Hi guys, welcome back to The Reluctant Royal! So a few clarifications before we start, being 'Put Aside' back then meant a divorce without the other party's consent. It's basically a forced annulment. The most famous case of this was when Catherine of Aragon was put aside in favor of Anne Boleyn.

I also want to clarify, that Igneel and Layla aren't a couple. At least not yet, still haven't decided on that bit. However, intermarriage was also common back then so IDK, it'll be what it'll be.

Now then, please enjoy the chapter!

Much Love,

BlackRose999

The Reluctant Royal

Chapter Four: Broken and Scarred, can New Beginnings come of Old Wounds?

~ Layla ~

Layla watched the world move around her, seemingly rooted in place. She'd been thrown down so quickly, one look at that harlot Michelle, and her husband of over twenty years had cast her aside with the stroke of a pen. She watched the maid gather her things, dictating where went what with wooden and hollow tones. Had Lucy been here, she'd have offered her counsel, words of comfort.

But she had no one. Finally, as a final insult, her former husband arrived to claim the royal jewels and her State Seal. With those removed from her person, she was then removed from the palace and told she may go wherever she liked, as she was banished from the country and the king's court. Lucy came to mind, and she summoned a carriage and had the servants load her belongings, then climbed inside and headed for the sanctity of her daughter's would-be court.

She prayed that she'd be allowed in Magnolia Palace. She traveled the two weeks to Magnolia, and like her daughter she found herself enraptured with the beauty and harmony the country radiated. Before long, they were rolling through the castle gates.

"MOTHER!" Lucy's cry rang through the courtyard as she rushed toward the black-clothed and devastated queen stepping out of her modest carriage. Layla's appearance startled those around her, she was pale, her eyes red-ringed from tears, and her face startlingly gaunt. Upon seeing her mother's face Lucy hiked up her skirts - propriety be damned - and ran to her.

As was tradition, Layla wore widow's black.

Still covered and cloistered in traditional Acalypha fashion, the high-necked collared gown was a deep onyx at the top but faded to grey at the ends with silver filigree stitching. She wore black gloves and a black-furred hat despite the heat of Magnolia, and a silver belt held her raven-black over-gown closed. Lucy grabbed her cloth-covered hands and, upon seeing the hat, promptly pulled the gloves and the hat off her mother.

"Lucy that's not-" "To hell with Acalypha customs mother, you don't belong there anymore, you never did. I never did." Layla was shocked, her daughter had never spoken so frankly and unabashedly before, upon further inspection she noticed other changes too. Her daughter stood taller, radiated confidence and security, and looked like a force to be reckoned with at the moment. Pride soared through her, and she reached out to touch Lucy's face.

Trumpets sounded, and Layla promptly dropped to her knees before the king and what appeared to be Lucy's fiance. "Your Majesty, I've come to humbly beg for -" "Layla enough of this, you're welcome here. You will always be welcome here my dearest friend." Tears dripped down her face, the kindness in his voice was the first she'd heard in so long. Ever since Michelle's appearance at court her husband had turned cruel, volatile, and even outright struck her. Igneel bent down and took her hands, gently lifting her back to a standing position. "You'll be given rooms, and you'll retain your title of Queen Mother here, and I'll hear no words of protest about it either."

A sob tore from her and she let Igneel envelop her in a hug, finally letting go of her careful self-control.

~ Lucy ~

She'd never been so angry in her life, her father had sworn to love her mother, to protect her, and now here she was in King Igneel's arms a broken and weeping woman. Cast aside like a defective quill. She almost vibrated with rage, her hands clenched and unclenched as she watched her mother being led into the palace. "Luce?" Natsu asked quietly behind her, 'Luce… I kind of like that.' She thought softly and then felt herself relax slightly when his hand slowly clasped hers.

"She'll be safer here, that bastard can't touch her in our court. Father won't let him in twenty feet of the palace now that he's seen what she's gone through…" "He'll pay for this, for her tears," Lucy said vehemently, she wasn't sure what she'd do yet but she knew she'd do something to reclaim her mother's lost dignity. She'd been a queen, and now she was only a matriarchal figurehead of Lucy's household. "You can't do anything yet, but give it time, she may just do it for you." He pulled her into a hug and she felt him smile against her cheek. "She's like you Luce, she's got some fire in her, I could see it. It's smoldering right now, but father will help her spark back up again. She needs a friend and a good bit of harsh truth."

"Natsu… I… I need to say something." He pulled away slowly and looked at her questioningly. "I… I like you, a lot. I don't know if it's love yet, but I can see it becoming that. But before it does… Before… Before I let myself love you… You need to tell me if you feel the same." She saw his eyes soften, and then he was kissing her. Her heart sped up and she let him devour her, she let herself melt into him and felt security fill her.

She was sure now.

He felt the same.

~ Natsu ~

He pulled away slowly, breathing deeply the smell of vanilla and honey, and eyed Lucy with a contemplative look.

"Lucy... What does it mean to be 'put aside'?" She grimaced and inclined her head so they could walk together. "It means to divorce in favor of another..." She paused, and then looked at him tearfully. "It means she's been dethroned in the vilest and cruel way, cast aside so that bastard can marry another woman lawfully." He was astonished and rather disgusted. "We don't have a law that allows that sort of thing here, marriage is for life. If either person doesn't want the marriage it doesn't happen. Families can't force a marriage here, that's why you were sent here to live with us, to see if anything would come of it. If you wish, you could leave for Acalypha tomorrow."

Lucy looked absolutely horrified at the idea.

"Of course, I'd be rather miffed if you did, I like you too and I really want to see if our relationship could be more than tentative -" "My Lady." They turned and saw Igneel's page, the man bowed and addressed Lucy. "King Igneel and the Lady Layla request your presence. My prince, you are invited to join them as well." Natsu shared a look of curiosity with Lucy and took her hand to follow, she smiled at him and he felt his heart skip. She seemed to radiate light, airy kindness even.

He liked that about her.

They arrived at the king's private Solar, where they were greeted with a startling sight. Layla, who an hour ago had been clothed in cloistered widows black, now wore a flowy, black gown that suited her. Her long golden hair cascaded down her back in gentle waves, complemented by a subtle crown of ruby and gold. Her gown was a satin black, featuring metallic silver floral designs woven into the fabric. Her overcoat was also black with golden and silver filigree, belted together by a golden interwoven chain with rubied facets. She looked like a queen, like... Igneel's new wife.

Natsu and Lucy both blanched and looked between the two frantically.

"Dad... Whats going on?" Natsu asked quietly. Igneel looked between the two and suddenly realized how they looked. "Oh! Oh no, no don't misunderstand. I gave Layla the gown I had made for Lucy for her birthday next month; I do hope you don't mind my dear but I couldn't stand seeing her in that... abomination a moment longer." Layla looked down, a hint of shame creeping into her features. For what, Natsu couldn't understand. Layla stepped forward, "I'm staying in Magnolia, as head of your household Lucy, and with any hope, as Natsu's mother-in-law." She smiled, "We were friends once, Igneel and I, and we'd like to be friends again. Nothing more."

Natsu relaxed, and saw the soft smile on Lucy's face, he again took her hand in his, watching her relax into him once more. "Well then, I can't wait to get to know you Madam Heartfilia." Layla smiled, "Astoria, my maiden name is Layla Astoria. I'd rather not keep that monstrocity's name any longer."

Natsu stiffened, and looked between her and Igneel. "Astoria?... That's the name of the household who kept my mother as a ward... That was you?"

She nodded and smiled sadly, "I introduced them."