"Does it hurt that bad?" I inquired hesitantly.

"It's fine. Don't worry." He replied. I fidgetted with my fingers in an attempt to calm myself down.

In case you don't know, here's what happened:

I felt my bed dip suddenly in the morning. I heard a groan and a pair of arms squeezing me. I slowly opened my eyes to see pink hair in front of my eyes. I shrieked and kicked the person causing him to fall off the bed, hitting his head on the side table and groaning more with pain. Apparently, Natsu had already been wounded and I hurt him more. I dragged him to the bathroom and cleaned his wounds, bandaging him with a bit of scolding. He'd made a habit of sleeping in my bed everytime he gets a chance.

And admit it. You feel totally comfortable in his warm embrace.

Oh, shut up, you!

After I was done aiding him, I made us some breakfast and he ate it without complaining or saying anything. Since then, I've been trying to ask him what happened but he simply kept ignoring me. It's like he's hiding something from me.

"Natsu, I'll cut to the chase. I feel like you're trying to hide something."

"What makes you think that?" He mumbled.

"Look, you just don't groan that loudly when I kick you out of my bed. You ate the food without saying anything. You are awfully quiet and you're avoiding my gaze."

"I told you, it's nothing Lucy. Trust me." He sighed.

He didn't address me by my nickname.

"Look Natsu, I'm worried for you. I found you early in the morning all bruised and wounded and now you aren't telling me anything." I sat besides him, being careful not to touch him where it hurts and patted him on his shoulder. He shut his eyes tightly for a few seconds, and then looked at me. He hesitated and gave me a short smile.

"Some creepy stalkers were pissing me off."

"So you decided to beat the crap outta them? That's so like you." I smiled.

"You don't understand." He mumbled inaudibly, but I heard it.

"Understand what, Natsu?" Okay, I was seriously worried. If something happened to him-

Stop thinking like that!

"It's nothing. Really." He stood up and walked away from me.

I was furious right now. I was sick of this. Since day one, I've been kept in the dark. I felt like all my friends were trying to hide something from me, and those theories were being confirmed day by day.

"That's it, Natsu," I stood up and shouted at him.

"I don't know what you guys are trying to hide from me, but I've had enough of this crap. Why don't you understand that I'm worried for you? I want to- no, I need to know this. It's time that I get out of the dark. Tell me Natsu! Tell me what you're hiding!" He clenched his fist tightly.

"Those bastards were trying to hurt you, Lucy! Those pieces of shit were saying crap about you! They were threatening me to stay away from you! I can't do that Luce, I can't! I can't tolerate anyone talking shit about my friends, about you!" I couldn't breathe. After this little tantrum that we threw at each other, I literally lost my breath.

He came closer to me and cupped my cheeks with his hands, saying, "I know your little secret, Luce. We all know. There's no point in hiding it."

Words were stuck in my throat. All this time, I've been trying to hide the fact that I'm a Heartfilia, the heir to the Heartfilia Kruz, Jude Heartfilia's daughter. More importantly I thought that the friends I'll make will only be for money that I have. The paparazzi ran in the streets just to get me in public. People were always out there to kill me and get to my father.

I was always his little tool for many things.

Putting that aside, the friends I made were always in danger. A few actually died because of me.

My sister died because of me.

My mother died because of me.

This time, I can't afford to loose the friends I have with me now.

I can't loose Natsu at any costs,

But I'll have to leave him if I want to save him.

"Luce?"

"I'm sorry, Natsu. I'm really, very sorry." I started weeping in guilt. He held me closer and hugged me, wrapping his arms around my back.

If his spies are active and if they report it to him, I'd never have a chance to see the world with my eyes again.

He'd call me back home.

He'd sell me to a billionaire who wouldn't ever care for a piece of trash.

He's capable of this.

After all, I deserve this.

"Stop crying Luce. It's not your fault. We know why you'd hide it. It was for your own security. Trust me, I know. Add me to the list of people who actually know why names like these have to be hidden. Many have tried to assassinate me too, but I never gave in. I actually challenge them to come shoot me. I know if I do that, they'll cower away. I dodged many all this time, and they eventually gave up. Hush now Luce, it's okay. It's totally okay." He pushed me lightly and wiped my tears. Before I could say anything, he interrupted.

"Don't be sorry for this. I get these like everyday. You know how Erza's like."

At the mention of the scarlet haired beauty who is a good friend of mine, I laughed lightly.

That's so Erza-like of her.

He smiled at me, "That's my Luce for ya, smiling."

I sniffled and hugged him tight. "Thanks Natsu. For everything."

He kissed me on the temple and hugged me back. "I'm always here for you."

Interrupting our very cute moment was a knock on the door.

"Let me-

"Stay back Luce. It can be anyone." Natsu brought his arm in front of me. I nodded. He cautiously walked to the door and asked who was there. The person behind the door spoke something very softly that I couldn't hear it properly. Natsu raised his brow and said, "Who are you?"

Again, I couldn't hear what he/she said. Natsu had an expression of utter confusion on his face.

"No one goes by the name of 'princess' here!" Natsu shouted.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Do you know someone who goes by the name of- what was it? Virgin? Vinegar?" My eyes went wide in realisation.

"It's 'Virgo', you knucklehead!"

"How was I supposed to know- hold on, you know her?"

"Of course I do! Let her in!"

Natsu sniffed two times and opened the door. There stood my personal maid wearing a maid's outfit and handcuffs for no particular reason.

"Virgo! I'm so glad to see you!" I went forward and hugged her.

"I'm very pleased to see that you are doing well here, princess."

"Come on in."

"Is it punishment time?"

"Virgo!" I gave her the look that says you-know-what.

"Sorry. I'm used to this." She replied with a shrug. Meanwhile I went to the kitchen to get her something, Natsu decided to sniff her. They both talked about god-knows-what and were chattering very happily when I came back. Natsu's eyes had stars visible on them and they disappeared and a scowl etched on his face when I glared at him, clearly giving him a signal that this wasn't for him to eat.

Better luck next time, you tabasco-eating lizard.

"So, Virgo, how are things back there?" I asked her.

"Everything is quite fine in Master's house. All of us miss you being there, especially Mrs. Spetto." Virgo replied nonchalantly.

"I miss them too. Any updates?"

"Actually, no. Your father is still not informed about this, but I saw many spies lurking around here."

"Father? Not informed! What does that mean?" Natsu stopped taking another bite and asked me.

"That's a story for another day. If he still doesn't know this, then it's for the best."

"You mean Jude Heartfilia doesn't know that you are here in Magnolia?" Natsu inquired hastily.

"Yeah, and he shouldn't know that. If he did then Princess will be taken back to the mansion and won't be allowed to leave until she gets married." Virgo explained.

Great. Just great. Didn't she find a good timing to tell him that?

"Then it's settled." He stood up swiftly, despite all of the food that was ready to be decomposed in his belly.

"What do you mean?" I raised my brow.

"Lucy Heartfilia, daughter of Layla and Jude Heartfilia, you have my promise to keep you safe and protected till the very end."

After this little promise of his, his lips broke out into the stunning grin that I always yearned for.

I hate to admit this because of my ego, but I think I am slowly falling for this stupid pink headed Dragneel.