Pretend Princess | A NaLu Fan Fiction

Knights of Blood

"You mean to tell me that you are willingly letting a murderer roam about your castle? What's the point of a guard then?" The words fly from my mouth and Natsu sends me a quick stern look before suddenly leaning in and pressing his lips on the corner of my mouth, barely missing them. Heat cascaded over my cheeks and I gawked at him as he ran his hands over my hair and settled his hands on my jaw. 

"He isn't here by choice... we have choked his kingdom to the point of submission so we can negotiate with him. We are trying to put an end to him so he can't do any more harm. He will not be walking about completely free, we have him under constant supervision. But I want you to be more alert of your surroundings. Now go retire to your room," his voice is gentler now and I saw genuine concern in his expression. "We are also being watched..." he murmured. 

Knowing that I decided to make things a bit more convincing and wrap my arms around him in a tight hug. "Goodnight," I murmur and then turn, walking quickly towards my room. I reached it in a matter of minutes, meeting Virgo halfway. Once I reached my room I immediately stripped myself of the frilly dress and opted to wear a simple gown to bed. I shook my hair out of the braid it was in and then flopped back on my bed, but almost immediately I shot up and checked the doors and windows of my room to make sure they were locked. 

After doing this a few times I finally settled down. It felt like ages before I slipped into unconsciousness, but I was restless. I kept waking up every hour, and I would stay awake for a few minutes before falling asleep again. Once I did completely fall asleep I fell into a dream, which quickly spiraled into a nightmare. I could only recall bits and pieces when I woke up, but everyone I knew was bloody and crying. A shiver ran itself down my back and I decided to quickly go to Lisanna'a room. 

I knew leaving my room wasn't the greatest idea but I wasn't sleeping well and I would be fast. And if I heard any noise I would run right back. I needed the company, and I sure as hell wasn't going to get it from Natsu. I got out of bed and tiptoed over to my door, slowly unlocking and opening it. Then I–as quietly as possible–ran towards Lisanna's room. Once I got there I knocked on the door but it swung open. I found that odd and stepped in slightly, turning on the lamp by the door to find that no one was in the room. My heart immediately began to race. With no regard for noise now I run to Natus's room and frantically knock on the door. 

When he swings it open he is only wearing a pair of pants and he looks tired, and for a brief moment, I felt guilty for waking him. But then I remembered why I was here, and before he could say anything I blurted, "Lisanna is missing, her door is open and she isn't there." 

His eyebrows furrow and he looks me up and down before grabbing me by the waist and yanking me inside his room. "First of all," his voice is scratchy from sleep, "why were you out of your room when I specifically said to stay put?"

"That doesn't matter right now, what matters is that Lis is gone from her room and there is a murderer who could get his hands on her at any moment if he hasn't already!" My voice is sharp, and I look from him to the door. "If you won't help me then I am leaving."

"No," he stops me. "You are staying right here. I will go get people to search for Lis and Phelix."

"I'm going to help too," I insist and he shakes his head as he grabs a shirt and quickly begins to button it. 

"The last thing we need is for you to get yourself in trouble too. You had better be here when I get back," his voice is firm. He puts on his boots and then quickly leaves, closing the door behind him. Frustratedly I fold my arms over my chest, and soon I hear people running about the hallways. I wasn't sure how long it was but I had begun pacing the room when I heard a commotion outside. Dropping my arms to my sides I hurried to the window in time to see a group of Knights heading out of the castle–making my heart sink. She hadn't been found here. She was missing. The door opened and I whirled around, my heart leaping out of my chest a little. Natsu was, thankfully, the one standing in the door frame. 

"You didn't lock the door," he mutters and I simply turn back to the window, chewing at my thumb a little. 

"She's gone, isn't she?" my voice is quiet. 

"So is he," Natsu's words were somber. 

"Please," I lean my forehead on the freezing glass. "Please be okay." After a minute I turned back around and Natsu was looking at me with sorrow in his eyes. 

"You should... prepare yourself for the worst. It is likely she will not return to us alive... or even in one piece," he tells me. I shake my head, biting my lip. 

"No, I refuse to think such things," my voice is shaky. 

"You should try to sleep, Lucy. It won't do you any good to stay awake and worry."

"Sleep? I couldn't possibly. Not with a friend in such danger," I scoff. 

I hear him sigh softly and then he sits down on the side of his bed and he pats the spot beside him. "Then at least come sit with me." I watch him, and after a few moments of thinking, I decide to settle myself beside him. We sit in silence and eventually I feel my eyes growing heavy again. It isn't long after that I feel and see Natsu get up from the side of the bed. He picks me up and lays me back on the bed, drawing the covers over me. He climbs in beside me and the last thing I see before exhaustion overtakes me is his back. 

As I lose consciousness I pray to my mother for the hundredth time to protect Lisanna. To return her to us alive and well. 

• • •

Wowza, it has been awhile again!

This time it was my life getting in the way of writing. I have a long bus ride coming up tomorrow so I hope to get some writing done then. I have some big plans for this story!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I can't wait to post the next one! It's gonna be a big one, trust me. 

I love you all, thank you so much for your patience with me!

-kels [the fluff queen]