Hi guys! Chapter with a lot of dialogues today where I had to, once again, postponed a part to the other chapter despite the length of it XD (Note to myself, learn how to make smaller plans :P )

Also, you must have noticed that this last update was late... like three weeks late -_- ! I'm so sorry for that but I was on a two weeks trip in Europe and I had no time to write nor internet. But now I'm back! :D

Hope you all have nice summer vacations!

Lily xx

The sun was barely rising above the horizon when the group arrived at Makarov's house. This time, the small man wasn't in his night clothes and was all alert, showing a serious expression. He however seemed to be relieved to see them all safe and sound.

"I'm glad noting serious happened to you during those two weeks" he said, inviting them with a sign of his hand to come inside.

All of them looked at each other at that sentence. Understanding that something important had in fact happened, Makarov's traits hardened a little.

"Let's talk inside" he simply said.

Despite their impatience to interrogate Makarov, Gray and Levy summarised the events with Phantom and their implication of the organisation in the murder of most of their parents. As for Gajeel and Juvia, the simply listened, Gajeel clenching his teeth when something frustrating was said, that is to say pretty often. At the end of the story, the little man nodded, indicating he had registered everything.

"What about you? The West?" Couldn't help but asking Gray.

"Some villages are ready to support us provided that the future queen renews the commercial treaty with them".

No matter how hard Levy had tried to get prepared for the subject, Makarov's words hit her straight in the face.

"Are you okay shrimp?" whispered Gajeel while tapping her hand with his index to get her attention.

As an answer, she took Gajeel's hand in hers, focussing on the heat he emitting to keep her mind straight. Makarov's look bifurcated on their joined hands for a second, obviously surprised, before acting like nothing happened.

"Fairy Tail will also help".

"What?" exclaimed Gajeel who was silent until now. "I taught we were supposed to stay quiet on the shrimp's identity!"

"I didn't mention the identity of the heiress yet. But if it was essential to keep her anonymous until now" started the old man, keeping his calm "now, if we want to get August off the throne, I'm afraid Levy will have to assume her role".

Gajeel felt the little hand tightening in his but she however nodded.

"Not mentioning that those who are the most susceptible of hurting her already know" completed Gray.

"I already summoned everyone at the tavern in one hour. You should go there" Makarov added. "We'll talk about the details with the others and will make the announcement. If you are ready that is".

Despite the fact that she was practically shaking, Levy nodded once again. Then they started to walk to the tavern that was only a two minutes' walk from there. Where to go if not there? Running would not help her anyways and the young woman was missing her friends. Maybe they would even help her think about something else... But despite the encouraging words she was trying to engrave in her head, she couldn't help but being stressed to go inside.

Despite her fears, she was relieved to see that the tavern was true to itself: full of life, action, laughs, and people bickering. She simply felt at home in that mess of a bar, and that no matter how much she liked calm and serene places.

She barely had time to come in that a duo of persons jumped on her.

"Levy!" Yelled Jet and Droy at once.

"Hi guys!"

"You missed us so much!" They continued with one voice, making Gajeel do an annoyed growl.

"Oh! You're back!" Smiled Mira noticing the quartet's presence.

Then her bright smile turned to a sorry one.

"Gajeel, Juvia, I didn't know you were coming back... I offered your room to our new recruit" she added, giving a look in the direction of a little blue haired girl's that looked about twelve with a white cat in her hands.

"Juvia understands" smiled the young woman.

"Let the room to the kid" agreed Gajeel. "I'll stay at the shrimp's place".

"No way!" Jet and Droy screamed, once again with that annoying synchronism.

"Guys..." started Levy.

"No" repeated Jet, not bothering to listen to her. "And why at your place? What if he acts like a pervert?"

"Gihi! The shrimp likes it more than you think when I act like a pervert..."

"Stop it!" She exclaimed, her cheeks red, placing her small hand on his mouth. "Stupid Gajeel" she mumbled.

"How you dare talk that way to Levy!" Jet got mad, dragging Levy away from Gajeel in a protective way.

"Jet! Stop!" Started Levy.

"No! There's absolutely no way he's..."

"He's my boyfriend!" She finally let out, still blushing.

"What?" Yelled her two friends, both paler than ever.

"She tells you we're together" grumbled Gajeel who was starting to be out of patience. "Got a problem with that?"

Levy sighed. She didn't want to tell her childhood friends that way but they didn't gave her any choice. Even if she had rejected their love confession years ago, Jet as much as Droy had still kept flirting with her. The young woman however knew that, one day or another, she would have to obliterate that small hope they refused to let go by presenting them someone. Little did she know that this person would be someone like Gajeel.

She was filled with joy when the doors opened on Lucy. Even though Juvia was an amazing person to talk to, Levy really needed to talk about the past few day's events with her best friend and there she was, throwing herself in the arms of the bleu haired girl.

"Lev! I'm so glad to see you! Eum..." she interrupted herself "what's wrong with Jet and Droy?"

With a quick look above her shoulder, the young woman saw her two friends, all colours having let their faces, mouth still wide open by their astonishment.

"About that Lu, we absolutely have to talk" She said dragging Lucy in a quieter corner of the tavern.

"What the hell is happening? Last time you acted this way was when you told me a new bookstore opened in town."

Levy shook her head in negation.

"I can assure you it's different this time".

"Just go on with it!" Lucy rushed her, not wanted to be teased anymore.

"Well... Gajeel..."

"That brute you can't stand? What did he do this time? I still don't understand how sweet Juvia puts up with such a guy..."

"Lu!" Levy interrupted her monologue "Gajeel and I are... together."

"Together to do what?" She asked, not thinking one second they could possibly form a couple.

Levy stared at her friend for a moment, leaving her time to slowly process the information. Then Lucy's eyes narrowed before turning to Gajeel, then Levy, then Gajeel once more.

"Wait... you can't really mean together... together?"

Seeing that Levy was supporting her gaze rather than shouting with horror that she would never date such a guy, Lucy knew she was serious. She placed both of her hands on Levy's shoulders, forcing her to sit down.

"Tell me everything."

***

"Hello Gray!" Greeted Erza, taking place in front of him with a slice of strawberry cake.

"Erza! I thought you where in the royal army with Jellal!" Asked the young man, glad to see his best friend despite his surprise to see her here.

"Makarov told us everything" said the young woman with a serious tone. "We left the army as soon as we knew so we could join the rebellion."

Then the red head got her attention on Juvia.

"And who is that charming companion of yours?"

"This is Juvia" started Gray with a smile. "She deserted from Phantom".

"You where with Phantom?" Repeated Erza in a voice that could have terrified anyone.

Juvia got a little closer to Gray, a guilty look on her face. As for Gray, he was about to stand up for the girl at his side but Erza's tone softened.

"I've herd about you and Gajeel" she finally smiled. "Facing such danger only to protect a stranger is quite admirable. You have all of my gratitude." She added with the honorable tone of a knight.

"Levy is now Juvia's friend" she shyly said "Juvia would never let one of her friends get hurt.

"Well, Juvia, I hope we can become friends as well" said Erza while taking Juvia's hands in hers. "And take care of Gray for me" she added with a blink.

"Forever!" Exclaimed Juvia, clinging at Gray's neck while saying so.

"Erza!" complained Gray about what Erza's comment had provoked, but the later was already walking away, a satisfied smile on her lips.

"Hope you didn't torture Gray too much" whispered Jellal at her ear when she was next to her husband.

"Only enough to make that idiot realise that he likes her".

"How can you know that? You barely saw them together."

"If you would know Gray as much as I do, you too would see it" she simply said.

To that, Erza let her husband alone once more when she noticed Levy. Who could have guessed that the adorable girl with which she had grown up was the legitimate heiress of the throne? Even though most of Fairy Tail's residents still ignored her true identity, Makarov had spoken to Erza. The later, being at the head of her own troops, had received from the old man the mission to help Levy playing her role. But she was so small and delicate... the simple fact of seeing her with a sword at her belt was surprising enough, but to lead a rebellion...

The young woman however knew that the people would need a symbolic face leading them, someone in whom they could believe and who could take the best decisions regarding the kingdom. When she got to the said princess, Erza froze for a moment. Levy seemed so happy right now while she was narrating something to Lucy, her cheeks flushed. It didn't take much time for the young woman with red hair to read Gajeel's name on her lips several times. Against her will, she interrupted the conversation.

"Levy?" she called.

"Hi Erza!"

"Can I speak to you in private for a moment?"

The blue haired girls pursed her lips to Erza's serious tone.

"Of course" she however said with her usual smile. "So? What did you want to talk to me about?" she added once they were alone.

"Makarov told me about your origins".

"Oh..." Let out Levy, uncomfortable.

"I will need your help" continued Erza while her friend looked at her feet.

"Hum..."

"While deserting, most of Jellal and I's men decided to follow us to join our cause. Some of the other's are also outraged by August's actions, but I will need your help to convince them to actively take part to the rebellion".

"M....mmme? But I never led anything!"

"I know Levy" said Erza with regret "but they need to follow their heiress".

Levy's eyes filled with tears but she let none of them fall. Gathering all of her courage, she nodded in approval.

***

The following hours where among of the worst of her life. Apparently, it wasn't intimating enough to be stared at by everyone at Makarov's announcement of her royalty. Levy also had to answer to an endless amount of questions and to see a lot of people's perception of her change. To many, as she feared, she wasn't Levy anymore but rather now the princess.

But the worst was yet to come. Levy was standing there, behind the scene that had been improvised in the park. To keep her promise to Erza, she now had to motivate hundreds of soldiers to be allies in their cause. She could feel her breathing getting out of control until she sensed a heavy hand on her shoulder.

"Calm down shrimp".

"I'll never manage to do this..."

"Pffff" he said before throwing her on his shoulder like a sac of flower like he had done many times.

"Gajeel! Put me down!"

"And why should I do that?"

"Because this is not the time! Idiot! I have to find the right words to make sure the whole kingdom is freed from that horrible false king!"

"Gihi!" he said before putting her down in front of him.

"Why are you laughing?" She pouted.

"You see? You can really defend your point when you have the right motivation. All you have to do is to pretend I'm getting on your nerves like right now and everything will be fine... Just try not calling them idiots though, gihi".

"Idiot" she repeated, snuggling into his chest.

"It's your turn now" he whispered, gently pushing her away from him.

Levy's heart was still pounding in her chest, but she felt a little better now. If Gajeel believed in her, why not believing in herself? The eyes of hundred of soldiers turned to the scene as appeared in front of them the heiress.