"So everything Lucy did was part of a scheme to get me to realize my feelings for Juvia?"
Lucy, Gray, Juvia and Lyon sat around a round table, the intimate group of four having just finished a scrumptious meal in one of the smaller dining rooms in Lucy's castle.
Gray scowled, a little miffed by how easily he had been manipulated.
"Locking Gray darling in the dungeon with magic drain on his chains was entirely unnecessary! Lucy should not have used such extreme measures on Juvia's beloved…"
The mermaid glared at the monarch, her arms folded across her chest and her lips pressed in a thin line.
Lucy regarded her friend with an apologetic air.
"I understand your ire, dear Juvia, but let me explain the situation from my perspective. I had attempted to imprison a powerful mage, one who could have quite easily broken out of my jail had he been allowed to wield his full strength."
"But why imprison Gray darling in the first place?..."
"Because, dear Juvia, I needed him to understand the gravity of the situation he had stumbled into. The court of Icegard would not have prepared him for the worst he could have experienced in Pergrande, and despite his month long contact with our courts, he had not gained as much knowledge of its dark underbelly as I had hoped. What I gave him was a simple taste of what could be, as you well know my dear friend…"
Lucy directed a pointed look at Juvia. The mermaid frowned, but her expression was one more of confusion than ire.
"I'm sure Gray darling has done all he could... Who did you befriend in your month here, my beloved?"
"Prince Garrett and a few of his friends approached me… I suppose I could call them my friends…"
Juvia's frown deepened.
"But in the high court?"
"Err… does Loke count?"
Juvia's expression transformed into one of disbelief. She gaped at her lover for a few minutes, before turning back to Lucy, her earlier ire replaced with a sheepish look.
"Juvia agrees with Princess Lucy."
"Hey!" Gray glowered, glancing between the pair.
"Fear not, dear Juvia." Lyon interrupted, brushing Gray aside unceremoniously. "Where my idiot cousin failed, I have been successful. For the sake of our noble nation of Icegard, I have befriended Sir Richard of the high court!"
Juvia regarded him timidly.
"That is a good start, Sir Lyon, but Sir Richard…"
"When the heck did you do that, Lyon?" Gray interrupted belligerently.
"Whilst you were busy sulking over your inability to contact Princess Lucy and this beauteous angel - Lady Juvia!"
"You're asking for a thrashing, cousin!"
"Oh, don't fool yourself Gray! Despite your fearsome reputation, you could never defeat me. I am your senior after all, in every respect."
"Yeah. You're a senior citizen alright - I could pummel you in my sleep!"
"Arrogant little…"
"Pompous old…"
"ENOUGH!"
Lucy's irritated bark echoed in the small chamber.
"Sir Lyon. Prince Gray. If you had allowed Juvia to speak, you would have found that neither of you has done a stellar job of making allies in Pergrande! Loke is my minister of Internal Affairs - he is an honorary high court member, and is entirely dependent on me. In a situation in court where you would require true support, he would be useless. As for Sir Richard…"
"He is similar to Loke, in a sense." Juvia interjected softly. "He has a strong sense of loyalty to the crown and never goes against any of Lucy's decisions. He goes out of his way to support them, in fact…"
Gray noticed the flash of anger in Lucy's eyes, that was gone before he could really question it. He shook his head in an effort to clear his thoughts.
"But wouldn't making allies with people who support Lucy be a good thing?"
"Nay." Lucy scoffed. "To wield true power in the Pergrande courts, you need to have the support of my opposition. People such as Princess Orga…"
"That old lady!?" Gray gawked, sharing an uncomfortable glance with his now subdued cousin. "She nearly ripped my head off for just looking in her direction!"
"And that's what makes her a force to be reckoned with." Lucy said quietly. "She does not even fear you Gray. She hates me for reasons I am unable to fathom… but were I, or any of my friends, able to gain her support - we would then be unstoppable against my father and his military strength."
An uneasy quiet fell in the chamber as all the beings gathered absorbed Lucy's words. At last, Lucy herself broke the spiraling silence.
"Let us put all that aside for now, Prince Gray." She began gently. "What I would rather discuss with you is the reason I requested you to come to Pergrande…"
"I thought the reason was to trick and imprison me to get me to stop being an idiot in love." Gray shot back, his lips quirking up into an unbidden smile.
"That was one of the reasons, I'll admit." Lucy retorted with a snicker. "But not the only one. I wished to open a main trading route with the kingdom of Icegard."
Both Lyon and Gray looked surprised. Of all the outcomes, they had never dreamed of such a favorable one for Icegard. Gray nearly stumbled over himself to agree, Lyon right on his heels.
"Yes! Sounds like a good idea to me."
"What a splendid idea, your majesty! My uncle, the King of Icegard, would welcome such a unifying move!"
For some reason, their enthusiastic replies caused Lucy's face to fall and a disappointed sigh to escape her lips. Before she could respond, however, a third, soft yet firm voice spoke up.
"As a well-wisher of the people of Icegard, may Juvia voice her opinion?"
Juvia addressed the question to Gray, but her gaze was fixed on Lucy, her look wary as she took in the monarch's blank expression. Gray turned towards his beloved, a tender, warm smile on his handsome face.
"You may voice your opinion as my fiancé - the future Queen of Icegard."
Juvia blushed a deep crimson, her gaze momentarily shifting to her beloved, the love in their hearts mirrored in each other's eyes. With a shy cough, Juvia wrenched herself away from her lover's tender gaze, turning to face Lucy with a far bolder and confident stance.
"Your majesty wishes to open a trading route between Pergrande and Icegard? Juvia assumes it is the main trading route - through many lands loyal to the Pergrande crown - is that correct?"
Lucy smiled. "Correct."
Juvia smiled in return, the pleasant expression marred by the fire burning in her eyes.
"The kingdom of Icegard has long been isolated from your large empire, and all manner of false rumors about them abound in your lands and those lands loyal to you. What guarantee have the Icegardians that they can use that route in peace? If any people of the lands loyal to Pergrande attacked them, how could the royal families of both kingdoms ascertain who is truly at fault?"
Lucy's smile broadened into a grin. "Very well then, I will assign soldiers along the entire route to ensure the safety of travellers from both kingdoms. Reasonable?"
Lyon and Gray, who were watching the exchange with utter fascination, endeavoured to add their two cents.
"That sounds reasonable, I guess…" Gray scratched his chin, glancing at his cousin for assistance.
Lyon frowned, his attention absorbed by the mermaid by Gray's side, who had a cautiously blank expression on her own visage.
"I can't help but feel that there is something we are still missing…"
Juvia raised a dainty hand to silence both men, her gaze still trained on the golden-haired Princess.
"That would satisfy Lucy's side of the bargain. Listen now to Juvia's."
Lucy leaned forward, her grin now impossibly wide.
"I'm listening…"
"Whilst the main route will be open to all, and publicly advertised, two smaller routes - one through the mountains and one through the forests - must secretly be opened as well. They will be only for the mages of Pergrande and Icegard to commute to and fro."
Gray and Lyon looked utterly impressed, the raven-haired Prince unable to stop the huge, proud grin sneaking up on his face.
But Juvia was not done.
"Additionally," continued the clever mermaid, a sparkle of mirth in her eyes. "Juvia insists that the 'secret' status report Lucy would normally receive from her soldiers on guard along the public route, must be copied - word for word - and delivered to Juvia's hands as well."
Lucy sat back in her chair, a sly smirk working its way onto her visage.
"But what if my men were to 'forget' that onerous task, once in a while?"
Juvia shot Lucy a sugary sweet smile.
"Why, then an 'accident' would take place in Icegard - and a few of the Pergrande traders would probably be found guilty of treason to the Icegardian crown - giving Icegard perfect reason to shut down only the public trading route."
Lucy let out a loud bellow.
"You would use my own soldiers to spy on me, and then threaten me with my own citizens if I do not keep my end of the bargain? Well played, dear Juvia. Or should I say... Queen of Icegard?"
Juvia dropped her ferocious facade, a meeker, softer smile over taking her lips.
"Juvia apologizes for being so forward…"
"Nay, old friend! Your terms were shrewd and intelligent! The manner in which you proposed them was worthy of a royal… I accept every one of them."
Lucy winked at the two stunned men seated beside Juvia.
"Icegard is going to be in good hands."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Two Days Later
Natsu sighed again as he picked at the food on his plate. There was absolutely nothing 'appetizing' about these insipid appetizers, and he wanted nothing more than to fling the whole plate into the trash, take off into the late afternoon sky, and disappear into the enchanted forest yonder.
He glanced about himself for the umpteenth time, sighing in relief as he ensured he had not yet been discovered. He mentally congratulated himself once more. Even his trickster father would be hard-pressed to find this hiding spot!
A loud bump, a grunt and a giggle interrupted his proud reverie.
"Bixlow! What were you thinking?!"
"Aww, can't a guy crash a party ta see his girl?!"
An exasperated sigh issued from the soft, feminine voice.
"We just saw each other a few days before! If you keep doing this, Mira's bound to find out…"
"Ya make that sound like a bad thing, Lis. Are ya really that ashamed ta be with me?"
The male made the comment in as nonchalant, carefree and teasing a tone as he could muster, but he still could not hide the tiny bit of hurt that seeped into his voice.
A much gentler, understanding sigh issued from the female.
"Oh darling… You know that's not why I'm trying to be so secretive… If my sister weren't the nosiest busybody on the planet, I would want to shout our love from the spires of this castle, scream it from the rooftops of every house in Fiore… You insane, reckless, raunchy, funny and delicious man... With you… I feel free. I feel loved. I feel… complete. I love you…"
The words were attempted in as nonchalant, carefree and teasing a tone as the mage called Bixlow had attempted, but failed to hide the elven maiden's underlying fervor and affection. The man's breath hitched, and a soft moan from the young female proved that his answer had been far more forward and physical than Natsu was comfortable envisioning.
Deciding he had spent enough time being a peeping tom, the blushing fire dragon loudly cleared his throat, a squeak and a growl indicating he had been heard. He pushed aside the carefully stacked pile of 'return gifts' he had arranged in the corner of the secluded balcony, stepping out with a sheepish smile on his face and his eyes averted from the pair.
"Natsu!"
Lisanna gaped at him, her blush deepening as she hurried to untangle herself from her lover. The muscular, tall, dark-haired human mage merely raised a curious brow, instantly releasing the beautiful elf maiden and grabbing her hand instead in one smooth, quick motion. Natsu noted the gesture out of the corner of his eye, a small frown making its way onto his face.
"Sooo… Your name is Bixlow, eh?"
The man nodded, his gray-blue eyes stern as he regarded the fire dragon Prince.
"And you're Natsu - Lisanna's previous lover, right?"
Natsu chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck in an attempt to assuage his embarrassment.
"Err… Yea. I guess… Though lover is probably too strong a word… We were more like really close friends..."
To Natsu's surprise, the handsome human mage burst out laughing, taking a step forward to languidly slap the stunned dragon-demon hybrid on the back.
"Relax, friend! Lis told me all about it. And I'm happy you two had your chance. I don't think this live-wire woulda looked my way at all if she hadn't followed her heart first… And I'm glad ya didn't break it. This way, it worked out tha best for all of us, eh?"
The man stepped back once again, regarding the relieved-looking dragon with a twinkle of mirth in his eyes. With a conspiratorial wink, he turned around to face his beloved.
"Alright, Lis. I've gotta cut out - my Captain'll have my head if I don't report back by nightfall."
The man proceeded to lean down to plant a tender kiss on his lover's lips… at the same moment he gave her derriere a playful pinch.
"Bixlow!"
Lisanna's high-pitched squeal just prompted another bout of raucous laughter from the unrepentant human mage. With another chuckle and a friendly wave towards Natsu, the man sauntered away unperturbed. Lisanna gazed after him, shaking her head with a small, tender smile still hovering on her lips.
"He's… something…" Natsu ventured after a long moment's silence.
The elven maiden turned to look at him with a twinkle in her eye and a soft giggle. Natsu felt a gentle glow of happiness for his elven friend when he saw the look of giddy joy and true contentment on her mien.
"That's putting it lightly! He's a reckless, arrogant, impossible handful…"
"That seems to be your speciality, huh Lisanna?"
"More like my doom! And I'm just as hopelessly out of my depth as I was the first time around…"
"If you ask me, you better cut your losses and just stay happily single like me…"
Natsu meant to deliver his words in a joking manner, but the underlying sorrow did not escape his intuitive friend. Lisanna's look instantly sobered into one of gentle concern, as she regarded her fire dragon friend closely. The strain of the ball was already beginning to show - the stress lines had once again deepened on his face, and the dull sheen in his normally bright emerald eyes tugged at her heartstrings.
"Natsu, where's Happy?"
Natsu shrugged, attempting to mask his sadness with his usual air of bravado.
"Busy with Carla. I gave him some killer tips to try out to win her heart, and seeing as they came from me, I bet he's enjoying the fruits of his success right now…"
Natsu winked at Lisanna, but the elven maiden did not smile back as he had expected.
"Why aren't you inside meeting your guests?"
"I'm just feeling tired Lisanna…"
Lisanna regarded him quietly for a long moment. Natsu began to squirm uncomfortably in place, worried that she would drag him back into the ballroom - the place he dreaded the most. He had already met all the females in that damned place - he knew he was wasting his time there. His parents (and Mira) were delusional if they thought any of the high-born magical females in that ballroom wanted to be with him in any way. Besides, he knew that he most certainly did not want to be with any of them romantically. His emotions towards them had ranged from indifference to disgust - none of them had even come close to piquing his interest. All he wanted to do was end the damn party early and call it a rousingly unsuccessful night. Although, judging from the way Lisanna was staring at him, he was probably going to have his wishes ignored and be dragged back in there listening to a lecture about proper party etiquette to boot...
"Would you like a break?"
Natsu blinked. He certainly had not expected that outcome.
"Err… What do you mean?"
"Why don't you go for a quick flight? I'll handle your guests, your parents and err… Mira…"
Natsu gaped, unable to believe his good luck.
"Y-you mean it?"
Lisanna smiled back, the worry in her mien preventing the action from reaching her eyes.
"Yes. On one condition."
Natsu froze in place - halfway through the act of opening his wings to leap off the balcony into the cooling twilight air.
"W-what's that?"
"Err… Could you keep the fact that Bixlow and I are in love between us? Well… just don't tell sister Mira?"
Lisanna's voice tapered off into an adorable squeak, her shyness and embarrassment catching up with her. Natsu let out a loud bellow of laughter, affectionately ruffling her short silvery locks and shooting her a warm, reassuring grin.
"You help me out this time and my lips are sealed!"
"Deal!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The fire dragon Prince ambled through the enchanted woods, unheeding of the numerous denizens of the forest that scampered out of his way. The cautious critters gave the distracted dragon a wide berth as he trampled along aimlessly.
Away from the stuffy palace ballroom, in the twilight air of the still and quiet forest, Natsu couldn't help but feel a sense of morbidity settle in his bones. Another ball, another mate-less endeavor.
He was doomed to a life of loneliness.
The prophecy had already proven itself shaky on one count… for according to the rest of the magical community, he had soundly defeated Acnologia. Although… Natsu was unable to feel confident in his win - something about the old dragon's defeat still rankled him. They never had found Acnologia's body, after all. Had his foe somehow survived the attack? He could not entirely trust his memory of the battle, for he had been quite disoriented after it - so much so, that he could remember nothing regarding the golden flames he was reputed to have invoked.
If the rest of the magical community was to be believed, one part of the prophecy had been proven wrong. If one part of that prophecy was already thought to be wrong, then how far of a stretch was it to believe that the whole thing was off? If that was truly the case, then…
He had no bonded.
Natsu let out his breath in a low, melancholic sigh, stopping in his tracks to slump against a tree.
He watched the last, warm rays of sunlight filtering through the leafy canopy above him make beautiful patterns on the forest floor. A single brave rabbit, that had been grazing in the clearing beyond, ventured into the sunlit spot in search of yet another delicious snack. It recognized his presence, but the brave (or terribly hungry) little creature chose to ignore him, bouncing forward to munch on the delectable flowers growing haphazardly on the sun-kissed ground. After a few moments, it glanced warily at the dragon, but when he seemed to still be rooted to his spot against the tree trunk, the little critter relaxed further - making happy, content sounds as it polished off its meal. The quaint sight, which normally would have warmed Natsu's heart, did nothing to resuscitate the cold, dead organ in his chest this time. He felt empty and hollow, the full impact of his situation finally crashing down on him. His sorrow was so great, that at first he did not notice when the air changed.
It began with a sense of peace.
A calming influence seemed to float through the air, gently caressing him and relieving a tiny part of the ache in his heart. It was as if a reassuring presence was trying to get through to him, and it took many moments for Natsu to comprehend the subtle difference. He inclined his head, sniffing the air curiously. A faint yet growing scent lingered, one that seemed familiar, but he still could not place. Natsu pushed off the tree trunk with a frown, taking a hesitant step towards the edge of the clearing - the direction from which the scent was issuing. With a start, he realized that his aimless wandering had not been as aimless as he had thought - his trained feet had brought him back to the clearing in the woods where he had spent much of his youth, whiling away lazy hours with his menagerie of friends. He took in a deeper breath.
And almost choked.
The scent was far stronger now, its source probably approaching at a rapid rate. He could even make out the faint sound of frantic hoofbeats muted by the leafy forest floor. A hint of metal indicated blood involved in whatever was hurrying towards the clearing. But all those were miniscule details at that point to Natsu.
It was the most entrancing goddamned scent!
It ignited a fire in his belly so fierce, that for the first time in his life… he felt HOT. He! The fire dragon Prince! But even that stunning discovery paled in comparison to the myriad emotions coursing through his veins - joy, desire, peace, protectiveness, longing, possessiveness and lust jostled within him - tinged with anxiety on behalf of the being he now knew approached the clearing. The hint of blood in her scent now took on a very different meaning - something had dared to hurt her. And whatever that was, it would pay dearly for daring to harm her.
He took in another deep breath, his nerves on edge due to the worry and anticipation he felt. The heavenly scent of stardust and sunflowers swirled thick in the air, coating him inside and out in its wonderful thrall. Despite all the strange mix of emotions buffeting him, one underlying feeling stood out like the raging, brilliant sun amidst a sprinkling of twinkling stars. His intense love for her consumed him and comforted him. The certainty that she was the only one for him, and he would strive to be the best option for her, settled in his bones - the accompanying sense of peace overwhelming him and filling the void in his heart that had ate at him for so long.
He inclined his head, holding his breath as a figure on a horse burst through the bushes at the opposite end, coming to a screeching halt at the center of the clearing. Natsu's gaze fixed on the curvaceous, feminine figure seated on the back of the steed, covered head to toe in tight black garments, her breathing labored. With trembling fingers she undid the dark cloth covering her head and face.
Porcelain features in a pained grimace and a tight, thick braid of golden hair tied in a simple knot met the eager dragon's eyes. The beautiful maiden shook her braid out of its tight bun, her unsteady hands moving to undo the black, long-sleeved overcoat that covered her curvy torso. Natsu stood stock still, hidden in the shadows…
As his heart stopped for 3 beats.