The Peasant Princess (Nalu)

Chapter 22- Love Means Forgiveness

It was still the day that Lucy was almost buried, Natsu was acting quick in trying to right every wrong he had done , not only to his Kingdom but to the blonde goddess he now owed everything too.

Natsu had ordered for new maids to be brought in for Lucy's care, as Yukino had been made into a Lady of the court in Sabertooth for being the bride of Lord Sting, and Flare had enjoyed being back home in Sun village.

Hearing word of this the Celestial Spirit King had sent the best servants, Virgo the Maiden, Capricorn the Goat, and Aquarius the Waterbearer.

Natsu took these gifts with Honor but only after sending an apology letter about judging Leo easily revoking his banishment, he sent the letter with the white messenger dog that belonged to Lucy that she named Plue along with another letter addressed to him and his court.

Capricorn was made Lucy's bodyguard while Virgo and Aquarius were made into her personal handmaidens, Lucy was immediately put back to her room where she stayed on bed rest until she was fully recovered, while her baby had yet to leave her breast.

Natsu did what he did best, he took control, he ruled, and he was a benevolent King, revoking foolish decisions he made while in his depression

The entire palace was in a rush as many were preparing for the day of 3 events that were coming up quickly.

It had been only 2 hours since Lucy's almost funeral, she was changed out of her finery and into a night dress with her hair put in a braid then helped into bed where she had been clinging to and feeding her son ever since.

Virgo came in with a tray full of food, making lucy look at it incredulously.

"Did he really have to send so much?" Lucy asked rhetorically while adding some laughter.

"I did it to apologize." The thunderous voice said as he followed the pink haired maid in.

"Your grace." She said slightly bowing.

"Do not bow before me Luce, please." He said lightly running toward her, he wore a night dress with his red robe.

Lucy looked up through her bangs at him and leaned back against the pillow, her son still clinging to her breast.

"Quite the eater isn't he?" Natsu retorted staring with glassy eyes at his pride then back to his joy.

"Just like his father." Lucy answered lightly crying.

"May I join you in bed for the night?" Natsu asked with slight fear.

Lucy let a tear fall as happiness flooded her heart, she nodded and patted the empty bed side next to her.

Natsu split his head to half with a large smile then ran to the other side, easily slipping off his robe with Aquarius' help then climbed in easily clinging onto Lucy wrapping his arm around her shoulders then looking down to watch his son suckle on his mother.

It didn't take long before his happy facade fell and leaned on her shoulder.

"What is wrong my King?" Lucy asked with great concern.

"I am so sorry Lucy. I should have believed you." Natsu said tearfully.

"Virgo, please." Lucy stated unlatching her son who quickly fell asleep.

Virgo came and picked up the young prince then placed him in the prepared crib next to the bed.

"Leave us." She said kindly, Virgo and Aquarius gently bowed then left the room closing the doors behind them.

Lucy wrapped her arm around his head then pulled him closer.

"Feed." She gently commanded she sighed when she felt Natsu latching on to her exposed nipple she was just using to feed her son, she felt at peace with this feeling it gave her strength.

"I hold no disdain for you Natsu. I couldn't. No matter how hard I tried." Lucy explained.

"I knew that any stress would cause more problems for our baby, I was not expecting to almost die though, my mother once told me that when you truly love someone any fear, doubt, or hatred towards them does not last. Love is all about forgiveness, I didn't care at all when the citizens were cursing my name. I knew that once the truth was told I would take my place on the throne next to the man I am so deeply in love with. I wouldn't be much of a Queen if I was crowned with a heart full of disdain for my people all it would cause is hardships for them if I made hasty decisions based on revenge for their betrayal. The same goes for you, I couldn't despise you, you were only doing what you thought best for your Kingdom, the people would trust you if you allowed a suspected whore on the throne." Lucy calmly relayed.

Natsu switched breasts as one had been on was now empty, he was enjoying the soft body of the woman he held so strongly in his heart.

Lucy hummed at the peaceful feeling as she ran her hands through his hair, Natsu hummed in delight as well.

Once Lucy was empty Natsu pulled her down and pulled her into him.

"Thank you." he sobbed into her hair, Lucy hugged him back laughing in his shoulder.

"Of course." she chuckled.

"I prepared a feast for you as you probably spent the last month of your pregnancy dealing with stale bread and milk instead of feeding your cravings for the health of our son." Natsu stated as he carefully got up and looked down at Lucy.

Lucy leaned up as well as Natsu called out for Virgo, who quickly came in, Natsu motioned for the large tray of food to be brought up and Lucy's mouth watered at the juicy sight of meats, vegetables, fruits, sandwiches, drinks, and sweets.

Natsu wrapped his arm around her shoulders then stated.

"You need as much food as you can, you have a prince to feed and a body to get the health back to make more babies." He finished his sentence sensually leaning down to breath hot air in her ear making her shiver.

Lucy giggled at his antics and began to eat while Natsu picked- a lot.

They laughed and caught up telling each other everything that happened during their separation, Natsu continued to feel guilty as she told him about how she would go hungry for days, how he grew restless and would not let her sleep for a week. But Lucy giving a caress of her thumb in his cheek with kisses to his temple, he found himself forgetting his worries as he looked at her face, though pale and extremely thin, he was glad to have her back.

After the meal Virgo and Aquarius came in they cleaned up the crumbs and took away the tray, while Lucy looked over at her pink haired son making sure he was still asleep.

Natsu crawled deep under the covers then gently pulled Lucy down along side him, he cuddled her close, he was almost ready to sleep when Lucy spoke.

"Igneel." Lucy said jolting Natsu awake with full attention.

"What?" he said gently pushing her away and looking down at her.

"Igneel Ryu Blaze Dragneel, Prince of Fiore from the Palace of Fairy Tail, Heir to the throne. Ryu for short." Lucy explained with a teary smile.

Natsu smiled largely again with a few tears as well he pulled her in as a few drops escaped, he placed a sobbing kiss to her head.

"I love it." He cried out with passion.

"And I love you." He finished cupping her cheek and bringing her in for a sloppy kiss of need.

"I love you too." she exclaimed taking a moment before she was captured in a kiss again, they continued to kiss until they both fell asleep.