I was there. When you took off with your horse, I was there. You had the biggest smile on your face as you savored the pleasant feeling when the wind brushed past your hair. You rode your horse even faster as you were out of the castle ground. Were you afraid that the knight might notice you and follow you?

I was there, looking at you from the distance as you gazed at the castle. I was wondering what was on your mind. Because you looked as if you were going to cry. But you didn't.

I was there when he approached you, when he talked to you, when he hugged you.

I was there.

But I could only watch.

A Tale from Thelua

[17] chivalry

Today was the day – the celebration party. While Lucy was never a big fan of parties, she couldn't help but forcing herself to attend. After all, it was a party held for her own knight's homecoming and both the king and the queen had invited the nobles from all over the land of Thelua along with their knight. It was impossible for her not to make any appearance, especially because the excitement about her marriage with Natsu had yet to subside.

Jousting became the reason why the king and the queen invited the knights. The best knights from all over Thelua gathered today for one purpose; taking the Flower Knight title from the current one. The sole purpose seemed to spark excitement among the knights. It was obvious because Lucy could feel the almost a tense atmosphere around the gathering knights and the noblemen seemed to be expecting as well. Of course, the knights of the castle sent him – Zeref.

Seated along with the other noble ladies, Lucy was quick to secure her seat next to Levy in the first row and away from the Duchess of Livre. And from that seat, she could spot Natsu along with the other noblemen across the ladies' seat. He was talking with the man next to him while Levy's husband sat behind him. Maybe the decision to sit with other nobles was right, after all.

The horn was blown, and the event started. Lucy had anticipated the appearance of Zeref, preparing herself to feign interest on the event even as she did small talk with Levy.

"I wonder when will our first prince makes his turn," whispered Levy as they watched the match between the knight from Hedgings and Friol. "The knight Gajeel sent was beyond honored to be able to meet him."

"I'm not sure," Lucy replied. "It will be a long match for him. He wouldn't give up on the title, after all." She didn't like how it turned out; it felt like she knew him well. She hoped Levy didn't notice it.

"Have you met him? I heard that most ladies here are rooting for him rather than their own knights."

"Why?"

"Prince Zeref has his own fans. He rarely smiles, but that's the charm. The ladies here are drawn to him simply by it," Levy giggled. "And I can't deny it either."

Huh?

"He always wears a serious expression, rarely talks to the ladies," Levy continued on, "and he even refused the dance offer from one of the ladies. While it was quite rude, the lady wasn't put to shame and she was more eager to win his heart."

Lucy nodded, silently taking the information that was new to her in mind. Zeref rarely smiled. She didn't know that. Because he smiled back then, to Wendy in that field. He smiled at her.

Even back on those days, he always smiled at me. Why?

That thought was interrupted by the hushed noise coming from the ladies around her. Lucy studied the field beneath her. On the west side was a knight with a brown-coated horse. He had won the previous three matches if memory served her right. A knight from Westwend. But it seemed that he wasn't what made the ladies sparked up. Lucy glanced to the east, and riding a white horse was him. Zeref.

Fluttering on his back was the red mantle and he rode toward the ladies. The ladies were back on their best behavior, Lucy observed, and as he approached the seat, they wore a polite smile on their faces, some had blush while the other barely suppressed a giggle. It seemed what Levy had told her was true.

Jousting was a new thing for her. Back in Feliose, they never had this included in the welcoming party. It was only after Natsu told her that there would be jousting on the welcoming party that Lucy finally familiarized herself with it by reading a book about it. At least it appeared that she knew about it. But she didn't know why Zeref was riding in the direction of the ladies' seat, and while she recounted what she read about jousting yesterday, she tried avoiding his gaze.

But then, he stopped in front of her with his spear tilted in her direction.

"Princess," his deep voice was muffled by the helmet, "your blessing if you will."

Lucy wasn't sure about what he meant by blessing. The book didn't specifically say anything about blessing, but she did read that sometimes a lady would tie her handkerchief or ribbon on the knight's spear if asked. She didn't find any relevancy between jousting and tying her ribbon to the spear, but she knew she had to do something with it before the ladies' glare intensified. She untied the blue ribbon that secured her hair, letting it fall to her back as she couldn't remember where she placed her handkerchief.

"Be careful," she said, tying the ribbon around the edge of the spear, "and I wish you good luck."

There was a gleam in his eyes, and Lucy could easily guess its meaning. Maybe the other ladies didn't realize it, but, hidden behind the helmet, the man was smiling. And it was the same smile that he gave her on the other day. And, once again, only she who realized it.

When the horn was once again blown, the match started with both sides charging, and despite Lucy's slight worry about Zeref losing his title, he ended the match quickly with him being the victor. Gentle applause came from the ladies and she couldn't help but feel relieved.

The joust ended with him being the victor, ultimately defending his title. And while Lucy was chatting with Levy, discussing the fact that the ladies were actually debating to get the honor to give Zeref the winning prize, a corolla landed softly on top of her head. Levy was beyond shocked and Lucy was confused.

"A corolla," Levy whispered, "is meant to be given to the knight's dearest person."

Lucy blinked. "But we barely know each other."

"I can safely assume that it means Prince Zeref welcomes you as his sister-in-law, Your Highness," Levy sighed. "But then, I noticed it."

"What?"

"The green ribbon tied on the back of his helmet. It means that the wearer has a lady he likes."

Lucy was called before she could respond to Levy, but that one last statement was repeated over and over in her head.

Zeref was the first prince of Thelua, a brother of Natsu and Wendy, the most renowned knight of the kingdom, someone who had given up his right to the throne. Lucy couldn't understand the motive behind his action and she didn't want to believe that what Levy said to her was true. Lucy didn't want to read too much into it.

He is just accepting me as his sister-in-law.

With that thought, she pushed all the thoughts to the back of her head and then she wondered why she was called. Now, Lucy wondered if the smile she displayed was good and if she was speaking clearly. Zeref was standing in front of her with the helmet he previously wore in the match in his hands and a flock of ladies standing behind her. In her hands was a small brooch made from blue sapphire that sat on white silk. It seemed that no one told her that she was the one who had the honor to give him the winning prize.

"Congratulations, Prince Zeref. It was an amazing game," she said, handing the brooch before she walked away, thanking the other ladies for swarming around him so she could get away quickly.

"Princess."

Lucy stopped in her track. An impassive expression once again took over her when she heard his voice. She turned around, a smile had graced her face now. "Yes?"

"Will you give me the honor to have the first dance with you at tonight's dance party?"

Lucy stared at him. Her eyes met his momentarily before it saw the flowing green ribbon tied to his helmet. Levy's statement returned to her head, and Lucy struggled to keep the smile on. Zeref rarely smiled, but now, he smiled at her. Zeref never danced as Levy had said, but now, he asked for a dance from her. Zeref left her, but now, he was there, standing only a few meters away from her.

"I wasn't aware that… we aren't like how we used to be."

"A corolla is meant to be given to the knight's dearest person."

"It means that the wearer has a lady he likes."

"Congratulation on your marriage, Lucy."

The memory of his figure and Levy's words returned, and in the midst of it, Lucy could only muster a small reply accompanied by a smile that threatened to falter.

"Certainly."

Lucy curtsied, and walked away, leaving the man with the ladies who surrounded him asking him for a dance as well. She needed to go away. She needed a quiet place, an empty place.

A sister. He sees me as a sister. He must be. He… he should be.

Natsu.

She wanted to see him now.

i'm sorry for not updating sooner!