Hey Guys, so this is just something that's a little cliche, i know everyone's doing it, but i kind of wanted to put my own twist on it. It starts a little slow at first, but if you read all the way through, i promise you won't regret it.

Also, this will not be a sexual story at all. So if that's why you're here, First, get your mind out of the gutter, Second, i hope you can find it in you to read the story anyway.

No NaLu in the prologue, but I promise I'll have the first chapter up soon.

Rated Teen for mild language and violent depictions.

Prologue: A Proposal Turned Disaster

I kept my chin up as the maids bustled around me, tinkering with my dress around my body. Tonight was the large gala ball that my father was holding for the new country club he was opening. As his daughter and heir, I was expected to be there. I understood my duty, and, regardless of how much I wanted to stay in my room and read, I knew I had to attend to support my father. I was his last living relative and so I was expected to be under his thumb all the time.

My maids had picked an exquisite dress and I had to hand it to them. It was an emerald green that was strapless and flowed all the way to the floor, trailing behind me like a wedding gown. The dress was made of smooth velvet and hugged my curves from the chest down. It had a strap of silver beads that went across my waist like a belt, giving it an almost ocean-like feel. I wore a simple pearl necklace and small stud earrings. My hair was pulled back into a neat bun with a silver jewel to hold my hair in place.

"You look stunning, Miss." My maid, Aries said softly.

"Ravishing, Princess." My other maid, Virgo, agreed. I smiled at both of them and took their hands.

"Thanks to you, of course. Thank you both so much for your help. I'll try to sneak in some of those pastries you love so much, Aries." I said fondly. Aries and Virgo giggling, smiling warmly at me. I loved my maids. They were my sole friends in this empty castle of a mansion.

"Don't forget chocolate éclairs, Princess." Virgo said, licking her lips dreamily. I laughed and smiled, showing off my teeth. It was a smile that I rarely showed anyone because it showed too much emotion in my eyes.

I closed my mouth and turned to the door, taking a deep breath. Aries squeezed my hand.

"You'll be fine. I know how nervous you are, but you can be assured that you're ready for this. There's no one better in this world to take your father's place as CEO of Heartfilia Corp." She said softly. I smiled at her and squeezed her hand back.

"Thank you, both of you." I said again. Then I grinned at them, walking to my door. "Wish me luck." With that, I opened the door and walked out of my room and down the winding staircase that led to the ballroom on the first floor of the mansion.

I walked through the archway that led to the grand staircase before the ballroom. A crier called for everyone's attention. I looked over the ballroom to see at least a hundred men and women in their best suits and gowns turned their heads to see the arrival of Miss Lucy Heartfilia. I couldn't see my father yet. He would probably arrive right after me. I lifted my chin and put a polite smile on my face as the crier announced my arrival.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Lucy Heartfilia!" a respectful applause rang out through the ballroom as I walked slowly down the staircase, keeping my head high and taking caution not to tread on my dress.

A young man walked to the bottom and the staircase and smiled up at me, waiting for me to reach the bottom. My escort and companion for the night, Gray Fullbuster, was the son of my father's rival Corp, a fairly nice person but we had nothing in common. Arranged marriages were never outright expressed but Gray and I both knew that as heirs to our Crops, he would have to take the initiative and marry each other even if we had no feelings for each other.

Gray was very handsome, no doubts there, with jet black hair and dark, obsidian eyes. His serious eyes and cool smirk topped off his look. He looked as if he could be a prince. Many people have commented to both of us that together, we looked like a King and Queen. He was wearing a white tuxedo with an emerald green tie and emerald cuffs as well. We had color coordinated to make the date seem official.

I reached the bottom of the staircase and took the arm he held out to me. Soon, everyone's attention was no longer on me and Gray and I could talk quietly to each other.

"You look beautiful, darling." He said softly to me. I smiled politely and nodded my head in thanks.

"And you look very handsome, sir." I replied.

Gray and I walked around the ballroom, greeting various people and answering simple polite questions. This was usually the custom of these events. No one would outright ask us the hard questions because they knew they were wasting their time. Gray and I had been trained at birth to avoid hard questions politely and courteously so as not to offend anyone and not to show anyone else our offense. It was one of the many things we learned as children. Always be one step ahead of your enemy. Always have a plan B. Always keep your dignity and pride. Never lose focus or concentration.

Gray and I soon found a quiet place to rest before the feast. We spoke quietly to each other as people passed us, marveling at young love. Gray and I were experts at putting on an act of love. Gray's hand was always on mine and my eyes never left his for very long. Our conversations were soft and gentle as if we were whispering sweet nothings to each other. We always managed to look into each other's eyes affectionately whenever we were in public.

In private, we were friends. I enjoyed his company well enough. We weren't awkward with each other. But we had nothing in common. There was never a romantic spark between us I didn't think there ever would be. I knew that marrying him wouldn't be so bad because of how well we got along but I was still saddened that I would never get to find love for myself. We were both still too young to consider marriage but my father and his mother were already making up the wedding guest list. We were going to wait until I turned eighteen before we got married. Even though it wasn't displayed as an arranged marriage, this was as arranged as it could get.

"I got you something." Gray said softly. "I wanted to give you some warning before I presented it to you tonight." I pursed my lips as his hand drifted to his pocket. That could only mean one thing.

"Tonight?" I whispered, keeping an affectionate smile on my face. In reality, I was feeling panicky. Gray never warned me about presents he was going to give me. That meant it had to be the one thing we were both putting off. "I'm not eighteen yet." I protested softly. Gray chuckled as if I had something funny.

"My parents are getting antsy. More and more rivalries are popping up in the lower businesses. My mom wants our two corps to become one soon because if they don't, all hell could break loose." He said quietly, brushing a piece of hair out of my eyes. I looked down for a second before lifting my chin and smiling warmly at him.

"I understand, of course. Thank you for warning me." I replied smoothly.

I then realized that Gray's hand was still on my cheek. My eyes darted across the room and I saw our parents watching us. Gray swallowed and I understood. I leaned in closer, letting him know I was ready. He quickly leaned in and gave me a slow kiss before I could change my mind. Our kisses were always pleasant, but they always lacked the spark I wanted to feel. But I understood that this was the best I could have.

"Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please." A crier walked in from the large room where the feast was being held. "Dinner is served."

Gray pulled away and took my hand. He gave me a soft smile and I return it as I took his arm. He escorted me into the dining room and the two of us took our places next to each other towards the head of the table. Gray pulled my seat out for me and I sat down eyeing all the various forks and spoons lined up around the plate in front of me. Gray sat down as my father and his parents walked in behind us. My father took his place at the head of the table and Gray's parents, right across from the two of us.

Once everyone was seated and my father welcomed everyone, the waiters brought in the first plate of food. It was a tomato soup as an appetizer with small loaves of bread to go with it. My kept my hands under the table in my lap until Gray and his parents had already taken their first spoonful. It's what I was always taught. Let your guest have the first bite. Before I could pick up my spoon, however, Gray's mother put hers down to ask me a question.

"So, Lucy, darling, Gray tells me that you enjoy reading." I smiled and gave her a polite nod. She lifted the napkin to her lips daintily, closing her eyes. "I have a lovely book you could borrow. You must visit our mansion one time. We must discuss your favorite titles in greater detail." She said kindly. Gray's mother was more imposing than she looked. She had a small, petite frame with Gray's eyes and hair. But they was definitely the one who pushed us to get married the most. I smiled and nodded.

"Of course, I would like that very much, Mrs. Fullbuster." I said respectfully. She put her napkin back on her lap and shook her head, smiling.

"Oh, come now, darling. I have told you to simply call me Mika. Silver, dear, could you pass me the salt? This soup is a little too bland for my taste." Her husband, Silver Fullbuster, reached over and plucked the salt shaker to give to his wife. He was a tall, burly man with handsome features that out-aged his son's by several years.

Most people wouldn't have caught the implied insult that Mrs. Fullbuster had just thrown out towards me and my father. My hands fisted under the table but I kept a polite smile on my face. Insulting the first plate before the conversation had barely started was a low blow, even for her. What did she want? I studied her face as she innocently sprinkled salt on her soup. My father cleared his throat to speak but Gray cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Heartfilia but I would like to make an announcement that simply can't wait." I gulped hard. He was doing it now? Gray stood up and raised his glass of champagne so everyone would turn to look at him. I took a deep breath and clasped my hands in my lap.

"It has been several years now that I have been courting the lovely Lucy Heartfilia. These few years have been the best of my life. I am honored to be in the presence of my family and hers and of course, all of you to witness this special occasion. As the year draws to a close, I have realized something very important." Gray turned to me and reached for my hand. I took it and he lifted me out of my seat until we were standing facing each other in front of everyone.

"Lucy, my dear, I know we are young and this may seem very sudden, but I want you to know that you are the love of my life and I simply cannot go on living a day without you by my side." He held eye contact and lowered himself to one knee. Gasps were heard all around the ballroom as he pulled a small black box out of his pocket and lifted it in front of me. I placed my hands to my mouth, putting on an overwhelmed expression.

"Will you, Lucy Layla Heartfilia, do me the honor of becoming my wife?" he pulled the box open to reveal a white ring with a small beautiful diamond resting in on top. I clutched my heart with one hand and the other over my mouth as I forced tears to well up in my eyes. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Mika Fullbuster smirking in triumph. Silver, next to her looked so proud. His expression matched my father's. I knew my duty. I knew my responsibility.

"Yes. Yes, I will." I breathed. Gray smiled and stood up as I pulled him to me for a hug. I buried my head in his chest as he wrapped his strong arms around me. I tried to suppress the real tears of fear and sadness that were threatening to fall.

Cheers and applause rang out through the room as Gray squeezed my shoulders and pushed me away from his chest. I let the tears flow down my cheeks, as if I were crying of joy. He lifted my left hand up and slipped the ring on my finger. He caressed my cheek and lifted my chin to meet his eyes. He gave me a long slow kiss as I heard some people crying and cheering all around me.

Suddenly, the happiness was gone in an instant as a deafening crash drowned out all sounds of joy. All the windows around the dining room crashed and people in black suits burst in, breaking the glass. I jerked down as Gray threw and arm over my head to shield me from the falling glass. We fell to the ground as everyone began to scream in shock and fear. There were at least a dozen men in black who had just entered through the windows. They all held up machine guns.

I gaped in horror as one of them began to shoot into the crowd. Screams of pain and mercy rang through the hall and soon, everything was in chaos. Smoke had appeared out of nowhere so I couldn't see a thing. Gray's arm had left me and I couldn't see him anywhere. I tried to pull myself up but the dress was getting caught in my heels and I couldn't stand. Gunshots rang out everywhere and I could barely make out the chairs in front of me.

Finally, I settled with crawling on all fours. I had to find my father. I managed to crawl to the archway that would lead to the ballroom when someone grabbed the back of my dress and yanked me back.

I shrieked as a man in black grabbed me around my waist and lifted me up and over his shoulder. I screamed for help and pounded his back, angry and terrified all at once. He stood and ran into the ballroom. Suddenly, I could see everything. Dead bodies were scattered everywhere and I could see the crier's jacket covered in blood. I screamed in horror again, tears welling up in my eyes.

The man carrying me ran to a window and grabbed a rope hanging down off the window. I struggled and squirmed, screaming and fighting, pounding his back and flailing my legs. I was doing anything that would get him to let me go. He grunted in frustration and threw me to the floor. I gasped at the impact but pushed myself to a crawling position. I began to crawl away as fast as I could.

Suddenly, the man was over me and he whacked the side of my head with the butt of his gun. I grunted in pain and fell over on my back. My eyes fluttered as another man in black stood next to the one who had hit me. I just managed to hear what he said before the pain in my head caused me to pass out.

"Jude Heartfilia is dead. The mission is complete. Take the girl and deliver her to the client. If anyone tries to stop you, do not hesitate to cut them down."

I hope you enjoyed! Also quick side-note, If you've read my profile, you'll know that I'm not the biggest fan of NaLu as they are. So if Lucy and Natsu act a little OOC, that's the reason. I'll not to keep them to far out of character, so don't worry there.