe they have other relatives who has the blood of those Knights. She kept her identity, once again, hidden to them.

"What's you last name by the way?" Asked Gray

"Gonzales," she replied, again she examined the names trying to find someone she knows. One name was also familiar to her. "Lockser, I know someone of that name!" she exclaimed. Natsu excitedly went near her.

"Is that person here?" he asked.

"I was with someone getting off the train here in Hargeon, I sat with her for awhile during the travel. She said she's from Oak Town and she's on a trip here in Hargeon," Lucy said trying to remember the moment they sat together on the train.

"Are you also travelling to Hargeon?" a lady asked Lucy who was in deep thought

"Yes," she replied

"I'm from Oak Town, it's fun travelling right? My name is …. Lockser," Lucy did not hear her real name as the train loudly honked while they arrived at Hargeon.

"Yes, nice to meet you," Lucy said

"Bye!" the lady replied as she quickly went out of the train

"What does she look like?" asked Natsu.

"She's blue-haired, you can easily recognize her from far away. She was somewhat shy type and young looking, I can't remember her first name because the train was too loud when we arrived at the station. She also quickly left the train after that," Lucy replied. "If we start looking for her now, maybe we'll find her,"

"Whoah! You are staying here," Erza said, trying to push Lucy to sit down. "Someone is trying to kidnap you so it will be better if you stay here,"

"I want to go!" she demanded to her.

"I'll accompany her Erza, besides she said she has seen the lady," Natsu suggested. Erza gave up, he is still the prince anyway, was what she thought.

The four of them chose where they would start their search, "We'll go east, you go west" Lucy suggested.

Natsu felt a rush of adrenaline. They have now a lead towards one of the Knights of Fiore. He tightly gripped his fist. His confidence was once again revived.

Will they be able to find that lady?Will Lucy keep on hiding her real identity? Find out on the next chapter. Read and review! stay safe guys!