The next morning, Jude offered an apology to Gray for unintentionally causing the prince to embarrass himself the night before. But the words were far from simple. Woven into them was a firm demand: he wished for him to dine alone with his daughter at breakfast—and that Juvia was not to be present. Gray did not like that idea in the slightest. He would have refused outright, but Lahar quickly intervened, his tone measured and cautious.

"We must try not to offend him," Lahar said quietly. "The sultan is a powerful man and not a patient one."

Gray's jaw tightened.

"So I'm supposed to accept this?" he replied. "This is my family's summer palace. We invited him and his daughter here as guests, and now he's issuing orders? Speaking of my guest as though she's a servant? She is not a servant. She has every right to sit at the royal table."

"I understand," Lahar said gently. "Truly, I do. But the customs and beliefs of Lazan City are very different from ours. He is the kind of man who sees disagreement as disrespect. If we push too far, he may take it as an insult... and the last thing we want is a war with Verdenshav."

Gray exhaled slowly, forcing himself to rein in his frustration.

"Very well," he said at last. "I'll abide by his wishes. But I have limits. I will not tolerate being disrespected or my guests being treated as lesser people. My father wouldn't want that either."

"Duly noted, milord," Lahar replied.

Breakfast was quiet. Only Princess Lucy and Prince Gray sat across from one another at the long dining table. Without the presence of others to fill the silence, the room felt even larger—too large, almost—like the space itself was waiting for words neither of them could quite find. As with their previous interactions, awkwardness settled between them almost immediately. They both made small attempts at conversation, but each one seemed to dissolve before it could take shape. In the end, all they could do was eat slowly and listen to the soft ticking of the clock. Finally, halfway through the meal, Lucy set her utensils down.

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

"I thank you for that, Your Highness," Gray replied.

"Please don't judge him too harshly," Lucy continued. "He can be difficult, but he means well. Truly, all he wants is for me to have the best of everything—especially after my mother passed away."

Gray's expression softened slightly.

"Yes... I heard her death made him more strict in his rule. Is that true?"

"It is," Lucy said. "And it made him more strict with me as well. This trip is the first time I've ever left Lazan City. He's always been terrified of losing me too, the same way he lost her."

"I understand," Gray said quietly. "I lost my mother when I was young as well. For a time, my father was afraid of the world. He didn't want to leave the castle—and he didn't want me to leave it either."

Lucy gave a small, knowing smile. "That sounds familiar."

Gray exhaled lightly, as if deciding whether to continue.

"But one day," he said, "my father was going through old belongings from his sailing days—things he had brought back from his travels. Among them was a music box he had made for my mother as an anniversary gift."

Lucy listened in silence.

"When he played it," Gray continued, "it reminded him of everything they had shared. How happy she had been to travel with him, to see the world at his side. It made him realize something—she wouldn't have wanted us to hide from life out of fear. She would have wanted us to live it. To be part of it for as long as we could. So he started encouraging me to do exactly that."

"If only my father could come to the same realization," Lucy said softly.

"If he truly loves you," Gray replied, "he will—eventually."

Lucy smiled at that. She liked Gray. He was easy to talk to in a way that felt honest, unforced—like he was a person first, and a title second. She hoped they could be friends someday. But there was no spark. No pull. No connection.

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

Suddenly, their quiet morning was shattered by the blaring of trumpets outside the window. At once, both Prince Gray and Princess Lucy rose and moved toward it. The same reaction rippled through the entire summer palace—and through Magnolia itself—as doors opened, curtains were pulled aside, and curious faces turned toward the streets below.

What they saw stopped them all. A vast procession was moving through the main road. An enormous, extravagant parade stretched as far as the eye could see—golden camels in a glittering line of seventy-five, more than four dozen purple peacocks strutting proudly among the ranks, ninety-five white Persian monkeys chattering from their perches, and countless other exotic animals filling the streets with color and chaos. Behind them came dancers spinning in rhythm, swordsmen marching in perfect, disciplined formation, and attendants dressed in rich fabrics that shimmered with every step.

A booming voice rang out above the spectacle.

"Make way!" the bandleader announced, a man with a striking red beard. "Make way for Prince Etherious of Khalihan!"

"Prince... who?" Gray murmured, confused.

At the center of the procession, an elephant strode forward with steady, regal steps. Upon its back rested an ornate canopy—and seated there with far too much confidence for any ordinary man was Natsu, grinning broadly and waving as though he had been born into royalty.

"He's as strong as ten ordinary men!" the bandleader continued proudly—Gildarts, though disguised beyond recognition. "He has faced galloping hordes, the Forty Thieves, bested the dreaded pirate Sinbad, and even slain the fearsome roc!"

The crowd erupted. People lined the streets in awe. Women swooned. Men stared in admiration, some impressed, others openly envious. By the time the parade reached the summer palace, the entire nation of Magnolia was alive with excitement over the mysterious, heroic, and outrageously wealthy Prince Etherious.

As for Prince Etherious himself or rather Natsu, he couldn't help but relish this moment of people praising and admiring him, rather than looking at him with disgust and revulsion. For once, he wasn't seen as a street rat. Yet, deep down, he knew that the opinions of others didn't truly matter. What mattered most was what Princess Lucy thought of him. Because in the end, all he wanted to know was whether she would look at him the same way everyone else now did or whether she would see through all of it and recognize him anyway.

"Almost there," Natsu thought eagerly as the elephant finally came to a halt at the palace gates. "I can't believe I'm actually going to see her again."

He straightened up quickly, suddenly hyperaware of everything.

"Do I look alright, Happy?" he asked, tugging at his outfit. "How's my hair? Do I have something in my teeth? Or is my clothes sloppy?"

"You look fine, pal," Happy said confidently. Then, after a beat, he added, "But quick question what if the princess recognizes you? You do realize if she does, the jig is up."

"If she does, I'll improvise."

"Okay," Happy said slowly, "just a reminder, some countries consider impersonating royalty punishable by death."

Lahar was the one to meet them at the gates, while Gildarts—still fully committed to his disguise—stepped forward to handle the introductions.

"Shalam and good morning to you, my good man!" the disguised genie said enthusiastically, shaking Lahar's hand with far too much force. "A thousand apologies for the sudden intrusion, but my lord and master requests an audience with the Sultan of Lazan City."

"Regarding?" Lahar asked, measured as ever.

"The Sultan's daughter," Gildarts replied smoothly. "He is a suitor seeking the opportunity to court her."

"I see..." Lahar said carefully. "This is most unusual. I will inform the Sultan and also consult Prince Gray. Please wait here."

"Of course!" Gildarts beamed. "Ah—one more thing. My master wishes for this to be delivered to the princess."

He handed over a china dish filled with the jeweled fruits Natsu had taken from the ancient cave. Moments later, the gift was presented to the Sultan. Jude stared at it in stunned silence. Even he, a man surrounded by wealth and power, could not hide his astonishment at the sheer beauty and rarity of what lay before him.

"These are the most remarkable jewels I have ever seen," he admitted at last. "Anyone who values my daughter this highly is surely worthy of consideration."

Standing beside him, Zash's expression darkened almost imperceptibly. While he too was impressed, his thoughts were far less generous. Another suitor meant complication. And complication meant risk. He had already been carefully positioning things—ensuring Lucy would not end up with Gray, waiting for the precise moment to break the engagement cleanly and permanently. This newcomer threatened to disrupt everything.

"Your Highness," Zash said smoothly, masking his irritation, "I must remind you this suitor has arrived rather late. You already have an arrangement with the Prince of Verdenshav."

"Yes," Jude replied, still studying the jewels. "But as I recall, last night that prince showed very little interest in my daughter. Meanwhile, this one arrives with such extraordinary gifts and likely much more to offer."

He looked to Lahar.

"Tell this young man," the Sultan said at last, "that I will see him."

About half an hour later, Natsu was granted entry into the Summer Palace and escorted to the great hall, where the sultan, the vizier, and the Prince of Verdenshav awaited him. Upon first seeing his apparent rival for the princess's hand, Natsu couldn't help but feel a pang of insecurity and jealousy. Gray was undeniably more handsome and charming than any of the princess's other suitors, and his palace was the crowning jewel of the entire Magnolia Nation. However, Natsu quickly reassured himself that this prince didn't stand a chance; he was likely just like all the other suitors who had come to court the princess—vain, spoiled, shallow, and arrogant, treating the less fortunate with disdain and viewing Lucy as nothing more than a trophy wife.

Gray, on the other hand, was suspicious of Natsu. For years, he had studied the history and records of various countries and monarchies, and he had never encountered any mention of a Prince Etherious or a nation called Khalihan. It wasn't that Gray was upset about another man vying for Lucy's affection; he was more concerned that a potential spy or terrorist might be masquerading as a prince. Such deceptions were not uncommon, especially after the recent war, when some misguided individuals attempted to spark another conflict by targeting the heir to the throne. However, Gray refused to jump to conclusions. He decided to wait for evidence to emerge while keeping a close watch on this newcomer. Although he wasn't eager to assume the role of king anytime soon, he would not hesitate to risk his life to protect his kingdom, his people, or anyone in need.

"Your Majesty," Natsu said, bowing before the Sultan, "I have journeyed from afar to seek your daughter's hand in marriage."

"Prince Etherious of Khalihan," Jude replied formally, "I am delighted to meet you—and grateful for the magnificent gift you have brought for my daughter. Allow me to introduce my Grand Vizier, Zash, who is also in attendance."

"Ecstatic," Zash said sarcastically.

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

"Ah," Natsu said with a smug grin, "so you're my competition. Funny—I was expecting someone taller."

Gray resisted the urge to react, though his eyes narrowed slightly.

"And where exactly did you say you were from again?" he asked evenly.

"Khalihan," Natsu replied.

"Strange. I've never heard of it. Is it nearby?"

"No," Natsu said without hesitation. "It's quite far. Farther than anywhere you've ever been."

"Maybe not," Gray replied calmly. "I happen to be a sailor as well as a prince so I've traveled extensively."

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

"You probably haven't heard of it," Natsu continued quickly, improvising, "because it's a recently established nation. It used to be a city left in ruins by desert bandits, but my father led its reconstruction. The people made him their ruler in gratitude."

"Interesting," Gray said, though his tone made it clear he was storing every detail away for later scrutiny.

A brief silence settled between them.

"So, Your Majesty," Natsu said, turning back to the Sultan, "when may I have the honor of meeting your daughter?"

"I shall send for her at once," Jude replied. "Lahar, please fetch the princess."

"As you wish," Lahar said, bowing before exiting the hall.

Natsu immediately straightened his posture, smoothing his clothes and fixing his hair with quick, nervous precision. He was no longer the scruffy stranger from the market—no longer the boy who had stumbled into Lucy's life by chance.
Now he was a prince. Someone who, he hoped, might finally be worthy of her attention. What he didn't realize was that the real challenge hadn't even begun yet.