AN: Sorry this is a day late guys! I'm being swamped at work, barely any time to breathe. Much less write. On that note, the next chapter is going to be delayed too. I'll try my best to get it out by late next week.

Enjoy!

Birds chirped happy tunes, nestled in the tall trees adjacent the imposing stained glass windows of one of the highest chambers in the castle. The Princess of Pergrande gazed out one of those windows, sighing wistfully at the carefree creatures frolicking in the leafy canopy.

"Hmph. You needn't sink into a depression just because you have come back home, brat!"

Lucy smothered her fond grin as she turned around to face her once-feared governess.

"Why Lady Aquarius, how could I possibly be sad when you are here?"

Aquarius smothered her own affectionate look as she endeavored to glare at her former pupil.

"Cheeky little twit. You've grown even more mischievous after associating with those good-for-nothing dragons for three months."

"Ah, I think you meant to state the opposite, my dear governess! After all, twas I who taught the Prince of Dragons himself a few new pranks…"

Aquarius groaned as Lucy laughed.

"But on a serious note…" Lucy reigned in her mirth, growing sober. "Has all been well during my absence? How has Laxus fared?"

"He did very well, little one. Just as you taught him."

Lucy exhaled in relief.

"And how fares my father? Did he ask any questions about my absence? Does he seem to suspect anything ... about my plans with Laxus?"

"That heathen fares well enough from the reports I've received from the war front. And nay, he asked not a question about your absence. How could he dare? When we informed him and his Generals that you were forced to take an extended vacation in the healing baths of Nardi, we made sure to emphasize that it was to treat the phantom pains in your back. He had no choice but to shut his traitorous mouth. As for suspecting your plans… so what if he does? He is in no position to thwart them! From the news I've received, even his own Generals are beginning to question his leadership in the war and out. They will probably welcome Laxus once he succeeds in his coup."

"Ah. That is a relief. And were the people fine during my absence? Were they well looked after? Were they happy with whom I appointed in my stead?"

"Everyone else is fine - and I've answered enough questions about the rest. The most important question here is… how do you fare, Lucy? Are you healed?"

The golden haired maiden smiled gently, wordlessly turning around and dropping the thick shawl balanced on her dainty shoulders. Aquarius studied her bare back for a few silent moments before voicing her opinion.

"Ah. Grandine has always been talented."

"Actually, most of this work was Wendy's, under her mother's guidance." Lucy replied loyally.

"Hmmm. She has inherited her mother's gift then. But it appears she has missed one scar?"

Lucy shook her head, wrapping the shawl around her back and shoulders once more.

"Nay. I asked her to leave that one behind. She has removed all the shrapnel that was embedded in my body, but I wished for the scar of the very first strike to remain."

Aquarius frowned, her tone stern as she addressed the young Princess.

"Like a grotesque trophy?"

Lucy gazed back courageously, her eyes lit with the fire of her spirit.

"Nay, dear Lady Aquarius. As a badge of honor. It is a tribute to all those who have endured suffering under my father's rule…"

Aquarius' look transformed into one of soft concern.

"Oh child, you've suffered so much for others already, even more than you've admitted to us, I know. And you still have so many trials to face in the future…" Aquarius sighed. "Well, enough of that! I approached you today for a far more serious purpose than idle chitchat. You must be caught up on the affairs of the kingdom, and the onerous task of doing that has been relegated to me by your bratty cousin."

Aquarius rolled her eyes as Lucy giggled.

"I will get the worst news out of the way first. Sir Cancer, Lady Libra and Lord Sagittarius have passed on."

Lucy gasped, a tear escaping her unbidden.

"Wha-what? But they were fine last I saw them!"

Aquarius leveled a stern, no-nonsense look at the young woman. "They did not die of natural means, brat - they were killed! Libra and Cancer were participating in the city's flower festival whilst Sagittarius was their escort and guard. They saw a band of ruffians attempting to harm a mage child and intervened. Unfortunately, they were overpowered by those brutes and murdered. The child escaped."

Lucy's tears fell freely.

"Their sacrifice was not in vain then…"

"Nay. Do not shed tears, brat, you know by now that their passing was inevitable! They have returned to the Celestial realm, and they have rejoined Pisces, Gemini and Capricorn…"

"It happened so fast." Lucy breathed, her eyes wide and worried. "All three gone at once…"

"The Progression draws to a close, Lucy." Aquarius said, her mouth set in a grim line. "We Celestial spirits will have to return home very soon if we are to be prepared for the final stage."

"I do not wish you to go. I will miss all of you. Especially you, Aquarius."

Aquarius eyes softened as she took in Lucy's forlorn expression.

"Don't count me out so quickly, brat. My exit will have to be spectacular indeed, so heaven only knows when I'll be able to arrange it." Aquarius offered her former pupil a jaunty smirk, which the young woman hesitantly returned.

"Can I interrupt this wicked love fest?"

A deep masculine voice spoke up from the chambers doorway. There, leaning against the jamb, stood Scorpio, his eyes glittering with joy as he took in the vision of his beloved water spirit.

Aquarius instantly melted into a puddle under his heated gaze, figurative hearts in her eyes as she cooed a response.

"Oh, my love! You are always welcome! What are you doing here?"

"Came ta see ya, and our lovely Princess." The bronzed man grinned, his attention shifting to the young maiden by her side. "Got some news for ya, Lucy."

Lucy smiled.

"Oh? Please do tell, Lord Scorpio."

"Your grandfather said he and Laxus are not gonna make it to dinner tonight."

Her face fell slightly, but her smile did not disappear.

"Oh? Really? He sent you here just for that? He normally does make a point of having dinner with us when he is in town, but he has never been so formal about it. How… odd. Did he say anything else?"

Scorpio chuckled awkwardly.

"Err… he tried to. He made a joke about his old bones falling apart by the time he makes it to Hearthrow, but the soldiers standing next to him glared something awful before he could really get to the punchline."

Lucy paled.

"Are you sure he said Hearthrow?"

"Uh. Yea, pretty sure."

"And he was surrounded by soldiers when he asked you to pass on this message to me."

Scorpio raised a brow.

"Err… yes."

"His own soldiers, or those of my father's army?"

Scorpio's eyes widened, astonished by her perceptive question.

"Hmmm. They were definitely not from his contingent. His own men would never have treated him as callously as those bunch were treating him."

Aquarius looked between the pair, frowning at her lover's thoughtful expression and Lucy's worried one.

"What are you getting at, brat?" She addressed Lucy.

"I-I'm not sure… it's only a suspicion… did you see Laxus on your way here?"

Scorpio sighed.

"I tried to. Taurus and I took the job that you gave us to be his bodyguards seriously, ya know. But his new bodyguard turned us away at the door."

"Did you know the new bodyguards?"

"… No."

Lucy whirled around to face Aquarius, her face paling further.

"What is my schedule for today, Aquarius?"

"You have to travel to the town of Merta, about a morning's journey from here, to negotiate a truce between two rival factions."

"And when must I leave?"

"Within a quarter of an hour."

Lucy wrung her hands, worrying her lower lip.

"Oh no… that gives me hardly any time to go to Alagesia and come back…"

Aquarius cocked her head curiously.

"Why would you need to go there again? Haven't you just returned from there?"

"I-I have a bad feeling about all that has just transpired, and I need to talk to Freed and the others. B-but I suppose that will just have to wait."

Aquarius let out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head as she smothered her fond smile.

"No. Just go now, you brat. I'll go to Merta in your stead."

"Oh! Will you really? Thank you, Lady Aquarius!"

Lucy hugged her ex-governess, as the majestic lady patted her back awkwardly in return.

"Hmph. Hurry up and leave, Lucy, and try to stay out of sight for the rest of the day - those nosy courtiers will give us both hell if they know I've gone in your stead. I'd prefer to keep them in the dark until I reach Merta and have a chance to pummel those ridiculous humans for their insipid dispute."

Lucy giggled.

"Of course, my friend. Take care. And thank you!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You are worrying about nothing, dear Princess. I'm touched that you came all this way out of concern, but I'm afraid it was unnecessary. I trust both Laxus and Makarov will be able to handle any military situation they may face, just as I believe Makarov would have had more clear means to convey a warning had he felt it necessary."

Lucy pouted.

"But Freed…"

"Do you know if Master was angry or worried when he conveyed his 'secret' message to Scorpio?" Mirajane queried gently.

"Well… No… But then again, he might have had to act for the enemy…"

"Is Hearthrow a dangerous place?" Igneel questioned in his booming voice.

"... No. Not quite."

"Is there something about the place that bothers you, Lucy?" Grandine asked, her voice soft and concerned.

Lucy sighed. "Not exactly. It was the place of one of Grandpapa's successes, in fact, but it just makes me uneasy to know he has been called back there. That, combined with the circumspect way he left…"

"He was escorted to his destination by soldiers neither you, nor Scorpio recognized." Evergreen interrupted. "Could not they have been soldiers of Hearthrow?"

Lucy groaned, refusing to answer, instead regarding the occupants of the breakfast table beseechingly.

On her left sat Freed and his sister, Evergreen. Next to Evergreen were Elfman, Mirajane and Lisanna, all chatting pleasantly amongst themselves - only occasionally paying attention to the topic Lucy had introduced. Igneel, Grandine and Wendy and a few of the other dragons sat across the table, occasionally voicing their thoughts on the matter, whilst Natsu - the most silent occupant of the table - sat on her right, listening carefully to her conversation with the elves.

"Is the journey particularly treacherous?" Wendy queried softly.

"Nay." Lucy shook her head, the hint of a smile curving her lips. "In fact, the more I think about my suspicions, the sillier they seem. You are all right. I am being paranoid… and spoiling your lovely breakfast in the process!"

Freed laughed. "Not at all, Princess! We're thrilled to have you here, no matter your ulterior motive."

"Yes, Lucy." Wendy interjected timidly, "You do not need a reason to drop in for a visit to Alagesia! We always love hosting you."

Lucy laughed gaily, daintily finishing her scone.

"And I love being here! Now that you've all assuaged my fears, and fed me this scrumptious breakfast, I best be heading back to Pergrande! Yukino and I have much unpacking to do, after all…"

Sting perked up at the mention of his bonded's name.

"Give her my love, Lucy!"

"Of course!"

With another friendly wave, Lucy exited the chamber - her cheerful expression fading the moment her back was turned to the room. She wandered down the familiar halls slowly, lost in her thoughts, and so oblivious to her surroundings that she did not see the muscular arm before it reached out and grabbed her around the waist.

"EEEEEEK!"

"Oye, don't scream, Luce! Tis only I!"

Lucy sighed as she let herself be dragged into a small chamber, her dragon best friend closing the door with a click the moment the pair were alone in the room. He leaned against the door, arms folded across his broad chest, as he looked down into her chocolate brown eyes.

"You're still nervous about something, Luce. Maybe your acting skills had everyone else in that room fooled, but I'm not convinced. Now, tell me what's on your mind."

Lucy smiled wryly, "I never could quite get away with lying to you, could I? Very well, but… I don't know where to start…"

Natsu placed his hands on her shoulders, giving them a friendly squeeze.

"I've always found starting at the beginning is a decent way…"

Lucy rolled her eyes whilst Natsu let out a deep chuckle.

"Brilliant plan," She deadpanned, "And since I have no other, I suppose it will do."

She slipped out from under his grasp, gracefully seating herself upon the only divan in the room. She patted the open space on the couch next to her, looking up at her dragon friend expectantly. Natsu took a moment to absorb the scene. The way the morning sunlight streamed through the open balcony lit up her golden hair, her eyes now fully sparkling with happiness and looking up into his with trust and adoration. His breath caught in his throat, and it was in a half dazed state that he found himself walking forward and taking a seat on the couch, his knees brushing hers as he turned to face her.

"Speak." His voice was a low rumble, causing a pleasant shiver down the maiden's spine.

"My apprehension is not just about the manner in which my grandfather and cousin were summoned," She began, still a little breathless from her handsome friend's close proximity, "As you know, the little town they have been summoned to protect concerns me as well."

Natsu raised a brow. "Do they have formidable foes there?"

"No…" Lucy hesitated, "Not quite. In fact my grandfather is regarded a hero there… ugh, I've digressed. I suppose I should begin with the story of my grandfather and that town, and why he is a common colonel instead of a higher ranking official. As you can guess, they are connected."

Natsu just nodded, waiting for her to proceed.

"Grandpapa Makarov was appointed the Colonel of the 10th division of the Eastern troops soon after my other grandfather - his majesty, King Leonard, passed away. My father made the appointment, but it was apparent from the start that he was unhappy with Grandpapa's outspoken and righteous attitude. Around the time I turned five, father began to face financial troubles in the war. It was at that time that he began to turn even more ruthless than he had been previously. He encouraged our nobles back home to raise funds, weapons, and warriors by hook or crook, and there were far too many in my dreadful court who were more than happy to oblige him…" Lucy sighed, mindlessly tracing the scaly patterns on the back of Natsu's hand, as the dragon in question shivered in delight at the casual yet sensual touch, "Grandpapa did not remain quiet. He was very vocal in his opposition, and he actively thwarted as many of the crooked schemes the courtiers conjured as he could. One especially dangerous scheme was the one planned for the town of Hearthrow. The Lord who owned the land, Lord Griswald, wanted to convert the town's cotton manufacturing industry into a weapons factory, based on a recent discovery of rich ore deposits in the southern part of town. The people vehemently opposed it - they even offered to open the weapons factory alongside their cotton building, but the Lord was adamant about destroying the existing structure before building the new." Lucy's face darkened, her gaze turning hard as she gazed into Natsu's green orbs, "He had an ulterior motive. There was a rich deposit of Luminaire underneath the cotton gin, and that was his true goal. When Grandpapa found out about his exterior purpose, it was enough to make him snap. He immediately ordered the Lord to return the land to its people and invoked a military right to enforce his command. Furious, the Lord approached my father directly, complaining about Grandpapa's 'interference'. I-I do not know if he also told father about the luminaire, but whatever he said affected father enough for him to issue a verdict of permission overriding Grandpapa's command. The next day, Lord Griswald attempted to destroy the cotton factory on the strength of the King's order. But he was no match for Grandpapa's legion. His battalion was destroyed, and he himself placed under arrest. My father tried to oppose but he had lost the support of the people, and many of the nobles, therefore. He was forced to grudgingly apologize to Grandpapa and the people of Heathrow or risk a civil war. Since that incident, however, father has never allowed Grandpapa to progress in the army, nor has he permitted Grandpapa to be given as much respect and power as his experience and lineage earns. Grandpapa does not fight it, for he fears the repercussions such insubordination could have upon his own men, as well as Laxus and I. Since that day, he has never again openly opposed father. Instead, he has done what he could from the shadows. In return, my father has turned a blind eye to him but has continued more aggressively down his tyrannical path."

Natsu frowned.

"So you fear your father has an elaborate plan of revenge planned that centers on the town of Hearthrow?"

Lucy pouted.

"When you express it that way, it does sound silly, I'll admit. But I just have this gut feeling that something is amiss… I can't quite describe it, Natsu, but their sudden deployment fills me with dread…"

"Then I trust you. To put your mind at ease, I will personally drop in to check on them in Hearthrow during my tour of the eastern dragon provinces tonight."

Lucy blinked, her breath catching as she stared at him in disbelief.

"Really? You would go out of your way just for my silly intuition?"

"It is not silly intuition, Luce. You are a skilled and shrewd ruler - you could not have gotten this far without trusting your instincts. If it bothers you so much, then there is undoubtedly something there."

With a delighted squeal, Lucy launched herself at Natsu, her slender arms twining around his neck as her lips met his in what she meant to be a chaste, friendly peck.

Natsu froze.

The sensation of her plush, soft lips pressing against his only lasted for a second before she pulled back. But the Dragon Prince had no intention of letting her escape.

One hand of his came up to twine in her hair, as the other pressed into the small of her back, drawing her in closer. He pressed his lips against hers, moving them against hers hungrily - like a starving man being given a delicacy. Lucy let out a startled gasp giving him the chance to sneak his tongue between her lips. He tasted her, his tongue coaxing hers to respond in kind, his experience in sexual acts more than making up for Lucy's shy awkwardness. She instinctively shifted her hands from the back of his neck to his soft pink locks, tugging on his hair and stroking his horns. With a growl, he angled his head to deepen the kiss further as Lucy let loose a soft moan - the intimacy of their actions igniting a fire in her veins. Her heart swelled with joy and longing. She let herself go, finally giving in to the passion she had long felt for her best friend, her entire body reacting to his kiss as she wrapped herself around him as best as she could.

Knock knock

Lucy threw herself away from Natsu, only succeeding because he had loosened his grip and drawn away from their embrace to glare at the door in rage and disgust.

"Who the fuck is disturbing us now?!"

He had her in his arms! Her glorious fucking body pressed against his, responding to him, yearning for him almost as much as he yearned for her. Whichever fool had dared to interrupt that would pay dearly.

The being on the other side of the door wisely chose not to reveal their identity.

"P-pardon me, your highness. But their majesties King Igneel and Queen Grandine requested us of the staff to find you - you are needed back in the breakfast hall."

As Natsu heard the receding steps of the servant as he hastily scurried away, the fire dragon Prince closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to will himself into a calmer state. A soft hand on his cheek caused his eyes to shoot open, revealing the heartwarming sight of a pair of chocolate eyes gazing back into his with warm affection.

"I-I must leave now…"

"What?!" Natsu gasped, his hand trapping hers before she could pull away again. "Lucy, wait a moment! We have to talk! There's something important I have to tell you…"

"Later." The young woman replied, her soft, loving expression giving him hope. "We will talk soon. I promise."

With a chaste peck on his cheek, Lucy hurried out of the chamber, leaving behind the dragon man in a confused state of elation, impatience and longing.