After laying in her bed weeping to the stars, Lucy barely got a wink of sleep. It was hard for her when she had such darkness plaguing her and she was still shaken up about the duke. Especially since every time she would doze off, she would either dream of her plunging a dagger into her chest and falling in front of thousands of people or the duke tossing her around and trying to touch her again.

Once she was able to calm down and stop screaming and trying to rip herself apart, her maids had brought her into the bathroom to bathe her. The princess could only sit in her tub filled with nice scented oils with a blank face and hollow eyes. She didn't even react when the hot water made her body sting with the fresh scratches she had produced in the midst of her panic.

She felt so empty. So cold. She didn't even know what to say or do but was pulled here and there like the doll she was, her maids worryingly fussing over her.

They tried to get her to speak and talk about what happened but Lucy couldn't even utter the words. The scene was replaying over and over again and she could feel his hands still on her body but she couldn't speak. She felt dirty… almost as if she was tainted and it disgusted her. Like a droplet of black ink in a cup full of fresh, clean water. Swirling inside of her and changing her black.

The only time she spoke was to ask for them to re-bathe her and wash her all over again.

They did it three times till the Princess was satisfied, wanting any trace of the duke gone from her body but with the many bruises and scratch marks that littered around her skin, it was nearly impossible.

She was spoiled forever.

Even during her darkest times, she could only think of Natsu. She wondered how he would have dealt with a situation like this. She wondered if he was even thinking about her. She certainly has been. Even though she hated herself for falling in love with a man who had abandoned her, she still couldn't find it in herself to hate him.

He must have his reasons and she understood that. They were doomed from the start. Nothing should have ever happened between them. It simply was not in their cards.

She was foolish to believe in such a fairytale.

So she wrote one last letter to the dragon king in hopes he may read it one day, wishes of his happiness and apologies for her curt disappearance. But she was very thankful he had come into her life and she thanked him for allowing her to taste what love felt and looked like, even if it was only for a few months.

She would never regret that.

It simply made her cry even more tears, splattering against the sheet of paper she was writing on.

She did not care if she had a puffy face or a deep frown on her own wedding day. The duke certainly did not care when he had grabbed her so hard and slapped her in the face where it had left a mark. Nothing makeup couldn't fix but she was half-tempted to keep them on display, wanting to show the world what kind of man was marrying their dear princess. What kind of fate they had exiled her to.

But it didn't matter at all. Not when today would be the day she finally went through with her plan.

After what the duke had done to her the night prior, she knew she wouldn't be able to live the life as his wife. She couldn't. The terror and fear she felt when he was ripping her clothes apart or even when he was screaming at her, Lucy couldn't get it out of her head.

You filthy fucking whore!

It rang in her head like a broken record.

Perhaps she was acting like a desperate attention seeking whore. He wouldn't have said it to her if it wasn't true and after replaying those scenes and the ones with Natsu, Lucy had begun to believe in it as well.

What kind of kingdom wanted a whore as their beloved princess and ruler? What kind of man wanted someone like her? Purity stolen by the dragon king, weak with no magic, and someone who couldn't even speak their mind properly in fear of what others may say or do to her.

The duke was right… she was tainted and worthless in the worst ways possible.

A non-mage who was too weak to even fight against anyone who spoke poorly of her. A princess who keeps her chin down and never dares to speak her mind due to the fear of being reprimanded. A woman who had been intimate with another man who wasn't even her betrothed. She couldn't even eat in peace because of her overwhelming fear.

How could anyone look at her and think otherwise?

How could she think she could live so happily? How could she be so stupid to leave those letters where someone could easily find them? How could she have hoped she would be better off?

Lucy was stupid to think she could have a life like others. A life without a care in the world or a duty to withhold.

And as she was woken up this morning by her maids with guilt scribbled all over their faces, the princess couldn't even utter a word or force a smile their way to comfort them.

They all urged her to say something and try to get out of her wedding but Lucy knew no matter what she said or did nobody would care. The king wouldn't dare to retract his contract with the duke, especially if he learned the reason behind his manic behavior. He would side with the duke and most likely punish her for being so brazen with another man.

What the princess did was shameful and she knew if anyone else knew how she had been exchanging letters with the dragon king and was even intimate with him, she would be exiled to death.

The duke rather keep her tucked underneath his thumb and terrorize her than have her killed.

He's proven to her how easily he could, too.

But she was sort of thankful things have turned this way. She was worried about what would happen if she did try to live on and hold onto the idea that Natsu may save her one day.

Even though this was her fault and she is the one who decided to pick the duke instead, she knew it was all for the favor of her kingdom and her own sanity.

Now with Natsu nowhere in sight and not a word from him, Lucy was able to execute her plan she had from the beginning without worrying about someone trying to stop her. Her mind was set ever since the duke had touched her and if this was what she had to do then she will show the world how miserable their princess was and how much she hated to be alive.

With the maids finished getting the princess ready for her wedding day, Lucy had made sure to tuck the dagger into her sleeve while nobody was looking. She couldn't even recognize the woman who was staring back at her in the reflection.

She was so skinny she could see her collarbones nearly protruding out. Her cheeks had hollowed in besides the slight puff from where the duke striked her and her eyes were void of any emotions. They were dull and lifeless as she stared at herself dressed in all white and a veil.

It was almost amusing seeing such a hallow woman dressed in white for what is supposed to be the happiest day of her life. And seeing how she looked more like a skeleton dressed in a wedding dress, it looked the part of being wedding off to the devil.

Her hair was pinned up into a low bun with her bangs curled to frame around her face. They made sure to cover up every mark that was left on her body, especially those near her chest and neck. Luckily, her wedding dress had sleeves so it was able to cover up the majority of it but the hardest one was her face as the puffy redness was barely masked by makeup.

The bouquet was the most beautiful thing there but with how the princess was radiating such darkness, it even dulled down the vibrant florals.

The morning was such a blur. She didn't even know what they said half the time or if they were even speaking to her. She was in a daze as they washed and bathed her, clothing her and doing her hair.

She felt like a doll the entire time and it was not the first time she had ever felt so used.

She could still feel the ghost of the duke's hands on her body and she wished it could be replaced with the hot comforting hands of a certain rosy-haired king but once again she was dreaming. She could not even remember how Natsu's hands felt on her anymore since they were replaced with such a haunting experience.

It made her feel sick to her stomach.

And as her wedding was just hours away, Lucy could only stare at herself and wonder, would she look good bathed in crimson?

—X—

Walking down the palace steps, Lucy held the skirt of her dress up while one of the knights held her hand, helping her down.

The wedding was to take place in the royal church where their ceremony would be before they were to return to the palace for the reception. It was a mere twenty minutes away and it would surely give Lucy time to bring herself together in the carriage ride.

Michelle and Coco sobbed as she left the palace and even Mrs. Spetto was shedding her very own tears for the princess. Lucy wanted to comfort them and tell them it was going to be okay but she knew she couldn't muster the courage to lie to them. She knew it wasn't going to be okay and they knew that much as well. They knew from the moment the king had announced her engagement to the duke.

So while she was giving them somber looks while they watched her from the top of the palace stairs, Lucy gave them a small smile and a wave goodbye where it resulted in them bursting into tears.

Oh how she will miss them so… she knew she would.

She was so grateful to have such amazing women in her lives when she lost the one person she needed the most. She wished the best for them and could only give them one last look before entering into the carriage.

Once the knight helped her inside, he ensured her dress was all the way in before he shut the door.

Lucy could only stare out the window, reminiscing on her earlier days in the palace when her mother was still alive.

Today… she will be back with her. Her mother would be waiting for her and the next time she would open her eyes after being plunged into darkness, she hoped the first face she would see was her mother.

Even though the faces she sees now as she closed her eyes consisted of everyone she had ever known and loved, it will always be her mother she wishes to see again.

She wondered if Natsu would even attend her wedding since it was considered a royal wedding with invitations being sent all over the world. And now being in alliance to her kingdom, he would have surely received it.

In truth, the princess didn't want him to be there. She didn't want him to witness her take her life in front of everyone and she knew he would be the one person who could ever stop her.

I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on.

You will never be able to get rid of me, I am yours.

You are worth more than you think.

Hot tears burned her eyes and Lucy squeezed her eyes shut as she willed herself to calm down. Her body bounced with how the carriage rode down the path and she was finding it hard to breathe again as she continued to think about the dragon king.

Where are you, Natsu?

Willing herself to not cry, she tilted her head up to blink back the hot salty tears. Now was not the time to be crying when she should be more focused on herself and how to handle this situation.

Carefully wiping the tears away, Lucy felt the carriage come to a sudden halt and it startled her. She shot her eyes open and she stilled, listening to her surroundings to see what was the matter and when she felt the carriage jerk violently, she could only let out a shriek. She got tossed against the side of her carriage as she heard the shouts and footsteps outside and as soon as she did, more echoed and she could hear her royal knights screaming in agony. The slashes of swords and bursts of wood could be heard and she could only wrap her arms around herself and tremble in fear, wondering who it could be attacking her carriage.

Could they be here to kidnap her? Kill her? Try to sell her for coins?

The fear of knowing she may be forced into a worse fate made all the blood drain from her body. She was suddenly very aware of the coolness of the blade tucked into her sleeve, wondering if she should just end her life right now so she wasn't subjected to slavery or trafficking.

The princess let out another scream when the top of the carriage burst open and she curled down in her seat, protecting her head in the process. She could feel the wood raining down and she coughed as the dust swirled around.

Unable to see what was happening, Lucy inhaled sharply when she felt someone grab her. She tried to scream again but he suddenly jumped out of the broken carriage, pulling them out of the useless vehicle.

Lucy could barely see anything as she held her hands out in front of her, wincing at the smoke and debris that fluttered in the air. She blinked rapidly, squinting against all the chaos and trying to get rid of the tears that welled in her eyes from all the smoke.

That was when she realized that she was still in the air and in the arms of someone else.

She knew it was him before she saw him and as she held her breath while turning to look, she could only see the one and only dragon king holding her tightly against his side while his giant wings fluttered behind him.

As soon as his golden eyes turned to meet hers, Lucy's eyes widened as she finally registered that it was him.

It was as if time itself had stopped and it was just him and her.

Nothing else mattered and Lucy was in awe of her savior who just stared right back at her.

Was she dreaming?

He looked the same as he always did with the same mischievous grin, vibrant rosy hair, and sharp golden eyes. Had she already died? Is this what the angels looked like?

"W..what…" she could barely utter, shocked that this was actually happening. "W—what are you doing here?"

It felt like her ears were filled with cotton, buzzing with all the chaos that was happening around them.

"Don't you remember?" He smirked smugly her way, one strong arm wrapped around her waist while the other hand was extended out with his long sharp talons on display. "I told you I would ruin your life."

Lucy was stunned out of her mind as her eyes widened at his words. She was unable to tear her eyes away from him, even when he looked back down at the damaged carriage.

I want to ruin your life, princess, and I will.

This is what he meant?

"Burn the carriage and get rid of all witnesses!" Natsu's voice was commanding as he shouted down at the battle grounds.

Her eyes finally fell from his handsome face to look down and Lucy let out a gasp to see there were two others that were down there, taking care of the mess and fighting off the ones that were to protect her and she was in complete shock of it all. The sudden bursting of her carriage on fire was a shock as the wood scattered all over, throwing the royal knights back and forcing them to lay there motionless.

Where did Natsu come from? Why is he here? How did he get here?

Lucy was feeling overwhelmed with all her emotions and questions and as she fisted her hand into his front shirt, Natsu turned back to look at her.

And as soon as he did, his eyes widened as she could see his golden eyes darting around her entire face. She watched how his expression darkened and how his jaw popped as he clenched his teeth, his grip around her tightening as he held her closer.

"Hold on, Lucy," he murmured into her hair and he was taking off.

Lucy could only squeeze her eyes shut, holding onto him as tightly as she could as she felt the air whip around them wildly. She didn't know where they were going or what was going on but as soon as Natsu began to descend closer to the ground, she could feel her stomach drop and the air escape her lungs.

Coming through a patch of familiar shrubs, Lucy was brought back to the healing springs once again.

Memories were coming down on her like a tsunami, forcing her to see the time she had spent here with the dragon king and making love nearly all night long.

Was she still dreaming? Did he really save her?

Once Natsu had landed, he gently put the princess back down on her two feet. Lucy stumbled but he was quick to grab onto her, holding her up by her elbow.

"Are you alright?"

Lucy didn't even know how to respond as she felt like she was in a daze, staring at the dragon king with her lips parted.

Three weeks.

Three goddamn weeks since she had last heard from him and he was here? Now?

Lucy didn't know if she should laugh, scream, or cry. Maybe do all three considering what kind of chaos she had been thrown into because of him.

"Lucy?" His hand came up to touch her cheek and Lucy instantly flinched, coming back from her daze. Natsu immediately knew what she was afraid he would see and he grabbed onto her, pulling her closer where she grimaced. "Why is your face so swollen? Who did this to you?"

His eyes were dark and angry, a storm brewing behind those irises. She could feel his heat rolling off his body as his fury grew and when she winced at his grip tightening on her shoulders, he was quick to let her go.

"Lucy…" he spoke softly, leaning in closer to catch her eyes. She avoided them, feeling too ashamed. "Lucy… what happened? You look so thin, my star."

"That is none of your concern, your majesty."

It came out harsher than she expected but the emotions she was feeling was suffocating and she felt as if a lump had formed in her throat. The flicker of hurt and confusion that flashed across his face was something Lucy hated to see. It made her stomach churn and she twisted her head away, dipping her chin down to close her eyes.

"Lucy… what's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" Lucy echoed, feeling the anger bubble up inside of her chest as hot tears pricked at her eyes. "What's wrong?" She repeated again, clenching her hands into fists while she felt her frame tremble. "Everything is wrong! You are what is wrong!"

Natsu took a step back as he stared at her with wide eyes, his wings and tail now gone.

Lucy could feel the tears stream down her face once again and as she harshly wiped at them, she could only choke on her breath.

"Y—you… you abandoned me!" She screamed, feeling her heart pounding inside of her chest. "Yo—you have not reached out to me in weeks… you went completely silent and left me all alone… you left me to believe that you did not want me anymore," she let out a sob as it bubbled in her throat. "You are what is wrong!"

She could only look up at him with a harsh expression on her face, her chest heaving with her heavy breathing and her vision blurry from the tears that fell. All this pent up anger and energy had finally cracked and the princess felt a lot better after spilling her thoughts but it wad adding to her feeling of despair and guilt. Her tears kept spilling out of her eyes and her entire frame trembled as if she had been plunged into ice cold water and when he took a step towards her, Lucy took one back.

She couldn't read the expression on his face but he was quiet with his head dipped down. She could feel the tightness in her chest but she was still in shock after everything that had happened.

"And then you dare come and destroy my carriage and kidnap the princess on her way to her wedding?! You truly are a shameless dragon!"

"I never said I wasn't."

Lucy was taken back by his words, looking at him with wide eyes. She inhaled sharply when he took a step towards her and she matched it, trying to keep space between them as she took a step back.

She knew the moment he touched her she would crumble. She wasn't strong enough to push him away and she knew after everything, he was the one person she wanted to see and be with but she had one too many questions and one too many emotions pumping through her body right now.

"Lucy…" he whispered her name, a conflicting expression mirroring his face. "I… I didn't mean to abandon you. I didn't mean to hurt you and make you believe I forgot about you."

"What did you think I would believe when you stopped responding and stopped sending Happy?" She spat, bitterness souring her taste buds. "For three weeks."

She probably sounded pathetic and childish, like the desperate attention whore the duke had mentioned she was but she couldn't find it in her to care. She was hurt and abandoned by the one person she thought would never do and having him here in front of her was bringing all those feelings rushing back. And her life was crumbling before her eyes, being taken by Natsu at the most important day of her kingdom's existence and then being forced into this wind whirl of a day.

He was always the one person she felt she could speak freely to without judgement or fear and her emotions had been too shot up for her to think otherwise. She was sure if she was presented to anyone else right now, she would be able to scream at them till she dropped from exhaustion.

"I…" Natsu ran a hand through his locks, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips. He looked uncomfortable and a little bit angry but she knew it wasn't directed towards her. "Truthfully, I've been doing a lot of preparing and working on executing my plan to bring you back to the Dragon Kingdom."

Lucy was stunned to hear his honest answer, seeing how he was seemingly fidgeting in place as if he was nervous.

"I am deeply sorry I made you worry so much, princess," he placed a hand on his chest, giving her a pleading look. "I promise I didn't mean to hurt you… Lucy… I…" He swallowed thickly and as she watched him extend his hand out for hers, Lucy could feel her frame trembling once again while tears welled into her eyes. "I… I was so focused on preparing my kingdom for you and so focused on getting you out.. I wanted to surprise you and I am now realizing my mistake," he dropped his hand when he realized she wouldn't take his. "I apologize greatly for my mistake, princess. Please, could you forgive me for being so foolish?"

Her entire world felt like it had stopped and shattered right before her eyes. Her breath was stolen from her lungs and she had grown rigid in her spot, hearing the echoes of his confession replay inside of her head.

"B—but… but why?" She found herself saying, confusion swirling inside of her head.

"Why, what?"

"Why were you… why were you preparing your kingdom for my arrival? Today… I…"

He scoffed, almost as if he was insulted. "Did you really think I was going to allow you to marry the Duke?"

Lucy stared at him, blinking stupidly as if she couldn't wrap her head around his reasoning. "So.. you thought kidnapping me would be the best option?"

"I didn't think you would come willingly so I had to improvise."

Lucy didn't know what to say as she stood there gawking at him and seeing how he seemed so nonchalant about it, she knew he truly meant it. She knew he meant it when he first confessed back during their negations but she truly did not think he would be so brazen to steal her away on her own goddamn wedding day. The day she was supposed to…

"Why is it any concern to you who I marry and what I do with my life?" She questioned, feeling defensive all of a sudden.

Natsu had abandoned her and made her feel used and lonely for weeks. She shouldn't be trusting him so easily again, especially since he had kidnapped her and if he truly does abandon her one day… she would be worse off than being married off to the Duke.

"Why wouldn't I care?" He furrowed his brows, cocking his head to the side.

The princess began to feel frustrated, feeling too tired and overwhelmed to play his mind games any longer. Why would he be so kind towards her? Why is he treating her this way? Why is he deliberately ruining her life?

"We have only known one another for a mere couple months. I was engaged even before you came into the picture. Just because you and I have been intimate a couple of times and I have been open to you, that does not mean you get to just barge into my life and destroy everything I have grown into and known! What is your reasoning behind kidnapping the princess? Was your motive to destroy my kingdom this entire time? To see it perish by doing all of this?!"

Natsu looked taken back by her passionate exclaim and she felt a bit bad about raising her voice and accusing him of such things.

But she had to know… she had to be careful. How could she be so naive?

"How could you believe those things and think so wickedly of me?" He sounded hurt and Lucy curled her arms around her torso to try and stop her trembling but she simply could not, especially with how tears pricked in her eyes once again.

"How could you commit treason against a kingdom you just agreed to an alliance with just two months ago?"

She did not know how her own kingdom was going to react. She was sure they knew of her disappearance and it won't be long till they were scrambling to find her. What was going to happen to her? Happen to them? Her kingdom? His kingdom?

The way Natsu's expression darkened and he took a step towards made Lucy tremble even more. Her knees wobbled as she tried taking a step away from him but he didn't allow her to get far as he stepped right in front of her, grabbing her by the hand. She tried to wrench it free from his grasps but he held on tight, keeping her palm in his large ones.

"I told you before and I will tell you again, I do not care if I have committed treason and will throw our kingdoms into war because of this. I do not care what the duke nor what your king and queen think. If it means you are happy and protected, I will gladly go into war just to ensure you are safe with me."

Her cheeks were dusting red at his declaration but it still did not answer her question. She had been questioning so many things since he had come crashing into her life and as her bottom lip wobbled, her voice came out as a mere whisper but she knew Natsu could hear.

"Why?"

"Because," his own voice was a hush and his grip on her hand tightened. It was silent for a heartbeat or two since she could hear hers pounding in her eardrum and when he spoke again, all the air escaped her lungs. "Because I love you, Lucy."

The apples of his cheeks dusted pink and he scowled at the ground. She knew it was hard for him to confess such a secret since she had never seen the dragon king so bashful yet his words struck her like a lightening bolt.

Her entire body felt like it was lit in flames, warming her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.

Natsu… loves her? Natsu loves her?

She didn't know how to feel about his confession. How could he outright tell her he loves her on her wedding day like this? The day she was supposed to end her life? After three weeks of ignoring her and treating her as if she was nothing to him, he comes back and saves her from her doom to confess his love for her?

Lucy felt like she was growing crazy. How come her life was such a mess? Was everyone else's life so chaotic?

"Lucy," the dragon king spoke again, his voice merely a hush but gentle. "Say something."

But she didn't know what to say. Did she say she loved him, too? He has to know that. Did she tell him how she hated herself for loving someone like him? Hated herself for being such a whore and choosing him over the duke? Thank him for saving her? Thank him for loving her?

She was so thankful he had loved her. Thankful she had met him and thankful he had saved her.

The words she wanted to hear for so long had come from someone she also loved dearly and it was overwhelming in the best way. She could feel her body coming back to life ever so slowly and hot tears prick at her already swollen eyes once more.

When will she stop crying? Why is the only thing she was good at was crying?

Someone that shouldn't have been a part of her life had crashed into her so harshly that she didn't even know how to walk anymore. Someone who had shown her nothing but kindness and compassion was now the person who had saved her and confessed to her he loves her.

Why is Natsu always coming in during the worst times and playing hero with her? Why must he soil her plans and force her to question her own sanity and of her own decisions? If he only allowed her to go off and get married… she wouldn't be here in all this mess, confused, stressed, and overwhelmed.

She would have already plunged the knife into her chest and she would have fallen into the pits of darkness, joining her mother in the afterlife but no, instead, she was here, in front of the one man she could not seem to get away from, and feeling more scared than anything else.

But the scariest feeling for the princess was that she was now afraid.

Afraid of dying and afraid what her life could have been if she had lived.

With Natsu.

Looking up at the dragon king with tears streaming down her face and her heart feeling like it was being ripped apart, Lucy cried out, "I don't want to die anymore! I want to live!"

Her voice echoed within the forest and rattled her to the core, her sobs being the only thing heard.

Natsu couldn't even find the courage to say or do anything as he stood there with wide eyes, an incredulous expression on his handsome face. He stayed frozen in place while he watched the princess crumble to the forest floor, her small frame shaking with her sobs.

Lucy felt like she couldn't breathe. Her throat felt it was closing up on her and it burned. Her chest burned, her eyes burned, her entire body burned and as she gasped for air while clinging onto the very grass beneath her, she felt that comforting sensation begin to wrap around her again. The tingles she felt whenever he was near, the softness of his caress, and the gentle words that began to make sense as she came back to herself.

With a blurry vision, Lucy looked up to see Natsu crouched down beside her, wiping at her tears that stained her cheeks and giving her such a soft gaze that her heart stuttered inside of her chest.

His thumbs were warm against her already flushed skin and she sniffled while he brushed her hair out of her face.

"Who says you have to die?" He asked gently, making sure to keep his voice low.

Lucy could only pull away from his grasp, wiping at her own eyes and trying to look a bit more presentable. "I…" she bit down on her bottom lip, unsure if she should reveal her darkest secret to him. What would Natsu think of her? He would surely think she was a weak woman who would stupidly take their own life instead of serving her purpose.

"Lucy," when she looked up at him, the look of pure adoration decorated his face and she couldn't help but lean into him. "Who says you have to die?"

A hiccup flew out of her lips and Lucy shook her head back and forth, whimpering out as the pain inside of her chest tightened.

"I—I—" she gasped for air and when Natsu reached back out for her, she allowed him. He came down to sit, pulling the princess into his lap where he cradled her like a babe, brushing her hair out of her face. It allowed her to relax a bit, his warmth lulling her into a calmer state and forcing her to stop crying.

Her make up was probably all ruined by now and she probably looked like a mess but she couldn't find it in herself to worry about it. Her veil had been blown away sometime while they were on the way here but she couldn't care less for that stupid thing.

Natsu's gentle hands caressed her back and hair, trailing down her spine in a soothing manner.

Eventually, she was able to catch her breath and speak, her voice merely a croak. "I was going to end my life today." She had her eyes casted down on her lap, wanting to avoid the eyes of the dragon. She could feel the blade that was still tucked into her sleeve, her fingers absentmindedly running across the length. Feeling him stiffen beneath her, she bit down on her lip, feeling ashamed all over again.

After a moment of silence, she heard Natsu swallow thickly before he spoke. "Why?"

Why?

Lucy wanted to laugh at his question. "Isn't it obvious why?"

A silence had crept between them and Lucy was feeling embarrassed. How could she ever think Natsu might understand?

"I know you may think of me as someone weak and someone ungrateful but I—"

"I do not think those of you," Natsu's voice cut her off, making her grow silent. "I would never think so ill of you, princess and I wish you wouldn't either. I have asked you to stop speaking about people I care about in such a way."

Lucy felt like a child being reprimanded by an adult right now and she felt her cheeks bloom with heat. She dipped her chin down to hide her shame but felt Natsu grab at her, tilting her face up to look at him.

The soft gaze he was giving her was twisted with pain and Lucy felt her heart throb at the sight of him. Why did he look so… sad?

"You do not have to end your life, Lucy," he stroked the side of her face, making her breath hitch. "I told you… all you needed to do was ask for help. I would have helped you."

"Natsu," she let out a sigh, pushing his hand away from her face. "It is not that simple."

"How much simpler can it get?"

"I cannot just ask you to help me," she scowled at him and he quirked a brow at her. "This…" she swallowed thickly, feeling her nerves clashing once again. "This isn't something you could have helped me with."

"How would you know if you never tried?"

Lucy felt dizzy as his words struck her hard. She had never asked for help so how would she know? He was right but how could she burden such people with her own selfish desires? Just because she didn't want to marry the duke and continue to live a life like this, could it have really changed anything if she ever uttered such words?

Lucy let out a small gasp at the thought of the duke and whipped her head over to look at Natsu. "The duke!"

"What about him?" Natsu's face soured at the mention of him.

"T—the wedding! I was supposed to be there by now!" She was scrambling to stand and Natsu grabbed her waist to keep her in his lap.

"Calm down, princess," Natsu cooed, gently pushing her back in his lap. "You are not to be wedded to him."

"B—but what about my kingdom? The alliance? What am I going to do?" She was wide eyed and staring at him with panic arising inside of her.

Natsu ran his hand down her back, soothing her of her anxiety. "The alliance will continue on, I have no intentions of breaking our treaty… as for you," a small smile curled on his lips as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're coming with me."

Lucy gawked at the shameless dragon, seeing how he was smiling about committing treason. "You can't just take me!"

"Says who?" Natsu's eyebrow raised up as he leaned back against the grass so casually. "I believe I am the one who kidnapped the princess on her way to the wedding so doesn't that mean I get to keep her?"

The princess had no words as she stared at the dragon king in disbelief.

He really was going to take her? Take her back to the Dragon kingdom? With him?

For some reason, the overwhelming feeling of being with Natsu and being able to leave her kingdom walls to be in the safety of his hands was stronger than the fear of being caught. He would surely protect her and have a plan if he did all of this.

"So what do you say, princess?" He cocked his head to the side, giving her a bashful grin with the apples of his cheeks dusting pink. "Care to join me back to the Dragon kingdom?"

The familiar feeling of warmth and her heart coming back to life sent shivers down her spine and as her own cheeks dusted pink, she could only give him a wide smile.

"Yes!"