AN: Hope all you lovely readers out there are taking precautions against COVID-19. I live in the southern part of India, and things are very serious here - we're under a lockdown until March 31st, which may be extended up to April 15th. My prayers are with you all, whatever part of the world you may be in, and here's hoping we all get through this safe and sound.

That being said, hope you all enjoy this chapter! Just a little something to beat the boredom and blues for those stuck inside ;-)

Alagesia's moonlight festival was in full swing. Ethereal lights floated around the extensive, exotic gardens located in the center of the wind Dragon's sector. All manner of magical decorations adorned the open space, the otherworldly beauty of the land shining through, as the ecstatic occupants of the gardens danced and sang the night away.

A long table bordered the outer edge of the gardens, groaning with food and drink. At its end stood a stoic metal dragon, his faithful black exceed perched on his shoulder, as he affectionately glowered down at a petite and entrancing fairy woman by his side. The unimpressed young woman matched his stern look with a fiery expression of her own.

Their quiet yet heated staring contest continued unabated for a good ten minutes until the exasperated exceed finally intervened.

"In the name of all that is holy, Gajeel, just apologize and be done with it!" The midnight-hued exceed sighed, struggling to hide his mirth with the whole ridiculous affair.

"No." The stubborn dragon growled. "Since when has defending your beloved against lecherous eyes become a crime? Those foolish strigoi had it coming…"

"I'm more than capable of ridding myself of unwanted attention, Gajeel!" Levy hissed, her hazel eyes darting around frantically to ascertain they had not been overhead again.

"As much as I appreciate you looking out for me," The incensed fairy continued, "attempting to rip their heads off and using your steel roar on them in the middle of the first dance of the moonlight festival was the most embarrassing and traumatizing way to do it! I could have made it just as clear that I was not interested with far less fanfare had you just stayed quiet." Levy's impassioned words petered off into a soft, disappointed whimper, as the strain of the night's events finally caught up with her. She had been mortified enough for one night, and despite how much she ached with love and adoration for her steel protector, she was terribly frustrated with his possessive, Neanderthalic attitude.

Gajeel had the grace to look a little ashamed.

"I'm sorry for upsetting you, shrimp - you know I hate doing that. But I can't find it in me to be sorry for the way I acted. I-I don't know how to explain it, but as over-the-top as it was, that reaction just seemed right. I don't know Levy… For the past few weeks, I've just felt an overwhelming urge to protect and dote on you even more than I usually do…" The stoic ore dragon trailed off, his face unusually pensive. A gentle, adoring smile snuck its way onto his lips as he gazed down at his diminutive beloved.

"I guess I'm just falling even more in love with you, Levy. I know it seems impossible - I loved you so damn much before - but lately, it feels like all those already strong emotions and urges have just intensified." Gajeel chuckled, missing the almost panicked look in his beloved's eyes.

"You're too damn irresistible for your own good, shrimp." The ore dragon beamed down at her - his expression immediately fading away as he took in her averted eyes and nervous shuffling.

"What's wrong shrimp?"

Levy bit her lower lip, gazing down at her hands, her brow furrowed as she seemed to be engaged in a fierce, internal debate. Gajeel and Pantherlily watched the fair fairy with growing concern.

"Shrimp?! Are you that upset?! I'm sorry! I take it all back - I was an idiot, and I should never have done that, and I never will again! Please, just talk to me…"

"I'll hold him to his promise, dear Levy! As his exceed companion, I too apologize for making light of his behavior - I will not let him repeat it again. Please don't be so upset with him for it..."

After a few more agonizing moments, Levy looked up once again. Both males heaved a sigh of relief as they took in her softer, thoughtful expression as she gazed up at both of them.

"Nay, you two. You needn't worry… Although I certainly would not like a repeat of Gajeel's actions, he is not entirely at fault here…"

Levy sighed, running a hand through her short, light blue locks, as she lifted her chin to lock his gaze in her own mesmerizing one.

"I think I understand why you seem to feel even more possessive of me than before, Gajeel. You are a dragon, after all. I've read that it is natural for your race to grow very protective and careful of their bonded mates when they discover them in this condition…"

"Condition?!" Gajeel yelped. "What condition?! Are you ill, shrimp?!"

Levy tittered, lifting a hand to gently caress her beloved dragon's cheek.

"No, you iron idiot. I'm pregnant."

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A loud uproar of pure joy and ecstasy burst out at one end of the garden, startling the comely, sweet young maiden as she raised the cup of wine to her plush lips. Brushing a strand of short, silvery hair out of her face, she glanced over curiously at the source of the loud noise. She watched in amusement as Sir Gajeel and Sir Lily danced around an embarrassed yet happy Lady Levy, all their expressions those of matching glee and excitement.

"They are certainly an unlikely pair."

With a gasp, the young maiden whirled around, accidentally flinging the contents of her wine glass in the face of her stealthy accoster.

"S-sir Sting?"

The lovely young maiden whispered the name reverently, her doe-shaped, blue-hued eyes glittering with awe and excitement that quickly transformed into embarrassment and horror.

"O-oh! I-I'm so sorry for throwing my drink upon you… Please forgive me, dragon sir…"

Her meek mumbles were drowned out by his loud and friendly guffaw.

"There's nothing to be sorry about, Milady Yukino! I shouldn't have startled you like that - it is fortunate that all I recieved was a little wine to my face. And I certainly can't complain, for it is the most delectable wine I have ever tasted in my life…" The light dragon's voice dropped an octave, his next words a whispered growl intended for her ears alone.

"For it has been touched by your angelic lips."

Yukino gasped, lost in the depths of adoration and affection evident in his beautiful, blue-hued eyes. Her cheeks took on a dark rosy hue, as she struggled to remember how to breathe, her heart racing and her entire being aflame with joy and excitement.

Sting held her gaze steadily before at last taking pity on her, breaking the intense look to glance at his hands a bit bashfully.

"I-I'm so happy to see you here, milady. Did you just arrive from Pergrande?"

"W-why yes. Her majesty requested my presence in Alagesia with her for the next three weeks - I am her primary maid-in-waiting, after all."

"Ah. So, does that mean you will be staying with her in the royal palace?"

"I-I believe so. Unless she wishes otherwise…"

"I'm staying in the royal palace too! In one of the guest wings reserved for light and dark dragons! I would be honored if you would visit me there…"

He shot her a shy smile, the expression melting her heart just as easily as his sultry, suggestive words had just a few moments before.

"If you would like to, that is. I do not wish to impose on you, or take you away from your duties…"

"I would love too."

Yukino offered him a soft, glowing smile that took the light dragon's breath away. She reminded him of the gentle rays of morning sunlight - so warm and inviting. Without another moment's thought, he grasped her hand and led her out to the makeshift dance floor in the center of the garden, intent on spending every possible minute he could with the precious maiden.

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A little distance away, from a shadowy crook in the garden, Lucy watched with satisfaction as the light dragon finally worked up the courage to approach her timid, beauteous maid-in-waiting. She studied their graceful movements on the dance floor as she allowed herself a secretive smile and a snicker - the casket of fine wine she had promised Cana for kicking him into action was undoubtedly worth it - the girl and the dragon were perfect for each other.

Lucy's gaze at last drifted away from the source of her positive musings, as she took in the remaining magical merry-makers frolicking in all parts of the garden.

Her gaze halted when she caught the eye of a certain fire dragon, standing a few feet away from her.

Lucy took a deep breath, pointedly ignoring the intense fluttering sensation in her chest, and the rapid, excited rhythm of her heart. She offered the dragon a soft, hesitant smile from across the open space and was instantly rewarded with a dazzling grin.

Her knees buckled.

Lucy leaned against a tree trunk at the shadowy edge of the garden, struggling to stand straight amidst the onslaught of pleasurable emotions her body had succumbed to. She broke their locked gazes, shifting her eyes instead to the grassy ground at her feet, as she endeavored to control her raging blush. Damn that dragon for being so irresistibly attractive!

With a last shake of her head and a shy smile upon her lips, she looked up at him once more.

And froze in place.

A different set of emotions engulfed her, as she watched the tableau unfolding merely a few feet away. Natsu had stopped in the spot she had just seen him, obviously having been halted in his path towards her. And the being who had accosted him was none other than the lovely elf Princess, Lisanna. Lucy watched the pair, an inexplicable rage overcoming her, as the pretty elf leaned closer to the fire dragon. Lucy's heart ached as she observed the way Lisanna spoke to him in low, urgent tones, a beautiful sparkle in the elf maiden's eyes as Natsu graced the exquisite female with a gentle, fond smile.

Lucy's limbs moved of their own will, drawing her towards the cozy pair, as she internally struggled to rationalize the strange emotional storm she was experiencing. She had come to terms with the fact that she had a crush on her best friend - it was only natural, seeing as he was an exceptionally attractive being, and a caring soul to boot - but that still did not explain the feelings of anger and despair she felt coursing through her delicate form at that instant. Perhaps it was just the desire to keep him safe - she was protective of her dragon, after all, as much as he was of her. Then again, Lisanna was no evil magical being - the elf maiden cared for Natsu almost as much as she did. So why did she feel so tempted to shove the young, beauteous female aside and drag her dragon to a shadowy corner of the garden where she could finally savor those tempting dragon lips with her own…

Lucy halted abruptly, taking in a deep breath in a vain attempt to control her raging hormones. She plastered a smile onto her face as she took the last few steps to reach the pair.

"... So then he brought up our bond…"

Lucy froze in place merely a foot away from them. Natsu looked up the moment she stopped, his eyes lighting up with joy at the sight of her, before his brow furrowed in concern.

"Lucy? What's the matter?"

Lucy barely registered Natsu's words as her mind whirled in a turmoil of thoughts and memories. Natsu was the Fire Dragon Prince. He was the one spoken of in the prophecy - the one whose bonded would defeat Acnologia. Without a doubt then, his bonded would have to be a powerful magical female…

Lisanna was a perfect fit.

Lucy felt surprised by the heavy grief and longing that coursed through her veins at the turn her thoughts had taken. None of her crushes had ever made her feel quite so strongly - on the occasional chance the male of her desire had an object of his own affection, that usually served as the perfect stimulant to detach herself from him. Never before had jealousy and despair stung her and… never before had she so desperately wished to hide anything. Drawing upon years of Princess training, Lucy schooled her expression into a pleasant, welcoming smile - which she dutifully directed at the young elf Princess, pointedly ignoring the Dragon's increasingly confused and worried look directed at her.

"I never did get the chance to congratulate you both. It's truly wonderful that you became his bonded, Lisanna. It is as we hoped for when we were younger, is it not? I apologize for not bringing a present of some sort - I suppose I should have, to commemorate the affair? But I did not know Natsu was the Prince… so when I heard rumors of E.N.D bonding - which were surprisingly vague, I might add - I assumed his beloved would have been some stranger dragoness who may have misunderstood the gesture… I know gift giving is considered quite an intimate act amongst dragons, after all…"

Lisanna's gentle hand on Lucy's shoulder halted her rambling as the elf maiden regarded her with polite confusion writ on her face. The golden-haired Princess stopped abruptly, forcing out yet another calm smile directed at her elven friend. Natsu frowned, his gaze darting between the two females.

"But Luce, you've got it all wrong…"

"Heya there! Isn't this a cozy gathering - mind if I join?"

Lucy tilted her head, welcoming the distraction with relief.

"Ah, Bixlow. Not at all, my old friend. Why, your timing couldn't be more perfect - come, grant your monarch the pleasure of a dance…"

Lucy slipped her arm into her friend's, flashing him a grateful, sunny smile. She missed the look of rage that crossed Natsu's features and the gasp of surprise from her elven friend.

"Err… normally I'd love too, your majesty, but I actually approached this interesting little clique to ask this enchanting beauty for the chance to dance…"

Bixlow's gaze grew solemn as he fixed the lovely elf maiden with a passionate look, his eyes conveying heat and affection. He let out a yelp of surprise as he felt a sound thwack suddenly catch him hard on the back of the head.

"You idiot… do you know who she is? And to whom she is promised? I swear, if your clueless libido instigates an international incident, I will personally castrate you… nevermind how dear you may be to Laxus…"

Ahem

Lisanna's meek cough interrupted Lucy's heated tirade. The golden-haired monarch turned to her friend with flushed cheeks, stammering a little in her ire and embarrassment.

"My sincerest apologies, Princess of the Northern Elves, my companion here is a good man - however clueless he may appear to be - he meant nothing serious by his approach, pray do not take offense…" Lucy shot another glare in his direction, to which the dark mage merely rolled his eyes. Natsu relaxed considerably, a relieved chuckle escaping his lips as even Lisanna struggled to contain her giggles.

"Lucy, you seem to be under a misunderstanding. I would be honored to dance with Sir Bixlow…"

Lucy frowned, a dark look in her eyes.

"I am disappointed, Lisanna. Do not slight Natsu so by denying him the pleasure of your company this evening. It would not be well met if his bonded is not by his side during this festival…"

"She's not my bonded, Luce." Natsu exclaimed, interrupting Lucy's heated words with fond exasperation.

The Princess of Pergrande blinked.

"Pray, what do you mean? Were the rumors not true then?"

Natsu hesitated. "In a manner of speaking they were true… because I mistakenly thought Lisanna was my bonded for a very short period. Thankfully we both realized the error quickly enough."

"I am afianced to Sir Bixlow now…" The elf maiden offered shyly, shooting her lover a sweet smile.

Lucy blinked again. And then she began giggling, dropping Bixlow's arm unceremoniously to inch closer to Natsu, a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Sooooo… you actually faked your first bonding? Please tell me it was an intentional prank…"

Natsu blushed, a sheepish grin creeping up on his face. Lucy burst into a bout of friendly laughter, grasping his shoulders as she convulsed with giggles.

"Oh, Natsu…" She sighed, her mirth subsiding as a warm, fond grin replaced her earlier glee. Tears of joy still clinging to her long lashes, as she looked up at her best friend - a gentle affection glowing in her chocolate orbs that had the smitten fire dragon involuntarily sucking in a tremulous breath.

"I understand now why Grandine has been so worried on your account…" The young monarch mused, genuine concern lacing her tone. "You have not yet found your true bonded, have you?"

Natsu internally groaned, the feeling of her soft hands still resting on his shoulders causing a tremor to travel down his spine. How could she not notice how much she affected him? Did she not realize that no one other than she could be his bonded? If he told her his heart's desire, would she even believe him?!

His increasingly frantic thoughts cut off abruptly when the lithe human maiden slipped her dainty hands off his shoulders and instead encased him in a warm, comforting embrace.

"You will find her. And she will be the most wonderful, powerful and best magical female to have ever lived." Lucy drew back slightly, her brilliant grin lighting up her lovely face.

"And she will love you with her whole heart, Natsu, for the truly amazing dragon-man you are…"

Natsu returned her awed gaze with a soft and gentle smile of his own, slipping his hands around her slim waist.

"Dance with me, Lucy?"

The young Princess's cheeks pinked, but she nodded resolutely, lifting her long skirt up as she took his arm. The dragon-man led her to the center of the garden which served as a dance floor, his intense gaze never straying from her chocolate orbs, only heightening her rosy blush.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was many dances later that the dragon Prince finally dragged the laughing human Princess off the dance floor, the pair still floating on cloud nine. Lucy blushed as she felt his grip around her waist tighten, her heart skipping a beat when she felt his other hand seek hers out, giving it a friendly squeeze.

With a saucy wink, he tugged on her hand, releasing his grip around her waist much to Lucy's disappointment. Containing her sigh of dismay, Lucy flashed him a brilliant smile, willingly following him out of the beautiful garden to one of the more secluded, bushy glades surrounding it. He led her to a spot in the center of the glade, where there was a rustic stone bench - its legs entangled in smooth vines. Natsu dusted off the slab, gesturing to Lucy to sit with a stately, exaggerated bow. Lucy giggled, offering him an equally exaggerated curtsy in response before demurely accepting the seat. Natsu plopped down right next to her, pulling her into his side and nuzzling her golden hair affectionately.

"Where is Happy?" Lucy queried a little breathlessly. Natsu's friendly gesture was causing butterflies in her stomach, and she desperately tried to quell her madly beating heart which she was sure her mischievous dragon could hear.

Natsu grinned, tilting his head slightly towards her chest. Lucy's blush increased and she let out an incensed huff as she tried to push him away. The unapologetic dragon man merely chuckled, pulling the Princess onto his lap instead as he wrapped his strong arms around her. Lucy squeaked, trying to escape his clutches, but in vain. With a final exasperated 'hrmph' she gave up, leaning back against his warm chest to gaze up at the night sky visible through the sparse foliage.

"You haven't answered my question, you insufferable dragon."

Natsu smiled into Lucy's hair, tightening his hold on the beauty in his lap.

"He's wooing Carla out on the dance floor. From what I last saw, he's having a lot more success than usual tonight. He's far too busy to heed the rest of us."

Lucy smiled. "I hope he succeeds. Carla is a sweet, noble exceed despite her surly exterior. Happy and she would make an excellent couple."

Natsu hummed in agreement, his questing nose drifting down from her soft, golden locks to the back of her neck. Lucy let out a small gasp as his warm breath marked a trail along her collarbone, struggling to control the fiery burn in the pit of her stomach. Desperate to distract him and herself, she stammered out the first thought that came to mind.

"W-why didn't you tell me you were the Dragon Prince?"

Lucy kicked herself for the hypocrisy of her question, an apology ready on the tip of her tongue, when she was surprised by Natsu's own apologetic sigh as he drew away slightly from where he had been nuzzling her shoulder.

"I was afraid, Luce. You seemed to hate all royalty so much. I dreaded the thought of you hating me…"

Lucy's fluttering, buoyant mood fizzled in an instant, the fiery pit burning in her gut doused by her guilt and sorrow.

"Oh Natsu… I could never hate you. The only reason I spoke so strongly in my youth was because I truly detested all the royals I encountered in my courts and… I truly abhorred my father's actions. In fact, my vehemence in part was because I dreaded you ever finding out that I am a royal, and that my father is… That my father is the King of Pergrande, the despicable human who caused your kind so much pain. I was so sure that such a discovery would force you to keep me at a distance, and I could never bear to be anything less than your best friend, Natsu…"

"Nothing could ever change my opinion of you, Lucy." Natsu interrupted her with a growl, turning her sideways in his lap so he could encase her in a crushing hug. "You will always be mine. My strange one."

Lucy hugged him back, forcing back the hot tears that threatened to spill. She could not hold back her emotions for long, and soon enough she was soaking his silken shirt in tears of relief - years of stress, uncertainty and despair melting away.

"I'm so glad you are back, Natsu. I missed you so..."

"And I missed you, Luce."

They sat thus in companionable silence, content in their warm embrace, the young human maiden soon drifting off into a peaceful, deep slumber in the arms of her dragon protector. The dragon man basked in the joy of holding his beloved so close, offering her the comfort of his warmth and hidden love. He flew her back to her chamber only when the first gentle rays of dawn pierced through their private enclosure.

In the garden a few feet yonder, friends and family laughed and made merry as they danced the night away, the dragon's uproarious soiree continuing far into the wee hours of the morning.