In the faraway land of Fiore reigned a king and queen who loved each other so deeply. With that love became a young princess, Lucille Heartfilia, princess of Fiore, daughter of King Jude and Queen Layla. Lucy grew up in a palace full of love. Her father, the King, loved his kingdom, loved his people, but most importantly, loved his dear wife and their beautiful daughter. Princess Lucy grew up to be an exemplary young girl, full of love, appreciation, grace and loyalty. Every night her mother came into her room to read her a story.
Tonight was no different.
"What story would you like tonight sweetheart?" asked Queen Layla while entering Lucy's room.
"Hmmm, how about the princess and her dragon!"
"Again? This is the fifth night in a row you've wanted this story," answered Layla, smiling fondly at Lucy.
"I can't help it mama, I love it so much. It's so romantic," giggled Lucy with a distinct shine in her eyes.
"And what might you know of romance dearest?"
"I don't have to know about it, I see it every day between you and papa," Lucy beamed, recalling all the interactions she has seen between her parents.
Queen Layla smiled lightly and sat on Lucys bed, opening the book and pulling Lucy closer, "You are quite right my starlight, the love your father and I share is that of Fairytales."
"Fairytail is a funny word, do fairies really have tails?" Lucy asked curiously, giggling at the thought of a fairy having a tail.
"I'm not quite sure, I don't suppose they do," answered Layla, stifling a giggle as well.
Lucy sighed and nuzzled into her mother as she began to read her story. She loved the princess and her dragon, most of the stories she read depicted a knight or a prince rescuing and protecting the princess, however she always felt bad for the dragon. He was always misunderstood and made out to be the villain. She was sure that if she were ever to encounter a dragon, she would pick him over the knight or prince.
Just as Lucy was beginning to fall asleep, she noticed something bright in the distance. She got up and ran onto her balcony, realizing that it was a shooting star. Please let me meet a real-life dragon one day. She headed back to her pink canopy bed and laid beside her mother as she stroked her hair, causing her to drift off into comfortable sleep.
Queen Layla stood up from her position on Lucy's bed and walked towards the door, giving Lucy one last gentle look before turning the lights off and heading to her bed chamber as well.
--
Lucy awoke the next morning, rubbing her eyes as she jumped out of bed to freshen up. She brushed her hair and her teeth and changed into her morning dress. Giving herself one final look in the mirror, Lucy walked down the hallway towards the grand staircase leading to the main entrance. Continuing down her path to the kitchen, she hears a strange voice she has never heard before. As far as she knows she is the only child living in the castle, so she genuinely has no clue who could be in the kitchen.
"Good morning," greeted the princess pleasantly, making eye contact with an unfamiliar young boy sitting in her usual spot at the breakfast table. Analyzing him carefully, Lucy takes note of his unusually pink-spiky hair, tan skin and green eyes. She had never met this boy in her entire life, she wasn't quite sure how to react to this stranger in her kitchen, sitting in her spot no less.
"Sup, who're you?" asked the pink haired boy curiously.
"My name is Lucy, and you are?" answered the princess, confused as ever.
"I think my name is Natsu" he replied with a grin, "at least that's what my shirt says."
"Why would your shirt have your name on it?" asked Lucy with a puzzled look on her face.
"I'm not sure, all I remember is a white flash and waking up in the forest. Your guards found me and brought me here," answered the boy with only a shrug and a solemn look on his face.
"I'm so sorry, you must be scared," said Lucy, walking over to sit in the seat right next to Natsu. She couldn't help but give him a hug and lay her head on his shoulder. She would definitely be scared if she woke up in a strange place with people didn't know.
Natsu smiled at the sudden form of affection he received, "Nah, you people seem nice, I don't remember where I came from so I'm not exactly sad or anythin'."
Lucy stared at him as he smiled, she took in the gentle look in his eyes, making her feel all warm and fuzzy inside, a feeling she'd never felt before.
"You're very strange," Lucy smiled back at him, earning a slight blush from the pink haired boy in front of her.
"Do you wanna have breakfast with me?" asked Natsu hesitantly.
"I'd love to," replied the princess.
Virgo gives the two children a small smile before leaving the dining room, letting the kitchen staff know to fix up another breakfast plate for the young princess.
"I am not sure if you're aware of this, but you landed in the kingdom of Fiore. My father is King Jude, and my mother is Queen Layla, she used to be princess of the heavens before she married my father," Lucy explained.
"So, does that mean you're a princess?" asked Natsu curiously.
"Yes, Princess Lucy."
"Nice to meet you Luigi," smiled Natsu, sticking his hand out for the young princess to shake.
Lucy eyed him with a hint of annoyance, "My name is Lucy."
"That's exactly what I said," responded the young boy, paying more attention to the heap of breakfast food in front of him.
"No, you said Luig-" Lucy was quickly cut off by her father's booming voice heading towards the dining room.
"Good morning Lucy," greeted the king.
"Good morning papa," Lucy replied, getting up to courtesy before sitting back down.
King Jude quickly took notice of the strange pink haired boy sitting next to his daughter, "Who is this young man?"
"My names Natsu," the pinkette in question said, lifting his head up to look at the king.
"The guards found him in the middle of the forest early this morning, he was unconscious, but he seems to be physically okay," stated Virgo in her usual monotone voice.
"I see, nice to meet you Natsu, do you know where you came from?"
"Not exactly, all I remember is a white flash, then the next thing I know I woke up in the forest and was brought here. I apologize for the intrusion sir."
"Do not worry, we're happy to provide you a place to stay and anything else you may need," offered the gracious king.
"Thank you, sir," nodded the boy, continuously scarfing down his meal.
Jude smiled at him and sat at the head of the table, waiting for his dear wife to join them to have breakfast together as a family, with the exception of a new member.
A few moments later, Queen Layla walked into the dining room, beaming at her beloved husband, and smiling warmly at her dearest daughter. She took a moment to take in Natsu's presence, but nevertheless gave him a warm smile as well, "Good morning my loves, who have we been graced with this morning?" looking between Jude, Lucy and Virgo for an answer.
Before Natsu could once again present himself, this time to the Queen, Lucy chimed in.
"This is Natsu, the guards found him this morning in the forest. He was unconscious and doesn't remember where he came from. Papa offered him a place to stay for the time being, is that alright mama?"
"Of course it is, welcome to the Kingdom Natsu, I am sure you'll find everything you need at your disposal,"
"Thanks your majesty, that's very nice of ya," smiled Natsu. He stared at the Queen in front of him for a moment, then looked back at Lucy. They sure do look alike.
After breakfast, Lucy quickly dragged Natsu out of the dining room before he could protest. She led him throughout every hallway in the castle, opening every room, and showing him every nook and cranny that looked even the slightest bit interesting.
"And this is my favorite room of all," Lucy squealed excitedly as she opened the doors to the library. In front of Natsu was a room bigger than the ones Lucy had showed him before. Books were placed in shelves from top to bottom, with two spiraling staircases on each side. Sofas and couches were placed meticulously around the room, with a comfortable looking nook under a big bay window.
"Woah, have ya read all these books?" asked Natsu as he looked at the princess intriguingly.
"Unfortunately no, I have read a little less than half of these, however I plan on reading every single one of these one day," Lucy replied, sighing at the thought of reading every book in the enormous room.
Natsu stared at her for a moment. He hadn't really gotten a good luck at her besides breakfast. He took note of her long blonde hair, soft to the touch, and every time she walked past him the smell of soft vanilla lingered in the air. Her eyes were soft and delicate, they reminded him of swirls of chocolate with a hint of honey. She was beautiful, his heart started to skip a few beats the more he gazed at her. However, his thoughts were soon interrupted when the princess turned to look at him.
"I have a wonderful idea. Let's have a picnic in the garden! I can ask Virgo to bring us out some treats," said Lucy with a smile. Natsu's heart began to ache the moment he saw the smile that was specifically directed at him in this moment.
"That sounds like a great idea Luce," Natsu replied shyly.
Luce? Lucy felt her face warm up at the sound of the nickname Natsu had just given her.
"Lead the way Luigi!" Natsu asked excitedly.
Lucy no longer felt warmth, she felt the opposite actually, he had just called her Luce, why would he suddenly call her Luigi of all things?
"It's Lucy," the princess corrected, puffing her cheeks out in annoyance.
"Yeah, that's what I said."
"No, you said luig-" She was cut off before she could finish her sentence.
"Thank you," the young boy said slowly.
"For what?"
"For taking me in, I don't know what I would have done all alone in the forest," he looked up at Lucy, not sure of what to do next, but before he knew it, he was enveloped in a warm hug, the scent of vanilla spiraling around him.
"You're a part of our family now, and we're friends, we'll never leave you alone, ever," Lucy reassured him, removing herself from their embrace to hold his hands, "We're Natsu and Lucy now, that won't change."
Natsu felt a warmth in his stomach, he felt a smile form uncontrollably, he didn't know where he came from, but he was glad that he ended up in the arms of his new best friend.
Still holding his hand, Lucy led Natsu to the garden, making a quick stop at her room to retrieve a blanket big enough for the both of them. She stopped a maid in the middle of the hall and politely asked them to bring out treats for them outside. Once they found the perfect spot to lay their blanket down, they got settled. Virgo later brought out various finger-sandwiches, cupcakes, cookies and Lucy's personal favorite, vanilla ice cream.
"So, you mentioned that your mom was the princess of the Heavens, how'd she end up here on Earh-Land?" asked Natsu, taking a big bite out of a cupcake.
"My papa says it was love at first sight," Lucy sighed.
"What's that?"
"It's when two people fall in love the second they see each other for the first time. They described it as an eternity in seconds." Lucy adored hearing the love story between her mother and her father. She felt comfort in knowing that there was someone out there for everyone, especially when you least expect it.
"An eternity in seconds? All by just looking at each other?" interest laced Natsu's voice as he quirked up a brow.
"Yes, I suppose so."
Natsu set his cupcake down and started intently at the young blonde beside him.
"What are you doing?" asked Lucy, nervous at the sudden attention.
"Looking at you, I wanna see if I feel an eternity in seconds," replied Natsu, focusing on her face with mere inches between them.
Lucy pushed his face away with her hand and giggled. Natsu stared at her, eyes widening as he watched her laugh and push her hair out of her face. She had looked pretty in the library, but he believed she looked beautiful now. The pale moonlight was hitting her face delicately, and the stars in the sky were reflecting off her brown eyes. To Natsu, she looked just like a fairy.
"You're silly Natsu," Lucy giggled once more before laying on her back, staring up at the sky.
He smiled and laid down beside her. He didn't experience an eternity in seconds, he envisioned his future with the princess right next to him.
--
2 years later
"Where is Natsu?" asked the King, looking for the 14 year old.
"I assume he is in the library with the princess, it's their designated story time," replied Virgo, recalling the two of them walking towards the library a few hours ago.
"I see, thank you." Following what the maid said, Jude walked to the library, opening the grand doors and peeking inside. He saw Lucy sitting on the bench just under the bay window, book in her hands with a snoozing Natsu on her lap. He'd never admit it, but he thought they looked quite nice together, of course he'd never allow it, Lucy is a princess, the heir to the throne, and Natsu is just, Natsu.
Clearing his throat, the king interrupted their reading time, "Natsu, may I speak with you privately please, it'll only take a few minutes?"
Begrudgingly, Natsu got up from his spot on Lucy's lap, "Of course sir," he responded with a slight nod. He had been living in the palace for close to 2 years now, however he hardly had private time with the king. I wonder what he's gonna tell me.
Natsu and Jude stepped out into the hallway, closing the library door to keep their conversation private.
"It has been 2 years since you suddenly dropped into our graces, you have become a hard worker and have proven yourself time and time again. My daughter has become very fond of you and I see how delicately you treat her. It is my honor to bestow upon you an official title, if you wish to receive it."
Natsu couldn't believe it, he never expected to be any more than the weird pink haired boy that crash landed in the palace a few years ago. "It would be an honor sir," without an ounce of hesitation Natsu accepted the title, even if he still had no clue what it was.
"Good. Natsu, you will now exclusively be Lucy's Royal Guard. You will protect her with your life," the king said sternly narrowing his eyes at the young man in front of him."
"I won't let you down sir." Natsu felt nothing but absolute joy. Since the day he met Lucy he knew he wanted to protect her from anything from everything. Now it's his official job.
"I should hope not," King Jude shook Natsu's hand firmly before walking back to his office, leaving Natsu alone in the hallway. After a few minutes of bliss thinking about his new job and title, he walked back into the library. As he walked in he saw his best friend quietly reading where he had left her last. It's been 2 years since they first met, but she was just as beautiful as ever. He smiled sweetly at her as she looked up from her back, "Hey, what took you so long?" asked Lucy curiously, shutting her book.
"Nothing too important, what'd I miss?" asked Natsu, taking his place back on her lap and getting comfortable.
"Well, the dragon has finally made his way to the princess, proving his love to her," said Lucy, hugging the book tightly to her chest. They were in the midst of reading her all time favorite book, 'The princess and her dragon'. Natsu had picked it out, he felt it gravitating towards him when he was looking through the never-ending shelves. "Would you like me to continue reading it?"
"Yeah, it's awesome! It gets me all fired up!"
Lucy giggled at Natsu's answer and reopened the book. She brushed her fingers through his hair and continued with their story, engraving this moment in her head, hoping that it would last forever.