Lovers Again

Chapter IV: Ambush

Hello Readers! Thank you so much for the 600+ reads! hahahahahahahahahahhaha it has been almost 6 months since I've updated. I have no excuse besides the fact that I was studying for national exams. I'm truly sorry for the wait, but now that the exams are out of the way, you can expect more frequent updates (I think)! I apologize for the long wait but here's a new chapter, enjoy!

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Natsu Dragneel's POV

Captain of her kingdom's group of knights huh.

To have a group of knights protecting her, Lucy must be a daughter of a noble family, or even a daughter of royalty.

I stared at her lonely back as her horse trotted forward with the rest of the group, and my heart started to ache unknowingly for this stranger.

I grabbed a fistful of my shirt at my heart as I tried to stop this feeling.

Questions filled my head but I can't help but be drawn to her. I followed a group of strangers out of impulse right after I met them. No matter how many times my mind told me 'no', my heart still says 'yes'. I bit the inner walls of my cheek and tried to shake off these thoughts.

We were going down an unmapped path in the forest and there were many bumps. The whole ride was uncomfortable until we finally reached the next town. According to the compass, we were exiting from the west side of the forest.

As we could finally see the clear sky above our heads without the view being blocked by branches, a cobbled path could be seen beyond those hills ahead.

"There's a town right in front, let's take a break and gather some resources there before heading off again." Leo shouted through the trotting noises of the horses' hooves. The rest nodded in acknowledgement.

We arrived at the town shortly and there were barely anyone on the streets. We dismounted our horses and looked around the place cautiously. Many pairs of eyes were following us through small cracks of doors and windows.

This is giving me the chills.

My gaze landed on Lucy unknowingly and I could see her having a silent conversation with Leo just by them looking at each other. They nodded to one another before walking deeper into the town.

There were children wearing clothes filled with holes scrambling to find bits of food on the floor. They looked at us warily as they kept those crumbs of bread close to their chests. I smiled at them, with the intention of easing their tensions, but they just continued staring at me with their empty eyes.

I frowned.

Just what kind of town is this?

Just then Leo raised his left arm and everyone looked at him attentively without saying a word.

"It seems that we have entered the slums, let's get on with it as usual." Leo said.

The group nodded before dispersing immediately. I stood rooted to the spot like a confused deer as I looked at Lucy for help. She noticed my gaze immediately before giving me a warm smile. She dismissed Leo before walking towards me. Before I could ask any questions, she started to explain immediately.

"I apologize for not explaining earlier Natsu. This is what we usually do when we enter a slum, we would buy supplies for the villagers and provide them basic necessities." Lucy explained.

I quirked my eyebrows "You guys are barely getting through each day and yet you're still helping others?"

She scratched head awkwardly, which I found very cute, and replied "Well we should always help the less fortunate shouldn't we? Compared to them, we're leading a better life. We should try to help in ways we can, don't you think so?"

A smile crept to my lips and I nodded "I do. You're saying the same thing my father always said to me. Count me in, let me know what I can do to help."

She flashed me a grateful smile and suggested that I could assist her by carrying food supplies. After buying some food from the almost-bare market, we walked back to where the children were.

Aquarius, Pisces and Aries were providing clean water for the children to drink while Carpricon, Leo, Scorpio and Gemini were giving medical aid. Cancer and Virgo were giving new clothes to the children while Taurus, Sagittarius, and Libra were handing out food, just like Lucy and I.

The children wolfed down on the food the moment they laid their hands on it.

"S-Slow down, you'll choke!" Lucy warned. The boy continued to eat his meal quickly until there was nothing left. He then looked up at Lucy as he wiped off bits of food off his lips. He grinned, "Thank you missy."

Lucy nodded with a smile.

The children soon expressed their gratitude towards us one by one and deep down, it really made me feel good about myself. For the first time, I could see happiness on the children's faces, and this warmed my heart.

As we continued to help those children, the sun was already setting quickly, covering this town in darkness. With the cool night air, the town seemed eerier than before. We decided to set up our camp on the outskirts of this town as the villagers didn't really seem like they would welcome us.

Leo started the fire and the rest of us started to put up our own tents quickly. We ate dinner together around the campfire and the only sound made were the crackling sounds of wood.

Just then, the sound of rapid footsteps could be heard.

I snapped my head towards that direction only to be greeted with the usual darkness along with the trees. I turned my head back and noticed that the rest already had their hands on their weapons. Just when I was about to assure them that there was no one there, rustling sounds could be heard again from the same direction.

Immediately, I lit a bomb and threw it there. As the smoke cleared up, there were many armed men and women surrounding us. Lucy and her group got into their battle stances in a flash and we were ready to engage in battle.

There goes our peaceful dinner. I sighed.

Upon closer observation, there were many more people, whom I presume as the Rebellions Lucy spoke of, compared to our previous fight. All of us stood in a closed circle and we covered each others' backs.

"Is it just me or are there more Rebellions than before?" Scorpio asked.

"Please be careful everyone, their numbers have increased." Lucy replied.

"Don't worry Lucy, we'll protect you even if it costs our lives." Leo assured.

The Rebellions started to close in on us.

"I don't want anyone else dying for me." Lucy said in a smaller voice. Just when I thought her determination was about to break, she looked up bravely towards her malicious enemies and commanded in a firm tone, "And this why none of you are allowed to die without my permission, is that understood?"

The knights smiled confidently after Lucy's unexpected words and they replied in unison, "Yes, Your Highness!"

With that, they charged.