Lucy blearily blinked her eyes open, but closed them immediately because of the brightness. Maybe she'd just wait until Juvia came to wake her up for once. Wait. Thinking about it now... did she ever go back home? Probably best to find out. She opened her eyes and blinked until her eyes adjusted to the brightness. She felt abnormally, but comfortably warm. Her head was laying against something warm but rough, there was something warm around her waist, making her want to go back to sleep. She turned her head to the right and her suspicions were confirmed, she was laying against Natsu's chest and his arm was wrapped around her waist. Her first reaction was to blush the color of Erza's hair. Her next reaction was to give him her famous Lucy Kick, well known by Gray, but before she could, the rational part of her brain sent her a warning sign saying that he was badly injured, and it was not a good idea to kick him. So, she listened and instead lifted her right hand that WAS SITTING ON ONE OF HIS PECS, to his face, planning on poking his face, but stopped short seeing his sleeping face. Cute... He looked so adorable and calm sleeping. His face was completely relaxed, and his lips were slightly parted. She wished she could snap a picture of him or something, but she couldn't. So, she settled for simply trying to memorize his features.

She tentatively reached out and ran her fingers through his pink locks. She was so mesmerized by their softness that she hadn't realized that Natsu had woken up, and was watching her while leaning into her touch unwillingly. She also didn't realize that she was smiling softly all the while. From what she had gathered from their talk last night, she had learned that he was a very loud person, outgoing, happy-go-lucky type of person, competitive, loyal, friendly, had the mind of a child, and could be kind of obnoxious. But she knew that she had found a very special person, besides the fact that he had dragon features. (Plus his hair was so soft! How could she not?!)

She glanced down at his face and was surprised to see him watching her. Her face heated up and she became a stuttering mess while he just looked at her curiously. She quickly backed away, and said, "I-I, um, I-, Why were you holding me?"

Thank god she came up with that.

"You were shivering during the night, so I thought I would warm you up!" he said with a grin.

"You could have just pulled a blanket over me," she pointed out.

"Nah, I'm way warmer than a blanket."

"Yeah, I noticed you had an abnormal body temperature. I was afraid you had a fever."

"No, that's my normal body temperature."

"Does it have something to do with you being able to do... tricks, for lack of a better word, with fire?"

"Yeah, sorta," he said scratching the back of his neck. "Its complicated, I don't have a great understanding of it either... It's just normal for me," he said shrugging his shoulders.

"Yeah, ok," Lucy sweatdropped.

"Anyway, why were you on top of me, Luce?"

"I-I," Lucy stuttered. She could feel her face burning up. "Why, would you look at the time! I really should get going. Ahahahaha... Oh, wow, it really is late!! It's almost 8:45! Shit! I have to go! Juvia's coming to wake me up in 15 minutes!!"

"Hey, wait! I'm hungry!"

"I promise I'll bring you food tonight, and try not to eat everything this time so you actually have something left for the morning!" she called over her shoulder as she shook out the big brown bag she had brought last night, making sure there was nothing left before she chucked it over her shoulder.

"Seriously! You're gonna leave me here without food the whole day again?!"

"Yup."

"Luuuuuceeee!!"

"Sorry, Natsu."

"See ya!"

"Bye..." she heard him grumble as she sprinted through the forest, praying that she would get there in time. If her father found out she was missing from her room for even a second, he would probably put her in a room with no windows, or exits. That would mean she wouldn't be able to leave, or see Natsu again, and she didn't want that. Not only that but he would starve! He couldn't move, so he couldn't hunt, and he would die, wondering where she was and why she never came back like she promised. She shook her head to rid herself of those thoughts. She wouldn't let that happen. She could make it back in time! And with those thoughts in mind, she increased her pace, so that she was now running a mad dash, and everything around her was just a blur of colors.

She skidded to halt at the edge of the forest and waited until the guards continued their rounds before dashing to the castle wall, and scaling it as quickly as she could. She swung herself over he balcony and flung her clothes off once she was inside her room. She slowed her pace down to carefully remove the two tiles by the edge of her bed, tuck away her clothes, and replace the tiles. She couldn't afford to just stuff them in without a second thought if she wanted to continue her nocturnal escapades to see Natsu. She then threw her nightgown on and threw herself under her covers. Her bed was comfy but she found herself thinking that she liked sleeping outside better, preferably on Natsu's chest, his arms wrapped around her... GAH! WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?!! SHE COULDN'T THINK OF HIM THAT WAY!! AH!! Still, it was pretty comfortable. Shut up, Lucy, she thought to herself before she heard her bedroom door open, and Juvia's singsong voice float to her from the doorway, "Good morning, Lucy-san!"

"Good morning, Juvia," she greeted back, stretching her arms over her head.

"Did Lucy-san sleep well?"

You bet I did, she thought to herself, but she just answered with, "Yes, thank you."

"Juvia is glad. Now, let's get Lucy-san ready!" Juvia clapped her hands excitedly, and Lucy smiled back at her. This girl's bubbly personality never ceased to put her in a good mood.

"Alright," she said with an equal amount of enthusiasm.

Juvia was just pulling Lucy's night gown over her head when the door to her bedroom burst open and a voice shouted, "LUCY! LET ME SEE DEM BOOBS!!!

"Kya!!!" Lucy screamed covering her large bust with her arms.

Cana ran towards her and somehow slipped her hands underneath the arms that were shielding Lucy's chest, and she squeezed.

"So soft," she said dreamily. "And big."

Lucy was quick to slap her hands away, but before she could scold her, Juvia stepped in front of Cana with a dark aura around her. Cana gulped. It was never a good sign when Juvia was like this, especially if she had a weapon. Despite being a lady-in-waiting, Juvia could use a sword and a bow, and she was pretty damn good at using them too.

"Cana?" Juvia asked with a deep voice.

"Y-Yes," Cana squeaked.

"Juvia doesn't think that you should intrude on Lucy-san's privacy, or touch her there ever again. Is Juvia clear?"

"Y-Yes, maam."

"Good, this way Juvia will not have to tell Erza what you have done."

Cana gulped and backed away. Lucy sweatdropped. Juvia could be pretty scary. This little incident was actually nothing in comparison to Juvia's full wrath. Once, someone threatened to kill Gray, you should've seen. Lucy was terrified out of her mind. It even scared Erza and that was saying something. In the end, it all turned out ok! Somehow... Juvia still beat the crap out of her, but after that, they became good friends even if Meredy, the girl who threatened that, became an outlaw, and was constantly on the move along with two of her companions, Ultear, Gray's older sister (not by blood) who was also an outlaw, and Jellal, an outlaw who was Erza's secret lover. It was all very complicated but long story short, all three of them had done bad things because of their bad past, but had become good people at one point. Lucy and her friends had actually aided in their escape, and thank God her father hadn't found out because if he did her friends would be dismissed or executed, and she would be beaten and never allowed to see anyone ever again. She shuddered at the thought.

Juvia had returned to her old jubilant self, and Cana was sulking on the edge of Lucy's bed.

Once Lucy was done getting dressed, Erza and Gray came in, followed by Virgo. Virgo was her personal maid. It might sound like a lady-in-waiting but it actually wasn't the same. Virgo was the person that brought everything she needed to her room while Juvia was the one that took care of her. Her and Virgo had become good friends even though Virgo had a kind of strange masochistic side to her... Anyway, they were still good friends.

"Hime," Virgo said. "Your father wants you to skip your classes today in order to meet some suitors."

Virgo was the only one who Lucy allowed to call her "Hime" (princess). When Virgo was first employed, she hated it, but after a while she discovered that it was just Virgo's nickname for her and it was meant as no form of royal respect. So Lucy allowed her to use it and actually enjoyed it when Virgo called her that. She found it endearing coming from her. None of her other friends were allowed to call her that, except when they were in front of royal courtiers, and her father. Definitely in front of her father. Speaking of which...

"Seriously?"

"Unfortunately, Hime. Punishment time?"

"No. How many times is he going to make me go through this?" she asked no one in particular. "All of the people he introduces me to are rich snobs that are full of themselves and their power."

Everyone nodded in agreement and Gray said, "It can't be helped, Lucy. Your dad is the king and what he says is law. You gotta listen to him but just remember that we're here for you, and if one of those bastards tries anything, we'll be on him before he can say 'Uncle'."

Lucy smiled at him and everyone voiced their agreement.

"Arigatou, minna," Lucy said and put as much emotion as she could into those two words.

Everyone grinned at her and Lucy squared her shoulders. "Alright, let's go get this over with."

"Yeah," everyone said in agreement.

Lucy descended the main staircase to the throne room after breakfast, her three guards trailing behind her in a triangle formation. She knocked on the door and waited until a deep, sharp voice said, "Come in." Gray and Erza opened the doors and held them for her. She stepped inside, her face void of any emotion as she met the piercing black eyes of none other than her father. She curtsied respectfully and said, "You wished to see me, Your Majesty?"

"Yes. You will be taking all of today to meet the suitors from various kingdoms that I have picked out. Should you choose one of them, you will have a very easy life. I have made sure of that by my selections."

"Yes, Your Majesty," she said in a platonic voice.

"Now, as I'm sure you know I will be exiting the room whilst you meet with the suitors."

"Yes, sir."

"Bring in the first one," he said to a servant standing by his throne. The servant bowed respectfully before scurrying away.

King Jude left the throne room by means of a hidden back door without a word, and Lucy stood in the middle of the room, awaiting her first suitor while her three guards hid in corners of the room so that the suitors would believe they were alone with Lucy, and their true intentions would be revealed. Soon after, the throne room doors opened to reveal a tall man dressed elegantly in blue attire with gold trimming. A servant by the doors announced, "Prince Edgar of Basilonior."

Edgar bowed respectfully as Lucy curtsied. "May I just say what an honor it is to make your acquaintance, Lucy-hime." As he said this, he took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing it. Despite her disgust, she managed to plaster a fake smile on her face and politely say, "Likewise, Prince Edgar." He started rambling on about all these things he liked, asking her if she also shared his interests. To be honest, Lucy had completely tuned out of the conversation, and, quite frankly, she could care less about what his interests were. So, whenever he asked her something or told her something he wanted a reaction to she would just answer with, "Oh! I didn't know that!"; "Yes, of course."; "How wonderful!"

This was going to be a LONG day.

It had finally come down to the last suitor and Lucy was exhausted. Throughout the entire day she'd been forced to listen to these suitors' ramblings about their accomplishments, their money, their estates. They were all so boring and full of themselves that Lucy had kind of just stowed away her real self in a corner of her consciousness, letting habits that had been hammered into her take over. She was so deep into this mentality that when the last suitor introduced himself, she missed the hungry glint he had in his eyes.

"So," he began. "I see that we are alone, milady." He voiced with a hint of a question, and she replied dumbly, not even considering his intentions.

"Yes, sir. His Majesty deems it fit to be acquainted with one another alone. He deems it essential to be aquainted with a possible husband."

"I see," he said, inching closer to her.

She waited for his long rambling of accomplishments and whatnot, but it never came. Instead, she suddenly felt his hands on her cheeks, then they snaked down towards the neckline of her dress and went inside. She tried to pull away, but he held her firm with one his arms. She felt him cup her breast and squeeze. That's when she reacted. She brought her knee right between his legs, and before he could even hit the ground, Erza was upon him, murder in her eyes. Gray and Cana were right behind her, looking equally as murderous. They all punched him simultaneously, over and over again, before Lucy shook herself out of her frightened stupor and said, "Stop." Her voice was barely above a whisper. Everyone immediately stopped and looked back at her, allowing her a clear look at the guy's face. It was all bruised and bloodied. He deserves it, she thought bitterly. This had never happened before. Sure, some suitors had tried to force themselves on her, but she had always seen it coming and would let her guards know immediately. This time though, he had acted so casual and she had been so exhausted and out of it, that she missed all the signs.

"Are you sure?" Gray asked tightly.

"I'm sure. He'll have to answer to my father anyways. And believe me," she said, now talking to the man on the floor. "his wrath is one to be feared."

She heard the man gulp. She wasn't lying when she said her father would be angry. He would be angry, just for a different reason that genuine concern for the wellbeing of his daughter. He would mostly be angry because if word got out that that happened, no suitor would want to marry her, and so, there would be no heir to the throne. Part of Lucy hoped, more than knew, that a small shred of her father actually cared for her wellbeing, but another part of her knew that that wasn't the case. Once upon a time, he was a loving father and king, but that all changed the day her mother was murdered. Now he just saw her as a means of continuing the royal family bloodline, and avoided seeing her as much as he could. Another part of his not wanting to see her was probably the fact that Lucy was the spitting image of Layla Heartfilia, they were almost identical, and it probably pained her father to see her mother in her. Lucy didn't regret looking like her mother though. Her mother was beautiful and probably the kindest and most wonderful person she had ever known, and she loved it that she looked like her. She would swell in pride every time someone would say she looked like her. Another reason for loving looking like her mother, is because she looked nothing like her father, and she didn't want to look like him.

She was snapped out of her thoughts when a hand was placed on her shoulder. She looked up to see Gray's face looking at her with a mix of worry and anger. She knew the anger was not meant for her. She gave him a reassuring smile and looked towards Erza and Cana who were currently dragging the hated suitor away.

"Come on," Gray coaxed her. "I'll take you to your room."

They walked out of the throne room and up the stairs in silence, Gray's hand never leaving her shoulder to which she was grateful for. She considered Gray, her brother, and she loved him as one, too.

Once they reached Lucy's room, Gray pushed the door open and called out, "Juvia! You there?"

"Gray-sama! Juvia is right here..." Juvia's words died off as she saw the look on his and Lucy's faces. She immediately faced Gray and with a serious voice, asked, "Gray-sama, what happened?"

"One of the suitors forced himself on her," Gray growled in barely contained anger.

Juvia's face immediately hardened and she took on a deadly aura.

"Where is that bastard, Juvia will make sure he dies a painful death."

"We took care of him."

"Did you guys kill him?" Juvia asked.

"Unfortunately, no. Lucy stopped us before we could. Plus, I'm sure the king wouldn't like it if we killed a prince, no matter what he did to her. I would've done it gladly though," Gray bit out.

"Juvia wishes you had let her give him a piece of Juvia's mind."

"Sorry, Juvia. I know how you feel," Gray said with a small smile. "Do me a favor and take care of her ok?"

"Juvia will make sure of it."

"Thanks," he said as he reluctantly took his comforting hand off of Lucy's shoulder. "Make sure you get some rest, kay, Lucy?"

"Yeah," Lucy murmured.

Gray spared her one last glance before bidding Juvia and her a good night and leaving. Once he had left, Juvia put an arm around Lucy's shoulders and walked her to her bed. She sat her on the edge of the bed and searched her eyes before pulling her against her chest. She squeezed Lucy against her tightly and put her chin on her head, and Lucy let it all out. She sobbed into Juvia's chest and Juvia squeezed her closer, knowing that this was the only thing she could do. When Lucy's sobs had become sniffles, Juvia released her grip a bit to so that she could look Lucy in the eyes.

"Do you want Juvia to stay in your room with you tonight?"

Lucy really wanted to say yes, she was also exhausted and wanted to go to sleep right then and there, but she said no. It took a lot of convincing but, finally, after one last hug, Juvia left the room. Lucy waited a couple minutes, then got out of bed and got dressed. She had someone to see, after all.

Author's note: I'm very sorry for the sudden bold in this chapter, I don't know how to get rid of it, anyway hope you enjoyed!

NaluLuvr