So I've actually been trying to upload this chapter for two days, but apparently FF is having some serious issues. (insert tons of curse words that I can't use because this fic is still rated T) Luckily, I think I've found a way around it for the time being.

I felt kind of bad leaving you all hanging with just a quick glimpse of Natsu's past, so I figured I'd go ahead and get the story rolling with Lucy.

As for some questions/comments I've received about the first chapter: YES! There is a reason and a story as to why and how Natsu has wings. Be patient, it's all coming. I've outlined pretty much every detail, and almost nothing in this story is without explanation. ^_^

ANYWHO, Enjoy, you beautiful, beautiful people.

"Lucy!"

"Hm?" Lucy turned her head towards the small old man, who was sitting cross-legged on top of the table in front of her. He didn't look pleased, but that wasn't anything new. His wrinkled face was almost always drawn in a contemplative frown, making his emotions hard to read. His faithful staff was tucked gently in the crook of one of his arms, which were crossed across his chest.

He sighed at her, a common occurrence, "I have been calling your name for almost five minutes. Where is your head today, girl?"

"Sorry, master," Lucy rested her chin on her hand, looking down at the handwritten notes she had in front of her. "Guess I'm just not into learning about how my family has maintained their status over this country today."

"Ah.." He sighed once again, his voice becoming as soft as he could make it, which, honestly, wasn't much different than his regular tone, "tonight is your ball, isn't it?"

"It's not 'my' ball! I didn't want it!" Lucy stood, walking over to the tall windows. She could see the gardens in their courtyard, the many servants tending to them, making sure they looked absolutely perfect. She could see the gates, sitting open invitingly, palace staff members entering and exiting with various things in their hands: vases, carts of food, baskets of ice and wine.

She didn't ask for any of this. Her father had. Well, he didn't ask for anything, either. He ordered it. As the King, it wasn't really part of your daily habits to ask for things.

"I just don't understand why I have to do this."

Her tutor was silent behind her, and she used his rare bout of silence to continue looking out the window. Beyond the courtyard, past the gates and over the many buildings of her town, she could see the bridge that led out of town. She always wondered what it would be like to cross it; to lean over the edge and look down at the naturally rushing water, knowing that you're neither in a town nor in the wilderness. And she wondered what it would feel like to cross all the way, to start on the path that led to who knows where, away from everything she's ever known.

Her father had never even let her in town.

"You're an adult now, Lucy. It's time for you to be introduced into the world."

"Then he should actually let me out into it!" She spun around to face the old man, who was, of course, still just sitting there. "I don't understand why I can't just leave. Why do I have to sit in this stupid room and this stupid palace and only look out of these stupid windows? Why do you have to come here to teach me about all the stupid things my father and my family has done for this stupid country? I don't care about any of that!" Lucy paced in front of the bookcases, which were full of books that she had already read. Their pages were filled with adventures, with love, with mythical creatures and powerful dragons.

"It's good to hear that you think of my lessons as stupid." She turned towards the old man, rolling her eyes.

"They're not stupid. I just don't know why you're content with teaching me all this boring stuff. You've been on so many adventures yourself, Master Makarov. Why don't you ever talk about them?"

The Master hopped off the table and strode over to the windows, staring at the scene below them as she had been. "I'm not sure those are the types of stories you'd like to hear, child."

Lucy ran over to him, excited that she had gotten him this close to the subject. "Are you kidding me!? You were a dragon slayer! You must have fantastic stories about them-"

"There is nothing fantastic about killing dragons, Lucy!" His voice thundered throughout the room, making her jump and effectively ending the conversation. She stared at floor, tired of continuously being shut down when all she wanted was a taste of the outside world. She heard her Master let out another of his trademark sighs.

"Your father mentioned that you had someone to meet today. I guess we should cut our time short today so that you can prepare."

Lucy snorted under her breath. "I'm sure it's just another of his 'important' contacts."

She bowed to her teacher, then exited the room, leaving him to stare out the window. Walking down the halls towards her father's study, she passed many of the palace staff as they hustled past her, placing vases with newly picked flowers throughout the hall, dusting the curtains that were open over the massive windows, polishing the wooden benches that were placed in the halls.

As she reached her destination, she paused in front of the door, waiting for a servant to introduce her to her father. Such stupid traditions. It was her father, and yet she was required to wait to be "called upon", like she was some kind of dog. Finally, after waiting for several minutes, the servant opened the door and ushered her inside.

Her father was standing in front of his desk, chatting politely with two men. Well, chatting with one man. The other looked as if he were sulking, his arms crossed across his chest as he stared out the window behind the desk. Lucy started forward, noticing that the man sulking had to be her age. His hair was black, with an almost blue tint, and long enough to fall into his deep blue eyes. His eyebrows were pulled down over his eyes, and he obviously had no shame in letting his frown show. His clothes suggested that he was from a kingdom to the north; his suit jacket was long and ivory in color, trimmed in deep blues, his pants a dark green, which were tucked into what looked like modest black boots.

His outfit suggested he didn't give a crap about looking formal, but his father looked like he played the part as well as her own. He was just an older version of the man standing next to him (which was how she knew he was the father), but with shorter hair and a carefully relaxed face. He was wearing an extremely regal looking suit that looked extremely heavy with all of the gems embroidered within it. His clothing was also set in whites and blues, which only confirmed her suspicions about where they had come from: the kingdom of Crocus was the furthest kingdom north, set amongst the snowy mountains. It was almost always cold; their summers felt like Magnolia's autumns, and there was snow everywhere.

Lucy was surprised their population wasn't comprised of ice statues and yeti.

"Here she is: my daughter, Lucy." Her father extended his hand towards her, and she bowed like she was expected to. As she rose, she saw the older man's eyes sweep down her body quickly, then nod, apparently showing his approval. Yeah, thanks. The son turned his head away from the window long enough to slide his eyes over to her, then mimicked the same sweeping-down-the-body that his father had done, before hmph-ing and looking back outside. Yeah, rude.

Her father ignored everything, as per usual, and continued. "Lucy, I'd like you to meet King Silver, ruler of the kingdom of Crocus, and his son, Gray, heir to the throne of the kingdom of Crocus."

Lucy bowed her head once more, already bored. "Pleasure to meet you, your highness." She heard a small laugh, and looked over at Gray, who finally had decided that what was going on inside was more interesting than the window. He had a small smile on his lips, and when his father turned his head to glare at him, he simply shrugged. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, after all.

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Lucy. I was very pleased to hear that the marriage between you and Gray will be conducted smoothly." As King Silver spoke, Lucy felt like the air was being let out of the room.

Never mind, this was going to be very bad.

Don't hate on my baby Gray just yet!

However, feel free to express your hatred for King Jude and King Silver (teehee).

Hope you liked this, and I'll be back to upload another as soon as I can. Till then-

Leave me love, leave me hate, doesn't matter, just leave me something!