What a princess would do for her family

Chapter 41: Permission pt. 2

Lucy's PoV

I end up walking home alone because Natsu and Gray are having a 'guys night', as Natsu called it. "Gray and Natsu never get along. Why would they have a guys night?" I question myself, as I open the front door with Happy and Luna sleeping in my arms. I close the door with my foot and throw my keys in the pot. I sigh after the long day I had, had and kick off my black boots, go straight into my bedroom, forgetting I also had Happy in my arms. I flop on my back, getting into bed without getting dressed. I snuggled into my thick blankets and let the comfort of sleep over take me.

Natsu's PoV

After watching Luce leave the guild I walk up to Mira and pay my tab for the day. "Why didn't you leave with Lucy today, Natsu?" She asks as she takes the money and started putting them in the till. "Oh, I have something to do, but it's secret." I grinned. "Oo, tell me! I love secrets." She leaned over the bar. "Sorry Mira, but I've got to get going!" I run out of the guild and to the meeting place. I run to the cave where Luce first met Gala. (God that seems like such a long time ago 😅) Once I get there it's pitch black I can barely see a thing. Suddenly, I see a bright light emitting from the cave and I hear Igneel call me through it.

Once I'm through I see the beautiful lands of the Dragon Realm. I didn't get to see it last time because Zeref teleported us straight to the palace. While I was in awe, I didn't realise the 4 giant dragons fly to the island I was on. "Natus. Jump on my back." Igneel's booming voice awoke me from my daydream, which shocked me a bit. I jumped on to his back and we were off to the palace.

As I was walking into the palace the dragons transformed into their human forms and Queen Layla ran up and jump hugged me. "Natus! How are you!?" She smiles happily and pulls out of the hug. "I'm g-great ma'am." I stutter a bit. I've never been so nervous in my life. "How are you son. Looking after our Lucy I hope." King Agnologia walks up and shakes my hand. "Yes sir!" I smile sheepishly, scratching the back of my neck. "Great, so let's go sit down!" Queen Layla walk into one of the living room of the palace.

We all sit on the coaches that are facing each other, the King and Queen on one side and me on the other. "S-so, where's Zeref?" I ask looking around the room. "Oh I'm here." I hear his voice behind him. I jump up and turn around seeing a smirk play on his face. "Quiet jumpy there, aren't we?" He walks over to his parents' side. "You snuck up on me!" I yell back blushing, embarrassed that I jumped at something so foolish. "Now, now boys. We're not here to quarrel." Layla smiles at the two of us. "Yes, she's right." Agnologia adds and Zeref stands behind his parents as he leans his hands on the back of the coach. "Now, continue Natsu." Layla smiles her sweetest smile at me and I instantly feel relaxed. "Right... I would like to ask for your daughters hand in marriage." I get straight to the point. Zeref looks a bit shocked, while Layla's eyes are twinkling in delight, and Agnologia is getting teary eyed. We sit in silence for a while. I feel my hands start to clam up and sweat starts forming on my brow. We stay in silence until someone breaks it. "OF COURSE, NATSU!" And, of course, that person is Queen Layla. "We'd be happy to have you as a son-in-law Natsu, is what she means." Agnologia sits the jumping Layla back down. "Make sure you don't break her heart!" Zeref commands. "Why do you think I would do that?!" I retaliate. "I'm just looking out for my sister!" He screams back. "I'm so happy!" Layla starts bawling. Agnologia comforts her as Zeref and I bicker. "Natsu. Look after our little girl for us." Layla stands, stopping mine and Zeref's fight. "Of course! I promised, remember!" I smile my famous grin at her and tilt my head. "Welcome to the family Natsu." Agnologia puts his hand out again. "She hasn't said yes yet." I joke and shake his hand. "We know she'll say yes, you're made for each other." Zeref steps in. "Well, I better get back. Luce is probably wondering where I am! See you guys later!" I wave behind me as I walk out of the room. "Natsu wait!" Layla calls after me. I turn around and see her looking at the King for some sort of sign. "Yeah?" I ask. She walks to the centre of the room and twists the fancy vase, that sits in the middle of the fancy coffee table. Then the table splits in half as some sort of tiny podium raises from nowhere. On the podium is a small, blue, velvet box. "This is for you Natsu." Layla picks the box up carefully and walks over to me. "What is it?" I ask, delicately picking it up, getting a important vibe from it. "It was my mother's. It's the Dragon Family's Royal engagement ring. It's been passed down from generation to generation. And every couple that has been proposed by it has lived a long, happy and loved filled marriage with it. It's said to bring good luck to the couples who are one true loves with each other, making their love eternal, so even if they die, they'll live on earth with each other for ever and ever. And that couple, Natsu, is you and Lucy. So please, take it." Layla, Agnologia and Zeref bow to me. "I can't take such a precious item from the Royal family, your highness." I wave my hands about, the ring box still in my hand. "Please. It's yours to have. Besides, you two are destined for each other." Agnologia stands up. "Now you really should be going. Bye." Zeref pushes me out the room.

Once I walk out, I've come face to face with a group of sobbing dragons. "N-Natsu! We're so happy for you!" Galaxia jumps on my. "Hey, calm down. You don't want to hurt the baby." I immediately let go, checking see to if she's okay. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Our stomachs are much stronger than humans." She reassures me as happy tears run down her face. "Natsu! You'll be a fine husband for our princess and an amazing King!" Grandeeney hugs me. "Thank you mom." I said. I call her mom now, seeing as she's going to be mine in a couple days. "Good luck kid, you'll need it." Igneel hugs me. "Thanks pops." I pat his back and let him go. "I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry. Oh god I'm already crying! Come here Natsu!" Metalicana grabs me in a bone crushing hug as 'manly' tears run down his face. "Thanks for the en-encouragements g-guys, b-but I really have t-to get back h-home." I say, pulling at Metalicana's arm to tell him to let go. He lets go and I start to catch my breath again. "Alright kid. Good luck and don't blow it!" Igneel commands as a twinkling light surrounds me. "Thanks for the cheer on, dad." I say sarcastically as I fade back to Earthland and the dragons wave me off.

When I return my clothes are all dirty and my hair has smudges of dirt on them. Luce is gonna kill me. I slouch and sweat drop as I think of what she'd say if she were to see me come home like this. The last time I did this was a weird experience.

Memory

I was coming home late and drunk after a huge guild brawl and Luce had gone home early because she had a girl day the next day, so she wanted to get a good nights rest. But because she's always worrying about me she stayed up, waiting me.

"Heeeeeryyyy hoooonnnneeeyyy! I'm hoooooommmmeeeee!" I shout through out the house. "Natsu! Where have you been!? I've been worried sick for 2 hours now, waiting for you!" She screams angrily at me. "Oh, I wash only fighting wittthfhhf Gray. No big deal." I slurred my word thanks to my drunkness. "Geez, your breath sticks. How much did you have to drink?" She catches me before I fall on the floor. "Oh only until *hic* Gray hit me. *hic* I couldn't get a sip after that." She dragged me across the room to my bedroom. "You shouldn't drink that much. It's bad for your health." She sighed as she laid me in my bed. "Come on honey! Sleep wiffffff your sexy boyfwend." I lay on my bed with one leg up. "What's up with all this 'honey' stuff?" She laughs. "Come on! Get in!" I shout as I pull her into the bed. "N-Natsu! I have to get up early tomorrow!" She squirms in my grasp. "It's okay. I'll wake you up." I say before drifting off into a deep, deep sleep.

End of memory.

As I walk along the road up to my house I remember the fond memories I've had since Luce joined the guild. In no time, I was at my front door. All the lights were out and I noticed that she hadn't locked the door. I ran in to check if she was okay. I couldn't find her any where. The furniture was untouched. There was no mess or dishes in the kitchen. I went into my room and Happy wasn't in there. I finally ran into Luce's room to find her, Luna and Happy curled up in the bed. I sighed in relief and walked further in. I peered into her sleeping face. She looks do peaceful and safe, like nothing bad could ever happen with that smile. I stroke her hair as I think that. I get into the bed and Luce turns, as if she knew it was me getting in. She snuggled up to me as Happy and Luna laid in between the two of us. I pulled the blanket over our shoulders and threw my arm over her shoulder, bringing her closer to me. As I thought of the wonderful future we could have together, I let the comfort of sleep take over me.

Edited