Hello, everyone !
I'm back with the seventeenth chapter :D
I hope you enjoy reading it as always ~
Disclaimer: I only own this plot
When they arrived at the mine, Lucy knew her plan would work. Scorpio opened a map and showed that the mine was connected to the Quatro Cerberus Country, one of his country's neighbors. The Quatro Cerberus Country was a neutral country—just like the Blue Pegasus Country—which meant it wouldn't choose sides between the Dragon Country or the Celestial Country. Using the underground path in the mine, it would only take about one day to reach the Quatro Cerberus country by train.
"And don't worry about the Phantom Country, Prince Natsu." Scorpio said. "We are just a small country compared to that country, so they won't give a care towards what we do."
"Better be safe than sorry, King Scorpio." Natsu smiled. "Don't let anyone know that the Dragon Country takes part in this project. We don't know how the Phantom Country will react if they knew."
"Yes, of course." Scorpio said. "Politics is a risky thing."
"I don't get it." Lisanna said. "The Celestial Country is the one who offered us a peace treaty, so why are we hiding this project from the Phantom Country?"
"It's a political thing, Lisanna." Natsu said.
"Explain it to me then." Lisanna said.
"It's confidential." Natsu said.
"How so? I am a member of the Strauss family, one of the Dragon Country's noble families!"
"Lisanna, I'll explain it later, okay?" Natsu said, trying so hard to not lashing out at Lisanna. Well, she wasn't supposed to be here, anyway!
"Alright." Lisanna nodded. Yes! She would have Natsu all by herself after this!
"Pardon me for asking, King Scorpio, but why is this mine abandoned?" Lucy asked.
"Because it doesn't produce gold anymore." Lisanna said. "Isn't it obvious?"
"Well, actually, we don't mine gold here, Lady Strauss." Scorpio said. "Our new mine is not far from here. Would you like to see our mine, Princess Lucy?"
Lisanna's eyes twitched. What the hell? She was called 'Lady' but that woman was called 'Princess'?
"Am I allowed to?" Lucy asked.
"Absolutely." Scorpio said. "Please follow me."
"We won't be using the carriage?" Lisanna asked as she pointed at the carriage which they used to reach the abandoned mine from the palace.
"It is not far from here, Lady Strauss." Scorpio smiled. "But of course, if you want to use the carriage, then—"
"We'll use the same path as you do, King Scorpio." Natsu said. "I am deeply sorry."
"Oh, no, no, it's fine." Scorpio chuckled. "I just love to visit my towns while going to the mine."
Lisanna huffed but she didn't say anything. She wouldn't let Natsu disappear from her sight! Who knows what that witch would do to Natsu?
They followed Scorpio as the king greeted the townspeople. The Sand Country was a small country with only one capital town and five other towns. But they could supply their selves just fine. Lucy's eyes squinted when she saw something glinted under the hot sunlight.
"Prince Natsu, Princess Lucy, Lady Strauss, this is what we've been mining." Scorpio stopped in front of a flower shop. He took a pot from the shelves and showed it to them.
Lucy's eyes widened.
"Glass flowers." Lucy mumbled.
"Correct." Scorpio smiled. "We're mining the glass and we turned it into any kinds of decorations. But since this isn't as precious as gold is, we also raising special desert livestock. Not as fancy as cows or goats, but camels only. Great milk and meat though."
"This is beautiful." Lucy stared at the transparent flower.
"It's just glass." Lisanna muttered and rolled her eyes.
"But there is no place which can produce such clear glass." Natsu said. "I reckon there's something special from your glass?"
Scorpio nodded. "It's the… What is it again? I always forgot."
"The sand particles." Lucy smiled. "You can only find these particles in the Sand Country, more accurately in the special mines they have. These particles are rough at the edges but very light and soft. It's also very flexible and sturdy."
Scorpio beamed. "Correct, Princess."
"I think this will be very profitable, Your Highness." Natsu said. "Although it doesn't have the same worth as gold, it is still precious."
"Do you think so, Prince Natsu?" corpio asked. "I actually don't know how to process the glass into other things except decorations."
"What do you think, Lucy?" Natsu asked.
Lucy blinked her eyes. "M—me?"
Natsu smiled. "Yes, you. What do you think? What kind of things can this glass turned into?"
"Jewelries." Lucy said as she stared back at the flowers and looked at King Scorpio. "Light and yet glinting pieces of jewelries. You can also add some colors while processing it, Your Highness. These glass flowers would be twice as beautiful when they are colorful."
"Write that down, Loke." Scorpio said. "I should discuss this with my queen, I'm sure she will agree."
"Great idea as usual, Your Highness." Loke said.
"We will form a team to process the glass into jewelries right away." Scorpio said. "But, is it too much of a favor if I ask your opinion on the products, Princess Lucy?"
"Me?" Lucy blinked her eyes in confusion.
"Yes." Scorpio smiled. "It would be a great honor if you are willing to give us your opinion."
"It's my honor as well, Your Highness!" Lucy bowed down. She then looked at Natsu. "Am I… allowed?"
Natsu smiled. "Obviously."
"Thank you, Natsu." Lucy smiled and agreed to help Scorpio in assessing the finished products.
Lisanna choked. That woman called Natsu by his name? The hell? She had just been here for a month and now she was acting like she was close to Natsu already? She couldn't let this go on like this! Who the hell she thinks she is?!
"Well then, we can start the project by tomorrow, Prince Natsu." Scorpio said. "Is that okay with you?"
"Absolutely, King Scorpio." Natsu said. "We will return here tomorrow and start doing the project right away."
"As the starter, we can use our miners first." Scorpio said. "But how will you send your people here, Prince?"
"We will send them in little groups." Natsu said. "That way, we won't draw the Phantom Country's attention."
"Understood." Scorpio said. "Now then, I should tell my guards to permit your men to..." His voice trailed off as Natsu made his way to his side and they talked about it in a low voicce.
"You." Lisanna hissed as she pulled Lucy's hair from the back. "What do you think you're doing?"
Lucy's shuddered as pain stung her head. Natsu was talking with the king and Loke, the three of them didn't paid attention to the ladies. Which was why Lisanna took the opportunity to knock some senses into Lucy. She pulled her hair in discreet, but with more than enough force to send pain all over Lucy's body.
"Don't you dare calling Natsu by his name." Lisanna spat and pulled Lucy's hair tighter. "You're unwanted, remember? Don't get so touchy with my betrothed. If you weren't here, I would have been married to Natsu already, you bitch!"
"I—I'm sorry." Lucy winced in pain.
"And don't get too cocky. You might be a princess, but that's because you are betrothed to Natsu. He's not yours and he will never be. You're not a princess either, you're just a fraud!" Lisanna hissed with venom all over her voice.
"I—I'm sorry, Lady Strauss." Lucy whispered.
"It's High Court Lady Lisanna Strauss for you." Lisanna said. "I'll be keeping an eye on you from now on. Don't you dare get close to Natsu more than five meters."
Lisanna let her grip go roughly, even brought few of Lucy's strands in her hair. She swayed her hand in disgust and made her way to the gentlemen. Lucy breathed a sigh as she scolded herself mentally.
What am I expecting? Natsu would never been mine. I should stop letting myself being drowned in his kindness.
Natsu stared at Lucy in silence as the latter talked with Scorpio in the carriage on their way back to the Sand Country's palace. Lucy was acting weird. She distanced herself from Natsu, just like back then. Was she doing this because Lisanna was here? But Natsu had made it clear that he wanted them to get closer, doesn't matter whether Lisanna was there or not.
"Natsu, are you okay?" Lisanna asked. "Do you want to lay down on my lap?"
"No." Natsu replied instantly. His eyes were still glued at Lucy's own chocolate eyes.
"Are you sick, Prince Natsu?" Scorpio asked in worry.
"He has a motion sickness, Your Highness." Lisanna took the liberty to answer.
"I'm fine, don't worry, King Scorpio." Natsu quickly added. "I've drank my medicine anyway."
"I see. I hope your journey to my country isn't burdening for your health." Scorpio said in concern.
"Of course not, King Scorpio." Natsu assured. "As long as I have my medicine, I will be fine."
"And I am here to take care of him as well, Your Highness." Lisanna smiled. "Please do not worry."
"I see." Scorpio said and glanced at Lucy, then looked back at Natsu and Lisanna. He wasn't a member of the noble families of the Dragon Country, but he could see there was a high tension between Lisanna and Lucy. But why? Lucy was a smart and a beautiful princess. She looked so gentle and optimistic as well.
But all that made sense if love was at play. Scorpio knew how dangerous jealousy was. There was a certain someone—his wife *cough cough*—who turned into a monster whenever she was jealous. But of course Scorpio loved his wife nevertheless.
"So, Natsu, where should we talk? There's a coffee shop at the town. Do you want to go there?" Lisanna asked.
"What should we talk about?" Natsu asked back, eyes were still plastered on Lucy. But she didn't look back at him and opted to talk with Scorpio again.
Natsu wondered loudly inside. What did he do wrong this time?
"You're going to explain this political issue to me, remember?" Lisanna said.
Natsu's head pounded. Right. Of course Lisanna remembered about that! And of course, she had to know about the issue. Why couldn't she realize that she wasn't supposed to know? She wasn't even the head of her family!
"Let's do it some other time, okay?" Natsu dodged. "I have to talk with the royals and the other noble families first."
"Why can't I know before they do?" Lisanna asked as she laced herself around Natsu's arm.
"Lisanna, quit it." Natsu glanced back at her and hissed. "This is not appropriate."
"Finee." Lisanna let herself go. "But you still owe me an explanation of the issue."
Natsu groaned loudly inside. Just why?!
"I hope you have a pleasant day today, Princess." Scorpio said as he helped Lucy stepped down from the carriage. "Are you sure you won't spend the night here?"
"It'll be such an honor, Your Highness, but King Igneel has specifically ordered us to return everyday to the Dragon Country." Lucy smiled. "I hope it's okay with you."
"Oh yes, of course." Scorpio smiled back. "But please don't hesitate to let me know if you are too tired for the trip back. Moreover, my country has its own nasty sandstorms."
"There will be a sandstorm in two hours from now." Loke informed. "If you return now, you won't be caught in it."
"Well, then it's best for you to return home immediately. Your carriages are here." Scorpio said.
"Thank you very much for your hospitality, Your Highness." Lucy bowed down.
"It's an honor as well." Scorpio smiled. "I will see you tomorrow then, Prince Natsu, Princess Lucy, and… Lady Strauss."
"Yes, thank you very much, King Scorpio." Natsu bowed down.
Scorpio and Loke then stepped inside the palace, leaving the three of them.
"Let's go then." Lisanna said as she stepped inside Natsu's carriage.
"Wait." Natsu grabbed her hand, stopping her from sitting down. "Why are you here? Use your own carriage."
Lisanna rolled her eyes. "Natsu, you have a motion sickness. You need me to get a good, nice rest."
"No, I don't."
"Natsu!"
"I—it's okay." Lucy spoke up. "I'll be using… High Court Lady Lisanna Strauss's carriage instead."
"High Court Lady Lisanna Strauss?" Natsu choked.
"Well, that's my official title." Lisanna smiled. "Come on, Natsu, get inside! We have to get going now or we'll be caught in a sandstorm! Or do you want to spend the night here with me?"
"Lucy, wait—"
Lisanna pulled Natsu inside the carriage and closed the door immediately. Lucy smiled weakly then stepped inside Lisanna's carriage as well, helped by her coachman. The two carriages then moved, leaving the Sand Country's palace behind.
"Lisanna, what do you think you're doing?" Natsu asked. "You're supposed to use your own carriage."
"Sshh." Lisanna placed Natsu's head on her lap. "Just sleep, Natsu. We have a hard, long trip back."
"I'm fine!" Natsu sat up and immediately regretted his action a bit as he held his urge to throw up. He had drink Wendy's medicine already, so why did he feel so sick?
Right. Of course. Lisanna's absurd behavior was making his stomach churned.
Lisanna let out an amused sigh. "Come on, Natsu, lay down."
"I'm fine." Natsu said.
"Oh, don't be so stubborn!" Lisanna said. "You have always been sleeping on my lap anyway."
"I'm fine." Natsu repeated. "Wendy gave me a stronger medicine."
Lisanna chuckled. Is Natsu being embarrassed now? He's so cute!
I won't let you see this side of Natsu, you witch., Lisanna smugly smiled inwardly.
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