Hey there, dear readers! You must know that you guys made my week! I read the reviews you left me and I was impossibly happy! I love you all so muuuuuchhh! Also thanks to those who followed, favourite-ed and read my last chapter. By the way, I don't know if you noticed, but Gray seems to be living in both Natsu and Lucy's world and the Fairy Tale world. Yes, I made a little error and I apologize. I will try to fix it as soon and fast as possible.

I shall now present you the following chapter:

The Bloody Queen

Lucy had woken up because of the ruckus, but she didn't know what to do. She was extremely afraid, trembling and sweating without stopping. She took the wise decision to just sit still and pretend she was sleeping. She flinched and bit her tongue not to scream in the moment Marcus Johnsgate's sword pierced Natsu's stomach.

Noticing a soldier approach her, she couldn't think of anything except running away. If Natsu was truly dead, then she must do everything she could to save at least herself. This seemed such a selfish idea, she at first rejected it; but this was the only thing she could do not to die. She had to leave him behind. But wait! That man said Natsu didn't die!

She was at first overwhelmed with relief, but it didn't last long. She suddenly rose up, ignoring the feeling of her head spin around and thought of escaping the surprised soldier. But as a flinch travelled her body, she realized it was useless. Why would she be trying to get away? Natsu was getting captured, anyway, so what is she going to do without him? She couldn't survive on her own. She knew the too well.

The two strong hands caught her joints and more or less dragged her toward a horse.

No, if she escaped, she could find Gray and ask for his help! Yes, she definitely had to get away!

The soldier wasn't the only one who noticed Lucy suddenly struggle even more. He tried to keep her still so he could tie her up, but he was having problems with her movements. Another man came to help. The poor girl, even though she was ill and weak, felt the thought of fighting for her life give her new powers. But she felt how the men were slowly managing to get her arms at her back and tie them up extremely tight. She screamed with pain, feeling how the hard thread was cutting her skin and crushing her joints. What followed was the task of tying her ankles together so she wouldn't try to run away and to calm down for now, which they easily managed. She was already in great pain from both her illness and those horrible threads.

''Sir, what do we do with her?''

''One of you get her on the horse. She's coming with us, of course.''

They did as they were told and put her on the horse Natsu had stolen, since they didn't have any horse. She gave up trying to get away. Her eyes filled with tears looked towards Natsu. And when she realized in what condition he was, the tears wouldn't stop falling. They had tied his feel together and they were going to drag him all the way to the castle. Yes, drag. Just like a useless potato bag. He was still in pain from the wound that, despite Marcus' words, hadn't seemed to heal a lot and he could barely move. Dust and earth already dirtied his body and mixed with the blood on his face and abs. In a word, he looked miserable.

The commander ordered their return to the castle and they all set out.

They didn't even walk a kilometer and Lucy couldn't take it anymore. She started shouting something, crying and struggling. Why? If you only glimpsed at Natsu, you would've done the same. They couldn't guess what was wrong with her, but Marcus settled it fast, with a heavy slap that threw her off the horse, making her end up with a crushed bone at her side. She screamed even harder.

''Shut up or I'll kill you, you ***!'' he hissed in her ear, but she didn't seem to hear him. She kept screaming.

''Let go! Let me go, you monsters!''

He kicked her, putting his whole weight in that kick. She screamed with pain.

''Why in the world are you so persistent?! You're a princess, for goodness' sake! Know your position and stop acting like a ***!'' he shouted at her.

''Please cut my rope! I've been trying to tell you this for ages! Why can't you understand you have to let me go?!'' she said while crying.

''And why do we have to let go of you?''

He looked at her pathetic face. Her forehead and mouth were covered in blood from when she fell, her face was completely white and her hair was extremely dirty. The tears in her suffering eyes made the man change his mind a little.

''Fine! Cut her ropes. But if you try to get away, I'll kill you instantly, do you hear me?''

She didn't reply, she just trembled looking at him gratefully. Some of the men cut the threads around her bleeding hands and feet. The second she was free, she jumped up from her place towards Natsu. The whole bunch of soldiers made a move to catch her, thinking she was running away. But they were quite surprised to see her go towards the Mysterious Prince.

Because of the road, you couldn't say Natsu was a person anymore. The rocky way had destroyed his face that was now covered in mud mixed with a lot of blood. His closed eyes were black from the blood of the little and numerous wounds on his once-white-and-clean skin. His shirtless body made you turn your look away. Even though his old wound kind of closed, he was looking so horrible it made poor Lucy shake from head to toe. She let herself fall on her knees and she bended above the body that seemed more than dead. She put her dirty hands on her mouth to calm down her nervousness and tears. Then, she gently touched his face with the top of her fingers. Raising his head and easily placing it on her lap, she desperately studied his wounds looking for the proof he was still alive. Those monsters had killed him with cold blood! She made blood fill her mouth while she was biting her tongue not to burst into cry. She started easily fondling his hair with her trembling fingers. What could she do for him? She tried to clean the blood and dirt from his face, but she only spread it more. She couldn't keep her tears away anymore. They started falling like rivers on his face, somehow giving the skin its original color.

''Oh… oh, sir, please… I am begging you… stop doing this to him… please… I'll do anything you ask!'' she whimpered to Marcus. The man looked at her not being impressed at all.

''Get back on your horse. Or do you want to be tied again?''

''If this way you'll spare him, I'd rather be tied…''

Marcus started laughing.

''How touching! How about taking his place? Maybe you'd do that for this bastard! You little fancy brat in love!'' he said disgusted.

Lucy started at him with fear. Did he have no heart at all?

''Come on, you ***! Do you think I have all day for your little problems and worries?'' he said approaching her. ''Huuh?! Answer me!''

Since she didn't reply, he kicked her face, knocking her to the ground.

''Oh, but wait! Maybe her majesty would like to use the toilet! Do you think we should wait for her? and should I send someone to fetch her a nice place to do her things?'' Everybody started laughing harder and harder. ''Or maybe someone to hold her dress for her?''

Lucy rose up slowly, barely managing to see anything anymore because of the blood and tears.

''No, that would be too dangerous for her. After all, it's not proper for a young lady to wander in the woods alone with a man, now is it?'' Marcus spoke sarcastically, making his men hold their stomachs with laughter.

''Know your place, ***! You're not in the condition to give orders or to even speak, ya' hear me?!''

She gritted her teeth with fear and pain. The tears were endless.

She suddenly felt a kick from someone else, in her back, throwing her forward and knocking her forehead on the ground. She felt her head getting painful and dizzy while a hot liquid was tickling her skin as it fell and blinded her sight.

''Bow down, princess!'' the man who kicked her said. ''Bow down to who is superior to you!''

''That's right!'' someone agreed. ''You think you're all big and mighty because you have royal blood flowing in your veins! Rank should be decided by strength!''

She felt how breathing was getting harder to do. Her lungs seemed like they were sinking and she found it really hard to stay conscious.

''Guys! Guys! Please!'' Marcus said. ''Have some respect for the princess!''

He bended above her and spoke loud having everyone's careful attention.

''Your Highness! I will forgive your unsuitable behavior with one condition. Kiss my feet and hands and bow down in front of me, swearing your livelong loyalty.''

The whole bunch burst into shouts of amusing surprise, praising and cheering for their commander.

Lucy wanted to look at him, but she could barely move.

''Come on, if you do it, I'll forgive you and I might even get your friend on the horse.''

. . . That's right. . .

All that noise and laughter went somewhere in the background.

. . . It has been always like this. . .I've been always treated like this. . . I guess there's nothing I could do, after all. . . Nothing's going to ever change. . .

FLASHBACK-

''Luuuuuccyy, sweeettie~!''

The beautiful Elion called over to the girl waving sweetly. The blonde's heart skipped. It was the first time her classmate Elion had ever spoken to her. Could it be that she was actually going to talk to her?

''E-Elion… what is it?''

''Hey, you know, you've always been such a sweetie and so, and I wanted to ask you a little favor. Hope it wouldn't be a pain for your poor weak body.''

Lucy flushed with embarrassment.

''NO, it's all right! What can I do for you?''

She was a little sad that it wasn't because Elion wanted to talk to her.

''Can you help me carry all those heavy books for the first years' to the lab? See, a teacher asked me and I thought I couldn't do it alone. Maybe it's all right for you to help me?''

''S-Sure, it's all right!''

While the beautiful Elion took four books in both hand and walked beside Lucy, with ten books in each hand, she didn't say a word. More like she was annoyed. So surprising, she seemed in such a good mood a few moments ago, Lucy thought. When they reached the lab, Elion seemed tired.

''Oh, I am exhausted. Aw, what am I going to do? I never thought it would be so tiring and disgusting! The books are full of dust and it will destroy my brand new manicure!''

Thus, needless to say, Lucy felt forced to tell her:

''I-It's all right. I can manage them. Just… let me do it.''

She imagined she would win her sympathy this way. But hours passed and the number of books didn't seem to drop at all. Soon, all the classes ended. Only the martial arts club was left in the whole high school building. And when the lessons from the martial arts club was over, she knew only Natsu was left in the whole building. He was always staying after lessons to practice more. And when he also considered it was quite enough for that day, he was going down the stairs, going home, while she was climbing them, going toward the lab, having 15 books in each hand. They both stopped a second and looked at each other. He could see she was exhausted. But he just went on his way. He didn't even bother to ask her what she was doing in school at 9 p.m.

The next day, Elion ignored Lucy as ever.

But every time she needed something, she would ask Lucy to do it. Soon, even more girls got braver and started taking advantage of her. They copied her homework, gave her all kinds of errands and so on. And each and every time… Lucy hoped she would win their friendship or even respect this way.

But inside her heart, she knew as well as they did that it was useless.

After all, she could hear them call her ugly, nerd, loser, and so on. But most of all, she was called slave.

END OF FB.-

. . . This is me, after all . . .

She felt the bitter tears roll one after another on her bloody cheeks. She opened her eyes and managed to see the top of the man's shoes. She trailed slowly toward him while her tears and blood were creeping down her face and body.

. . .She had no other choice. . .

With her shaky lips, she kissed a foot.

Everybody's laughs burst in her ears like poison.

She moved her head to the other foot, gritting her teeth with pain.

She kissed the other foot.

Marcus was laughing like crazy; he was enjoying the girl's humiliation at his most.

''Now swear your loyalty and I will forgive you!''

''Will you release him?'' she whimpered shaking from her very bones; Marcus managed to hear her.

''I promise.'' He smirked.

''Then I… swea-''

What followed was only a whimper he couldn't understand.

''What?! I can't hear you!'' he grinned.

''I swear my loyal…ty to you… for the rest of my l-life…''

Everybody started cheering and swearing with scorn.

Lucy felt herself being kicked once in her side, making her roll on her back, then someone stepped on her stomach with his whole weight. She immediately felt the need to scream, but couldn't because of the amount of blood that came out of her mouth. She rose forth out of pain only to fall back down half unconscious.

''Come on! You swore your loyalty! Now you're my slave! Carry your friend for the rest of the way and make sure you don't hold us back! We already lost plenty of time with your attitude and it's soon going to be noon.

But she couldn't move. She couldn't see. She couldn't feel anything else beside the pain. She could only hear.

''Sir, what do we do with her?''

The man kept his calm, but still yelled at her:

''Get up, you useless sack! Do you want me to kill this cousin of yours or what?!''

She couldn't! She couldn't let Marcus do it! She gritted her teeth and gathered the breath of life she had left and rose up slowly, very slowly. Somebody threw Natsu at her, throwing her once more to the ground. As much as she wanted to walk, she couldn't.

''Commander Marcus, what do we do? She's only going to slow us down.''

''I can see that.'' The leader moaned frustrated. ''Very well, give them the horse.''

... A few hours later~

It was already getting dark when the bunch of soldiers along with the half dead Lucy and Natsu reached the dark castle. They all suddenly got silent. Actually, everything over there was silent and sinister. It was like nobody dared to make a wrong move or something bad would happen. Lucy was sometimes looking around silently, but most of the time she stayed with her swelling, bruised and tired eyes closed, trying to rest her aching body. She couldn't dare to even let out a sob now.

Once, when she was looking at the huge walls of the castle with curiosity, she saw a person standing at a window from the top of a tower and looking at her. She realized it was a woman with long, red hair and, even though she couldn't see her eyes at that distance, she somehow seemed fierce. Could she be the Bloody Queen this Marcus has been talking about?

Soon, they reached a pretty small building right beside the castle. Marcus knocked at a small gate and soon, an old man opened a small section of the door which only allowed his eyes to look outside. His eyes seemed cruel and suspicious. He asked with a loud voice who they were. Marcus answered he was the commander of the Queen's fifth section of the army and he was there to gave in the Mysterious Prince, who is to be executed by the order of the Kind of the Skeletons' Kingdom. At the word Mysterious Prince, the man frowned. He then opened the gate for them –only Marcus, three other soldiers and the two teens were allowed to enter-, but when the horse who was carrying Lucy and Natsu passed by, he glared at the girl and stopped the little group, asking who she was.

''Aah, this is the Princess, His Highness' elder sister.''

The man suddenly widened his eyes with horror. How in the world could a princess get in this state?!

''What happened, Your Majesty?''

Lucy looked at him and, because she couldn't speak nor move much, she only begged with her teary eyes. As she saw the man's heart slowly melt and his eyes softening, she at once believed she could trust this man who was good inside his heart. She thanked him inside her mind for being a good person. Even if he pitied her.

''It's this bastard of the Mysterious Prince that tortured her. Only the good God could know why he did it.'' He took off his helmet in sign of sadness and respect.

Lucy's eyes filled once more with tears of anger. How dare he?! How dare he lie like a pig?! How dare he use God's name in such a hideous lie?!

The prison keeper –you probably already guessed this was a prison- nodded with understanding of the situation and Lucy realized with pain he believed Marcus' words. He looked once more at Lucy with pity, but this time, the girl couldn't be pleased with it.

The group was allowed to go on –even thought a horse entering a prison was an exception- and they reached a long hall with many small rooms separated by steel racks. Only a few of them were lodged with curious, miserable and stinky prisoners.

''You're probably wondering why there are so few prisoners, princess.'' Marcus said with respect, having the girl flinch. The prison keeper was only a few steps behind, so it was only natural he would act full of respect. Well, she indeed was wondering.

''You probably saw how quiet and nice the streets of the capital are. So, you think, the people must be really nice if they are both quiet and good.''

It seemed like it.

''Well, if you indeed think so, you are wrong. You see, in our country, people used to be really bad and disrespectful; but our Queen punished them all. So why are the prisons so empty then, right? It's simple. That's because she punishes by executing.''

A shiver travelled Lucy's body.

''Shall this be right?'' Marcus changed the subject pointing to an empty cell that, in Lucy's point of view, wasn't any different from the others. The prison keeper nodded and the girl flinched as she felt someone take Natsu with brutality out of her arms and throw him inside the small room that only had a cheap bed and hay spread on the ground. Everything smelled, but it barely bothered the girl. She was in too much pain to move of concentrate on anything. Now that she wasn't afraid that if she didn't hold Natsu well he'd fall, she finally relaxed and allowed her body to fall into the need for energy and healing.

She fell off the horse and, considering the fact that nobody caught her, she crashed to the ground and was lucky enough not to die. She just broke her head and fainted in a little pot of blood.

. . .

''Lucy!'', somebody's whisper could be heard somewhere in the old nurse's office. The said girl closed her eyes tightly only to open them slowly next. She tried her best to remember what had happened and where she was. She was surrounded by gray, wet walls and only a little window could be spotted somewhere above a big table. It was covered with boxes, books and little bottles. But Lucy only managed to spot the wet ceiling and the head of a girl she knew she had seen before, but couldn't remember where.

''Oh, thank goodness! You're all right!'', the girl also said noticing Lucy's slow movements. The blonde prepared to rise up, but she fell right back with a long whimper and eyes closing tightly. Her head hurt so badly, she felt tears rolling down her cheeks.

''NO! You mustn't move! Just… sit still, all right?''

Opening her eyes once more, Lucy noticed the worry face the girl was wearing. And she was slowly remembering who she was.

''Can you understand me, Lucy Heartfillia?''

Lucy wanted to tell he she did, but her neck felt amazingly dry and she couldn't make any sound. She only blinked once like nodding.

''Good. Listen to me, I can't be here for long. If anybody sees me, it's going to be bad. Really bad. So please, just listen, I am going to speak slowly for you to understand. All right?''

The girl blinked once more, slower.

''First of all, can you remember who I am?''

Lucy frowned easily and stared into the girl's worried eyes. She blinked twice. The girl sighed deeply, then looked at Lucy with even more worry.

''Are you sure you can't remember me? I am Lollipop, the witch!''

Lucy's eyes widened and she remembered at once. She even managed to nod easily, but she regretted it; the pain was unbearable.

Lollipop's face brightened in a smile.

''You do remember?''

The blonde smiled softly.

''Good. Listen, you are actually supposed to be dead. You went through so much, a normal person would've died a long time ago. Especially the crash! My Lord, you almost smashed your skull back then!'' The witch looked horrified. ''You didn't die because you still had some of my magic in your body from when I healed you. It's a good thing, a really good thing I wasn't miser when I poured my potions!''

The witch stopped talking a moment and studied Lucy with pity and compassion. The blonde was covered in bandages. Especially her head. You could barely see her face because of those bandages. Actually, only one of her eyes was still uncovered. The other one had been so bruised, she couldn't see with it even if it hadn't been covered.

''You poor thing…'' the witch whispered sadly. ''Good thing I brought some of my potions with me.''

And with one of her little red explosions, two little bottles appeared in her palm. She threw Lucy another look, then opened them and grabbed a clean towel from one of the boxes on the table. She poured a few drops from each potion in the same place and sat on the edge of Lucy's wooden bed. She untied the bandages slowly telling Lucy in what state Natsu was. The girl found out that the Bloody Queen had decided to wait until the arrival of Lucy's 'father', who seemed to had been announced Natsu had been caught. 'To wait' meaning he wouldn't be executed right away. Lucy sighed in relief when she heard this.

''Lucy, look. You are going to be the Queen's personal maid. That's what has been decided. And that's because Natsu had praised you when you guys first met Marcus and the others. If he hadn't done that, you would be probably thrown into a cell like Natsu. These people couldn't care less that you are supposed to be a princess. Well. . . only I know you are not from this world, but here is where I want you to pay attention.''

She finished tapping the towel on every wound of Lucy's and then placed it back in the box like she hadn't even used it. Lucy tried once more to rise up and she discovered with surprise she could do it quite well. Her body didn't hurt anymore, well, at least not as much as it had hurt.

''Do you want a cup of water?'' Lollipop changed the subject.

The girl nodded and, after watching the usual explosion, she drank a nice and cold cup of water like she hadn't drank water in ages. After asking for another one and while she was drinking it, the witch put her gorgeous hand of Lucy's face, feeling her temperature moaning something like 'you've got a fever'. Then, she approached the girl even more and kissed her forehead gently.

''There!'' she smiled and Lucy felt like a reborn, fresh baby. ''Now you're as good as new!''

Suddenly, she remembered she had something important to tell.

''Oh, yes! Listen, you and Natsu are going to stay here a while, but you must run away before your 'father' arrives. It's really important; please don't forget this, all right?''

''Sure. . . But why?''

''Just do as I tell you. I saw the future using my magic and I know that if you don't get away before the king's arrival, it's going to be really bad. Plus, Natsu would be executed!''

''Oh, right.'' Lucy flushed with embarrassment for forgetting such an important fact.

''I also talked with Natsu and told him the same thing. The kind will arrive here, at the Bloody Queen's court in exactly two weeks. You know, the Kingdom of Skeletons is pretty far away from the Kingdom of Dragons and it takes a whole week travelling nonstop. The harbinger sent by the queen left last night so, in exactly two weeks, you will have to be gone.''

''And go where?''

Lollipop kept silent and Lucy frowned.

''Lollipop, we only want to get back home. Thank you for all the things you did for me, but all I want is to get back in my own world. Please take us back.''

''No.''

The witch seemed calmer than expected.

''No, you will first have to go into the Kingdom of Frozen Roses, where you will meet somebody you already know. But first, you have to worry about getting out of here. Lucy, listen carefully. The Bloody Queen is a really cruel queen. You could say she has no heart. But you must become her personal maid. And here, I will help you a little with my magic; because it's normally impossible, the queen doesn't trust anybody.''

''Why do I have to?''

''Patience. I was getting there. While you are her maid, you have to earn her trust and care. This is the only way to get out of the castle. No, out of the kingdom. You two were lucky enough to only meet good people like Macao and Cana up until now. But citizens from the Kingdom of Dragons are cruel. You will be killed before you know it if you don't have the Queen's protection.''

''I understand. . .'' Lucy sighed. She knew there was no way to make the witch take them home if she didn't want to, so she didn't even bother bringing up the subject again.

''Good. Please don't forget anything we talked about and do as I told you. And also be careful.''

Lollipop rose up and walked away. She turned and looked at Lucy once more before having to leave.

''Good luck.'' She whispered. ''Oh, I almost forgot!''

The witch smiled sweetly.

''Natsu is sending you his thanks and. . .''

She approached Lucy once more-

''. . .this!''

-and kissed her on her lips. Lucy blushed and widened her eyes. Lollipop got back, straightened her back, grinned and waved, saying:

''Ciao!''

And then, she disappeared in one of her usual explosions. Lucy was spacing out, still blushing. She touched her lips with the tops of her fingers. Not because Lollipop kissed her, but because Natsu sent her a kiss. She didn't know how to react.

A few seconds later, the door opened carefully and a pretty, slim and short nurse entered the room quietly. When she spotted Lucy sitting on her butt, she flinched and dropped the box with the bandages she has been holding. She took her hands to her mouth exclaiming and ''Oh my!''. She studied Lucy's healed body with a short look and almost fainted with shock. Lucy got off the bed fast and caught the young nurse before falling. The poor woman was left speechlessly, wide eyed.

Lucy smiled laughing sheepishly.

''Um. . . uh. . . s-seems like I am well now. . .heheheh. . . Say, could it be possible for me to meet the Queen?''

The woman stared at Lucy with her big eyes and mouth half open.

''See, since I am the Princess and all. . . ''Lucy tried convincing her.

The nurse suddenly seemed to wake up.

''O-oh. . . Oh my, of course, My Lady. . . Why of course, I'll arrange a meeting right away. Please pardon my behavior, I was just-'' that moment she straightened her back and backed up from Lucy's helpful arms. ''- incredibly surprised about the extremely fast healing. I could've sworn you were in a death condition just a few hours ago –excuse my boldness, so I -''

Lucy giggled. Oh, it had been so much since she giggled last time. Or at least it has seemed like ages. The nurse couldn't continue to talk; instead she proposed to take Lucy in one of the royal rooms and to prepare her well for a proper meeting with Her Highness. Lucy accepted with surprise. Lollipop had told her these people were cruel and couldn't care less that she was a princess. But this nurse seemed really kind and she was addressing very politely.

We're going to skip a little, so let's just concentrate on the part when Lucy was sitting in front of the Queen's office, where she was taking care of political business. She was dressed in a beautiful, golden, long dress that suited her better than expected and her hair had been brushed well. She breathed deeply and prepared to knock at the door. The nurse had somehow managed to arrange this meeting, so she was expected.

While her hand was hesitating in the air, the latch suddenly lowered and the door opened brutally. A tall man showed up, stopping right before knocking into Lucy. The girl lifted her head to look at him and her face slowly turned pale.

It was Marcus.

The man also stared at her a few seconds until he recognized her with shock. His face turned pale as well. In his mind, he was wondering how could a pathetic person who must've died suddenly turn into such a healthy, beautiful person like this? And also… why could she be seeing the Queen? This was the thought that was killing him the most of all. She knew enough to get him killed.

He gritted his teeth thinking he had to do something to threaten her not to say a word. But it wasn't necessary. The beautiful lady smiled sweetly.

''Good day, Marcus Johnsgate.'' She bowed a little in salute.

The man only bit his lip wondering what she could be thinking. He was sweating nervously and decided it couldn't be the fact that she swore her loyalty. They both knew he had been just making fun of her. He also bowed cautiously and watched her pass him by.

In the moment Lucy entered the big room, she spotted the same red-haired beauty she had seen at the window when coming there. Without knowing why, she felt a couple of shivers travel her body. She bowed trembling under the glare of the fierce Bloody Queen. She was beautiful, as I already said, but she was really scary.

''G-Good day, Your Highness.''

''…You must be Lucy Sketchnik.''

''Y-Yes indeed, Your Majesty.''

''What's the reason for your presence here? You know you are wasting my time, don't you?'' the queen spoke with boredom.

''Your Majesty, I… I asked to see Your Highness to… um…''

''SPEAK ALREADY!'' the woman yelled fiercely.

Lucy flinched and trembled with fear. She couldn't dare look into the woman's eyes. How was she supposed to know the Queen was also this scary?

''I want to thank you for saving and protecting me against that Mysterious Prince that kidnapped me!'' she said fast fearing the result. She couldn't believe she actually said this. The queen kept silent, only making the poor Lucy tremble with fear even more.

''He is an outlaw. It's only natural I would have my men do so.'' the woman replied.

Lucy didn't know what else to say. Both of them kept silent.

''Is this all you wanted to say?'' The Bloody Queen finally spoke almost in a dangerous whisper. Lucy predicted a burst of anger, so she replied fast:

''I-I also wanted to ask Your Majesty if it's all right to show my gratitude by becoming Your Highness' maid…''

She didn't sound convincing at all and Lucy knew this very well. The woman kept silent.

''Is this all you came here to say?''

''I… am afraid this is all, yes.'' She replied with fear.

''Then return to your chamber. Your request is denied.''

What?! Lucy thought.

''Leave. You wasted my time for nothing.''

And thus, she returned to her paperwork. But Lucy gathered all her braveness and remained where she was. Soon, the fierce glare of the queen's rose upon herself.

''Didn't I tell you to leave?'' she said managing to keep her calm. Lucy thought of the best words to convince the frozen heart of the queens.

''Your Majesty, I'm begging you to listen to my little request. As a part of the royal family, I always loved the ones who did anything for me and I always returned their favor by helping them with all I was able to. I never did anything without putting my whole heart into it and, as Your Majesty saved my life, it's only natural I'd put everything I have into my tries of returning the favor. Your Highness saved my life; thus, my life belongs to Your Highness.'' She bowed in respect. ''Please, at least until the arrival of my dear father, allow me to serve Your Majesty with all my heart to show my gratitude.''

This time, it had been a lot better than the first time and Lucy was pleased. She hoped she could win the queen's trust as soon as possible.

But the Bloody Queen didn't say anything. She kept staring at Lucy; and the girl felt her eyes piercing her face and searching for the truth in her heart. You could believe this was a picture because neither of them was moving an inch. Lucy's eyes were fixing the bottom of her beautiful dress with nervousness.

''Very well.''

She thought she misheard her. It had been such a soft whisper, she thought she misheard her. The blonde felt the need to sigh deeply with relief, but she managed to control herself. She just smiled gratefully, believing Lollipop indeed helped her a little. Who knows? Maybe she had poured a potion in her drink or something like that. Anyhow, she was really relieved. She bowed deeply once more.

''Thank you, Your Majesty! I promise to serve you with all I've got!''

''Now leave and don't dare to interrupt me anymore. And be aware. You are warned not to even dare and lay a finger of what is not under your business of you will face my punishment.''

''Yes!''

She turned away to leave, but immediately remembered something important.

''Oh, there is also something else I would like to ask Your Majesty. C-could there be any way for me to know in what condition Na- hmm – the Mysterious Prince is?''

The Bloody Queen glared at her, but managed not to yell anything. She answered through her teeth:

''He was punished for his actions, but he will only be executed when your father arrives.''

Lucy flinched. Punished?

''I-I understand. . . T-Thank you.''

She turned around to leave for real this time.

''He will be meeting be in a few minutes.'' The queen also added studying with curiosity Lucy's sudden change of mood. She didn't seem like she was happy he was suffering at all and this drew the woman's attention.

As expected, Lucy's eyes widened and she lifted her head, staring directly into the queen's look.

''Maybe even sooner.''

The blonde's heart started beating faster. Maybe she would be able to meet him. She wanted to see if he was any better. Yes, she was worried about him. Hope began forming in her lively heart and her eyes stated glowing while her hands instinctively lifted and sat of her chest. The Queen's eyes also widened with surprise. What she had in front of her eyes, she hadn't seen in many, many years. A young girl with hope in her eyes. So much hope that it gave her eyes beautiful sparkles. It almost seemed like she was in love with the prisoner. When Lucy realized what a dangerous move she just made, she flinched and exited the room with a fast 'thank you'. In the moment the doors slammed closed, she heard the sound of two or three persons in armors walking on a hall. She immediately thought Natsu could be with them. She listened another few seconds with her heart beating like crazy, trying to decipher any sound of a person without armor stepping along with them. Any sound of Natsu.

But nothing of that sort could be heard. The next moment, a short, fat and ugly maid came out of the Queen's office.

''You're the new personal maid?''

''Y-Yes, but-''

''Come with me.''

Saying this, the woman grabbed Lucy's elbow and started pulling her towards a different hall from the one the soldiers were coming.

''W-Wait!''

The woman was forcefully pulling her in that way.

Suddenly, Lucy saw three soldiers appearing in the opposite hall, dragging something after them.

And that something. . . was Natsu.

Lucy covered her mouth feeling how tears blinded her sight and rolled down her face. He was so beaten up! He was covered in so much blood! He looked no different from a corpse.

That was when she understood for real how cruel the Queen was. This had been his punishment.

She saw his face move, his eyes open and look at her.

And, the second before she disappeared on another hall and lost sight of him . . . she watched him smile with love.

And then she burst into tears.

Well, this is a little sad for me, too. I never imagined this chapter would take me so long. I am really sorry if it had been painful and bloody, but this just makes the story go on! If this hadn't happened, the next chapter wouldn't be so romantic! Don't miss it!