Chapter 14
So I got a tumblr...I have no idea how to use it. You know how every site kinda has its own unspoken rules? I feel like tumblr is an entire society based in the internet and I have no idea what their rules are or their customs and such. Oh well
Also, I'm reading so many Nalu fanfics right now that my brain is literally overflowing with ideas, so I've been jotting down ideas for my next stories all And since I have random chunks of it already written, I hope it goes fairly quick.
That said, let's get to the actual story. Chapter 14!
Lucy's POV
Never has my own birthplace felt so cold.
The castle hasn't changed a bit; it's still the same polished marble and busy servants and proud capital. The servants still stop and bow respectfully as I pass; the place is still richly decorated with perfect arrangements of flowers at every corner. Even the carefully waxed stair-rails and spotless glass windows are the same. No, it's not the castle that's different. It's me.
I've changed, and I don't belong here anymore, in this world of nobles and wealth and power. I learned what living is during my time away, and now that I've gotten a taste for that, I don't want anything more to do with royal life.
How sad, that it's not my choice anymore.
As I am led through the halls like a prize, I shudder at chill drifting through the palace. Feeling dozens of curious gazes turned my way, I am left with no choice but to square my shoulders, straighten my back, and lift my chin proudly. I won't let them think me weak.
Still, that doesn't stop the pounding of my heart in my chest, or the fear threatening my composure. My father awaits.
A servant takes me to the war council room, where I am told to wait outside the two great doors. As the minutes tick by, I take deep breaths, trying to subdue my nerves.
How many months has it been? Four? It seems like ages that I've been away.
Finally, and yet too soon, I hear my father's commanding voice order me inside.
I stand straighter as two servants push the doors open for me, allowing me entrance to the room.
Dignified, I walk in, standing in front of the long council table with eyes staring defiantly into the face of the one man who I truly hate.
My father.
There is no greeting, no 'welcome back, I'm glad you came home', no smile, no warmth, no emotion other than self-satisfaction and annoyance. My father looks up from where he is going through reports on his desk. His eyes brighten when he sees me, but not in the loving kind of way. The way he looks at me reminds me of the way a businessman might look at a profitable sale.
"Well, it seems you finally came to your senses. Only a complete fool would willingly spend time with one of those reptiles. I expect that there will be no more shenanagins in the future. It is improper for a lady of your standing." He grunts, examining my reaction. "I must say, you caused me a great deal of trouble. Several of my best troops were taken away from the front lines because of you. We're still facing the consequences of it."
I clench my fists. Am I just another inconvenience now, father?
"Is that so?" I say through gritted teeth. I'm glad.
He ignores me, leaning forward to discuss something with his advisors, a bunch of hard-faced, pompous men with matching scowls.
I look around the room, investigating my surroundings. There are several military officers standing around the perimeter of the room, apparently on hold from whatever meeting it was that they were having before I interrupted.
I count five military officers, plus one or two guards. With a relieved sigh, I catch sight of a familiar redhead. Erza.
She returns my glance, staring with an expression that it somewhere between horror, shock, and concern. She asks a question with her eyes, but I can't answer her here. Remembering herself, Erza quickly regains her composure.
"It seems that you are unhurt, which will make things easier for us. We'll proceed with the engagement. Elise, notify Prince Cobra immediately."
Elise, my father's personal secretary, nods her head, stepping out of the room without so much as sparing a glance my way. I let out a sigh, then straighten my posture, feigning confidence. "There's no need, Elise. I won't be marrying the Prince."
A muscle jumps in my father's jaw. "You will marry the prince. That was our deal."
I lift my chin. "Actually, no." In the time that I was away, I've changed-I'm stronger than I was before. I'm not that weak, obedient girl who was blissfully ignorant of the real world. I can play this game. "Our agreement stated that I would return peacefully. I never said that I would marry Cobra."
Something flashes in his eyes, and he abruptly steps closer, so that we're only an arm's length apart. "You will obey, Lucy. You may not have agreed to marrying him, but I only agreed to keep your dragon-pet alive. There's nothing stopping me from making his life miserable."
My fist clenches involuntarily. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I should've known that he would be able to easily jump over my little threat. My father is a cunning man. He hasn't sat on the throne in fiore for twenty years for no reason.
I can't stop the twinge of fear that nags at my stomach-I know he'd never hurt me; I'm to valuable. But my father would have no qualms about hurting Natsu.
His smiling face flashes across my mind, and I struggle to maintain my composure. Suddenly, I'm overcome with loneliness. Oh, what I would give to have him here right now!
My face stays frozen in its defiant scowl. "I will not. And if you hurt Natsu, you can say goodbye to any chance of me marrying cobra."
The king slams his fist into the table, making my heart jump. "I will NOT allow you to treat that THING-," I flinch, "-as if it has any humanity at all! Stop living in this illusion, Lucy! The dragon is a beast, and it must be exterminated. My daughter will have nothing to do with such creatures!"
I swallow hard. If I push any further, my father will snap.
His pacing reminds me of a tiger trapped in a cage, ready to strike at the first offense. Everyone in the room is on guard, careful not to anger the king.
Still, I hold my ground. "I will not marry Cobra. And you will not hurt Natsu. He has no part in this."
At that, I turn on my heel, leaving the now stunned council with a slam of the double doors. My heart is still pounding in my chest, and I half-expect the king to come after me in a whirlwind of anger, but no one pursues me.
I storm down the halls, earning surprised looks from the servants, but I don't care.
My father has no idea who he's dealing with. I've learned a few things in the time that I was gone, and he can't control me with his threats anymore. Besides, he can't get to Natsu. He's safe behind the walls of the castle, where he can recover without disturbance.
The memories still haunt my mind. The lotus nectar, that last kiss, the way it seemed to cause him physical pain for me to leave. The hurt, the pain, the betrayal-it was all there. And now I'll never have him back.
Stop torturing yourself, Lucy. It's better this way.
Better for him. Not for me. But I guess that will have to suffice.
Please, Natsu. Live on for both of us.
Porlyusica was right. I should never have gotten so attached. I should never have let him get attached. It's too late now. But do I actually regret falling in love with the dragon prince?
Even though it caused us so much pain, was it not worth all the memories we made? The things we gave each other-friendship, comfort, laughter...love. They were worth it, for two people who shared the grief of a broken family and a harsh upbringing. We were worth it, for each other. Even if it was only for a few months, those few months were the first time that I have really lived since my mother's death.
It's gone now. And it's my duty to protect the precious remnants of our time together. I can stop my father; I will stop my father.
And after that...I don't know what will happen. But I'll push through, no matter what happens. My father can't break me.
My bedroom hasn't changed. Still the same lush velvet curtains, silk bedding, polished ivory furniture. It's fit for a princess, and I hate it.
The bed is too soft, I feel like I'm sinking right through it. The pillows offer no support, and the decorative tassels dig into my back.
The decorated ceiling makes me seethe in anger. It's a depiction of the sun, surrounded by scattered symbols of our great nation.
The worst part is the painting on the far wall, which depicts a dragon being slain by a knight in shining golden armor. I choke back a scream. The blood spurting from the dragon's wounds seems so vibrant red, matching the more subtle red tones of the dragon's scales. The creature's green eyes look angry and dull, like those of a dumb livestock.
The worst part is, it looks almost exactly like Natsu.
I can't handle it. With a scream, I yank the painting off the wall, unable to look at such an awful depiction of the proud creatures. I throw it through the open window, taking out all my fury on one canvas.
I watch, satisfied, as it successfully demolishes a few carefully pruned rosebushes.
Feeling a little bit better, I turn back to my room, only to hear a knock on the door.
With a groan, I go to open it, but am pleasantly surprised by the only person who I actually don't hate at the moment.
"Erza!" I cry, squishing her in a hug.
The redhead seems taken aback by my enthusiasm, but hugs me back, breaking away after a moment. "The king is furious. You don't want to press him anymore."
I shake my head, looking into her eyes. "He can't hurt me."
She closes the door behind me, turning the lock carefully. "Yes...that may be true. But that doesn't stop him from taking it out on others."
"Others? Erza, there aren't any dragons left to torment, other than Natsu. As for the mages, they're all either in service to the military, or..." I drop my voice to a whisper. "...in hiding. No one knows about Fairy Tail. They're safe."
Erza looks uncomfortable. "Not exactly."
"Not exactly? What's that supposed to mean, Erza?!"
"They...well...most of the residents who've been living in Magnolia for a long time know about us. It wasn't hard to put together, after all, when we formed the tavern, most of them put two and two together. The same mages who were once apart of Fairy Tail were running a tavern...together. It raised some eyebrows. There's only a few dozen people, but if even one of them were to say something, it would completely blow our cover. We'd be arrested and executed within a day."
The room spins. I sink into a cushioned chair, feeling sick. My brain decides that this is a great time to start thinking up all the different ways this could go wrong.
"Lucy, I wish I could sugarcoat it. But if you really want to keep them safe, you can't afford to be rebellious like this." She sits beside me, placing a hand on my shaking shoulder.
Levy and Gajeel, MiraJane, Laxus, and the child that'll be due any day now. Elfman, Makarov, Cana, Wendy...everybody is counting on me now. To keep things steady on this end. I'm here to be the ambassador for magic-wielding people all over fiore.
Erza looks at me, compassion reflected in her eyes. "I'm wish it weren't like this, Lucy. You belong with us in Fairy Tail."
I nod my head, unable to speak.
She takes a deep breath. "You know...in the time that I've known you as just Lucy-not the princess Lucy, just you-I've never seen Natsu so happy. Never. He loves you."
I laugh humorlessly. "Is that supposed to be comforting?"
She shakes her head. "All I'm saying is, even if you're here and not there, we won't forget you. You'll be in our hearts no matter where you are."
Tears spill over onto my cheeks.
"And when all this is over-which it will be, soon enough-you'll come home. Even if we have to hack through an army of a thousand men, we'll bring you home. Just hold out for a while."
"Erza, I thought you said you wouldn't sugarcoat it. I'm not coming home." I sob.
Her eyes flash. "You will. You have my word. Just trust me."
"But-"
"Nope. No buts. this isn't the end for you."
I wipe away a tear, straightening up. I know she's only trying to make me feel better, and that none of it is true, but it gives me strength. "Okay. I'll trust you."
A week passes, and I still refuse to marry Cobra. The trouble that I've been giving my father makes me strangely satisfied, and I devote my time to thinking up new ways to rebel. When I'm not undergoing 'classes' in princess etiquette,(because apparently I need to be purified of the 'savage' influence from a dragon) I am closely watched round the clock. My brother hasn't been in the castle; he's away at the southern islands, negotiating a trade agreement. I want to see him more than anything, but Erza tells me that he can't be back for a few more days.
It's been a week. By now, the potion that I gave to Natsu will have worn off. I can only hope he has enough sense to stay hidden.
My heart still breaks thinking about it, and I quickly turn my focus to my embroidery.
The sewing mistress leans over my shoulder, scrutinizing my stitches with an expert eye. I scowl, purposefully making one stitch crooked and sloppy. She grunts in annoyance, going off on some rant about how my stitching resembles that of a lowborn peasant.
The conversation ends with me telling her that I'd rather be born a peasant than live like this, and calling her something I probably shouldn't have. She leaves in a whirlwind of stiff anger, and I smile at my success.
I look down at the stitching, examining the sloppy rose that I have created. With a start, I notice-for the first time-that the colors I subconsciously chose are all different shades of red, orange, and yellow. Like fire.
I throw the embroidery hoop across the room, burying my face in my hands. I can't forget, can I? Is it such a small request, to not constantly be tormented with reminders of him?
An hour later, I have a dress fitting. It takes another half hour for them to get me to stand still in my shift, and when I finally comply, it's only because my father threatens to execute a few mage-prisoners.
After that, I am as docile as I can be. I've overstepped his boundaries, and we both know it. I lift my arms, turn around, hold still, straighten up, walk around, do anything they ask of me. I need to lull my father back into thinking that he has me under at least some control.
"Ow!" I exclaim as the seamstress pricks me with a needle on accident.
"M-my apologies, your highness." The young girl squeaks, earning a harsh look from her mother, the head seamstress. The girl is maybe fifteen, but from what I've overheard, one of the most prodigious seamstresses in Fiore. She's a timid little thing, with hollow, deep set eyes and sunken cheeks, and I can't help feeling a twinge of sympathy. As her dress moves to the side with a sweep of her arm, I catch a glimpse of dark purple bruises below her collarbone. My breath hitches, and I look to the older woman. Her harsh face has scowl marks, the same lines that are etched into my father's forehead.
Suddenly I hate this woman. Whether she's directly responsible for the bruises or not, she is no different from my father.
He was pulled away from the fitting an hour ago, and hasn't returned. Erza went with him, giving me one very worried look before following him out the door. Something about a disturbance at the gates.
After that, I make an effort to show obvious favoritism towards the girl. And when they leave, I slip a few gold coins into her hand, giving her a kind smile and a wink.
When I am back into my dress, a guard waits for me outside my bedroom. I see him, and automatically my mind goes on defense. What is going on?
"Your highness." The man says as I exit my bedroom, watching him warily.
"What is it?"
He examines me with blue eyes, as if evaluating me. "Your father instructed me to escort you."
"Where?"
His expression is unreadable, but from the way his whole body is stiff, I doubt it can be anything but bad. "Hurry up, he's not in a good mood."
I take my time following, dragging my feet. Anything to delay an encounter with the king.
Since when does my father have me escorted around the castle? Is he worried that I'll run away? He knows I can't, I would be caught within five minutes of leaving the premise.
So why the guard?
A mark flashes on his armor. The mark of a high-ranking officer.
Whatever is going on, I guess I'm about to find out. We've arrived at the war council room, where my father seems to spend all of his time these days.
We enter, and my father looks up from his desk with eyes like a hawk. "Ah, Captain Fullbuster. It took you long enough."
The guard just nods, expression blank. He retreats to stand in the back, next to a certain red-haired soldier. They exchange a glance, and for a split moment I see something in his expression that is very, very worried.
This doesn't go unnoticed by me. Is he a friend of Erza's?
My attention is regained when my father clears his throat. "Lucy, you have continuously disobeyed my instructions. You have refused this marriage because of your own selfishness, and because you can't seem to understand that we are looking at a full blown war here. I have tried-" He pauses to cough,"-to be reasonable. I have tried to be understanding. But you, young lady, have made it more difficult for both of us."
I set my jaw. I know where this is going.
"I want you to understand, you forced me into this. I has no option but to go through with the engagement."
His words hit me like a punch in the gut. He signed? Without my consent?
"Prince Cobra will arrive in three days. The engagement ball will be held that evening, so you can get to know him better then." He says, emotionless. He looks me in the eye, as if challenging me to refuse.
I take a deep breath. Here we go again. "I don't understand how you think that will change my mind about anything. I still won't marry him."
Erza is trying to catch my eye, shaking her head. I look away, diverting my gaze back to my father's cold blue eyes.
"I thought you'd say that." He says, sounding so self-satisfied that I want to slap him across his smug face. "But, my dear, I think I may have something that will change your mind."
I cross my arms. "Not likely."
He smirks, waving a hand forward. "Bring him in."
I spot Erza stiffen from across the room. For the first time, confusion sets itself in the back of my mind. Him?
Moments later, two guards bring in a man, bruised and beaten, dirt marring the vibrant pink color of his hair. His hands are secured behind his back with what I have come to recognize as anti-magic handcuffs, which prevent the prisoner from using any type of magic. The open shirt he wears is burnt and riddled with holes. The scarf that was so dear to him is now nowhere to be found.
My heart stops as they drag his form into the center of the room, dropping him to the floor with a heart-wrenching thud.
Natsu.
I gasp, forgetting to keep my composure. Natsu pushes himself up onto his knees, meeting my stare, equally shocked.
No. This can't be happening, it's only been a day since he's been able to move! It takes two days to travel from there to here on foot, this is impossible! The only feasible way he could've gotten here so fast would be if he flew...
Oh no. No he didn't.
Natsu coughs. "Lucy!"
Forgetting everyone else in the room, I step forward and throw my arms around him, shaking with anger and joy at the same time.
His scent calms me down. To tell the truth, everything about him does. For one moment I let myself ignore everyone else in the room, and bask in the fact that he's here.
"Luce..."He murmurs in my ear, so only I can hear. "I'm sorry. I wasn't strong enough to take 'em all down."
I shake my head, whispering back, "You're an idiot. I told you to stay."
He raises an eyebrow good-naturedly. "Since when do I ever listen?"
Our exchange lasts about five seconds, and that's about how long it takes for my father to yell at the guards to seperate us.
As rough hands grab my arms and pull me away, Natsu snarls at the guards, earning himself a bruise on his cheek. I whirl around, facing my father.
"We had a deal!" I shout, enraged. I so badly want to punch the man in the land down under, but I'm smarter than that.
He smiles cruelly. "So we did. But you forget, I am the king of Fiore. I can do whatever I want. And technically, he came to us. The beast tried to storm the gates earlier this morning."
His words barely register before I feel new anger rise in my chest. "I'm the one thing stopping you from going to war! You need me, and you know it."
"You will comply!"
"Unless you free him, I won't!"
It happens so fast, I barely register it before his hand swings against my face, the smack resounding through the silent council room and leaving me shocked, clutching my face with one hand.
Natsu roars, of course. It takes three guards to pin him down.
My father steps toward him. "Look at you, little lizard. I expected you to be a bit more of a challenge for my men. You really aren't all that I expected."
Natsu, surprisingly, doesn't respond. He may be stupid, but he's gathered that my father is a dangerous man. He only glares up at the king with fire in his eyes.
"Aww, are you mad? Did I hurt your feelings? It's too bad your daddy wasn't here to protect you this time. Oh, oops, I'm sorry. I forgot. I killed him."
Natsu's shoulder jerks, and I swear there is smoke rising from his body.
I'm still standing there, staring at the floor in shock. The pain in my cheek throbs, but I don't feel it. My father has never, ever, hit me. I can't even comprehend it.
"And your mother-she was nice, for a dragon. Quite the beautiful woman, when she wasn't a beast. If she was human, I would've married her." My father is finding every crack and every opening in Natsu's barrier, trying to break him, to get him to snap. Natsu knows it, too. That's the only reason why he hasn't said anything. "I can still remember the way she screamed, right before I shot her through the head."
I swallow, hard. I remember that day. It's burnt into my mind, the first scar on my stolen innocence. "Stop."
"You're the last Dragneel. It will be my great pleasure to wipe out your dynasty once and for all." He grins. "But that can wait until after the wedding. Maybe we can hold your execution just after the marriage ceremony, to celebrate. I do hear that Prince Cobra likes to wear dragon scales in his crown"
I feel sick. Natsu's eyes have begun to resemble flaming coals.
"My family is dead. That's not something I can change." He says, his voice coming out as a low growl. "But Lucy isn't yours. Lucy is mine, and I won't let you have her. You don't even deserve to call her your daughter. So for all I care, you can take your stuck-up, ridiculous ideas and take 'em to hell with you."
There is a collective gasp from those watching. I shudder, knowing that Natsu has just dug his own grave.
How do I intervene here?
Before my father can do anything, I step between them and put on my most defiant expression. "I am not property. And from what I've gathered, this whole war is your fault. If it weren't for the Dragon Purge, we would be fine right now. You're actions led up to this. It's about time you grew up and realized that."
I immediately steel myself for another blow, knowing that I've gone too far this time.
The blow never comes. Instead, my father steps forward so that we're inches apart. He grabs my jaw roughly, turning my head so he can whisper in my ear. "You will never, never, disobey me again. If you step out of line, even once, he's dead. If you defy me, he's dead. You're the only reason why I've even kept him alive, and if you mess up, it's his life you'll be losing. I'll be watching you, Lucy. You had better behave or so help me god, I will destroy everything you have ever cared about."
My eyes go wide, and my breaths start to come shakily. His anger almost radiates off him, like waves of cold air washing over the room. It's terrifying.
He steps back, and I'm relieved when he releases my jaw. His eyes glint with inhuman cruelty. Unable to support myself, I sink to the ground in defeat.
"Okay. Alright, I'll..." I choke on the words. "I'll do it."
My father straightens, puffing on his pipe with a satisfied smile. "I'm glad you could see it my way."
Natsu, however, isn't so happy about the whole thing. "WHAT? "
"Just one thing. As soon as the marriage is over, you let him go." I say, ignoring Natsu's outburst with a twinge of guilt.
He nods. "We have a deal.
Finally, the guards are forced to put a gag on Natsu and take him away, struggling the whole way. His eyes never leave my face, even when they shove him out the doors and shut them with a bang.
I watch them go, feeling completely lost the moment Natsu is taken from me. And now, after what just happened, I've pretty much signed away my life.
I can only hope that it's worth it.
Yippee day. I finished!
I just read the most amazing fanfic called trust me. I need more angsty nalu romance in my life. XD.
So yeah, that's that. I just finished Anohana and DIDN'T CRY! Darn it, I was hoping it would make me cry, but I guess not.
:(
Until next time, my lovelies!