Chapter 11~
Natsu and Lucy sat in the same room they sat in before the engagement ball. They had arrived at the castle much before the rest of the guests and nobles so they were required to wait until everyone arrived. There was a silence that fell between them, but it wasn't an awkward one, rather an understanding one. They each knew that it would be a long night and they needed to save up their energy.
The wedding had, luckily, gone off without a hitch, without any shenanigans from Jude or any other 'concerned parties'. It had been a beautiful ceremony that had, surprisingly, been enjoyable for Natsu and Lucy—even though neither of them typically liked getting dressed up for social events. This one had been different because, even though they didn't know each other too well, they both felt their marriage was a positive thing. For Natsu to secure the throne and for Lucy to escape Jude. Gone were Natsu's wishes for Wendy to become the next monarch.
After some time, Natsu broke the silence, "Hey, Lucy, I know that we haven't known each other for a very long time, but I hope want us to become closer. I don't wanna be married to a stranger, y'know?"
Lucy was surprised at the seriousness in his voice as he seemed very sincere. She took a moment to formulate a response. She too did want to become friends, but she had not anticipated that Natsu would be so forthcoming in his approach. Lucy had negative experiences with many relationships, platonic and romantic, throughout her life, and Natsu seemed genuine enough to her.
When she responded, she spoke carefully, "I agree, Natsu. I have seen too many unhappy marriages in my short life, so I admire your effort in initiating this topic."
Natsu was always taken aback by her wording. She spoke so elegantly and he wished he could hear her talk forever.
"Well, I am glad that we're on the same page then!" He said cheerfully, and Lucy was glad that his carefree, happy nature was back.
They settled back into the previous comfortable silence and before long there was a knock at the door, "Excuse me, you're Highnesses, but it is time for you to go into the reception." Erza said.
"Thank you, Erza." Natsu said, "Shall we?" He asked while offering his arm to Lucy.
"We shall." She smiled as they linked their arms.
The doors to the ballroom opened as Natsu and Lucy stepped through.
The herald then loudly announced, "Introducing their Royal Highnesses, Prince Natsu, and Princess Lucy!"
Every eye, again, was turned onto them. Lucy would usually have remarked over the similarities to their engagement ball, but she was silenced by hearing her title. She was no longer Lady Lucy Heartfilia, now she was Princess Lucy of Fiore, and she was jarred by it. Not to mention that she would soon be Queen Lucy of Fiore, which stupefied her.
Lucy was on autopilot as Natsu guided her down the outrageously long staircase onto the floor. Here they were immediately bombarded by people wishing them congratulations. Lucy snapped out of her reverie and returned gratitude to the multitudes of people surrounding them. Natsu was much more gregarious than Lucy, so she let him do most of the talking.
They came upon some nobles who looked considerably familiar to Lucy.
"Congratulations, Natsu!" The older man cheered.
"Yes, we are so proud of you! It seems like just yesterday you and Gray were playing in the gardens." The woman said with reminisce heavy in her voice.
"Thank you, both of you." Natsu replied sincerely, "It meant so much to me to have both of you as my second parents growing up."
"That means a lot to us too, Natsu." She said. "And this is your bride, Lucy! What a pretty girl you found!"
"Where are your manners, honey?" The older man interrupted, "She doesn't know our names."
A look of embarrassment spread across her face, "Oh, I am so sorry. I forget to introduce myself sometimes. I don't meet new people all that often." She said with a glint of levity to her voice. "I am Mika Fullbuster, and this is my husband, Silver Fullbuster. We are Gray's parents."
"I thought you both looked familiar." Lucy said, "I am Lucy, as you already know. It's wonderful to meet you both!"
"The pleasure is ours, Princess." The man now known as Silver Fullbuster said.
Hearing her title again shook Lucy again, but she managed to stay balanced and composed.
Natsu and Lucy bid them farewell and they mingled with many others around the room before a certain tall blonde ended up in front of them.
"Congratulations, Lucy!" Jude said "I am so proud of the young woman you have become. I cannot believe that you are the same little girl that used to play with dolls in my house." And he sounded almost… sincere?
"Thank you, Father." Lucy returned, "I appreciate your kind words." She was confused, but she refused to let it show.
Jude slowly wrapped his arms around her in a hug. Lucy was in disbelief. He hadn't hugged her in years, since before her mother died. And not wanting to make a scene, Lucy hugged him back and smiled.
When they separated, Jude spoke again, "I am sorry to cut the evening short, but I must return to the Heartfilia Manor and attend to some urgent business."
"I understand, Father. Have a safe trip home." Lucy said, still in disbelief.
Natsu gave her a quizzical look, but Lucy ignored him and watched her father leave.
As soon as her father was out of sight, Erza came and pulled Natsu aside to talk about "urgent matters", leaving Lucy surrounded by people but utterly alone.
Out of nowhere, a recognizable face appeared in front of Lucy: Minerva Orland.
"Look at you." She said snidely, "You got to marry the prince. Are you happy?"
Lucy sighed, "Look, Minerva, I didn't want this to happen. I would have been fine staying with my father, but Natsu decided, for some bizarre reason, that I was right for this position. I had no power over it and neither did you, so can we please leave the bitterness in the past?"
Minerva choked, "Hardly. You took what was going to be mine, and I have to get retribution for what was taken from me."
"Minerva," Lucy said dejectedly, "I didn't choose this and it was never yours. It is already over and there's nothing either of us can do to change it. Please, don't make a scene at my wedding, if only for the sake of your own family's standing."
"Being rejected by the future king hurt it enough." She scoffed, "So now, to avenge my family's honor, all I can do is make a scene." She said in a sickly sweet voice; as if she was preparing to save humanity from whatever evil she perceived.
"That will not help and you know it, Minerva." Came a voice from over Lucy's shoulder. Lucy looked back and saw Lisanna standing there, looking at Minerva with a hardened gaze. "Now, I am going to ask you to walk away or I will make you leave."
"And what are you going to do, Lisanna?"
"What if I tell everybody what I caught you doing the day we all arrived at the castle?" Lisanna threatened.
Minerva recoiled, "I should've known that a little rat like you would lie."
"I only said that I wouldn't tell anyone then, not ever." Lisanna responded.
"Fine, you win this round, Strauss." Minerva then turned on her heel and stocked off.
Lisanna turned and faced Lucy, "Are you okay?" She asked"
"I'm fine, only a little annoyed." Lucy said, "What did you tell her?"
A small smile played on her lips, "If I told you it wouldn't hold any leverage in the future, now would it?"
"Wow, Lisanna, I didn't know you had that in you." Lucy commented.
"You'll get used to it in the castle life. No one is your friend here."
Natsu arrived back at Lucy's side, "Is everything alright?" He asked, "I saw Minerva here and it looked pretty intense."
"It's all fine." Lisanna said, "Minerva was a little too up in Lucy's face, so I stepped in."
"That makes me happy to hear." He said.
The same two men met in the darkness again.
"I told you, it's all coming together according to plan." The tall one said.
"Did I doubt you?" The short one asked.
They both knew he had, yet neither one said that.
"Just tell me what you want next?" The tall man requested.
"I will tell you when I want you to know, understand?"
"Yes sir."
After all the dancing and socializing, it was finally time for the evening to end for Lucy and Natsu.
"Thank you all for attending!" King Igneel announced, "We glad that all of you could attend the union of our son and his new bride." Everyone cheered. "Now, as I'm sure they're exhausted, they are going to retire for the night, but you all are welcome to stay until the food runs out!"
The royal couple then ascended the stairs, accompanied by several servants. Lucy and Natsu were separated and led to different rooms to prepare for bed. As they began undressing Lucy she realized what was going to happen. She had, up until this point, only thought of the lead up to the wedding and not anything after it.
The servants dressed her in a lace nightgown. 'It could be worse than this.' Lucy thought. She then was led to the honeymoon suite, or so it was called by the servants; although Lucy had never heard of it before.
She walked in and took in the room. It was large, with an equally large canopy bed in the middle of the back wall. It had two chairs arranged in a corner and candles lit across the whole room. Lucy sat down on one of the chairs and waited.
She only had to wait but a few minutes before Natsu walked in, "Hey, Luce." He greeted.
"Hi." She responded shyly.
Natsu, picking up on the weirdness of the situation, said, "Listen, Lucy, I know what we're 'supposed' to do tonight, but honestly, I'm exhausted and I know you are too. All I'm going to do is sleep and I encourage you to do that too."
Natsu's maturity and perception were surprising, still, Lucy was grateful for it.
Natsu walked to the bed, gently pulled the covers back, and crawled in. Lucy stood up and followed his lead.
"Darnit!" Natsu exclaimed, "We need to blow out all the candles. Why they don't put lamps in here is beyond me."
Lucy chuckled as they both stood. She walked around the room and blew out all the candles with her new husband. After there were only two left on either side of the bed, they both repeated the same routine as earlier.
Natsu laid on his back and stared up at the ceiling, "You know, Luce, I am so glad that is over with." He sighed.
"Me too," She agreed, "It was so tiring doing everything to prepare."
"Just you wait. The coronation isn't too far away either and that will take just as much preparation as this wedding."
"You're joking."
He laughed, "Nope, I'm not. I don't like it either, but, hey, it is what it is."
"How can you be so calm in all of this chaos?" She inquired.
"I'm not sure," He shrugged, "I guess I've lived like that my entire life preparing for when all of this would happen. It's different for you since you were thrown into this, but this is normal for me."
"I can't imagine growing up like this." Lucy commented.
"Well, I can't imagine growing up as you did." He countered.
"Yeah, you're right."
"Of course I am." Natsu flashed a toothy grin.
"Oh, stop it!" Lucy chided.
"I don't want to."
"You're such a big goof." She smiled back
"What can I say? It's who I am."
"I know," She acknowledged.
"Goodnight, Lucy." Natsu said after a bit of silence.
"Goodnight, Natsu." She replied and they both blew out the candles on their side of the bed.
Lucy felt Natsu move closer to her before she felt a kiss on her forehead and a "Thank you." Before he rolled over onto his side facing away from her.
Lucy could feel her cheeks warm and her mind turn as she wondered what he said thank you for.
She couldn't wonder for too long as sleep soon came claiming her mind.
A/N: Soooooo, it's been a little while... sorry about that! I am not the best writer (which is why I'm practicing here to get feedback and whatnot) so it can be hard to get up the motivation. I finally wrote an outline for the next couple chapters, so that should help me update faster this time. If anyone has any comments/suggestions, please tell me! I love ideas and I will never turn one down :)
Happy belated Thanksgiving and Merry early Christmas!
Love, Leanne