The next morning, Jude apologized to Gray for unintentionally causing the prince to embarrass himself last night. But that apology was laced with the insistence that he dine with his daughter alone at breakfast and that Juvia not be present. Gray didn't like that idea at all and would have refused but Lahar advised him not to, cause Jude was a very temperamental man and at times unreasonable, not to mention he had his own army. 

"We must try not to insult him." Lahar had said. "The sultan is a very powerful man."

"Lahar I will not stand for this. This is an outrage." Gray responded. This is my family's Summer Palace and we invite him and his daughter to stay here, and how does he behave? By giving orders to me? And referring to my guest like she's a servant? She is not a servant. She has just as much right to sit at the royal dining table as the princess.

"I understand, believe me I do. But the traditions and beliefs of Lazan City differ vastly from ours. This man believes just questioning him is cause for treason. If we're not careful he may declare war on Verdenshav and that's the last thing we want."

Gray sighed. 

"Very well, I'll abide by his wishes but I have my limits. I will not allow myself to be disrespected or insulted any further. And my father wouldn't want me to."

"Duly noted milord."

At breakfast it was just Princess Lucy and Prince Gray sitting across from each other. And just like with their previous interactions, things were very awkward between them. They both tried to make an effort to form some kind of conversation that could help them bond but neither one knew what to say to the other person. Really, all they could do was just eat silently and watch the clock tick by. Finally just when the meal was halfway finished, Lucy spoke up.

"I would like to apologize for my father's recent behavior. I know he hasn't been the most polite guest." 

"I think you for that, your highness."

"Please don't judge him so harshly, my father can be difficult to get along with but he means well. Truly, all he wants is for me to have the best of everything. Especially after my mother died."

"Yes, I heard that her death caused him to be more strict with his rule. Is that true?"

"It's true, and it made him more strict with me. In fact this trip is the first time I've ever left Lazan City. He's just so terrified of losing me like he lost her."

"Well I can understand. I lost my mother when I was young too and for a time my father was scared of the world. He never wanted to leave castle and he never wanted me to leave it either."

"Now that sounds familiar." She chuckled.

"But then one day my father was going through some old things he had picked up from his days of sailing, treasures he had brought back from his adventures. And one of them was a music box he had made for my mother as an anniversary present. As he listened to the song it played, he remembered all the times he spent with my mother and how happy she had been to join him on his explorations over the seas. It made him remember how much my mother loved the world and realize that she wouldn't have wanted him or me to hide from it. She would have wanted us to be apart of the world and enjoy for as long as we could. So Father started encouraging me to do just that."

"If only my father could have that realization."

"If he truly loves you, he will eventually."

Lucy smiled. She really did like Gray. He behaved like an actual person instead of a title and for that reason she hoped that they could be good friends someday. But she wasn't sure if she could ever be in love with him. There just didn't seem to be a connection. They couldn't click. 

"Maybe I'm just not meant to have someone." Lucy thought.

Suddenly their quiet morning was interrupted the sound of trumpets blaring through the window. At once the prince and princess rushed to said window and looked out. Same applied to everyone else in the Summer Palace and all within the Magnolia Nation who had heard the noise. 

 A huge band was marching down the main street, leading an enormous and elaborate parade. There were was a menagerie of seventy-five golden camels, over four dozen purple peacocks, ninety-five white Persian monkeys, and countless other exotic animals. Dancers whirled, swordsmen marched in perfect step, and many attendants walked alongside the procession. 

"Make way!" The bandleader with a red beard announced. "Make way for Prince Etherious of Khalihan!"

"Prince who?" Gray thought, confused.

At the center of the spectacle there walked an elephant with a canopy on its back and sitting proudly on this canopy was Natsu grinning and waving, looking like a member of royalty. 

"He's as strong as ten regular men!" Bragged the bandleader, who was Gildarts in disguise. "And he's faced the galloping hordes, the forty thieves, bested the dreaded pirate Sinbad, and even slayed the fearsome roc!"

The crowd roared in admiration, women were swooning over him, men were both impressed by him and jealous of him. Yes indeed, by the time the parade reached the Summer Palace the whole nation was abuzz and already enamored with the handsome, brave, and rich Prince Etherious. 

As for Prince Etherious himself or rather Natsu, he couldn't help but enjoy the fact that for once in his life people were praising him and fawning over him instead of regarding him with disgust and revulsion. For once in his life he wasn't being looked at like a street rat. But in the end he didn't care what everyone else thought about him. All that mattered is what Princess Lucy thought about him. 

"Almost there." Natsu thought eagerly when the elephant stopped at the palace gates. "I can't believe I'm actually going to see her again."

"Do I look alright Happy?" He asked his cat. "How's my hair? Do I have something in my teeth? Or my clothes sloppy?"

"You look fine pal." Happy assured him. "But quick question, what if the princess recognizes you? You do realize if does then the jig is up."

"If she does I'll improvise."

"Okay but just a reminder, in some countries it's punishable by death to impersonate royalty."

Lahar was the one to meet them at the gates and Glidarts was the one to make the introductions.

"Shalam and good morning to you my good man!" The genie in disguise said shaking the prime minister's hand rapidly. "A thousand apologies about the sudden intrusion but my lord and master requests an audience with the Sultan of Lazan City."

"Regarding?" Lahar replied.

"The sultan's daughter. He is a suitor who wishes for the opportunity to court her."

"Oh...Well this is most unusual and surprising. I shall inform the sultan and ask Prince Gray if your master maybe permitted to enter the palace. Please wait a moment."

"Certainly. Oh! And my master would also like for you to deliver this gift to the princess."

Gildarts then handed Lahar a china plate with the jewels fruits Natsu had taken from the ancient cave. Afterward Lahar presented the gift to the sultan and delivered the news. Jude's amazement and surprise was inexpressible, when he saw so many large, beautiful, and valuable jewels in that dish. For some time he remained motionless in admiration, then he spoke. 

"These are the most amazing jewels I have ever seen." He remarked. "Anyone who values my daughter so highly I am sure would make an excellent husband."

Zash stood next to the sultan during this presentation and although he took was astonished by the incredible jewels, he was most displeased with the idea of another suitor getting involved. He was already planning to ensure Lucy did not marry Gray while also waiting to break up the engagement at just the right moment, now this? 

"Your highness, I'm afraid this suitor has come too late." Zash said. "After all you do have an arrangement with the prince of Verdenshav."

"Yes but as I recall last night, this prince didn't seem interested in my daughter at all. Whereas this one is ready to shower with such fabulous gifts and maybe more." He replied. "Lahar, tell this young man I will see him."

About an half hour later, Natsu was allowed entry into the Summer Palace and escorted into the greet hall where the sultan, the vizier, and the Prince of Verdenshav waited. When Natsu first laid eyes on his apparent rival for the princess's hand, he could not help but feel a little insecure and jealous. Gray was definitely more handsome and appealing than all the princesses other suitors, not to mention his palace was the masterpiece of the entire Magnolia Nation. But then he told himself that this prince didn't stand a chance because he was probably like every other suitors who had come to court the princess. A vain, spoiled, shallow, and stuck-up snob who treated the poor like dirt and considered Lucy to be nothing more than a trophy wife. 

Gray on the other hand was rather suspicious of Natsu. For years he had been studying the history and records of all the countries and monarchies in the world and not once did he read anything about a Prince Etherious or a country known as Khalihan. Now it wasn't exactly that Gray was upset about another man wooing Lucy, he was more concerned about a possible spy or terrorist masquerading as a prince. Such things were not uncommon, especially after the war just ended when some fools got the idea to try to start another one by taking out the recent heir to a throne. However the prince would not jump to conclusions, he would wait for the evidence to present itself while also keeping a close eye on this man. He may not have liked the idea of becoming king anytime soon but that didn't mean who wouldn't risk life and limp to protect his kingdom, his people, or anyone in general.

"Your majesty." Natsu said bowing before the sultan. "I have journeyed from afar to seek your daughter's hand."

"Prince Etherious of Khalihan, I am most delighted to meet you and I am most grateful for the magnificent gift you have brought for my daughter. Allow me to introduce my grand vizier Zash, who is also delighted."

"Ecstatic." Zash replied, sarcastically. 

"And I am Prince Gray of Verdenshav." Gray introduced with a bow. "Welcome to my palace."

"Ah, so you're to be my competition." Natsu said smugly. "Funny, I was expecting someone taller."

Gray fought back the urge to grimace.

"And where did you say you were from again, exactly?" Gray asked.

"The land of Khalihan." Natsu answered.

"Funny, I've never heard of that country. Is it close?"

"No. It's actually quite far. Farther than any place you've ever been to."

"Maybe not. After all I am sailor as well as a prince so I've been to a lot of places."

"Careful pal, this one's smart." Happy whispered from inside Natsu's satchel.

"You've probably never heard of it because it's recently been established." Natsu improvised. "You see it was originally a city left ransacked by bandits of the dessert but my father inspired the people to rebuild the ruined city into a grand and thriving land, and they rewarded him by making him their new ruler."

"Interesting." Gray said, still not entirely convinced.

"So then your majesty, when may I have the honor of meeting your daughter?" Natsu asked turning his attention back to Jude. 

"I shall send for her now." The sultan answered. "Lahar, would you be so kind as to fetch the princess."

"Of course."

As soon as Lahar left the hall, Natsu quickly straightened out his hair and fine clothes. He was determined to look his best for her. He was no longer that dirty street rat she had met in the market the other day. Now he was a rich and handsome prince who he hoped would be worthy of her. Little did he realize that wooing this princess would not be as easy as he thought.