If there was one positive aspect of the hovel where Natsu lived, it was the breathtaking view of the royal palace. This colossal estate seemed to stretch toward the heavens, filled with countless rooms housing more riches than anyone could imagine. Yet the most precious treasure within those walls was not a gem or a coin, but a living jewel named Lucy.

Lucy, the sultan's daughter and princess of Lazan City, was an enchanting young woman. Her hair and skin were said to be as radiant as pure gold, her wide brown eyes sparkled in a way that outshone diamonds, and her cherry-red lips could entice even the most devout. With a pretty face and a sunny smile, she was often described as a delightfully charming figure, molded to please and trained to conform. However, like Natsu, she was far more complex than what met the eye.

Though undeniably beautiful, her charm extended far beyond her appearance. She was intelligent, fair-minded, and an exceptionally talented artist. The palace walls were adorned with murals she had painted herself, and her mastery of color and design seemed almost magical. With just a brush and some paint, her imagination transformed the marble canvas into breathtaking works of art. This gift had been passed down from her late mother, the beloved Sultana Layla.

Sultana Layla was a remarkable woman—wise, just, and deeply loving toward her daughter. The two would often ride their fine horses through the city by day, and after dinner, they would paint the palace's white walls together. Each night, the Sultana would tuck the little princess into bed, kissing her goodnight and leaving her to drift off with a smile. During those days, the princess knew only joy. But, as life often teaches, happiness is fleeting.

When Lucy was still a child, tragedy struck. One fateful morning, her mother rode out alone, only to encounter a band of desert bandits who stormed into Lazan. In a cruel twist of fate, the innocent Sultana lost her life when one bandit fatally stabbed her in a desperate attempt to steal her jewelry. Though the murderer was captured and executed for his crime, it did nothing to restore the beloved Sultana to Lazan. The entire kingdom mourned her loss, but none felt the pain more acutely than her husband, Lucy's father, Sultan Jude.

Layla was the light of the sultan's life, and with her light extinguished, he found himself unable to cope. Her passing instilled in him a deep fear of the outside world, convincing him that danger lurked around every corner and that no one could be trusted. As a result, his daughter became increasingly secluded and isolated. The sultan rarely allowed her to leave the palace, unable to bear the thought of losing his only child as he had lost the love of his life.

Yet, as Lucy grew older, her yearning for freedom intensified. She longed to explore beyond the confines of Lazan City, to discover the diverse people and creatures that inhabited the world. Though she tried to suppress these desires, finding solace in her paintings of the outside world, by the time she turned seventeen, it was no longer enough.

"Don't you ever wonder what's out there, Aries?" the princess asked her handmaiden the next morning, gazing out the window of her bedchamber at the bustling city below. "Beyond the palace walls and the borders of our land?"

"Beasts and savages, I imagine," Aries replied, helping her mistress into her silken shalwar and robe.

"There must be more to the world than that," the princess insisted.

"Why would you want to leave your comfortable home?" Aries asked, puzzled.

"Because it's not the same home anymore," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "It hasn't been for a long time."

"What was that, my lady?" Aries inquired, straining to catch her words.

"Nothing," the princess sighed. "Nothing at all."

"There we go," Aries said, adding the finishing touches to Lucy's ensemble by styling her hair into a silken head wrap and adorning her with gold jewelry. "Now you look stunning. Prince Dan won't be able to take his eyes off you."

Aries intended it as a compliment, but Lucy's expression turned to one of disgust. Since turning seventeen, princes and noblemen from Lazan's lesser-known yet equally prosperous lands had traversed the scorching deserts to win her affection, each vowing to conquer the world for her love. But for Lucy, enough was enough. She was tired of half-witted princes and boastful noblemen. If only one of them would display a hint of intelligence, kindness, honesty, and perhaps a sense of humor.

Moreover, she wasn't even interested in marriage at the moment. There were so many things she wanted to accomplish first—places to explore, people to meet. Why did she have to marry so soon? Why couldn't she simply wait?

"Your Highness." Aquarius, her other handmaiden, entered the room. "Prince Dan of the Eastern Isles is here to see you."

"Oh, must I?" Lucy groaned. "I already know what he's going to be like."

"Unfortunately, yes," Aquarius replied. "Your father has commanded it."

"Don't feel too bad, Princess," Aries chimed in, trying to be optimistic. "Who knows? He might actually be nice."

"Doubtful," Lucy retorted. "But I can't disobey my father. His command is law. Like it or not, I have to meet this suitor."

"True, there's no escaping the meeting," Aquarius agreed. "But what if you aren't exactly what this prince expects?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he'll likely assume you're the perfect princess—beautiful, obedient, calm. The ideal royal bride. But what if you defy those expectations?"

A mischievous gleam sparkled in Aquarius's eyes, which Lucy found intriguing.

"What's your idea?" Lucy asked, curiosity piqued as Aquarius began to explain her plan.

"Oh dear," Aries said, shaking her head with concern. "This isn't going to end well. I just know it."

About five minutes later, Prince Dan, clad in ridiculously ornate attire, entered the princess's chambers to court her. Just outside, in the royal throne room, Sultan Jude awaited the outcome with eager anticipation.

"Oh, I just know this suitor is the one Lucy will fall in love with," he thought to himself. "He possesses everything a future husband should have: prestige, wealth, and a solid education in ruling a kingdom."

However, his optimism was quickly dashed when, half an hour later, Dan stormed back in a state of disarray, his clothes torn and smeared with oil, seeds, and breadcrumbs.

"I've never been so insulted!" Dan exclaimed.

"Great balls of fire!" Jude gasped, horrified by the prince's appearance. "What happened?!"

"I have never been so insulted!" Dan repeated, his voice rising. "That girl and her handmaidens doused me in sticky oil, pelted me with seeds and bread, and then shoved me onto the balcony, where I was attacked by birds!"

"Surely you jest! My daughter would never be so disrespectful!"

"Perhaps you don't know your daughter as well as you think!" he retorted, stalking toward the nearest exit. "Good luck marrying her off!"

Once the prince was gone, the sultan let out a frustrated huff and hurried into his daughter's chambers, where he found Lucy and her handmaidens laughing without a care in the world. Jude was far from amused.

"Lucy, I am shocked and dismayed!" he exclaimed. "How dare you treat a royal prince in such a deplorable manner!"

"I was polite and courteous to him at first, Father," Lucy replied. "But then he began discussing how he would run our kingdom. The moment I heard that, I knew he wasn't the right husband for me."

"Lucy, if he is to marry you, is it wrong for him to share his vision of what kind of ruler he would be?"

"No, but what he revealed showed me exactly what kind of ruler he intends to be. He said that once we were married, he would make all the decisions and decide what was best for me. In other words, he had no intention of allowing me rule my own realm."

"My dear, you probably misunderstood his intentions. He likely meant that once you were married, he would support you and shoulder your burdens. That's what I did for your mother."

"Father, I truly don't believe that's what he meant."

"Even if that's the case, you had no right to respond in such a manner. This is not how a proper princess behaves," he scolded. "I raised you better than that."

"Well, he refused to leave when I asked him to."

"Is that so? Well, I—" He paused and turned to Aries and Aquarius. "Would you two be so kind as to leave me to speak with my daughter in private?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," the two handmaids replied before leaving the room.

"Lucy, I cannot allow you to embarrass our family with this childish behavior."

"Then call off this entire search for a husband, and I promise to behave properly."

"Lucy, you know our laws state that an heir cannot ascend the throne until they are married."

"I understand, but why? Why is that a law? Can't it be changed?"

"It's not that simple. We have responsibilities tied to our title, and sacrifices must be made."

"Like my freedom? Like marrying for love?"

"You will learn to love your husband, just as your mother and I learned to love each other. That's how marriages in our family work. Your mother and I were betrothed before we even met, and we were very happy. You will be happy too."

"And what if I'm not?"

"I will ensure you marry a man you can learn to love."

"Father, it's not your place to decide who I can love. It's not the law's place either."

"Lucy, it's not just this law." His tone softened. "I won't be around forever, and I want to ensure you're safe. I want someone to protect you."

"But I don't want to be protected! I want to be free. I want to leave this palace and see the world for myself—maybe even venture beyond Lazan City."

"It's not safe beyond Lazan City. You cannot comprehend how evil and dangerous the world can be."

"So I should hide from it? Am I to be confined for the rest of my life? Father, I'm not a bird to be kept in a gilded cage. I want to explore."

"Lucy, you're a princess. You can't just roam the world. You're not ready."

"How can I be ready for anything if you won't let me have any experiences?"

"You will have them when I know you can handle them. When will you understand just how fragile you are?"

"I'm not fragile!" she insisted, storming off toward the gardens and slamming the door behind her.

Aquarius and Aries quickly stepped aside, exchanging glances.

"She's definitely not fragile," Aquarius whispered to Aries, who nodded in agreement.