Pretend Princess | A NaLu Fan Fiction

First Companion

"One, two, three, one, tw-ow!" I stepped back from Natsu who was scowling, favoring the foot I had most recently smashed under my heel.

"Sorry! I just... suck at dancing," I sigh as I finish my sentence, my shoulders dropping.  At first, I'll admit, I intentionally made mistakes. Now though, I was genuinely trying to learn something, and it wasn't working in my favor.

Natsu turns from me, making his way towards the door surrounded in a dismissive aura. "Let's call it a day. I'm going to see the physician, so use the free afternoon to do something productive while I'm away."

My hands instinctively move to rest on my hips as I call out, "My whole life was productive before I met you!" At those words he stops and turns to me.

"Good, then I expect to see results after dinner," and with that he swung around and continued walking towards the large ballroom doors, his boots making a solid thumping noise as he went, the echo leaving whispers after he pulled the door open and left.

I finally break the heavy silence within the bright room. "What is the point of this?"

Levy. She's the reason. Not giving a damned dragon a second chance, though my main purpose is to protect Levy.

"Chances come later," I mutter to myself, the sound getting swallowed by the silence after the words left my lips.

Things hadn't changed. Natsu was as cold as he had been the night I fatefully bumped into him, thus sending my world spiraling into chaos. I looked down at the frightfully expensive gown I was wearing, grimacing at the thought of how many people this would support if I sold it.

"This place is the worst," I grumble to myself. I turn and begin to march angrily towards the door when a figure moves gracefully into the large frame. A woman with a gentle smile looked at me with curiosity.

"The Prince has an odd taste in women," she says, her voice echoing through the room making me listen to it more times than I'd have liked. I plaster a smile on my face and try my best to approach her gracefully.

"I would say so myself, I'm a bit baffled at his choice," I agree with her, and she giggles.

"You seem uncomfortable here. Where are you from?" She questions me.

"I'm from the region, I grew up outside high society due to my families smaller noble stature," responding vaguely I quickly try to divert the topic. "And whom might you be?"

She gives me a slight bow, "My apologies, I am Lisanna Strauss, the youngest child in the Strauss family." The name sounds familiar as I nod, and return her bow.

"It is lovely to meet you, and a bit of a relief actually. I have no female companions here," I tell her and she reaches out and takes both of my hands in hers.

"I'll be happy to change that! I've been rather lonely myself, my sister Mirajane didn't come along on my journey to the castle," She's Mirajane's sister! She mentioned running the family business so her sister would be free to follow other pursuits. "And the boys here are no fun, especially Prince Natsu," she sighs.

"Believe me, I know that all too well," I mutter and she laughs.

"Being his fiancé must be hard. Though I'm sure you two get along somewhat, right?" She tilts her head in question and I shake my head with a small, pained smile.

"We are like cat and dog, we can't agree on much at all," my smile drops before I remember in supposed to seem like a convincing fiancé. "But he is my Prince and I love him for being different than myself. Life is more interesting that way, don't you think?" Brightening up, I portray a convincing act of affection towards the man holding me captive.

As soon as I'm free of this I'm going to k—

"Princess!" I turn to see Virgo hurrying towards me. "The Prince has requested you come to his room immediately."

I look back at Lisanna apologetically, but she only smiles. "Have fun darling, I'll be in the gazebo until dinner if you need me." She winks and leaves, her dress shifting in the breeze she created. My face flushed as I realized what she thought we would be doing and I reluctantly followed Virgo to Natsu's room.

When we reached the door she knocked quietly, calling to him to announce our presence.

"Come in," his response was sharp, making me roll my eyes in annoyance. He couldn't ever show one shred of kindness, could he?

Virgo opens the door and I quickly step inside and the door is instantly pulled shut behind me with a slam, making me jump slightly in surprise. I look around the room for Natsu and to take in my surroundings. His room was similar in style to mine, though it had darker colors and different things scattered about the room that would aid him in studies and work.

He was standing by one of the large windows in the room, his arms folded over his chest. He looked over at me and I could see he was clearly agitated. My eyebrows furrow in confusion and I'm about to ask him what his issue was when he approaches me, using large strides to cross his room. I take an involuntary step back as he nears me, but he reaches me and grabs hold of my face with both of his hands.

"You really know how to work my nerves," he mutters, taking me by surprise.

"What?! If anyone—" he interrupts me by placing one of his thumbs over my lips.

"But, that's what I like about you. You're my fiancé, my princess, for a reason," his voice was gentler and I stare at him completely baffled. He brought his lips close to my ear and whispered, "we are being observed."

As soon as the words reached me it dawned on me that people around the castle would be watching me—watching us—to make sure we are legitimate, to assess me and to decide if I'm worthy of ascending the throne. Of course, I wouldn't actually be taking that position upon myself. Our act had to be solid enough though to make it seem as if I was; I also had to act prepared.

"Who would have thought such a man would sweep me off my feet," I smile sweetly, resting my hands just along his collar bone. "Though you seem a bit tense today. Are you alright?" Despite my words sounding genuine, internally I was grimacing.

"I feel as if I have the eyes of the world upon me," he sighed and I realized he was hinting to me that we were, in fact, being watched in this very moment. There must be some veiled artwork that can be accessed through the servant's hallways within the walls. I remember vaguely that I saw one as a child.

I step back from him slightly, remembering that I had been summoned here rather abruptly. "Why did you call me here?"

"I wanted to tell you that after dinner we are going out riding horses. I have much to discuss with you about the future," he leans close and kisses my forehead, taking me completely by surprise. And though it was a warm gesture, it felt as cold as ice.

• • •

I'm finally back with this book! My apologies for how atrociously long it took to update. I had some writers block for this story, along with being caught up in other things.

Now though I'm feeling really inspired! I hope to keep updating more frequently, but I just got a job and school will be coming in full swing soon—so who knows.

Leave a comment down below telling me what you thought! I love reading and responding to lovely comments.

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Kelsey [fluff queen]