Chapter 4

Lucy's POV

"Hello, Sir Dragneel." I greeted Natsu's father as always. It is a must for all ladies to greet the landlord of an estate.

"Lucy!" His eyes were shining like the great diamond itself. "How many times must this old man tell you before he dies? There is no need to greet your beloved Natsu's father!" Beside me I could see Natsu blush a deep red.

"Father, do you want to tell Lucy of the good news."

"Very well, both may follow me to the dining room. We shall talk it over supper." He left with us tailing beside him.

I clung to Natsu's arm and curiously asked, "Natsu, what might be this good news."

His eyes immediately darted to my face, "My beautiful Lucy, you'll be happy to hear it. Both you and I have waited this day for 10 years."

The meals came by, each carried by butlers of the manor. Among them like a natural, was Gray. Each dish was delicately placed in front of me. With table manners being of use, I cheerfully ate. With a cough, Igneel had started talking about this 'good news'.

"Lucy, I believe you like my Natsu, yes?"

I smiled warmly, "Why yes, of course." After that being said, Igneel had a satisfied look on.

"Natsu and I have discussed this matter, of course I greatly agreed with him." He smiled at me and nodded at Natsu. "From today this hour, my lady Lucy Heartfilia and My son Natsu Dragneel are engaged."

I couldn't talk, my eyes wouldn't blink. I was staring at the most rude manner at Igneel. "What about my father does he know about this?"

"I've sent a letter last week about this; he agreed not to tell you about it."

I looked at Natsu, and he was sitting there grinning like an idiot. I was so touched, this could be a dream. Tears poured from my eyes, Natsu knowing my happiness came to me and embraced me. He pulled me to his chest.

Natsu's POV

She was crying I knew how she felt. In this time and age, men and women didn't dare marry for love for it was foolish and mad to their elders. Finally, Lucy… Our hope to be together has come true.

"Lucy…" My father interrupted, I stood up straight being embarrassed even affront my own father, "It is time to head back to thy manor."

Sadly our day together had ended pretty fast. I sent Lucy off, after promising we'd see each other tomorrow. Gray came running out, "Natsu, my brother you doing okay with Lucy?" Again I knew this was just one of his million questions.

But as a friend I answered, "You know… I don't think I've ever been this happy before. The beautiful childhood friend that I've been in love in from first sight, we are to be wed."

I looked up at Gray; he had an odd look on, "Whatever seems to trouble you, ice princess?"

"Lord Dragneel, requests for your presence." He looked somewhat upset? But then brightened up immediately, "And just because winter may be hot to me, that does not give you the right to call me ice princess." He ran behind me to push me inside.

"Father…" I knocked on the door to hear a short response of 'come in', "What do you need of me at this hour?" He had his face buried into his palms; the aura around his was depressed and frustrated.

"Natsu, do not absolutely do not lose your temper after I say this." I remained calm as he said the dreaded words, "The Strauss family, their daughter Lisanna has forcefully been engaged to you."

"I must not have heard that properly?" I didn't want to believe this curse that had been placed upon me. I dropped to my knees, the shock was overwhelming.

"Their parents have forced her to marry you, she doesn't seem too happy either."

"What will I do?" Lucy… Is the only person I need to love, I promised to love only her, to marry only her, only Lucy.

"You have 14 days… 14 days to make her convince her parents to cancel the engagement." Hope rose within me.

"I… will be right back" I quickly said as I grabbed my nearest coat in my dad's table.

"Where do you plan to head at this hour young man?" I heard the yell of my father down the corridor. I looked back to see his figure standing in the corridor.

I yelled back and made sure my voice was audible, "I'm to head to the Heartfilia manor!" I ran out of the mansion, shouted for Gray to bring round the carriage. We were off; I was off to see Lucy. But how could I say this to her?

Thank you for reading this 4th chapter to 'Royal Promise'.

I decided the story had to change its course a bit early. Please… don't be mad from the sudden change in the story.

Again thanks! And please leave a review, and tell me how this chapter was?

~Cheryl