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Chapter 1— “The start of something new”
The castle walls felt cold under her touch, the sun was setting outside and the stars were starting to sprinkle the sky as the moon made it's appearance by showing up on the horizon.
Princess Lucy Heartfilia had been confined all evening in her room by demand of her father, the king Jude. Only a few maids had come to serve her food and help her with some of her duties.
As princess of the kingdom of Stella, she had many things to learn to be able to rule in the future as queen.
Now, as she had finished all she was requested to do today, she was out on the balcony, sat on one of her cushioned chairs and enjoying the refreshing breeze as she stared up at the beautiful changing colors of the sky as the sun bid it's goodbye to the day and let in the night.
One of her maids was by her side, combing her beautiful golden hair that was still humid from the warm bath she had enjoyed before. One of her hands resting on her soft creamy pink gown, while the other resting on the open book on her lap.
She had been enjoying reading it for the past few nights, and Lucy had guessed it was fine enjoying some calm reading time before dinner came.
The book told the story of a group of mages who went on amazing places in search of treasures and adventures, of fighting dragons and venturing through dangerous forests. The story was full of magic, adventures, tragedy and love. She felt herself let her imagination run free as she read the book, a sense of freedom overpowering her through the turning of the pages.
Lucy vicariously lived her dreams through the words of black ink set and ingrained on those old wrinkly pages colored yellow with the passing of the years.
The princess wondered if she would ever be able to experience something similar to what happened to the heroes on her book. Then a gloomy sense of pessimism flood over her.
Of course she wouldn't. Her father would never allow her to, after all she was a princess and she had a duty to fulfill. Princesses don't belong to that kind of lifestyle.
Again, that feeling of being a bird locked on a golden cage, Lucy knew it well.
The maid that had been combing her hair during all her time reflecting, stopped and looked at the young mistress.
— May I help you with anything else, Princess? —she asked politely, trying to catch Lucy’s attention as she knew she had been caught by her thoughts again—.
The question managed to stir the princess away of her train of thought, and Lucy turned to smile at her servant.
— No, everything is fine. You may leave if you need to, I will keep here watching the sky.
The maid stared at the night sky as the sun had finally hid behind the mountains in the horizon and the stars were starting to twinkle on the deep and dark blue sky.
—Is Princess going to stargaze for new constellations? I can ask to bring the telescope to the balcony if her highness desires.
Ah, of course, her love for stars was well-known by every single maid serving in the castle.
It was a love she had inherited from her long deceased mother, queen Layla. She who in her younger years had been a very famous celestial mage and that had taught her only daughter Lucy her magic before passing away from illness.
Lucy very much still missed her mother greatly, and dearly remembered her every single day just by looking up at the night sky.
Maybe that was the reason why she kept looking up at the stars, hoping her mother was up there looking after her.
She shaked her head at the words of the maid.
— Don't bother, I will head inside in a while anyways. Dinner is in a bit, right? Has my father told you if I may be let outside?
The maid looked at her with a sad and sorry look, shaking her head no.
— I am sorry, young princess. But there has not been a word from his Highness allowing mistress outside the room.
Lucy sighed and with a sign she dismissed the maid, letting her go to continue her work.
The blonde girl thought about why her father had been so adamant on keeping her locked up recently, not even letting her outside her own room.
From what she understood, she had been on her best behavior and always managed to fulfill her duties, so there was no reason why her father would want to punish her with confinement.
She was glad he still would let her keep contact with her friend princess Levy with letters. She had missed her very much, it had been almost a year since the ball where they last saw each other.
A strong gust of wind rises, causing the pages of the book on her lap to begin turning and the blonde grabbed onto it so it didn't close or worse, fly away.
— I'll get inside before the wind starts getting stronger... —she talked to herself as she grabbed the book with one hand and carried her chair with the other—.
She stepped inside the room and left the chair by her table and turned to close the balcony glass doors.
When she finally closed them, she pulled her curtains shut and she turned to leave the book on the bookshelf next to her table.
Lucy then sat on a corner of her bed, and looking at the time on the clock by her bedside table, the blonde decided she would wait for dinner to come.
She sighed as she let her back hit the bed covers as she looked up at the ceiling. That beautiful white ceiling with detailed golden intricacies making stars, constellations and magical creatures that she had grown used to.
The princess closed her eyes, hoping time would pass quickly so she would finally be able to leave this room.
A soft knock on her door startled her as she lifted her torso from the mattress and sat straight.
— Yes? —Lucy called out—.
A voice from one of her maids came from the other side.
— Dinner is ready, Mistress! May I come in?
Lucy got up from her bed and walked towards the table to set her chair right.
— You may —she answered—.
The princess sat on the chair as the maid came in carrying a tray with her dinner.
Today's menu consisted of a creamy butternut squash soup with sweet apples, onion and thyme for the main dish, then a side of garlic shrimp and for dessert a soft slice of carrot cake served with whipped cream.
Lucy thanked the maid as she set it on the table, and waited for the maid to be done to start eating.
— Mistress should know his highness king Jude has asked for an audience tomorrow morning — the maid informed—.
Lucy left her spoon inside the soup as she was about to take a sip from the creamy soup and turned to look at the servant.
— Did he say what time am I expected to go into his office?
— Eight on the dot, Miss.
— Alright. Has he commented what is the reason this time?
— No clue, princess. But word around the castle says it's about princess' future engagement plans, but no word has officially come out from his highness.
Right. Her father had mentioned before his plans to make her meet princes in hopes for a future engagement and an alliance with other kingdoms.
It wasn't that unusual from her father's behavior to demand such things from her even if previously unasked to.
It's not like he would care about her own thoughts about it.
— I see... Well, you can leave now, thank you for informing me.
The maid bowed and stepped outside the room, closing the door behind her and letting the princess eat in peace.
Lucy calmly sipped on her soup and ate some of the shrimp as she was thinking about the fact that her father probably wanted to start arranging meetings with possible suitors and that was why he had asked for an audience with her.
It wasn't out of character of him, so Lucy was not really surprised. But still, it really rubbed her on the wrong way that he would demand this from her after having locked her up in her room for almost six months.
She had only been let outside the garden a couple of times this month.
The princess sighed as she finished the soup, and when she was about to bite into another shrimp, a loud thud was heard outside in the balcony, then she began to hear scratches on the wood of the glass door.
Lucy left her fork on the plate and she got up to check what was making that noise outside. She opened the door and looked straight and found no one. She was left confused until a soft mewl made her look down.
A cute blue fur cat was staring up at her with big eyes and it meowed at her.
She cooed at the cuteness and she bent down to pick up the kitty.
— Aw~ Where did you come from, you silly thing? Did you climb all the way here?
She looked down the balcony as they were up at least seven meters from the ground. How did this cat even reach the balcony? Maybe it climbed the climbing plant that stubbornly grew alongside the castle and reached her chambers.
Lucy scratched the top of the cat's head lovingly as it looked up at her with curious eyes.
— You're a tiny brave cat to reach all the way here from the garden...
The princess checked for any collar on the cat, he was so well-behaved it was impossible for this cat not to be a house cat. She checked the green collar and found a plaque with its name.
— Happy, huh? Such a cheerful name for a cat... I guess it does suit you.
The cat meowed at her and she giggled at his cute reactions to her scratches and pets, the cat was practically melting on her arms.
She went inside as a rush of cold wind passed both her and the cat, causing it to tremble a bit.
Once inside the cat meowed at sniffing the scent of the shrimp. Lucy giggled at Happy's insisting meow.
— I don't know if I should be letting you eat garlic shrimp, kitty...
Before she even managed to sit down again, the cat jumped out of her arms and gobbled down on the shrimp still in her fork.
— Hey! Well, there goes my concerns for you, cat. If you shit yourself tonight don't say I didn't warn you.
Lucy sighed as the cat continued eating the rest of the shrimp, she squinted her eyes at the mischievous blue thing who had eaten half her food and then picked up the carrot cake to eat it before the cat thought of trying to get close to it.
The blonde princess started eating and looked as the cat licked his lips as he finished the shrimp and stared back at her.
— Was it yummy, little rascal?
The cat smiled at her and it surprised her when he began talking and answered.
— Aye!
She got up from the shock and almost slipped and dropped the cake.
— You can speak?!?! — she yelled, completely in shock—.
The cat looked at her in equal shock.
— Wait, you can understand what I'm saying right now?
— What?! Yes, I can!! How do you think I'm answering you, cat?!
— Okay, please calm down firs—
A loud and fast knock was heard on the door and the concerned voice from one of the knights that protected the castle was heard. Happy immediately dashed and hid under the bed.
— Are you okay in there, Princess? We heard a loud yell!
Princess Lucy turned towards the door, nervous about them coming in now in this situation, so she shouted back.
— Everything is fine! The wind outside made a loud noise against the glass doors, that's why I got scared! I'm okay!
— Okay, Miss!
She waited until the knight walked away, then once the coast was clear, she spoke again to the cat.
— You can come out now.
Happy came out from under the bed and jumped to the table again.
— Well, that was a close call... —the cat said, relieved—.
Lucy looked at Happy with a serious frown.
— Explain yourself now, cat. Why can you talk?
Happy gulped.
— Okay, listen... You might not believe me, but the thing is I really can't —he saw Lucy turn towards the door again to call for the knight, so he jumped in front of her to stop her — Wait, wait! Please listen to me! I know that you hear me and that it's so weird, but the thing is I have only known one person that has been able to understand me, besides you. To everyone else I'm just a regular cat that meows and hisses like any other cat. You have to believe me!
Lucy analyzed the cat, then decided to ask.
— How does that work?
The cat looked at her, confused.
— What?
— That only one person understands you besides me. Why is it that me and that person are able to understand you?
— Well, I'm kinda a magical creature of sorts... I don't really know why you can understand me. As to why that other person understands me, I guess it has to do with the fact that he raised me and is my best friend.
Lucy listened as the cat explained. There really was no special reason as to why she might be able to hear the cat, maybe he was just pulling her leg? She didn't know. He just looked like a normal cat to her.
Maybe she was just going insane after so much time locked up and was imagining talking cats.
— Okay... Look, I'm not sure where you came from and why I am able to listen to you, but you need to go back to where you belong.
The cat jumped to her lap and looked up at her before she thought of throwing him out to the balcony.
— Wait! Please let me stay! It's so windy outside I will get hurt trying to get back down! I swear I'll be nice, please!
The cat begged her with cute puppy eyes on, and she tried to fight it back, but in the end she sighed. The puppy eyes always worked on her.
— Fine! But if you cause one single problem you are out, cat! You got it?
The cat celebrated and smiled brightly.
—Aye, Sir!
Well, this was going to be a long night for her.
He had arrived that morning to Belleville, a little town not too far away from Altair, the capital of the Stella Kingdom. Belleville sat closer to the location of the Royal Palace than the actual capital, and not too many people lived in the city, being a rather small village of sorts.
The travel to the kingdom had been exhausting but, as his older brother put it, a dire need for them. After the fall of long deceased Queen Irene, the kingdom of Dragnof had gone through a period of civil war, in which his brother had played a crucial part in defending the civilians, which in turn had made him get the sympathy of the great majority and had been elected as king at the end of the war, putting an end to that tragic period that ended twelve years ago.
Now, as the king of Dragnof, his brother Zeref thought it was their duty to build connections to the other kingdoms, to ensure their land and protect themselves from future conflicts or any attempt of conquer from neighboring kingdoms.
Natsu knew his brother had assigned him next in line to be the king, as Zeref had no intention of having children.
He still remembered that day his brother had come back from the war and entered the dragon village with a crown on his head and fancy clothes, asking Igneel for permission to bring Natsu to the capital.
It wasn't like he hadn't seen Igneel again, the fire dragon that had been like a father to him when his brother had been too occupied fighting in the civil war. Natsu knew the dragon was still fine, alive and kicking, but he couldn't help but miss him sometimes.
Being a young and wild man as he was, he loved traveling around and going on adventures, as much as his brother would allow him. And he had rebelled a couple times to his brother's wishes when it came to being a dragon mage, but he still knew it was his duty to go on public and act like the prince that he supposedly was.
For him it was fine as long as he was able to travel with his friend and have some fun.
After being most of the morning checking the local market and walking around the village, Natsu had gone back to the house his brother had procured for him to stay. It was nothing too fancy, as it was a rented house, but it was good for him and Happy.
And, well, the rest of royal officers that came along with him so he didn't forget his mission in this kingdom.
Everything had been alright until he had come out of the shower after a long day, stepping out to his bedroom he had noticed Happy had disappeared. He had left him only to shower and the cat had been too busy eating fish to even notice he was going to the bathroom, but now he was gone.
Natsu immediately worried, and checked if there was a possibility the cat could have been kidnapped. They had just been in this place less than 24 hours and the cat had already managed to get lost.
He knew Happy had a tendency to leave every once in a while when they were in Dragnof, but it was dangerous for him to go out in an unknown place like this.
Maybe he was checking the neighborhood to meet more cats? Natsu didn't know for sure, but he was going to go out in search for him.
As he was about to reach the door, one of the guards stopped him from going out. He tried to explain that the reason why he was going out was to look for his cat, but the guard still denied. Instead, he suggested waiting for Happy to come back on his own, as he already had that tendency and always came back before the end of the day.
Natsu was a bit annoyed and upset at his words, but the guard was partially right. Happy had always managed to come back, and he was sure the cat would remember where the house was. Maybe he would come back at nighttime.
He guessed it was fine to give it at least a couple of hours, then if Happy didn't come back, in the morning he would go in search for him.
That same night he waited until late for the cat to come back, and got worried as he was getting sleepy and Happy was still nowhere in sight.
The next morning as he woke up, the pink-haired prince checked Happy's basket in hopes that he had come back while he was sleeping. But again, the cat wasn't there.
He rushed to get dressed and as he was getting out of the house, he was stopped by one of his royal officers, but this time for a completely different reason.
— Wait up, your Majesty!
Natsu annoyedly turnes around and frowned at the old man that stopped him in his tracks.
— What now? I have to go and find Happy!
— But prince, King Jude of Stella has just sent a request for all princes of Ishgar to go to the palace and meet the royal princess. People say the king wants to find a suitor for her.
Prince Natsu was ignoring the officer and looking around the area with a bored look in his face.
— I'm not really interested in meeting a princess-
— But King Zeref has already accepted on young prince's behalf, it's expected that his majesty goes to the palace this evening. Since king Jude already had news of you coming to Stella, he wants to meet with you.
Damn, his brother was fast.
He frowned at the thought of having to meet with the king of Stella so soon. He wanted to find his cat, for God's sake! He didn't have time to waste on a princess.
— Ugh... But I have to find Happy!
— Sir, if it's needed I will send men in search of the cat, but this is a meeting that can't be arranged at other time. It's set.
—... Fine. But you better have found Happy once I come back.
— Yes, your Majesty!
He knew his brother wouldn't force him to marry anyone he didn't love, so he was sure this meeting was purely cordial and to strengthen bonds with Stella, but Natsu couldn't help but wonder.
He had heard stories from the princess of Stella from the villagers, and it seems like she was very much liked by them. Yet sadly, it seemed like they hadn't seen her in a long time, because the king was adamant on parading her around unless it was strictly necessary.
Natsu didn't know much about the reasons behind it, neither did the majority of the citizens.
Maybe the prince wasn't too invested on the prospect of meeting the king, but he was genuinely curious to know about the princess. Would she like dragons?
He didn't know, but he would come to learn more about her soon.
Lucy had woken up to the touch of soft and warm paws against her cheeks. The soft purr of Happy made her open her eyes and look to the cat sleeping beside her all curled up.
She stretched being careful not to move or wake up the sleeping cat, and got out of bed. She walked towards her bathroom to take a bath and get changed into a new dress.
As she took a bubble bath, he heard tiny scratches on the bathroom door and instantly knew it was the cat that had woke up.
— I'm taking a bath, Happy! What do you need?
The whiny voice of the cat came from outside.
— I need to pee!
Lucy giggled and told the cat he could open the door because it was unlocked and could be opened just with a bit of pushing from outside.
After the cat came inside the bathroom and finally peed, Lucy finished with her bath and started toweling herself dry, putting on her undergarments and a petticoat before stepping outside of the bathroom with Happy purring loudly in her arms.
The cat had taken a liking to her pets after demanding them all night, and she somehow found Happy very funny and got along with him nicely. And yes that was true even after yerterday's shocking revelation that the cat could speak, although he could only talk to her and a mysterious other person.
Happy was constantly keeping her entertained while getting ready, telling her stories of adventures he had gone to or that one time he caught a big fish in a river by himself.
Lucy was kinda jealous that such a tiny cat had gone to more adventures and explored more than she ever had. But then again, it couldn't be helped that she had been born a princess and that hadn't been in store for her.
Her father had granted her permission to go outside her room today, even if she had to be on his office in a bit.
When she finished getting dressed and was finally ready to go out, she took one last look at the cat, wondering if he wanted to go away or stay there until she came back.
— Happy, will you be fine here on your own?
— Aye! I will wait here! — the cheerful cat answered with a wave of his paw—.
Lucy giggled at the cheerful nature of the cat, and then nodded.
— Okay! I will bring you some fishes later once I come back, alright?
— AYE! — he shouted at the prospect of getting delicious fishes—.
The princess smiled and said goodbye to the cat as she stepped out of the room, making her way towards her father's office, while being greeted along her way by all the servants and guards she encountered.
It was 7:58 in the morning, two minutes before the time her father had requested to meet, when she politely knocked on the door.
— Come in!
The characteristic booming voice of her father was heard from the inside, giving her permission to get in.
She opened the door and walked inside, as two guards closed the door after her and she was guided to sit in front of her father, on the other side of his desk.
Her father Jude turned around to look at her, and gave only an obliged nod as to let her know he was aware of her presence.
Her father wasn't a man of many words, nor a man that showed many emotions, especially with her, so Lucy had come to learn with time how to act around her father as to not make him upset.
Jude always went straight to the point with his notices, and he very much liked his orders to be followed strictly, whether they were directed to the servants or his own child. It didn't matter.
Her father walked around the desk and sat on his chair while looking seriously at her.
— I am sure you are aware of the reason why I called you here today, Lucy.
It wasn't a question, he didn't want her to answer to him, rather show that she was listening. She stayed silent and nodded.
— You have been doing well in your studies and all the royal duties that I placed for you, for that I'm giving you my congratulations. The teachers only keep saying good things about you, and I am pleased that you are keeping on the same line you have always been, given that is your place as a princess.
He made a small pause and continued.
— Now it has come the time for finding an acceptable suitor for you, daughter. I have called for unwed princes from neighboring kingdoms to come and arrange a meeting with you in hopes of making a strong alliance to maintain the power of our kingdom. You, as my only daughter, will someday rule this country and it is only right if you have a well fit beside you ruling as King.
Lucy listened to her father's words, even if she felt a twinge of rage surge in her at feeling like a puppet controlled by him, there wasn't much she could do. She couldn't argue with him.
— I see.
— Well then, that's the only notice I had to give you. Today I have arranged a meeting with a prince that was already in the area, once I'm done with talking with him, I expect you to join us as well.
Lucy nods obediently, then signals by lifting up her hand that she wants permission to speak, and her father does grant her the permission to do so.
— A cat went into the balcony and came into my room yesterday night, do I have permission to keep him? —she decided to change the subject, as she knew that her father would learn about Happy at some point—.
Jude frowned at that sudden information but shrugged his shoulders, not at all inconvenienced.
— You may if that's what you want. You can leave now.
Lucy bowed as the conversation was done,and she finally stepped outside the office. She sighed.
The princess knew it was just a matter of time that her father married her off. It wasn't like she did not think the day would come, it was just that she wanted a say in it.
Lucy had always hoped to marry someone she loves, just like her mother had said she had done with her father.
Even as unloving as her father looked now, at some point Jude had been a very loving and doting man. The death of her mother Layla had only soured the king.
The princess made her way to the kitchen and grabbed breakfast for her and fishes for Happy. She put it on a tray and brought it back to her bedroom.
Both her and the cat enjoyed together the food, then Lucy decided to bring Happy with her outside and show him the palace and the royal garden. Keeping her mind busy until the time the prince comes to the palace would be a good idea.
Hours passed and now it was afternoon, everyone in the Royal Palace had already had lunch. A carriage was entering thorough the gates and to the plaza in the entrance of the palace.
As the horses stopped, the carriage parked by the stairs that lead to the big doors of the building. A couple of royal officers and four royal guards stepped outside the carriage and made the announcement.
— The Royal Prince of the Kingdom of Dragnof has arrived!
Natsu got out of the carriage, having been forced to put on a more royal outfit, the elegant suit fit the prince perfectly. The pants were black like the jacket that was adorned with a red band and orange details on the pockets. Truly, it was all Dragnof style clothing.
With a bored look on his face, Natsu looked at the entrance of the palace. The palace was grand and majestic like one would expect from the Stella Kingdom.
The pink haired prince was welcomed by the servants of the palace, that were hospitable and reached out to help them in and asked if any of them needed something to drink or eat.
As they waited for king Jude in the throne room, Natsu looked around. Everything was nicely decorated, big blue curtains with golden strings at the side of each window, and the other wall full of paintings of the royal family. He noticed one painting of a young, blonde little girl with big brown eyes in a pretty soft pink dress.
One of the servants, the head maid named Spetto noticed the gaze of the young prince on the painting, smiled knowingly, then quickly explained who was it on the painting.
— That is a picture of young Mistress, the princess, when she turned seven years old.
— Oh... — the prince answered, he hadn't expected the maid to notice him looking—.
— Princess Lucy has always been so beautiful, but don't be fooled, her beauty has only but spiked up with the years. She has her mother's stance and looks.
Natsu was even more curious now to meet the princess, maybe he should verify with his own eyes if what the maid was saying was true.
The announcement of the arrival of King Jude was made, and soon enough Natsu was introducing himself to him.
— Ah. Prince Natsu Dragneel. I have heard some good things about you from your older brother. Zeref's strong stance against the enemies in the battlefield back in the war earned him the position of king, I have tons of respect for your brother... It is a pleasure to finally meet you.
King Jude was a middle aged man with blond ash hair and a mustache, his presence showed confidence and he was dressed in a finer suit. Stella's royal colours were white, gold and blue.
— It is my pleasure to meet you as well, your Highness — Natsu introduced himself politely as he had been told to do—.
— May we continue our chat in my office? There's some things I would like to discuss before I introduce you to my daughter. Please, follow me.
Stella had been an allied kingdom to Dragnof since the times of Irene, and Zeref had made it a priority in his reign to keep having a great relationship with his allies, to assure the kingdom's survival in the prospect of a future war with another kingdom.
He knew this was all political, but showing up for Stella's King request, even if nothing comes out of it, would at least paint Dragnof in a good light and be a possible strong ally to Stella.
The prince nodded at Jude's words and followed the king towards his office. They went inside and after a good while they were out again.
The king had only explained to him that he was searching for a good suitor for his daughter, telling him that he needed a strong candidate to protect his daughter and the kingdom once he passes, and that was the main reason why he had called for princes to arrange meetings with the princess.
— My wife wouldn't like that I'm doing this, but I worry about my daughter. I don't want her to be reigning all alone, there's only so much a queen can do before others try to take the power from her by force —he had said—.
And putting her on a loveless marriage will? Natsu thought, but didn't speak his mind. He could understand the King's concerns about his daughter's safety, even if he thought calling out to all princes in Ishgar had been a bit too much in his opinion.
As they walked outside the office, being followed by guards and making their way in the corridors, Jude continued talking.
— It has been hard contacting princes, I had some in mind but some are already married or promised with other princesses. Other's have confirmed that they would like to meet her, but I am a bit skeptical of accepting just anybody for her...
Natsu nodded as he listened.
— I understand.
— I have heard you are currently the leader and second commander or the army. Is that right?
The prince smiled proudly at being asked about his position. Finally a question that interested him.
— Yes, Sir. I lead the Royal Army and the special Dragon Force.
Jude's surprised reaction at hearing the word dragon made him internally laugh.
— Dragon Force? I heard about it but thought it was only a rumor. Does the army of Dragnof still train dragons and use them on their lines?
— Yes. I am the leader of the dragons, and it is my duty to both protect and train those dragons. They are like a family to me.
King Jude was contemplating everything the prince was explaining.
— I see... That's magnificent.
They came to the end of the corridor and turned to a door that lead to the royal garden. A maid came in through the door and told the king the princess was waiting there.
— She has been out in the gardens with a cat all morning. I'm going back to my office and letting you meet calmly and without my presence, it might be uncomfortable. Hope you get along nicely, please treat her well —Jude spoke up—.
Natsu’s interest piked at the word 'cat'. Did the princess like cats? He was sure if that was true they would get along very well.
— Of course, your Majesty. You don't have to worry.
— Good. I will talk to you again after the meeting.
And with that, the king left, and Natsu was left alone with his royal officers, the guards and a couple of maids.
His officers quickly rushed to talk him into acting proper and whatnot, and Natsu rolled his eyes. He wasn't a goddamn kid.
— I'm just going to meet her, jeez. There's no need to be so nervous about it.
— Everything needs to go well, your majesty. The kingdom needs this alliance.
— Yeah yeah, whatever. It's not like I already don't know that.
One of those maids then opened the doors as she told him to follow her so she could guide him to the princess.
The pink haired prince followed the maid through the garden and say as they approached a big weeping willow, under which he could see the back of a blonde woman sat on a chair and a wiggling tail of what he could guess was a cat on her lap.
He looked at it strangely. Huh, that tail looked familiar.
The maid told him to wait until she announced his arrival to the princess, only then he would be able to approach her. He stopped in his place and waited.
The maid rushed towards the princess and whispered something in her ear, then he saw the princess answer something, and then the maid rushed to leave, but made a sign for him that he could approach the princess.
He then saw the face of a beautiful blonde woman, with shining brown eyes and a light blush on her cheeks, her hair was braided beautifully and the light dress she was wearing was of a soft babyblue hue.
Her gaze locked up on his, she seemed like she was also as caught up as him, looking at him up and down but not with disdain like other stuck-up princesses would, but genuine curiosity.
Spetto had been right. The princess was beautiful for sure, Natsu was sure no painting would make her justice.
He gulped suddenly nervous. What was wrong with him? He was starting to feel hot all of a sudden.
Everything felt magical and was fine, until he looked down and found who he had been looking since yerterday right on her lap enjoying bellyrubs.
— H-Happy?! — he drew an accusatory finger at the cat with great surprise—.
Happy opened his eyes at hearing the familiar voice of Natsu, then excitedly jumped towards his best friend.
— NATSU! —the cat jumped at his arms and giggled—.
The princess looked at both of them surprised, she guessed this was the person Happy told her about, but she didn't think it would be the same prince she would have to meet today.
She stared at him, he was very handsome, she had been too caught up when they locked eyes. She couldn't help but blush, flustered that she was focusing on his looks so much.
— I have been looking for you everywhere, you stupid cat! I was so worried! — the pink-haired man shouted and he hugged his furry friend—.
— I'm fine, Natsu! I found Lushie and she took good care of me! — Happy hugged him back them wiggled it's way out of the hug and jumped back into Lucy’s lap—.
— Huh? — it seemed like for a second Natsu had forgotten about the princess— Hey! Why did you steal my cat?!
Lucy frowned at that sudden accusation.
— Hey! What?! I didn't steal your cat!
—Oh, yeah? And why was MY cat in YOUR palace, huh?
— Because your cat climbed up all the way into MY balcony! Also it was late and I let him stay so he wouldn't get hurt. So I don't know why you are pointing accusory fingers at me.
— Whatever. Happy, let's go back home.
The prince turned around to walk away, wanting to end any conversation with the princess of Stella. Expecting his cat to follow him, he stopped when he realized the cat hadn't moved from it's place to follow him. He turned and glared at Happy.
— Happy. Let's go. Now.
— But I don't want to! —the cat replied—.
— What?! Come on, don't mess with me! We have to go back to Dragnof at some point.
— I want to stay here!
— You can't do that! You're my best friend, we are supposed to go on more adventures, remember?
The cat jumped into Lucy’s arms and cuddled against her.
— But I like Lucy! She's my mom now!
Lucy blushed at the words of the cat and confused stuttered.
— M-mom???
She was clueless as to why Happy had said that.
— She can't be your mom, you silly cat! —Natsu argued—.
— Yes she can, you flame brain! —Happy countered—.
The two bickered for what seemed like an eternity to Lucy. It wasn't until her father had approached them after hearing some quarreling that she snapped out of her own thoughts.
— Oh, Lucy. I'm glad you have met each other, this is prince Natsu Dragneel of Dragnof. One of your suitors!
Natsu turned with a frown at the presence of king Jude after getting ahold of the cat that was trying to scratch at him.
— I'm not going to marry a cat stealer!
— Hey! I said it before, I didn't steal the cat!
— Hmph, whatever.
Jude looked at both his daughter and Natsu, a bit concerned. He had thought an union of the two would be profitable and wanted them to get along but it seemed the prince wasn't too keen on that idea. The king tried to calm the waters by offering the prince to stay for a while on the palace, maybe giving them time would help.
— What if you stay for tonight? —tried to offer Jude—.
The king didn't have many other princes to offer his daughter to, and his pride would dwell if he offered her to a lowly lord or noble that wouldn't be able to offer as much power to the Stella Kingdom.
Natsu turned to look at the king with a frown, but even if he was upset, he wasn't going to be a prick to a king.
— Alright, but I'm leaving in the morning.
Then he shot a glare at Happy and Lucy then added.
— With my cat.
Then he turned and left towards the inside of the palace, as one of the servants was going to show the way to his chamber for the night.
That same night, after dinner, Natsu was back in the chamber. He had already changed his clothes to some pajamas that the servants have lent him. The sun has already finished setting outside, now leaving room for the starts to twinkle and the moon to shine in the dark blue sky.
He stepped outside to the balcony to think. The dinner had been alright, and he had been able to coexist with the princess just fine, even if he was still a bit annoyed at her for causing his cat not want to leave her side.
That had never happened before with Happy.
The cat had never become so invested with anyone they had encountered in their travels, or even back home in the kingdom, he had never approached someone to the point that he had seen happen with that princess today.
It hadn't been even passed a day and he found his friend purring and melting on Lucy’s lap.
As he stepped outside in the balcony of his chamber, he found a light coming from one of the rooms in the top floor of one of the towers, where the princess' chambers were located.
Natsu curiously looked up and found the princess there on her balcony. Sitting on a chair, a book by her side on a coffee table and caressing a sleeping Happy on her lap.
She was looking up at the stars, her eyes stuck to the beautiful sight. He also looked up, noticing what had the princess in suxh awe. Natsu had heard many things about the Stella kingdom, but it was true that the beautiful night sky was often complimented and told the kingdom had the prettiest sights on all the land.
Yet, Natsu was completely mesmerized not by the sight of the sky, but by the beauty of the princess. If he was going to be honest with himself, he wasn't so upset at the fact that Happy had taken a liking to the princess.
Granted, he didn't know much about her, but it seemed she was nice, or else Happy wouldn't be around her. And judging by the pets and caresses the cat was getting from her, it seemed like the princess also had a soft spot for him.
King Jude had told him to please consider staying for longer in the palace, just in case both him and Lucy got along in the end.
Natsu had been reluctant at first, knowing that it had been his fault to start off with the wrong foot, by accusing the princess of stealing his cat. But sue him! It had been kinda like that, and he had been upset because Happy had denied him when he had asked to leave together.
Now as the prince thought about it, he continued to watch Lucy, every passing second more convinced on at least try to befriend her.
If she had helped Happy, there was no chance she would be a bad person at all. Even if she was a cat stealer.
Maybe he would go to bed that night thinking about her and looking forward to staying around for a little longer in the morning.
«And it so happened that maybe I just found my star.»