Yo! I'm back with a new chapter. Pardon for any mistakes and enjoy:)

IT'S ALL ABOUT OPENING UP AND SNEAKING IN(A NEW KINGDOM ALTOGETHER )

"Spill! "

"What white fart!? "

"What the fuck is wrong with you two! "

"Nothings wrong stingy bee"

"Then why is flame breath hugging like you've been plastered together"

"Like the hell I know"

"Shut up I'll do what I want"

"Leave me Natsu! "

"I can't Luce"

"Why you-" I grabbed Luce by waist tighter and jumped up to a tree branch. Her cute ass which had my name graved into it pressed against my thighs. Talk about self control. Anyways I grabbed her keys on the ways and skipped away from the crime scene. Finally reaching roots of a huge tree I let her go.

"Why would do that Natsu? "

"What? "

"Don't act dumb. I was so hungry after my shower in the waterfall and i was about to grab a sandwich when you glued my back to you! "

"Yeah your welcome "

"Huh? "

"Have a look on your dress code. All that ass with the huge red ass huge tattoo and my name is glorious through your shorts. "

"Oh" She had a look of herself and looked up to me " In my defense I was hungry!? "

"At least you should have put on a shirt. Go around roaming in your shorts and tank tops having zero awareness"

"Look I forgot to take the correct pair of clothes so I came back to the camp area to take it when I smelled food and stomach started growling"

"In the first place you're banned to wear such clothes anywhere but around me! Why would you bring them with you anyways? "

"Don't act all smug with that 'anywhere but around me'!what's with the all dominant behavior. And I told you I forgot to take a proper shirt with me to wear on top of it" I looked at her and sighed.

"What dominant! That's what you said yourself. Always What's done is done! Take care next time. Because you were the one who didn't want anyone to know about the tattoos"

"Don't say that ok. You were the one you wanted to take time the take steps"

"And was it wrong? "

"You know that I'm a terrible liar. I have been avoiding all of Erza and levy's call from the two days of camping we are in! Yukino is smart and I'm having a hard time"

"I don't blame you. I just wanted to save you from your embarrassment. That's it"

"Of course you should. You're my husband whatsoever"

"You don't sound romantic"

"Because it isn't"

"Ugh we decided to pretend nothing happened. What's up with you and bringing this topic every few hours".

" It's not that easy to not to pretend. I am a married, Do you even realize how big of news is that thing to me? "

"It's been 3 days Luce. I know it was kinda too sudden but we can't abandon a mission like this! Plus we decided to walk and camp instead of going in a train so you can take your mind off things".

" Who are you kidding? It was because both of you have motion sickness and straight away refused for 2days train trip "

"Ugh fine. It was fifty fifty"

"Look at us. It has hardly been a week and we are already at each other's neck"

"Yeah... This arguments.. Are sorta different too"

"Different!? "

"Yeah I mean. At first we used to do this kind of stuff all the time and be totally fine with it. Now even little things bother us. "

"Is it normal for couples to have fight!? "

"People say so. It's said you know a person better by fights"

"That's not what they mean but whatever! "

"Well I think maybe we are overthinking!? " I leaned on the tree trunk and sighed. Everything has been fine but this arguments. It's like we pick up on small things and are just super conscious of ourselves.

"You think so!? " Luce hesitated a bit and looked away.

"Say it. I also think the first step we should take is to be open to each other"

"Well.. I'm a very thoughtful and smart and intelligent person in general. So I don't know if having a hundred possibilities over little things and then keep on replaying each again and again is called overthinking"

"It is. "

"Oh"

"Look Luce I understand it's hard for you. I understand you don't have romantic feelings for me.. Just yet. And I understand how some memories have come back to you that you didn't wanted to remember. For me, I was not brought up in a place that obeys too much of a rules or even manners in general. Screw that i was brought up by a oversized fire breathing lizard other wise know as king of fire dragons and that too 400 years ago. For me everything is a way to get stronger and I have a habit of not giving much of thought on stuffs. In all honesty I had no interest in such things untill you came. But what I hold for you is absolute and real. Ceremonies never really gave much meaning to me so even marriage for me is a phase too ,for..forever. But With you my heart says it was bound to happen at some point. And so I have accepted it. " I sighed and moved closer to her and held her hands.

"On the other hand I care for your happiness too much to go against your decisions. Past 2days I'm sorry I avoided any sort of conversations with you. I- I was scared... " My voice was a whisper and my eyes were covered by my bangs.

"Natsuu... "

"I was scared of so many things. I was scared that you would be disgusted with me, that even talking to you would made me so conscious and insecure that I would keep on confessing to you. I don't want you to feel pursued or even taking this decision just because we are close friends. I told you earlier that I would make you fall in love with me but can never force you to walk on that path with me. But this a ultimate step for both of us. As you said we are young and dumb, I'm scared that I'd do something and it would reflect on our already delicate condition. I just wanted you to have your own time for your decision. And see I ended destroying that too. " My voice was cracking here and there but my chest felt a lot lighter.

"And you said I overthink"

"Sorry Luce. I'm way behind being a boyfriend material . I know that you deserve better and wanted to be that better. I wanted us to take baby steps and even though I did accept, it makes me uneasy and restless that I'd be forced upon you. "

"Ughhhhh! " I looked up at Luce who was groaning. "If you were so free of time to think such things you would have burned some tress on our way here" I looked up to her and she had annoyance and anger!? In her eyes. She jerked her hands from mine and smacked my head.

"Oww that hurt"

"How dare you even think that you'd pursue me or even be forced upon me!?For reasons I knew that you were a supreme fool but this just went too far."

"Uh I-I... "

"Look Natsu, whatever the mess is we will be together no matter what. I know it's gonna be a hell of a ride but let's just have it together"

"Ugh Luce I have motion sickness. I ain't going on any ride with you"

"Bakaaaa! And here I was being romantic! "

"You were!? Ok then resume and play again! "

"Shut up the end line is if I had any objections I could have kicked your ass the very moment I confirmed it. Besides I want to try it out too"

"Do me a favor and try saying such cute things more often"

"Don't piss me off Natsu. I already am having a nice irritated day with these bugs! Ew" I looked at her and nodded. I slided closer to her and swiped her off ground in my arms in one swift motion she squeaked and I gave her my cheeky grin.

"No bugs would ever dare to come near a dragon" I whispered in her ear and I could feel her goosebumps. Oh how I love these effects that only I can do to her.

"Natsu you baka don't do such things" She murmured.

"" And why not!? After all its a supreme responsibility for a husband to protect his wife "

"I take my words back. Forget it I said I wanted to give a chance"

"You can't take bullets and words back once they are left"

"Shut up! Whatever happened now doesn't go anywhere beyond of here"

"If that's what you want wifey"

"Natsu I'm going to jab your guts and spill your innards if you keep doing such things"

"You don't really sound very intimidating squirming in my arms"

"Could you at least hand over my keys so I can call virgo!? "

"Punishment time Hime? " Came from the poof that just happened. And there stood virgo the virgin maiden.

"Virgo!? "

"Hai Hime."

"How did you know I was about to call you? " Luce gasped in surprised. No matter how much time you spend with Virgo she has thing to always leave you by surprise and punishment too.

"About that Hime, everyone in the spirit world is hearing you both most of time. They say they haven't witnessed a anything this interesting in ages"

"Kyaaahhhhhhh! "

"Great now we have a audience too" I laughed and gave my grin.

"Will you punish me for espionage Hime? "

"Huh!? Nah Virgo there's nothing like 'spinach in rage'"

"No but if we put flames and extra firey Tabasco sauce in spinach then you can make one"

"Ah! Make me one sometime Virgo just instead of spinach use chicken"

"Then Natsu San wouldn't it be chicken in rage"

"No it would still be-"

"Uh guys I'm the one you needs aid"

"Uh yeah yeah. Virgo since you know what's happening already mind bringing a decent shirt for hime? "

"Here Hime" There was another poof and a shirt appeared in her hands. Ah i saw that shirt somewhere.

"It's not mine Virgo"

"Hime you don't have any decent shirt. Will you punish me for it? "

"Now that you mentioned it. Luce you don't really have any shirts that go below your ass. Since in home you don't need to wear them and any missions we go you keep stealing my shirts"

"I don't steal them. Since you know I take them it's simply called putting good use to them. "

"You just made that up" I laughed at her antics. At least now I know why does my part of closet keep getting empty.

"No I didn't. It's universal rules"

"Whatever makes you go through the day"

"Jerk. Virgo give it anyways" I keep her down and she slides her shirt on. Virgo poofed herself disappointed since she had no punishment. And then I again lift her up and jump from trees to trees. It's a good thing we are in the dense part of the forest. Few metres from the camp I land on the ground and keep her down. We start walking towards the camp. Aw man here comes the question box.

"You owe an explanation" Sting asked furrowing his brows.

"Uh yeah about that.. "

"We had a misunderstanding. " I looked around to see Luce answer the question. "As you know Natsu is an idiot and he keeps messing up stuff and this time he hit the bucket. So I personally took the privilege to smack some senses in him"

"Never would have agreed more"

"Lucy sama Natsu sama why don't you eat the noodles before it gets too cold"

"Yes yukino. Smacking some sense into a jerk made me hungry. Besides if we leave immediately we can sure reach crocus in the afternoon! "

"Hey I'm not a jerk! "

"Who cares? We reach crocus and complete the mission. All the suspense is eating me up"

"The suspense may need to puke after eating a rotten white fart"

"Why you-"

"Guys"

"-idiotic matchstick"

"What did you call me cat! "

"Sabertooth are lethal tigers for goodness sakes. Call me that you retarded fairy"

"But you are a cat"

"Hey don't insult cats"

"GUYS" a shiver ran down my spine hearing Luce say that. She was glaring at both of us which a clear message of 'shut the fuck up before I stitch your lips'. Both of us stiffened and quietly followed to the fire place. In the background I could hear a cat laughing and rolling his had our breakfast packed up our tents and started waking again. Since we had no walking godown or Erza's requip space in here we had to carry the stuff. I even asked Luce to keep these in the tsache face world but she denied and murmured something about 'annoying eavesdropping and nosy spirits' and walked away. All the way we had the usual talks, jokes, insults, fights and then tumbling and rolling and again fighting. There was no more tension in the air and it felt so right. On the way there were a couple of 'they like each other' followed by 'shut up stupid cat' and so on. Finally we reached the blooming capital crocus and the palace. We showed the flyer and at first they hesitated to let us in. Since you know Everyone has such a good impression of 'Natsu destructive Dragneel'. But we entered anyways and was soon attacked by the princess jumping on Luce. Had it been a guy , he already would have be handicapped. After greetings and talking , the princess offered us to have the dinner since we reached late. God bless her. We reached in the huge hallways And the huge dining table. No I'm absolutely not taking the migraine job of explaining how big, beautiful and intricate the designs were. We had a tasty and appetizing dinner and the princess asked us to meet in the garden for a little tea later. We nodded and went to our assigned rooms. Good again I'll have to spend night away from Luce. Cuddling her have me so much thrill that I was practically frowning and scowling at the separate rooms. Guess I'll sneak again. Whatever it maybe I freshened up and around an hour later all of us went to meet the princess. A few guards guided us there and she was sitting on bench waiting for us. We quickly took our seats beside her bench. There were a few benches on either side of her. As usual Arcadios was standing behind her. Honestly along with that sword he must carry a chair too.

"Princess Hisui sama" Yukino stated.

"Drop the sama guys. You are the closest to friends I have ever had " She replied smiling at us.

"Princess Hisui if you don't mind. You said in the flyer it was sort of secret mission. You sure sitting in the open garden is a safe place? " Sting asked looking at her.

"Don't worry about it. This place has a sound cancelling rune around it. No sound goes out no sound comes in. Besides even walls have ears" Everyone nodded at her statement.

"Princess Hisui you said about a ball in the flyer and that's it. Is that all? " Luce asked. And I scoffed. What the fuck is ball. I'm gonna burn everything especially when my wife's gonna dance with a damn crop top wearing cat master.

"That is true but only half. Sure there's a ball but not in here or the whole of Fiore. It's held in the Kingdom of pergrande. " Everyone gasped at the mention of it. Fiore was sure full of magic, guild and Natus dragneel but other than that the continent of Ishgar had other countries too. No don't even dare to think that I'll known anything about it. That's Life's department not mine.

"That's the largest kingdom on Ishgar princess Hisui sama"

"Yes Yukino San. A few weeks back we received a letter from . It invited us to the grand ball that they are organizing. It's on next month and they would be glad if the Royal Family from kingdom of Fiore also attends it. "

"That's it? It's pretty suspicious for a nation to leisurely invite like that. Can we read the invitation?" Princess nodded at Luce statement and handed over a golden letter to her. Anyone could say at first look that it had diamonds and jewels embedded in it. Luce opened the letter and it had another piece of paper . It had a crown with 2 unicorns on either side leaning on it. Further more it had something started reading

The court of Pergrande Kingdom formally invites the Royal family of Fiore to the grand ball held on the providential occasion of prince Arthur Edward Lawe ,the eldest son of His highness King Sebastian Lawe and Queen Willow Lawe's birthday celebration held on 3rd of November at the Royal Palace of Hercules, Pergrande.

Your presence would be embark a heartfelt warmth and assurance to the Royal Family of Pergrande. We await your joyous presence in the Land of Dreams.

Regards,

Court of Pergrande.

Luce kept the paper back in the envelope.

"That's it? " I asked everyone. They stared at me and there was a silence. Luce had her right hand fingers on her chin and eyes closed. Her signature pose of thinking and indication of 'danger do not disturb'.

"It's pretty sketchy. At first glance anyone would think twice before considering it a invitation" Sting commented. He was right albeit.

"Don't worry about it. They sent a lot of gifts as well as Royal crest. We're sure it isn't a bluff" Everyone nodded at her and again there was a silence.

"This is just not a ball you know" Luce broke the silence. Princess Hisui nodded at her and she continued " If I'm correct then ball is a cover up for power transfer of father to son. Presence of kingdoms and royals will be a great help in commitment and further suppression of opposition. Plus I magic council is involved too. "

"Luce there's no such thing written in their. I can tell that whoever has written is a cranky old man" Luce rolled her eyes and I shrugged.

"In politics you need to understand the hidden messages rather than what is on the surface"

"Indeed. For instance the way they stated 'eldest' and the mention of current power holders. A normal ball invitation has no need of such informations" Princess Hisui explained. Whatever she said if Luce thinks so then I'm good. Thinking isn't my department anyways.

"And how are you sure that magic council is involved Lucy sama? " Yukino asked.

"Grand ball party, invitation to kingdoms, no mention or restrictions on mages and sort of mandatory attendance. No kingdom would be foolish enough to arrange such things without consulting the magic council. I'm sure this letter is hinting to rather be guarded by security, mages or not. "

"This is where our part comes right? I'm all fired up"

"Yes and no. " Princess Hisui answered me(us).

"Eh? "

"You see even though they are hinting for personal protection ,in general mages are prohibited in such occasions, in the fear of creating a scene. Sure they would have their security issues other than that I doubt they would have invited any mages. So this must be done undercover. "

"Right if the kingdom gets any hint of mages with the Royal Family let's just say there's a bitter truce and hardened impression coming"

"Exactly. So that is why I asked for help covertly."

"What's on your mind princess Hisui? "

"Even though My father has been rulling this country for decades. He hardly made me prone to exposition. My mother passed away when I was young. We do not have any blood relatives And all our court members are very privileged and confidential about anything. Recently I took over the crown , So in general no one really knows about my family other than the fact that we have been rulling this kingdom with dignity since forever. However a few years back there was a rumour of me having a sibling. Albeit we never addressed it in public but sometimes these rumours come in handy. "

"Honestly princess Hisui you are very cunning for your personality" Luce smirked at her.

"What can I say? After all I am the queen"

"Uh guys you left us somewhere in your discussion. " Sting for once came in help.

"Oh yeah yeah bee. Her plan is to make one of us her makeshift sibling. In that way we go in pairs. So no suspicions about personal mage guards"

"But what's wrong in taking us as body guards. You said they hint in protection of your own "

"They do but mages are too much. One or two will pass but more than that will cause distrust between nations. They can use it as a weapon in negotiations and armistice. We can't afford such risks"

"Princess Hisui sama I have also heard that pergrande is a kingdom full of rogue wizards and dark guilds. There violent and instable nature in magic propelled the council to create their headquarters in Fiore. "

"The more the merrier, in the same way the larger the kingdom the larger chance of law violence. As long as we are not attacked in any case we won't poke our nose in their internal affairs. "

"And how come I don't get to kick any asses? "

"If your luck is good enough there always be a group who would want to mess"

"So princess Hisui who are you making your makeshift sibling? " Sting asked taking a sip of tea that had been served to us from the start. Maybe I'll heat up mine a bit.

"This mission was for Lucy in the first place. But knowing Natsu I had a rough idea he was going to tag anyways. Other than that I wouldn't have minded the company of another celestial wizard"

"Thank you princess Hisui sama"

"So when do we leave? "

"3 days later. I'll have to teach everyone here couple of things about the Royal Family. In any case we don't want to be under suspicions"

"That lefts us with just one problem. Since you said mages are not the best thing on these trip for them how do we hide our magic force? "

"What do you mean sting sama? "

"Look yukino each and every mage has a different sort of... Aura out of them. The more the powerful mage the strong the aura. Not to mention dragon slayer magic"

"Yeah that's true. Gramps told me how impossible for me is to ace a investigation mission. I never understood then what the fuck he said and tried to challenge him for fight only to get knocked out by Erza" I shuddered at her thought. She may be the most caring elder sister sometimes but that would never change the way she can knocks out.

"Behave Natsu" Luce warned me and I sulked back. "Hey Natsu do you by any chance know how Gildarts manages to hide away his magic power? "

"Nah he never speaks a word. The only thing I know is whenever he's around with that cloak of his I never get a whiff of his magic"

"The clock huh? I did hear something about masking your magic with disguise clothes. Who would have thought it to be a cloak ? "

"Still doesn't solve our problem. Even if we manage to find out such cloaks , as a part of Royal Family we can not wear to everywhere. Then there's this ball thing"

"Right sting. This is going to be a problem"

"You seriously don't have a solution blondie? "

"You're a blonde too stingy bee. What makes you think I'd have a solution right away? "

"Because I can't sense fluctuations in your magic. It makes no sense to have our magic stable for such a long time" Luce, I and happy stiffened. Sure they knew about Lupus but they had no idea what all he could do. Screw that they haven't actually meet him.

"Maybe it's your imaginations. Or it has something to do with celestial spirit"

"It's not my imagination nor it's about spirits and you know that. I am with Yukino for like evey day. And spirits got nothing to do with it " That loudmouthed punk. Always has his knowledge in the wrong time. Luce just froze for a moment there. If not anything I swear I saw a sparkle in Lupus key.

"I train with Capricorn for my magic control. So he can control my magic even if he is not summoned. But that is only for me. "

"Oh"

"Then Lucy sama why don't you ask Capricorn sama if he can do anything. I'm sure he'll have a way"

"Will do. I'll ask him later. "

"Take your time Lucy. We'll talk about it tomorrow. You guys must be tired from your journey. Let's call it a day. "

"Uh yeah"

With that everyone bid their good bye,bowed and dispersed. Sneakily with my hidden ninja abilities I raided Luce's room . And the look on her face said it was going to be a long night.

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END.

Yep that's pretty much it. It maybe weird but the stories all about Natsu trying to make Lucy fall in love. So no they are not in a mutual relationship. I know it's not normal. But what do they do normal for goodness sake! The next chapters have so many things coming up. I'm so excited to make you read those too. Well who am I kidding? I'm always excited when a new chapter goes up! Hurrayyyyy!

So please make sure you review and let me know how do you like the chapters. I honestly don't mind rude comments too. That's a way to get better right?