A Cinderella Story

Chapter 9

Lucy was quietly doing some sewing in the cellar when she heard the muffled screams. She bolted up the steps, thinking that someone was injured, only to find them screaming with joy, jumping up and down hugging each other. She frowned in confusion then she saw the open letter lying on the floor. She picked it up and saw the royal crest stamped on the wax seal. She pulled the thin piece of paper out and opened it.

King Igneel and Queen Grandine request the presence of every eligible maiden in the kingdom at the royal palace at 3 O'clock, to try on the glass slipper. The woman who the slipper fits will become his Highness Prince Natsu's bride.

King Igneel Dragneel

Queen Grandine Dragneel

The letter fell from Lucy's numb fingers. Her mind was flying at 100 miles a second. Glass...slipper...Glass slipper...Her glass slipper...The slipper that would only fit her...OH DEAR GOD. SHE WAS GOING TO BE NATSU'S BRIDE! THAT SLIPPER WOULD ONLY FIT HER! She barely managed not to start hyperventilating. Well...She would love to be Natsu's wife...And start a family with him...Her heart flew at the thought. Maybe this wasn't as horrible as she thought? Plus it was seriously romantic to go through hundreds of screaming girls just to get to her. But he knew who she was, her name and where she lived? So what was the point in this?

"I'm going to marry the prince!" Claudia screamed. "That slipper will obviously fit me since I'm the one who's going to be his bride." "No! It's going to fit me, since I'm the one who's going to marry him! It's destiny" Beatrice screeched. They started bickering. "Girls!" her stepmother snapped. She glared at them, hands on hips. "Now, you girls let me down last night when you failed to catch the prince's eye". "It wasn't our fault mother!" Beatrice wailed. "Yeah it was that stupid blonde tramp who stole him" Claudia growled. Lucy smirked slightly. "Well now is your last chance to seal the deal. DO NOT let me down girls." she snapped.

"Now let's get ready you need to look your best. Lucy! Get our dresses, now! Once your finished helping us get ready, occupy yourself, I don't care what you do. Since one of my beautiful girls will be marrying the prince, we'll be staying at the palace from now on. I'll send someone to look after the house, and we won't need you anymore, so go live on the streets or something I don't care" she snarled, before turning and marching up the stairs. Her stepsisters followed, sending smug grins at Lucy.

Lucy sighed. Of course stepmother, as compassionate as ever. She smiled to herself. Who knows? The prince's bride might be someone you'll never expect.

•••

Natsu made his way rather grumpily down the stairs. His mind was still on Lucy. Why did she run away? He'd have to wait until 2 O'clock to find out. "Natsu!" his mother cried ecstatically the moment he stepped in. she grabbed him by the shoulders and practically threw him into a chair. She sat in front of him, grinning. "Your father and I have something to tell you" she squeaked. Igneel lowered his newspaper to look at them. "What?" Natsu muttered gruffly. "Well, we couldn't help but notice how much you kept staring at that slipper". Natsu looked away, lifting a glass of water to his lips.

"And how upset you've been since last night. So we decided to find the girl and we're getting all the eligible maidens to come to the palace at 3 O'clock today, and however the slipper fits will be your bride". Natsu spat his water out all over the table. "YOU DID WHAT!" he roared, slamming his glass down. "Natsu, manners" his mother chided sharply. "WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT!" he screamed. "Because we know you like this girl and we want to find her" Igneel said calmly, folding his newspaper. "But that slipper could fit any number of women! How can we -"

Natsu stopped abruptly as he remembered what Lucy said last night; They were specially made in the spirit world, so they'll only fit me. Slowly he sat back down, thinking it over. "We know that, so you'll just have to pick the right one" Grandine said. "The proclamation has already been delivered to every household, so we can't go back now anyway". Looks like he doesn't have a choice... "Fine" Natsu said. Grandine grinned. "Fantastic".