She didn't understand why she was doing it. She was one of the most important people in the kingdom and was in her bed making out with her appointed knight. It was the early morning and Natsu ended up staying the night in her room. The duo agreed that it was better than both sneaking into separate rooms. However, Lucy was unsure on how she would be able to get him out of the room before Levy came in for the morning.

Although, that would be a problem for Lucy in the future. Right now, she was too busy kissing the man above her. They didn't go farther than that, but Lucy did enjoy what they had been doing. Kissing him was a rush of thrill and excitement. Her body felt hot, and her heart skipped a beat every now and then.

Natsu placed his hands carefully on her, cressing every inch he touched. His hands were rough and calloused, yet anytime they landed on her skin she would get goosebumps. He was gentle, even while he bit her plump lips. Lucy's body screamed at her for more of him. She wanted to have him but part of her was scared.

She was still unsure she wanted to do this with Natsu at all. Although they had agreed to keep a secret relationship, Lucy wasn't sure how Natsu would feel when she would get married. He was aware she was engaged, yet for some reason he still agreed to the whole situation.

Suddenly, shivers ran down Lucy's back and a moan escaped from her lips. Natsu now had his hand lighting rubbing her clit. She could feel his hands getting soaked from her, and her body begged for more. Lucy could feel herself getting hotter as Natsu deepened their kisses. But all that came to a halt when Lucy pulled away from him.

"We can't go farther than this, Natsu." Lucy said as she concealed her moans.

"Why not? It's early in the morning. Do you think Levy will come knockin' on the door soon?" He asked while he placed his lips on her chest. He began to suck softly on her skin and then lick the same spot.

"That and...I guess I'm nervous? When we first had sex, we were drunk and I don't remember it..." Lucy explained and she recoiled her hands to her body.

Natsu stopped kissing her and looked up to her. His eyes had craved her, but Lucy could tell he wouldn't continue without her permission. He quickly gave her another kiss, and held his lips there for a moment before pulling away. A smile was plastered on his face as he got off of her.

"That's fine. We will work up to it." Natsu said while he got off the bed. He grabbed his scarf that he placed on Lucy's dresser last night and wrapped it around himself. He faced Lucy and tilted his head. "You better put something else on before Levy comes. I'll take the balcony back so none of the maids catch me."

Lucy rolled her eyes as she sat up and wrapped her robe around her, "I still cannot believe that's how you got here last night. You're crazy for scaling from your balcony to mine. You could have fallen."

"But I didn't." Natsu shrugged his shoulders and laughed proudly. After his little burst of happiness, his gaze softened on Lucy. He went back over to her and placed his hand under her chin. He lifted her head till her eyes landed on his. He kissed her, "I'll see you in a bit. Get some rest."

"I will, don't worry." Lucy replied as she watched him smile once more and head towards the balcony doors. Natsu stepped outside and closed the doors behind him. With the curtains closed, Lucy couldn't tell what he was doing, but since she didn't hear a scream or anything she assumed he was fine.

Lucy laid back down and stared at the ceiling. Her body was still too excited to want to get any sleep. Her mind was still racing with different thoughts. And she had a feeling if she tried to sleep, Levy would somehow interrupt it. After all, it was an important day for the Heartfilia family in the castle. They were going to leave for her to be married.

Lucy wanted to hide so no one could find her. The thought of marrying a man she didn't want made her sick to her stomach. And part of her didn't want to hurt Natsu. She knew he felt more for her, but she couldn't say the same. He was an amazing man for sure, but after having spent two nights with him she didn't feel too different from their meeting.

She could feel the happiness in herself raise and the warmth stay within her when she kissed Natsu or even spoke to him, but she couldn't call it love. Her mind had a battle for wanting him. While they agreed to stay secret, Lucy knew what might happen if they were to be caught. And part of her didn't want anything to happen to Natsu because of her.

Why would Natsu agree to something like this? She could only think it would hurt him in the end since she was going to be married to another man. She would have to ask him because she certainly didn't like being confused.

Before her mind could continue overthinking, a knock alerted her and Lucy found herself under the blanket in an instant. After a second of silence, another knock came this time harder. She could hear Levy sigh on the other side of the door.

"Your Highness," She called loudly and knocked once more. "I'm coming in."

The door swung open with a small creak and footsteps were heard as Levy came up to Lucy's bed. The waiting maid shook the princess. Lucy faked a groan and yanked on the covers. She battled with Levy for a second before Lucy finally spoke up.

"Alright, okay Levy! I'm up." Lucy said as she sat up and glared at the lady-in-waiting. Victorious, Levy smiled and walked over to Lucy's closet.

"Glad to see you're up. His Majesty is expecting us to depart soon, so I'll have Juvia grab a few of your favorite garments. You won't need much when we get to Lord Dan's." Levy said as she picked a simple dress for the day. Lucy only sighed and threw the covers off of herself.

She felt numb as she undressed herself and threw on the garment before Levy noticed any of the marks Natsu had left on her. Why did she feel so sad suddenly? Did the thought of marrying the Duke make her that unhappy? Of course she was upset by it, but would it always feel so empty to think about?

"Lu, are you doing okay?" Levy asked when she finally noticed Lucy's demeanor change. The princess only glanced up and half smiled.

"Yeah of course I am. Just trying to think about how my life will be after today. There is no going back after marrying Lord Dan." Lucy's words were laced with sadness and frustration. "I guess this day came sooner than I expected..."

Levy stayed quiet as she pulled out a handful of simple dresses. Lucy could tell she didn't know what to say to her. Levy wasn't one to go against the king and that meant she didn't really give Lucy advice on what she could do. While of course they were friends, Lucy knew Levy wouldn't do anything that would put her family or herself in jeopardy.

Silence hung in the air as the two women stayed quiet. A sigh escaped Lucy's lips as she sat down on the loveseat. Levy continued doing her job, and Lucy studied her as if she never watched Levy do her duties.

There had been only one another time Lucy could remember traveling around the kingdom. It was when her father had to see the Duke of Magnolia. At the time, Lucy was too young to remember the whole trip, but she did remember making a friend. Her father told her years later that they were going to marry once they were older. However, once his father, the duke, had passed Lucy didn't see the boy anymore. The small memory made her think about the boy. She couldn't remember what he looked like, but he always had the biggest smile on his face. What was his name again?

With her mother passing away shortly after, Lucy had been filled with too much grief to even think about the boy. She only prayed he had been doing well all these years. Her childhood had been bearable because of him.

A knock at the bedroom door pulled Lucy out of her memories and back into reality. Lucy took a deep breath and shook her head slightly.

"You may enter."

With permission, the door swung open and Juvia came through the door first, and Natsu followed close behind her. Juiva did a small curtsy when she locked eyes with the princess. A smile formed on the lady-in-waiting's face when Lucy nodded her head towards her.

"Good morning, I'm so ecstatic to go out and travel through the kingdom." Juvia said as she came closer to Lucy and Levy. "My darling Gray has even been granted to join us. He is a knight as well. Although, he is not as highly ranked as Sir Natsu."

"Ice freak is coming with? How the hell did you manage to convince His Majesty of that?" Natsu blurted out. He crossed his arms in a fit and glared off to the side of the room.

"He wanted extra protection. It is mostly just for Levy and I since you'll be protecting Her Highness." Juvia replied with a grin.

Lucy knew that out of any of the staff in the palace, Juvia was Jude's favorite. She couldn't tell why, but she had assumed it had something to do with how Juvia always aimed to make him happy. She got him whatever he needed, so most of the time she was the reason Lucy didn't get in trouble more often.

"Ice freak?" Lucy only questioned as Natsu kept up his pouting.

"Long story for another time." Natsu grumbled as he took a seat across from Lucy. His eyes never moved from the wall. Lucy had guessed he was too upset that Gray was coming along for the trip. She had only met Gray once when Juvia had first become her lady-in-waiting. Lucy couldn't find a reason to dislike the man. What had he done to Natsu to make him hate him?

"That is enough bickering," Levy started as she turned her attention to the trio behind her. "Juvia, grab Lu's trunk and we can get going. I am sure His Majesty is waiting downstairs at the carriage by now. Natsu, take Lucy down so she can see His Majesty before we depart."

Without any questions, the four of them split off. Levy and Juiva stayed behind to take care of Lucy's belongings. Natsu led Lucy out of the room and at first the two of them were silent. After their morning, Lucy wasn't totally sure how to act around him.

She found that being alone with him for even a few minutes was enough to make her feel hot inside. Why did this happen? Was it because of the actions the two of them did? Lucy didn't quite understand why she felt the way she did, but that didn't stop the feeling of wanting to drag him in the nearest room and make out with him.

Lucy suddenly felt her face getting hot. She had to get her feelings under control. She couldn't lose her composure like this whenever Natsu was around. If people saw how she acted, then everyone in the castle would be questioning her actions. She was to never falter. Her feelings for Natsu wouldn't change that now.

"Are you alright, Your Highness?" Natsu asked as they reached the grand stairs. Lucy walked in front of him, her only way of showing anyone that Natsu was just her appointed knight. But she also couldn't bring herself to look at him.

She knew he was being genuine, or at least she thought he was. But with their secret relationship, leaving for the duke's, and her feeling conflicted about her duty was a little overwhelming. Part of her couldn't be honest with herself. It was drilled into her brain that her duty mattered more than her useless feelings, so why all of a sudden did that shift in her when she met Natsu?

"No..." Lucy whispered, so only he would hear her.

When he didn't respond, she figured he was thinking, or he didn't care enough to say anything else. However, Lucy couldn't dwell on the thought any longer when they had reached the large doors. There two footmen greeted the two of them with a small bow.

As they opened the door for the princess, the first thing she saw was her father talking to a man with jet black hair in front of the carriage. She couldn't see his face, but she didn't think much of it until she heard Natsu grumble behind her. She glanced back at him and found that he had a frown on his face. Rolling her eyes, Lucy continued onward to Jude.

"I am grateful you're going as well, Sir Fullbuster. I do have my faith in Sir Dragneel, but I also know he is only one man." Jude spoke highly as the duo walked up to him and the knight. When he noticed Lucy out of the corner of his eye, he turned to face her. "Just the girl I was thinking of."

Lucy was taken aback by his demeanor. He wasn't normally so expressly when it came to his daughter. However, to keep her composer, and to show no emotion, Lucy greeted the king with a curtsy. She then glanced up at him.

He had a sorrowful look on his face. Like he had a million words to say, but not enough time to express them. Why was he suddenly like this? Lucy didn't notice anything out of the ordinary in the last few days. Was this because she was leaving for a handful of months?

"Hello, Your Highness. Is everything ready for our departure?" Lucy asked as she kept eye contact with her father. Although, it was hard for her to stare into his gloomy eyes. It made her heart sting with sadness.

"Almost. I was speaking to Sir Gray Fullbuster here about accompanying you on your trip. He is a little lower ranked than your knight. However since Dame Scarlet can't go along with you, he had offered to fill in for the time being." Jude explained as he motioned his hand to Gray.

Lucy thought his hair was much like Natsu's. It stood out in every direction, yet still had a controlled look to it. Although, his hair wasn't a bright salmon color. He wore a long black sleeved coat with black trousers, and wore brown knee high boots. His dark eyes were fixed on Lucy as she spoke to her father. Nonetheless, Lucy turned to him and gave her full attention to Gray.

"Nice to meet you, Sir Fullbuster. It pleases me to have another knight along with us." Lucy said as she smiled at him.

Gray bowed to her and met her eyes, "It is my pleasure, Your Highness."

"Excuse me while I speak to my father, Sir Natsu and Sir Gray." She dismissed the two of them. Natsu seemed reluctant to leave, but along with Gray he followed her commands. Now that the knights had been away, Lucy was left alone with Jude.

She wasn't really sure what to say. The king's only family was about to leave for God knows how long on a trip he had ordered her to go on. Was he upset she was leaving now that the day finally came? Or was he remorseful that he had even agreed to it? Lucy could only assume it was the first one. If he truly did not want her going, he had full say on it.

"I'll miss you, father. I'll make sure Levy sends word once we arrive at the Duke's palace." Lucy settled with saying. She was almost speechless when it came to her father. Now that he was leaving for a while, it didn't change how she felt towards him. She loves him, but hates his decision making.

"As will I, Lucy..." He paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "Your mother would be so proud of you."

"I'm sure she is."

Before the two could say much else, Levy and Juiva came out of the castle. Behind them were two servants carrying a large trunk and a few small ones. Lucy blinked a few times. Levy could go overboard, but she had assumed some of the items were not just hers. Or at least she hoped anyway.

Levy had a smile plastered on her face as she greeted both Lucy and Jude, "Good evening, Your Majesty. Everything is all ready for departure once these are in the carriage."

"Fantastic job, Levy. Punctual as usual." Jude commented as he looked at Lucy once again. "Safe travels, daughter."

"Farewell, father." Lucy said as she watched Jude take a few steps back. Lucy knew she wasn't going to get much out of him, but his subtle sadness was enough for her to know he cared.

Without much thought, Lucy turned around and got in the carriage. While she sat down, she watched as Juvia, Natsu and Gray pile in after her. Of course, Natsu sat next to her. Lucy has to conceal the blush on her cheeks from being too noticeable. Even with Natsu just being with her, she still found herself all hot and bothered.

Natsu glanced at her, and a grin formed on his face. She returned her own, and then glanced out of the window. Jude stood there with a sad look on his face and his hands behind his back. He nodded to her and his frown turned into a soft smile.

Lucy hadn't been paying attention when she finally was aware that the carriage had been moving. She quickly turned and found Levy had entered the carriage without warning. Lucy had too caught up in her emotions that she was missing vital things happening around her. Get a grip.

Behind them, the castle grew smaller and smaller. Lucy found her heart stung more when it had finally disappeared in the distance. In spite of her feelings however, the group around her was chattering away with conversation.

"I think it is dumb how you had to come with us, Ice Princess." Natsu scoffed as he crossed his arms. "I would have kept everyone here safe, with or without you."

"You're annoying, Pyro. I'm only here to protect Juvia and Levy. It's my only job." Gray commented as he rolled his eyes. Levy and Juvia had been giggling at the two of them as they bickered to themselves.

Lucy had begun to think that she was wrong for feeling half the things she felt. Right now, the people around her had been happy even if some of them acted like they weren't. So why was she not smiling ear to ear? Was there something wrong with her to not feel happy in the moment?

"Your Highness, Juvia has told me much about you. She treasures working with you." Gray's sudden words to Lucy yanked her out of her thoughts.

"Oh yeah? Likewise, although I'm curious about what she has told you. And Lucy is fine when it's just the five of us, Gray." Explained as she brought her attention to the group in front of her. "But if I must say, I am ever curious why Natsu calls you 'Ice Freak'."

"Oh this is a story!" Natsu exclaimed as he got an evil smirk on his face.

***

"And he fell into the frozen lake. I was so surprised when he lived." Natsu said as he began to laugh. "He was butt naked in a frozen lake! How funny is that?"

"You didn't have to explain the whole story, ya know. However, it isn't as embarrassing as setting your trousers on fire when we were all training to become knights." Gray said with a smirk on his face. "If you truly want to embarrass me in front of people, make sure I do not have just as funny stories."

Natsu only groaned and crossed his arms, "It only happened one time."

"One time too many apparently." Lucy cut in as she giggled at his reaction. It took Natsu and gray to get through the entire story. They bickered most of the time between parts of the story. Gray claimed Natsu didn't remember it correctly, to which Natsu would retort with another lame comment. Lucy was somehow shocked how long the two could bicker. Hours were long as it was, but their arguing somehow made it pass by quicker.

By the time the two had finished, the carriage came to a halt in a small town just outside of the capital. Levy was the first to get out, and she had been gone for quite some time. Lucy knew that her father didn't want the entire kingdom to know their princess was traveling. Crime was bad, but bandits sure loved big targets.

When Levy had come back to the carriage, she informed Lucy they were only able to get two rooms. Both had two beds in each room, so they would have to split the group up in some way for everyone to be comfortable.

"It should be us women in one room and the men in the other, correct?" Levy said as she watched Natsu and Gray pull out the trunks for the night. Lucy had a feeling Juvia wouldn't leave Gray;s side. From how she talked about him, Lucy had thought she was obsessed with him.

"Actually Levy," Lucy began, "I am a little nervous to be traveling, and I'd feel much safer if I had Natsu stay with me. As much as I want to bunk with you guys, I'm sure my father would want my safety to be a priority."

"Will you be alright with a man sleeping in the same room as you?" Levy asked as her brow raised on her face.

"Yes. If he tried anything, I could have him executed tomorrow." Lucy joked as Levy then smiled at her. "I just want to be comfortable. I haven't traveled in many years, so I'm not exactly myself right now I feel."

"As you wish, Your Highness." Levy said as she shrugged her shoulders, but leaned into Lucy's ear. "If you ever need to talk, I am here for you."

"Thank you, Levy." Lucy smiled, but she had been grateful her lie had worked. Of course she wanted to feel safe, yet part of her wanted Natsu to stay with her so she'd be happy. She wanted to get to know him more, and she didn't feel like she could do that unless she was alone with him.

Even if she did want to kiss his handsome face, she wanted to be safe rather than sorry if something were to actually happen. When outside the castle walls, the world was different and dangerous. Lucy could only trust those closest to her.

Levy led Lucy and the others to the rooms she had bought for the night. She pointed to the one Lucy and Natsu would be staying in. Levy gave her another questioning look, and in return Lucy nodded her head. The two could silently understand each other. It was something Lucy could always appreciate about her lady-in-waiting.

The group said goodnight and went into their rooms. Inside, Lucy found herself sitting on the bed farthest from the door. Even though they had traveled most of the day, it would still be another day's worth of riding in a carriage to get to Lord Dan's. It was somehow still a foreign thought to Lucy that she'd be marrying someone.

In all her years of life, she didn't imagine herself marrying at such a young age. She still had a ton of things she wanted to do. Learn horseback riding, dance in the rain, climb a waterfall, or maybe even travel to another kingdom. She wanted to live her life on her own, but her duty always held her back.

"Luce, are you alright?" Natsu's words ripped Lucy from her thoughts. Her mind had been too focused to acknowledge the nickname. So when she turned to face him, she found that he had been sitting on the other bed. His eyes burned into her, eagerly awaiting her answer.

"I..." Lucy began, and then she paused. Could she really count on Natsu to keep her secrets, and not just the one they share? After a small debate in her head, she finally met his eyes. "No, I am not."

"Talk to me." He said, and moved onto the bed next to her. He took her hands into his and softly placed a kiss upon them.

Lucy had bit her bottom lip, and felt her heart skip a beat. This man in the last forty-eight hours had made her so happy, so why did she have to continue with a marriage she knew she didn't want? Natsu had given her an ear to listen to and a shoulder to cry on. Why had he just come into her life now?

"I don't want to get married. I have so many other dreams I wish to live before I am tied down to being queen..." Lucy sighed as she finally admitted her thoughts to someone other than herself. Her head fell, and it limply hung in the air. "I want to learn about my kingdom by traveling, or something as simple as horseback riding."

"So if you truly feel that way," Natsu started as his hand maneuvered to Lucy's chin. He gently lifted her head so their eyes met. "Then run away with me."