Lucy fiddled her thumbs nervously during the lengthy walk to her father's chambers. She was sweating in fear and anxiety, sure her father never hit her in front of outsiders and Natsu was right by her side. But she could still clearly recall the torment her father provoked onto her. The feeling of the harsh hot rubber of his whip disfiguring her back just the last time he had her in his clutches. She wrapped her arms against herself instinctively, which did not go unnoticed to Natsu.

'Why?' Lucy wondered more often than not. Naturally Lucy loved her family and friends more than anything the betrayal of her father to her never made any sense. He certainly had fell into alcoholism after the death of Lucy's mother, but what could posses Jude to bring his own child down with him. Sometimes she felt as if she wasn't even his child. Before Lucy realized tears were pouring down her face and she was loosing her footing. Natsu swiftly grabbed her but it did nothing to stop her uncontrollable sobbing. She felt like all she had done was cry these past few days. Being with Natsu resurfaced all of her traumas that she worked so hard to lock away.

Virgo looked back on the young couple in dismay. For years her and the other servants had to watch as Lucy suffered in silence. The once bubbly child that they grew to love quickly became a hollow shell of her former self. And all Virgo could do was sit and watch. The servants knew if word were to get out of what really goes on in the castle each and everyone of their tongues would be cut out.

Much like Lucy they were scared too. So for many years Lucy took the beatings from her father without so much of a word. Her silence was the thin line that kept all of her beloved servants safe. Lucy carried the weight of the world on her tiny shoulders and for that Virgo would always serve her. She sighed in pity at the traumatized girl.

Natsu was upset and then pained on Lucy's behalf. He truly wanted Jude dead more than anything now. Certainly he could have his head with a clean slice to his nape but then Lucy and him would both be under fire. Treason, conspiracy, and much more world laws. Natsu scoffed at laws more often than not. But naturally killing Jude at this moment could never work in Lucy's favor. To other world leaders Lucy would look like an opportunist who seduced Natsu and stole her father's crown. He couldn't allowed her to be shamed and hurt any longer.

"Take her back to her room Virgo, I'll speak with Jude." Natsu commanded.

"N-no! I have to go or Virgo will get hurt!" Lucy argued but her body was in a weak state and she could barely feel her legs.

Virgo nodded, the crown prince was right Lucy was in no state to meet her despicable excuse for a father. "Princess no need to keep sacrificing yourself on our behalf" Virgo said gently and Natsu handed her the fragile girl. Lucy didn't speak choosing to accept Virgo's help. Natsu planted a soft kiss on Lucy's cheek before taking his leave.

"I-I'd like to take a b-bath" Lucy croaked with a shaky voice.

"Right away Princess."

Natsu

Natsu stormed to Kings Jude's study in a quick furry. 'Jude.' He thought angrily. And before he knew it he stood in front of the large door separating him from the man he despised. He calmed down his anger with a few deep breathes before knocking. A few seconds later he was greeted by the booming voice of Jude which he was sure kept Lucy up at night.

"Enter"

Natsu walked in with a stone hard look on his face. Jude looked shocked at the sight of Natsu his entire demeanor changed as he stood up to greet Natsu. Natsu could smell the alcohol all over the King.

"You startled me, you see I was fully expecting my daughter to walk through that door," Jude explained. "It seems she can't even get my message even if I beat it over her head." He said jokingly.

However Natsu knew that wasn't a joke at all. He knew the truth now. Natsu sneered at the older man. "She doesn't feel good." Natsu explained on Lucy's behalf. She didn't it was true.

"So I see you've had a chance to meet with my daughter, what do you think of her?" Jude asked eyeing out Natsu

Natsu paused for a moment before. "Nothing about her I can't fix." Natsu observed the twisted smile on Jude's face. "Why?"

"You can have her for a price. Pay the price and my daughter's body and soul belongs to you. Once she's yours you can do whatever you need to do to her to bend her into shape."

Natsu was beyond disgusted at this point putting up with the man for Lucy's sake. He spoke of his daughter as if she were livestock. But still he played along with the sick man.

"How much?"

=

10 million jewel. That's how much Jude priced his first and only child. 'Would he knock off a mil if he knew I popped her cherry just hours ago?'. Natsu laughed in his head. But it wasn't funny. Lucy wasn't merchandise to be sold, used and abused. She had already seen enough of that. Natsu ran his fingers through his tasseled hair. All Jude could do was cop pleas as to why he didn't join the the northern front during the war. Natsu didn't care, the damage had already been done, and his mother was long dead now.

If Jude thought selling him a daughter would pay for his decisions he was gravely mistaken. Natsu left quick as the conversation started but not before leaving Jude with a letter sourced from Natsu's own father King Igneel of Draconia, Natsu himself didn't know the contents of the letter, but he was sure that his father wouldn't let Jude off so easy.

Natsu made way the to bath chambers in hopes to catch Lucy there. And of course he found her like he always did. She sat peacefully in a huge porcelain tub her eyes were closed as she hummed herself a tune. He was thankful she calmed down. Lucy's handmaidens hurried off at the arrival of Natsu.

Lucy glanced at him and gave a forced smile. Natsu could tell she was still upset. "H-how'd th-things go?... was he... up-upset with me?" she struggled to croak up. Her voice was shaky still and her arms stayed wrapped around her small frame.

He stared at her still shameful as to how he let his urges take over him more than once with Lucy. Even now he found himself having a hard time looking away from her. Her body had the prettiest flush to it. He dunked his hand into the bath before playfully splashing her. She screeched and dunked her body under water with a cute pout on her face. Natsu preferred her playful self over her traumatized self.

"If he is upset it doesn't matter. He won't hurt you again." Natsu reiterated. "I promise. Just like I promised to come back to you and I did. Did I not?"

She nodded. Natsu came back to her and in one piece at that, she couldn't say the same for herself. But still she wanted to see more and do more with Natsu now, suddenly after feeling lost for so long she feels like she has a tiny bit more freedom than she ever had before.

"W-well" she started firmly, shocking Natsu. "I accept your unofficial wedding proposal"

Natsu laughed. "Oh right. Princess Lucy Heartfilia of Starfell will you do little ole me the honors-"

"-Yes!" She exclaimed before wrapping Natsu in a tight nude embrace. "...s-sorry" she muttered embarrassed. She soiled Natsu's clothes from the water.

"Well at least let me get undressed if we're taking a bath together." Natsu said suggestively. Lucy bit her lip unconsciously, she certainly wouldn't mind seeing the handsome prince nude again.

"I love you Natsu" She blurted out as Natsu got undressed. He froze midway taking off his shirt. "Sorry... I'm just speaking without thinking again... I'm sorry." She said in a soft tiny voice.

"Hey dont apologize. You didn't do anything wrong," he quickly rushed to cup her face. Her cheeks were rosy and her big doe eyes looked like they could start pouring tears at any moment. Lucy had really just told him she loved him. And Natsu had no idea how to react. It was only earlier today that he was fully immersed in plotting the sweet woman's death. The guilt ate him alive at the fact. How could he ever deserve the love of someone as pure hearted as Lucy? "Lucy I... I can't quite put it into words how I feel about you... It may be love, or lust, or fondness. But I am willing to burn the world so long as you're safe and happy." Natsu said heartfelt. He entered the bath with Lucy and immediately pulled her into a heated kiss.

'Im so happy.' Lucy thought as Natsu invaded her mouth. 'I love him so much!' Her stomach tingled at she and Natsu made out. He fiercely planted his hand in her golden locks and deepened the kiss. Lucy straddled her prince with a newfound confidence. She wriggled her plush hips in circles. Natsu's cock grew harder every counting second.

"Fuck Lucy. Do you have any idea what you do to me?" Natsu growled out in Lucy's ear. He sounded desperate and animalistic, the sound of his raspy voice sent heat to her core. Water splashed and spilled all around them from their rash sloppy movements. Natsu peppered several kisses on the soft skin of her neck. Then moved on to fondle and kiss her supple breast.

"Natsu~" she mewled out arching her back. His hands were gently but fiery on her milky skin. Natsu knew exactly what spots to touch to get her all riled up. "I love you" she repeated in a lusty haze. Natsu liked the sound of that.

"Say it again."

"I love you!" She panted out thrusting her hips against his for every syllable. Natsu leaned his head back in pleasure as Lucy humped him. He really wanted to breed the princess right in this bathtub. But he would have some type of self restraint for the time being. Lucy gazed at him with those glossy eyes while she chewed prettily on her plush bottom lip. Natsu tightly held her small face before placing a sweet kiss on her rosy lips.

"As much as I'm enjoying this we should probably get to bed soon." Natsu said. Lucy nodded in agreement she was so tired despite her steamy exchange with Natsu. "Tomorrow's another day princess."

They washed each other in the soapy tub then got dressed. Lucy hoped her handmaidens hadn't heard all the naughty things she and Natsu were doing from outside the bathroom. Her cheeks went red at the thought. She could hardly believe she was walking through the halls of the castle without the constant threat of her father looming over her. Natsu led her to his own sleeping chambers preferring that he slept with her rather than in the cold attic that she called a "bedroom".

Outside of Natsu's chambers stood Jude Heartfilia, he held a crumpled letter. He looked visibly drunk and furious. Lucy's heart paused in her chest. She wasn't expecting to see him so late in the hour. The only reason she agreed to stay in Natsu's chambers was because it was in the opposite wing of her father's chambers. But now she had to see the man regardless of how hard she tried not to. Natsu quickly shielded her at the sight of King Jude. He felt her tiny fist dig into the back of his shirt.

It took the drunk king a minute to notice the presence of them. When he did he laughed wickedly. "My whore of a daughter finally shows that revolting face of hers."

"Hold your tongue you drunken bastard." Natsu spoke in a low dangerous tone. Jude was testing the thin line of patience Natsu had remaining.

"It's alright." Lucy whispered softly. "Don't let him provoke you."

"What was that. Why are you whispering my sweet child... you know papa loves you princess. Do you think I'm gonna hurt you? Come to me now sweetheart" Jude was clearly on a tangent and contradicting himself.

Lucy didn't move a muscle. Natsu spoke on her behalf. "Leave now if you know what's best for you."

The king laughed again before sneering at the young couple,"you rotten children think you can tell me that what to do in my own castle!" He threw the crumpled letter at them. "Since your father thinks it's okay to increase taxes on all of our outsourced trade you'll have to pay ten times the amount to keep my bitch daughter!"

Natsu picked up the letter to read the contents of it. It was true his father was raising taxes on the country of Starfell. Completely understandable in Natsu's eyes. After all it was Jude who was utmost eager to go to war until it actually started. He ended up being just talk. Natsu laughed.

"I'll pay whatever price you name if that means Lucy will finally be safe from you."