"Who is this Gray Fullbuster?" I said, turning around to face Natsu. He just shrugged before saying nonchalantly,

"An old friend who lives around here." He did not offer any more information to quell my curiosity.

"Oh." I sighed, a slight pang in my chest forming.

"So, why did you run away?" Levy said, linking her arm with mine. I hesitated, looking for Natsu, but he was too busy leading the group to notice. I took a deep breath, thinking about what I should tell her.

"My father wanted me to marry a man I had never met and didn't love, and I wanted more for myself. So I left." Levy's jaw was on the floor and she had stopped us momentarily in her shock.

"Wow. They have arranged marriages in high class family as well? I thought it was just the royalty?"

"Yea, I guess so," I said, smiling gingerly, starting us up again so we would catch up with the others.

Juvia and Gajeel were talking animatedly with each other. Gajeel said something that made Juvia gasp and shove his arm playfully. Gajeel roared in laughter, picking her up and swinging her around.

I looked at Levy. If she felt anything about it, no such emotion showed in her face, but I wondered if Juvia and Gajeel's relationship was what made the couple bicker so much. I diverted my attention back to the path ahead, then an almighty wave of nausea hit. Before I could register what was happening, I puked, narrowly missing my shoes, and was fortunate enough not to step in it. Levy had jumped back a few metres and was now rushing back to my side. Someone was rubbing my back, and when I composed myself, Natsu's hand was on my forehead and checking me over. He gave me a look and I nodded in response, just the baby.

Everyone else was asking me questions, but I paid them no attention. Natsu took my hand, leading my around my vomit and on my way again. He muttered something to the group, probably telling them not to worry, before picking me up in his arms, where I soon drifted to sleep.

It turned out Natsu's friend Gray lived a good distance away, which Natsu had failed to mention before, and by nightfall we still hadn't arrived so we had no choice but to camp out. The last inn we had passed had been a few miles away, and none of us had the energy to walk back just to have a semi-soft bed for the night.

Natsu and Gajeel argued about which was the best way to make a fire, but soon enough I was warming my hands by a small blaze. Juvia came and sat next to me, offering a small smile in greeting. I smiled back, but returned my focus again on my hands.

"You hungry?" I looked back at Juvia and she had a pie in her hands, I nodded eagerly and she offered it to me, before producing one of her own. I gently warmed it by the fire before taking a bite. Flavour filled my mouth. The pastry was the perfect mix of soft and crunchy, the filling, some kind if meat and vegetable, was not too salty and melted in my mouth. I looked to Juvia in delight and she smiled.

"It's Juvia's father's recipe, he's really good at baking. He gave them to Juvia before we left, for the journey." Juvia was looking mournfully down at her pie. I instantly regretted taking one from her, but also was not willing to let something so delicious out of my grasp.

"Your father was at the Inn?"

She nodded. "Yes, he owns it." Well that explained her room. "Juvia doesn't think she will be able to forgive herself for leaving?"

"How come? I barely know you and I could tell you wanted to leave?"

"My father, he uses a wheeled chair to get around and Juvia normally looks after him. Now Juvia is not there, he will have to do it all himself."

"Is there no one else who could help him? How about your mother, or any siblings?"

"No. Juvia's mother left when she was very young and Juvia has no siblings. Only Gajeel."

"How long have you known him?" I asked, taking another bite from my pie.

"Since we were children. We grew up together and he is Juvia's only friend."

"Not anymore," I smiled, taking her hand in mine. Juvia smiled back before gazing off into the fire. "So Gajeel, do you like him?"

Juvia looked like I had thrown cold water over her. "No, no, no, no, no, Juvia most definitely does not. Yuck. He is a brother to Juvia. No way."

"Ah, ok," I laughed, taking another bite, and she laughed back, shaking her head in disbelief. "But your father, I am sure he would not have encouraged you to go if he didn't think he could look after himself."

Juvia stopped laughing. "I suppose."

"I am sure he is going to be ok." I rubbed her arm in what I hoped was comfort and she smiled, finally taking a bite out of her pie.

"And may I introduce, King Rogue Cheney of Alconia!"

The Prince was stood to the side of his father's throne as the young King entered. In all his travelling, he had never had the chance to meet him, though he had heard rumours of the King's attractiveness, though no story could prepare him to meet the man who walked in.

He stood slightly taller than the prince himself, and carried himself, not with swagger, but with purpose and grace. His black hair reached the nape of his neck, and his long fringe was tucked behind an ear. His face was soft, cheekbones high and his eyes, forbidding yet kind.

The moment he saw him, warmth bloomed in his chest, a feeling he was unfamiliar with. He had taken many lovers in his life, but none had made him feel so weak and fragile under their gaze, or caused an aching in his heart, not between his legs.

"I am pleased to finally meet you, your Majesty's" The king said, bowing deeply and flicking his arms out to the side in a dramatic fashion. When he rose, his gaze was on the Prince.

"And we you, King Rogue. I am sorry that your betrothed could not be here to greet you, but I have been informed that she is locked up in her rooms with an acute illness." Pronounced the Prince's father.

"I hope nothing too serious, my Lord?"

"No, no. Just a minor thing, she should be up to seeing you by the end of the week."

"I wish her well and look forward to our meeting." The young King bowed again, less deeply.

"Now, my plan was to have my daughter show you around the castle, but as that is not possible, my son, Prince Sting, will do it instead." The prince's eyes shot wide in shock, and he gasped. The young King returned his gaze to the prince and smiled in a way that made a tingle go down Sting's spine.

"Of course, Father." The Prince sputtered, bowing, before making his way down the dais towards King Rogue. Sting bowed again, this time to the young king, and said. "Shall we start now your Majesty?"

"That would be delightful."

Prince Sting led King Rogue out of the Throne Room, avoiding eye contact as much as he could. When the doors were safely closed behind them Rogue said, "So, where to first?" winking one eye at the Prince.

Sting tried to swallow the feelings that were starting to bubble and remain calm, to no avail. "To the kitchens, this way."

"Ok." Rogue smirked, "lead the way."

Throughout the tour, Sting was sure he felt King Rogue staring at his behind, but every time he snuck a look behind his shoulder, the young King had deftly looked away.

Sting ended the tour at the chambers where the King would be staying, until his marriage. Where his sister would finally belong to the King, body and soul. That is, if she was ever found.

He had ordered anybody who knew of the Princess's disappearance to keep it a secret from the King for a while and to inform him that she was too ill to greet her new husband. All awhile he sent a secret team of guards to scour the city for any sign of his sister. He knew that if the King knew he would throw a fit, and probably order many people to their deaths for letting someone take her. The last being his sister, for her defiance against him.

He just hoped they were able to find her before it was too late and the King grew suspicious. He could distract this young King for a while, hopefully quelling his suspicions, even if it took every ounce of his self-control and will not to fall for him himself.

"And these are your chambers for your time here." Sting opened the door to the spacious rooms. The door opened to a living space, with low couches and tables, as well as bookcases full of books to entertain him. To the left, there was a door that lead to the King's sleeping quarters, and to the right, a door that lead to a closet and bathing space, where his belongings had already been placed.

"Oh, yes. These will do," The young king said, taking a step into his rooms. Sting gave a small smile, before nodding and turning to leave. "Where are you going?" His voice cutting through the Prince.

"I am leaving you to rest before the banquet this evening, your highness."

"No, please stay. Join me for some tea. And maybe you could tell me a bit more about your sister?" Sting could have sworn King Rogue seemed almost desperate, but shook it off as wishful thinking.

"Of course, Your Majesty," The prince said, bowing his head, and told a passing servant to bring them a few refreshments. When the tea and cakes arrived, both men were sat on one of the low couches in the middle of the room. A respectable distance between them. The servant bowed fully, and when she rose, her eyes lingered a little too longly on Sting before she departed.

"You are quite popular in the castle I see," Rogue said, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, your highness?"

"That girl, she couldn't take her eyes off of you. She was practically drooling all over these wonderful cakes she brought us."

"I guess so," Sting chuckled, and motioned for the king to take a cup of tea.

"Yet, you have not looked for a permanent partner yet?" The king sat forward, pouring a drink from the pot of steaming tea. Sting watched his every movement.

"Uuh, no, I have not. I guess I have not given it much thought to be honest."

"Wouldn't you like that? Someone to kiss you tenderly and to always be there for you at night. That one person, who is just for you." Rogue now had one arm on the back of the couch and was leaning back leisurely, one leg crossed over the other, and was eyeing Sting in such away it made him slightly uncomfortable.

"I suppose that sounds nice, I don't think I've ever been kissed tenderly. Are you excited to have that with my sister?"

"I guess," Rogue said, with a small teasing tone, and took a drink from the cup in his hand.

"How are you feeling about having an arranged marriage? Wouldn't you rather be with someone you loved?" Sting unexpectedly was nervous to ask this question. It was a stupid useless question for someone like them. Royalty get almost anything but to choose who they marry.

"Well, I'm a little nervous to be honest. I don't think I will be the husband she deserves, and I don't want to make her unhappy. If I could choose, I'd rather dedicate my life to someone I love, and I know who loves me, and can put up with my bullshit." Rogue chuckled, but there was something softer in his voice than there had been before. "But, you know as much as me, that is just not an option for people like us. Especially with Balton preparing for certain war, we need any alliance we can get. Therefore, when I heard your father was looking for an alliance, I said yes, no matter if I originally wanted to marry for love. Being King you'd think I'd get to choose my own fate, but war hungry mongrels prove otherwise"

Sting nodded sombrely, "True." After a few moments of silence he continued, "Anyway, you wanted to know more about my sister, what would you like to know?"

"I don't know, what is she like?"

"Well, you have your work cut in, to be honest she is a handful. But also very beautiful and strong spirited. If you do something wrong, she will definitely tell you about it, but when she loves something, nothing will stand in her way of getting what she wants."

"What about you? How are you when you love something?" The young King had at some point drawn closer to the prince, and he was quite taken aback at how close in proximity they now were.

"Umm, uh, well," Sting stammered, "I guess I want to protect them. And do what I can for them."

"Very valiant and princely of you," Rogue smiled, drawing even more closer.

"I suppose." Sting wanted to pull away, to stand up and walk out of the room. That would have been the good thing to do. This man is his sister's betrothed, he shouldn't get between them. It would only complicate things. Even if his sister's heart surely belonged to another. But something, like a song in his blood, drew him like a bee to a flower to the young king. He could feel Rogue's breathe on his lips, and before he knew what was happening, the King's lips were on his own. Soft and tender, the king explored his mouth with his, before gently pulling away.

"A boy like you should be kissed tenderly far more often." Rogue smirked and Sting's heart skipped a beat.