The Lost Heir
Summary: Novali and Laxus' first encounter isn't a good one… She literally crashes into him with a tray full of hot tea and cake, which makes Laxus furious since he has to leave for work. Novali then meets him again when she goes out to have a drink with her best friend Vivian at Fairy Tail, the local bar-which much to Novali's utter shock, the bartender is none other Laxus. After going home that night, both are surprised to find out that they live in the same apartment complex. After a few more incidents, they start getting closer and bump into each other more often. Soon Laxus asks Novali out on a date, not taking no for an answer. But on their way to the restaurant they get attacked by men in black suits. They're cornered when they try to get back to their apartment, but get saved by Freed, the butler of the Dreyar Royal Family. How will they both react when they learn Laxus is actually Prince Viktor Reyson Dreyar the lost heir of the Ikazuchiryū Kingdom?
Translations:
Japanese
Gensoryū – Elemental Dragon
Ikazuchiryū – Lightning Dragon
Chapter Six – How to be a Royal
I groaned as the sound of birds chirping and sunlight spilling into the room from a gap in the curtain woke me from my slumber. I pushed myself up a little and looked around in a daze.
'This isn't my bedroom… Where am I…?' I thought, moving so that I was sitting on the edge of the four poster canopy bed that had silk blankets and soft down pillows.
I looked around at the lavishly decorated room in confusion.
'Am I still dreaming? It's like I'm in a castle…' I suddenly jolted into full awareness. 'Oh! Wait a minute! I actually am in a castle!'
I ran over to the curtains, yanked them and the doors open and stepped out onto the balcony. Squinting against the bright sun, I saw the Thunder Palace's gorgeous white rose garden below me. I smiled, breathing in the fragrance of my favorite flower and headed back inside the room, leaving the balcony doors open.
Just as I sit back down on the bed and was wondering what to do, I heard a knock on the door.
"Lady Novali, do you mind if I come in?" A woman's voice asked.
I looked down at the modest silk night gown that was lent to me, but still wished I had a robe to put on over it.
"U-Uh… G-Go ahead." I stammered.
A maid with long, curly light brown hair and brown eyes stepped inside the room, closing the door behind her. She smiled a bit and curtsied to me.
"Good morning." She greeted, "My name is Evergreen. You may call me Ever, if you'd like. I'll be your personal maid during your stay here. I've brought you something to wear for today."
She held up a pretty indigo summer dress that had a thin shiny silver belt and shiny silver ballet flats. She even had a matching indigo headband for my hair. Though they were simple and pretty, I could tell they were made with expensive materials, which made me nervous to wear them.
"Oh, thank you." I smiled weakly.
"You are most welcome." She said, "Please change into these, and I will take you to the dining room."
"Uh, okay…" I said. "But, um, Ever? You don't have to be so polite with me. You can just call me Novali."
Evergreen looked frowned.
"Oh no, I couldn't possibly do that." She denied, and then continued with a bit of a scowl, "Freed would scold me if I spoke plainly to either of the honored guests he personally welcomed into the castle last night."
"I see…" I murmured.
'That's right… Laxus and I came to the Ikazuchiryū Kingdom yesterday.' I thought, 'I was told I should stay here for my safety and to support Laxus.'
"So, Freed is your boss?" I asked, as I took the dress and shoes from her and walked behind the changing curtain.
"Yes. He is a compassionate man and so dedicated to the royal family." Evergreen spoke kindly. "He was so heartbroken at the young prince's death… They were very close."
"I see… I'm sorry to hear that." I said, remembering that Laxus being the true crown prince was still a secret.
I quickly changed into the dress and shoes and let Evergreen do my hair into a pretty French braid before she slipped the headband on as the finishing touch.
…
"Lady Novali has arrived." Evergreen announced as we stepped into the dining hall.
I looked around and saw Laxus already seated and eating at the table.
"Good morning." I greeted him with a smile, as I sat down next to him.
"Uh, yeah… Morning." He said in between mouthfuls of food.
Evergreen dished up a plate for me and then stood back against the wall next to a man dressed as a rather strange knight. He held a helmet with a feather decoration in his hands, so his dark red eyes and unruly blue and black hair were visible to see.
I took a dainty bite and smiled at the sweet and tart fluffiness that could only be blueberry pancakes drenched in buttery maple syrup.
"Did you sleep well?" I asked, as I cut another small bite. "A lot happened yesterday."
"Yeah, I did, surprisingly." He answered, "I thought I might not be able to, but I actually fell asleep right away. How about you? Did you get enough sleep?"
"Yes. I fell fast asleep instantly." I replied, taking a sip of some apple juice. "The bed was soft and so comfortable."
Laxus grinned, "Ha! You do seem like the type who'd be able to sleep just about anywhere." He said, teasingly.
"Jeez! What do you mean by that?" I huffed.
We continued eating and bantering playfully. After another minute, the knightly dressed man approached me.
"Excuse me, Lady Novali. My name is Bickslow." He introduced himself, "Would you like some eggs, or something else to add to your pancakes?"
"Oh, um, yes. Some eggs whites sound good…if you don't mind?" I answered. "And…if it's not too much trouble, may I have another glass of apple juice?"
"Can I have more orange juice, sausage and toast as well?" Laxus asked.
"Of course. I'll see to your orders right away." He smiled pleasantly, and bowed, before leaving the room.
Bickslow and Evergreen had been waiting patiently by the wall the whole time. Both of them were paying the utmost attention to everything we did.
"This is better service than both a five star hotel and restaurant." I mumbled, "It's kind of making me nervous…"
"It is weird to be watched by people while we eat…" He agreed, frowning. "Maybe I should do something about it."
"Well… You are their prince, after all." I said quietly. "If you said you'd like them to leave, they'd probably leave."
"Do they even know that I'm their prince?" Laxus looked at me pointedly. "Didn't Freed say something about only a handful of people knowing who I really am?"
"Oh, that's right." I said.
As we were whispering to each other, the door to the room opened. But instead of Bickslow coming in with our orders, it was Freed who entered.
"You may leave now, Ever." Freed ordered, "And let Bickslow know to knock before coming in with their order."
"At once." Evergreen spoke, and left promptly.
Freed shut the door behind her and came over to use.
"Good morning Lady Novali, Your Highness." He greeted us. "How is your hand, Lady Novali?"
"It's still a bit sore, but it doesn't bother me too much." I replied, though I winced when I flexed my fingers around the fork and smiled sheepishly.
"Hmm. I shall see to your injury later on then." Freed said, "We have some salve that will heal that up rather quickly without leaving a scar."
"Oh, thank you so much! That would be great!" I said happily.
"Of course. Now, is the food to your liking?" He asked.
"Y-Yes, it's wonderful." I suddenly stammered.
But Laxus sighed.
"The foods' great and all, but what she meant to say is that we're not used to eating in such style." He said bluntly. "I don't know about her, but I usually just have coffee in the morning. Alone."
Freed doesn't seem perturbed, but his mouth softened in amusement.
"It's good to eat a lot of nutritional food first thing in the day." He said, "Now, regarding your appointments today…"
WHAM!
I shrieked in surprise when Freed thumped the thick he'd been holding on the table in front of Laxus, who jumped, startled.
"What's this…?" He frowned.
"This is your royal training that you'll be undertaking from today on." Freed explained, "These documents outline the ten day program."
"Royal training can be completed in ten days?!" I exclaimed.
"That's right." He answered and looked at Laxus, "I'm afraid since you were brought up in a commoner's household, you have not acquired the correct manners and culture that a proper prince should have."
"Actually, my household was even poorer than the average family." Laxus murmured.
"Before you step out in public, and before you start acting as the heir to the throne, I'd like you to study these." Freed said, "This file contains information on the customs of the royal family as well as the etiquette and historical information of the Ikazuchiryū Kingdom and it's royals. You shall also learn dance, tennis, and so on."
Laxus looked awkward and hesitant.
"I know that I need to acquire knowledge." He said slowly, "But surely there's no need to learn dancing and table manners? My role is to manage the country's political affairs…"
"No. Dealing with internal affairs is not a royal's only job." Freed corrected, "You'll be mixing with other countries' royals, and deepening ties with them. And also creating relationships so that they will help if something happens again. Diplomacy is also an important part of your role. And for that, you need a minimum grasp of proper manners…"
Laxus grimaced.
"But… That is quite a lot to learn. Are you sure it can all be done in ten days?" I asked, concerned.
"I have received information that Viktor is an extremely talented person." Freed nodded, "He is always at the top of his classes, and he excels in sport too. There's nothing he can't do."
"Well, I suppose, but…" Laxus trailed off.
"For someone as smart as you, I'm sure this will be a piece of cake." Freed said confidently.
"Wha…?" Laxus' eyes widened, but then he gave us a fearless grin. "Heh. Now that you've said that to me, I guess I have no choice but to prove you right."
"Excellent." Freed nodded.
"However. There is one condition." Laxus said, suddenly serious.
"What is it?" Freed asked.
"I want to keep my first name as Laxus. I'm fine with using Dreyar as my last name, but Laxus stays or no dice." Laxus said.
"Uh… That's…" Freed stammered in surprise.
"I spoke to Novali about this yesterday too." Laxus said.
I smiled and nodded quietly.
"Even if my real name is Viktor Reyson Dreyar… I have lived as Laxus." Laxus stated firmly, "I want to keep that as my first name. I will be Laxus Reyson Dreyar, or I could be known as Laxus Viktor Dreyer. As long as Laxus stays my first name, I'm fine with changing the other two names."
"I see… Laxus Viktor Dreyar it shall be then." Freed said, "But to me, you will always be Prince Viktor. However I will honor your feelings."
Freed's eyes swim in tears, but he smiles all the same.
"Alright. I shall arrange things so that Laxus Viktor Dreyar is your official name." He said.
"Laxus! That's great!" I cheered for him.
"Yeah." He smiled back at me.
"But I also have one thing to ask of you." Freed suddenly cut in.
"What is it?" Laxus asked.
"Please don't speak so politely to me." He requested, "Speak to me as you would anyone else."
"Oh, um…" Laxus hesitated.
"You are my master, Laxus." Freed said determinedly, "I might be younger than you, but I've been looking out for you since we were children… I'd just like you to not think of me as some stranger you've just met, but as your friend, as family."
"I understand." Laxus said, "From now on I'll think of you as a second sibling."
"Thank you." Freed smiled happily.
"Jeez, and I thought Cana was one sibling too many." He teased.
I giggled, "You sure are a well-loved brother." I said. "I'm almost jealous."
Laxus blushed and made a face at me, causing me to giggle again.
"Well, then, Viktor-I mean Laxus. I'd like to start your royal training right away." Freed stated. "First… We'll start with table manners."
He pulled a retractable cane out of his pocket. He extended it out to its full length and then slapped in onto his palm.
"Kya…!" I squeaked at the sharp cracking sound.
"Laxus, I tolerated it earlier, but… Please put only bite-sized pieces of food onto your fork, like Lady Novali does, and do not gnaw at your food." Freed ordered.
"That's how you're supposed to do it? But…" He looked helplessly at his food.
I giggled again, "Cut it into smaller pieces with your knife." I explained.
Laxus scowled at me. "It's kinda annoying to have you ordering me around as well…" He muttered.
"Also, Lady Novali…" Freed started on me. "When you rest your knife or fork on the knife rest, the fork goes on the left with the knife on the right, blade facing inwards."
"O-Oh. I had no idea." I said, fixing the utensils.
"Don't worry. You can learn now." Freed said.
"Wha… Me too?!" I exclaimed. "But I'm not a princess!"
"Who would have guess that one?" Laxus snickered.
I elbowed him harshly in the ribs and we started bickering, but two sharp warning cracks on the backs of our chairs from Freed's cane had us both sitting straight, silent and attentive.
"Yes, it will encourage Prince Laxus more to have a partner in his training." Freed explain, "Now then. Neither one of you will be getting any mercy from me! So pay attention!"
…
From then on I ended up joining Laxus in his royal training.
'But I still can't go back to Gensoryū, what with the mafia knowing I'm one of Laxus' friends… They won't make going home easy.' I thought.
Freed handled my cousins for me, telling them that I came to the Thunder Palace as a pastry chef at the special request of the Dreyar royal family, and so I would be staying in Ikazuchiryū for some time.
'I hate lying to them, but… I've rather have it this way than have the mafia coming to the shop guns blazing…' I thought with a sigh.
Right now I was in the room that was Laxus' office. We were listening to Freed lecture about Ikazuchiryū's history.
"…and the cause of the financial crisis one hundred years ago-" Freed spoke, but was interrupted.
"I know that too." Laxus said, in a bored tone. "The guild, Blue Skull, that was running one of the towns tried to control everything everywhere. They chased profits aggressively and forced outrageous tax prices upon the townsfolk. The ones who responded to the crisis were Mavis Vermillion, Warrod Sequen, Precht Gaebolg, and the former king, Yuri Dreyar, who, at the time, was still a prince."
"Well, it doesn't seem like you need me to teach you about Ikazuchiryū's history." Freed said, impressed.
"Jeez, did I already tell you that to begin with?" Laxus groaned.
'This is really just a recap for him…' I thought.
"By the way, Lady Novali." Freed spoke up. "Do you know the name of the king at that time?"
"Huh, me…?" I asked with wide eyes.
"Hurry and answer." Laxus teased, "It should be easy. I did say his name just a moment ago."
"I-It was…King Yuri?" I asked more than stated.
"Correct." Freed said, and I sighed in relief.
…
After that the royal training continued… Laxus struggled a bit with the manners and etiquette part. But he excelled at the academics and already mastered the sports.
'He really is excellent at both spots and studying…' I thought as I took the strawberry and vanilla marble cheesecake out of the oven.
I was in the palace's kitchens as I thought back on the past few days. I had been participating in the royal training too, but I was starting to fall behind Laxus… Right now I was taking a break. I had gotten permission to use the kitchen to my heart's content, so there I was, stress baking to clear my head.
'What else should I make…?' I thought.
I gazed vacantly out of the window when I suddenly see Laxus astride a horse.
'Wow…! He can ride a horse too, huh?' I thought.
"Amazing…" I murmured out loud. "Hmm… Oh! That's it!"
Suddenly, I get an idea of what to bake and am absorbed in my preparations.
…
"Lady Novali? Lady Novali?!" Freed called out to me.
"…Yes?" I answer as I take the baking pans from the oven and set them on the hot pads on the counter.
"Ooh, the kitchen smells wonderful." Freed said, "And look at all these sweets!"
"Hi, Freed! Ah… This is stress baking at its finest." I giggled sheepishly, "The brownies just now came out of the oven."
"I see." He smiled. "If you wouldn't mind, would you come and join Laxus for his next bit of royal training?"
"S-Sure… I guess I'm at a good stopping point. But I feel…" I hesitated.
"What's on your mind, my lady?" Freed asked gently.
"…I kind of feel like I'm holding him back…" I murmured.
"I don't think you are in the slightest. If anything you're encouraging him to keep going and to do better." Freed said honestly. "But whether or not you believe me, he'll need you for this lesson."
"Alright then. Thank you, Freed." I smiled, "Um… About the brownies… I'd like us all to eat these together, once they've cooled."
"Of course." Freed nodded, "I'll have someone prepare them."
…
Freed had me change into another dress and high heels before he brought me into the ball room…which Laxus happened to be standing in the middle of with a grumpy frown on his face wearing a nice suit and polished dress shoes.
"What's the matter…?" I asked in surprise, taking in his appearance and sulky posture.
I hurried over to him in concern.
"To think that there's something I can't master…" He muttered, as soon as I stood in front of him.
"What is it?" I asked.
But when he refused to speak anymore, I turned to Freed. He smiled, even as his eyebrows furrowed in consternation.
"Dancing is a little different than sports." He said.
"Dancing…?" I repeated.
"We were using a maid as his partner, but they didn't really…click." He explained further. "And so that's why I called for you, Lady Novali."
"But I've never danced before either!" I said incredulously.
"I think if I danced with Novali I'd probably get worse…" Laxus sighed.
"Hey! That's mean!" I snapped, and pinched him arm. Hard.
"Ow!" He yelped.
We glared at each other until Freed cleared his throat.
"I thought you would be less nervous if you danced with a partner of your own level and someone whom you are more familiar with." He explained. "Okay now. Laxus put your left hand on Lady Novali's waist, Lady Novali your left hand needs to rest on his shoulder… Good! Now place your palm on top of his. Keep your posture straight. Lady Novali step closer to Laxus… Closer… Closer."
Freed sighed and pushed me none-too-gently on the back until Laxus and I were very close together.
"U-Um…" I stammered.
'We're so close…!' I yelped mentally.
My heart started to beat wildly at seeing his face mere inches from mine.
"Well, I guess I have no choice…" He murmured.
Although he still looked grumpy, he tightened his grip on me.
"Just follow my lead." He told me.
Unable to calm myself, I answered without thinking first.
"B-But…" I stammered again. "I-I thought you couldn't dance very well yourself…"
Laxus gave me an irritated look.
"What?" He asked.
"Be silent, both of you." Freed commanded. "Now Laxus will take the lead. Lady Novali, you must follow his steps and move along in time."
Then music started to play…and chaos began.
"Ow! Laxus… That was my foot…!" I complained, as he stepped on it.
"You're the one who put your foot out just as I was stepping forward." He huffed.
"I did not…!" I snapped. "Don't you dare make it out like it was only my fault! You had no idea where our feet where, Laxus!"
"Ugh… You…" He sighed, and chewed his lip.
Suddenly we heard the sound of someone chuckling.
"That's…" I trailed off, having recognized the voice.
Laxus let go of me so I could turn around. Five people stood in near the entrance to the ball room.
"It's been a while since I've visited Ikazuchiryū." Natsu grinned. "And no sooner do I get here when I'm greeted by this hilarious sight! What were you trying to do?"
"Natsu, be nice…!" Wendy scolded.
"Looks like some kind of comedy scene…" Rogue said nonchalantly.
"You say that, but you're actually not much better at dancing, ya know?" Sting teased.
"Well, I'm better than that…" Rogue muttered.
"Viktor." Erza greeted, "No, it's Laxus now, and Novali, it's good to see you."
"Hello, everyone." I greeted with a smile, even though I was confused.
'What are they doing here…?' I wondered.
A/N: I AM SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING SOONER! Life has hit and knocked me down pretty hard, but I'm finally standing up and getting my butt in gear. I will also try to get the next chapter of Bittersweet Love up as soon as I can. PLEASE read AND MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A REVIEW! I CRAVE THEM! Haha!