A/N: Hi everyone! My other story, Love Starts in the Opposite Direction has finally come to an end and to all my great supporters who happened to be reading this, I would like to thank you all so much! I really hope I can make this story equally as good as that^^

The Princess and the Dragon Slayer

Chapter 4

I managed to reach the dining area thanks to Virgo's help. Honestly, I think I was nearly lost for half an hour until I bumped into her. I really have to re-trace back all my steps if I want to go back to my room without any difficulty. Lucy was already by her table, book in hand as she sipped onto her soup. I went to take a seat opposite of her instead as I saw a bowl of soup already placed there.

"Hey Lucy." I greeted her as I sat down.

"Hey Natsu." She replied back putting her book away. "I guess you got lost huh."

"Yeah…" I answered sheepishly while I scratched the back of my head. "Can't blame me for not being able to get lost in a castle right?"

Lucy giggled. "Yeah… you'll get used to this place after a while." I looked at Lucy as she gave me one of her mind blowing smiles again. Damn, could she stop smiling like that?

I began to eat my soup and grabbed a croissant that was placed in a basket between us. Sooner or later, goat face walked in.

"Morning Lucy." Capricorn greeted her with a bow.

"Morning Capricorn. So you're here to get Natsu started right?"

"Yes Lucy. May I know if you're done?" The question directed at me as he turned to look at me.

I quickly stuffed the croissant into my mouth and nodded.

"Alright if you will, please follow me." I stood up and followed behind goat face before getting stopped as Lucy called for me.

"Have fun!" Lucy waved at me as she held onto her book again. Virgo was now beside her, refilling her cup of tea. I smiled and waved back before catching up with Capricorn. Let's see what the castle has in stored for me.

Great, just fucking great. I am helping out with the flirty orange hair dude here at the horse stables. Basically, I give them food to eat, water to drink and also clean them. Actually practically take care of them and the place. This is boring. I want to fight or do something more exciting. I guess the goat face don't trust me.

We were walking down the corridor before Capricorn came to a stop causing me to do the same motion as well.

"Look here Natsu, I do not know who you exactly are but I cannot trust you." He turned to face me before he continued. "We all love and treasure Lucy a lot so if you do anything to her, we won't in doubt skin you alive."

"So why let me stay here? Why even let me work here?" I asked with my hands behind my head.

"Because I can see Lucy trusts you and I wish to respect her decision."

So to play safe, Capricorn made me do a job that there is nothing he can worry under the eyes of Loki I guess. Trust eh? It's been exactly 1 full day since we've known each other and she's off trusting me already. I don't know why but I was feeling horribly bad before a pail gets shoved into my face.

"Hey Natsu, we paid you to work and not daydream." I just grunted before I grabbed the pail from Loki to get some water so that I could proceed to refill the horses' water. The uniform was not helping at all, furthermore with the weather and my ABNORMAL body heat which they all don't know about. I had to wear long black pants, tucked into my boots with a long sleeved white shirt. Oh and not forgetting the vest as well.

I guess we all have to look presentable since we work and live in the castle. After that was done, I plopped down on a nearby stool to take a rest. I decided to look up to watch the sky. I just had to close my eyes because the breeze was too nice to miss.

I think I accidentally fell asleep but due to my dragon senses, I felt someone was staring at me. I decided to open my eyes and I saw two beautiful brown eyes looking into my black ones causing me to startle.

"Woah Lucy!"

She giggled. "Sorry Natsu but I happened to be walking passed here so I couldn't help but to check on you." She said as she used one hand to cover her mouth delicately.

I got up to dust myself and looked down to her. I just seemed to notice that she is shorter than me, a perfect ideal height that every guy wants for a girlfriend. Like honestly who wants their girls to be taller than him right? Wait! What the hell am I thinking of such things now? I just had to face palm myself.

"Er, whats wrong Natsu?" Lucy asked as she looked at me worriedly.

"Nothing's wrong, just thinking how ridiculous I am." I answered her as I brought my hands to my side.

"Anyway how's work so far?" Lucy walked to one of the horse to give a pat.

I had to hold onto my sigh. "Yeah, it's fine so far." Before I could continue, Mr hotshot came.

"Lucy!" Loki knelt down as she took Lucy's hand for a kiss?! Lucy hard heartedly laughed it off.

"Okay Loki, you can knock it off." Lucy said as she pulled away from Loki. Ha! Serves you right! Wait I'm being like a bitch right now.

He adjusted his shades and cleared his throat. "What is milady doing here in the stables?"

"I was bored." Lucy said it out quite flat actually.

I saw Loki smiled as he put his hands on his hips. "You know what Natsu? We haven't given you a tour around the castle right?"

I nodded, not sure where this was going.

"Why don't you leave the rest to me? Lucy I bet you want to show him around by your own right?"

"Can I?" Lucy looked happier as she asked Loki.

"Sure." Loki came beside me as he placed his hand on top of my head. "But do let me know if he tries anything funny to milady." I could feel the tension when he said that to Lucy so I guess he's warning me huh.

"Yeah, yeah I get it Loki." I pulled away from Loki's grip and went to Lucy's side. "Do anything to Lucy and I'm dead." I turned back to look at Loki over my shoulders. "Come on Luce, let's go." I grabbed Lucy's arm and dragged her away from the stables. Finally I'm out of there!

After we got into the castle, I let go of Lucy. I slapped myself on my forehead for being so rough and rude to the princess. It must be because I have yet to let out my power for a while now so it has been building up inside for quite some time. I need to get it out in order to calm myself.

"Natsu, are you alright?"

I turned and saw Lucy looking at me with such compassion and concern eyes.

"Er yeah I'm fine, sorry I don't know what has gotten into me lately." I can't tell her the truth since she doesn't know yet.

"Let's just forget whatever it is alright?" Lucy came to my front to face me, hands behind her back. Jesus Christ, why am I being super weak whenever I'm around her? "For now, let Lucy Heartfillia show you around this place." She turned back to the front as she rolled up her imaginary sleeves.

I couldn't help but to chuckle before I followed behind her. Firstly, she brought me to the library. Damn! It was huge ass I tell you, though I don't really fancy books but Lucy told me she loves to write and read so I believe this is her favourite place besides the garden. Over here, she told me that Sagittarius was in charge, for your information, it was the guy dressed in horse suit. He should be taking care of the horses' stable since he's dressed like that while I should take care of this place. At least here, I can take naps and not be ordered around by that Loki. Oh, and another thing that is weird about him is that he keeps saying Moshi Moshi.

After we hanged out at the library, we went to the training room. This is so my place. The red and white hair dude named Scorpio and the blue hair lady named Aquarius were in charge of this place. They were in charge of training the guards and army. I guess they were really strong since they were the leaders.

Oh and I have also concluded that Aquarius has an issue with Lucy because she keeps on tsk-ing her. After the introductory, we left because Lucy couldn't stand getting scolded by her. I have to hand it to her; though she was the princess she didn't give hell.

Next we headed to the kitchen, there stood Taurus and Cancer. They were very nice to let us grabbed some bite and a drink as we sat there to exchange the proper introductions. I got to salute to Cancer on his cutting skills as he does it so well and fast. As for Taurus, well he does the stirring and mixing of the food. He just cannot stop getting to Lucy which just made me feel like clawing his eyes out. I think I was pissed because I told them we're done and grabbed Lucy by her wrist and walked out as quickly as we could.

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with me?!

Lastly, we went to the garden. I saw Aries watering the plants. She stopped when she soon felt our presence and she introduced herself to me. I got to admit, she seems the most decent one here. No wonder she was in charge of taking care of the garden. Imagine if the garden was under the hands of someone else, I think it will just crumble down. Since we were done with the whole castle, we decided to take a break there.

"Phew! Finally we got everything covered." Lucy fell back on the bench as she stretched her hands.

"Yeah, thanks for showing me around Luce." I sat down as well.

"No problem." She smiled. "Anything else you want to ask?"

"What about Virgo was it? And the goat face, was it Capricorn? What is their job?"

She laughed before answering. "Well, Virgo goes wherever I go. She's like my personal assistant or what usually people called, maid whereas Capricorn is my personal bodyguard, though I don't need one since I'm always stuck here."

"Well Lucy, they're just taking precautions. You can't blame them. You're a prin-" I stopped because I remembered Lucy hates to be reminded.

"It's alright, you can finished saying the word." Lucy waved a hand at me like she was tired of scolding people to stop reminding her that she was a princess.

"Sorry Luce. But I think you're really a great princess." I said while giving her one of my goofy grins. I think I saw a blush on Lucy's face. We looked into each other's eyes for quite some time and without realizing I felt one of my hand started to reach for her face like I wanted to brush her soft cheeks.

"Hime! Dinner is ready!" We broke from our trance and looked away from each other. Where did that Virgo always popped up from? Lucy got up to brush her attire before looking at me.

"So I guess I'll meet you at dinner?"

"Yeah…" She smiled before she walked back towards the castle together with Virgo. I looked down as I placed my hands on my forehead. I didn't understand why my heart was beating like crazy.

A/N: And that's a wrap for this chapter folks! Never expected Natsu to work at the horses' stable intead right? Anyways FYI, my knowledge about kingdom stuff is a bit limited so I would like to apologise now for any confusion. Please leave a review before you go guys! Thanks(: