Being beautiful wasn't my choice. Men swooned at my glance, and bowed in my presence. Wendy said it was the privilege of being beautiful. I thought it was all because of my title, but Wendy said even a woman had no title, if she was beautiful, then that was all she needed.

Being a princess was my destiny. I was born in Feliose, my father was the king, and my late mother was the queen. I had no sibling. Thus, every moment, I worry about being the successor of my father. Thus, I studied diligently. Wendy said that men disliked smart woman. But for me, my people were all I think. I didn't need anything more than the happiness of my country and its people.

But, then, Wendy said to me, "There is just one other thing that every woman wants, sister. Something that even a beautiful woman and a smart woman want it, too."

"It can't be created by oneself, nor can it be stolen from another."

When I asked her what was it, Wendy only smiled at me and told me to figure it out myself.

A Tale from Thelua

[5] faithful

Lucy threw her gaze somewhere else when her eyes met Natsu's as they danced. She was still unable to shake the thought of her kicked someone in her sleep. Usually, and mostly, she slept like a log. So, to think that she moved around as she slept last night, even reaching a point where she kicked him, must be caused by something. Like nervousness, for example, or anxiety.

Of course, she couldn't say such thing to him as an excuse. She didn't get the chance because she spent a good twenty minutes hiding inside the blanket and hoping if there was any hole she could crawl in to hide even more. If only, if only, she wasn't the guest of honor, then she had already skipped the celebration party to stay in her room or seek Wendy for comfort.

Speaking of Wendy, she had yet to see her today. Or at least not from where she was.

"Miss Lucy, congratulation on your wedding," said a lady – Marchioness Anna – as she danced past her. "I can already feel the eyes of jealousy aimed towards you from the other ladies, but fear not."

Indeed, it wasn't as if she wasn't feeling it – the sharp stare of envy from a group of ladies – because she simply ignored it. The ladies could gossip for all they wanted, but she had to make sure that she played the role as a happy bride perfectly. She knew she had to greet them properly after the dance ended.

"My lord, you should be happy," said Marchioness Anna as she danced with Natsu. "Your bride has gained more popularity as she is beautiful. I heard she has several fans already, coming from the knights of Thelua."

"Well, of course," added Marques Dion, who danced with Lucy. "What kind of gentleman would not notice a blossoming flower? Prince Natsu is very lucky, for his knights are becoming more loyal."

Being beautiful had its own privilege, as told by Wendy, and she would be lying if she didn't care about looks. Natsu was handsome, even more handsome than the portrait had shown her. But that wasn't all about it. Even if he wasn't handsome, she would still have to marry him. Because Natsu was the prince of Thelua and she was the princess of Feliose. However much she wanted, Lucy knew she couldn't change the fact that this was a political marriage. Happiness almost sounded like a faraway dream, but not something impossible.

Perhaps, aside having its own privilege, being beautiful could bring one or two troubles. Like now, for example, she had to accept a dance request that came from the prince of Pemberna. While it was not polite to refuse such an innocent request, she was more concerned about her feet. Her feet, and the chance of embarrassing herself by tripping.

And then, there was also this rumor about the prince of Pemberna pursuing her. She didn't know if Natsu knew about this rumor, but she would be adding fuel into the fire if she accepted the request. On the other hand, she knew another rumor would arise if she refused him. Her only hope was Natsu.

But the music started as she found herself escorted back into the line. Natsu was nowhere to be found. The eyes of the guest were all on her. Focus, smile, dance.

Her left hand was linked with the prince, who gave her a bright smile. Unfortunately for him, she spared him no glance as she concentrated with the dance steps. One step forward, two steps backwards, one step forward, one step backward, and turn. Only when her hand squeezed, then, she glanced at him. She flashed a polite smile to the prince before glancing back to the crowds. The eyes of the guest were still upon her. The group of ladies stole glances at her. It wasn't surprising if she woke up tomorrow to hear another rumor about her and the prince. However, it's not my fault if Natsu's affected by the rumor.

The time passed as a blur when she danced and now Lucy found herself sitting beneath an arch with flowering wisteria. Her shoes were left somewhere in the corridor before she made her turn to the garden. No one would see it. No one would come here. She was finally left alone with her sore feet and rumbling stomach.

The music played gently in the distance and she was glad that she managed to escape from the prince. She should grab something as she made her run, but God knew how tortured her feet were as the prince never once did letting her hand go and they kept dancing for two more rounds. At this point, she didn't care if another rumor would spread, but, then again, she should have refused it in the first place.

The rumor, as far as she concerned, was true. But now that she was married, she thought that he would recede. Things could get serious, and as much as she didn't want to concern herself with it, she knew things could become sour between Thelua and Pemberna if this continued. Even if the two countries had countless cooperated business, if the prince was on the move, then it all could become meaningless. Natsu should be aware of it.

"Is it alright for the guest of honor to leave the party?"

Lucy tore her gaze from her feet to a man standing in the entranceway, holding a pair of heeled shoes. The man approached her, placing the shoes next to her feet and sat on the ground while leaning into the empty spot of marble bench next to her. He stared at her, then, resting a hand on the bench and propping his chin on it. His face was impassive, just like how he stared at her last night, just as how he kissed her hand last night.

"I could say the same to you," she said. Lucy would have smirking if she wasn't completely exhausted. "Natsu, I don't really like parties."

"Neither do I," he sighed. "Though, you seem like having a good time with your dance partner."

"Jealous?"

"No," Natsu replied. "Rather, I should be thanking him for keeping my wife entertained."

"Of course. Your wife here has the talent of keeping up the good attitude, after all."

"Why?"

"Because, my lord, there are people who might use me to start rumors about you, and the ladies are not going to pass the chance to get closer to you once we look like estranged."

"I can't take any concubine, then?"

"As long as she's not prettier than me."

She heard him laughing. "You do value looks."

"A beautiful woman has her own privilege, Natsu. Naturally, I don't want her to be more special than me."

"Noted," he replied absently. His finger touched her long hair, playing with it, and tucked a flower there. "What?" he asked, glancing at her when she touched his hand. The golden ring glistened as the sunlight fell on it and Lucy gazed at the ring on their finger for a long time.

"I regard our marriage as a good fortune, so," she murmured, "I will be faithful to you."

I will be faithful.