No Comment. Late update because of the no mood for writing. Thank you guys soooooo much for reading, reviewing, following and adding to favorite. Heck, it means a lot. And heck, now I'm going to cry.

Lucy opened her eyes all of a sudden, finding herself panting and covered in sweat.

She had had the nightmare again. Over and over again, the same nightmare.

She removed the blanket from her and greeted the chill of a wind with a big sigh. The window was opened. She dragged herself to the edge of the bed and rested her forehead on her palm.

The calming atmosphere of the night could not reflect the feelings in her heart. She was scared and couldn't find her rest.

Ten days had passed since their arrival at the Bloody Queen's court and Natsu was still caught in the prison. Her eyes sadly rolled over to the view outside the window. In a few hours it would be eleven days.

They both had thought the queen would let them both go after the dragon incident. Indeed, Erza became quite fond of Lucy and had to recognize Natsu's courage and warrior soul. But she wouldn't back up from the responsibilities and promises she made; like imprisoning Natsu until the King of the Skeletons Kingdom arrives.

Everybody from the castle found out about Lucy and Natsu's love story. They also knew about everything she did against the dragon; rumors spread fast. That was why when she was passing by somebody, that somebody's eyes would start glowing and she or he would bow in sign of respect. She was seen as a hero who saved the whole palace.

Of course, the left wing of the castle had been destroyed, but the construction had started right away. Now, it was half re-built.

She remembered as the first night after the incident, Erza asked to see her. The woman seemed very kind and thanked her for helping her save her people. That moment, Lucy had realized something that would turn out useful in the future; that the queen actually cared about her people a lot.

That night she had slept in the same room as Erza. Before falling asleep, the woman had asked Lucy to tell her a story and the girl began narrating her own life-story. That made the girl chuckle sadly. Her life made others fall asleep.

Natsu was kept prisoner in better conditions and the food he was receiving was healthier than and not as old as it used to be. He had tried his best to convince them to do the same with his buddy Peter, but the queen couldn't see any reason to do that. Instead, she had found out from Marcus Johnsgate about the kid's imprisoning and the reason for it. She had almost immediately drawn a conclusion.

Lucy grimaced and felt tears blurring her sight. Every time she remembered about Peter, she felt hate and anger fill her heart.

She could clearly remember as she was sitting in the queen's office alongside with the queen herself. They were chatting about political stuff, when someone knocked at the door. It was a soldier that reminded Erza about her order to bring the prisoner Peter in her office. She immediately forgot about the confused Lucy and called them inside. They were holding Peter like he was a mad dog. She stared into the child's teary eyes and wondered why the woman would call him over. He looked back at her and he knew right away who she was. While Erza exchanged a few words with the soldiers, Lucy asked him joyfully:

''Are you Peter? Natsu told me a lot about you?''

The boy's eyes were gleaming with hope and he started smiling.

''Don't tell me you're Lucy! I am so happy that you are alive! When Natsu brought me the good news I was so happy I thought I was going to die! Because there would still be hope for us to get ou-''

Lucy covered his mouth with her hand fast and took a finger to her lips, desperately hissing a ''Shhhhhhhhhhh!''

He realized fast what mistake he had almost make, but fortunately, the queen was caught in the answers the soldiers were giving her. Peter looked at her and nodded like telling her he got her message. She retrieved her hand and smiled kindly while winking. His eyes widened and he blushed. He was already aware of how beautiful she was.

''I see.'' The queen concluded her little interview. She threw Peter a short glare.

Now, Lucy still couldn't believe what had followed.

After another little interview from the kid, Erza had said something like 'Thieves should be treated like thieves.' and drew out her sword.

Peter had been beheaded.

The blonde buried her face deeper in her palms feeling her shoulders shake. She tried to swallow her tears.

The nights that had followed Lucy continued spending time with Erza, going on with her story and talking, but she was doing all these emotionless in front of her. The burst of pain in her heart the moment she had seen the execution could not be chopped, much less by the woman's presence. She only tried to control her tears and hate, but as for the rest of the feelings, she couldn't care less if the queen would see them.

She was obeying and serving her like a robot, waiting for the day that she would see Natsu's execution. Because they had no hope left that they would survive this numb-hearted woman.

And as if her suffering wasn't enough, her nights were being chased by the nightmare of the Natsu's death. She was watching over and over again the same vision she had had a few days ago, only to wake up and not be able to sleep anymore.

She sighed deeply, the sound of her own breath waking her up to the present reality.

She missed her home.

She missed her mother, who always used to have weird thoughts, but she was so loving and caring! She missed her father, who used to love making jokes and reading the newspaper only to tell the two about them at dinner. He was always making sure he added something funny to the incidents from himself, making them laugh and feel happy they were a family. She used to think she had the coolest parents ever.

She missed Natsu's parents, too. They were always so kind to her and Mrs. Dragneel was a wonderful company in the rainy days.

She missed her cat, her room, her courtyard and everything from the good old days.

She hated this world! She hated the Queen and her underdogs that pitied her, she hated Lollipop and her annoying way of having fun, she hated Marcus Johnsgate and his cruelty, she hated her fake father that was going to execute Natsu, she hated magic and everything that had to do with it!

Lucy found herself crying her heart out in her hands. She felt heartbroken at the thought she was going to spend the rest of her days being the slave of a blood thirsty woman.

But then she remembered that at her 'father's' arrival she was going to return in the Kingdom of Skeletons. Yeah, like that would make things better for her! That stupid old man was going to make her the wife of some disgusting, perverted barbarian!

She hugged her knees and said to her own surprise:

''I'd rather marry Natsu!''

She immediately blushed and thought about taking back her words, but couldn't. It was the truth.

Then, an interesting idea struck her mind. What is she and Natsu agreed to get married?

She widened her eyes with hope.

What if they would tell everyone that they just considered all that running away an adventure for their honeymoon and they actually had gotten married before they even left? Then Natsu would have no reason to be executed (considering that they would manage to convince everyone that not Natsu had tried to kill her back then, but a stupid soldier just missed his target while trying to stop the horse) and they would be free to leave!

She smiled widely. This might actually work!

As soon as the morning came, Lucy asked Erza if she could visit Natsu at the prison. The woman became a little suspicious, but allowed her to do what she wanted.

The blonde ran all the way to the prison and entered easily when she told the new prison keeper she had the queen's permission. They both knew she wouldn't have the guts to lie when the queen they were talking about was Erza Scarlet.

''Natsu!'' she called over to her friend panting. She immediately regretted being so enthusiastic when she saw the prison keeper stare at her suspiciously. She knew very well how the information he gathers could slip very easily in the ears of Erza, and the thing she needed least right now was her getting even more suspicious.

Said boy jumped up from his sitting place and looked at her with a white face.

They hugged each other through the bars and she asked him smiling sadly:

''Are you all right?''

''I'm fine. How about you? What brings you here?''

Lucy was too aware of the replacer of Jack being overly attentive with her.

''I have an idea, but I'll tell you later.'' she whispered throwing an obvious look in the direction of the prison keeper. Natsu understood the danger and smiled. She was smart and he was proud of her.

''I wanted to spend a little more time with you.''

He didn't know if she was serious or only acting. However, it was true. They stared at each other for a while until Lucy spoke.

''Are you bored here?''

She was thinking of Peter. Natsu saddened. He gave her a sarcastic, sad smile.

''Of course I am.'''

She looked at his small cell and wondered just how much more could he bear staying in that dark, horrible place.

''You can't even stretch your body well.'' She muttered to himself.

''Nah, I can. I'm doing exercises everyday to make time pass faster.''

She looked surprised.

''I didn't know that.''

He laughed shortly without happiness.

''How do you think I am still able to move while I lay down all day?''

She kept silent and admired him for his ability to keep a schedule no matter the situation.

''How's your leg?'' she smiled sadly.

They both looked at the foot that was braced tightly between two girders.

''You can see for yourself.'' Natsu replied sighing.

''I… Is it healing?''

''Slowly, very slowly, but yeah.'' He gave her a reassuring smile.

''I'm sorry for it.''

''You don't have to be sorry. It's not your fault and besides, we won time thanks to that jump. Time is expensive and cannot be taken back while a leg can heal.''

''With time.'' She pointed out.

''I have nothing better to do anyway, ok? So rest easily. I'm fine.''

''Talking about time…'' she said after a while.

''Yeah…'' he already knew what she had in mind. His execution was drawing close.

''And… '' she smiled amused and filled with hope. ''Talking about that, too…''

The prison keeper wasn't paying attention to them anymore.

''I have an idea.''

She started talking as quietly as possible, but also to give the impression she was telling him sweet things for the new 'Jack'. After she finished telling him about her plan, she was surprised to see his reaction. She would have normally thought she would have that reaction, not him.

''You mean we would be married? For real?'' he said wide-eyed.

''So what about it?'' she blushed. ''It's only a bluff, but it has to be real until the very end.''

''Until the very end?!'' he said as his eyes were growing wider and wider.

''What are you thinking, you idiot?!'' she said harshly. ''The very end meaning until we get out of this world! Not until we die!''

''L-Lucy, are you serious about this? A marriage is a marriage after all. It's like a contract. You can't break the promises you make in a marriage so easily.''

''Not without a ceremony.'' She smirked.

''You mean you want us to pretend we're married?''

''Yeah. Why are you so surprised about this? You used to pretend all the time.''

''Yeah, but it's kind of surprising to hear a proposal to lie from you.''

She slightly widened her eyes with shock. He was right. She was asking him to lie. She couldn't believe what this world was turning her into. A liar. She, who used to be so honest and fair, was now trying to make someone lie for her. Even if it was Natsu.

She saddened and bit her lower lip. She knew she would regret what she said next, but still said it.

''I can't help it. I want to get out of here by any means possible.''

She was aware that she sounded selfish and desperate.

Natsu kept quiet and looked at her. He knew as well as her that it was wrong. But he still grinned at her and said:

''Fine with me! Well then, Lucy Heartfilia.''

She looked back at him and blushed. He couldn't kneel because of his broken foot, but bowed and looked back up at her, talking her hand into his.

''Will you marry me?''

She knew how much of an act this was, but her heart still skipped one beat as she blushed harder.

''T-This wasn't necessary, you know?''

He straightened his back and looked down at her smiling.

''You didn't answer my question.''

''Why are you taking this so seriously?''

''Why not?''

She hesitated, but freaked out when she was sure she was going to sound dumb answering like it was some kind of real proposal. He approached her and slipped his hands on her back. She flinched and bit her lower lip.

She hoped he would say something and use that in her advantage not to sound stupid, but Natsu was more stubborn than she had thought. He kept smirking at her and waiting for her embarrassing answer.

''O-Of course I d-do! Didn't I already say we were going to pretend we're married? You don't have to propose me, so-''

''Answer me properly.'' He cut her off softly while his face was getting nearer to hers.

She hesitated again, but suddenly relaxed inside his hug and under his warm breath. She looked him in the eye and felt a little dreamy.

''I do.''

A little smile bloomed on her lips and the next moment, Natsu kissed her gently.

She was surprised to feel something new. She felt a nice shiver spread a warm feeling in her body. She liked it. And what shocked her was that she actually liked the touch of his lips.

And that was when it suddenly hit her.

She was so taken off guard by this idea, that she put her hands on his chest and pushed him away.

She stared at him with wide and almost scared eyes. He backed up with surprise of her sudden reaction; he could've sworn he had felt her meld in his arms. He stared back at her through the bars watching her retrieve her hands fast and becoming embarrassed.

Her face blushed a deep shade of pinkish-red. She couldn't believe what she just discovered.

She liked Natsu Dragneel.

Some of her memories became clear – like the times when she couldn't think of anybody else believing that it was only because he was imprisoned – while others became even more confusing.

She wanted to bring something up for them to talk about and for her to forget her feelings. She just told him the first thing that came to her mind:

''I miss everybody.''

He was surprised by her sudden uneasiness, but decided to ignore it.

''Everyone?''

''Mom, dad, your parents… my family!''

He kept a break of silence.

''Yeah, I miss my friends, too.''

''You don't miss your parents?''

''No, I do, but I guess I miss my friends more. I think that's because I spend more time with them.''

He smiled.

''Yeah, I miss all of my friends most. Also Gray, even though he is also my enemy.'' He chuckled, but Lucy froze. She widened her eyes.

''What did you just say?'' she asked in a whisper.

''Huh? I said I missed my friends most. All of them.''

''After that.'' She said looking at him with shock.

''That I also miss Gray even if he's my enemy? Yeah, he's also a friend, if that's what you mean.''

He watched confused as Lucy's face got paler. He frowned.

''What's wrong?''

''Gray.'' She answered. ''There's a Gray in this world, too.''

Natsu took a moment of silence to process her words. Then, his eyes also grew big.

''WHAAAAATT?! WHA-…. WHO-… HOW-… Y-YOU'RE RIGHT!''

''What in the world….''

''D-Do you think he got dragged into this world as well?!''

''No, that's impossible! It's obvious it's a different Gray! He didn't know us and his personality was different!''

Natsu's mouth was wide opened. He tried to find an answer to this confusing issue. Lucy's mouth also opened widely when she realized something else:

''NATSU! THIS IS CRAZY! THERE'S ANOTHER ME TOO!''

''WHAAT?!''

''Think about it! These people confused me with a princess! What if the princess is actually gone missing and I suddenly got confused with her?! No, not what if, this is it! This is the truth!''

''Th-then could there be another me too?'' Natsu asked shocked.

''How should I know?! Probably yes!''

He let out a scream and said with shaky voice:

''N-Now that you say, I think I've seen Erza somewhere in our world!''

''REALLY?''

''W-was it a shop assistant? NO! Fashion designer! She was a fashion designer!''

''A… what?'' Lucy whispered and collapsed to the ground due to too much shock.

''What is going on here?''

''Also, that Cana! Didn't she use to be your classmate back in kindergarten? She is a barmaid in this world!''

She threw him a wide-eyed look. He was right. They were all the same people; there was no doubt about it.

What could be the meaning of this?

Ok I decided to make this chapter shorter because what I had planned would take too much to write. For now, enjoy the suspense (if there is any) and please forgive me. I know this time I couldn't concentrate a lot in the action.

Also, Lucy likes Natsu! Yay! :D

I will try to update as soon as possible.

Ah, yes, I didn't get the chance to thank you guys soooooo much for reviewing (well, those who actually review); every time I get a new review I could jump with happiness. And reading them just makes me cry, especially when you guys express your feelings about my story. Geez, how could I not be happy when you are so wonderful!

Ok enough with the soap opera!

Hopefully I will get to know your opinion this time, too. So, please review!

;D