"Mary, can't this wait until morning? I have many things I need to work on, and I can't have you bothering me with this nonsense, again ." Dan asked as he rubbed his temples. He had been standing at the edge of his bed, arguing with Mary who was sitting on it. He didn't have time for this, his preparations for Princess Lucy needed to be perfect.

"No, this cannot wait! You're about to marry another woman! When I am already your wife! How furious would you be if I took another man as my husband?" Mary growled, her eyes stayed on Dan as he walked around the room.

A groan escaped him as he stopped in his tracks. His eyes finally met hers. Mary had been resonating with anger and it only made Dan not want to speak to her more than he already had.

"I already told you, my marriage with the princess won't last long. I will make you my queen, darling. We just have to go the scenic route for it. Once the princess is out of the way, we will have everything we want." Dan explained, trying to keep his wife at bay. He couldn't have her ruining his work to manipulate the king, or even getting the princess to stay for three months once she arrives.

"You either have to make me your concubine or divorce me. How is that fair? We have been married for so long. Why aren't you happy with what we have?" Mary questioned him, tears welled up in her eyes.

Dan couldn't be truthful with her. Not yet anyways, but he had a feeling even if he was, she still wouldn't fully understand. As a kid, his father had promised him that the princess would always be his wife. That was until Queen Layla had passed, and then plans had fallen through. Dan was destined to be king, so why would he settle for a countess from a nearby town?

Mary was always good to him, and she was very obedient till he had told her about his plan to become king. His father had this planned for years, so whether Mary was in the picture or not, the plan to become king of Fiore was in full effect. Mary just wasn't aware of half his plans until three weeks ago.

"We could have more than this. Wouldn't that be lovely? You could be queen of his kingdom." He proposed to her. To sweeten the deal, he came over to Mary and caressed her. "You are overthinking it, my love. Don't worry, you'll make a wonderful queen. The only downside is being divorced for a bit. As soon as I can, I will make you my queen."

***

Another week had passed since Lucy found out about her pregnancy. She still hadn't told Natsu. Not because she didn't want to, but only because she was afraid of what would happen between the two of them, and what would happen with her arranged marriage. Nor was she completely sure how she was supposed to bring it up. 'Surprise! You're going to be a dad!' She thought, then discarded the idea. That was too abrupt.

If she had told her father or Dan, the wedding would be called off immediately. The only downside to that would be that she might be cast aside knowing her father. Or worse, because that would make the royal doctor a liar, and Lucy didn't want to drag down Grandeeney's reputation.

So for now, while Lucy decided on what she should do with her pregnancy, she had been spending her time with Natsu and the others. Just like now, she and Natsu had been happily sitting in her bedroom.

It was late in the evening, and Natsu had climbed over to Lucy's balcony. Lucy swore she would hear him fall one of these days, but he always made it over with ease. He always had the brightest smile plastered on his face when he would arrive, however; tonight had been different. He seemed deep in thought ever since he entered her room.

"Can we talk?" Natsu requested as he placed his fingers on Lucy's book and lightly pulled it down. Lucy folded the corner of the page she was on and closed the book, placing it on her nightstand.

"Of course," Lucy replied. Somehow she saw this coming, but her nerves had been running. That was because Natsu didn't normally bring up subjects and from his actions, he wanted her full attention.

"I wanted to give you this back." Natsu leaned over the edge of the bed, grabbing something from his satchel. He had handed her a small book. One she had recognized immediately, her journal had laid in Natsu's hands. Lucy's eyes opened wide as she took the diary from his hands. "I meant to give it back sooner, but..."

Lucy stayed quiet for a moment, almost not listening to Natsu. Why did he have her diary? He must've been the one who found it the day she had dropped it over the railing. Did he read it? He must have read it, right?

"But what? You've had this for so long now. Did you read this?" Lucy said angrily, and she hugged the book against her chest. Part of her had felt betrayed, why didn't Natsu keep this from her?

"Do you not remember me? I thought by now you would have recognized me." Natsu asked, his voice breaking a bit.

"Remember you? We only met a few weeks ago, Natsu. What are you going on about?" Lucy questioned, now putting the book aside. Natsu was acting strange, or Lucy thought so anyways. They never met before the ball, so how could she remember him? Or had they? She was never allowed outside the castle walls.

"We met years ago. Your family would often visit because our father's were close." Natsu said, "Do you not remember coming to Magnolia?"

Lucy thought for a moment, truly studying Natsu. His pink hair seemed familiar. Magnolia... Her eyes went wide as the memories started to flood into Lucy's mind like a waterfall. That boy she had thought of from before, was Natsu that boy? She couldn't totally remember what he had looked like, but his hair always stuck out to him. It was a striking pink color like Natsu's. She tried anything else, but by the time she stopped seeing him, she and Jude were too busy grieving her mother's death.

"You're the Duke's son?" Was all Lucy could mutter. In response, Natsu only shrugged his shoulders. A half smile was on his face, clearly hiding away some kind of pain. It felt like an arrow had pierced Lucy's heart. It ached and screamed seeing Natsu so sad.

"I was," He admitted and looked out the window. "My father, Igneel, died a handful of months after your mother had passed. Did you know why you guys visited often?"

"My father told me a few years ago that the duke's son, which is you from what you're telling me, and I were going to be in an arranged marriage. As a kid, I didn't understand then." Lucy said, her eyes fell to her hands that sat in her lap.

If Natsu was truly the Duke's son, then why didn't her father recognize him or his name? Jude and Igneel were extremely close from the stories her father had told her when she was little. Jude didn't mention him after her mother's death, so she never knew what happened to Natsu or his family. But that didn't explain why Jude acted like he wasn't aware who Natsu was.

She couldn't believe Natsu was someone she was going to marry. But if that's true, why was he a knight now? And why did he wait so long to tell her the truth? Too many questions and not enough answers. She had to get an explanation.

"Why are you telling me now? We've been so close for weeks, so I don't understand. How are you even a knight? Shouldn't you be the Duke of Magnolia now?" Lucy looked up and met eyes with Natsu. Her sudden rapid fire of questions shocked him, and she needed everything answered or she would go crazy.

"Slow down, I get you're confused, but if I'm honest I didn't know you were my Lucy when we met back at the ball." Natsu grabbed Lucy's hand. He rubbed his finger on the back and took in a deep breath. "When my father passed, it was only him and I who lived in Magnolia. My brother had just gotten married and couldn't take me in. I refused to become the duke when my father's killer was still alive. So I moved into an orphanage nearby, and I spent many years wanting revenge for my father's killer. But someone in my life encouraged me to find you."

"Find me?" Lucy asked, she had been so speechless at what Natsu had gone through that she didn't know what to say to him.

"Yeah...I have loved you for as long as I can remember. So when we met again in Crocus, I almost didn't believe it was you until that weird guy had basically blurted it out in front of everyone. I joined the knights to have my chance to see you again. And now, here I am." Natsu explained, his face tinted a slight red. He was nervous, and Lucy could see it.

However, Lucy stayed quiet for a moment. She couldn't believe someone had spent half their life wanting to meet her again, let alone someone she was supposed to marry. Did this mean if she came clean about her relationship with Natsu, she could marry him instead? He was born into a house with high status, and it would be like redoing the first contract. She wouldn't have to hide her pregnancy- My pregnancy.

Now she was really deep into this. Lucy had to tell Natsu about her pregnancy, because if she didn't she would be lying to him. He had been honest with her and had come clean about his past, their past, and had returned her journal to her.

Lucy went to open her mouth to spill everything to him, until there was a sudden knock at the door. Both of them stared at the door, silent, hoping the person on the other side would go away. But to no avail, the person knocked once more. Lucy motioned for Natsu to hide somewhere and quickly. Natsu ducked underneath the bed and stayed quiet.

Lucy got under the covers and sat up, like she had just been woken up. Thankfully, she was already in her nightgown. "You may enter."

The door swung open with a small creek, and in the doorway was Mary. She held a lit candle towards her face. A smile spread across her lips, "I'm sorry, Your Highness. Lord Dan has asked for you in his study. He has an urgent message from His Majesty."

"My father?" Lucy asked as she threw the blankets off her body. Did something happen to him? "Please, lead the way Mary."

"With pleasure."

Lucy's heart pounded against her chest as she and Mary walked out of the bedroom and through the corridor. Did something happen to her father? She hadn't heard from him at all since she had arrived in Malba, and they were almost two months away from the wedding. Why didn't she hear from him?

The two women were quick down the hall until they reached Dan's study. Lucy threw open the doors and quickly made her way inside.

"Lord Dan, I'm here to speak about my father." She said sternly, however; the room was dark and empty. Lucy turned her head to look for Mary. "You said Lord Dan was here with news of my father... Where is he, Mary?"

Mary was nowhere in sight. Lucy raised her brow and headed back to the door. With a small thump, Lucy realized she had hit the closed door. She could barely see anything, the moonlight was her only light in the room. Where is Mary? And why did she lie about Dan?

"Mary, where is Lord Dan?" Lucy asked once more, hoping that this wasn't some hellish nightmare. Why did Mary bring Lucy here? What purpose was there to bring Lucy to Dan's study if he wasn't even there?

"You're the reason he's leaving me..." Mary's voice came out icily. Lucy couldn't' tell exactly where she had been in the room itself, but from what she could tell Mary was somewhere in front of her.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Please tell me what is going on." Lucy was getting worried, she had followed this woman without anyone with her. If she screamed, would anyone hear her?

Knowing the door was behind her, Lucy quickly spun around and felt the knobs. Once they were in her grasp, she yanked hard. But to no avail, the doors didn't budge, only the lock made a small noise. Mary had locked them in the room together.

"Fifteen years I've been with him. Half his life and yet as soon as you're of age to marry, he drops everything. Including his wife." Mary spoke, now her voice had been farther away from Lucy. Mary is Dan's wife? Why is he trying to marry me if he already is?

None of it made any sense, and Lucy was too scared to speak. She had been afraid to set Mary off, she was already upset as it was. Lucy knew she'd be upset if her husband tried to marry someone.

"I didn't know." Lucy defended, "Do you think I really want to marry a man who has a wife?"

"I don't believe you. Princesses get whatever they want. You want my husband." Mary claimed as her voice grew closer to Lucy. Before Lucy knew it, a weight had suddenly collapsed on her. She could feel her lungs struggling to breathe. Her heart began to race as something metal had touched the skin of her neck. "I'll kill you for ever wanting him."

Soft sobs escaped from Lucy. Thoughts had slipped away from her. She didn't know why this was happening, she didn't ask for this. Living out her life as easily as she could, getting away from her duties was all Lucy ever wanted. So why had the Gods given up on her happiness?

A sinful laugh came from above Lucy. She could feel Mary's breath on her ear, "Let's make this fun, Your Highness."

The metal had been lifted from Lucy's neck, and she almost felt relieved till the blade collided with her thigh. She felt her skin rip as the knife cut through her skin like butter. She let out an ear piercing scream.

Mary threw her hand over Lucy's mouth, her sobs became muffled. Lucy could feel her blood seep out of the wound, her leg suddenly becoming numb. Hot tears fell down her face, was she going to die here? Why had fate been so cruel?

The princess's body became numb to each cut Mary had left on her. However, none of them had been as bad as the one on her thigh. Mary had been too heavy for Lucy to lift off of her, and she could slowly feel herself losing consciousness.

Lucy thought of her unborn baby. Natsu was never going to know he would've been a father. She wanted to be happy, why didn't she just tell him sooner? She would now take the secret to her grave. Not only him, but her father would miss her. She'd never get to see either of them again. Goodnight, love.

"Your death will not be in vain. I'll become queen and make sure Dan is as happy without you, Your-" Mary's voice was suddenly cut off, and the weight had no longer been on Lucy. A light shined through the open doorway, but Lucy couldn't tell who had come through before she fainted.

***

When Lucy had opened her eyes again, she found herself sitting up in bed. Quickly glancing around the room, she found Levy by her side. The lady-in-waiting was sitting in a chair, but she was hunched over and sleeping next to Lucy's hand. Lucy blinked a handful of times, reassuring herself this wasn't a dream, or if she had ended up in heaven.

Lifting the blankets, Lucy had found that medical clothes had been wrapped all over her body. What happened with Mary was real then. She didn't have a nightmare, but how did she escape with her life?

"Levy?" Lucy's voice came out raspy, like she had just learned to speak.

The woman next to her stirred in her sleep, so Lucy had lightly shook her shoulder. Soon, Levy had picked up her head and rubbed her eyes. Once she had awoken, she immediately saw that Lucy had been awake.

"Lu!" She gasped and stood to her feet. She hugged Lucy just loose enough to not hurt the princess. "You're awake. Thank the gods."

A wave of calmness had rushed over Lucy. She was grateful to see Levy, but what made her more thankful was the fact that she was even alive. She could remember losing consciousness, but that was all.

"I am," Lucy said with a smile on her face. She lightly pushed Levy away, "What happened?"

"Do you not remember?" Levy asked, tilting her head questioningly.

"I remember going with Mary to see Lord Dan. She had come to my room last night saying there was a problem with my father. Then she attacked me." Lucy confessed, the memories of what Mary had said flew back into her mind. Was Dan truly married to her? For now, Lucy decided to keep that for herself, in case Mary had been lying about it.

"You're lucky to be alive. Natsu had stopped her. When he took care of getting her off you, he rushed to my room with you in his hands. From there, we got you to see the doctor that lives here. She was able to keep you steady and alive." Levy revealed, "While Juiva and I were with you, Natsu took care of Mary. He kept her down while Gray got Lord Dan. If Natsu didn't hear you scream, you'd probably be dead."

Lucy lifted her hand to her stomach. Natsu had come for her. And just when she thought no one would've heard her behind the study doors. Her scream must've alerted him, but where was he at a time like this? Lucy wanted to thank him, she'd be dead if he didn't come to her aid.

"Where is Natsu now?" Lucy questioned, throwing the covers off her legs. But before Lucy could even get out of bed, there had been a knock at the door. Both women's eyes fell on the wooden door. Lucy's voice came out quickly, "You may enter."

Lucy had expected her knight to enter the room, but it had been none other than Dan himself. He marched in the room, his posture perfect as he gently bowed to the blonde princess.

"Good morning, Your Highness. I am relieved to see you have awakened. I am ever grateful." Dan spoke happily, he met eyes with Lucy and took a deep breath. "I am sorry for the trouble that Mary has caused you. Levy, may we speak alone?"

Levy nodded her head and stood to her feet, and quickly left the room. Once the door had shut, Dan had taken the seat next to the bed. He kept to himself, but cleared his throat before talking.

"I'm sure you have questions." He said as he sat back in the seat. His eyes had never left Lucy.

"Where is Mary now?" Lucy had a few questions, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to reveal she knew about their marriage.

"Currently held in the town's prison. I cannot exactly have my future wife almost killed and keep said murderer in my own home." Dan answered her in a heartbeat, leaving no room for her to cut in.

"Did she say why she wanted to kill me?" Lucy faked, hoping Dan wouldn't see through her façade.

"No, that is currently being investigated. Did she say anything to you last night? How did you get with her?" Dan was now asking Lucy, perhaps he truly didn't know why Mary had acted out.

"She told me you had an urgent message from my father, but as soon as we reached your solar she attacked me and said that I needed to pay for my sins." Lucy frowned, praying Dan had bought her lie. She couldn't ask the man why he had lied about his marriage, but she couldn't ask around or find out on her own. Someone had to know the truth.

Lucy watched as Dan tried to find the words to say to her. Something was off about this man, and something screamed from inside her that he was not trustworthy, especially after last night.

"I am deeply sorry, Your Highness. I never thought Mary was a killer. She had been a kind woman all the years she had worked with me." He paused and took out an envelope from inside his jacket, "She had been right although, I did receive word from His Majesty. It wasn't urgent however."

Lucy took the letter from his hands and nodded to him. "Thank you, Lord Dan. I'd like to get some rest. My thigh is hurting a bit."

"Of course. Rest up, Your Highness." Dan replied and stood to his feet. A half smile crept on his face and before she knew it, Lucy had been left in the room all by herself. Taking a deep breath, Lucy peeled back the wax seal and opened the letter.

The first thing she noticed was that this letter was not in her father's handwriting. She looked at the seal once more, making sure it was the royal crest's symbol. When she had no doubt in the seal, she looked at the writing once more. Maybe he didn't take the time to write it, and had Capricorn do it for him. Which wouldn't surprise her in the slightest.

To my dearest daughter,

I hope all is well with Lord Dan. I am sure he had explained to you by now that you'll be wed in late June. Lord Dan was very adamant about making sure the two of you got to know each other well. With that said, the preparations for your wedding are underway. You're doing a good job with your duty, and I can't wait to walk you down the aisle.

Sincere, King Jude of Fiore

Part of Lucy was happy to see that her father finally reached out to her. But something still felt off to her, maybe she needed some rest, after all she did almost lose her life. And that would make anyone be on edge. Lucy's eyes began to shut, but her mind still hadn't slowed down on thoughts.

She decided when she would wake again, she'd find Natsu and give her gratitude, and make sure he was aware of his baby she was carrying. Then hopefully she could figure out how to get out of her marriage. Her eyes fully closed, and sleep had taken over her in an instant.