Summer Is Coming - Gratsu

12. The Start of a Marvelous Masquerade

Most of the ride to the large castle was quiet. Natsu interrupted the silence- the motion sickness pill had yet to worn off- "I'm surprised this carriage wasn't a pumpkin before tonight."

Gray choked and Gajeel laughed, loudly.

"I'm surprised you know that story," Gajeel said.

"Of course I know the story," Natsu huffed, "Just because I was raised by a dragon doesn't mean I lived under a rock. And besides, I knew the story long before meeting Igneel."

"Then you know what happens at midnight," Gajeel teased.

"Yeah, you have a broken nose and we head home."

Natsu snide remark lifted everyone's anxious moods as the whole carriage burst into laughter.

"Not quite Cinderella," Gajeel croaked out when he could breathe again, "Your carriage turns back into a pumpkin and your prince," He glanced at Gray when he spoke, "Is left on the dance floor. The question is will your prince let you run away?"

Erza smacked Gajeel on the back of the head, "Stop joking you fool. We're nearing the castle."

Fifteen broad, round towers dominate the skyline of this marvelous castle and are connected by fortified, wide walls made of light grey stone.Wide windows are scattered thinly here and there around the walls in seemingly perfect symmetry, along with symmetric holes for archers and artillery.

A moderate gate with hefty metal doors, a regular bridge and a moat offers a warm haven within these cold, isolated lands and it's the only easy way in, any other side would be futile if you don't know of the castle's secret passages.

Large boulders litter the fields outside the castle, paths to and from the castle snake around them and farm plots are small and scattered all around. Trees grow close to the castle gates and provide it with valuable wood for all sorts of purposes. This castle has stood the test of time, it stood it well, but cracks begin to show here and there.

"It's huge," Natsu marveled, craning her neck to see the top of the rising towers, "You could a hundred guild halls in here, maybe more."

"Natsu look sharp. Our carriage is coming into view," Erza said. Natsu flattened her dress and sat up straight. She quickly pulled at her long white gloves and adjusted her lap before she set her delicate hands on her lap, placing her left on top to protect the corsage. She raised her chin, and relaxed her facial features.

No one had seen Natsu's change from a loud girl to a proper and refined lady except Erza. It was as if they were staring at a completely different person.

Erza smiled smugly totally proud of what she had done.

When Erza turned her attention to lecture the other two girls about their posture, Natsu reached a small hand over and grabbed Gray's hand.

It startled him, but when Natsu gave him a little squeeze he returned their brief moment with his own reassuring squeeze before Natsu was forced to pull her hand away so Erza wouldn't get mad at her.

Gajeel kept his mouth shut during their little transaction. He knew what was a stack, so he wouldn't tease them about it today, but when they got back home he would give them hell for it.

The carriage slowed and stopped when it reached the large entrance doors into the castle.

"Everyone ready?" Erza asked reaching for the silver handle. They all nodded grimly, "Good, I'll go first, then Lucy. Gajeel you'll help Levy out, then Gray and Natsu will leave last. We won't go straight into the ballroom, we need to talk to the man that's throwing the ball and who also asked us here. We need to give Natsu and Gray a big entrance."