Lucy had fallen asleep quite early due to exhaustion, but that also meant she woke up excessively early as well. She had been informed that Erza would wake her up, but no one had come in yet. Lucy laid in her bed and stared up at the ceiling, something that she did quite often—almost too often, and she used that time to think.
Today was Saturday, April 11. It was the day she would marry Crown Prince Natsu. And just three months after their marriage, she would become queen. Queen of the country she grew up in and loved. 'I wonder what my mom would think of me today.' Lucy thought. She quickly changed her thoughts to more joyful themes to prevent tears from coming. She didn't want to have puffy eyes when they came to wake her up.
Her thoughts then drifted to Natsu. They had barely gotten to know one another in the past four weeks, although even Lucy could see he had a good heart. Lucy didn't know if they would ever love each other, but she did hope and pray that they would at least develop a friendship. There was one thing that weighed on Lucy's mind though, and that was children. As Queen of Fiore, she was obligated to bear an heir. How would she manage that? She had no idea.
The wedding would be held in mid-afternoon so Lucy had just a few more hours until her life was changed forever.
Lucy's mind raced for who knows how long until there was a slight knock on the door and Erza stepped in.
"You are already awake." The general-turned-bridesmaid said, sounding shocked.
"It's because I went to bed so early last night. I have been awake for a while now." Lucy replied.
Erza sighed, "I hope you won't get tired too quickly today. You have much to do today."
"What's first?" Lucy inquired.
"Juvia and Levy are already awake as well. We will all go to eat breakfast together then start preparing for the ceremony." Erza answered.
"Sounds good to me!" Lucy said, hoping Erza wouldn't overwhelm her.
Erza helped Lucy quickly dress in a casual day dress, 'No sense is dressing up only to change so soon.' Erza told her, and Lucy readily agreed.
Erza led her down the hall to the temporary dining room for the women. There had been many things set up to ensure that the bride and groom would not see each other before the ceremony. As they entered, Lucy noticed that Juvia and Levy we already sitting down. Levy noticed her and rushed over.
"Oh my goodness! Happy wedding day! I cannot believe that my best friend is getting married today! To the future king, no less. I am so happy for you, Lucy! But if you have any doubts, it's not too late to change your mind. You know that, right?" Levy rambled enthusiastically.
Lucy was grateful for her friend's sentiments. "Thank you, Levy. And I am absolutely certain that this is what's best for me."
"Juvia is glad that you are happy."
Lucy didn't feel happy, but she wasn't about to burst anyone's bubble, so she shifted the focus towards the plan for the morning, "I am very happy that you all are here for me as we get ready."
They fell into a comfortable conversation centered on their attire for the ceremony and reception. The bridesmaids would stay in their (relative to Lucy's wedding dress, but not really) simple dresses that were similar to Lucy's dress for the rehearsal. They were navy blue empire dresses in navy lace on the skirts and silver embellishments on the bodice. The dresses were indubitably stunning.
Servants came and served them a breakfast consisting of fresh fruit, biscuits, and sausage. They ate rather quickly at Erza's urging. When they finished eating, Erza led them to a beautiful room to get ready. If Lucy hadn't been living at the castle for the past few weeks she would be impressed by the great room, but to her, it was becoming normal. Levy and Juvia, on the other hand, were enthralled by the grandeur of the room.
They bathed for what felt like an eternity to Lucy. Servants provided lotions and perfumes and fluffy towels. The girls talked about mindless things. And although small talk got on her nerves, Lucy was glad that her friends were there to keep her from overthinking too much.
After they bathed, the servant brought them a light lunch of more fresh fruit, salads, and sourdough bread.
At one point, Juvia pulled Lucy to the side, "Are you okay, Lucy?" The bride's cousin asked.
Lucy looked at Juvia and allowed herself to be vulnerable, "I suppose so. I just wish my mother were here to see me today."
"Juvia is sorry," she said, "I know she would be proud of you. Mother says that you were the light of Layla's world."
Lucy smiled at her, "Juvia, thank you for being here for me. Not just today, but throughout my entire life. You have always been an older sister to me."
"Juvia is happy to be there for you. You were a sister to me as well." Juvia smiled, "We should get back to Levy and Erza; we do not want them to worry about you."
Lucy and Juvia returned to the spread of food and continued eating. Lucy noticed that Erza was eying her every once and a while. 'I hope Erza doesn't suspect anything. I haven't even told Juvia everything, only Levy. How embarrassing would it be for a virtual stranger to figure it out?' She thought.
Before long, the servants returned to braid their hair. The bridesmaids had simple three-strand braids down the middle of their backs, but Lucy had an elaborate Dutch braid starting at her hairline and spiraling around her head into a braided bun in the middle of her head. Lucy was shocked at the result. She had been shocked a lot lately, but she wasn't any more used to it than before.
The servants then helped them into their dresses, saving Lucy for last. The bridesmaids were all identical, but stunning nonetheless. Lucy carefully stepped into her dress, trying her hardest not to tear any of the layers. After they were finished buttoning up her dress, Lucy looked in the mirror and was astonished by what she saw. She looked good—beautiful, even. Lucy didn't quite feel like a queen, but she sure did look the part.
Her friends complimented her and gushed over how incredible she looked. The servants did not refrain from praise either. Words like 'breathtaking', 'magnificent', and 'overwhelming', were all thrown about.
After they spent a good bit pouring out compliments, they heard a knocking on the door. Erza walked to the door and opened it. A young servant was standing in the doorway.
"It is time for you to travel to the cathedral." The timid servant said.
"Thank you. We will be right out." Erza then turned to Lucy and asked, "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." She smiled.
They all shuffled out, escorted by a party of guards, trying to avoid being seen. The footman helped each of them into the carriage and closed the door.
They spent the ride in thoughtful silence. They arrived and were quickly guided to a room off of the great hall where the ceremony would be taking place. They would wait until all of the guests were seated to begin, which hopefully wouldn't take long.
The door to the private room opened and in stepped Jude Heartfilia.
Lucy had forgotten about Jude during the whirlwind of a morning. She couldn't decide if she was glad she momentarily forgot about him or not. There was a tense silence for only a moment before Jude recognized the other people in the room and turned into the doting father he wasn't. Lucy begrudgingly embraced her father and prayed that no one noticed how uncomfortable she was. To anyone else, Jude's act was very convincing, but all Lucy could see was the angry man standing over his desk yelling at her. 'It's only until the end of the aisle,' She told herself, 'then I don't have to worry anymore.'
Finally, they were told that the ceremony had started and they needed to come out.
"It's not too late to change your mind, Lu-chan." Levy said in a joking tone for the second time that day, but Lucy knew she was only feigning humor.
Lucy fended off a skeptical look from Jude and answered, "I know Levy, and I am not changing my mind."
The bridesmaids went out, Erza first, followed by Juvia then Levy. Lucy linked her arms with her father and walked towards the door. As the doors opened, she felt a sensation similar to what Natsu had felt just scant weeks prior. She was heading towards the unknown, and yet, somehow she was okay with it.
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Natsu stood at the end of the aisle. His groomsmen were already standing on the stage, but he was to wait until Lucy had come down before ascending the steps. The morning had been fairly easy for them, as there was much less preparation for them than their female counterparts. Gray had joked that it wasn't too late to back out, but Natsu, in a moment of panic, had seriously considered it. He quickly pushed those thoughts away. He knew that Lucy was a good person, and he knew that this was best for the kingdom, so he had to follow through with it.
The cathedral was a relatively small one, only seating about 500 people. Natsu guessed that it was filled to capacity and then some. Most were faces that he recognized from various parties and engagements, but there was also a portion that was unfamiliar to him. He knew that many nobles didn't come to the capital city of Crocus very often, and this was an event that no one would pass up, so it made sense.
Light piano playing began as the doors opened just enough to let each of the bridesmaids out, but not enough to show the bride. He was surprised by Erza's outfit; as she did not at all resemble the general he was used to. Next was Lucy's cousin, Juvia, and her friend, Levy, who Natsu recalled as being part of the 'competition' as well. He had recognized her during the luncheon and rehearsal the previous day but said nothing.
Suddenly, the light piano turned grand and loud and the doors opened fully. Everyone stood up, and Natsu's gaze fell on Lucy. Natsu was taken aback by her appearance. He had recognized that she was a fairly attractive person, but it wasn't until this moment that he was struck by her beauty. Her hair was styled in a braided bun with soft tendrils falling around her face. She was wearing a ball gown dress with a bateau neckline and long bell sleeves. It was an ivory color with gold accents that complemented his outfit. And it also had a long, royal, train.
Her face, still beautiful, seemed a bit strained. Although, that could be because of her father. Natsu could see Jude subtly pulling her along, but he doubted anyone else saw it. As Lucy got closer, Natsu couldn't help but feel excited.
Lucy and Jude slowly made their way to the front, where Jude handed his daughter off to Natsu. Natsu grasped Lucy's hands and they walked up the steps together. Natsu was surprised at her composure.
Old Makarov was sitting on his stool, and the couple stood face-to-face in front of him.
"Dearly beloved," He began, "we are gathered here today to join Crown Prince Natsu Dragneel and Lady Lucy Heartfilia in holy matrimony. Natsu, please repeat after me,"
"Lucy,"
"I promise to cherish you always,"
"To honor and sustain you,"
"In sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth,"
"And to be true to you in all things until death alone shall part us."
Natsu knew that the words couldn't sound heartfelt to Lucy, yet he wanted her to know that he meant them, even if they didn't exactly choose this.
"Lucy, it is your turn. Repeat after me," Makarov said.
"Natsu,"
"I promise to cherish you always,"
"To honor and sustain you,"
"In sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth,"
"And to be true to you in all things until death alone shall part us."
Lucy felt that even if they never loved one another, they would find a way to at least have a companionship.
Makarov continued, "Do you, Natsu, take Lucy to be your lawfully wedded wife? From this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"
"I do," Natsu stated in a strong, clear voice.
"Do you, Lucy, take Natsu to be your lawfully wedded husband? From this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?" Makarov repeated.
Lucy was silent and Natsu swore she was going to say 'no', but after a moment, she said the same words as Natsu, "I do."
"May I please have the rings?" Makarov asked.
Levy and Gray stepped up and handed the rings to Lucy and Natsu, respectively.
"Natsu, please take the ring you have selected for Lucy. As you place it on her finger, repeat after me: 'With this ring, I thee wed.'"
"With this ring, I thee wed." Natsu declared.
"Lucy, please take the ring you have selected for Natsu. As you place it on his finger, repeat after me: 'With this ring, I thee wed.'"
"With this ring, I thee wed," Lucy said.
"In so much as the two of you have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, by the authority vested in me by the country of Fiore, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Natsu, you may kiss your bride!'"
Natsu cupped his hands around her face and gently lowered down to her level and pressed his lips to hers. He only lingered for a moment before pulling away again. Natsu looked at Lucy and saw she was smiling up at him.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Makarov smiled, "I pronounce to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Prince Natsu Dragneel!"
Natsu grabbed her hand as they descended the stairs together, walking down the aisle to the carriage waiting to take them to the castle for the reception.
Once seated, Natsu spoke up, "We did it, Luce!"
Lucy smiled back at him, "Yeah, we did!"
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A/N: So, what did y'all think? I figured 10 chapters in was a good place to have the wedding. I have honestly only been to 2 weddings, so I have no clue how they normally do stuff. I just found a generic template online and polished it up.
This has been the hardest one to write, and I am still not completely happy with it. I had to go through a few times and reword things. What has been your favorite part of the story so far? I am interested to see what everyone likes. And as always, please review; suggestions are always welcome!
I hope you all have incredible days! I love all of you!
Love, Leanne xoxo