AN: Thanks to all those who favorited and followed this story!
And a special thanks to SistershoOk, valerioux, FireShifter and kellybabyboo2016 for their awesome reviews!
There's going to be a special author's note in the next chapter - I've got some interesting updates on the story progress for you guys. So stay tuned, and hope you're enjoying the journey so far!
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Gray glared at his plate, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"The chicken is well-cooked dear, it will not fly away no matter how hard you stare at it. Go on, have a bite." Grandine coaxed the silent ice mage, a twinkle of mirth in her eyes.
Gray started, looking up from his plate with a blush and a sheepish expression.
"My apologies, your majesty. I meant no disrespect to your food, I was just thinking…"
"That must've been tough, seeing as that hollow space between your ears is only filled with ice." Natsu snickered, stealthily trying to reach for a spiced chicken leg on his father's plate.
Gray glared at his frenemy, before breaking into a chuckle as Igneel caught his son's wandering hand at the last minute, twisting his finger into a hold that had the mischievous dragon boy howling in pain and fury.
"Oh, Natsu. When will you learn manners?" Grandine sighed, "Please disregard him dear Gray, would you like to share with us what has you so perplexed? Perhaps we can be of assistance?"
To Grandine's surprise, the lad blushed, ducking his head to stare at his plate absently for a few minutes.
"It is something about Lucy, is it not?" Wendy piped up with a shy smile.
Gray squawked, dropping his fork as Wendy started giggling uncontrollably. Refusing to meet Grandine's curious gaze, he cleared his throat.
"Err… Actually, yes. It is."
Natsu abruptly halted his scuffle with his father to regard the ice mage curiously. "You know, ice breath, it better not be something that will get Lucy in more trouble with Juvia. I'm all for pulling pranks on Lucy - she's got the most hilarious reactions and her return gags are awesome! - but Juvia's starting to take those pranks a little too far. It's almost as if she's got a grudge against Lucy or something…"
"Brother Natsu…" Wendy regarded her sibling with a mixture of pity and exasperation, "That's because she does hold a small grudge against Lucy…"
"But why?" Natsu blinked, astonishment coloring his tone.
Wendy shot him an incredulous look, "Well…" She said slowly as if speaking to a toddler, "Because Gray is fond of Lucy. He quite obviously has a little crush on her, and Juvia is jealous of that. None of us are sure how Lucy feels..."
Natsu stared at his sister as if she had sprouted two heads.
"But… There's no way Lucy can like a pervy popsicle like Gray. She's got better taste than that."
"Oh?" Gray growled, a flash of anger in his eyes, "Well, at least I have more of a chance than a psycho possessive ugly lizard like you."
Natsu bared his teeth, answering Gray's glare with his own. "I'd never want to be with Lucy or any female in that way. But she'll always be a part of my hoard. Just so I can keep her safe from leeches like you."
Igneel thwacked his son on the back of his head and pulled him back into the chair he had been half-leaning out of.
"I was not happy when I heard you had included that poor girl as a part of your hoard," Igneel growled at his offspring, "But you are fast confirming my worst nightmares. She is an individual being, Natsu! By putting that spell on her, you've reduced her to an object in your own mind. You no longer respect her as a thinking, feeling being!"
"F-father. I would never…" Natsu paled, a horrified expression upon his face, shifting to fury in the next instant, "Look, you're right in a sense. I don't respect her… I revere her. There's no way she'll ever hear it from me because she's vain enough when it comes to her cleverness, but her kindness and intelligence will always have me in awe of her. Heck, her crazy scheme to 'help me make friends' is the reason I have a life among my peers today. And I'll never forget the debt I owe her. This spell and everything I do to protect her are just my ways of trying to repay that debt."
A stunned silence followed Natsu's speech.
"Why, ash brains, that sounded… almost mature. I always wondered if it was okay to let you go so far in your 'protective' measures, but… I can see your reasoning now. And Lucy has never complained either, she seems quite accepting of everything you do." Gray sighed, running a hand through his disheveled black locks, "Although that may also be because she is already used to accepting all the things that her no-good father does to her."
Natsu growled in agreement and unhappiness, as Grandine and Igneel shot each other sorrowful looks over the heads of the younglings.
"What was it you were thinking about, Gray?" Wendy probed gently, bringing the others at the table back to the main conversation.
"Ahhh… Yes. About that." Gray blushed once again, scratching the back of his neck nervously, "It is a form of protection I wish to offer her, a little like Natsu's. Only it is a human-kind of protection that may seem odd to you all…"
"Spit it out, snow cone." Natsu rolled his eyes at the fumbling ice mage.
"Err. Right. Well, the thing is, I understood her predicament when she expressed it. The courts of Icegard are not nearly as cut-throat as Pergrande, but marrying for bettering one's position or wealth isn't unheard of even back home. In fact, my own parents had an arranged marriage - my mother was a chieftain's daughter and my father was a wandering ice mage warrior with a battalion under his command. They started out as friends… But eventually grew to love each other a lot. So, though I really don't think Lucy should throw away her life on that worthless older man, the idea of her marrying someone to escape her home or her financial troubles is understandable."
"So…" Natsu tapped his chin thoughtfully, his family marveling at the rare sight of him actually using his thought processes, "That means she should marry someone else? But who?"
"Whoever the man she is betrothed to is… There is no way he could be of a higher position than a Prince. So ideally, she should wed a Prince..."
"She should marry a Prince? That's it? That's easy!" Natsu grinned, "Fine then - I don't do it willingly, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I'll marry her."
Igneel groaned, slapping a hand to his forehead, as Grandine sighed, shaking her head with the hint of an amused smile on her lips. Wendy dropped her head on the table, throwing her hands up in a gesture of surrender as Gray shot up from his seat, glaring at Natsu, at wits end with his dense dragon friend.
"No, you ignoramus! I meant me. I'm a Prince and a human one at that! And though I wouldn't say I'm in love with her, I do care for her. Maybe a little more than a friend. Given time, and her own space and freedom, she could learn to care for me too. We could learn to love together…"
"No." Natsu glared at him, his eyes slowly bleeding red.
"Flame brain, you're taking this protecting thing too far. It's okay if you marry her to help her escape, but you have a problem if I offer the same thing?"
"Because I wouldn't burden her with love. She'd still be completely free with me. It would just be an act to help her escape that blasted place she calls home."
Gray raised a sceptical brow. "So… If she were to fall in love with someone whilst she was married to you, you would not mind?"
"Yes, I wouldn't mind. I'd let her do exactly as she wished," Natsu responded without a moment's hesitation, "Though whomever she chooses had better treat her right - because if not, I have every right to tear them limb from limb."
"I got the psycho part right, alright," Gray muttered under his breath.
"Brother Natsu…" Wendy began hesitantly, "Why do you keep insisting that you won't fall in love?"
Natsu winced, "Oh. Err… It's because… Well, I'm never going to let myself bond with another dragon or creature on this earth."
"But why?"
"Isn't the reason obvious, Wendy?" Natsu smiled gently, "I wouldn't want to infect another with my curse. Or worse, pass it down to the next generation. It's best I stay alone."
A horrified gasp issued from his parents, as even Gray regarded him with a mixture of sorrow and pity.
"Darling…" Grandine began softly, "I never knew you felt that way! I don't think your curse should be a reason you prevent yourself from experiencing love, my child. Besides, your bonding is not entirely in your control. It may or may not happen when you reach maturity, and usually, it affects you when there is already a hidden love for the individual you bond with."
"Doesn't matter." Natsu interjected gruffly, "I'm not going to let myself. I'll hide away after I mature or do something so that it won't happen. It's also possible it won't even happen to me, maybe the curse will stop it?"
"I wouldn't get my hopes up on that, boy." Igneel stated dryly, "It will probably happen to you, and I even have a strong idea with whom."
"Won't let it." Natsu muttered stubbornly, stabbing his fire chicken wing with his fork, and returning to his meal with gusto.
Grandine turned to Gray. "Your plan is quite sweet my dear, I think you should talk to Lucy about it. Even if it may not be an option for her right now, she could always consider it in the future. That is…" Grandine shot him a mirth full smile, "Unless you fall in love with someone yourself. Perhaps a certain mermaid who seems to be pining for you?"
Gray's blush and subsequent response were lost in time, for at that moment a messenger walked into the homely chamber with an official scroll and an air of dignified sobriety.
"What is this?" Igneel demanded gruffly, "I thought I made it clear I do not wish to be disturbed during family dinners."
"The council insisted you see this immediately, your Majesty."
With a worried glance at his wife, Igneel opened the scroll and perused its contents.
"Well, my dear?" Grandine probed gently.
Igneel laid down the parchment with trembling fingers, his eyes grief-stricken and his demeanor grave.
"The northern kingdom of our kin has fallen. From today, we are at war."
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Vultures screeched in the sky, ecstatic about the feast they would soon enjoy. They watched with beady eyes as a small contingent of Alvarez soldiers, three black cloaked figures at their head, marched solemnly towards the haphazard group of rebel warriors. Scarlet hair whipped in the harsh icy wind, as the seductively clad rebel leader watched their approach suspiciously. She ignored the laughing whispers and jovial taunting aimed at the approaching foes by the men at her side - they may be as foolish and arrogant as they wished to be, but she would never make the mistake of underestimating an enemy. As their opponents neared, she felt the subtle shift in the air, a warning of concealed magic. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, trying to dissect the cloaked figures who strolled towards her so casually. Something was not right.
"Who are you folk? How dare you approach our forces when you are so clearly at a disadvantage? Speak, cloaked ones."
As answer, a hand emerged from beneath the cloaked figure at the lead, a black fire igniting in his palm the moment he exposed it to the frigid air.
The laughing rebels ceased their mirth, their attention shifting from the meager forces behind the three figures, to the black phantoms themselves. The earlier sense of ease vanished, replaced with grim anticipation.
Irene's eyes narrowed into slits. Performing magic in Alvarez was especially difficult thanks to the curse upon the land. Weaker magical beings could not perform at all, whilst exceptionally strong ones such as herself managed to conjure their art only when in dire need of its assistance. There were only a handful of those who had so much power that they could afford to flaunt it so recklessly and blatantly, and only one who could manifest those black flames…
"Jellal."
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"So Gray-darling is leaving right away?"
Gray did not look up as he rinsed his hands in the clear stream, sighing in relief as the cool water cleansed his overheated skin. Amongst the things he would miss about the south, the heat would certainly not be one of them.
"Yes. Father has sent a contingent of soldiers to escort me home tonight, they arrived just an hour before. I-I did not want to leave without saying goodbye though…"
"Gray-darling thought Lucy would be here." Juvia stated quietly.
Gray stood up from his crouch and stretched, a slight blush on his features as he refused to meet the mermaid's eyes.
"Ah… More like hoped. I knew you would be here though, and I wished to bid you farewell especially."
Juvia smiled, although the action did not reach her eyes.
"Gray-darling need not lie to Juvia. Juvia has observed the way you talk to and about Lucy. And… I know Gray-darling does not feel the same way about Juvia. If Gray-darling wished to meet Lucy more than Juvia, she understands..."
Gray turned to her fully, crossing his arms against his chest and frowning down at the pretty little mermaid.
"That isn't true," Gray stated just as quietly as her, ducking down as he tried to coax Juvia's gaze back to his own, "I know I do not show it, but I truly care for you Juvia. Just… not in the way you wish me to care. Honestly, there are times when I feel you understand me on a level that is different from all my other friends. You… you get me. I can entirely be myself around you, without any fear of being judged or condemned…" Gray smiled, his eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement, "And I won't deny that the worship you sometimes overwhelm me with strokes my ego and makes me arrogantly happy - a fact that that flaming idiot keeps pointing out and trying to 'counter'..." Gray chuckled, placing his hands on Juvia's shoulders and giving them a friendly squeeze.
Juvia gave him a small but genuine smile in return.
"Juvia is glad Gray-darling feels so friendly towards Juvia. Juvia k-knows she can go slightly overboard with her love for Prince Gray…"
Gray chuckled. "Only slightly?!"
Juvia giggled, her ocean blue locks shaking with her shoulders as she bit her lower lip to restrain her mirth.
Gray looked down at her, his cheeks flooding with heat and a lump forming in his throat. He would never be able to deny how entrancing she was, however much he tried to ignore it. And the beauty he saw in her was not just skin-deep. For as certain as he was that he had a crush on the golden-haired girl, he also knew that this beautiful, tempestuous and soulful mermaid was an integral part of his life. He needed her too, as selfish as the thought was. His feelings for Juvia were different from any he had ever had for anyone, and they slightly scared him as much as they intrigued him.
"Juvia…" Gray began, stammering a little in the aftermath of his epiphany. "Will you write to me?"
Juvia looked up at him, her eyes as big as saucers.
"Gray-darling… wishes Juvia… to write to him?"
"Aye," Gray continued, his tone gruff with embarrassment, "I would like you to keep me informed of what happens in Alagesia and… Pergrande. If that is possible…"
Juvia nodded solemnly. "Actually Juvia will be able to manage that quite well. I will visit Fairy Tail often to get news of Alagesia, and as for Pergrande…"
A groan and a few curses interrupted the mermaid's soft speech, as the Prince of dragons and his faithful exceed crashed into the clearing, raising a huge cloud of dust as they landed.
Gray rolled his eyes.
"Way to go, flame brain. Destroy the whole clearing before I leave, why don't you?!"
"Grrr… get off my back, pervy popsicle! The wind currents are far too strong today, I miscalculated my landing."
"Right. Excuses, excuses…"
"Where's Lucy?!" Natsu frowned, ignoring the raven-haired boy as he whipped his head from side to side, scenting the breeze drifting lazily within the clearing.
"She's not here, you ass!" Gray snapped a little peevishly.
"Well, let's go get her then…"
"Juvia does not think that is a wise idea, Prince Natsu." Juvia interjected gently. "Juvia believes Lucy is very busy today at home, she would not be able to leave immediately even if she wished too."
Gray regarded her curiously. The confident tone with which she spoke surprised him - since when had she become so knowledgeable about Lucy's home?
Natsu, being the dense dragon that he was, missed that nuance entirely.
"Who are you to say she's busy? And I don't care if she is, she better come out and at least say goodbye to icy pants over here, we don't know when we'll ever see him again…"
Juvia regarded the fumbling dragon with understanding warmth in her eyes.
"Juvia will convey all that has happened to her. If possible, she will bring Lucy to Fairy Tail tonight so that she may say her farewell to Prince Gray in person."
Natsu nodded slowly, his own eyes still troubled as he glanced at his frenemy. Gray looked taken aback, not expecting the fire dragon's concern for him, or the sadness in his old friend's eyes.
Juvia smiled softly, regarding the pair with fondness.
"Juvia must take her leave of you then, if she is to talk to Lucy and bring her to Fairy Tail tonight."
With a little wave the mermaid stepped back, melting into the shadows slowly gathering at the edges of the glade.
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"Ah, Sir Lockser. There you are…"
An elderly man with a stern expression belied by his warm, ocean blue eyes, strolled into the ostentatious hall, his gaze locking upon the portly younger man who had addressed him.
"My Lord Tyrus. How do you fare?"
"Fine, my old friend. So… Has she come? You know of whom I speak - that exotic and mysterious granddaughter we have heard so much about…" the corpulent man chuckled, his generous belly vibrating with the action.
The elder man drew himself up to an impressive height, his smile slightly grim as he eyed the younger man.
"Yes. She has."
In one graceful movement, Sir Lockser turned back to face the doors of the hall, just as they creaked open.
"Allow me to introduce you to my late son's only daughter, and therefore my heir… Lady Juvia of the Lockser clan..."
The other chattering occupants of the hall ceased their babble as soon as his deep voice permeated the gilded chamber, everyone turning to regard the new entrant with slyness and curiosity.
"... She will be my protégé. She is now the newest courtier in the Pergrande High Court."