"Hime for heaven sakes, stand still!" Virgo scolds me for the hundredth time while hemming my Kimono.

"I can't, the pins are tickling my skin." I wiggle while giggling from the contact. "Please tell me your almost done." I groan, tired from standing.

"We will be done soon if you stand still." She sighs and puts a pin in her mouth. Rolling my eyes, I watch her finish sewing the end of my kimono. "Ok, it's done!" She stands up and looks me over, admiring her handwork.

The top of the kimono is a dark red color with flowers and sea creatures. The back of the top  is purple, which also rims the side. The bottom is a pink skirt, tied to the top with a purple ribbon.

"Lovely." She smiles. "I'll go call Cancer so he can do your hair."

No so long later, Cancer brushes my silk blonde locks in two pony tails with pink and white flowers placed on top. It's a graceful look for the festival and seems to suit me well. Virgo takes out the mirror so I can take a look.

"Here take this." She places something in my hands. It's a red carousel that goes well with my outfit. "It was your mother's."

"My mother's?" I gasp and graciously take it from her, opening it while twirling it around with my fingers. I turn towards the mirror and look sideways, admiring my new look. "It's beautiful Virgo, thank you."

"No problem, Princess." She cleans up the left
over fabric and sewing materials. After fixing me up one more time, she tells me. "Sir Natsu will be here soon to escort you outside to the carriage."

"Alright." I huff and sit down. "Why do I always need to be escorted?"

"Because your the princess and being the daughter of the king can put you in grave danger. The kingdom has many enemies who are eager to see this kingdom fall. We must be extra careful." She explains and grabs the sewing kit. "Oops." She sighs and leans down to pick it up after it accidentally slips from her grasp "Punishment, Hime?"

"Are you SERIOUS?" I face palm. "I won't punish you for dropping a sewing kit!" I sigh. "And why in the world you want to be punished?!"

"It was a worth a try." Virgo chuckles.

"You did it on PURPOSE?" I shout.

"What's wrong now, Princess? Got your hair stuck in your dress?" A voice says wryly and I turn around to see my idiotic of a guard grin down at me. "You know yelling like that isn't very ladylike." He points his fingers at me and shakes them. Clicking his tongue, he shakes his head. "My my, what would Lord Sting say?"

A vein pops in my head. "Say that again, pheasant!"

"Oof, that hurt Lucy." Natsu grabs his chest. "Calling your childhood friend a pheasant? Now your gonna make me cry." He puts on a pouting face. "Don't you think that's a little cruel, Virgo?"

She nods. "Yes, Princess is being a little to harsh." She grins and glances at me. "Now, I must go. Good luck, Hime!"

"Wait, Virgo! Don't leave me here with HIM!" I yell at her but she's already out of sight. "Jeez second time today she left me like that." I fume, crossing my arms. "Oh shut up!" I glance at the pink haired freak whose doubled over laughing.

"Why? Your funny when your mad." He smirks and leans against the wall.

"Why you-." I lift my hands, about to pummel him on the chest. But he grabs my wrists just in time and pins me against the wall. "Now now princess. You sure you can beat me, hm? I'm much stronger and you know it." His breath makes my neck tingle and my heart starts beating a bit faster.

"What the heck, Natsu!" I struggle and kick. "Let me go!"

"As you wish, Princess." He lets my wrists go, while smirking at my flushed face. "Someone's face is red." He chuckles while backing away.

"Am not!" I pout and sit back down, a look of aggravation on my face.

"You know, next time you make up a fake fiancé, don't put me in the middle of it." He glares at me. I open my mouth to counter something back at him, but what he says next stops me. "Sting wouldn't stop pestering me about it."

"Wait...that means he might care!" I stand up and pace around. "Right?" Natsu doesn't answer. "Right?!"

I turn and see him playing with a cloth in a bored expression.

"Are you even listening?" I grit my teeth in annoyance.

"Huh? Was that a bird whispering in my ear?" He fakes a surprise look.

"Dummy!" I punch his shoulder.

"There you are!" Father smiles while coming into the room. "The festivities are about to start!"

"Father!" I grab his shoulder. "What do you think about Lord Sting?" I see Natsu roll his eyes at my question.

Father is a bit taken about. "What do you mean? I admire him very much." He gives me a questionable look. "Why do you ask?"

"Well." I dip my head shyly while twiddling my fingers. "If you could ever consider someone to take my hand in marriage...would you ever consider Sting?"

My father's face goes rigid. "No. Lord Sting will never be a choice for someone I would consider as your future husband."

My face widens in surprise. "Why? What's wrong with Sting?"

"Nothing, but having him as King is out of the question." Father said matter of factly.

"But Fa-." I start.

"It's my choice and you must abide with it." He cuts me off. "As my daughter and future queen of this kingdom, your safety is my first priority. Your life is most at risk when it comes to enemies. People will strike at you to get to me." Father puts his hand on my cheek. "I do everything to keep you safe. All my decisions are for your wellbeing."

I don't answer him, I just look down.

Giving me a stern look, Father grips my shoulders. "Do you understand me, Lucy?"

I sigh heavily while hanging my head in defeat. "Yes, Father."

"You will understand one day, sweetheart." He pulls me into a hug. I accept it but I'm still hesitant with what he said. Is it true? Will Father never consider Sting as his future heir? Will I never be able to truly confess my love for him?

All these thoughts go through my mind while Father keeps me in his embrace.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty." Natsu clears his throat. "But we should head outside, the festival will start soon." His eyes full of amusement.

"Yes, thank you for reminding me, Natsu." Father claps his shoulder. "Escort my daughter in a couple of minutes. I'll be going now to make the speech."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Natsu bows.

Father gives us a smile and leaves the room.

"You don't think what Father said about Sting is true, do you?" I end up asking him.

Natsu shakes his head. "What I think isn't important."

"You didn't answer my question." I fold my arms.

He sighs. "And I have no place to."

"Natsu."

"If the King made his choice about Lord Sting." Natsu scratches the back of his head. "Then we have no choice than to listen. I'm sorry, Princess, but it might be time for you to give up."

"And what find someone else...?" I put my head in my hands. "I think I love him...Natsu. I can't give up."

Was it my imagination or was there a flash of hurt in his eyes? "It's your choice, Princess. I can't tell you what to do." But maybe I'm just imagining it.

There's painful silence for a few moments after that.

Soon we leave and head outside where I see Sting standing beside the carriage  my father is in. He gives me a nod and smiles at me. I return it while blushing slightly.

Natsu helps me onto the carriage and I sit down beside Father. Soon we go out the castle gates and into the town. When we reach the town's square, there's a huge crowd waiting for us.

Father than presents me to the whole town.

"May I present Princess Lucille Layla Rose Anna Heartfillia."

And as the crowd cheers, the festivities begin.

-•-•-•-

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Sorry if I made a few mistakes, I wrote this when I was tired and I'm not really feeling well too 😅😓.

Please comment and vote if you wish!

Thanks for reading!

By my Angels!

❤️❤️❤️

Word Count: 1414
December 30, 2019