Hello, everyone !

I'm back with the thirty-second chapter !

I hope you enjoy reading it :D

Disclaimer: I only own this plot

Wendy was ecstatic upon seeing the white kitten. She took an instant liking to it and named her Carla. Even Happy's eyes sparkled when he saw the new kitten and meowed happily. Sting and Rogue also happily showed Lector and Frosch to the Royal family, but they didn't have enough time to marvel at them because they need to prepare for the party.

Sting who had never had any birthday party before was taken aback by how complicated the preparation he needed to have, but was still excited nonetheless. Two hours later, they were all ready for Sting's birthday party. Sting was blindfolded and was carefully guided by Rogue to one of the halls in the palace. Since there weren't many people attending the party, Lucy and Wendy decided to use one of the halls instead. Moreover, it would give Sting a more intimate moment as well.

Once they stepped into the room, Rogue carefully untied Sting's blindfold. The moment Sting opened his eyes, confetti boomed.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STING!"

Sting's eyes sparkled upon seeing the surprise party. It was not crowded and filled with lots of warm faces, just the way he loved. This was the kind of birthday party that he always dreamed to have.

"Happy birthday, Sting!" Levy crouched down and handed a small box wrapped with a pretty paper and added with a ribbon. "My name is Levy."

"Thank you for the gift, Levy-nee!" Sting's eyes widened happily as he took the gift from Levy's petite hands.

After Levy, Natsu's friends introduced themselves one by one. Gray took a minute longer than the others to talk with Sting. He instantly loved his new little brother the second he saw him.

Sting looked so much like Lucy and he was the very image of a little brother Gray always wished to have. Gentle and kind, but also had that mischievous glint in his eyes. Full of joy and cheerful, as well as warm and compassionate. Gray couldn't wait to teach Sting all kinds of stuff.

All of Natsu's friends were present, including Mirajane and Elfman, as well as Fried and Bickslow.

"Too bad Lisanna couldn't join this party." Levy softly said as to not be heard by Mirajane nor Elfman.

"I think it's better if she isn't here." Erza softly agreed. "Think about what kind of ruckus she will make if she knows we're throwing a birthday party for Lucy's brother. Besides, she still needs some rest after that accident in the Sand Country."

Levy smiled helplessly. "I hope she gets better soon."

"She will, don't worry." Erza gently patted Levy's head. "In the meantime, shall we have a little dance?"

As if right on cue, the music gently played. Rogue dragged Sting to the center of the hall and the two of them started to dance as they like. The others laughed at their cute performance, while some of them started to dance with their respective partners at the side. The center of tonight's spotlight belonged to Sting—and Rogue by extension—so none of them wanted to ruin it.

Natsu glanced to his left and right when the music played, his eyes were searching for Lucy to ask her to a dance. To his surprise, Lucy was making her way to Freed and Bickslow Justine. He stared as Lucy exchanged a few words with the two of them, then Bickslow slightly bowed while offering his hand and Lucy took it. Natsu's eyes twitched a bit upon seeing his betrothed was taken by some other guy to the dancing floor.

He was a bit annoyed and jealous, but he knew Lucy did that not without a reason. There had to be something she wanted to talk about with the second son of the Justine noble family, which was why she approached them first. Besides, they weren't exactly a part of his friendship's circle and yet Lucy invited them.

Natsu sighed helplessly and decided to let it go this time. He made his way to Mirajane and Elfman who was talking with Freed and decided to join in on their talk while occasionally staring at his dancing fiancée.

Natsu's guess was right on spot. There is a reason why Lucy decided to invite the Justine's sons.

"I do hope I won't get into trouble for asking you to dance, Princess." Bickslow politely said as he nervously glanced at Natsu who was watching them from far away.

Lucy smiled. "Don't worry. I'm sure Natsu understands. And by the way, just call me Lucy."

Bickslow smiled back at the friendly gesture. "I am so glad the second prince is betrothed to you, Lucy. You two really suits each other so much."

Lucy's eyes softened upon hearing that. "And I am so glad you are betrothed to Lady Lisanna, Lord Bickslow."

"Oh please, Bickslow is fine." Bickslow said, his small sad smile appeared a second later. "If only Lady Lisanna thinks like that as well…"

Lucy took a few seconds of silence before letting out a gentle smile. "You must have loved her a lot, Bickslow."

Bickslow's face suddenly blushed. "N—no, it's not what you think…! I… I just…" Bickslow faltered away as his eyes caught Lucy's warm chocolate orbs and her gentle smile. He swallowed his further words and he shyly averted his gaze away. "…Yes."

Seemed like the arranged marriage was not a bad idea for Bickslow. Instead, he didn't dislike it at all. Lisanna Strauss was enchanting for him the moment he saw her.

Lucy didn't say anything in reply, simply because she didn't know what to say. The reason why Lucy decided to invite the Justine sons was because she wanted to get to know Bickslow better. Judging from what she knew from Natsu and his friends, she deduced that Lisanna was the only side who hated the arranged marriage. She deduced that Bickslow was okay with the arranged marriage, but now she knew he was more than okay with it.

Obviously, Bickslow hoped that the arranged marriage would not be cancelled.

"Do you…" Bickslow soft voice brought Lucy's attention back. "Do you know why I don't want to let go of this arranged marriage even though I knew Lady Lisanna is so against it?"

"Because you love her too much?" Lucy asked back.

Bickslow blushed upon hearing Lucy's answer. "It's not just that… To be more precise, I don't want to let her go because I knew she won't be happy even if I let her go."

Lucy stared at the second son of the Justine noble family in silence. She didn't expect Bickslow to answer her like that, but she decided to stay silent. Seemed like Bickslow needed someone to listen to him and Lucy would gladly be the listener.

"They say letting go is harder than holding on, and I guess it's true." Bickslow let out a small smile. "But I decided to hold on not because I'm not ready to let her go nor because I don't want to let her go, but because I can't. I can't let her go knowing she will get hurt at the end. I can't let her go knowing she will not be happy at the end. I can't let her go, because I know I can give her a better life and a better story to write."

Lucy was slightly taken aback by how much Bickslow treasured Lisanna. If only she could see this side of him…

"I know she has feelings for the second prince, but I also know that deep inside, Lady Lisanna is aware that she can't have Prince Natsu. I think she's just too scared to admit it, especially not when Prince Natsu had made her a promise that she considered as the most important thing in this world. I know she is being too infatuated with the promise as well as the second prince, but I also know that she will never get what she wanted. How can I let her go when I know that the woman I love will never get the happy ending she deserves? Maybe this is just my stubbornness, but I… No matter how many times I convinced myself to cancel this arranged marriage, I just… Can't." Bickslow then let out a small but deep sigh and chuckled dryly. "I guess I just love her too much…"

"Nothing's wrong with that." Lucy softly commented.

"But, still… I can't make her turn her head away to me…"

"Give her some time, Bickslow." Lucy encouraged. "It takes time to accept something we don't want to accept, and sometimes, a longer time to heal."

"I know…" Bickslow weakly smiled. "I just hope I can do something to help her…"

"That's—"

Lucy's words were cut as the hall's doors were suddenly opened. Everyone whipped their heads to look over and were stunned the next second.

Lisanna appeared while wearing a bright red dress, a huge smile adorned her face. There were three other girls behind her who also wore party dresses, but they looked a bit uncomfortable.

"Natsu!" Lisanna ran to Natsu and hugged him. "You're throwing a celebration party for me? Thank you!"

Lucy glanced at where Sting was and breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing him was being too preoccupied with opening his gifts along with Rogue. None of them paid attention to Lisanna's sudden appearance. Wendy quickly walked over to them and joined in on their fun while she positioned her body to block their views from what was happening.

"Lisanna." Natsu lowly growled. "What are you doing here?"

"It's my celebration party, so why wouldn't I be here?" Lisanna asked back. "I brought my friends along too to celebrate as well."

Natsu pulled his hand away from Lisanna's hold. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, Natsu, you don't have to be so embarrassed!" Lisanna giggled. "I know you're throwing this party for celebrating my recovery! It must be a hassle for you to arrange all these!"

Natsu glanced at where Sting was and inwardly thanked his sister for being so perceptive. She even asked one of the servants to bring their kitten inside, so that Sting and Rogue could play with them and keep being oblivious to the scene Lisanna was causing. Natsu knew how much this party meant for Sting, he didn't want to ruin it.

Neither did the others.

"Lisanna." Mirajane grabbed her sister's arms. "You're still not well, you should head back and rest."

"I'm fine, Mirajane-nee." Lisanna smiled. "I couldn't miss out my own celebration party, could I?"

Mirajane was so shocked. She couldn't believe the young lady standing in front of her right now was her younger sister. Why… Why did Lisanna become someone like this? This wasn't the Lisanna that grew up with so much love from the Strauss family.

But unlike Mirajane, Elfman decided that he had it enough.

"Are you out of your mind?!" Elfman growled in a low voice as to not alert the children. "This is outrageous, Lisanna, and I had it enough. You're coming back with me!"

"What is it with you all?" Lisanna protested. "Can't I be in my own celebration party?!"

"This party isn't for you!" Elfman retorted. "Why are you so childish?! You're 20 years old already, for god's sake! You're a lady from a marquess family! Behave like one!"

"Elfman…" Mirajane tried to calm her younger brother down.

"No, Mirajane-nee." Elfman sternly said. "We have tolerated her for far too long. Lisanna needs to snap back to her senses or it'll be too late! This crazy obsession of her has turned into a crazier fantasy and delusion!"

"Elfman-nii!" Lisanna protested. "How can you say that to your own younger sister?!"

"I can say that because you're my younger sister!" Elfman said. "I'm tired with the way you're behaving, Lisanna. We all are! You need to stop this madness!"

"What are you—ugh!"

"Lisanna!" Mirajane worriedly called as Lisanna clutched her head and winced in pain.

Looking at his sister's condition, Elfman heavily sighed. He knew her sister was still recovering from her head trauma due to the accident in the Sand Country, but he just couldn't take it anymore! As Lisanna's older brother and the only son of the Strauss family, Elfman knew he had a responsibility to snap her back to the reality.

Like he said, he was tired of putting up with Lisanna's behavior. Her infatuation with Natsu's childhood promise—which he regarded as a silly, baseless one from a four years old brat—was gnawing at his patience. Moreover, the Justine brothers were present tonight. Another reason for his patience to finally snap and he decided that it was time for him to speak up.

There's a reason why neither family agreed to cancel the arranged marriage. It was because of Bickslow. He convinced both family that Lisanna needed someone who can love her through everything and he was that person. No matter how many times Lisanna pushed him away and how harsh she treated him, Bickslow kept staying beside her willingly. He convinced them that he could give Lisanna the happy ending she deserved.

It was his persistence that was respected by both family. And Elfman would do everything he could to show his respect to Bickslow.

"Elfman, don't make a scene here." Erza softly reminded. "Lisanna hasn't completely healed yet, so let's just end it here today."

Elfman sighed. "Very well."

"Natsu, do you think Lisanna could get some rest before we take her home?" Mirajane said.

"There's a room you can use at the end of the hallway." Zeref said. "She can rest there until her headache gets better."

"Thank you for the hospitality, Zeref." Mirajane smiled.

"We'll take Lisanna with us, Lady Mirajane." Lisanna's friends readily supported her. "You're one of the party's guests, you're not supposed to leave."

"Besides, it was us who barged in." Another friend added. "When she gets better, we will immediately inform you."

"Thank you for your kind help." Mirajane said.

"I'll show them the way, then." Mavis said and led the four girls away from the hall.

Once the doors were closed again, a few seconds of silence engulfed the hall. As if on cue, all of them then sighed in relief. They had unknowingly held their breaths all this time.

Natsu cleared his throat a bit to restore the atmosphere. "Shall we enjoy the party again?"

Wendy did a splendid job in diverting the children's attention. They had no idea Lisanna barged in and caused a scene. The happy atmosphere quickly returned as Sting happily showed everyone all of his opened gifts. He had grown so close with the Royals as well as Natsu's closest friends. Rogue was so happy his new best buddy blended in perfectly, just like his Lucy-nee.

"Hey, anyone saw Lucy?" Natsu suddenly asked as he eyed the hall for his fiancée.

"She went to the restroom." Levy answered.

"I haven't seen her for a while." Natsu muttered.

"Oh, now that you mention it…" Levy blinked.

"I'll go look for her." Natsu put down his empty glass on to a table. "She's probably lost. She hasn't been to this part of the castle much."

"I'll go with you." Gray also put down his glass.

Natsu and Gray then carefully went out of the hall so that they won't alert Sting. They didn't want to ruin his happy moments, not for a second.

Natsu's guess was true. Lucy was indeed lost.

"Where am I…" Lucy blinked. She hadn't been to this part of the castle much, so she wasn't quite familiar with her ways. The servants and the knights were also busy at the party, there was no one she could ask for directions.

The Dragon Country's palace was three times bigger than the Celestial Country's. Lucy mainly spent her time with the Royals in the main building and hadn't got much time to explore the other sides. However, Sting's birthday party was held in one of the halls located in the East wing of the palace due to its seclusion to give Sting a true private and intimate party.

"I should have agreed to Mavis-nee suggestion to take me to the restroom…" Lucy softly muttered. "Which way is the hall, anyway?"

Just then, Lucy's eyes caught a light from somewhere not far from her and she could also hear voices. Thinking it might be the servants, she made her way there to ask for directions.

Turns out, it wasn't the servants.

It was Lisanna who were resting in one of the rooms with her friends.

"Lisanna, is your headache better?"

"I'm fine." Lisanna huffed. "Next time, you guys don't have to take me away! I want Natsu to do that!"

"Lisanna, you're sick!" One of her friends said. "Besides, you're supposed to stay in your room and rest! Why did you have to barge in?"

"Yeah! Do you know how embarrassing it was for us?!" Another one added. "It was obvious that party isn't for you!"

"So what, Yukino?" Lisanna retorted. "Do you think they can hold a party without inviting me? Not on my watch!"

"But you're embarrassing everyone!" Yukino Agria said.

"And do you realize that Lord Bickslow is there as well?"

Lisanna rolled her eyes. "I don't care about other guys! He's just a second son of a count, Sorano!"

"Hey, he's still a noble nevertheless!" Sorano Agria commented.

Yukino then took a hold on Lisanna's hand. "Lisanna," she softly called. "I really think you should stop this."

"Stop what?" Lisanna yanked her hand away. "Don't lecture me like my brother did! That treacherous older brother!"

"But Lord Elfman does have a point."

"Not you too, Minerva!"

Minerva Orland raised an eyebrow. "You're 20 years old already, Lisanna. Don't you think you're being way too childish for acting like this? The second prince is betrothed to someone else, so do you!"

"I've told you not to talk about that, haven't I?" Lisanna growled. "I don't care who is betrothed to Natsu and who is betrothed to me, Natsu is mine! I will not give him to someone else!"

"But Lisanna, you can't keep pretending that you lost your memories for forever!" Sorano protested.

Lucy instantly widened her eyes, her heart felt like it stopped beating for a split second. What…?

Lisanna coldly snorted. "Says who? Don't you know how guilty Natsu is for causing that accident to me? As long as I keep pretending to lose my memories, I can use Natsu's guilt towards me and finally make him mine!"

"You're insane!" Minerva choked in disbelief. "Isn't the second prince your precious childhood friend? How can you do something like that to him?!"

"I'll do everything I can to make Natsu mine." Lisanna coldly retorted. "And it's not like I lied. I did lose my memories."

"Only for a day or so." Minerva commented, her tone was half annoyed and half disgusted. "You regain them back after a good night sleep in this country and yet you want to keep pretending you lost them?! I can't believe you're the same Lisanna I've been friends with for a decade."

"Stop being so dramatic." Lisanna waved her hands indifferently. "All you guys have to do is shut your mouth tight, so that no one knows I've regained them back. Not even my family or my childhood friends."

"I don't want to keep playing this game with you." Minerva angrily stood up. "You might be my friend, Lisanna, but this is so wrong!"

"Don't you dare walk away from me, Minerva!" Lisanna also angrily stood up. "You know my secret and I won't let you betray me!"

"Ladies, calm down…" Yukino and Sorano tried to calm their friends down.

Meanwhile, Lucy unconsciously fisted her hands tight as she listened on their conversation, anger started to seep in. She had always thought that Lisanna genuinely loved Natsu, but now she knew she was wrong. At least, somewhere along the way, Lisanna's feelings for Natsu turned into a mere possessiveness.

And she would only keep hurting Natsu, their friends, their families, even herself if she didn't stop.

"I can walk away and I dare to!" Minerva retorted. "I can't do this anymore, Lisanna! You're out of your mind!"

"You only have to keep your mouth shut and follow me until I get Natsu!"

"That won't happen, why don't you understand?!" Minerva said in utter frustration. "You know Prince Natsu loves someone else and he won't ever love you the same way you want him to!"

"I will make him love me the way I want him to!" Lisanna raised her voice even higher. "Don't you see I have a trump card in my hands right now? I should use Natsu's guilt towards me to the most of it!"

Snap.

BANG!

The four ladies yelped in surprise and immediately turned their heads to look over. The tense atmosphere due to Minerva and Lisanna's disagreement suddenly turned even tenser and cold.

"Your Highness…" Sorano, Yukino, and Minerva stared in shock and disbelief.

Lisanna was shocked as well, but she instantly recovered the next second. She folded her hands in front of her chest and smiled coldly. "Well, well, look who have just eavesdropped on us. Yours truly, Princess Lucy."

Done !

Whew, finally done writing this chapter !

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