"I heard the Royal Kingdom is looking for us," Lucy nonchalantly brought up as the two settled into their new home on the woods.

It was just a small cozy cottage that was far off the coast and into the woods that the nearest town was four miles off, the place being nearly impossible to find unless one really tried to. Natsu found this place one day when he accidentally stumbled across the place while playing with Happy in the woods. It was hard for him to find it the second time and it took him nearly two years to find it but when he did, he claimed it as his secret little hideaway and now was he glad he did.

He didn't have to worry about beds or furniture or any of that as he already stocked up the place with whatever he needed. But food was limited as there was most can foods and such making him go to the nearest town for grocery shopping but he was fine with it.

As long as he was with Lucy, he didn't mind anything.

"Would have guessed so," Natsu replied right back, the male flipping through a magazine. "though, it's only been a month so they've probably been looking for us for a while."

"Well words travels slow when you live in the middle of nowhere," the blonde sat beside Natsu on the sofa, leaning against his shoulder. "I wonder why they're looking for us."

"Probably to bring me back," he sighed. "they'll never find us, though. The only person who knows about this place other than me is Happy and I doubt he is going to rat me out like that." He glanced at the blonde who was staring off into the distance making him furrow his brows. What?"

"Do you want to get married?" Lucy suddenly blurted out.

Natsu blinked in surprise as the sudden proposal of marriage came out of nowhere, the male dropping his arms to advert his attention to Lucy who suddenly became all flustered. Her face exploded into red and she immediately looked away, squirming in her seat.

"I—I mean—!" She sputtered, trying to calm her racing heart. "I just—we don't have to I just—just suggesting I mean—never mind." Lucy covered her face with her hands as she felt so utterly embarrassed and stupid to even bring up something like that. It surprised her to even say something like that out loud and with the look on Natsu's face, she realized it surprised him, too.

Peeking at the male beside her to see what his reaction was, she only saw the grin on his face making her feel even more embarrassed and he was making fun of her.

"Natsu, please, let's just forget about this, alright?"

"Wait what? No." He put down the magazine to turn his body towards her and grab her hands. "Lucy, I would love to get married." He said making Lucy glance up at him in curiously. "I just—" he snorted. "it's just that I'm supposed to be the one asking y'know? So, uh, it just took me by surprise but hell yeah, let's get fucking married."

The grin on his face showed how excited and serious he was about it making Lucy realize that he really wanted to.

Her body relaxed and she started to smile as well, looking at the man she loved so much smile right at her. The best decision she ever made in her life was falling in love with this idiotic Prince and running away with him.

She could care less that she was a wanted woman around the whole continent because she was with the love of her life and she was happy.

Walking down the corridor of the kingdom, the knight had an unsettling look on his face as he had some bad news for the King. He stopped in front of two large double doors and brushed his knuckles against the door, waiting a second before opening the door to enter where the King was seated, the red-haired man looking as if he was waiting for the return of the knight.

The knight walked on over to where Igneel sat and he bowed respectfully, a slight frown on his face. "It has been a month, your majesty, and we still have no trace of the missing Prince and his lover" He lowered his head towards Igneel who was just seated staring at the ground, a blank expression on his face. "We are trying our best by sending our armies all around the continent," he lowered his head even lower. "but we do not have any results."

Igneel was silent for a moment, processing what was said before he cleared his throat.

"Do not return unless you have Prince Natsu and Lucy Heartfillia by your side. If you return without them, prepare to rot in the dungeon." He said with a sneer on his face making the knight remain in his position with his head down. "Take as many men as you please, search the entire globe if you need. I need the Prince and his lover back in this castle!"

"Yes, your Grace." He said before he turned around and exited the room once more.

The knight stood in his spot for a moment, the look of frustration present on his face as he didn't know what to do.

Running a hand through his messy hair, the male had the look of death brush across his face.

"Where the hell are you, flame-brain? I'm going to kill you once I find your fucking dumbass."

notes: is it illegal to post such a short chapter? I felt like I just needed to update what happened and how long it has been and also introduce Gray to this story bc why not?

notes2: it's going to snow a lot & im kinda scared...

notes3: leave a lovely review for your favorite author ;-)