I'm rich, that's why we have to get married, because he's rich too.

I am Lucy Heartfilia, and I am being forced to marry Natsu Dragneel, because he has money and the marriage can only serve to make our family richer. I've never met him, but I've seen him in a bunch of magazines. He is a famous dragon slayer and so was his dad. That's how they got all their money.

All I know about him is his name and what he looks like. I don't know what he likes, or if he will love me and care for me, or if he will discard me and go sleep with other women. I tried to tell my father no but he wouldn't listen to me, he said "As the Heartfelia daughter you are to marry good, and I doubt that you could do that on your own." So we got in a fight and then he said we were having dinner with Mr. Dragneel on Saturday night. That's two days away, which is not enough time to prepare one's self to meet their future husband. So I will probably spend the rest of today worrying and all of tomorrow ignoring my problems and then freak out then take about two hours before dinner to calm down rationalize and get ready.

Later that day: "What if he doesn't like me? What if he's a total whore. What if he backs out of the marriage? What if he dies while slaying a dragon and leave me to raise out 8 children! Shit! What if he wants 8 children?!

The next day: "Today I'm going to live by the philosophy of 'If I don't think about it, it will go away'"

The day before dinner: "I can't do this, I'm going to fake being sick. No, I'll fake being dead! Dear lord. Aries! Please come help me! I can't do this."

My maid comes running soon after I call for her.

"Miss Lucy! What's wrong?! Have I done something wrong? "asked Aries worry in her words.

"No Aries nothing's wrong… I'm sorry for worrying you."

"No, it's ok, then why did you call me in here Miss?" Aries said wiping her eyes.

"I was wondering if… if you could help me pick out a dress for the dinner!" I said excitedly.

"Yes Miss, I would love to help you! But should I go get Virgo too? She really is better at this than I am."

"No. Aries you're perfect, Virgo would dress me in some skimpy outfit with a whip."

"Oh. I'm so sorry for asking Miss Lucy." Aries said as tears welled in her eyes once again.

"No Aries don't cry it's okay, really. Here why don't you go find Loke, you two can go and eat dinner together, okay?" I said trying to comfort her.

"Okay, thank you Miss Lucy." She said as she wiped away her tears.

Aries then hurried out the door in search of Loke.

I sighed as I started searching through my closet to see what I had that wouldn't make me look like a stuck up bitch, and I didn't think that showing up looking like a little whore would bode well either. So I went with a baby blue dress that was tight at the top and had a deep V neck that flowed out under the curve of my breast, when it was tied with a small silver bow. It ended right above my ankles and had spaghetti straps. I chose some strappy sliver heels to go with it.

I laid the dress and the shoes next to my vanity, and then I looked at the clock only to realize how late it was. I rang for Virgo and asked her to bring me some tea before I went to bed. After she left, I sat on my bed and started thinking out loud.

"Why did father do this to me? He has always done a lot for money buy I never thought he would sell off his own daughter" I said feeling the tension behind my eyes that comes before the tears. "At least I know that my mother never would have allowed it. But she's gone, so I can't ask her for advice. I don't know what to do. I just don't." I said as the inevitable tear or two slipped down my cheek.

*Knock, Knock*

"Princess, I have your tea, may I come in?" Virgo said from behind the door.

I quickly wiped away the tears that had fallen. "Yes Virgo, come in"

Virgo opened the door and sat down the tray with my tea. Seeing my distress despite my trying to conceal it, she asked if there was anything I need from her. I told her no, and looking like she wanted to say more but being clearly out of her element, she quickly left after saying goodnight.

I thought for a moment about how blessed I was to have her and Aries despite their quirks. My thoughts were interrupted when I heard yet another knock on my door.

"Come in." I said slightly annoyed, and just wanting to get ready for bed.

"Sorry to bother you Miss. I just thought you would like the latest issue of sorcerer's weekly?" said one of my many maids.

"Thank you Shelia." I said as I took the latest copy of the magazine. Shelia told me to sleep well, and I told her the same as I closed the door. I walked over to my dresser to get ready for bed and sat the magazine there. I chose my comfiest of nightgowns to sleep in, hoping I would be able to sleep at all thinking about the past few day's events.

As I went into my bathroom to get changed, I paused and looked at myself in the mirror. Would someone as perfect and beautiful as Natsu really learn to love me? Was he forced into this marriage just like I was, or did he have more of a say in it? It would be nice to think that he chose me, but I also have to remember that he's probably in this for the money too. I know I'm beautiful. The countless number of suitors over the years that have told me this, and it's not like I don't have a perfect body either. But still, will he like someone who is a broken little book worm who despite her efforts to be strong, is still weak?

I kept turning this over in my mind until I gave up on trying to find a positive outlook on the situation. So I got dressed and then went to lay down, grabbing the magazine off the dresser as I went. I laid in the large canopy bed ready to read it as I covered up in my dark, maroon, satin sheets.