When it came to dragon culture, Lucy only knew a few important things about them. Especially since they were mythical creatures that have roamed the earth for centuries and at one point, ruled over the great lands of earth, a lot of their translation and scripts perished or were lost.

One thing she did know was that because of the agility of dragons and their strong structure, a lot of them were captured and sold as slaves.

She encountered a couple of dragon slaves and while Lucy wasn't keen on selling slaves and capturing people to have them submit to noble's commands, it was something that had been happening for generations so she did not have much rein on that. Especially since it was something her step-mother took care of considering it was more of an economic aspect.

In the world of hierarchy and social order, there were always going to be people below them who struggled and who needed help.

Those who were sold into slavery brought in more capital than selling regular merchandise. Especially those of dragon heritage.

Which was why a lot of kingdoms had fallen out with the dragon kingdom and even with her own kingdom partaking in the slave trading, they didn't target dragons specifically. Those that were handed over to the Heartfillia kingdom were from other nobles and selling ports.

But other than the slaves that were either too beaten or too frail that were dragons, she's never encountered one before. A true dragon.

This welcome ball tonight could go either one or two ways.

They could be successful in welcoming the dragons and having them lower their guards, showing them the Heartfillia kingdom definitely did want a peace treaty and for them to become allies.

Or things could go terribly wrong and they could massacre her entire kingdom.

As much as Lucy did not have the will to carry on as the princess, she still didn't want her kingdom to perish. She still cared for and loved her home with the people who resided in her land. She wanted to make sure her kingdom was in good hands and flourished before she took her own life.

Which is why she had to ensure tonight would go smoothly and without a single hiccup in the world.

"Lucy, dear," her step-mother spoke, making her spine straighten and her body to grow rigid. "Don't you think you may be eating a little too much?"

With her holding onto her fork with such force, Lucy stared at the single ruby fruit she had stabbed against the tongs of her utensil.

Her stomach hurt from her not being able to eat all day beside a single yogurt this morning and with the ball less than a couple hours away, she was growing anxious and hungry.

But she was right. She was eating a little too much.

"You want to make sure you fit into your dress tonight, sweetheart." The silver-haired woman gave her a false smile that only Lucy knew too well.

Faris Heartfillia, the second queen who had risen to power once her mother passed. The woman who had helped raise her and in the eyes of the kingdom, she was praised for helping raise a princess who wasn't even related to her. The woman who tried her best to be the gentle, loving queen like the previous one but only Lucy truly knew what the woman was capable of.

The woman who made her life hell since she was seven years old. The woman who screamed and cursed her out when she couldn't even walk properly. The woman who starves her and constantly makes comments about her figure, claiming she was only trying to help maintain her perfect figure.

Perfect.

Lucy hated that word. Hated everything everyone and anyone says about her.

Because while they were compliments, she knew most of them were half-assed or only based on her physical appearance.

Lucy wasn't only beautiful.

She was smart, fierce, caring, witty, and strong.

But most people don't know that about her. They only know her as the perfect beautiful princess of the Heartfillia kingdom.

"Will you be able to fit into your dress for tonight?"

"Yes, mother," Lucy murmured while staring down at her cup of tea, watching the steam roll out of the ceramic glass.

"Good. We cannot let those dragons think of us any less, especially if we have a princess who barely fits into her dress, hm?"

Lucy could only fist her hands into her lap, trembling slightly from the knife cutting words she produced with such a sweet tone.

"No, mother."

The bitterness of calling her step-mother, mother, was something she requested she did. Lucy only had one mother and that mother was now buried six feet under. Not this silver-haired woman who was the devil in disguise. Someone who merely used her as a pawn and nothing more.

While her mother and her ancestors were celestial mages and with the magic passing onto Lucy, her father was someone who had no magical abilities.

In this day and age, there were those who were blessed with magical abilities and those who weren't. Mythical beasts like dragons, mermaids, and all sorts of creatures roamed the world and it was the job of higher ups to keep everyone safe.

But for someone like Lucy who barely used her magical abilities or had any sense of what they were truly like, she was hopeless in everything.

Once her mother had passed, there was nobody around to truly teach her the ways of her magical abilities. The scholars did their best to provide her books and scripts of said magic but since this rare magic was only possessed by the Heartfillia kingdom and with no Heartfillia heir to guide the young princess, Lucy had nearly become just a regular human like her own father.

Some days, she could feel the slight tingle between her fingers, especially when there was a clear sky with more than a million stars dancing in the sky.

She always felt such a strong connection with the stars and she knew one day, she would be able to harbor the magic she was destined to have.

But that was before Lucy had given up on her sad life. What was the point of learning how to do magic if she were to die in the near future?

She could either be put to death or die on her own accord and she chooses the latter.

Getting ready for the ball, Lucy stared at her dull reflection once again. After she had been bathed by her maids, she now sat at her vanity with them fussing over her hair and steaming her gown for tonight's event.

Tonight's event was everything everyone spoke about. The sudden excitement and worries about dragons being on their land and hopes of a peaceful future fluttered around the kingdom. It definitely was something to be cautious about since dragons were unpredictable and hot-headed by nature, which meant she just had to be careful in what she was saying. One slip up could cause her entire kingdom to get set into flames.

She was to wear a beautiful red gown tonight that was encrusted with all types of jewels and gold. The dragons adored anything and everything shiney and wanting them to feel welcome in her kingdom, she also wore their colors.

Though red wasn't really her color, she preferred blues and pinks and soft pastels but tonight wasn't about her.

The floor length ball gown was stunning on her, especially with her pale complexion. Her golden hair was braided and tied up into a beautiful bun, a beautiful sparkling tiara perched on top of her head to finish off the look.

It was a bit odd to look at her reflection, seeing how the crimson matched so perfectly with her and how her accessories brought more attention to certain spots like her neckline. The only thing missing is the shine in her eyes.

Would she look good bathed in crimson?

She didn't remember the last time she had such mirth dancing in her chocolate orbs and she knew she would never see it again.

Not in this lifetime.

"You are absolutely stunning, princess!" Mrs. Spetto gushed, smiling wide at the blonde beauty.

"You are going to be the star of the entire ball!"

"And the red looks absolutely gorgeous on your skin." Another maid chimed in, both of them also grinning at the princess.

Lucy could only offer them small smiles, thanking them as they began to get ready to head over to the ballroom.

She didn't have to stay long tonight which she was thankful for. All she had to do was make an appearance, greet the dragons, and then she was free to leave if she wished. The welcome ball was merely for appearance and show, the real negotiations and troubles would be later in the future.

She believed she heard her step-mother talk about how they may stay for a bit but she didn't know what that entailed.

Maybe to keep an eye on their kingdom or maybe to even find the secrets to find their weak points.

All she knew was that she had to be as careful as she could be, ensuring this night went smoother than the butters that were used in their kingdom.

The thought of butter made her stomach grumble and twist in a painful manner but Lucy ignored it, used to it and thought it was more nerves than her persistent hunger.

Coming into the ballroom where there were plenty of nobles already littered around, chatting, eating, and dancing, she was announced by the royal steward. Her subjects bowed her on her way down the stairs and she went straight towards the center where her father and step-mother were already waiting for her.

The princess did a respectful curtsy towards the couple before moving over to their side, hands clasped in front of her and head held high.

She watched from her place where the people whispered their own concerns about tonight. She could feel the tense energy in the air and she hoped once the dragons arrived, it would not continue to be like this. If the dragons were to catch whiff of their uneasiness, it could flip to their favor.

There were a lot more people attending tonight's ball and it was her guess as much as it was anyone else's.

They all wanted to see what the dragons were truly like.

Even those she does not see as much had come out tonight and as her eyes watched her loyal subjects idly mingle, she caught sight of her dear fiancé in the corner.

Jose is a tall, slim man with long, straight, dark red hair reaching down to his shoulders and a thin mustache. He has a long and sharp face, vaguely pointed ears, prominent eyelashes and dark-colored lips which make it seem like he wears more makeup than the princess herself. For someone who was twenty years her senior and approaching his forties, he looked the part of a greasy old man.

Someone who always had such cold clammy hands and breath that reeked of cigars and alcohol. Someone who thinks he won the lottery by being handed the princess of the Heartfillia kingdom.

A predator but in this day and age, it was normal for daughters to be wed off to men who were much older than them.

Especially marriage was seen more of a business deal than for the actual happiness of their daughter. Rarely did any marriages get sealed with the idea that both parties were in love and while this was something that the majority of the nobles and royalties did, Lucy wished it was different.

She always told herself from a young age that she would try and change the rules of marriage once she was announced queen but those dreams have died along with many other things.

No point in sticking around to change a fate that was destined for her and the hundreds of other girls who were forced into marriages that would not serve them in the least amount of respect.

Hearing the horns begin to toot, the princess' attention was brought over towards the double doors as well as everyone else's.

"Now welcoming in the dragons of the Dragon kingdom!" Their steward shouted out, throwing the entire ballroom to grow hush and face the doors to see the dragons for the first time in many, many years. "Welcome in King Natsu Dragneel and his royal subjects to the Heartfillia kingdom!"

The presence alone was overpowering as the said dragons from the dragon kingdoms entered the room. It felt as if the temperature rose ten degrees once they walked in and with strong, big bodies, four representatives from the dragon kingdom approached royalty.

Each and every one of them had tan skin with large muscles that were packed onto their bodies. The overwhelming power they held alone should scare anyone but that wasn't what scared princess Lucy.

What scared her was the fact that the king, the dragon king, was staring right at her.

And the fact that he had pink hair.

Like that man from last night who she followed around and got fed from.

The same man with the boyish grin and contagious laughter. The same man who held her hand and told her she needed to eat more. The same man who told her he'd see her next time and to take care of herself. With the same piercing dark eyes and sharp jawline, there was no way she could mistake this man with the one she was mingling with last night.

Lucy could only try to hide the surprise on her face, wondering if he would even know if that was her last night with her hair tucked in her hoodie and no introduction exchanged. It was loud so she hoped maybe he wouldn't even recognize her voice.

But… Why is he just staring at her like that? Could he possibly know? Did he know this entire time? Maybe this was planned so they could target the princess and find the weakness of the kingdom?

Lucy felt her hairline moisten as she tried her best not to tremble when the dragons came forth and curtsied towards the king and queen. Once pleasantries were exchanged with them, he turned to face her and Lucy was quick to dip down into her own curtsy.

"Welcome King Natsu Dragneel. I am Princess Lucy of the Heartfillia kingdom. We welcome you with open arms and hope the stars shine brightly upon you and your people and guide you in more ways than one."

The way the corner of his mouth tipped up made her want to turn and run off but she merely stood her ground, swallowing thickly and dragging her eyes up his red and black outfit to meet his eyes.

Her heart felt like it could leap out of her throat once their eyes connected and it was almost impossible to not stare so openly at the king.

In the brightness of the palace's ballroom, she could see him much clearer. Standing tall and proud, he had wide broad shoulders that were attached to equally large arms. Tan skin where she could see slight scars littering his body as if he had been in many battles. Almost canine-like teeth behind plump lips and she wondered if it was due to their heritage. His dark onyx eyes were mesmerizing even now and she swore she saw a sprinkle of gold dust behind those irises.

"Do you see how the dragon king is staring at the princess?"

"Do they know each other?"

"There is no way! The dragons haven't come to the Heartfillia Kingdom in nearly two hundred years!"

"Don't you think they suit one another?"

The whispers around merely made Lucy even more anxious, her eyes flickering over to see Jose in the corner seething with annoyance, listening to the other nobles gossip about her and the dragon king.

Seeing how the dragon king held his hand out for hers, Lucy slowly moved her gloved hand over top of his. She refrained from shivering as she felt the tingle rush down her spine, a soft blush adorning her cheeks as his eyes never left hers during the entire exchange.

Seeing how he brought her hand to his lips while continuing to stare up at her, her heart pounded rapidly behind her chest, labored breaths beginning to escape her parted lips.

His smirk only grew wider as he peeked up at her through his long lashes and she was reminded of their time last night.

"It is my pleasure to be graced with such a beauty like yourself," he purred and this time, the shiver did rush down her spine making her face flush darker. "I must say princess, red suits you very well. You are absolutely gorgeous."

It took everything out of her to not sputter out nor melt in her spot. It was odd since she normally didn't care to listen to certain compliments when it came to her looks. Especially when they came from men.

But what was so different about this one that had her cheeks crimson and her heart pounding?

"T—thank you, your majesty." Lucy cleared her throat, retracting her hand back to her side while twisting her head to the side. "I hope you enjoy the ball."

"Certainly."

There was definitely no doubt that this man wasn't the same man she was with last night. His voice was the same rumble and the rush she felt when they touched were the same. She had never met anyone else with pink hair and tan skin like his so it had to be him… right?

But what was the king of the dragons doing by himself, out and about during the first summer event in her town? Especially without any company? Did he know she was the princess of the kingdom at the time? Is that why he approached her? Does he recognize her? Did he do this all with a purpose?

Lucy could only fist her skirt as she avoided his burning gaze, keeping her head dipped down while the king announced the ball shall resume.

"Now that pleasantries have been exchanged, I hope you enjoy the welcome ball." King Jude spoke softly, offering a pinched smile Lucy knew was all due to his nerves.

Being a human in front of dragons was scary enough but in front of the dragon king?

"Most certainly, thank you for the warm welcome."

Once Lucy found her chance to make a run for it, she didn't even look back when she left the ballroom. Everything felt stuffy and suffocating in the way she felt like she couldn't breathe properly. Her vision was growing hazy and she didn't know if it was because of her lack of nutrients or her inability to calm down with the recent events.

The king? The king of dragons? That's who she spent the night with last night? Running around like two little kids, laughing and eating everything in sight and being so… improper?

What would the dragons think of her, now? The princess of the Heartfillia kingdom would surely be spoken about in such an ill manner.

Even though she only had suspicions that he knew of her, she couldn't dismiss the idea that he didn't know who she was.

She didn't wear any type of mask but she wasn't wearing makeup either. She's wearing makeup tonight and her golden locks were out so he could maybe mistaken her as someone else. She even made sure to wear one of the maid's clothing to ensure she wasn't going to be spotted so there would be no way he would know it was her, right?

Lucy felt like she was going crazy, going down a spiral where she couldn't stop but plummet. She really should have stayed for a bit longer but she could't find it in herself to stay or she might have really done something bad.

Rushing to the balcony where Lucy knew fresh air would help with her distress, the princess let out a choked gasp as soon as the air hit her face.

Her face felt hot and flushed, the cool night air nipping at her skin gently. Her trembling hands came up to cup her face, pressing the cool satin gloves against her flushed skin. Her heart continued to pound behind her ribcage but it was beginning to find its calm, deep breaths inhaling to exhale moments later.

Her hands wouldn't stop shaking. They trembled like leaves against her face and as she pulled them back to look down at them, she could still see the tremble as if she was sick.

Her stomach gurgled but she didn't know if it was from hunger anymore. She had yet to eat anything all day besides her yogurt for breakfast and she was used to such a feeling she had learned to ignore it.

The spread looked delicious tonight and the smell was intoxicating on its own. Lavish meats roasted and baked for the dragons. Large spreads with dessert and all types of finger foods laid out.

She knew she wouldn't be able to go back now and try to sneak a bite. Her step-mother was there and so were so many other eyes. Especially since others have noticed how the dragon king openly stared at her as if she was going to be his next meal or some sort.

Lucy shivered once again, wrapping her arms around herself while staring up at the crescent moon. Stars sprinkled around the large moon, twinkling back at her in a form of encouragement but Lucy could only feel anything but peace and determination.

A night where she was to try and mingle with the dragons to build a strong relationship had already crumbled before her eyes.

She would not be able to do so with so many prying eyes and ears and if the dragon king were to expose her true nature and how they really met…

Lucy let out a sharp gasp, whirling around when she heard the soft footsteps of someone. Hoping it was one of her maids rather than someone like her fiancé, Lucy was thrown into a bigger turmoil when she noticed it was the dragon king himself who was now approaching her.

She stumbled back against the railing, yelping slightly as her ankle almost gave out on her and she quickly snapped her head up to see said king standing there in his entire glory, one hand shoved into his pocket while the other held onto a plate full of all sorts of things. Her eyes wanted to stay glued to the plate of delicious goodies since she was hungry but there was something, no, some one more important and dangerous than a plate of sweets.

"Y—your majesty!" Lucy squeaked, quickly bending into a curtsy in front of the king. "I—I apologize, I did not think anyone else would be out here. Allow me to leave so you may enjoy your meal." She quickly tried to slip around him but when he stepped into her way, she quickly jerked back in surprise.

"Stay." It wasn't a command nor was it a suggestion. His voice was soft, as if he was afraid to scare her away.

Lucy could only swallow thickly as the king came over to place his plate down on the railing, his head tilting up to greet the moon and stars.

In the moonlight, the king looked the most primal. With shadows overcasting his farcical features, his nearly black outfit masked him in the darkness but his presence was still strong and powerful. He radiated such energy that it could make just a mere mortal tremble in fear but for some reason, Lucy didn't find such negative energy from the king.

He was more, what Lucy would describe as, warm.

The chirps from the night echoed in the darkness as silence was the only thing between them.

Lucy had no idea how to approach the king.

Did she ask him if he knew her? If he meant to approach her last night? Or should she keep it to herself in case he truly did not recognize her?

"Would you like some?"

Turning to see him holding out the plate towards her, her eyes instantly zoned in on the nice finger food and treats he had on his plate. Even the meat looked very appetizing and feeling her stomach twist with hunger, Lucy turned her head away.

"Thank you for the offer, your majesty, but I am alright."

"You sure?" He asked again. "I do not think I could finish this on my own."

"Yes," Lucy had a frown to her lips, her head dipping down to stare at the space between them. "I already eaten—"

The loud sound of her stomach gurgling sent heat to her cheeks immediately. Just like last night, her body had decided to betray her at the worst time.

And just like last night, the king laughed out loud, as if she had told him the funniest joke.

"You really do need to eat," he picked up a macaroon, holding it out for the princess. "I insist."

Lucy hesitated, seeing the bright pastry that he held between his own fingers and she warily looked up into his dark eyes, seeing no judgment or no malicious intent. Just… concern.

"T—thank you, your majesty," Lucy took it from his hands, bringing it to her lips to nibble on it. The instant flavor that erupted in her mouth with the sugary touch of the dessert felt heavenly on her tongue.

"Please, drop the formalities," he chuckled as he popped his own treat into his mouth. "Just Natsu is fine."

"But your majesty—"

"We've been less formal before," he said, surprising her. "So we can continue to be less formal from now on."

Lucy turned to look up at the king with wide eyes, staring at the soft smile the king gave her as he ate from his plate.

"You…" she swallowed hard, half a macaroon clutched between her dainty fingers. "You… knew?"

"Of course I knew," he scoffed, turning to face the moon as he picked at his plate.

"H—how..?" She whispered, her small frame trembling from the nerves that shot up her back.

The way he turned to look back at her made her want to melt.

"I must admit, I would have never thought the princess of the Heartfillia kingdom could be so careless by wandering the streets at night on her own."

Her cheeks flushed and her heart had returned back to trying to break free from her chest.

"B—But I… I tried to conceal my identity and—"

"If you might have forgotten," he said as he plucked yet another treat from his plate, holding it out for the baffled princess. "I am a dragon."

The flicker of gold that splashed against his dark orbs had her gasping, eyes widening.

"The scent you carry is nothing like anyone else I have known," he purred while pushing a grape between her parted lips, his lips pulling up into a warm smile. "I would recognize you even in a room full of thousands of people."

Lucy didn't know what to say but was grateful her mouth was occupied at the moment, the juice from the grape being splattered against her taste buds and enlightening a tingle of delight.

"But that does not mean I knew you were the princess," he spoke once again, taking over the silence that was determined to linger. "I merely thought you were just someone who had come out for some yummy foods and sightseeing. It truly was a nice surprise to see that the one who spent a night with me would be the princess herself."

The princess gasped, jerking away from him as she held her hand over her gaping mouth. "Y—you make it seem like we did more than just run around the festival!"

The way he laughed made goosebumps rise on her skin and she felt incredibly hot in his presence.

"Now who is the one with the dirty mind, princess?" He smirked, leaning into her where she leaned back, eyes widening. "Unless that is what you were thinking?"

Lucy sputtered, taking a large step away from the grinning dragon king who was making her feel weaker than she's ever felt. She didn't know why her knees were wobbly as if she was going to drop to her knees any second the longer she spent talking with him. She didn't even know why her skin felt so hot as if fire was licking at her skin, rendering it hot and red like the flames itself.

"Absolutely not!" She twisted her head away, scowling at nothing in particular. "I am spoken for," she said in a small hush and she wondered if he heard her at all as she clutched the front of her dress, a frown pulling at her lips. "I… am arranged to marry the great duke, Jose Porla."

The silence had returned but it felt a lot heavier. The only thing she could hear was her heart that was working overtime and the soft chirps from the night echoing within her ears.

The dragon king must think of her in such a terrible way now that he knew she was a princess who was to be wed to another man. A woman who had snuck out of the palace to hang around a man she had never even met prior and happily accepted his invitation.

And while she was standing there, expecting the king to maybe rein down on her about how improper she was and how the Heartfillia kingdom was nothing like he expected, she was nearly shaken out of her breeches when all he did was hold out the plate towards her. She blinked down at the half-eaten plate and she lifted her head to look up at the king, seeing how he stared down at her with an unreadable expression yet kind.

"Duke, huh?" Was all he said while she popped another grape into her mouth. "I am surprised the princess is not marrying someone who is higher in rank. Perhaps a prince or even another king from another country."

"It was arranged without my knowledge. The great duke Porla does the kingdom great service as he not only helps support our army, he also has great political influence within the kingdom."

Lucy sighed, leaning towards the railing to wrap her fingers around it, leaning over to stare down at the shrubs beneath them. "And.. he is also twenty years my senior."

"Wow," the king said as he stuffed his mouth with a meatball. "These are great, you should try this." He said as he used the toothpick to pick up the meatball, pushing it out towards the princess while completely ignoring her last statement. "Taste almost like the meat sticks we ate last night."

Seeing how the king did not care to listen to such tales about her life, Lucy felt the embarrassment swell inside of her chest while she took the meatball from the dragon.

She's never met anyone like him and for him to be the king of the most powerful and fierce kingdom out there was more than a surprise for her.

She'd never think that the king of the dragons would be so… nonchalant and carefree. Someone who didn't care much about standards or ethics as he stuffed his mouth and said whatever he wanted. But that comes with being someone of power and she wonders what the other dragons were like if their king was like this.

"Your majesty—"

"Natsu," he gave her a sharp look and she gulped, nodding her head.

"Na.. Natsu," she muttered, feeling uneasy about addressing the king with his first name. "Um… if possible, could you please keep it between us about what I have done?"

"Keep what between us?" He quirked a brow, the right side of his cheek puffed out from his chewing.

"About us meeting prior to tonight and… honestly, this as well," she let out a sigh, bringing her hand to press against her forehead. "It is improper for an unmarried lady to be alone with a man, especially one who is already promised to another."

The way he stared at her made her believe he would burn holes through her. She wondered if he could? Or that was already what he was doing?

It was bold of her to request such a thing from the dragon king. He had no reason to keep her secret and if he truly wanted to use this to his advantage, Lucy did not know what she would do.

"Hmmm, okay," he responded after a moment of her sweating and she turned to look back at him. "But only under one condition."

"Anything," she said, clenching her hands into fists while giving him a look of determination.

Once he had popped the last of his treats into his mouth, the king simply placed the plate back down on the railing before dusting his hands of any crumbs lingering. She patiently waited, watching him with nerves racking down her thin figure.

Seeing how he finished swallowing and he finally turned to face her, the smirk that curled up on his lips made her pray it wasn't anything too big.

"If you promise that you'll eat anything and everything I give you."

Blinking stupidly at the rosy-haired dragon king, Lucy could only stand there and stare like an idiot.

Did he just..?

"Pardon me?"

"If you promise you'll eat anything and everything I give you," he repeated, holding his finger up in the air. "I shall grant you your wish."

Baffled, Lucy didn't know what to do but stare at him. What does he mean by that? Eat everything he gives her? How could she promise him such a task when he doesn't know the true reason behind her eating. How could she maintain her figure if he would be trying to feed her all the time?

Though, how many times would she truly encounter this man?

"Okay," she spoke softly, looking up at him with her hands tangled together. "I promise."

The soft grin that stretched across his face had her smiling right back, a gentle smile reaching her lips where the two stood in front of one another.

She had never met a man who ever made her feel so.. safe. So warm. So… comfortable. What was it about him that was so luring? Could it be his magic? His natural charm? His dragon powers?

There was so much she wanted to learn from him. She wanted to know what type of man he was and the type of king that ruled over such a powerful kingdom. The way his brain works and how he feels.

Maybe in another lifetime she would have been able to form a friendship with this man but in this sad, lonely one she was given, she could only be grateful to have met someone like him before she were to perish.

She wanted to touch him. Feel how soft his skin may be and trace over the faint battle scars he had all over his body.

Just to want to have another person in her hands would be such a privilege.. especially from someone like Natsu.

Chocolate haze bored right into darkness, the king and the princess completely captured in the daze of their encounter. The air felt a bit heavier and the two were so close—so close that if she leaned in, they would be touching and the scent of smoke and pinewood filled her nostrils in the best way possible.

She couldn't rip her eyes away from his. They were so majestic and so beautiful. Dark pits of emotions that swirled and stared right into her eyes as if he was reading her very soul.

Slowly, his hand began to rise and she held her breath as she watched his hand in her peripheral vision come closer to her face. "Lu—"

"Princess!" A voice echoed nearby making the pair jump and separate immediately, dark crimson dusting the pale cheeks of the princess.

"I must go," Lucy spoke softly to the dragon who looked more bummed than she expected. "Please remember our promise. Have a good night… Natsu." She gave him one last smile before hiking up her skirt and turning to go after the voice that called for her.

Her heart had returned back to working overtime as well as the large blush that decorated her chest and face, burning all the way to the tips of her ears.

What was that? Was he going to kiss her?

Not wanting to think about the dragon king any longer, Lucy picked up the speed and prayed that the dragon king kept his promise.

If anyone were to find out what had just happened or that she had left the confinements of the castle, she would be up for terrible punishment.