"Hime, wake up."

A soft voice spoke, waking me up from my deep slumber. I opened my eyes and yawned quietly, stretching my arms against my bed post. The light from the sun, seeped through the window.

Virgo was sitting beside my bed and smiled softly at me.

"Why so early?" I groaned, covering my eyes with my blanket from the blinding sun.

"It's your birthday, Hime." She replied, standing up and opened the window to let some fresh air through. "And tonight is your ball celebrating you being eighteen. Remember?"

I looked at her in confusion, until it dawned on me. "How could I forget?" I practically yelled, flinging myself off the bed. "I can't wait to see Lord Sting again!"

Virgo chuckled. "Excited, Princess?"

I giggled. "Yes."

I hope Sting notices me in my new dress! I'm so excited to wear it!

For the rest of the morning, Virgo helps me bathe and works on my hair. Soon it's styled neatly in waves down my back, with a small braid at the top.

"Beautiful but simple." She said, turning me so I could see it. "What do you think, Hime?" I gasp when I see it and lightly touch the braid with my fingers.

"It's beautiful! Arigatō, Virgo!"

After my dress fitting, Father called me into the dining room. Wearing the most simplest and comfortable dress, I skip, no run graciously down the staircase and into the dining room. Maybe Lord Sting will be there. But my face falls in disappointment when I don't see him.

"Morning, sweetheart." Father embraces me in a warm hug. "I have something for you as a gift for your special day."

"Arigatō, Father." I hug him back and peer at the medium sized box in the middle of the table. "What is it?" The box is red with a white ribbon tied around it.

"Open it and you'll see."

My fingers brush the top of the box before untying the ribbon and opening the lid. Inside is a golden tiara with a small Star in the middle. The surface is smooth and glittery, making it sparkle beautifully in the sun. I lift it up and stare at it intently before placing it back  into the box.

"It was your Mother's." Father tells me, watching me. "She wanted me to give it to you on your eighteenth birthday." He explains, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You can wear it tonight during your birthday celebration, if you'd like."

"Arigatō, Father!" I fling my arms around his neck. He hesitates a moment before hugging me back. As the King of this kingdom, Father has to be firm and strong. Meaning he can't show too much softness in order to seem fierce when it comes to his enemies. But he always shows me affection and it brings me joy to know that he loves me. But there are times when I see pain in his eyes and I know it's because I resemble my mother in more ways than one.

"Happy birthday, Lucy." He smiles and gently lets me go. "How about you try on the tiara and then go back up to your room. So you can prepare for tonight."

I bow my head. "Yes, Father."

"Here." Lifting up the tiara, he places it on my head and steps back to look at me. "Beautiful. You look just your mother." Father smiles softly and leans down to kiss my forehead. "Now go up, my dear. I'll see you later tonight at the ball."

Nodding, I hug him quickly once more and walk swiftly out of the room. I always love it when father dotes on me. He always gives me what I desire, well mostly. I'm still hoping he'll change his mind about Lord Sting and see that my love for him is real.

"Princess." I hear someone behind me and gasp before turning around. Seeing who it was, I frown in disappointment.

"Oh, it's just you."

"Well, hello to you too." Natsu sighs in exaggeration. "Usually girls are much more excited to see my handsome face." He waves to his face to prove his point. But I only roll my eyes in annoyance.

"As if." I snort and continue on my way.

"Princess!" He catches up to me in two strides. "I am supposed to watch you."

"Well I do not need watching." I huff, crossing my arms. "Besides, aren't you forgetting something?"

"And what would that be?" He blinks, clearing not understanding.

"What an idiot!" I grit my teeth and begin stomping away. "And to think you'd remember even if I hate you at times." God, although Natsu gets on my nerves mostly every day. Hell all the time, doesn't mean our sort of friendship shouldn't mean anything.

"I'm kidding, Princess." He pokes my shoulder playfully. "As if I'd forget the birthday of the most annoying person in the world. Mostly because you never stopped boasting about it every day."

"Well, eighteen is an important age!" I retort back. "And besides birthdays are special. It's the time of year everyone stops what their doing and pays attention to you." I smile. "It's the day I get whatever I want. Everyone in the whole kingdom will be there to wish me a happy day!

He rolls his eyes. "That only happens to you, Princess. Open your damn eyes and you'll see."

"What do you mean?" I frown, clearly confused.

"I mean, your the Princess and you have no thought for everyone but you want!" He practically shouts. "There are people who get nothing during their birthdays, let alone in their day to day lives!" Motioning toward the village from the balcony, he growls. "Stop thinking about yourself for once and notice what's going around you!"

"Shut up!" I yell at him and turn around sharply before running down the balcony towards the garden. Idiot, who does he think he is? I'm the Princess and I could do whatever damn thing I want! It's my birthday and people will do everything to please me!

"Princess..." I hear Natsu sigh. "I'm only saying this to help you." But I choose to ignore his words and continue running towards the garden, not carrying about preparing for the celebration. I need time on my own.

But soon I bump into someone and look up, blinking when I see who it is.

"L-Lord S-Sting!"

"Lucy." He grins down at me and gently pulls me away. "We need to stop meeting like this."

"Yeah, I guess your right...hehe..." I laugh, rubbing the back of my head in embarrassment. "Where were you? I was hoping to see you earlier today at breakfast."

"I was visiting the village." He confesses and takes out a small box. "This is for you, it's your birthday present. It's not everyday a beautiful girl such as yourself turns eighteen, right?"

"Arigatō, Sting." I blush slightly and take the box from his hand, our fingers brushing slightly against each other. My heart beats at the touch and I slowly untie the yellow ribbon. "Oh, it's beautiful."

Inside is a pair of golden earrings with hearts on the bottom.

"Dōitashimashite, Lucy." Sting brushes a strand of my hair aside before softly touching my cheek. But then he pulls away. "I'm sorry... I couldn't resist. I know your engaged to Natsu." He whispers softly. "I won't do that again."

"Wait..." I stop him before he leaves. "I lied about that. I only said it to hide my true feelings..." I lower my head, blush tinting my cheeks. "To you..."

"Really?" A smile slowly making it's way to his mouth. "Then I want to say this..." Leaning forward, he brushes his lips gently against my forehead. "I love you, Princess."

"I love you too!" I fling my arms around his neck and hold onto him tight. "You have no one idea how long I've been wanting to hear that."

We both pull apart and look deep into each other's eyes.

"I must tell father." I tell him. "I don't care what he says, I want to be with you." I lift my hand and tug on his blonde locks lightly. "It might take time until he agrees...but will you be able to wait for me?

"Of course, Princess." He places his forehead on mine and takes my hand in his. "Until the King permits our union, I will wait for you...as long as it takes."

Sting really loves me and wants to be with me! I don't care what people will say. Deep in my heart I know we belong together and I believe his word that he truly loves me. I don't care what anyone says!

But I was too naive to realize that something wasn't right...

And soon my world will crumble down in pieces, changing my life forever.

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I hope you all enjoyed!

Sorry for the little StingLu moment but don't worry it's still a NaLu!

Thanks for reading and see you all later!

Love you all

❤️❤️❤️

Date published: March 8, 2020
Word count: 1468