As far as I remember, I have never fallen in love. I don't have any first love, and I don't have time to daydream such thing. My childhood, mostly, filled with lectures and etiquette lessons on how to become a proper lady. In between those classes, I was reading. History, philosophy, economy, politics.
The first novel I read was Estelle and Jules. A romance novel that was given by a cousin of my age. I couldn't understand most of it back then. I had to re-read it several times before it finally sunk into my head. There were relationships, devotion, and love. Love was a foreign term for me. I thought that whoever write this must have experienced a great love before.
As I got older, the idea of love had yet crossed my mind. But, somehow, I yearned.
A Tale from Thelua
[10] favorite color
There was an uncomfortable feeling came from the blue-haired author as Lucy came face to face with the Duchess of Livre. The duchess congratulated Levy and took a quick look at the sleeping baby in the crib. When their eyes met, Lucy gave her a polite smile which the other lady returned with one.
"Again, congratulation to you and Count Gajeel, Lady Levy," the duchess said. "And I believe it's my first time seeing Princess Lucy myself. You are more beautiful than what I heard from my husband."
"Thank you so much for coming, Lady Lisanna," Levy replied to her. "And yes, our princess is indeed very beautiful."
"I hope I don't become the topic of this party. I would feel bad if I did, Lady Levy," Lucy said, and Levy laughed. "Ah, Lady Lisanna, I believe I didn't see you at the celebration party."
"I was feeling under the weather lately," the duchess smiled. "Also, I couldn't find the invitation, so I sent you the present instead. I hope you like the present I gave you, princess."
Lucy immediately thought of the blue satin dress. "Of course. The dress is very beautiful. Even Natsu said so."
"Indeed. Blue is Natsu's favorite color, after all."
Hm?
First name basis, Lucy noticed. Aside from the king and queen, the people who called him by his first name was only herself, his personal knight, Gray, and the count. Never had she heard back in the celebration party where he was addressed casually as such. It was either using the honorific of 'my lord' or using his title of prince.
Why?
"Oh my, I always thought it was red," was Lucy's quick reply.
The duchess merely smiled and excused herself, and Lucy fought the stare coming from Levy. Her mind traced back to the day where she was opening the marriage presents with the help of Natsu. The present from the duchess came in the form of a red box with a golden ribbon. When she saw it, she thought the dress was beautiful, but Natsu only glanced at it and made no comment at all. If not the dress, he was more focused on the congratulatory card that came with it.
Lisanna. Lisanna Beumann, the Duchess of Livre. She was the current wife of the duke of Livre, Arsene Laxus Beumann. As far as her memory and the history of the Dragneel family served her, there was no one in the branch family who was named Lisanna. She wasn't mentioned in any other families either.
Lucy's mind raked every piece of information, but only had questions appeared in her mind. How did she know Natsu? Were they close? Close enough for her to tell his favorite color?
She didn't like how this would lead. But questions were popping in her mind and there was no way stopping it. It was impossible that Natsu not be acquainted with her as she held the title of the Duchess of Livre. She held the position of the closest and highest-ranking peers of the king, after all. Even for someone as socially insensitive as Natsu would have known her politic-wise. But for her to know such personal preference was weird. The Natsu that she knew would rather watch the crowds of the party rather than conversing with anyone, much less to a woman.
Or was it just her?
"Lady Levy, I'm afraid that we have to return early."
It was Natsu's voice that broke her reverie as she turned and saw him standing by her seat. Beside him was the count who visibly looked annoyed. He sighed, then. "I'm sorry, Natsu."
This surprised Lucy. What is the apology for?
"Oh my, I hope the party doesn't bore you," Levy offered an apologetic smile.
Lucy shook her head. "Of course not, Lady Levy. Natsu has too much paperwork than he can handle. I'm sure he just wants to finish them by the end of this day."
"Then, I will writetor you, Your Majesty."
She smiled. The idea of exchanging letter wasn't bad, and it didn't seem like her husband opposed to this. Levy hugged her before she went and whispered, 'He is upset' which she returned with 'I know, thank you, Lady Levy'. The two walked out of the castle and greeted by Gray who waited near the carriage.
Natsu was upset. She could tell that much even if he put up a neutral expression. It became clearer as soon as the carriage started moving. He faced the window all the time, watching as the scenery passed without so much as glancing to her side. She wasn't sure if she wanted to know the reason, but it felt like it was something that couldn't be avoided. Something that she preferred to stay not knowing but couldn't help knowing.
And then, there was the description that Levy told her. The Duchess of Livre, Lisanna Beumann, fitted the description perfectly. Could it be…
"It's not the paperwork, right?" she said, breaking the silence. "Something is bothering you, Natsu."
He made a grunted noise. "It's nothing."
"Someone," she whispered. "You are bothered by someone."
Please…
When he didn't answer her, she continued. "I think we are thinking of the same person, Natsu. The rule is that if I guessed it right, then you will tell me about it. I'm not taking no for answer."
She studied his side profile. He had his eyes closed and lips shut tightly. There was a long silence before he finally nodded and opened his eyes. Something told her that he didn't want to talk about this subject. Something in his eyes expressed it. There was something akin to sadness instead of anger. Lucy knew she wouldn't like the story one bit. Thus, she prayed she got the wrong name.
"The Duchess of Livre," her voice came in a small whisper, "Lisanna Beumann?"
When the pair of onyx eyes widened a bit, Lucy knew she got the correct name.
"Did Levy told you?" he asked.
"I met her when I was talking with Lady Levy." He suddenly turned to her. "And Lady Lisanna told me something."
He paused. A frown was apparent between his eyebrows. "What did she tell you?"
Lucy smiled thinly. "I always thought your favorite color is red," she told him gently, "but apparently it is blue."
There was a small pause before something sounded like a sigh came from him. Lucy didn't like how his expression told her. There was no smile, instead, there was a frown. But his eyes; it was smiling. It was as if he remembered something pleasant, something that only visible to his eyes.
She didn't like it.
Lucy stared at the scenery outside, absently murmuring, "I wonder who she is."
"A childhood friend."
Lucy didn't expect him to answer her, as she didn't direct the question at him on the first place. But there was something rather odd on his answer for her, something that didn't sit well. "Ah, is she?"
There was a pause. "She was."
And the conversation ended. Lucy let out a breath she didn't know was held. It felt like she was anticipating something. He turned back to the window, looking at whatever the scenery outside the carriage provided him and Lucy was lost in her thought.
As the carriage stopped and they arrived back at the palace, neither of them talked about anything. He was back to his study and she was back to their room, changing her dress without the help of her maids. She wanted to be alone. She needed to be alone. To think.
And the room suddenly felt stifling. Suddenly, she didn't want to be in her room, or anywhere with many decorations and furniture. She wanted to go somewhere with no people. Somewhere with open space so she could breathe easily. The watching tower on the west might be the best choice.
The top of the tower was barren, save it for several unlit torches and a wooden chair. It must be used by the knight on night duty to watch over the castle. The scenery before her was boring, but maybe it would be wonderful to see the stars once the night came. Lucy looked above her, to the sky and the drifting clouds. The blue sky and white clouds, however, reminded her to the duchess.
The duchess; she had a fair skin, a petite frame similar to Levy's, with short silvery hair and blue eyes. Blue, just like the sky. Blue, just like his favorite color.
Ah, I see.
It was now clicked. Indeed, childhood friends would know each other's favorite color. Red wasn't his favorite color. It was blue, just like the color of the sky. She had heard it before from Wendy that he used to train swords with his childhood friends and wouldn't return from the training ground only to gaze at the sky and the drifting clouds. But Lisanna's eyes were also blue. So, between the sky and the eyes of his childhood friend, which he liked it better?
It was evident. From how his eyes widened when she mentioned her name, from the way he frowned whilst his eyes pronounced the opposite, from the way he was upset at the party. To think again, there was melancholy in his voice, in the way he pronounced her relationship with him. When he did, it felt as though he was pronouncing another thing.
As much as Lucy hoped she never came to this stage, she couldn't undo or make herself forget it. And even if something stirred in her chest, she couldn't help but come into a conclusion.
Lisanna was his first love.
And men don't forget easily of their first love.
thank you so much for your support!
Taliatales, you guessed it right :D