A/N: Hello readers! I decided to come back to this amazing work after some time-so sorry! I just really wasn't inspired. But I am back, and chapter five is coming soon. Anyways, I decided to come back here and kind of clean up the previous chapters. I hope you enjoy, and please read and review.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail

"Aren't you nervous? I mean, this is the man you're going to spend the rest of your life with."

"No," Lucy deadpanned. Her long golden hair was pulled into a mass of soft, delicate curls atop her head, her delicate features highlighted with just the subtlest touches of makeup. She turned her attention from the mirror to the bluenette who was in a soft pink strapless bridesmaid dress. The thin fabric fell elegantly to the floor as she got to her feet and wrapped her arms around her friend's shoulders.

Lucy reached up and squeezed the girl's arm, returning the hug the best she could from her position. Her eyes were still a little puffy from crying herself to sleep the night before. But now there were no tears. Instead, she was numb, keeping her raging emotions buried and forcing a façade of confidence. But inside, the sorrow ate away at her, desperate to reveal itself. Lucy wanted nothing more than to refuse to go through with this, but instead she was quiet for a long moment. "Levy-chan?" she asked, looking up at in Levy's sympathetic eyes.

"What, Lucy?" she asked, eager to do anything to make the bride-to-be feel better.

Lucy looked at her reflection in the vanity mirror and pursed her lips. Her eyes were outlined with thick black kohl and mascara, making them look more dramatic. Though she looked gorgeous, if she did say so herself, she would have given anything to change back into her other clothes and walk out of here. But, if she did, she was sureher father would send his guards after her, and they would never stop looking. Not until there was a ring on her finger. "Nothing," she muttered, but Levy saw the pain in her best friend's eyes.

"Lucy…I'm so sorry," Levy whispered, her eyes brightening as tears began to well.

Lucy stood and grabbed both sides of the younger girl's face, willing herself to keep a straight face and keep the tears at bay. "Levy, I'm fine. Please, don't worry about me."

Levy sighed heavily. She wanted to believe what Lucy said, but she saw how horrible this marriage was for her. But, she forced a small smile anyways, not wanting to make Lucy more upset than she already was. "Alright."

A maid in the traditional white and black uniform knocked softly and entered the room. She announced that Lucy and Levy was supposed to be in place in a few minutes. Once she left, Lucy added another layer of pastel pink gloss to her full lips and examined herself in the mirrored wall. Her dress was a floor length white gown with jeweled spaghetti straps and a silver sash that followed the small train down the floor. She smoothed the material and once everything was perfect, she sighed and made her way towards the door, Levy following close behind.

Lucy stood behind a pair of wooden double doors, waiting for her cue. She could hear the quiet rumble of conversation from the other side and snickered. All of these people came to see the prince of Fiore get married to the daughter of Jude Heartfilia, one of the most prominent businessmen in the kingdom. And she hated them for it. All they wanted was a show. None of them really cared about her; in fact, almost all of them probably didn't even know her. It made her feel a little nauseous. And angry. But the room silenced.

As the music began its soft opening, her stomach dropped and her hands began to tremble. It was time. But I'm not ready!, Lucy wailed inwardly. The doors opened slowly, revealing the glowing, perfect Lucy Heartfilia. The guests gasped and the low murmurs followed her as she began to take the first steps own the red velvet isle. Lucy's heart pounded in her chest as a man walked to the edge of the alter and extended his hand.

Gray Fullbuster.

He was dressed in an elegant black suit with a crisp white tie. His deep blue hair-the color of a raven's wing-was slicked back, revealing his handsome face. A small, reassuring smile played over his lips and she reached her arm up and placed her hand in his. Gray gave it a comforting squeeze as he escorted her up the stairs and to the right of a preacher, dressed in white traditional robes, who spread his arms in a gesture of welcome.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the union between Gray Fullbuster and Lucy Heartfilia," he began in a loud, clearvoice.

As the preacher went on, Lucy glanced around the room. She saw her father, casting her a warning glare. Immediately, a chill ran down her spine. Admittedly, she was afraid of him. He was always working and could be very harsh when he wanted to be. Which, he was quite often. Her eyes scanned the thousands of unfamiliar faces, all watching with unwavering interest as Lucy's freedom was gradually being taken away from her. Each word made her one step closer from becoming this prince's property. Or, at least, that was how she knew everybody would see her. Wives had almost no freedom in Fiore. Even royalty.

Then, she saw him.

Natsu…

The mop of pink spiked hair was in the back of the room, leaning against the wall, staring at her with a smirk on his face. Heat began to rise to her face as she felt his gaze on her. "You look beautiful," he mouthed. She smiled a genuine smile for the first time all day. Her father noticed took notice and turned to see what his daughter was staring at with such a happy expression, but she turned away before he could tell.

"Lucy?" A gentle whisper broke the bride from her thoughts.

"Y-yes?" she asked, her voice an octave higher than her usual tone.

The preacher cleared his throat. "Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, for better or worse, as long as you both shall live?"

A lump began to form in Lucy's throat. Her heart pounded against her ribs so hard she thought they might break. She eyed Natsu once more. He was staring at her expectantly, waiting to hear her response to the question. "I…" The whole gathering was on the edge of their seats, eager to hear her say the words that would officially make her wed. Her eyes dropped to the marble floor of the alter as she choked, "I-I do."

"By the power vested in me by the kingdom of Fiore, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the preacher stated jovially.

Gray wrapped his arms around Lucy's tiny waist and pulled her close to him, planting his soft lips tenderly against hers. She looked out at the screaming crowd for Natsu, but all she saw was the back of his brightly colored head as he left the church. When the newlyweds separated, the crowd clapped and cheered, celebrating their marriage. Lucy felt like her whole world had just crumbled around her.

~oOo~

An hour later, the newly wed Fullbuster sat at a fully stocked bar, spinning in the tall, rotating chairs, watching the guests dance and chat happily, unaware of how miserable the new bride was. Gray was talking to her father; ausiness, no doubt. Jude liked Gray because he was young, smart, and had a lot of power. So, he pushed the idea that Lucy pursue him. At first, she didn't think that he would even consider dating her, being as popular he was. But, much to her surprise, he was taken with her from the beginning.

It wasn't that she didn't like Gray. He was sweet, charming, and a perfect gentleman; every girl's dream. But not Lucy's. She just wasn't in love with him, and it didn't seem fair to either of them to be married. When she broached the subject with her father just after Gray proposed, he just shooed her off and said that love wasn't the only reason to marry for. So, Lucy reluctantly went along with the marriage, and now she was hopelessly depressed.

"Mrs. Fullbuster?" Gray approached her, flashing his trademark grin and extending his hand. "Would you honor me with this dance?" Lucy sighed and placed her hand in his for the second time that day. He led them to the dance floor and wrapped his free arm around her waist. The other was clasped around her hand. She placed her free hand on his shoulder and they began to sway and twirl in time to the music that came from the two-hundred piece orchestra that surrounded the room.

"This is a lovely party, isn't it?" he noted, an attempt at conversation to break up the awkward silence that soon fell between them.

Lucy nodded, taking it all in. This was one thing she really enjoyed about Gray and his power; the beauty the rich got to experience. And now she would to, she thought with an inward sigh. "It is, yes."

Gray gave her a once over and smirked. "Did I tell you how beautiful you look?" he asked. Lucy had changed from her wedding gown to a sleek silver party dress that hugged her tiny frame and highlighted her glowing pale skin. Her hair cascaded down her back in glossy curls.

"No, you didn't," she replied with a small, appreciative smile. No matter who it was that told her, Lucy was always flattered when told she was pretty. "But thank you."

"Anytime, Love," he said as he lowered his hand and dipped her low to the ground. She gasped and gripped Gray's hand tighter, not wanting to fall over in the skin-tight dress she was wearing. Knowing her luck, it would rip, and the thought made her want to die. Gray smiled, and the utter bliss in his eyes formed a knot of regret in her stomach. I shouldn't be doing this. He pulled her upright and planted a lingering kiss on her lips as the song ended. "Would you like a drink?"

"Um, yes, some champagne, please." Gray began to make his way through the crowd, towards the bar. She sank into an empty seat a few feet away, her feet killing her in the strappy heels she was wearing.

"Lucy?"

The familiar voice snapped Lucy to attention. Natsu held out his hand and smiled, though it didn't reach his onyx eyes. Lucy took it without hesitation. "We need to talk," he whispered, the hot breath in her ear ticking the sensitive skin.

"Alright."

The pair began to force their way through the throngs of patrons towards two huge doors that lead into a large courtyard. The night was cool with a light breeze, making Lucy's body begin to break out with goosebumps. There were still people outside, so they began to creep into the shadows and soon found some privacy behind a tall oak tree. Once they were sure they were alone, Natsu wrapped the girl in his arms.

All the stress and tension and horrible feelings melted away as soon as he did so. Lucy relaxed into the safety of his warm, protective muscles around her, the familiar feeling calming her like nothing else could. She sighed contentedly. When he let her go, she placed her hands on his chest, her index finger tracing his defined, exposed torso. "Lucy…I've missed you," he admitted gruffly, obviously embarrassed with showing such emotions. Lucy rolled her eyes. He was such a boy. "I love you."

Lucy's eyes travelled up to meet his own and her muscles twitched; she couldn't stop the smile from spreading on her face. "I've missed you too, Natsu." As she said so, visions of a handsome prince getting her champagne flashed through her mind. She pinched her eyes closed. "But I can't do this anymore."

Natsu's face fell and his eyes darkened with anger and pain. Lucy knew that this was going to be hard, to break it off with him completely, after all this time. But she couldn't hurt Gray like this. It wouldn't be right. Though it killed her inside, Lucy was going to let Natsu go.

"So you're just giving up?" he growled. "Is that your plan?"

Lucy put a hand on his shoulder, but he brushed it off. She clamped down the sick, hurt feeling that was brewing in the pit of her stomach and forced herself to say the words that she had been trying to avoid saying for a month. "Natsu, I can't hurt him. Even if I don't love him, he loves me. And he doesn't deserve this. I-I don't know what to do. But I know that sneaking around like this isn't fair to either of us. I want to be with you Natsu, but…I can't. I'm sorry."

Natsu was glaring daggers at her. Lucy shuddered, seeing why people compared him to a dragon. He was fierce and powerful, and for the first time, Lucy felt a pang of fear at being alone with him. "So it's better to hurt me? The one you've said you love? The one you've known your whole life?"

The tears Lucy tried to hold back all day came bursting forth. Choked sobs escaped the blonde's lips. "I-I'm so sorry!" she blubbered, covering her mouth immediately afterwards. "I love you so much. I'm sorry."

Natsu's hard expression softened as he saw her tears. He put his hands on her shoulders, but she refused to meet his gaze. "Lucy, we can leave this place. Start a new life where nobody would ever know who we were," he suggested suddenly, his face expressionless.

It took everything Lucy had to hold back the laughter that bubbled in her throat. "Are you crazy? They would catch us as soon as we left."

Natsu slammed his lips against Lucy's, hard and warm and passionate. Her eyes slowly closed and her hands wrapped around his broad body, her fingers entwining themselves in his soft hair. The sensations were so familiar, yet it had been so long since she'd felt them. Lucy breathed in his heady scent, like smoke and sweat. It was intoxicating. "But isn't that better than just staying content with being miserable? Isn't it better to at least try to be happy?"

Lucy, breathless from the kiss, nodded. Natsu had ignited a fire inside her, one that until moments ago, was completely extinguished. But now, the determination and love burned as bright as the sun. Lucy wiped her eyes, now smudged from running mascara. "Yes. Natsu, I'll run off with you."

His smile was all she needed to know she had made the right choice.