notes: yay for Prince Natsu who is OC cause dragon slayer Natsu is so much different than Prince Natsu... terribly sorry, loves. I had to write my notes here because ff isn't being stupid. I hope you all had a merry Christmas! afterwards I will be uploading a New Years one-shot along the next chapter to: mistakes!

The next day, Lucy made a plan to head out and grab materials she needs for her new home, totally forgetting about them yesterday when Sting suddenly abducted her. She wasn't even close to finish unpacking and she had loads of stuff to do but with the way everything had turned out to become, she just didn't have the time. But today, she swore she was going to have everything done.

And that was how she ended up coming out of her home with a hat and a pair of sunglasses on, trying to ensure that no royalty or whoever noticed her to stop her from getting to work.

But... why was she even hiding? The royalty don't even come out during the day... well, they shouldn't be able to.

"Hey," a deep gruff voice suddenly spoke up as soon as she came out of her house. "can I talk to you?"

Jumping in her spot and slowly turning around, Lucy gave an awkward look at the male who looked slightly familiar but couldn't put her finger on it.

"I'm sorry... who—?"

"Names Gajeel, blondie." He said as he came forward, stepping closer towards the blonde. "Prince of he steel district."

"Oh!" Her eyes suddenly widened when she remembered his face. "Yes, my apologies, your highness."

"Cut that shit out," he made a face of disgust making Lucy blink in surprise. "I'm not gonna cut your head off 'cause you didn't call me your highness. I prefer not to be." He replied in a low and mean tone making her bite her tongue in nervousness. "I'm just here to tell you something and I'll let you be on your merry way."

"C—certainly..." The blonde murmured as she listened closely to what the dark Prince was about to say.

"I know that you've got some feelings for Natsu and I know he's got some for you too but you gotta understand his position," Gajeel said in a serious tone of voice making her become alert. "he's the fucking Prince of Fiore and is going to have to take the throne very soon but if he keeps getting caught up with a commoner like you, it'll prevent him from picking a suitor quicker and becoming King. It doesn't really concern me but the sooner he becomes king, the later I can decide on my life." He stated making Lucy's eyes widen and stare in surprise. "So you gotta lay off so he can go on with his life. A royalty and a commoner can never be together, it's rules and just against tradition. And knowing that idiot, he's all about tradition."

Unable to speak her thoughts, Lucy could only stare wordlessly as her throat felt incredibly dry.

When was this rule even a thing? Commoners and royalty can't be together? Did Natsu know about this and still led her on? How could he do this to her? She was practically very attached to the rosy-haired Prince and now she found out she can't even be with him because of tradition and rules.

It made her slightly angry but at the same time, miserable.

"Look, I didn't come here to make you cry or feel bad about yourself," Gajeel suddenly spoke up once more, making Lucy look up and state at him with wide glossy-eyes. "I just want you to know what you're throwing yourself into so you're don't embarrass yourself. Remember, the world watches." He added making her pull her sunglasses and hat off, a large look of disappointment crossing her features. "Now don't cry 'cause I don't know what the hell to do when the waterworks start."

"I'm not going to cry," Lucy replied back, almost as a mumble. "I'm... I'm just going to go, now."

"Don't tell me you're going to go to the palace to confront that idiot because you females tend to do that a lot."Laughing silently from her nose, the blonde shook her head.

"No way! That's... that's stupid. I'm just... going to go grocery shopping."

.

.

.

.

.

.

"The idiot, how dare he do this to me? Especially since he knew about this stupid rule and tradition as well, open up, Natsu Dragneel! I know you're in there! You've got some seriousexplaining to do!" She shouted from outside the royal walls, anger boiling up inside her.

Even though she lied right to Prince Gajeel's face and said she was going to go see the Prince, she came right to the castle. She didn't know what it was but she wanted to confront him.

It was ridiculous to see that a commoner like her was at the royal castle and screaming for the Prince of Fiore but she was so angry, her common sense was thrown out the window.

"Natsu Dragneel, I demand that you come out here and speak to me because I am so angry right now and you do not want to see me even angrier because I will something I probably will regret later!" The blonde shouted towards the castle as she caught weird attention from the strangers. "Natsu Dragneel—!"

"M'lady!" A voice suddenly came from inside the castle as a man in a suit with blue hair ran out of the doors. "Please, stop screaming! You are causing a nuisance and creating problems!"

"I don't care right now!" She snapped. "Bring me Prince Natsu right now or I swear I'll throw a tantrum right now!"

"I believe you already are," he spoke as he came towards the gate to look behind him before he looked right back at her. "but please, you must leave. Prince Natsu is busy right now and he can't meet with anyone right now, especially a commoner. I advise you to leave right now."

"Just so you know," Lucy place most of her weight on one side of her leg. "I've been inside here three times and I've eaten dinner with the royalty just last night and I can probably tell you three things about every Prince and Princess in that castle!"

"Please, lower your voice, ma'am—"

"Don't tell me what to do! Bring out Natsu Dragneel or I swear I'll—!"

"You swear you'll do what?" A new voice joined in the conversation making the two advert their gaze to the person. "Shouldn't you threaten the person face-to-face rather than behind their back?"

"Y—your majesty! I thought you were in your studies preparing for the meeting with the duke?!"

"I was till I heard this one screaming from my studies," he said in an amused tone of voice as he faced the blonde female. "so, what can I do for such a lovely—"

Reaching between the gates, Lucy grabbed the scarf that was wrapped around the Prince's neck, yanking him close to the point where his body pressed against the gates and he was face to face with her.

"Y—your highness!"

"Listen here, I am not in the mood to be all lovey-dovey and formal with you. Why didn't you tell me about the rule?"

"What rule may you be speaking of?"

"You know what I'm talking about," she spat making him only quirk a brow in her direction. "tell me why you didn't tell me royalty and commoners can't be together."

With his humor pushed aside, Natsu's frown dropped and he stared at Lucy with a serious look on his face.

"Who told you that?"

"So you do know about it!"

Reaching forward, Natsu placed his hand on the fist that was gripping his scarf tightly, the gentle but firm gesture making her look at him in surprise.

"Who told you that," he repeated, more seriously like her swallow nervously.

Why was she nervous?

"I—it was Prince Ga—"

"Gajeel," he pressed his lip into a tight line making the blonde nod. "that fucking asshole." he mumbled under his breath making her blink and lean in.

"Huh?"

"Nothing, uh, I'm busy right now but do you think we can discuss this during a later time—?"

"No, because I have plenty to say and I do not want this to bother me the entire time it's not discussed so please discuss this with me, now."

"Lucy, I would love to talk but I'm really busy—"

"I'm a busy woman, too, Natsu. And I want answers. Now."

Looking behind him as if he was expecting somebody, the Prince made a face of discomfort and worry before he let out a wary sigh.

"Open the gate," he ordered making Happy gawk at him.

"But your majesty—!"

"Open the gate, Happy, I don't have time so hurry and open it." He snapped making his butler bite his tongue before letting out a heavy sigh. He quickly ran off somewhere before the gates slowly started to open, allowing Lucy to enter and Natsu grab the hand of the blonde, Happy reappearing. "Happy could you please come to my room with a fitted gown and heels? And as in for you, you must come with me but it's critical you listen to me, okay?" He said as he pulled her back inside the castle.

"But where are we even—?"

"Don't worry about that right now, the duke will be here anytime soon and if we are going to speak, you must follow me and do not disobey my rules, am I clear?"

"Y—yes." Lucy swallowed nervously, unsure why she was feeling so uneasy as he spoke to her so seriously.

The rosy-haired Prince was careful not to run into people he knew as he poked his head around the corners of every corridor. He pulled the blonde along right behind him as the couple was quick and quiet, getting to his room faster than he expected. He took a quick look around to see if anyone else was around before entering, closing his door right behind him.

He let the small hand of the blonde go and closed his curtains, enveloping the room with slight darkness.

"Lucy, Happy is going to bring a dress and heel for you to wear so put that on, okay?"

"No, wait. Why is he bringing me heels and a dress?"

"So nobody here is going to think you're a commoner in the kingdom. Say you are the duke's sister or something—anything besides a commoner!" He said as he peeked outside to see if the said duke arrived, yet. "And I probably won't end this meeting till late so please, voice what is bothering you."

Remembering why she even came to the royal kingdom in the first place, the blonde felt angry once more as she planted her hands on her hips. "Please explain to me why you didn't tell me about this 'rule' and 'tradition.'" She curled her fingers at the words. "Why didn't you say so in the first place before you led me on like that? I know it sounded ridiculous at first because a Princ and a regular person like me but I didn't think it was actually a rule."

Peeking out the window once more, Natsu allowed a sigh to fly out of his lips and he looked back at the said woman. "Lucy, I really didn't think of it that time and even if I did know, I wouldn't want to tell you."

"And why not? So you can break it to me all of a sudden once you find your stupid Princess and become engaged?"

"No, it's not like that—"

"Then what is it like? Why was it Prince Gajeel who had to tell me instead of you?"

"I have my reasons."

"And what are those reasons?"

"I didn't want to hurt you and push you away all of a sudden," he paused for a moment making her quirk her brow in his direction. "and... I honestly didn't think I would see you again."

"But you did," she stated making him nod. "and you still choose to lead me on."

"I didn't mean to—"

"You obviously did if you continue to speak to me and be so friendly towards me as a woman when you clearly knew what the rules were," she snapped, brows furrowed as she slapped her palm against her other one. "I am not angry about the rule at all. It's tradition and I even understand that but what I'm really irked about is that you did not tell me. You just decided to lead me on then probably ignore me because I'm some commoner that you won't see ever again and when you get engaged you'll forget all about me and rule Fiore." She threw her arms in the air, the anger spilling out everywhere as Natsu pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a sigh.

"I told you why I did that—"

"It still doesn't add up to everything!" She jabbed her finger into his chest. "Why couldn't you just ignore me and not made me into this mess?"

Natsu opened his mouth to retort but all he could do was let out a sigh and smile slightly. "Dead Mavis, you are adorable even when angry."

"Don't change the subject like that!" Lucy squeaked, her cheeks blazing slightly. "Calling me sweet names will not change my perspective of you! Tell me why!" She demanded making him press his hand against his forehead. "Tell me!"

"Lucy, I already told you why. I didn't think I would meet you after seeing you at the ball and I did not want to tell you yesterday or whenever because you will be hurt. Look at you, now! You're angry and hurt because you found out! I wanted to protect you."

A knock on the door interrupted their little quarrel as Happy popped his head inside, a gown and a pair of heels on his hands. "Erm, your highness, the duke has arrived and I have your items..."

"Great! Alright, we'll talk more about this when I get back. Get dressed into that and don't leave my room, okay? If you need anything, ask Happy."

"What?!" The two shouted in unison as Natsu started to slip away but Lucy was quick to grab him.

"I'm not done with you!"

"Look, love, I have an important meeting to attend to with the duke and if I am late, it will not be pretty. I will return later so please just listen to what I have to say—"

"Natsu, I swear if you—"

"Behave," he threw his butler a look before looking back at Lucy. "both of you. I will return. And make sure she gets into that. Happy." He said once more before he disappeared into the halls.

Happy and Lucy both awkward shifted in their spot as they stared at one another, waiting for one of them to do something but as the time passed, neither of them said anything making it even more awkward.

"Uh, so, I believe you should put these on," the butler awkwardly spoke up as he thrust the items towards her. "Prince Natsu would have wanted you to."

"No thanks." Lucy kindly rejected as she raised her palm up. "I'm just going to leave. I am done trying and when you see him again, please tell him I am done seeing him," she started to walk away but Happy gasped, running on over towards the door to stop him from leaving.

"Y—you cannot do that! Prince Natsu had said you must not leave his chamber and you must not be seen!"

"I don't understand why, I've been here yesterday!"

"That was because the King was not present—I advise you listen!"

"I'll just have to leave without bumping into him," Lucy pushed the male away as she opened the door. "thank you for the concern." She took a step outside but when she heard voices down the hall, she froze. She looked down the long hall to see Laxus and Sting with their butlers behind them, walking down the direction she was in. "Crap, it's them two." She said almost too bitterly, quickly coming back inside to close the door and face Happy who was giving her a look of 'I-told-you-so.'

Scowling at the smug looking butler, Lucy snatched the items away from his hands. "Give me this," she hissed as she walked on over to where his bathroom was. "I'm only going to put this on because it's pretty, alright?"

"Whatever the mistress prefers." He replied, amusement laced between his words as she disappeared into the wash room. "She sure is weird.

—X—

When Natsu came back to attend to more important matters—and when he says important, he means Lucy who he's left in his room for almost four hours—it was already late. He was afraid she might have left since it was always so late but when he saw Happy and asked him about her, he promised him that she was still awaiting his arrival in his chambers. That made him excited and he quickly rushed to his room where when he entered, it smelt of girl.

"Lucy?" He spoke softly, closing the door behind him as he entered. "You still here, Lucy?"

The male traveled deeper inside his chambers and looked around, finally finding the said woman asleep on his King sized mattress. She was wearing the gown he requested she wore and her golden hair was splattered all around her head, almost making it look like it was a golden halo. She looked so perfect and calm that it made him smile, approaching the sleeping woman.

"How cute," he murmured softly, brushing his fingers against her jawline. "and so quiet..."

Lucy stirred slightly in her sleep but didn't awake as Natsu chuckled.

"Oh how I wish I could," he said sadly as he brushed his fingers through her golden locks. "you make everything so much more fun... I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier," he apologized softly as he trailed his finger against her plump lips. "Lucy, I am in love with you." He confessed before he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss against her forehead, a gentle smile decorating his face. "I'm sorry."

With that, he turned around and walked out of his chambers leaving the woman sleeping.

Feeling all comfortable and warm, Lucy didn't want to move or even open her eyes for that matter. She didn't know how long she's been sleeping or where she was but she felt like she was on a cloud, drifting slowly and gently across the sky which made her not want to move even more. But she felt heavy, for some reason, and she felt like her bladder was going to explode if she didn't move and that was her number one reason why she was awake. If it wasn't for her stupid bladder, she would probably be sleeping even more but now that she was already awake, she had to use the bathroom.

Moaning out in distress, the blonde slowly opened her eyes and blinked a few times to get rid of the blinding light before slowly sitting up.

She absorbed her surroundings and she suddenly remembered she was not in her own bed or at her own house but instead, in the Kingdom of the Dragneel's.

"I see you are awake now," a voice brought her back making her jump in surprise. "sorry to scare you but do not be so afraid, it is just I."

"Natsu," she let out a breath of sigh, looking at the Prince who sat on a chair, his body facing her direction. "what time is it?"

"Nearly one in the morning."

"Pardon?" Lucy's eyes got wide as she listened to him. "Did you just say—?"

Chuckling lightly, the rosy-haired Prince nodded and threw her a stunning grin. "Yes milady, it is nearly one in the morning."

"I—uh, I apologize." She flushed crimson making him quirk a brow in amusement. "I just... it was, I just—"

"Relax," he raised his hand. "I understand. It was nice seeing you all quiet and peaceful."

"You watched me sleep?"

"Just for a couple minutes," the prince cleared his throat. "you're very beautiful."

Flushing at his comment, Lucy was at loss of words as she didn't know what to say. She was baffled that the Prince of Fiore was telling her how beautiful she was and how he watched her sleep but at the same time, she was not that uncomfortable about it.

This was Natsu, she was talking about. The idiot who—

"You're doing it again!" Lucy suddenly shouted making the male tilt his head to the side and look. "You're flattering me and making me like you even more when you and I both fully understand that this can't work out!"

"This?" He echoed.

"This! You! Me! Us! You're the Prince of Fiore and I'm just the commoner who came to Magnolia to see the stars—we were never meant to be!" She said in exhaustion and irritation. "Why are you trying to make it happen?"

"Because I like you," he stated simply making Lucy look at him in surprise. "and when I like something, I need to have it." He stood up to walk over towards the stilled woman on the bed, watching his every movements. "You're one of a kind, Lucy, and I wouldn't dare throw that away for something like this." He offered a soft smile, reaching forward to stroke the side of her face. "Tell me, you wouldn't want me to just suddenly stop talking and seeing you... right?"

Opening her mouth to speak, nothing came out of her dry mouth as she felt too shaken up to even say anything.

He was right. She didn't want to throw that away and just pretend nothing happened—she liked this man. Not for his position or status but because of the way how he would grin and the corners of his eyes would crinkle or the way he made her laugh even though she really didn't want to. She liked the way how his face would light up when he would see or try something new and she loved the warmth he gave her, always making her feel like at home or protected.

She loved it and she didn't want to let go of it.

"Of course I don't..." she whispered as she reached up and grabbed his palm in hers, holding it against her face. "I just... I don't want to get hurt later on when you find another woman of rank and leaving me in the dust."

"I know," the male offered a soft smile, leaning down to press and soft kiss against her forehead. "I won't hurt you... I promise I'll protect you no matter what happens."

"I—" she took in a deep breath to finally smile and look up at him with glistening orbs. "Thank you, Natsu. You... you mean a lot to me."

Feeling the air get knocked out of her lungs, the Prince felt an odd feeling stir up in his chest as he started to grin widely.

"You... mean a lot to me, too."

"Will you take me home, now?" She asked making him furrow his brow in confusion. "Whenever I have plans to do something productive, one of the royalty always drags me back to the kingdom... I have some serious grocery shopping to do." She let out a sigh making the male quirk a brow at her.

"You're going grocery shopping? Now?"

"Well, no," she flushed. "I meant later today but I do need to go home."

Scratching the side of his head, Natsu cleared his throat and looked away as if he was embarrassed. "Uh, can I—can I come with you?"

"Come with me?" She tilted her head to the side, looking at the bashful male. "As in... to my house or—?"

"Grocery shopping." He quickly added making her blink and stare at the Prince.

"Gro... you want to go grocery shopping with me? Why?"

Flushing even more and burying his face into his scarf, the Prince scoffed. "I mean, I don't have to like it was just a suggestion, y'know? So if you don't want me to I don't have to go—"

"No, no," Lucy placed her hand on his arm go stop his rambling. "I... I would love it if you would accompany me."

"Really?" He said in surprise but quickly cleared his throat and pretended he wasn't so happy. "I mean, if you want."

Smiling at the pink-haired male, she couldn't help but find him utterly adorable as she leaned in to hug him. Natsu blinked in surprise when he noticed the blonde hugging him and soon, he relaxed and hugged her right back, smiling softly.

"Let's go to bed—we can leave in the morning."

"B—bed?" Lucy stuttered out in embarrassment as her eyes flickered towards the bed then back at the Prince. "Together?"

"Don't worry," he chuckled, grabbing her hand to pull it up to his lips to press a kiss against it. "I won't do anything to you without your consult."

Hearing the words come out of the male's mouth, she felt even more embarrassed as her face grew red. Natsu couldn't help but think she was too cute, grinning widely as he gently pushed her down, making her eyes grow wide in surprise. He hovered on top of her to scare her a bit but quickly jumped to the other side of her, kicking off his shoes to lay beside her on the mattress.

"I always hated this bed," he sighed as he rolled to his side and wrapped her in his arms. "but somehow, with you on it, I'm starting to like it."

Natsu..." Lucy bashfully murmured making him flash her a cheeky grin before cuddling himself on her.

"Sweet dreams, beloved. We shall see each other once more at the crack of dawn."

Smiling softly at the male pressed against her side, the blonde ran her fingers through his odd colored locks and sighed. "Yeah... I will."

—X—

"How should I dress so I don't attract too much attention?"

"Well obviously if you wear clothes like that," she gestured towards his Princely outfit making him look down. "they'll know you're part of the royal family."

"Well I don't really have anything but dress shirts or stuff like this..." The male frowned, trying to find a way to get out of the castle without attracting too much attention towards himself while they go out grocery shopping.

He wonders if he can pull off something casual with girl clothing.

"Do you not have any t-shirts or anything?"

"Uh, does a collar shirt count?"

Rolling her eyes, the blonde tried to find something suitable for the commoner world as the Prince behind her whined about it.

"Can't I just go in a suit? Plenty of people wear suits!"

"Yes, in the city. You are in a town where the fanciest we can get is kakis." Lucy let out a sigh of frustration. "Are you sure you don't have any casual clothes?"

"Nah, my dad wouldn't let me buy any so I basically don't have anything non-Princely unless you count my pajamas." He offered a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his head making Lucy throw him a glare. "What? It's not my fault!" He said in reasoning making her let out a huge sigh.

"Does Sting or anyone else have some clothes you can borrow or something?"

"Uh, maybe. I can go check," he jabbed his finger towards the door making her nod. "alright, be right back. Be safe," he warned as if she was going to do something stupid.

Lucy just rolled her eyes and watched the Prince leave his chambers to go retrieve some casual clothes so the two can finally go out. She didn't know why he wanted to go grocery shopping with her so badly but she didn't mind the little company. Natsu could probably entertain her for a few hours while she finally got used to her home.

Now that she thought about it, she barely been to her new house she started living in five days ago. She as so busy being dragged around the royal family she didn't even get the chance to break in her new home.

She swears this time she will not follow or enter the Kingdom ever again.

What was her reason in there anyways? She had none—she shouldn't even come back neither the less sleep over.

"Geez, how did I end up in this mess?" She murmured to herself as the door reopened and the pink-haired Prince returned. "Did you find something?"

"Yeah, I found this polo shirt and khakis—is it okay?"

"I guess, go put it on so we can finally leave."

"Alright," he left to go change leaving her alone once more.

She wonders... could they actually become something more than they already are? The little flirting wasn't hurting anyone and they weren't really officially a thing, yet. Even if they became something, how would it turn out? He has his duties to do and she had her stuff to do as well.

What would the public think of their relationship? The family?

The tradition is royalty and royalty marriage but could Natsu really break tradition to just be with her? An ordinary woman?

After all, they are both two different ranks.

He was the Prince of Fiore and she was just a commoner

notes: a massive apology for having it so shitty
notes2: I really gotta start writing again but lacrosse has me busy
notes3: I hope you all are well! good luck in your exams and such! much love xox
notes4: leave a review if you want me to update!