Dawn of Adventure {Book One of The Paths We've Traveled}

Chapter Twenty-One: No Time

He hated this place. Really, truly hated it. The outfits, the constant way everyone walked on eggshells, the fear all the servants had when they addressed him or his friends, the fake names he had to call Erza and Gray and Wendy and himself, the lack of his scarf around his neck, it all drove him to insanity. But the worst part was by far the freaking court he and the others were forced to attend several times a week. Instead of trying to get a closer look at that guarded stairwell or staying by Wendy's side as she suffered, he stood in the grand hall with a bunch of rich noble jerks and trying to avoid talking to anyone but little Racel who clung to his side. She was the only one who made court okay; he'd always liked kids, and she was no different.

At least he could talk to Gray and Erza. Of course, he had to watch what he said since everyone here was obsessed with gossip and would listen to whatever they talked about. But the regularity of speaking to his childhood friends made it bearable, especially since he couldn't talk to Lucy without raising suspicions.

He watched the blonde now, keeping track of her out of the corner of his eye. She was everywhere in the hall, getting drinks or food or whatever strangers asked of her. She smiled graciously and curtsied constantly, not raising her eyes more than a foot off the ground while walking among those who thought themselves above her. They were wrong of course. Even if she wasn't the last remaining Heartfilia, which put her at the same level as these nobles if not higher, she would still be better than everyone else here. In his eyes, no one else mattered as much as Lucy Heartfilia. And her pure heart and devotion to her guild and friends made her shine bright as the stars she commanded. Brighter even.

"Lord Drago?" A tug on his sleeve pulled his attention away from the Celestial Spirit mage. He grinned crookedly at Racel, her ice blue hair pulled away from her pale face for once. Her ninth birthday had come and gone, and ever since then, her mother stuffed her daughter into fancier dresses and made all attempts for her daughter to appear older than she truly was. It seemed as if her mother finally coerced Racel into letting a maid do her hair differently than the nothing she normally did.

"What's up Racel?" The girl shifted, slipping her small hand into his large one.

"Is Shelia doing okay? You look really worried." Natsu's grin faded away, replaced by an unsure smile. He shrugged, not wanting to concern the young girl but not wanting to lie to her at the same time.

"She's been a lot better. Umm, she uh, Evia's helping her as much as she can. But there's not really anything she can do anymore. Just gotta wait and see." Racel squeezed his hand as if she sensed the storm of emotions whirling through him.

"I hope she feels better soon," she whispered, dragging him away from his spot near Gray and Erza. "But I made something for her, if you think she'd like it." Natsu let her lead him through the crowd, aiming for a familiar smelling maid.

"Mistress Racel." The woman smiled at the little girl before she noticed Natsu standing slightly behind her. Her eyes dropped to the floor immediately, dipping into a deep curtsy. "Lord Drago. I apologize if my lady is bothering you. I, I can ask her mother or father to take her if she's becoming a hassle. Or I could, I, umm, I could-"

"Nah, don't worry. I like hanging with Racel. Actually she said she wanted to give me something for my, uh, my daughter." If the maid was thrown off by his stuttering or 'weird' way of talking, she didn't show it. Instead she bobbed another curtsy, visibly relaxing. Obviously she didn't want to deal with an annoyed noble or even Racel's parents. Natsu couldn't blame her.

"Yes, of course my lord. She was very determined to make this last night. I left it in my room for safekeeping. Um, if you'll allow it, I can go and fetch it for you, my lord."