When Worlds Collide

Chapter 39

When Lucy learned of her father's arrangement, she was most displeased. She had no intention of meeting this prince of the Verdenshav Kingdom, she didn't want to focus on finding a husband or any other duties that are required of a princess. Since meeting Natsu, all she wanted was to see if him again and make sure that he was alright. The palace guards had not arrested him but she knew how rough those men could be with peasants. She feared that they may have tried to pull a little scare tactic on him. Taking him out somewhere in an alley and beating him up. It wouldn't be the first time they had done something like that. She had pleaded with her father to let her find the young man and properly make amends for the incident but the sultan refused.

"Absolutely not!" He had told her. "After what you've done, you're lucky I'm letting you out of your chambers! How could you just leave the palace like that? aAnd then go wondering about in the city alone! You could have been killed!"

"Nothing happened."

"But something could have happened. Something dangerous. This city is full of unsavory characters who would gladly do you harm given the chance. Do you want to end up like your mother? Brutally murdered in the street by bandits!"

"Just because Mother was killed doesn't mean the outside world holds nothing but danger! She wouldn't want us to live in fear like that!"

"She would have wanted me to do what is best for you!"

"Well I think you're only doing what is best for you!"

"How dare you use that tone with me!" He scolded. "You are my only child! My life is completely devoted to you, every choice I ever made was for you! Since your birth, I have not thought of myself once!"

"Then why can't you let me make my own choices?"

"Because you have yet to understand how the world is. You are eager to join the world but you are naive to its wicked ways. The world will destroy you if you cannot understand it."

"Then make me understand. Talk to me Father. Instead of focusing so much on protecting me from the world, teach me about it."

"I am teaching you. You are just impatient."

"I can't learn everything from books and scrolls Father. I need to see the world, I need to know people, I need to do more."

"And so you shall. After you are married."

"I can't be confined here til my wedding day."

"You won't be. I told you, before you are wed, you will be spending the Summer at the Magnolia Nation. It is a new land that you have never seen before. New cultures, new people, it's what you've always wanted."

"But there are strings attached. I'm going there to marry a prince."

"Not marry him, you're going there to get to know him. You wish to fall in love before you married, very well. I am giving you the opportunity to do so."

"You can arrange for someone to fall in love Father. It has to happen naturally."

"Nonsense. You're just being stubborn. Now I hate to do this to you Lucy, truly I do. But you've forced my hand. I'm giving you two choices. Accept the prime minister's invitation and make an attempt to love the prince before you marry, or I shall command you to wed the next suitor who comes to the palace regardless of your feelings."

"But Father-"

"Not another word! You have until tomorrow to make your choice!"

Though it feel like much of a choice to Lucy. In the end however, she chose to meet the Prince of the Verdenshav Kingdom. At least there would be a chance for true love on that route and at least she would get to see some of the world. The next few days before the trip were spent getting her ready. Her father bought her brand new robes and garments, shoes, jewels, and other things to adorn herself with and he prepared a magnificent dowry. A chest full of gold coins and jewels would be more than enough.