Chapter 8

Natsu impatiently drummed his fingers repeatedly on the arm of his throne. He was so bored! He didn't get the point of balls. He sighed for the hundredth time, resting his cheek in the palm of his hand. Where the hell was Lucy? The ball started half an hour ago and was in full swing, but she still hadn't arrived. His parents kept bugging him to go dance, but he was keeping to his word that he would save his first dance for her. So where was she? Oh God what if something happened? What if she was injured or worse?

Natsu fidgeted uncomfortably in his throne. Now he wanted to go check if she was ok. He wanted her to be her with him. Much to his displeasure he had to dress up in a white and gold suit with golden buttons and shining black shoes. He wasn't complaining as much as he normally would, as he might impress Lucy more if he dressed up. He was sitting at the head of the ballroom in his red throne beside his father and mothers. He had to wear a crown, unfortunately. The heavy gold with the ruby at the front was seriously uncomfortable. Speaking of thrones, crowns and… princes, how would Lucy react?

He wanted to tell her, but he was afraid of how she would take it. He was terrified that she would hate him once she found out. The wrung his hands nervously. What if she didn't agree to marry him? What would he do then? He wouldn't be able to live if she wasn't there with him. A sudden gasp echoed through the ballroom, and the music stopped abruptly. Frowning, Natsu flicked his eyes up to see what the problem was. His elbow slipped of the arm and his mouth dropped in awe at the sight before him. It was Lucy.

Lucy showed her invitation to the doorman, slid it back into her pocket and stood at the top of the tall marble staircase, looking down at the ongoing ball. She looked amazedly at the glorious ballroom. Then she realized everyone was staring at her. Whispers bounced off the ballroom walls. "Who is she?" "I've never seen her before." "Look at that dress!" And the music had stopped. She gulped nervously. She didn't look that horrible did she? Her eyes travelled up and met Natsu's shocked ones. Where he was sitting on the throne. With a crown on his head. As the prince. The prince…Natsu was the prince.

It took a few seconds for the truth to settle in. Natsu…the prince? Natsu the prince…NATSU IS THE PRINCE! The realization hit her like a bucket of cold water. NATSU IS THE PRINCE! WHY DIDN'T HE TELL ME! That liar! Lucy felt her heart start to shatter into pieces. What was all that then? Was it all just a joke? Why would a prince take interest in a lousy maid like me? He wasn't serious…Lucy bit her lip to stop it from trembling. She took a deep breath, and slowly descended the stairs.

That damn bastard…And he still has to look incredible doesn't he? Lucy couldn't help but let her eyes drift down Natsu's body. She was still in love with him after all. She'd have to get rid of those feelings… He looked so amazingly handsome in his fine white suit. Lucy still wanted to run up to him and kiss him. She smirked inwardly at the flabbergasted look on his face.

Natsu drank in every glorious inch of Lucy with hungry eyes. Crap she looked so beautiful…Her dress was stunning, and hugged every curve of that amazing body of hers, and she was wearing his necklace! He felt his chest swell in joy. Natsu wanted to run up the stairs and hold her in his arms and kiss her senseless. Once he saw the furious glare she was sending in his direction, he decided that might not be a good idea if he wanted to live. She's mad at me… Natsu immediately saw the crowd of men starting to gather at the bottom of the stairs. A low possessive growl rippled through his chest. He'd be damned if her let some other bastard steal his Lucy's first dance.

In seconds he was at the bottom of the stairs. Lucy stopped in front of him, scowling. He cleared his dry throat, and bowed in front of her. "May I have this dance?" he asked, scared of her reply. Damn I can't refuse in front of all these people…That would look bad… "You may" Lucy replied mildly, holding out one small hand. Natsu grinned, relieved and placed a warm kiss on her smooth skin. They proceeded towards the centre of the ballroom, Lucy refusing to look at him. The music started to play again as Natsu and Lucy spun into a waltz.

Once again they both had to marvel at how good it felt once their hands were together – much to Lucy's annoyance. She continued to blatantly avoid looking Natsu in the eye. She also saw her stepmother and stepsisters by the food table at the back. Her heart stopped in fear. What if they recognized her? They didn't look like they did. In fact she heard Claudia's very loud "Who is she?" She let out a breath of relief. Thank God. She turned back to Natsu. "Lucy…" Natsu pleaded. No reply. "Lucy please look at me…please Luce…" he pleaded desperately. Lucy reluctantly flicked her eyes up to his. "Something wrong Your Highness?" she asked politely. Natsu squeezed the hand that was in his. "Don't call me that…" he whispered. "Well…you're the prince" Lucy's voice stuck slightly. "What else would I call you?"

Natsu shook his head in despair. "Lucy it's me…its Natsu…I'm the same person…" "And how am I supposed to know if that's true" Lucy said sharply. "Please Luce…I'm still me, I haven't changed…" Lucy shook her head, and looked up at him. His breath caught at the pain in her eyes. "That's what you don't seem to get Natsu…You have changed…Everything's changed". The music stopped and the dance ended. "Your Highness" Lucy said coldly as she curtseyed. She whipped around and walked away. "Lu -" Natsu started as he reached after her, but soon a gaggle of women were twittering all over him, asking him to dance. Once he looked up again, Lucy was gone.

Lucy stood in the shadows of the ballroom, twirling the stem of a glass of punch she had swiped from one of the beverage tables. It was mostly to avoid the men who seemed to be searching for her, looking to claim a dance. Bu Lucy didn't feel like dancing anymore. She watched as Natsu was forced to dance with several different ladies. She couldn't help it, but jealousy bubbled up inside her chest. She sighed, downed her punch in one gulp, set the glass on one of the tables and slipped out of the ballroom.

She entered a cool hallway. Looking around, she saw the large portraits of the royal family, past and present, lining the walls. It must be the portrait hall. She sat down on a small red sofa and leaned her head back, rubbing a hand over her eyes. Looking up she saw Natsu's portrait, right in front of her. He looked so regal, and handsome. The artist had captured him very well. "It took me forever to get it right". Lucy turned to see Natsu standing in the doorway. He offered her a soft smile, and shut the door quietly behind him.

Lucy scowled, turned and started to march away, but Natsu was at her heels in seconds. "Lucy please…" he reached out and grabbed her hand as it swung behind her. She twisted and ripped her hand out of his grasp. "What?" she spat. Natsu gulped, and she saw anguish twist in his eyes. She was shocked. He was upset? "Please Lucy…Will you please let me explain?" he pleaded. He took both of her hands in his and gently stroked them. "Why should I listen to anything you have to say?" she hissed, but she didn't pull away. "So you can lie to me some more?" Lucy swallowed. "Was it all just a prank Natsu? Was any of it real? Did you mean any of it?" She felt tears sting her eyes.

Natsu squeezed her hands, hard. "Never say that Lucy. All of it was real, all of it was all me…just without my title. I promise you, I meant everything I ever said or did…Don't you trust me Lucy?" He looked in her eyes, and all she could see was pure sincerity, and panic, fear and sadness. Was he telling the truth…? He looked like he was about to start crying… Maybe he was telling the truth…Why else would he be this upset?

Lucy slowly nodded. Natsu let out a breath of relief. "Will you come with me, so I can explain?" he asked. Lucy thought for a moment, then looked up at him and smiled. "Sure" she replied. Natsu grinned and wrapped her up in a bone crushing hug. "Thank you" he whispered into her hair. He pulled back and admired her. "You look stunningly beautiful by the way" he added, smiling softly. Lucy flushed, and looked at the ground. "Well you look very handsome" she mumbled. "Why thank you Luce, I couldn't agree more" he replied cheekily.

"My lady" he said, offering his arm. Lucy looped her arm through his as they walked down the stairs. "So where are we going?" Lucy asked. "It's a secret" Natsu said with a wink. Lucy rolled her eyes at him. Natsu chuckled. "This way" he said. They walked through a neat garden, up a flight of stone steps, and there was an oak door in front of them, set into a stone wall. Natsu reached forward and swung it open. "Ta-da!" he announced. Lucy gasped at the sight in front of her.

It was a little clearing, with a huge glittering fountain standing in one corner, crystal water tumbling quietly into a large pool below. The dark green grass was trimmed neatly, and a white metal bench was set against the wall, fitted with a white cushion that was surprisingly clean. It was extraordinarily peaceful, the only noise being the soft swish of water falling. "Do you like it?" Natsu asked from behind her as he shut the oak door softly. "I love it" Lucy breathed in wonder.

"Good" Natsu smiled as he led her to the bench. They sat down on the comfy cushion beside each other. Natsu sighed, taking of his crown. He ran a hand through his pink hair and set the crown down beside him. "I guess I owe you an explanation" he said. "I should probably start at the beginning. Well, I'm the prince, yippee. Since I'm an only child, I never had any brothers or sisters to play with, so I was lonely. I tried to visit the village, many times, but someone would always catch me and bring me back".

"Once I did manage to visit the by myself, no one really noticed me. Until you came along". He looked up at Lucy and smiled. "You're the first real friend I've ever had. You're the first real anything I've ever had, and I didn't want to lose you". He sighed again and looked down in shame. "I wanted to tell you…I really did but…I was scared…I thought you might hate me, and run away and I couldn't bare for that to happen…because…"

He looked into her eyes again, and took her hands in his. "…Because at some point during your kindness and smiles, your beauty and that unbelievable smelling hair of yours, and your weirdness, and everything else in between…I fell in love with you…" Lucy gasped in surprise. Natsu loves me? "And…well…I couldn't bear to let you leave me…because I don't think I can live without you Lucy." He squeezed her hands gently. "So do you think you could find it in that huge heart of yours to forgive me?" he asked shakily.

Lucy was speechless, still wrapping her head around his previous statement. "I fell in love with you…" She grinned widely and threw her arms around Natsu's neck, slamming her lips forcefully into his. Natsu was shocked, but quickly recovered and held her tightly against him, kissing her passionately back. His heart soared to have her in his arms again, and to feel her soft lips on his again.

They slowly pulled apart, but remained with their foreheads touching. Lucy smiled softly up at Natsu, her eyes shining. She gently cupped his cheek and stroked it. "Of course I can" she replied. "Because somewhere along with your idiocy, childishness, incredible appetite, destructiveness, kindness, infective grins and annoying attractiveness" – Natsu grinned at that one – "I fell in love with you". She smiled at Natsu as his mouth dropped in shock.

Then he lunged at her, crushed her in his arms and fiercely kissed her. Lucy was all too happy to respond with just as much ferocity. Natsu pulled away and buried his face in her neck. He breathed in her scent deeply, then mumbled "I love you" as he placed a wet kiss on her skin. Lucy giggled, running her hands through his soft pink hair. "I love you too" she whispered in his ear.

Natsu cupped her cheek then stroked it gently. He placed a soft sweet kiss on her lips. "So, glass slippers huh?" he said, looking at her feet. Lucy giggled, and waved her feet in the air. "Yeah. One of my spirits, Virgo brought them for me. She said they were specially made in the spirit world so they should only fit me". "Cool" Natsu grinned. Lucy smiled happily then her face dropped slightly as she thought of something. Natsu noticed the change immediately. He frowned in concern. "What is it?" he asked gently. Lucy sighed. "Well, you told me about your past…I might as well share mine" she said. "You don't have to if you don't want to -" Natsu started but Lucy cut him off. "No. I want you to know".

Lucy shifted so she was sitting on Natsu's lap. He instantly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her soft warm body closer against him. He leaned his chin against her head, smelling her beautiful blonde hair. Lucy settled back against his warm back. She sighed in content. She felt so safe and secure in his arms. She looked up at Natsu. "You don't mind, do you?" she asked, gesturing to their current position. Natsu shook his head. "Not at all". On the contrary he was loving every second.

Natsu leaned down and placed a brief kiss on her lips. "I'll begin then" Lucy said. "Well, I'm Duke Heartfilia's daughter. My mother was Layla Heartfilia". "Duke Heartfilia?" Natsu asked. "You mean Jude Heartfilia? I remember my mother talking about him once". "Yep, him. Well, once I was 9 years old, my mother died of a disease. A year later, my father remarried to a women called Hilda. My new stepmother". "Hilda? Wait, you mean Duchess Heartfilia? I thought you said you were her maid?" Natsu asked, confused.

"I am her maid" Lucy replied. "Once my father died, 1 month later, my stepmother forced me out of my room, took away all my belongings and made me sleep in the cellar. She fired all the maids and staff, and said I was doing all the work from then on. I was so young I was too terrified to do anything but obey her". As she had been speaking, Natsu had been tightening his grip on Lucy with each sentence.

"That's horrible" he breathed, shocked that she had to go through that. A snarl of anger escaped his mouth. He made a mental note to KILL her stepmother later. Well…maybe not kill, but he'd make sure she paid for doing that to his Lucy. He nuzzled her head and hugged her against his chest, comforting her. "Well why didn't you just run away when you were older? Or used your spirits?"

"Because" Lucy said bitterly. "It would only make things worse. I didn't want to burden anyone with me, especially the poorer people. They can't afford another mouth to feed. If I wanted to become a maid in any households, or tried to see if anyone could afford or would be kind enough to take me in, then my stepmother would just find me - which wouldn't be that difficult with all the gossiping in the town – and lie and tell however employed me or took me in that I killed my mother and father, and I was a murder. Then they would throw me out in fear, and tell everyone about me being a murderer and then no one in the town would ever speak to me again, and they would probably kick me out of the kingdom, and I didn't want that. Leaving the kingdom altogether was a no-go as well".

"How do you know she would do something like that?" Natsu asked, even more horrified than before. "She told me that's what she would if I tried running away" Lucy replied. Natsu hugged her tightly, stroking her head. "I'm so sorry" he mumbled against her hair. "Don't apologize, it's not your fault" Lucy said. Natsu caressed her cheek lovingly. "I promise I'll get you away from that place" he said. Lucy leaned into his hand, smiling up at him. "Thank you Natsu" she said. She leaned up and kissed him. Natsu slid his arm around her waist, happily kissing her back.

He flicked his tongue gently along her lower lip. Lucy moaned into his mouth, her lips parting slightly in shock. Natsu used the opportunity to slip his tongue inside her mouth. Lucy squeaked slightly in surprise, which quickly turned to moans as Natsu's tongue explored her wet cavern. Their tongues tangled together in a fight for dominance. They both had to break apart for air. Natsu immediately attacked Lucy's neck, trailing large open mouth kisses down the expanse of creamy skin.

Lucy moaned in pleasure, tangling her hands in Natsu's hair. He nipped her neck softly, which was followed by Lucy's loud moan. Natsu nipped down her neck, desperate to draw more delicious moans from that adorable mouth of hers. He slid his warm hands up Lucy's exposed back, leaving her body tingling. Lucy pulled his head back up to attack his mouth. They were passionately engaging in another fierce battle of the tongues when a distant voice called out "Your Highness! Prince Natsu! Where are you?" Natsu ignored it and kept kissing Lucy. The voice called out again "Your Highness! Your father wants to talk to you!"

Lucy pulled back, and gave Natsu a small smile. "You should probably go" she said. Natsu groaned in frustration. He sighed then stood up. He grasped both of Lucy's hands and said "I'll be right back. Will you wait here for me?" "Of course" Lucy smiled. Natsu brought up both her hands and kissed them, then leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips. "Bye" he whispered before he slipped out through the door. Lucy heard is irritated voice say "What?" to however it was calling. She heard muffled voices then two pairs of retreating footsteps.

She sighed, hugged herself tightly and fell back against the bench, an idiotic grin planted on her face. Her heart was doing loop-the-loops with happiness. NATSU LOVES ME! She hopped up on her feet and skipped over to the fountain. She sat down on the shining white edge of the bowl and stared at her reflection in the still water. Could this be the face of a future princess? She nibbled on her lip and slowly broke the surface of the water with her fingertips, dragging her fingers through the cool water. Would Natsu ask her to marry him? Someday? He said he loved her, but…he was a prince, and she was a maid. He deserved better…But what if he didn't care? Well if he asked, she would say yes in a heartbeat…

A loud dong broke Lucy out of her thoughts. She looked up in slight annoyance. Her eyes snapped wide in fear. The hand of the huge golden clock in the distance was set on 12, the dong of midnight echoing throughout the kingdom. Midnight…But what about Natsu? She couldn't just leave without saying anything…He might decide he doesn't want to be with me anymore if I just leave…As the ends of Lucy's gown started to slowly turn faintly pink, she didn't have a choice unless she wanted to be left standing in rags.

She bolted to the door flinging it open, and raced out. Just as she started to run down the marble steps to the front doors, a voice called out behind her "Lucy!" She turned to see Natsu leaning over the marble railing looking confused and scared. "Natsu…" she whispered. She was torn between running to him and running away, back to her house. She made a split second decision, as the ends of her dress were becoming pinker by the second, to keep running down the stairs. I'm sorry Natsu…

Natsu wasn't about to let her go that easily. He came back from his interesting – a lecture on why the hell he wasn't in the ballroom dancing – conversation with his father, looking very much forward to continue where they left off with Lucy, only to find her running away down the steps. SHIT SHIT SHIT! Was I too forward? Has she decided she hasn't forgiven me? What if she doesn't want to be with me? So he leaned over the railings and yelled down at her. She looked…afraid…of something. What was wrong?

Once she continued running, Natsu immediately vaulted over the railings and landed neatly in her path. He grabbed her arms to stop her from knocking him over. "Natsu!" Lucy cried. "Luce what is it? Did I do something wrong? Tell me what it is and I'll-" He was cut off by Lucy pressing her lips against his in a breathless kiss. "Meet me at my special place at 2 O'clock tomorrow. I'll explain everything then" she whispered against his lips, before dodging past him and continuing to run down the stairs.

Natsu was left in shock for a few moments, before he turned and yelled "Wait!" running after her. Lucy was on the last part of the staircase when one of her glass slippers slipped of her foot. She gasped in shock and whipped around. Natsu was quickly advancing on her, so she left it there and kept running, her bare foot getting painfully jabbed by sharpish stones of the place courtyard. She grabbed Snow's reins – who was restlessly pacing outside the front doors – swung herself on and yelled "Yah!" while snapping the reins. Snow reared then galloped off at top speed.

Natsu reached the bottom of the steps just as Snow raced of. He could only stand and watch as the love of his life disappeared in a brown dust cloud. He ran his hands through his hair and kicked the marble step in anger, furious with himself. What did I do wrong? I just had to scare the only woman I've ever loved away… He walked sorrowfully up the steps. He stopped once he saw the beautiful glittering glass slipper. Reaching down, he picked it up and ran his thumb over the smooth surface. Then he held it closely against his heart.

Just as Lucy hopped off Snow the 12th dong sounded, and both her dress and Snow disappeared in a shower of golden sparkles. Lucy was left shivering in the cold dark in the pink rags of her mother's dress and her diamond heart necklace. She hurried inside before she froze to death. Shutting the door behind her, Lucy slid to the ground, exhausted. She saw something sparkle, and looked down to see one glass slipper still on her foot. She slipped it off and held it closely against her heart. Thank you…Virgo…

•••

"Natsu sweetie? Do you want anything to eat?" Natsu shook his head, eyes blankly staring at the glittering slipper in front of him. His mother was standing by the door, shocked. She cleared her throat. "Right, but come down if you need anything, ok dear?" No reply. Grandine shut the door to Natsu's room softly, and turned to the gobsmacked Igneel. "He doesn't want food?" Igneel hissed. "Since when has Natsu ever not wanted food?"

"Did you see his eyes?" Grandine whispered. "He couldn't stop staring at that glass slipper..." A grin slowly crept across her face. "I think he's in love!" she squealed. "Shush be quiet" Igneel whispered hurrying her away. "In love? Natsu? Are you sure?" Grandine nodded vigorously. "I saw his eyes when he was looking at that slipper. He's in love with that girl, I'm sure of it". "But we don't know who she is!" Igneel said. "She left early, and Natsu went up to his room right after and didn't come out since. He must not know who she is either…"

"Then we have to find her" Grandine said. "This might the one Igneel! Oh, we'll have such cute grandchildren!" Grandine cooed with hearts in her eyes as Igneel sweat-dropped at his wife. "We have to find her first" Igneel said. He snapped his fingers as he had an idea. "I know! Why don't we get all the eligible women in the kingdom come to the castle tomorrow and try on that slipper! Whoever it fits is the girl Natsu will marry!" "But any number of girls could fits that slipper" Grandine said. "How do we know which is the right one?" "We don't" Igneel said. "But Natsu will. If they're all here then he's bound to recognize her. That slipper is our only clue. We have to do something to find her".

Grandine considered it for a moment. "I guess we don't have much of a choice" she said. Igneel grinned. "Brilliant! I'll send out the royal proclamation tomorrow morning. How does 3 O'clock sound, for everyone to come?" "That should be fine" Grandine replied. Igneel moved to go up the stairs. "I'll go tell Natsu". Grandine grabbed his arm before he could go any further. She shook her head. "I think that it's best to leave him alone for tonight".