No intro.
Or at least that was what I wanted to write. But I can't. I have to excuse myself even though there is obviously no excuse for being so late updating. Truth to be told, out of a one thousand pieces puzzle, I was missing this one piece and I couldn't go on with the story. I am deeply sorry. I eventually got bored and randomly searched this story on the net. And that was when I came upon this BlogSpot of Senbei x Cup Ramen in which, in one of the articles, the name of the story and my username were mentioned. I read that part of the article specifically and I gotta tell ya, I almost started crying. I felt so happy and thankful I could not express in words. It's about the story. My story. And maybe I'm overreacting a bit, but I never imagined a story of mine would be as appreciated as she (Jillian, was it?)(or they) appreciated 'Attention, this is war!'. So I want to thank you. Even as I'm writing this, I'm getting really sensitive…
The way you wrote about this story made me wonder if it was as great as you make it sound like. And this was practically what made me get embarrassed and get my butt back on writing.
And, of course, the thank-you is for all of you readers out there who stick with me chapter by chapter.
Now please enjoy this one, even if it may not reach your expectations, or who knows? Maybe, on the contrary, you like it better than the rest of them. I don't know. What I do know is that Hiro Mashima owns the original story and I could never use his characters in a better way than he does.
There's your holy disclaimer.
The double door opened slowly revealing the biggest library Natsu had ever seen. It had the size of a whole courtyard of a rich house. The walls were completely covered with books, uncountable books. There were many fluffy chairs and tables for reading and it was obvious it was made for staying a lot in there. There was a fireplace near the main couch and table and everything looked like the most comfortable place for spending a cold winter afternoon with a cup of steaming hot chocolate in your hands, in front of the huge fire. Except for the fact that they most probably didn't have such a thing as 'hot chocolate'. His big eyes studied his surroundings without being able to make a sound. It was breathtaking because of the enormous size and grandeur. Between each big window and the blue curtain tied beside it, a shut torch was hung with a black support that was continuing its sculpt on the wall looking like a spider web. The torches were going to be lit up only later that evening when it would be darkening outside.
His sensitive nose could smell the old pages of the books and also the dust. He kept thrusting his neck while admiring everything around him when he noticed Lucy's attention was only aiming one person.
Gray smiled when he saw his love enter the room and now she was approaching him along with her amazed pink-haired friend. He was a little disappointed that Natsu had accepted to come; he was always too noisy and he never learned his place in front of the future king of the Kingdom of Frozen Roses.
But, he told himself, Lucy had insisted for them to make peace, so he was going to do as she had kindly asked him. What could he not do for his dear Lucy? He did his best to show his goodness equally to Natsu as he was showing to Lucy.
Natsu looked at the raven-haired prince and, to the man's surprise, he smiled a little awkwardly. Gray was surprised. He was expecting for Natsu to rather throw him a murderous glare and then sit in a dark corner for the rest of the day. But the pinkette then smiled at Lucy and the girl smiled back at him. They both sat on a couch in front of Gray's. The prince put down his book and gave them a kind and wide grin.
''Welcome, my friends! Natsu, I'm so glad to see you have made it here. I think I'm not mistaken when I say you haven't entered the library until now. I've seen your expression when you entered the room and it makes me happy to see you like what you see.''
Natsu's smile died from intensity knowing that either Gray was being a little stupid or bold, either he had just been indirectly insulted. Well, he decided to ignore it. Nothing was going to ruin his wonderful mood that late morning.
''Lucy, I wasn't expecting you to come back this early. I'm happy you were able to join me this soon.''
The girl smiled back, but she didn't reply.
''The lunch is at the same hour, but if you're hungry, I can personally ask the chef to make you something.''
''No, I'm fine.'' Lucy replied.
''Yeah, me too.'''
''Good then. Would you like to join me in my reading? I had come across a rather interesting book and I'd love to share the adventures with you, my friends.''
Lucy gave him an awkward grin.
''Uh, no, I guess we're cool. I came here to greet you, actually. But I don't really intend to read right now.'' She immediately remembered about Natsu. ''B-But we can stay if you want to…''
Natsu laughed.
''I've never been fond of reading. '' he replied.
Gray exchanged a look between Lucy and Natsu. He wasn't happy at her answer. She usually immediately agreed to read with him. But now that Natsu was here, she was refusing his invitation. It somehow irritated him. He didn't like the change the idiotic pinkette was bringing in the Lucy he loved. And on top of all, why was she ready to do what Natsu wanted and not what he wanted?
He didn't want to make a bad image of himself, so he didn't insist anymore.
''Well then, what would you like to do, Lucy?'' he smiled charmingly.
The girl thought for a while.
''Well I don't know, why don't we go travel far away? Like hiking a mountain. Just the three of us.'' her eyes were so excited and happy that he almost couldn't refuse her.
He sighed.
''I'm sorry, dear Lucy. I can't leave the castle for today, but maybe we can do that tomorrow.''
She saddened.
''But tomorrow Natsu won't be with us.''
''Oh? Ah, you're right.''
Not like he didn't know.
Lucy waited a little, but Gray made no invitation for Natsu to come the following day also.
''Why can't you leave the castle?'' Natsu asked out of pure curiosity.
Gray threw him a cold look.
''Well it's not something that a mere commoner's ears should hear. It's important business that I must take care of.''
Natsu widened his eyes feeling fully hit by the comment. It was true that he could've minded his own business, but it wasn't like he knew it was something so important. Gray was already acting friendly enough, so he couldn't have guessed there was suddenly something that he couldn't tell.
Lucy felt the cold words as if they had been addressed to her. She felt the need to cover for Natsu, but there was nothing she could say.
''But anyway, you can do whatever you want between the gates of the courtyard, Lucy. Just tell me and I'll arrange everything for you.''
''C-Can you attend to whatever I do, also?''
He looked at her while closing his book, walking towards a shelf and placing the volume in a small space made between others.
''Of course.'' he smiled sweetly and lovingly.
''And Natsu too, right?'' she continued hopefully.
Gray's smile disappeared, but he immediately said:
''Why of course, if he is willing to.''
''Then will you teach me more about archery?'' Lucy smiled happily.
The prince looked at her with a soft smile.
''But my dear, didn't I already tell you there is nothing you have to learn in archery? Shooting with an arrow expertly can only we accomplished with experience.''
''Then I want to practice!''
''Is Natsu willing to do this as well?'' Gray smiled in the said man's direction.
Natsu nodded with a grin.
''Sure, I've never done it before, but it sounds interesting.''
''Then I believe this is what we are doing until lunchtime.'' Gray announced.
0;0
Lucy stretched her arm and the bow along with it, persistently fixing her eyes on the red dot pointing the center of the round target. Her hand visibly trembled and the sharp end of the arrow kept changing its aim in her view. When she decided it was the right moment, she let go of her hand. The arrow flew with a sharp sound towards the target only to start losing height and miss it by inches. Lucy frowned and screamed:
''Heck! And here I thought I'd get it this time.''
Natsu, on the other hand, had just pierced the red canvas in the center for the fourth time. Lucy looked at his word with jealousy.
''How can you be so good, Natsu? You don't even concentrate, your position is wrong and you couldn't care less about your misses!''
Natsu grinned in her direction.
''You're not stretching the bow well enough. You need to make it pierce the air, not fly in the air.''
''And how comes you're the expert?! You've never done this in your life since a few moments ago!''
Natsu grinned wider in reply.
Gray started laughing. He himself was admiring the boy's skills. He took another arrow and it only took him a second to perfectly place it in its place. He aimed for Lucy's target instead for his, which was filled with more than ten arrows, all of them crowded inside the red circle. Lucy gasped amazed as he smoothly managed to get the red spot.
''Gray~!'' she squealed frustrated. ''Even you!''
The raven haired man laughed harder and let his bow drop on the grass. He went to her and, still smiling widely, he said:
''Come on, let me show you how it's done.''
She took the right position, her left foot in front of the right one and her arms parallel to the ground as her whole body was facing the right side of the target. She stretched the bow and Gray helped her from her back. He closed one of his eyes and approached his head as much as he could to hers. He covered her hand that was holding the arrow still with his. He dragged it even more backwards, to the girl's surprise.
''This is how you have to hold it if you want to shoot it well.''
''Ouch!'' she said feeling her fingers under pressure. She closed one of her eyes, but because of the pain. ''Well duh, I can't hold it like this.'' she muttered.
Gray's mouth approached her ear while his eyes were still piercing the red spot as if they were the arrow itself. Natsu was looking at them from the corner of his eye and his heart was, of course, filled with jealousy.
''Come on, you can do it.'' The prince whispered. He moved the weapon a little to the left and after a little pause of silence he told her to let go of the arrow. She did as told, glad to have been freed from the pain. The long bolt flew almost unnoticeably to their eyes onward and it stuck the target, being half buried behind the canvas. Lucy eyes widened and started sparkling. She smiled and started laughing.
''Right in the middle!''
''See?'' Gray spoke proudly widening the distance between them. ''I knew you could do it.''
Natsu got the center the fifth time, doing his best to ignore their happiness. His jealousy was starting to come out with frustration and inside his head Gray was slowly taking the form of a circle shaped target with his red heart in the center. The bow and arrow in his hands spread comforting chills in his muscles and he had never thought of a weapon as reliable and easy to love as now.
But the thought of Lucy, on the other hand, was calming him down. The bare thought of her being there, somewhere near him, was making his heart flutter nervously; it was ticking his lips, making him want to smile.
He heard Gray advise her to try shooting in the red dot on her own and he couldn't help but look her way. She was stretching her arms as much as possible and her little frown was revealing her concentration. Her hands were slightly shaking making it more difficult to aim well. When he arrow was sent flying, he was able to notice the small change in the speed.
In the end, it didn't jab the center, but it had been close enough and Lucy was pleased.
Gray also praised her for the improvement and Lucy chucked slyly telling him she wouldn't have managed without his help.
''Tell me, how does riding a horse sound to you?'' Gray asked out of the blue.
Lucy's eyes started sparkling and both the men were aware of her being keen over horses.
Lunchtime arrived before they could ride them, so they began preparing to eat.
Lucy was doing her best to start a conversation between Gray and Natsu. She was well aware that the two didn't like each other and that was the exact reason for trying to make them spend much more time with each other. She made a try once to leave the two of them together alone with the excuse of having to use the restroom, but when she returned, she realized none of them had made any little effort of trying to start a conversation.
In the end, Natsu was slowly losing his good mood and so did Gray. Lucy was their only reason of joyfulness.
''WHOOOHOOOOO!''
''Watch it!''
''Be careful, Lucy!''
The blonde's hair was flying in the wind making her adrenaline spread like there was no tomorrow. The horse she was riding with speed was letting out the air in his lungs through his widened nostrils and the sound of his panting accompanied the trample of his big hoofs on the fresh healthy grass. His black mane was becoming curly in the strong wind and, just as Lucy's, it was shinning in the bright rays of the sun. The girl was holding tight the rein while her bare feet touched the soft surface of the black skin covered with short hair and at each jump of the animal's, her butt was hitting the saddle.
They had gone outside the palace fields and into a plain specially arranged for horse riding in the king's leisure time.
She let out a laugh at the men's ridiculous worry. It's true it was her first time riding a horse for real and she was already galloping as if she was more experienced, but she knew there was nothing to be worried about. As long as she held the rein tightly and as long as her balance was straight, it was going to be fine.
She was already far enough – or more like too far – so she considered it to be the moment to return. Natsu and Gray were way too small in her sight and the two horses they were riding seemed like little ants. She pulled the rein in her direction, a little to the right, and the horse slightly changed direction while slowing down. It started spinning in half circles, so, as she had been taught, she pulled the rein harder to make the black 'Alice' return to her twin brother and older sister who were currently carrying the two human males. Lucy then squeezed her knees into the horse's body as hard as she could and Alice started sprinting back.
Natsu rode his golden horse towards Lucy. As he reached half the distance between them, he could see she was grinning happily. He smiled in return and while trying to take more control of his male horse, he opened his mouth to speak to Lucy only to be interrupted by her laugh.
''This is awesome! Amazing! I never knew it would feel so cool!''
''Yeah, I agree, but you're seriously too careless!''
She laughed again and exclaimed ''Who cares!'' while passing by his in a rush. Natsu sighed and told himself ''Well obviously you don't.'' and then followed her back to Gray.
She let out all her excitement in front of Gray, telling him how much she loved this activity and wondering how could he not make her do this earlier. Her young horse seemed to share her happiness and let it be known in public when it suddenly neighed loudly, cutting the blonde short and making the three burst out laughing at once.
Gray threw a friendly look towards Natsu and asked him:
''How about you, Natsu? How do you like riding the horse?''
At the back of the young man's head, a pretty good line popped out, but he managed to keep it for himself. It was something like him preferring to ride a horse in the opposite direction of the prince, but not exactly getting to choose.
''Well now that I actually know how to ride one, I can say I'm enjoying this.''
And again, he almost couldn't control himself from telling him that it would have been hundreds time more enjoyable without the prince around.
''Then I am glad you are having a good time.''
Lucy chuckled happily.
''It's great! And I'm so glad that I'm good at least at this activity!''
''Oh, yeah, I have to admit you're better than I imagined. It seems you're hiding a rather interesting talent behind that pretty face.'' Gray laughed deeply amused.
Natsu smile partly flicked but he kept entirely calm not letting his annoyance win him over.
''I know, right?'' Lucy grinned proudly making herself seem funnier than intended. ''I mean, did you see what I did back there?''
Gray still didn't stop laughing. Lucy was being so childish and cute!
''I sure did.'' he replied in a praise. ''I'm honestly glad that you like doing this. After all, you will be able to ride horses for the rest of your life each and every day.''
Something inside Natsu's whole being snapped. The moment froze in the air and the only ones that seemed to notice were Natsu and Lucy. The guy's smile couldn't vary and mostly because of the ice that seemed to be strewing the time and everything in their surroundings. A slightly cold braze popped out of nowhere scratching Natsu's still face.
What?
He felt the need to burst out laughing, but he summarized his anger into a glare in Lucy's direction. For some reason, the girl couldn't look him in the eye, giggling at Gray's generosity as if nothing had actually happened. Even so, she could easily tell what he wanted to ask her: What in the world did you tell him to make him think you're staying here forever?
''You know what?'' Natsu suddenly said doing his best not to grit his teeth with annoyance. Gray and Lucy looked at him waiting for him to continue. ''I'm not in the mood to ride horses anymore. Can we get back inside?''
''You're bored this soon?'' Lucy asked somehow disappointed.
She sighed and then climbed down the beautiful Alice.
''Fine.'' She said sadly looking down at her feet. ''Let's go.''
''You don't have to stop if you don't want to.'' Natsu told her surprised. ''I'm just announcing you I wanna go inside.''
His anger was slowly vanishing away.
She raised her eyes and ceased them upon his somehow shyly. For a moment that seemed longer than it really had been, they looked at each other, letting their feelings for each other give birth to excited and warm butterflies in their stomachs. They enjoyed the little time they could taste each other's presence and feel each other's intense attention. Small and sweet smiles cracked on their lips at the same time.
How could love be more wonderful than anything else?
''No,'' Lucy shook her head, gently breaking the magic. ''It's alright. If you're going in, I'm going in with you.''
Natsu's lips parted allowing his neck to feel once again dry with the thirst for her. Oh, how he longed to hold her in his arms, to feel her hair between his fingers, to breathe in the scent of her, to whisper words of love in her ears, to affix his ear to her mouth to hear her giggle and to try the softness of her lips with his own.
Gray sigh bumped in the atmosphere drawing their attention back from the dream land. He smiled at them kindly and said:
''Well then, you can give me the reins of your horses. I will give them to Hobart and he will take care of them.''
''Okay.'' Lucy replied shortly while smiling kindly. ''Say hello to Hobart for me, 'kay?''
As Gray was leaving with the three horses, Natsu faced Lucy with a small frown.
''Who's Hobart?''
Lucy dusted herself and put her fancy shoes back on. She started walking towards the palace.
''The guy in charge of the horses. He's a nice person. Slippery attitude, but a nice person.''
Natsu followed her from behind and looked away a little jealous.
''You sure know a lot of new people here, don't you?''
''You have no idea.''
He froze a few moments and stared at her with a big frown as she was continuing to walk. He then followed her once again thinking insecurely: 'What's that supposed to mean?'
It seemed like Lucy didn't really take into consideration Gray's return, or more like the place of Gray's return. They just randomly walked back to the palace not even thinking that the prince could be waiting for them back on the field. Luckily, he returned as well to the palace and there was no issue of this matter. The only issue was the moment when he returned. It seems like he accidentally butted in in a not exactly appropriate moment.
But what am I doing? It is not yet the time to tell about this.
The moment they arrived at the palace, Lucy asked the chef assistant, a nice young lady named Evelyn, to cook for them a snack and then they threw themselves into the couches in an enormous room that looked much like a living room from nowadays. They loved the feeling of sinking in softness after a pretty long walk and the horse riding had emptied their stomachs.
In a couple of minutes, Evelyn came back with rushed steps with two salvers in her hands. In the first one were two cups of steaming tea that spread an alluring perfume in the room and in the other one were little plates with delicious looking cookies, slices of pie and sweet biscuits. She bended carefully above the little serving table in front of Lucy's couch and passed an amused glimpse in her direction, a smile cracking her lips at the sight of the hungry in her big eyes while she was quietly placing the salvers on the perfectly clean surface of the table that almost looked like a mirror made of ice. Everything seemed to be sparkling in that palace.
''Thank you, Evelyn.'' Natsu exclaimed in a trembling voice throwing all the honesty he was capable of expressing that moment when he was scanning his second true love on that table. His shaking eyes were filled with tears of gratitude and he would have burst out crying if he had been any hungrier.
Lucy thrust her arms forward to grab a big round muffing that for some reason seemed to be waving and winking at her in a very very appealing way. She suddenly stopped and looked at Natsu blinking a few times.
''Hold on. I haven't washed my hands yet.''
He looked back at her and then showed her how careless he was.
''Neither did I, but I don't really care right now.''
''Do you seriously intend to eat with your bare hands after you've patted the horse and held the rein that Hobart always holds either before, either after he cleans up in the shitty stalls of those horses?''
They stared at each other for a while that seemed eternity and silence floated in the air. Realization suddenly hit Natsu the moment he gasped shocked at what he had just been about to do. They rose up at the same time and sprinted towards the bathrooms.
Lucy also had a quick change of clothes and then she returned into the enormous room with a splendid dress but acted as if nothing was different about her. She licked her lips and finally gave up in front of that fat muffin that persisted to wave so irresistibly at her. Natsu scanned her new look fast and decided that, for the moment, the food was a little more attractive than her. That decision was the one that opened the little feast of the two. Lucy opened her mouth widely and took the biggest bite she'd ever taken. She moaned pleased when the sweet taste filled her mouth making it feel like she was in heaven just like in those commercials at the TV. That was the kind of dinner she would have liked to have every day.
The two little plates were emptied in no time. Only one slice of apple pie was left among the little crumbs. He two swallowed almost at the same time and then thrust their hands towards the slice. Their hands touched and they looked at each other surprised.
Natsu was the one to first grin and to hurry and take it. Lucy opened her mouth shocked and then started protesting:
''How could you! At least make it fifty-fifty!''
''Nope. Guys have bigger stomachs so they have to eat more.''
He took a bite of it and Lucy screamed shocked at what his cruelty had done to her sweet slice! She rested on the hope he would eventually give her some too.
''Come on, Natsu!''
She tried to reach for the pie, but Natsu thrust his arm back so she couldn't take it. She climbed on the couch with her knees and made a bigger effort to take it, but Natsu's arm was still too long for her. Her other hand was leaning against his chest while she was groaning annoyed not to be able to get a hold of what she thought as her belonging. Natsu started laughing and took another bite of the pie in front of her big, teary eyes.
But she immediately frowned and glared at him. Natsu caught both her hands before she would manage to take his slice from him and continued to chew. Lucy got so angry that she decided she had to take her part of slice no matter what! Without minding to give it another thought, she opened her mouth and bit the same slice Natsu had between his teeth. He looked in her eyes surprised and for a moment, none of them moved an inch.
And then his look returned to its normal size and he grinned (if something like that was possible). Lucy ripped her bite from the rest of the slice and swallowed it almost without chewing. She then took the second bite, this time much closer to Natsu's mouth. The guy chuckled and still not letting go of her hands, he swallowed and took the following bite.
Due to the not so big length of the slice, the third bite, Natsu's, proved itself to be the last possible one to take. What followed was a quite difficult kiss between Lucy and Natsu before the girl would back up in the split of a second. She found it quite hard to swallow while her face was coloring itself in deep shades of red, but she eventually managed to do it. Natsu did the same and looked at her with sparkling eyes and wide grin. He pulled her towards him and kissed her once more making sure to press hard like his life depended on it.
In the end, they found themselves making out in a French way.
.
.
.
Gray just returned from the stall and a maid hurried at him to take his coat and shoes away and another one approached with a big silver bowl filled with warm water. Gray took his black gloves off, washed his hands well and then took the clean towel another maid offered him. She took it back when he finished drying himself and dared to look him in the eyes joyfully.
''My Lord, Mistress Lucy and Master Natsu are waiting in the tea room. I shall bring you something to eat and your tea immediately.''
''Thank you, Evelyn.'' Gray replied with a smile and then walked towards the specified room.
On his way, he took off some more unneeded shirts and sighed longing to finally rest. He grasped the elegant latch and opened the door quietly.
The soft smile he always liked to carry on his lips was rarely disappearing, but when he took the first steps inside and when the brightness inside the room struck him along with the sight, his smile was slowly vanishing away.
His heart skipped a beat and his eyes widened. Natsu's fingers were tangled in Lucy's hair and Lucy's fingers were tangled in Natsu's hair. They seemed to be desperate about each other, but he didn't need anybody to tell him that that was obviously a mutual attraction that might have reached a pretty faraway point. He knew too well how they must've felt. And he seriously disliked that.
He watched horrified how they were clinching to each other as if it was their last day together. And then anger started blurring his view, giving a taste like steal in his mouth.
Lucy was the first one to notice his presence. Her eyes automatically widened and she pushed Natsu away against his physical protests. It hadn't longed for a long time, their kiss, but that was only for the best. She was afraid of what could have come next. She backed up as fast as she could and her face at first lost its color only to turn completely red afterwards.
She could see how Gray was angering and the only one who knew why were the two of them. Natsu watched her reaction and realized what was happening right before the prince's voice calmly but threateningly echoed in the room.
''Lucy?'' he let out this horrid moan escape his throat while he was doing his best to keep calm. ''Can I see you for a minute?''
Lucy again turned pale and she was staring at him with huge, scared and embarrassed eyes. But she lowered her head and rose up obediently. Natsu looked at her surprised.
Gray almost didn't slam the door behind him when he left, not being able to suffer the sight of them together anymore. The image from moments ago kept reproducing itself in his mind.
Lucy walked fast towards the door; she didn't want to make the prince any angrier. But Natsu caught her wrist making her look at him. She stopped walking and none of them moved in the next few seconds.
''You're not seriously doing as he told you, are you?'' he smiled doubtfully.
She breathed deeply, raising her chest slightly and not moving his eyes away from his.
''You don't understand.'' she said so quietly it almost sounded like a whisper.
''What reason do you have to follow him? He doesn't rule your life! You can do whatever you want without him checking on you all the time!''
''No, it's not that. It's… He…''
Natsu laughed shortly lacking happiness. He frowned still smiling doubtfully.
''Don't tell me you didn't tell him about us?''
''Us?'' she asked surprised and slightly scared.
''The relationship we have.''
Of course, he had thought it was already obvious there was something between them. After everything that had happened, they would normally be supposed to be something like boyfriend and girlfriend, right?
Lucy let out the same kind of laugh and stared at him sadly but trying to look confused.
''What relationship?''
His lips relaxed from the smile and he stared back at her shaken by her words. They echoed a few times in his ears, enough times for him to understand the meaning of them. What…? was the only thing that came to his mind. His heart was aching because she hurt him again. What? After everything they'd gone through? After everything that happened that day?
His hand's grip had loosened up and Lucy's skin slipped away from his touch. She left not looking back at him. The door closed quietly behind her leaving him dumbfounded while spacing out.
Gray's eyes were now a lot calmer, but he was still angry at her. He stared at her walking in his direction. She stopped in front of him a little scared. The prince let out a deep and sad sigh and looked at her face.
''I do believe and hope you have a right explanation for what has happened back there.''
She kept silent trying not to look in his eyes more than she could bear. She was biting her lip. She looked for the right words to express her excuse, but she could find nothing proper, so she ended up letting out her sorrow with an apology.
''I'm sorry…'' she whispered.
Gray replied nothing. He was looking in her eyes while she was looking down at her feet. His face was the same as one's who had just been betrayed.
''So I have to understand you haven't told him anything?''
This time, she raised her head and eyed him bravely. Her look told him he was right.
''It's not like it's official…'' she trying defying herself.
''No, indeed. Not yet.''
Her eyes sparkled surprised and she watched a smile bloom on his lips lovingly. His hand rose up and stopped on her face. He tapped on her cheek gently and looked deeply in her eyes.
''Not yet, but soon enough, my beautiful Lucy.''
The next few minutes Lucy faced the ground and Gray looked at her simply, but none of them said a word. The first one to break the silence was Lucy's soft whisper.
''Then I promise I will talk to him tomorrow.''
The prince smiled pleased and Lucy was sent away with a nod.
The girl returned into the room and all she could think about that moment was the passionate kiss she had shared with her friend. She turned completely red touching her parted lips for she could still feel the taste of him inside her mouth. It was somehow frustrating that he kissed so well because that reminded her just how many girls had been before her; and she knew she had no right to think that, all the more so when she knew theoretically there was nothing between them. And all the more so when…
She saddened remembering that. That thing that she had to tell Natsu. Because that was most of the reason her life couldn't be the same anymore. That forbade her to have the happy life she had dreamed about. The happy life alongside the person she truly loved.
She raised her look and let her eyes roll over the room's view. Where was Natsu?
''Natsu?'' she asked surprised taking a few steps forth and searching for him with her worried eyes.
''Mistress?''
The blonde turned around and faced a shy maid standing in the door. The young woman was looking down in respect.
''If you are looking for Master Dragneel, I shall have to make you aware of the fact he isn't here.''
''Well yes, I can clearly see that.'' Lucy frowned. ''Where is he then?''
''He left in the East, towards the Habbits' house in the Red Town.''
''He went back to Jane?'' Lucy asked herself surprised spacing out. Maybe he angered after what she had told him.
''No, Mistress, as I already said, he went in the Red Town, at the Ha-''
''I know, I know!'' Lucy said annoyed. Foolish woman! she exclaimed inside her head.
She was somehow glad she wasn't forced to make any more explanations that day. But on the other hand, she wanted to get over with it as soon as possible. She didn't move for a couple of seconds, but then she left the room, trying to find something to do. She met Gray on her way to the exit and told him Natsu had left.
''Without even saying goodbye…'' the prince muttered disappointed.
''It's fine. I'll go tomorrow at him.''
Gray smiled a smile that looked more like a smirk.
''Good. But don't stay for too long.''
The blonde looked at him a little surprised, but then lowered her head in respect.
''I understand. I will only stay as long as it takes me to give him the right idea.''
The prince nodded pleased.
''Well then. I shall go in the library to practice my reading a little more. Would you care to join me?''
She muttered an embarrassed 'sorry'.
''I'd love to, but I actually had the intention to take a walk right now.''
Gray hesitated.
''Then would you mind my company?''
The truth was that she needed a little time alone, but she shook her head instead. Her mind was pretty confused at the moment and she didn't know if she could figure anything out at that point, so Gray's company wouldn't hurt anyone.
Lucy knew when Gray wanted to take a walk, he wanted to take it formally. She returned to her chamber and dressed nicely, and he did as well.
By the time they met again, it was almost time for supper. They started walking in the garden and rarely talking to each other, but when they talked, the topic was a random one.
Gray was dressed in a long coat which's color was mainly dark blue and black pants kept inside his long black boots. The detailed stitch on his coat was sewed with gold thread, giving it the right impression of rich clothes. Even though he was a prince, he never wore his crown. He was walking slowly, back straight and hands held together at his back. Lucy's dress was as rich as his coat. It put advantage on her curves, especially her thin waist. It had long sleeves making it just excellent for evening walks. She was stepping as slow as Gray, both of them just trying to make the time pass faster.
Soon, dinnertime passed and they skipped it, none of them being so hungry.
And soon, the sun was setting. The sky and the clouds were catching fire from the tired sun which was slipping under the mountains. Only a couple of birds were flying on its orange surface preparing to finally shut their song after a tiring day. It was silent.
Gray and Lucy's shadows were long and thin and they were falling on the bushes of frozen roses beside them. The marble they were stepping on was glittering in the light. The blue rocks on the sides of the road were staying still as if the picture itself had frozen.
They eventually arrived in a far side of the garden. Lucy raised her eyes only to spot an entire miniature garden of living roses. They were all a dark shade of red, just as they had to be. And they weren't frozen like the rest o them. The golden rays of the sun falling on them made it a charming view that brought a soft smile on her lips. She stopped walking and stared at it. Gray stopped along with her and watching her joyful reaction made him happy also.
''Do you like it?''
''It's wonderful.'' The blonde said honestly.
''I arranged it especially for you.'' he told her softly scanning her face for any other reaction.
She smiled wider and looked at him with sad, grateful eyes.
''Thank you. But you didn't have to.''
''I did.'' he replied searching deeper in her pupils. ''You told me you like red roses.''
She waited further for him to talk. Instead, he approached her slowly not breaking the eye-contact. She slightly widened her eyes surprised when she realized there was slowly creating a high level of intimacy between them with each step he was taking. There was something that was starting to feel like nervousness to her. Was he about to do something important? Something romantic, maybe?
Her heart was beating faster and each beat brought a new protest against that idea.
''So I had to do as you desired.'' he whispered deeply.
He was a little too close for her taste, so she took a small step backwards. She laughed nervously and said:
''Don't be ridiculous! You're the prince, why would you do as I want?''
''Because I love you.''
She had prepared herself for a less direct answer, but when she actually heard the words coming from his lips, her whole being turned into stone and the blood rushed in her cheeks. She looked at him with big, surprised eyes. She studied his face and she was able to actually read the love in his eyes.
He took another step closer to her and almost couldn't control himself from gripping her arms in order to be able to express himself better.
''Lucy Heartfilia, alien of another world...''
He smiled lovingly.
''Your cruel eyes have stolen my heart away. Your beauty has grasped my heart and sat it on fire. I can no longer find my rest for you are in my mind day and night. Lucy Heartfilia, alien of another world…'' he took a lock of her hair in between his fingers and played with it before continuing. ''… I fell in love with you the first moment I saw you.''
Lucy looked deeply into his eyes and the mix of feelings was unbearable.
That had been the most wonderful declaration of love she had ever heard. Then why was her heart aching so much? Why was she so disappointed?
''I've been trying to tell you this for months. Lately I started to give you at least an idea of my feelings for you. And also, the two of us somehow came to an arrangement.''
She didn't know what to say. She couldn't break the eye-contact. It was like he had put a spell on her. his eyes were so beautiful and alluring that she was slowly feeling like losing the smallest control over her heart.
She eventually got a grip of herself and looked away. But then Gray caught her chin so gently that he managed to send a bunch of shivers to all her senses. His touch was cold.
She looked at him.
His fingers slipped on her cheek's skin.
And he was so cold.
''You're the most wonderful person I've ever met.''
She took a shaky breath and it was already obvious she couldn't handle her feelings anymore. She glued his eyes to his and the distance between them was somehow getting shorter.
The situation was something like a cliff-hanger when she already knew what was going to come next. The tension was growing as the silence was getting deeper.
His smiled with those incredible lips of his and his eyes were gentle.
''And I'd like you to be my Queen…
She couldn't handle anything anymore. There was it. There was what she had been most scared he would say. She didn't feel prepared for this.
But she couldn't help it.
She was in love with him.
''… as I would be your King.''
A pause of silence was sat between them. She continued to look into his eyes.
She forced the beginning of a smile…
…Only not to be able to control the rest of it blooming on her lips.
She couldn't understand herself what she was feeling. Was she scared or was she happy?
''Would you make me the happiest person in both my and your world and become the only woman I will ever love, my wife?''
Her cheeks blushed harder and she couldn't believe she had just been proposed. It was the moment when it finally became official. Gray had given her many hints before that he wanted to propose to her and it almost was like he already did. But this felt nothing like the thing in theory.
She didn't even finish the high-school and she had been proposed by a charming prince!
It was great, right?
Then what was wrong with her heart? Why was it so numb?
Gray waited for her answer patiently.
Lucy was finally able to look away. Her eyes rolled down, the smile not leaving her lips. She took his hand in hers and hesitated. She let her finger draw the wrinkles on his palm in silence. Gray allowed her to do anything she wanted with his hand.
She knew it wasn't lady-like what she was about to do.
She knelt on her right knee and looked up at his face, still holding his hand. She stood like that a few seconds.
''Your Highness…'' she started with shaky voice.
She smiled wider lovingly.
''You asked me to make you the happiest person and become your wife.''
He smiled kindly.
''I am telling you that today, in this beautiful evening of summer, I am making a vow in front of Your Majesty and the almighty God.''
She let a break of silence fill the air with a romantic tension.
''I promise that from today on, I will serve you as my King and as my husband. I shall marry you and love you as a woman should love her man.''
She kissed his hand and his eyes brightened with happiness.
He let his fingers slip from her light grip and he cupped her cheek. She took her other hand and helped her rise up.
Without another word, he looked at her lovingly and then he approached her face. He kissed her and she could fell his hands pulling her at his chest, for the first time and officially breaking any wall of abstention between them. They were engaged.
Two guards at the gates of the palace didn't feel the need to look away from the sight when their prince furbished up his kiss, making it much more intimate. They just smirked and exchanged an obvious look.
They were already wondering who was the fastest crier to spread the news there was going to be a fresh king and a new queen.
Three words. High school sucks.
Well, it doesn't. Let's just say that with my new teachers, I will meet the end of my days on top of the books I have to study/learn by heart. Conclusion? Less writing. Less drawing.
I think I can live without writing, but I can't without drawing. Well, there's always the end of the notebook and there's always a pencil in my pencil box, right? And there sure are classes when I don't have to pay that much attention.
So what I'm trying to say here, is that I bought a new jacket. Ok, so maybe it isn't, but I still have less time to write!
You think what is just wrote doesn't make sense?
Well study more logic!
Yup, that's what my teachers are like.
Pity me.
And review.