Princess Wendy consulted the parchment in her hand, frowning slightly at the next item on the list.
"The next in the order of business is… an audience requested by her majesty, the Princess of Pergrande?"
The babble that had died down after the goblin prince's exciting revelations picked up at twice the volume.
"THE Princess of Pergrande?!"
"But she is notoriously reclusive! Not even her own people have truly seen her!"
"Yet her entire nation worships the very air she breathes and the ground she trods! Indeed she is considered the epitome of beauty and kind-heartedness." Ichiya the Lord of trolls solemnly made his declaration, his slippery manner causing all the females in the room to collectively shudder.
"There's also a rumor of her being terribly cold-hearted and cruel. Those who are close to her in court say that she has even killed to maintain her status and power." One of the haughty western elves sneered.
"But they also say she is kind to the common man - she is rumored to be generous and kind to those in need." Queen Mira interjected, throwing her western brethren a warning look.
"Yet…"
"SILENCE"
The uproar died down. All turned to the Prince of Dragons who sat upon his throne, glaring down at the assembly.
"Rumors are just that. Rumors. We will not let them cloud our judgement. Let us give her majesty the courtesy of an open-mind. From the report I have received from my fellow dragons whom she spent the day with, there is no danger to be perceived from her. That does not mean she is not dangerous, just that we may give her the benefit of a doubt. It is our duty to listen well and ascertain if what she proposes is in our interest or not."
Most of the assembly nodded in agreement with Natsu's words, some such as Jura of the Giants, Duke Yajima of the Gnomes, Evergreen and Freed of the Eastern Elves even applauded. A few such as the Prince of Goblins remained sullenly silent.
As one, the sky dragons raised their hands, and in one sweeping motion put out all the fire-lit torches lining the walls of the chamber. The brightly lit hall plunged into darkness, the only light remaining being from the moon filtering in from a huge open skylight in the tall roof. The light focussed in the center of the chamber like a spotlight. The doors to the assembly opened, and three cloaked figures walked in. From their gait and speed, Natsu could make out that the two figures on the left and right were men, one of a tall and solderily build, the other of a sleeker and smoother sort, most probably a courtier. The figure in the center was no doubt that of a woman, her slender yet endowed silhouette an obvious give-away. She moved with a confidence and grace that spoke of her station - this was without a doubt the fabled Princess that had everyone in an uproar.
As the dragon escort started the familiar preamble to a dignitaries introduction, Natsu let his thoughts drift to the report he had just been handed a while before. As was dragon custom, the guests had been requested to come in the morning and wait for their requested audience - the exact time of which would be intimated to them after their arrival. They were deliberately kept in the company of the fire dragon clan, whilst the sky dragon clan inspected the area around the kingdom to ensure the guests were not planning an ambush or serving as a distraction to allow an army to sneak up. In the meantime, the fire dragon hosts spent as much time 'getting to know' their guests in order to ascertain their true intentions - whether harmful or not. The first part of the report was from the sky dragons, and had assured Natsu that their guests did not have any malintent… but it was the second report from the fire dragons that had Natsu intrigued and - admitting it finally to himself - slightly worried. The report was composed of written opinions from three different dragons, the first a young dragon soldier, the second an elderly gentle-dragon, and the third from a seasoned and decorated dragoness soldier. The reports regarding the male guests were rather standard (apparently one was a shameless flirt, the other a reserved soldier type) but that of the princess herself were… odd. The first report from the young soldier was the most typical. This princesses' famed beauty was supposedly not fiction, for the young dragon spent the majority of the report gushing over her 'creamy and lustrous skin', her 'innocent and doe-like eyes' and her 'soft and melodious voice'. If Natsu didn't know better, he would have sworn the youth had bonded with the girl. Or perhaps just really wanted too. The next report from the elder was far more subdued, but no less complimentary. The elder had been impressed by her kindness and 'gentle spirit' - though he could see her liveliness and mirth shine through in the way she teased and coaxed her more stoic companion (the soldier) to interact with her and the dragons. All in all, a favourable impression of her character. The last one was from the dragoness. Her's was short and succinct - "Her highness has a certain darkness to her, which reminds me of one who has seen the death and destruction of war, yet it is easily overpowered by her courage and strength of spirit. She is genuine. She can be trusted." This was high praise from her, and it made Natsu uneasy that a little human princess could gain the trust of one of his most accomplished warriors in the span of a day.
As Natsu mused, the dragon escort finished their spiel. The elder dragon turned to face Natsu, bowing slightly to request permission to proceed. Natsu nodded, knowing that the guard could see the movement even while the three human guests could not. Even though the guests were a few feet away from him, he could not smell them - thanks to the chamber they were currently conducting the assembly in. The dragon council hall was constructed in such a way to appease a dragon's sense of smell. Of all the senses, their sense of smell was the most sensitive, and in some ways, the most troublesome. In a room not properly ventilated, the smells of those surrounding them could become suffocating and end a party far too early (dragons partied till at least four in the morning, it wouldn't be a dragon party unless you partied hard from sunrise to the next sunrise!) The chamber they were currently in would not allow scents of people more than a foot away to reach a dragon's nose, thus offering some respite.
The guard cleared his throat and began announcing the guests.
"His Lordship, Chief Advisor on Internal Affairs to the Princess of Pergrande… Sir Loke." A polite smattering of applause drifted through the chamber as an orange-haired, handsome man removed his dark robe and bowed to the assembly that was cloaked in darkness around him.
"His Excellency, High Knight of the Pergrande Army… Sir Laxus." A more dramatic gasp accompanied the uncloaking of the tall, imposing blonde soldier, his intense gaze fixed straight in front of him. Freed of the Elves, from whom the gasp had originated, blushed and shrunk into his seat, hiding his glowing face behind his hands and earning many curious looks from the rest of the assembly, and one maniacally evil-yet-happy grin from Mirajane of the Elves. Natsu glanced at Mira, internally thanking his stars that she had acquired a target of her 'love-schemes' that was NOT him.
The room stilled for a minute, the pause pregnant as everyone turned expectantly to the last cloaked figure. A soft sigh, as gentle as a butterfly's flight, issued from beneath the cloak and dainty, fair hands emerged from below it to fumble at the buckle at her throat. Natsu's gaze fixed on the fingers, slim and svelte and somehow very familiar…
"Her Highness, the Princess of Pergrande…"
She had successfully undone the clasp of her cloak, and the forest green garment fluttered to the ground. Natsu froze in his chair, his gaze locked on her doe-like, brown eyes that could not see him in the darkness, his heart beating frantically and easily audible to all the sensitive dragon-ears around him.
"Lady Lucy of the Heartfillia clan."
For a heartbeat everyone just stared. Wendy had tears of happiness and shock in her eyes, while Mirajane, Lisanna and the other elves sported humongous, excited grins - surprised laughter threatening to bubble out.
Cana cackled from her corner, throwing Natsu a lecherous wink, whilst her father chuckled in amusement. Prince Gray smirked knowingly, his beloved Juvia's expression far softer and kinder as her neighbor, Levy, struggled to hide her own mirth. On Levy's other side, Gajeel merely rolled his eyes, glancing discreetly at Natsu. And giving him an all-knowing smirk.
Bastard.
They knew. They knew before he did, and they did not bother telling him. Preparing him for this. His Lucy, his Lucy was the Princess.
Damn them.
But in all fairness, she was probably not prepared for what was going to happen next.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lucy had uncloaked just as they had asked. She stood, letting her eyes adjust to the light (or lack of in this case) around her. All she could make out were shadowy silhouettes along the walls of the chamber. She chanced a glance at her companions. As expected, Laxus had his poker-and-war face on. She would tease him mercilessly about that later. Loke had a look of smug arrogance etched on his face to hide the unease in his eyes. He was worried, mostly about her safety, and about the mission they were on today. But she had no room for worry or doubt, she had left both behind her in the fore-chamber. This was the time for action in the form of words, and that was what she excelled at.
Taking a small step forward she addressed the silhouettes directly in front of her.
"Your highness, and my lords and ladies. You have my deepest gratitude for this opportunity to speak. I pray that what I wholeheartedly wish to share with you today, will prove to be beneficial to us all." she paused, a gentle smile grazing her lips as she surveyed the darkened chamber around her. "Whither our paths blend from today forth, or we choose to keep them apart, I hope that we will still come to see each other as friends and allies. May my companions and I be granted the privilege of your acquaintances?"
The center figure shot his hand into the air and waved, a sudden spurt of heat in the room causing all the torches in the chamber to catch fire instantly. The chamber was bathed in light in an instant, as Lucy and her three companions blinked a little to get accustomed to the sudden change.
Oh no.
Oh no no no.
Lucy could only stare, her mouth slightly open, in wonder, awe, excitement and indeed a little anger. For there, right in front of her, on a majestic throne, magnificently dressed in regal raiment, sat a dragon she recognized all too well. Her best friend. Natsu the Fire Dragon.
He had better have a damn good explanation for this.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Natsu did not know whether to laugh or cringe at the expression on her face. Judging by the way her eyes had brightened when she had finally registered his presence, she seemed happy to see him. At the same time, her tiny hands had clenched into fists - that could only be interpreted as anger. He dimly knew, somewhere in the recesses of his mind, that it would be unfair of her to be angry - for hadn't she kept the secret of being a princess from him? Then again, maybe he should have confessed his station first, and then she would have told him about herself…
Lucy seemed to ease up all of a sudden, a certain mischievous glint in her eyes his only warning for her next words.
"The rumors make more sense now. I wondered how the most powerful dragon in all of Fiore could also be reputed to have the mentality of a toddler." She cocked her head to the side, as if surveying him from a better angle. "I suppose baby-sitting you was a full-time job for the noble dragon army… My respectful congratulations to them for being successful in such a dangerous undertaking."
A silence fell on the chamber, as all in the assembly stared at the Princess. Sir Laxus and Sir Loke sported identical looks of pure horror. Natsu only stared - momentarily dumbfounded - at the beautiful maiden in front of him. Sir Laxus and Loke simultaneously hissed Lucy's name, Sir Laxus even reaching for his sword hilt to inevitably defend her honor when they were attacked by a dragon horde.
The young lady in question merely stared at Natsu, head still cocked, eyes sparkling with mischief, waiting patiently for his reply.
Natsu threw his head back and roared in laughter, catching some of the assembly's occupants off guard. Wiping away tears of mirth from the edges of his eyes, he turned to her - his grin equally as mischievous as he retorted. "Well met Princess, but I would expect nothing less from one whose courage and 'fighting spirit' has reached even our court - why news of the 'Lucy kick' you've delivered to more than one hapless courtier has become legendary! Apparently there is a human-sized hole in your courtroom as evidence of your unique brand of punishment…?"
Lucy's eyes widened and then narrowed. She pouted, not quite prepared for his wordy retort. Natsu smirked, his smoldering eyes lingering on the young maiden's lips for an instant too long.
By that time, Loke - having recovered from the strange exchange - volunteered his own opinion with a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Well there is also the special seat in the corner for those who've suffered from the 'Lucy glare'."
"Don't forget the victims of the 'Lucy scream', God rest their souls." Laxus offered, in his most sombre tone.
Lucy slowly turned, ready to unleash her full ire on her companions, when the door suddenly creaked open and four small figures floated in. Before Lucy could react, she was startled by a fluffy ball of blue fur and white feathers crashing into her chest, knocking her breath out for an instant.
"Luuucccyyy! It's you! What are you doing here? Did you bring fish?" Happy purred, oblivious to the startled looks from many in the magical assembly.
"Must you always think with your stomach?!" Carla chastised, following him at a more leisurely pace. She regarded Lucy with curiosity as well though. "But truly, what are you doing here, Lucy? And in a royal ensemble no less?"
"Please don't be rude young ones, our cat-nap has drawn us away from the meeting for quite a while, we owe this assembly our patience. They will inform us of what we have missed in due time." A soft yet firm voice floated across the chamber, and Shagotte, Queen Grandine's exceed floated in after the two younger cats, the side missing a wing supported by Pantherlily.
"Aye," Lily's deep voice rang clear in the quiet assembly, "Oh Dragon Prince, we apologize for the interruption. Please proceed with the assembly."
Natsu gave the cats a huge grin, mirth glinting in his eyes. "Nay, your timing is perfect. Allow me to introduce you to the Princess of Pergrande… Lucy of the Heartfillia clan."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"YOU'RE JOKING!" Happy leaned back from where he had been shamelessly burrowing in Lucy's cleavage to look at her face in horror. "HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?! DID YOU EAT THE REAL PRINCESS?! IS THAT WHY YOU'RE SO HEAVY?!"
"..."
Laxus and Loke simultaneously reached forward, each grabbing one of Lucy's arms with tired and resigned expressions on their faces.
"I WILL KILL YOU… YOU IMPUDENT LITTLE FELINE! HOW DARE YOU! JUST YOU WAIT, THE NEXT FISH I BRING WILL BE LACED WITH ENOUGH POISON TO FELL A HORSE! AND I'LL FEED IT TO YOU MYSELF!"
"WAHHHHH! NATSU, LUCY IS EVIL!"
The chaos in the assembly was almost drowned out by the Dragon Prince's deep guffaws. Happy had wisely escaped from Lucy's reach, opting to perch himself on the arm of Natsu's chair a safe distance away. Lucy gave him one last death glare before yanking her arms from her companion's grips and endeavoring to correct her slightly disheveled appearance.
As she smoothed the soft satin of her simple yet elegant gown, Natsu composed himself, opting to study the young maiden closer. Unlike the previous day, she was dressed in far richer garments that still retained a simplicity, subtlety and elegance that was simply Lucy. The rich navy blue gown she wore had long sleeves and a high collar, the front alone open in a U shape, dipping low enough to give a hint of her abundant cleavage. The edges of the sleeves and neck were hemmed in delicate silver lace and the dresses' only decoration existed on the long train - which was adorned with specks of diamonds that resembled silver stars, the entire dress resembling a night sky. The dress hugged the luscious dips and curves of her body. Atop her head was a delicate silver tiara with her family's crest worked into the center and embedded with a single diamond. Her hair was styled in a fashionable up-do, supporting the tiara and exposing her slender neck. While Lucy's body was undeniably alluring, it was the maiden's face that had Natsu truly transfixed. Her deep, chocolate-brown eyes were framed with luscious, long lashes, her plush lips raised slightly in a secretive smile as she raised her head to look him in the eye. As his gaze locked with hers, he felt his being react almost exactly as it had the first time he had laid eyes on her in the clearing the day before. The overwhelming desire to protect her, warred with the strange instinct to hunt her himself. He dug his clawed fingers into the arm-rests of his chair to keep himself grounded, but in that instant his only desire was to snatch the maiden in front of him up into his arms and fly far, far away. Protect her from the rest of the world. Ravage her himself.
He was doomed.