Crystalline tears…

Fall from her eyes.

Trembling lips, broken sobs, aching heart. She screams a silent scream. Fragile hands gripping me tight, searching my beating heart, catching my heat. Golden hair covers her face, brown eyes hide behind the lids.

Look at me.

Look at me.

Lucy.

A Tale from Thelua

[19] secret

She had been staring, far into the distant horizon where the sky met the orange roof of the city houses, and it still felt like the time ticked slowly. Time was merciless to her today. It went like a blur this noon, but it refused to slide now. She stared at the reflection in the window as it grew more visible, as the sun disappeared, and the night took over. Her husband was sleeping soundly on the bed, facing her side with an arm stretched to take her portion of the bed within his grasp.

She had filled the empty space before, her back against his chest and his arms around her waist. But she woke up a couple of hours ago and she had been staring at the houses since then. Her mind had wandered to all the things that happened today. The jousting, the corolla, the dance offer, the overwhelming confusion.

She had tried to convince herself that their reunion wouldn't affect her and that she should ignore the gnawing tug in her chest. Meeting Zeref was just natural; he was the first prince, he was Natsu's elder brother. Whether he or she wanted it or not, their reunion was inevitable. It was just that both he and she had to act as if it was their first time meeting each other. It was what best for them.

It was clear that what he had for her was affection, and it had always been like that since the first time they meet in that forest on the border of Feliose and Thelua. What surprised her was the fact that it had stayed the same in him, even after the passing years.

She would be lying if she didn't have anything toward him. But she knew better than to dwell in it. After all, the peace between Feliose and Thelua couldn't be guaranteed back then.

Forgetting him was somewhat easy, yet it was harder to diminish the longing. Throwing away her feelings came next. Thus, when he stood in front of her, all memories of him that she thought had long gone returned and they filled her head.

No. It never happened.

That simple sentence was the only shield she had against the pouring memory, to withstand the mixed feelings, to cope. She had been repeating it over and over – the same mantra she chanted to herself for years until eventually, she forgot them.

She could repeat it. She could bear with it for the second time. She had wished it would be the same as before; no one knew except him and her, not even Wendy or her personal maid.

But now Natsu knew.

Lucy walked to the bed and sat on the edge of the bed near Natsu's sleeping body. The man had been sleeping soundly and she wondered if he hadn't gotten any proper sleep lately. Her hand brushed the soft locks that fell to his sleeping eyes as he slept on his side. He stirred and turned to sleep on his back.

Natsu… it seemed like he could always find her, even after she thought there would be no one who could find her in the garden. At least none of the guests would come there and the maids rarely pass the corridor leading there. She thought it was the perfect place to be alone, to relax. But the more she tried to relax, the more she tried to forget what happened before she came there, the more it frustrated her. Before she knew it, her cheek was wet. Before she knew it, Natsu was there. Before she knew it, she was already engulfed in his embrace.

"Is it him? Brother?"

He knew something. But she knew Natsu left the audience seat before the match between Zeref and the knight from Westwend. Thus, Natsu shouldn't have known about the blessing, the corolla, and the dance.

She didn't want him to know, but she knew better than hiding it from him.

Her hand brushed back the hair on his forehead and kissed him there. "Natsu, wake up."

Onyx eyes revealed, still filled with drowsiness, but he didn't look as tired as before. She smiled, retracting her hand, and greeted him, "Good morning."

"Lucy?" He pushed himself to sit, glancing at the window. "What time is it?"

"An hour before the party started," she stood, walking to the closet and opened it. "We should get ready."

There were a rustle and the sound of his footsteps. He was standing behind her, a hand on her shoulder, pulling it slightly. "You don't have to do it if you don't want to," he whispered.

"You knew," she said simply. Her hand stopped moving, resting on a dress with the color of emerald. "It's fine. I'll manage. Thank you, Natsu."

She felt his grip on her shoulder tightened, and she gasped when he suddenly pulled her, turning her over. "Lucy, brother is–"

"I know," she cut him, giving him a small smile. "I know, Natsu. I am aware of his affection. That's why I'm going to ignore it."

Lucy watched as his expression changed from surprise to worry. "He will not stay silent."

"But I have you."

His eyes widened.

"And I trust you," she continued. "Now, try not to lose to your brother, will you?"

"Lucy, I'm serious."

"Natsu, I'm trying." Her smile vanished. Her hand gripped the sides of her dress, crumpling it as she bit her lips. "Don't you trust me?"

It was harder than she thought. Convincing him that it was nothing to her was harder than she had imagined. He must be worried that it would create a disgrace and put shame to the royal family, but Lucy knew better than making it true. And Zeref, as much as she didn't want to rely on him, she knew he wasn't unreasonable. He wouldn't dare to create more scenes, especially after what he did this morning.

Natsu's grip on her shoulder weakened and there was a sigh from him. "Fine," he said finally.

She smiled. "Thank you, Natsu," Lucy said, kissing his cheek. "I promise I'll tell you after the party ends."

He took her hand, kissing it on the back, smiling a bit as he did so. "Of course."

The man grabbed his suit, pushing his fingers through his hair to remove his bed hair and left the room. Her three maids along with Wendy entered afterward. Looking from the way Wendy frowned, Lucy could guess that it had reached the young lady's ears. And not only Wendy, she thought as she noticed the tense expression on her maids.

She said nothing to the blue-haired girl as she sat on the edge of the bed. Lucy let Millie donned the silk dress of red in the favor of the knight's red color characteristic. Aside from the tense expression, they weren't as chipper as they usually did. It brought a gloomy atmosphere around them, and Lucy couldn't help but notice that they were waiting for her to talk first.

"So," Lucy started as she sat before the mirror, watching Agne brushing her hair, "can I take it that you four ladies have already heard a certain rumor about me and the first prince?"

She felt the hand that brushed her hair stopped for a moment and saw the rest of the ladies flinched. Wendy's eyebrows knitted, and she puffed her cheek. "I don't understand," Wendy said, breaking the long silence.

"You don't have to, Wendy."

"No! I mean this is a very serious matter! How can you be so calm about it, sister?"

"It's just a rumor, Wendy, not a fact. I can easily ignore it. What makes it different from the one rumor about the Prince of Pemberna?"

Wendy fell into a stagnant silence, fiddling with the hem of her dress as she thought over about it. "Well, yes, they don't have much difference, but I'm afraid that it will affect the other noble's view about you, sis."

"Their view wouldn't change drastically just because of this, and besides," Lucy's eyes met Wendy through the reflection on the mirror, "I have both you and Natsu."

"My lady…"

Lucy glanced at Millie, who stood next to her, carrying a tray filled with jewelry. "What is it, Millie?"

The grip on the tray tightened. "Pardon my forwardness, but… His Highness is… Prince Zeref is already betrothed."

Brown eyes blinked slowly. "Betrothed?"

To whom?

"I've never heard anything about this," Wendy murmured, seemed to be surprised as well. "Is what you said true?"

There was an underlying demand of 'tell me everything you know' in Wendy's tone. The tray the maid held was trembling as she paled. "M-My lady–"

"Calm down, Millie," Lucy said. "You're going to drop the tray. Don't worry, even if it's just a rumor, I'd like to hear what you know about it."

The maid took a couple of deep breaths, calming herself. The color of her face was returning. She said, "It is what I heard a few months ago from Lady Emma. She said that not only our second prince who is betrothed but also our first prince."

"My nanny?" Wendy questioned; confusion clearly displayed on her face. "But she never told me anything about that even after I returned here!"

"Indeed, my lady, for it is supposed to be a secret," the maid said, placing the diadem on her head gently. "His Majesty only announced the betrothal of Prince Natsu to Princess Lucy as it is should be known for both Thelua and Feliose."

Lucy nodded, fully taking in the information into consideration. The king only announced their marriage, but not Zeref's. What suspicious was the fact that they made it unannounced. No one knew about it aside from the royal family and the other family whose daughter got betrothed with Zeref.

Did Natsu know about this?

As if on cue, the door was knocked as it opened and Natsu entered the room. He closed the door behind him and leaned into it, watching Lucy as she stood and Wendy standing next to her. His gaze fixed to her hidden feet. "You wear those shoes again," he remarked, smiling a little. "Shall we practice a dance before we go?"

Lucy laughed, remembering the same situation she had on the first day of their marriage celebration party. "I think I already get the hang of it."

Natsu extended his hand, offering it to her. "Shall we go, then?"

"Of course," she said, taking his hand and held it.

Before they left, Lucy spared a glance at the three maids hiding in the bathroom. As they noticed her leaving, they waved at her and she mouthed a 'thank you' to them accompanied with a smile. Wendy was walking on her left, taking her left hand while silently matching her pace.

When they arrived at the stairs that led to the hall, Lucy almost staggered as she saw the familiar figure who stood near it. He was there, and Lucy felt the squeeze Wendy gave to her hand. It was alright. Nothing was wrong with him standing there. Zeref was also a member of the royal family, she reminded herself. It wasn't strange for him to be there.

He had a small smile on his face, giving the serene air around him, one that he only capable of showing when fewer people around. "Good evening, Natsu, Wendy," he greeted his siblings, paused, and then looked at her, "Lucy."

"Good evening, brother," Natsu greeted back first; not too soon or too late. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the hall already?"

"I'm waiting for our sister," he replied, looking at Wendy, "to escort her."

Wendy blinked. "I-I'm honored, elder brother," she quickly responded properly. "It has been a while, why don't we dance?"

Unconsciously, Lucy gripped Natsu's hand tighter, anticipating the other man's reply. She managed to sigh inwardly when he affirmed Wendy's offer with a natural nod. The blue-haired young lady took Zeref's hand and they descended the stairs first, leaving Lucy and Natsu as they wait for them to reach the bottom.

There was a cheer coming from the guest. Lucy took the moment to whisper at Natsu. "Don't leave me alone with him."

"I won't. Why?"

She gave him a worried look.

"Just a hunch."