"Come on Lucy, we need to hurry!" A girl in layered skirts whispered loudly to a small blonde. Lucy seemed a little nervous, but followed her older sisters bidding anyway, hurrying along. Together the two ran up to the castles towers, and further, running along the roofs until they found their destination. The two girls peered down into the garden from above.

Among the bushes of roses stood two men and a woman in a pink, frilled dress. One of the two men wore a black tail coat with long curly black hair, though his back was turned to the two princess's. The other man wore red fabrics with gold and silver embroidery, a long red cape hung from his shoulder pads. On the man's dark blonde head sat a golden, Celtic crown. Beside him, his wife had bright gold locks of hair held up in a neat bun with a silver, diamond encrusted crown. The three adults were obviously having a very deep discussion. Michelle listened very closely, leaning dangerously close to the edge of the coble stone arc that hid them from view.

"I can't hear what their saying." Michelle whispered to her sister. After a few moments of trying harder she shook her head and took the younger princess's hand in hers. "C'mon, let's get closer." She said. The five year old wanted to protest, but she also didn't want to get her sister caught. So, with only small whimpers of complaints, she followed her sister down the roof and they hid behind a bush. Still being too far away, they hid behind another, closer to the trio, until they finally began to hear their conversation.

"… be another option, surely." Lucy heard her mother say. The black haired butler shook his head and spoke with a voice that was deep and desolate, polite.

"My lord has informed me that if he is to maintain his family's status as powerful allies to your kingdom, this must be done."

"But, they all are so young! This can't be all the options." It was their fathers turn to protest this time.

"Believe me, my lord has entertained all other possibilities, but they all lead to naught. If it would make you feel more comfortable, he is willing to wait until one of your daughters comes of age." The butler offered. The king and queen looked grievously at each other, attempting to think this through. When neither could come up with a satisfying answer, the queen gave the man a solid stare.

"Tell your lord we will consider his offer, but nothing is certain as of this moment. I implore you to wait patiently for our response." She explained and the man bowed curtly.

"Lady Layla, Lord Jude, I bid you two a fond goodnight." He said and turned to leave.

The man left and the sisters sighed in relief.

"Girls," their father's voice called and they both went rigid. "Come out of there." He demanded and they stood up, hanging their heads so as not to meet their parent's eyes. "What all did you hear?" He asked. Lucy opened her moth to answer when Michelle cut her off.

"Lucy didn't do anything, this was all my idea! I was just curious as to what you were talking about…" She admitted solemnly. "We didn't overhear much, just something about us being too young and what not."

"We're sorry." Lucy whimpered. Her parents said nothing and Lucy worried that if she looked up, she'd see disapproval on their faces.

Suddenly she heard Michelle cry out and looked up worriedly, only to see their father holding her upside down with a playfully evil smile on his face.

"You'd better be sorry!" Layla laughed and Lucy looked up, only to shut her eyes tight in laughter as her mom attacked her belly with tickles. The children screeched and begged for their parents to stop with their games. When they were finally set down and released, the girls struggled to calm themselves down, giggling uncontrollably and breathing heavily.

"Now go on and play, we'll see you two at dinner." Jude said with a warm smile.

"Aren't you going to play?" Lucy asked disdainfully. Layla smiled and kneeled at the girl's side.

"Papa and I have to finish a few things up today, but we'll play all you want tomorrow." She said reassuringly and Lucy pouted in uncertainty.

"Pinkie promise?" Lucy asked and her mother smiled warmly, holding out her pinkie.

"Pinkie promise." She said and with a smile Lucy wrapped her little pinkie around Layla's larger one, shaking on it. Layla giggled at her eagerness before gently pushing her toward the older sibling. "Now go on, off with you." The princess's ran off whilst the queen stood beside her husband, smiling after them. However, that was when they ran into the older boy from before. Instinctively, Lucy hid behind her sister and Michelle held her siblings hand from behind herself.

"Good morning, princess's. What are you up to?" He asked, with a supposedly kind smile.

"Go away Bora, we don't want to play with you." Michelle said coldly.

"Oh, but we have so much fun," he said and turned his gaze to the smaller Heartfilia. "Don't we Lucy?" He questioned. Lucy shuffled closer to her sister and further from his gaze, making him pout.

"Why are girls so mean?" He questioned as he straightened himself. He looked to Michelle. "You really should be nice to me, or else you'll regret it."

"You're threats are merely empty words. If you wish to harm us, you will no longer be welcomed in this castle." Lucy looked up at her sister and saw her mother. She sounded so much like the kind queen, you could truly see and hear the resemblance. Lucy wanted to be like that too. The little girl straightened her back and stepped out to stand beside her sister, still grasping her hand for courage. Bora glowered at the girls.

"You won't always have that tough facade. One day, you'll learn I truly am stronger than you." He threatened and began to walk passed the girls. "Have a nice day." He said and walked away. Michelle looked behind and watched him turn a corner before releasing a sigh.

"I hate that guy." She grumbled and kneeled to be eye level with the smaller Heartfilia. "Are you okay Lucy?" She asked. The five year old nodded.

"I know I'm okay as long as you're here!" She exclaimed happily and Michelle smiled.

"I'll always be there to protect you from the scary monsters." Michelle smiled and rubbed her sister's head, making her laugh.

...

"Keep your head high and your back straight, Miss Lucy." Lucy tried doing as she was told, her tutor being very patient and gentle as the little girl had her weekly study. Once a week, she'd balance a book on her head, practice proper etiquette, and get ready to be a princess the closer she got to being of age.

The seven year old attempted to hold the book on her head in a steady position by keeping her back straight and head high. She never understood why his was necessary, nor why it was considered etiquette, but she knew that as a princess, she had to do as she was told.

Though, in eight years, her sister would be the crowned princess, next in line for the throne.

"You must keep your head high, to show your authority!" Her tutor commanded. She remembered her sister once asked what authority she had, the ten year old princess exclaiming that she had no authority over herself, so how could she over others. Her sister was so busy nowadays, she never had time to play anymore.

Lucy had to console herself with getting some of the servants to play with her. But most of the time, it was an old woman that spent time with her. They'd sit in the garden, Lucy would tell her about the stories she's read and the times she's shared with her family.

"Are you looking for Master Jude, Miss Lucy?"

But every now and again, the king, queen and princesses would all spend the day together. Michelle would pretend to be a dragon and run around, chasing her sister. Their parents would laugh and smile and tickle them.

These were the happy days in the castle. But the end of these days were soon upon them. But to the youngest daughter's knowledge, it was nothing of the sort.

One day, she skipped through the halls, ready to hear more stories from her literature teacher.

"I'm sorry, but we will have to decline your lord's offer." Lucy stopped in front of a door, suddenly feeling curious. She knew that was her mother's voice.

"Our children are young, allow them to choose for themselves their suitors." Jude agreed. Lucy pressed her ear to the door. She remembered her etiquette teacher talking about suitors, but she also remembered they weren't always something to be liked, not like the fairy tales made them out to be.

"Of course my liege, I understand. I must say though, I am deeply disappointed in your decision. I will take all the necessary precautions." Lucy did not recognize this stranger's voice. But it was deep and smooth, eerily so. Lucy heard footsteps approach the door and backed away. The door swung open to reveal a tall, muscular man, dressed in noble's finery and a heavy sword at his side. His hair was held up in a choppy, white fringe, hanging down the length of is back. His steel blue eyes flit to the princess's and for a moment Lucy stared into them.

They made her feel cold inside. It reminded her of the time when she locked herself in the garden one cold, snowy morning. She held her breath as he held her gaze.

Finally, the man walked off, the nineteen year old Bora trailing behind him, a dark snicker on his face. But still, Lucy found nothing to be wrong.

Not until that day.

It was that day that her mother dragged her through the halls, that day that the fire licked at her arms and the man stood above her mother.

The day Bora killed the queen.

A loud cry of anguish captured Lucy's attention and she looked to see her father and sister. Her father brandished his sword and ran at the tall boy. Bora lifted his blood soaked blade and parried the attack, grinning as Michelle ran to her sister.

The young man easily over powered the king and held him to the ground, stepping on his throat.

"Father!" The princesses cried out.

"Bora!" The same man as before called out. Lucy looked, seeing those blue irises narrowed at the black haired man, shining against the flames. Bora looked as well, his expression dropping into one of respect.

"My lord." He bowed his head.

"Look at the mess you've made." The man said, approaching the queens limp form. Lucy watched with horror and confusion as he kicked her and the queen did not stir. The man then looked up. "Leave the king to me." He said. "Take care of the girls." Bora nodded and released the blonde man. Bora briskly walked over to the princesses and Michelle shielded her sister. Bora grabbed one of each girl wrists and they fought.

"No!" They cried and screeched. Jude made to get up and defend his daughters, but a heavy boot landed in the middle of his back, ceasing such movement.

"Please, I beg of you! I'll do whatever you want, just please spare my daughters!" He pleaded desperately. Lucy cried out painfully as Bora's grip on her wrist tightened.

"Wait!" The white haired man commanded. Bora froze and turned to face the man.

"You promised I could kill these girls." Bora said.

"And kill them you shall," The man started and turned the king onto his back. "If this man does not agree to our terms."

"What terms are these?" Jude rasped.

"You must pledge allegiance to me." The man said, a stoic expression on his face. "You and your daughters must serve me unconditionally and without struggle. Only then will I spare your life." Jude flit his eyes to his daughters, a conflicted expression on his face. Then his eyes turned back to the steel blue of his castles attacker.

"It shall be as you decree… My liege." Jude said.

With that, Jude's crown was plucked from his head and what remained of the royal family was put to work as servants in the very castle they once ruled. Lucy's eyes grew cold and lifeless, as if she were merely an empty shell, her mind always turning back to the past. She noticed nothing, felt no joy, no excitement, only dread, finally realizing her mother was never coming home.

The moment Jude had his daughters alone, he kneeled in front of them, turning to the oldest first.

"Michelle, I would never wish these painful memories on either of you, but I must ask you, when the time comes, will you guide Lucy on the path that will lead to our kingdoms freedom once more?" Jude asked. Michelle stared at him in confusion.

"Of course father, but why should there be need. Once Lucy grows older, she will not need it, surely. With everything she's seen, that we've seen—"

"She shouldn't have to live with those memories." He said. Michelle's eyes widened and Lucy felt numbly confused.

"Father, you can't possibly be suggesting—"

"It is the only way to ensure your safety. When she reaches those years of independence, I cannot have her acting out on her own. She'll get you both killed and I can't bare that." Jude said and dropped his head. "That… and it's painful to see her expression devoid of the happiness it once held."

"But you realize the cost it will take. Even if she were to gain her true childhood back—"

"Michelle, please! I know the repercussions, but I can see no other way. Please… I just want at least one of my little girls back…" Michelle hesitated before her shoulders relaxed and she nodded her head. Jude then turned to his youngest daughter, brushing an aged hand on her cheek.

"It is time to put your heart at ease, my lucky girl." He smiled before a solemn expression took his face once more. "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me some day, Lucy." He said and raised both hands to her face.

…

Lucy slowly opened her eyes, feeling her lashes heavy with tears, her heart aching with a heavy and fresh grief. She sat up and tucked her head in her knees, sobbing quietly.

"Father…" She whispered sadly. Natsu stood outside her tent, hand raised to grasp the cover that blocked his entrance. He recoiled his hand and hunched his shoulders as he listened to her hushed cries and smelled her heavy tears.

He supposed it wouldn't hurt to let her come to him for a change.

And with that thought he walked away, letting a piece of the armor encasing his heart crumble at the crying girl's feet.

A/N: I hope you guys like this chapter. I was so excited to put it up I didn't edit it and simply posted, so feel free to tell me in the reviews if you see any mistakes or if you are confused about something. To make up for how cold I made Natsu in the last chapter, I added a sort of softer action in this one. All will be clear to you in due time, my lovely's. I really appreciate your continued support. I'll see you all next time! Don't forget to submit some art for this story! I'll be all too happy to credit you!