Not Happily Ever After

Once upon a time

"Do I really have to dress up for this? Why do we have to meet them anyway?" Lucy whined, crossing her arms and sticking her lip out in a pout. From behind her, Layla Heartfilia giggled and paused her braiding to look at her daughter. The two blondes stared at each other via the mirror, their equally shinning brown eyes locking onto the other's. Layla smiled at her little mini-me and gently pinched the little girl's rosy cheek. Lucy squealed and tried to squirm away from her tormenter, but Queen Layla grabbed onto the giggling girl and pulled her tightly against her front. Princess Lucy tried to escape, to no avail. After a moment of wicked tickling, Lucy called for a truce and leaned against her mother, panting. She let out breathy giggles, still trying to regain her breath, while her Mother chuckled against her. Lucy, finally back and able to breathe normally, turned around to face her mother. "Why are King Igneel and Queen Gradneey visiting, Mommy?"

"The whole Dragneel Royal Family is coming, Lucy," her mother corrected, picking her up and gently turning her back towards the mirror. Lucy puffed out her cheeks indignantly as her mother resumed braiding, catching the strands of hair that had escaped in their tickle fight. "You'll get to meet Prince Natsu and Princess Wendy."

"Only one girl?" Lucy replied sadly, feeling bummed. She didn't want to hang out with gross boys.

"Wendy is a little younger than you, but I'm sure you'll like her. She's a very sweet girl," Layla promised her young daughter, smiling when the little girl looked slightly less angry than before. "Prince Natsu is your age."

"Ew, I don't want to hang out with weird boys," Lucy shook her head, sticking out her tongue to prove her point. The Queen laughed and tied off Lucy's braid, wrapping her arms tightly around the little body in front of hers.

"What's so bad about boys? Afraid you'll be embarrassed around them?" Layla teased, and Lucy blushed.

"No way! Boys are gross and always will be!" Lucy said, lifting her nose up haughtily. Layla laughed and rested her head on the little girl's shoulder. Looking at the two, it was easy to see where the little blonde got her stunning looks from. Even at the young age of seven, anyone who had eyes could see that the little Princess would grow up to be as fine, if not more so, as her beautiful mother. Layla could see that too, and it made her smile.

"Don't ever stop thinking that, okay?" She whispered, and Lucy nodded accordingly. Layla closed her eyes for a second before giving Lucy a quick peck on the cheek and placing her gently on her feet. "Well, shall we go get dressed?"

"Can I put on my own dress? I don't like making Aries do it," Lucy said sadly, bowing her head and giving her mother the puppy eyes. Layla smiled gently at the caring blonde, also knowing that she would become as kind as she would be beautiful.

"Of course," her mother promised, and Lucy gave her a bright smile. She reached up, grabbing the older woman's hand, and they headed towards the closet.

~~~~~~~

"Do we have to be here? I don't want to wear this itchy suit," the little boy pouted, shifting awkwardly in the stiff garments. They were a little too big on his skinny frame, but the shoulders and pants were so formed that he had trouble bending his limbs. That being said, nothing stopped him from crossing his arms stubbornly over his chest.

"I've told you before, we're going to meet some old friends of mine," King Igneel sighed, glancing at his son. He tried not to laugh at how ridiculous the boy looked; dressed like a fine young prince, with the exception of his unruly pink hair. He was reminded of himself, of course, and that only made him want to laugh more. Natsu noticed this, and frowned deeper at his father. His Father was in nothing more than some nice pants and a regal shirt. Why could he wear comfortable clothes when he was forced to wear this deathtrap?