A/N: Before I start I would like to apologize for my absence these past couple of months. I had lost my inspiration for this story and didn't know where to go with it. But now I am determined to finish this project. So I would like to thank all of you who stayed and waited for another chapter. I hope you enjoy.
Natsu dragged Lucy with him away from the couple in the first room he saw. Lucy was quiet the entire time and only opened her mouth to speak when they were in the room. The said room seemed to be a place for relaxing and provably playing. She spotted big comfy cushions and tables with board games on them. Natsu finally decided to break the silence. "So ,princess what were you doing eavesdropping?" Natsu was popped against a table with his arms crossed and an arrogant smirk on his face. "I wasn't eavesdropping. I was just passing by going to my chambers when I heard the commotion. And so I looked. I didn't know what was going to happen and if I did I wasn't planning on seeing it." Lucy huffed in annoyance. "What was happening anyway?" she added. Natsu took a few steps towards her. " I think it is wise to not participate in whatever unfinished business these two have." he said. Lucy wanted so badly to wipe that smirk off of his face.
"Anyway as I was delighted by this meeting , I would like to return to my chambers." Lucy said. " As you wish princess. Oh and wait for me tomorrow." he said. "And why would I do that?" Now it was Lucy who had crossed her arms.
"Because you shall be spending the day with me. Good night princess." he shouted as he were already out the door.
Lucy stood still in her place. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. That night Lucy's dreams were haunted by a pair of mischievous , onyx eyes.
The following morning Lucy woke up refreshed and found yet another dress for her. This one had a soft teal color and it was made out of a very thin fabric. This time she didn't spot any jewelry or elaborate hair pieces. As she was washing her face Lucy heard a soft knock on the door. Expecting the person knocking to be Cana she ran to the door and opened it. On the other side of the door stood Natsu sporting a warm smile.
"Good morning princess. I hope you slept well." Natsu passed by Lucy and went into the room. His torso was bare and he was wearing a light piece of white fabric around his hips. The only accessories were the gauntlets and a neck piece.
"I slept very well thank you." Lucy was flustered because her dressing gown consisted of a white silk dress that left little to the imagination. She quickly grabbed the teal dress and held it before her. "Would you be so kind as to explain the purpose of your visit ,prince Natsu, in the chambers of a girl , that hasn't been dressed yet?" she asked. Natsu turned around and looked at her. " We are spending the day together so I thought I might as well pick you up." he shrugged. "Now finish getting ready. A long day awaits us." he gave her a last smile and exited the room.
Lucy sighed. This man was going to cause a lot of trouble for her. She called Cana to help her get dressed and braid her hair. She wanted to look presentable before the prince. After she finished she opened the doors and found Natsu leaning in the opposite wall. When he noticed Lucy had walked out of her room , he scanned her up and down. He smiled with appreciation. Lucy felt her cheeks getting warmer.
"Come on then princess there are a lot of things I want to show you."
They were before the Nile. There was a boat waiting for them. Lucy couldn't believe it. She was going on a boat trip with Natsu. Alone. Natsu hoped to the boat easily. "Come along princess." He extended his hand so she could climb on the boat. When she put her right foot , the boat slightly moved , causing her to fall face first into Natsu's chest. "Easy there." he steadied her by holding her shoulders. His hands were warm where they touched. "Um thank you." she distanced herself and sat at the pillows that were located in the middle of the boat.
Natsu started to paddle and soon they were away from the shore. Lucy was magnetized by the colors of the water and the sky. She noticed a basket at the far end of the boat. "What is in there?" she asked Natsu. " Food in case we get hungry which we probably will." He was looking her straight in the eyes. Lucy felt herself blush."So , tell me a bit about yourself princess. Do you have any hobbies , are there specific things you like to do?" he asked curiously. " Well in my free time I like to create stories." she answered. She quickly averted her eyes. No one knew about her creations and why she just told Natsu , she had no idea. He had a confortable air around him. "Do you like reading then?" he asked. " I love reading." Natsu was taken aback by how beautiful Lucy looked when talking about something she loved. "What do you like to do Natsu?" Lucy asked. " I like fighting with Gray. We train almost every day together until Erza comes in and stops us." At the mention of Gray's name , Lucy recalled the image she had witnessed the night before. What had happened in the past between Gray and Juvia to result to that?
After minutes of paddling Natsu pulled the boat to a stop , in a place with shade. He took the basket and sat beside Lucy. " So what do you want to eat princess?" Natsu opened the box for her. Inside it had grapes, mangos , cut pieces of meat , some bread and cheese. For drinks it had wine and water. Natsu instantly took a piece of meat and swallowed it all. "If you eat so fast you might choke." Lucy said. For herself she chose some grapes and a slice of bread.
" I won't. I have been eating like that since I can remember myself." By then he had eaten two other pieces of meat , some cheese and now a mango. "You sure do have an appetite." Lucy noticed. Confortable silence ensued between them. Lucy took her time observing Natsu. The pink hair was what stood out the most. He had a very handsome face. High cheekbones and a straight , long nose. But for Lucy his eyes were the most beautiful. They were a deep onyx color , with flecks of gold if you noticed. Lucy hadn't realized that she was staring until Natsu laughed. "Like what you see princess?" he smirked. She blushed and averted her gaze.
"Come on Luce , it's time to go back." Natsu said and stood up. Luce? Lucy also stood up and started putting the left over food in the basket. Natsu helped her get on to the boat. The trip back home was peaceful and the sun setting was beautiful. Lucy hadn't realized that spending time with Natsu would be so fun. She felt happy being with him and each time she felt her heart speed up. "We are here princess." Natsu told her. She had dozed off during the boat ride.
As Natsu was helping her get down , her foot caught somewhere and then she was falling.
Natsu was quick enough to wrap his arms around her waist to steady her. Lucy was breathing heavily and her heart was pounding. She and Natsu were only centimeters apart. Natsu looked at her with wide eyes and she noticed him swallowing hard.
"Hate to interrupt but father needs you Natsu." Instantly Natsu and Lucy separated amd turned to see Gray leaning against one of the pillars. He had a smug expression that made Lucy put even more distance between her and Natsu. "I am coming Gray." Natsu turned to Lucy , ducked down and kissed her forehead. "See you at dinner princess." Natsu said and smiled. Didn't smirk. Smiled. Lucy had become a puddle of nerves as she watched Natsu and Gray head inside , arguing.
As she was heading to her room , Lucy saw a person trying to balance a huge stack of scrolls. "Here , let me help you." she offered. Behind the scrolls was a girl looking about her age , with light blue hair , held behind by a gold headband.
"Ah thank you but you shouldn't have, I think I can probably manage them on my..." She took a good look at Lucy. "YOU ARE THE ROMAN PRINCESS?" the girl squealed. "Oh my gods , I was so excited to finally meet you!" the girl said. She tried freeing one of her hands for a handshake but ended up dropping the scrolls down. Lucy couldn't contain her laugh. The bluenette started laughing too. "I am Levy by the way." she extended out her hand. "Nice to meet you Levy. I am Lucy.". Lucy squeezed Levy's hand. Lucy helped Levy with the scrolls and asked where was she taking them. "Oh Erza needs them for some strategies." Levy answered. They both headed to the direction of Erza's chambers. After knocking and entering they saw Erza pacing back and forward.
Erza's room was bigger than Lucy's probably to fit the rows of armors she had lined up. "Oh thank you Levy for bringing these , and Lucy what brings you here?" Erza asked. " Well princess Lucy here helped me with the scrolls after they fell down." Levy explained. "Please don't call me princess , just Lucy will do." Lucy said and smiled at Levy. "So I will be seeing you at dinner I suppose." Erza said to the two of them. After they left Erza's chambers , they walked until they arrived at Lucy's chambers. They exchanged promises to see each other at dinner and parted ways. After Lucy headed in her room she decided to take a long relaxing bath. This was a long day.