Natsu stood frozen in place, his body quivering with fury and grief, liquid overflowing from the shards of glass scraping his scales as he crushed the wine bottle in his grasp. Happy, perched on his shoulder, bore the most horrified expression that would ever be seen on a cat's face.

"Lucy? How did that happen?"

Happy's soft, tremulous whisper broke the spell that had Lucy rooted to her spot. Forgetting the fact that she was naked from the waist up, the Princess rushed forward and encased Natsu in a tight hug, cuddling Happy with her free arm.

"I'll tell you both all, Happy. Just… Natsu, please, please do not do anything rash… or think me weak…"

At her shaky words, Natsu snapped out of the rage filled daze that had enveloped him.

"Lucy, pray do not use my own thoughtless, blasphemous words against me! I was an idiot to call you weak - no one who knows you would ever think that of you… and I, as your best friend, should have known better. I'm sorry."

Lucy drew back a little, unmindful of her state of half-undress as she gazed up into her friend's deep, emerald-hued eyes. She offered him a small smile, one which he returned with a radiant grin of his own.

"Thank you, Natsu."

"What happened to you Lucy?!"

Gray's voice, laced with disbelief and anger, rang out in the spacious chamber as he, Sting and Gajeel stepped into Natsu's bedchamber behind him. Realizing her half-undressed state, Lucy squeaked and hurried to cover herself. In a fluid movement Natsu shrugged out of his vest, wrapping it backwards on Lucy to cover her buxom chest. Lucy shot him a grateful look, before turning to address Gray far more calmly.

"I planned on telling all of you this tale one day… I suppose today is as good a day as any."

Lucy took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she collected her thoughts.

"It all started the day before my sixteenth birthday…"

"Juvia?"

The blue haired beauty whirled around, a sigh of relief escaping her as her gaze landed on the Princess of Pergrande, dressed in regal raiment with a dainty crown upon her head.

"Oh, Princess Lucy! The other high court courtiers are frantically searching for you. His majesty has requested your presence in the grand hall for the announcement…"

Juvia trailed off as she took in Lucy's frustrated scowl and restlessness.

"What's wrong?"

Lucy did not respond immediately, stepping forward to link her arm in Juvia's and tug her in the direction of the grand hall. As they walked, Lucy's expression darkened and she muttered a few illuminating words for the worried mermaid at her side.

"Stupid Laxus and his suspicious, stubborn nature…"

Juvia relaxed immediately, as an understanding smile graced her lips. She addressed the young monarch with sympathy in her tone.

"He refused to swear fealty to you again, Juvia assumes?"

"Yes." Lucy grumbled. "And I explained everything so nicely to him! He doesn't believe me - says that I may have an angle he has missed, and that there is no way I'm as dedicated to helping our mage community as I claim…"

Juvia nodded thoughtfully.

"You could tell him about and introduce him to the Protectors…"

"I-I can't. Not until he has sworn fealty. It's just too much of a risk for the group as well as him…"

Lucy trailed off, her expression miserable as she stared at the floor.

"I want to help our people, Juvia. The people of Pergrande. All of them. And the only way to do that is to make Laxus the king. I understand his fears - it is no slight responsibility - but I've observed him at war and at home for the past many years now and… I believe in him. I know he can do it. And besides, if he becomes king…"

Lucy looked straight into Juvia's eyes, longing and desperation writ in her warm brown orbs.

"Only then can I finally be free…"

Juvia smiled back, rubbing Lucy's forearm soothingly.

"He'll come around."

Lucy grimaced. "I hope so."

Juvia promptly decided a change in topic was necessary as she took in Lucy's increasingly moody look.

"Are you prepared for today?"

The effect of those simple words was instantaneous. Lucy raised her head a little higher, her earlier scowl gone, replaced by the mask of cool indifference that years of Princess training had imbibed in her.

"I am."

Juvia nodded, her voice grim as she voiced the concern that had been plaguing her ever since she had heard Lucy's plan.

"Do you think your father will accept your decision?"

"Not easily. He will try to bargain or argue despite the overwhelming evidence I have gathered to prove him wrong. But in the end, he will understand the reasoning. It is to protect the people from a potentially terrible ruler, after all."

Juvia squirmed a little, unable to digest Lucy's confident tone. The young Princess, who was usually shrewd about the nature of all those around her, was always a little blind when it came to her own father…

The pair had reached the closed doors of the largest audience chamber in the castle. Juvia dropped Lucy's arm, stepping back a little to stand respectfully behind her. Lucy adjusted her crown and took a deep breath before rapping her knuckles against the polished wood. The guards inside opened the doors immediately, bowing low as the Princess swept inside, her faithful courtier in tow. Lucy waved Juvia to the sidelines, the young mermaid curtseying before making her way to her seat beside her human grandfather.

Lucy made her way to the center of the hall, to her father's side, her expression cautiously blank.

Jude did not acknowledge her presence. He merely looked up from the parchment he had been perusing, to the crowd of high court courtiers now settled in seats bordering the walls of the hall. He cleared his throat.

"You've all finally assembled? Good. I hope you realize the reason we have gathered today."

The King paused, his gaze scanning the crowd. With a frown, he noted the presence of his nephew and his nephew's strange lieutenant - a tall, helmeted soldier. It was odd that they had managed to wrangle an invitation to this exclusive affair - they were not members of the high court, nor very highly ranked in the army. He had made sure of both. Jude shrugged it off as he addressed the crowd in a booming voice.

"We will be celebrating an important event tomorrow, one that all of Pergrande will rejoice over. Our kingdom will acquire a new King. He will assume his full duties only after I have bequeathed them to him, of course, but the promise that our land will be continued to be governed by the noble Heartfillia line will be ensured. To this end, my daughter will now give her formal acceptance as is our custom…"

"No. I exercise my right to refuse this alliance, father. I will not be marrying the Junelle Prince tomorrow."

Lucy's soft voice rang loud and clear in the grand hall. The silence that descended on the stunned courtiers was deafening.

Jude turned towards his daughter - for the first time truly registering her existence. He did not look pleased.

"Explain yourself."

Lucy stood a little straighter and took a deep breath. Her moment had finally arrived and she intended to make the most of it.

"Your majesty. For the good of our nation, I must refuse this alliance. The benefits that made this an ideal union no longer exist. The Junelles no longer hold as many lands as they once did, and their treatment of those that they still do govern is neglectful at best. I truly wish his highness health and happiness, however, I cannot in good conscience agree to this merger."

Jude scoffed. "This is your reasoning? What about the pride of the Heartfillias? You have been promised to the Junelles since birth. And from a military perspective, this is still a match that will enhance and strengthen our troops along the borders which, may I remind you, is of paramount importance since we are in the midst of war!"

"Sire, many of the noble families and knights that once swore fealty to them have forsaken them. The military might of which you speak is only a few thousand men, already spread thin aiding the common folk in controlling the spiraling number of crimes that plague our western borders."

"You lie."

"Y-your majesty, please do talk to the council, Sir Hemingway has a detailed report compiled from various sources that have been carefully collected over the years…"

"Nay, a lie of omission. There is a part you are keeping from me. OUT WITH IT!"

Lucy stared straight ahead, refusing to look her father in the eyes.

The pale and shaking Junelle patriarch, who had been cowering in the corner as he observed the exchange, brightened at this.

"I believe your majesty wishes to hear our exploits with the Connel family? Those false nobles who turned out to be mages! Her majesty innocently protected them, but what else can be expected? She is, after all, just a simple-minded female."

Jude raised a hand to silence him. His gaze abruptly shifted to his daughter, his intense eyes boring into her.

"You protected those of magic blood. You helped them escape their punishment, and gave them safe passage to Icegard."

"The family had committed no crime. It is not a crime to exist."

The slap that Jude delivered to his daughter echoed through the chamber, magnified by the utter silence of the assembled nobles.

Jude spoke through grit teeth, looming over the figure of his daughter sprawled on the floor. "I will give you this choice. Either denounce all those false citizens of 'magical blood' and marry the prince I have chosen for you… or accept 50 lashes from a barbed whip."

Lucy struggled to her feet, her small hand still massaging her tender cheek. The entire assembly watched with horror struck expressions. Laxus grit his teeth, willing down his rage. He gripped his sword hilt tightly, longing to lash out at the injustice unfolding before him, but not daring to do so. Jude would use such a reaction to give him hell later - he had too many magical and non-magical men depending on him to risk provoking the mad king of Pergrande. And yet… He felt sickened by his own helplessness. So many innocent citizens would be at the mercy of this insane king and the greedy, cowardly Junelle Prince all because of the blood in their veins. How Lucy expected to escape this predicament with her clever tongue was beyond him. His intense gaze bore into her, for once not bearing a hint of suspicion or malice - only curiosity.

Lucy ignored everyone. She stood tall, looking straight into her father's eyes, a mask of indifference upon her face.

"I accept the 50 lashes."

The resulting uproar nearly brought down the hall. Laxus gaped. He lunged forward, only to be yanked back by Bixlow, the mage's own form trembling with rage. A few feet away, Juvia sobbed openly against her grandfather's chest, the elder man wiping away his own tears as he struggled to console his beloved granddaughter.

Jude ignored the chaos, instead turning to his army Generals seated not far from him. After a few curt words, one of them hesitantly produced the weapon the King had requested.

Jude scanned the small array of servants gathered in the corner of the hall, his gaze finally settling on the being he had been seeking.

"Capricorn, my steward. Approach the throne."

The being in question promptly obeyed his King, only a flash of terror in his eyes a hint of the turmoil that lay within.

"Take this. Administer the punishment."

Capricorn looked aghast. He grit his teeth, willing his tears not to spill as he bowed respectfully to his king.

"Y-your majesty, I cannot possibly… The... the... Princess…"

"Nay. You must. And I will have her whipped 50 more times if you do not administer this with your usual ferocity. Be warned."

With trembling hands, Capricorn took the weapon. Lucy gave her old friend a wan smile which he did not return. She was lowered into a kneeling position, her head rested on a wooden table in front of her, her arms outstretched and bound. Capricorn took his place behind her. At the final nod from Jude, he raised the whip.

"I lost consciousness after the tenth lash or so. At least, that's what I was told…"

Lucy gulped. "I-It was a risky gamble on my part, I agree, but it worked out for the best! My father's generals and the high court denounced the event - giving him less influence in the court and his own army, and allowing me to increase my presence in both places. And Laxus swore fealty to me the moment I woke up from my… Err… two day coma. I... I only wish I had not been so weak... I fainted after so short a time, perhaps if I had lasted longer my people would have rallied around me out of respect rather than pity…"

Lucy sighed, risking a glance around her at the beings listening in complete silence.

"Nonsense."

Natsu's voice was rough with suppressed emotion as he stared deep into Lucy's eyes.

"I don't understand your definition of 'weak', Luce. In the tale you just told us, you've been brave and strong - to the point of insanity I may add. Your strength of spirit is astounding…"

Lucy blushed at his praising words, but was already shaking her head before he finished.

"Thank you, Natsu, for such kind words… but what use is strength of spirit if I do not have the physical strength to back it?"

"Don't you dare try that argument in front of me, Lucy-dear!" Levy vehemently interjected.

"As the last fairy of spirit, I can tell you exactly how useless physical strength is without the strong soul to back it! The will to triumph no matter how hopeless the situation and the courage to stand up no matter the cost… these are the forms of true strength…"

"She's right." Grandine interjected softly. "And just as it is strength to stand up for injustice, it is wisdom to seek help from those who love you… Why did you not tell us of this event, Lucy?"

The queen's gentle rebuke was greeted with a sheepish smile.

"I-I did not wish to add to your burdens, Grandine. I know you care for me, and you were already so worried about your family at war… I did not wish to become another on that list. Besides, it's not like you would have been able to do anything - it's not as if you could walk up to my father and tell him off!"

Lucy's tone turned teasing towards the end, a glint of mirth returning to her eyes. Grandine's eyes widened. Did Lucy make the joke with some knowledge of her connection to Jude? Shaking off that thought, Grandine gulped, looking away quickly least the sharp young woman noticed her discomfort.

"Lucy, may I examine your back?"

Wendy's voice of reason brought everyone back to the matter at hand. When Lucy nodded her consent, Wendy and Grandine stepped forward. The sky dragon pair studied the scars for a few long moments, occasionally tracing a line and muttering a spell under their breath. A tense silence prevailed in the room as the pair worked.

"Well?!" Natsu finally broke the eerie quiet, his patience wearing thin.

"These are deep scars." Wendy stated after an encouraging look from her mother. "But our healing magic can remove them. In fact, it would be best to have them treated, since tiny shrapnel have embedded themselves into the scars and will most certainly cause you problems in the future. Or perhaps already do?..."

"Her majesty has trouble sleeping on her back for long periods of time. She also complains of back pain more often during the colder winter months - most likely because of the cold metal reacting with her skin…"

Lucy shot Yukino a betrayed look, to which the young woman squeaked and lowered her head, hiding her satisfied smile.

"I don't complain of back pain that much!" Lucy groused. "And my issues whilst sleeping are far more due to my nightmares than my back…"

"Nightmares?" Natsu queried with a frown.

Lucy stiffened, forcing a smile as she turned to her dragon best friend.

"Well… the instance I just related to you, along with other unsavory occasions, has not made my dreams of the past few years pleasant by any means."

Natsu sighed, his head drooping a little as he muttered under his breath.

"I suppose I could say the same…"

Lucy's gaze softened as she caught his whispered words. With an understanding smile, she placed a dainty hand on his shoulder, squeezing it in empathy.

Natsu forced a wan smile in return, clearing his throat before he spoke again.

"Will you be starting your treatment today, then?"

"I actually wouldn't advise that." Grandine spoke. "If you would allow it, Lucy, I would like Wendy and I to take a week to better study the scars, perhaps call a healer of the ore tribe to assess the damage done by the shrapnel still remaining in your body."

Lucy nodded in acquiescence, a lump forming in her throat as she took in the concerned, caring faces gazing back at her. She addressed Grandine in a shaky, emotional voice.

"Thank you so much for offering your help, your majesties. I truly appreciate your kindness." Lucy sunk into a low curse, a tear of gratitude escaping the corner of her eye.

Grandine stepped forward, gently placing her hand under the maiden's chin to lift her up.

"No, dear child." She chided gently, "I see you as one of my own. It is I who am honored to help you in any way I may - beloved Lucy."

The Queen of Dragons gently kissed Lucy's forehead before pulling her into a soft hug. Lucy stiffened at the sudden contact but relaxed almost immediately, burrowing her face in Grandine's neck, and squeezing her eyes shut in a desperate attempt to stop the hot tears that threatened to flow. A warm pressure on her back alerted her to Natsu's presence, offering her his comfort too. Natsu hugged her from behind, ruffling her golden locks and nuzzling the back of her neck affectionately.

Grandine pulled back, regarding the pair with amusement. Natsu's arms snaked around Lucy's waist, pulling her firmly into his hard chest. She blushed as she turned her head slightly to observe him out of the corner of her eye.

"Umm… You may release me now."

"Nay, I'm comfortable. I agree with Happy, you are quite cushiony." Ignoring Lucy's indignant squawk and Happy's sleepy 'Aye' from his perch on his head, Natsu rested his chin on Lucy's shoulder and addressed his mother.

"What about her living arrangements then, mother? If she is to receive treatment from you and Wendy, shouldn't she be moved out of the guest house and into quarters closer to the royal castle?"

Grandine pursed her lips thoughtfully.

"Yes. Not only that, I would prefer if she were to stay in a dragon's nest. The treatment we plan on performing may aggravate her nightmares, and I would prefer it if she were with a dragon who could help us monitor them."

"Err… Dragon's nest? Do you mean quarters such as these here?"

Lucy gestured to the red themed bedchamber they were congregated in.

Natsu chuckled. "Exactly. And since you are already here, I propose you stay with me."

Lucy squeaked. She blushed crimson and tried to escape her friend's grip. She looked to Grandine and Wendy for help.

"S-surely I could stay w-with you or Wendy, Grandine…"

"Of course, dear Princess." Grandine stifled her laughter as Wendy giggled openly beside her. "But as we are bonded pairs, we may be a little… Err… distracted at night, and may not be able to attend to you with as much attention as we ought. If you don't mind, however, I see no objection..."

"NO!" Lucy squeaked, shaking her head vigorously. "I'll stay with Natsu!"

"Awesome!" Natsu's shout of glee was accompanied by Happy's hoot of triumph, the pair exchanging a high five as Lucy struggled to contain the grin beginning to form on her face. She really couldn't resist the happiness flooding her at the thought of spending more time with Natsu and Happy.

They always had more fun when they were together.