Hello, everyone !
I'm back with the thirty-ninth chapter !
Enjoy !
Disclaimer: I only own this plot
P.S: Three chapters left until the finale !
Laxus Dreyar chuckled as he straightened his body and ruffled Lucy's head carefully but affectionately.
"Hello, Lucy."
"You came!" Lucy's face beamed with happiness.
Laxus fished out the invitation which Lucy sent to him. "Couldn't miss this. It's been a while since the last time we met, after all."
"I'm glad you're okay!" Lucy hugged Laxus.
Laxus returned her hug and lightly patted her back. "I'm so happy to see you too, Lucy. I saw your dance with your betrothed earlier. You're a great dancer as usual."
Lucy chuckled and let go of her hug.
"And very much in love with the second prince." Laxus added. "I guess arranged marriages aren't all that bad, huh?"
Lucy's face turned bright red again. She playfully slapped Laxus's arm. "Don't you dare tease me too!"
Laxus chuckled but his gaze softened as he stared at Lucy. She looked okay, really okay in fact. Her smiles were brighter than when she was still in the Celestial Country. Her body was still so slim, but she wasn't as skinny as before. Her blond hair seemed to shine brighter and the color was no longer dull. Overall, she looked healthy and well.
Laxus Dreyar was the next heir of the Dreyar family as well as Makarov's only grandson. Lucy looked up to him as her older brother figure and Laxus also cared for her as if she was his real younger sister. Laxus and his younger sister, Evergreen, grew up under their grandfather's ultimate rule: respect those whom deserve your respect. For the Dreyar family, Lucy deserved every ounce of respect. Born as an illegitimate child had never been and would never be her fault, but Lucy grew with so much kindness in her heart. She was never hesitant in sharing what she had with those whom needed it, even though she didn't have much. Not only that, her determination was amazing in a way as well. She was never afraid to learn something new, determined to be the better version of herself even in her limited situation. Yes, she did indeed have her own share of insecurities and fears, but Lucy always held her head up high to face the new day.
It was her kindness and her unwavering determination that made the Dreyar family cared about her so much.
Laxus then glanced to their left and right, making sure no one could hear them. Thankfully, all the guests were downstairs and there were only the two of them on the balcony.
"Lucy, there's something I need to talk to you about." Laxus said.
Lucy blinked her eyes, sensing a bit of urgency within Laxus's tone. "Go ahead."
"I heard everything from Brandish." Laxus continued. "About your plan and how she has been helping you in arranging the mass refuge for the people of the Celestial Country."
"…Oh."
Laxus grabbed Lucy's shoulders. "Lucy, you do realize how dangerous and how risky your plan is, right?"
Lucy softly nodded.
"Let's tell the Royals of the Dragon Country." Laxus said. "I will support you as the next Duke Dreyar of the Blue Pegasus Country. Brandish might be able to accept your decision, but I can't just accept it like that. You're risking your life! I'm not going to just sit there and do nothing!"
"No." Lucy replied without an inch of hesitation.
"Lucy!"
Lucy shook her head. "I'm taking my identity with me to my grave. They don't deserve that kind of humiliation."
"Let me talk to them then." Laxus said. "It's not your fault and will never be your fault for being born as an illegitimate child! You have to make it clear to them as well about your plan! Make them realize that you're doing this for them!"
Lucy's hands were unconsciously fisted. "…No."
"Lucy…" Laxus started to get frustrated with Lucy's stubbornness. Damn it, why did she have to be so stubborn in a time like this?!
"I've made up my mind, Laxus." Lucy's chocolate orbs were staring firmly at Laxus's own eyes.
"What if your plan fails?" Laxus asked. "What if the Celestial Country becomes aware of what you're actually doing and takes an action first? Do you what will happen to you by then?!"
"I'll die." Lucy answered dryly.
"That's right!" Laxus said. "They won't stop to hunt you down until you're dead, Lucy! The only way to prevent that is by cooperating with the Dragon Country!"
"No, not that." Lucy said. "I want to keep them away from this problem as far as I can."
Laxus ruffled his hair in annoyance. What was he supposed to say so that Lucy could change her mind? "Lucy, Jude will sooner or later find out about his country's upcoming bankruptcy! When that happens, he will push you to finish your espionage mission sooner. Or worse, he finds out about your fake reports you've been giving him for the past two years!"
"I know." Lucy clenched her fists even tighter. "I'm aware of those risks the moment I devised this plan, Laxus."
"Lucy, it's not too late now for telling the Royals of the Dragon Country." Laxus urged.
Lucy shook her head. "No. That's the only thing I won't do."
Laxus fought the urge to pull his hair.
"Laxus, I just need a bit more time." Lucy continued. "We've done relocating the people at the borders and since a few months ago, we've begun relocating the people from the cities near the capital as well. Those people have had enough with King Jude's reign and they were more than happy to move to other countries and start anew. Once King Jude realizes about his country's inevitable bankruptcy, he will no longer have any people to extort taxes from. He will no longer have enough riches to save his country's economy. This is the only way to end his reign, once and for all."
Laxus was at loss of words. He knew Lucy's plan was brilliant, but he was so worried for her safety. For he also knew from Brandish that Lucy was determined to disappear once she brought down the curtains of the Celestial Country.
Laxus was sure his worry was plastered all over his face, but Lucy's stare on him didn't change even for the slightest. Her gaze was still as unwavering as when she said 'no' for the first time to his idea. Laxus stared back at Lucy for a few more seconds before he finally sighed in defeat.
"Your stubbornness is already on a different level." he said exasperatedly.
Lucy chuckled lightly.
"Alright then, I won't try to convince you to tell the Royals of the Dragon Country anymore." Laxus said. "Instead, I'm going to convince you to another thing."
Lucy blinked in confusion. Laxus smiled a little then fished out something from within his clothes—a rolled paper. He then handed it to Lucy who just stared back at it.
"What is this?" Lucy lifted her head to ask Laxus after staring at it for a few seconds.
"The agreement to make you the permanent member of the Dreyar family in the Blue Pegasus Country."
Lucy was stunned.
"All of the necessary papers are ready." Laxus continued. "I just need your sign on this paper to finalize everything."
Lucy's eyebrows furrowed. "N—"
"Just stop saying no already." Laxus cut while grumbling.
Lucy shut her mouth for a few seconds then stared at the rolled paper once more for a moment, before finally shaking her head and pushed Laxus's hand away. "I can't have this."
"Lucy…!"
Now Laxus is truly tempted to knock Lucy unconscious and then forced her to sign the paper.
"No." Lucy shook her head again. "The neutral countries will be the first place to look for me once this is over. I cannot trouble you, I have to disappear."
"Stop saying that!" Laxus lowly growled. "Why do you have to disappear? You're a human being, for heaven's sake! You're not a wandering spirit who can just disappear into thin air!"
"Laxus…"
"No." Laxus glared back solemnly at Lucy. "Now's my turn to say no."
Lucy sighed a little and shifted her gaze away a bit.
"Lucy." Laxus offered the rolled paper once more. "You've set Sting free, now is my turn to set you free."
Lucy's eyebrows twitched upon hearing that particular word and she lifted her gaze to stare at Laxus back. Laxus's eyes looked so solemn, but there was also a hint of pleading in there.
"If you really want to disappear from the Dragon Country's Royals, I will grant you that." Laxus said. "I will protect you behind the walls of my house and I swear they will never be able to find you. No one will be able to find you. But don't go by your own. You're not alone in this world, Lucy, let me also make sacrifices for you. Just like you're making sacrifices for Sting and the Dragon Country."
Lucy suddenly couldn't find her voice to speak.
Free…
"Let me set you free." Laxus repeated. "I will give you a new life in the Blue Pegasus Country. A life where you are no longer bound to anyone else in your past, a life which you deserved to have. A life with a family who loves you whole-heartedly."
Lucy unconsciously gritted her teeth. A free life with a family who loved her…
"You can start everything again as a new member of the Dreyar family." Laxus convinced. "You've been so kind to others, now is the time for others to be kind to you."
Lucy's gaze softened. She stared at the rolled paper in Laxus's hands, her brain was screaming for her to take it to finally have the life she always wanted to have. A free life, surrounded with people who loved her and whom she loved. But her heart was feeling conflicted, knowing that Natsu and the Dragon Country could also give her that very same life.
What are you talking about?!, Lucy's brain shouted. You've decided to leave them once the Celestial Country fell, right? Why are you still feeling so hesitant about this? You know they will never accept you because of your status, but the Dreyar family will! They knew everything about you, they will and they can give you the life you've always dreamed for!
Lucy closed her eyes and her brain took the opportunity to convince her. She then opened her eyes and gently took the rolled paper from Laxus's hand. Laxus smiled in relief, finally he could get Lucy to agree on something with him.
"Thank you, Laxus." Lucy clenched the rolled paper close to her chest as she smiled gratefully to Laxus.
Laxus nodded and smiled back. He then wrapped his arm around Lucy's shoulders, welcoming his soon-to-be-new-sister to his light embrace. Both of them then stayed quiet for a while until Lucy broke it.
She pulled away from Laxus and smiled at him. "Come on, let me introduce you to Natsu and the others."
Laxus nodded and the two of them stepped out of the balcony and descended the stairs, making their way towards Natsu who was talking with other nobles. Natsu was delighted to greet Laxus and the two of them quickly familiarized with each other. However, unbeknownst to them, something else happened that night on the balcony.
Something which they had never expected to happen that night.
In the Celestial Country…
Jenny sat on her bed, a very unusual view considering the sun had yet to rise. The heiress to the throne was never an early riser, but today something was different. Jenny sat there in silence, until her eyes glanced to a piece of paper lying on the small table beside her bed.
The invitation to Wendy's debutante ball.
Jenny's stare on that piece of paper lingered a few seconds more before she roughly took it and ripped the paper into pieces in rage. She clenched her quilt in anger as her brain spun to remember what happened last night.
How dare she! That cursed slut girl!
Not only she dared to stand that close with Laxus, but she also dared to betray the Celestial Country?! Unforgivable!
Yes, Jenny heard what Laxus and Lucy was talking about the night before.
Jenny was obsessed with Laxus ever since they were young. Laxus was the only noble who didn't bat an eye in her presence, something which obviously intrigued the spoiled princess. Jenny had been stalking Laxus ever since meeting that impassive young lord at the palace. What started merely as a curiosity then quickly turned into an obsessed crush.
Wherever Laxus went, Jenny made sure she was there as well. All for the sake for making Laxus noticing her presence and turned his head to look at her. It obviously didn't work and it only made Laxus felt more uncomfortable around the princess, but Jenny didn't care. She was taught by her parents to always get what she wants. She wanted Laxus to be hers, so she would do everything she could to get him.
When Laxus could no longer put up with Jenny's persistence, his grandfather arranged their family's move to the Blue Pegasus Country. Jenny was livid when she heard the news of the Dreyar family moving away. She went to her father, the king, and asked him to never permit Makarov's request of moving away.
Jude was aware of Jenny's interest on Laxus and naturally agreed. But Makarov wasn't one to back down from his only grandson's request. He submitted dozens of request to move his family away to Jude every single day. When Jude didn't respond to his request, not even once, Makarov finally had it enough and threatened the king. If Jude didn't want to properly let his family go, then he would take all of his wealth and ran away.
Jude of course couldn't let that happen. Per agreement, any noble family who decided to move away must present 40% of their wealth as a parting offering for the Royals. Makarov might only be a marquess, but he was one of the wealthiest noble in the entire country. If he took all of his wealth and ran away, that would be quite a loss for the Royal's greed.
Left with no other choice, Jude finally agreed to let the Dreyars moved away. Jenny was so angry she even threw a tantrum in front of her father when she knew, even Eileen had a quite hard time to calm her down. Jude finally sealed the problem by saying to Jenny that the parting offering was much more important than her silly obsession. Jenny of course knew that the parting offering was important, but Laxus was important to her too!
The problem was, Jude had no idea where the Dreyar family was moving away to, Makarov didn't specify it in his request. That was why Jenny secretly sent her own men to look for Natsu. Left without a clue, Jenny told them to look in every country existed. Jenny doubted the Dreyar family would move to one of the Celestial Country's allies, so she told them to focus on countries in the West and the neutral ones.
It took her two years to finally find Laxus.
Jenny was ecstatic when one of her men told her that they found him. He is now residing in the Blue Pegasus Country as the next duke of the Dreyar family. In a week time, he would be attending the Royal Princess of the Dragon Country's debutante ball. Jenny groaned at the thought of going to the Dragon Country, but her want to meet with Laxus beat it. She told her men to organize an invitation for her so that she could attend the ball as well. Wendy's debutante ball was indeed open to not only the nobles of the Dragon Country, but also to the nobles who had the invitation.
Under the pretence of attending a party held by one of her friends, Jenny then went to the Dragon Country. She didn't tell the truth to her parents because her father would be so pissed off knowing she hadn't give up on the idea of chasing Laxus. Jenny then told her coachman to take her to the Dragon Country by using the northern gate to avoid surveillance from her parents. The coachman was in utter shock when he knew Jenny was going to the Dragon Country, but took her there nonetheless. He cared about his head way too much than prying out of curiosity.
After arriving at the border, Jenny stepped down from the carriage and told the coachman to wait her there. She didn't want to cause any commotion tonight—which is totally rare for her—for that would trouble her from seeing Laxus. Jenny then walked towards the capital, marvelling at the sight of the beautiful country laid in front of her.
As the legal heiress of the throne, of course Jenny was aware about the true prosperity of the Dragon Country. Her eyes glinted at the sight of the beautiful cities she walked by, even the capital looked so glamorous compared to her country's. Soon, all of these will be her family's. She could have even more riches until the day she die, even more jewels to wear, even more clothes to change into, even more parties to attend, an overall more luxurious life that she had ever had.
After having all of these, she would then force Laxus to marry her and be hers until the end of time. That way, she would have the most perfect life. Drowning herself in an unending riches within the arms of the man she loved. Jenny's body shivered excitedly at the thought, couldn't wait for the day her country would take over the Dragon Country and its allies to come.
Jenny got so side-tracked by her fantasies while walking towards the capital, she arrived late at the ball. Thankfully, she was still permitted to enter after showing the guards her fake invitation. No one here knows what she looked like, simply because she had never left the palace. Added with a fake name on the invitation, Jenny was practically considered as a noble from another country.
She whistled in amazement as she stepped into the ballroom. Thoughts of throwing party every single day in this glorious ballroom and spent the rest of her life in this enormous castle made her body shivered in excitement again.
Jenny suddenly remembered her half-sister who was sent here under the pretence of offering a peace treaty through an arranged marriage. She snorted coldly at the thought of Lucy spending her time in this kind of luxury life. Hmph, that slut girl was quite lucky this time.
"That slut girl better does her job right." she muttered under her breath. "If I can't have these because of her stupidity, she's so dead."
Just then, the corner of Jenny's eyes caught a movement at the upper balcony and she shifted her head to see. Her eyes glinted at the sight of Laxus's head, she would recognize that blazing blond hair anywhere!
"Laxus!" Jenny mumbled excitedly and rushed against the crowd to the balcony. The ballroom was so packed with people, Jenny almost fell down several times.
She finally arrived at the balcony and was about to surprise Laxus from behind him when she heard something that made her heart stop beating for a split second.
"Lucy, Jude will sooner or later find out about his country's upcoming bankruptcy!" Laxus's voice rang. "When that happens, he will push you to finish your espionage mission sooner. Or worse, he finds out about your fake reports you've been giving him for the past two years!"
Jenny gasped in utter shock, but she instinctively put a hand over her mouth quickly so that her voice wouldn't be heard. What did Laxus say? Had she heard it right? Her country… The Celestial Country… Will be bankrupt?
And that name… That name that she hated so much… Could it be…?
"I know." Lucy's voice replied and Jenny fought back the urge to choke her. That wretched slut girl! She dared to talk to her Laxus?! "I'm aware of those risks the moment I devised this plan, Laxus."
Jenny cursed Lucy under her breath. She knew! She knew about the Celestial Country's upcoming bankruptcy! And what kind of plan she devised?
Eager to know more, Jenny carefully hid behind the curtains on the other side of the doors and eavesdropped. She had to know!
"Lucy, it's not too late now for telling the Royals of the Dragon Country." Laxus urged.
Jenny clenched her fist tight, another hand was still clamping down on her mouth to stop her from roaring at them right there. Laxus had never called her name—not even once—but he called that slut girl by her name?! Unforgivable! Not only that, but also telling what to the Royals of the Dragon Country? About the Celestial Country's upcoming bankruptcy?
They will be damned if the Dragneels knew!
"No. That's the only thing I won't do." Lucy said. "Laxus, I just need a bit more time. We've done relocating the people at the borders and since a few months ago, we've begun relocating the people from the cities near the capital as well. Those people have had enough with King Jude's reign and they were more than happy to move to other countries and start anew. Once King Jude realizes about his country's inevitable bankruptcy, he will no longer have any people to extort taxes from. He will no longer have enough riches to save his country's economy. This is the only way to end his reign, once and for all."
Jenny widened her eyes in shock. This was the plan that slut girl devised? To relocate the people of the Celestial Country to other countries and to let the Celestial Country falls into bankruptcy?!
How dare she!
She was sent here on an espionage mission, but she was betraying them instead?!
Laxus was silent for a while before finally sighing in defeat.
"Your stubbornness is already on a different level." he said exasperatedly which Lucy replied with a light chuckle. "Alright then, I won't try to convince you to tell the Royals of the Dragon Country anymore. Instead, I'm going to convince you to another thing."
Jenny's eyebrows twitched. Now what is Laxus going to do?
"What is this?" Lucy seemed to ask about something. Jenny couldn't see nor peek over in fear of getting caught by them.
"The agreement to make you the permanent member of the Dreyar family in the Blue Pegasus Country."
Lucy turned silent immediately and Jenny herself was frozen.
WHAT?
"All of the necessary papers are ready." Laxus continued. "I just need your sign on this paper to finalize everything."
Lucy's eyebrows furrowed. "N—"
"Just stop saying no already." Laxus cut while grumbling.
Lucy shut her mouth for a few seconds then her voice rang again. "I can't have this."
"Lucy…!"
"No." Lucy said. "The neutral countries will be the first place to look for me once this is over. I cannot trouble you, I have to disappear."
"Stop saying that!" Laxus lowly growled. "Why do you have to disappear? You're a human being, for heaven's sake! You're not a wandering spirit who can just disappear into thin air!"
"Laxus…"
"No. Now's my turn to say no."
Lucy sighed a little.
"Lucy." Laxus called. "You've set Sting free, now is my turn to set you free."
Jenny raised an eyebrow in slight confusion amidst her boiling rage. Sting? Where did she hear that name before? Her brain spun to remember what kind of person had that name.
"If you really want to disappear from the Dragon Country's Royals, I will grant you that." Laxus said. "I will protect you behind the walls of my house and I swear they will never be able to find you. No one will be able to find you. But don't go by your own. You're not alone in this world, Lucy, let me also make sacrifices for you. Just like you're making sacrifices for Sting and the Dragon Country."
Lucy suddenly went silent, while Jenny suddenly found her memory. Sting! That stupid accident between her parents? Come to think of it, where is that youngest brother of hers anyway? Seemed like she hadn't seen him for a while. Not that it mattered to her before though because she usually didn't pay attention to him either. For her, her brother was Eve only. Sting was just a stupid addition, but at least a bit better than the illegitimate Lucy. But from what Laxus said just now… Lucy must have brought Sting to somewhere else.
The nerves of her! After everything they gave her, she betrayed them instead?! What an ungrateful low life!
"Let me set you free." Laxus repeated. "I will give you a new life in the Blue Pegasus Country. A life where you are no longer bound to anyone else in your past, a life which you deserved to have. A life with a family who loves you whole-heartedly."
Lucy was still not saying anything.
"You can start everything again as a new member of the Dreyar family." Laxus convinced. "You've been so kind to others, now is the time for others to be kind to you."
Lucy was still in her silence. But after a few moment of silence, Lucy finally opened her mouth. "Thank you, Laxus."
Jenny clenched her fists so tight. So, that's her plan? First, she's going to let the Celestial Country falls into a bankruptcy and even relocate its people so that they couldn't do anything to get back up. After that, she's going to live with Laxus and spend the rest of her days as his family?
There's just no way she, Jenny Heartfilia, would ever let that wretched Lucy do that!
The Celestial Country and Laxus are hers!
Lucy's voice was then heard again. "Come on, let me introduce you to Natsu and the others."
The two of them then stepped out from the balcony and descended the stairs, completely oblivious of Jenny's cold and deadly glare that followed them.
Done !
Wow, this chapter comes out as one of the longest ones I've ever written in this fic ! Why do I always write longer than what I intended to XD
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