THE PRINCESS KNIGHT (GRAYLU)

Chapter Twelve: He's Worse

"I guess a deals a deal. You made me drop my sword. It was good seeing you Lucy," Gray said as he went through the window.

"Lucy!" I heard the Knights calling me from down stairs.

"Coming! I was just making sure everything was clear!" I lied.

I made my way downstairs and the first thing I realized was we lost some people. And once I saw our knights uniforms and the knights there on the floor dead, I felt so sick. But that's the thing about War. No matter how skilled you might be. In a War you lose people along the way towards Victory. But you never know. We could be the ones suffering defeat in the end. And that thought gave me shivers. What would life be like if we lost this War?

We made it to the castle gates later than usual. The castle gate wasn't locked for once. And we made our way towards the meeting room. We only discussed about precautions, and our next strike. Only if they don't strike in the next two weeks.

After the meeting was over I went into my bedroom. I said hello to Daryl. Then I went into my room. I was shocked to see Maid Mira. She never comes into my room unless Erza isn't on duty. But that's hardly ever.

"Good evening, Lucy," Mira said to me.

"Hey Mira... can I ask you something?" I questioned.

"Sure thing," she answered.

"When Laxus proposed to you and then he went to war why didn't you lose hope that he would return?" I asked her gently.

She sighed.

"I did lose hope Lucy. I just didn't want anyone to know because I wanted to see him and for him to be home no matter what. But in the end Gajeel and Laxus... they both didn't let Natsu save them," she finished.

"Mira... Gray wants me to be his bride so we can have our kingdoms at peace," I told her.

"Lucy... I think that would be good in my opinion. Our kingdoms have been in each other's throats since way back. But how do you feel about it?" Mira asked.

"I think it would be good for the kingdom. But my mother and father think he's just going to use me," I tell her.

"Lucy I asked how you feel. Not how your mother and father feel," Mira scolds me.

"I don't want to be forced to marry him or anything. Plus I've never had any romantic feelings for anyone before," I confess.

"I'm sure if you do have feelings for anyone you'll know for sure," Mira says.

"I hope I do too. Anyway, where's Erza? You never come in my room unless she's not here. You're usually taking care of my parents room," I said.

"Oh Erza... she's finally going on a date with Jellal. She finally said yes to him. It took her long enough," Mira says happily.

"I'm glad to hear it. Whenever I would ever talk about Jellal she would blush or go cold as ice," I said.

"Well Erza and Jellal had a pretty bad childhood. But they got through it together," Mira tells me.

"Mira... ever since Gajeel and Laxus got me into sword wielding... I can't help but think that this war stuff is all my fault. I'm not strong enough for any of this war stuff. How am I supposed to get through all this?" I question her close to tears.

She comes straight towards me and wraps me around her arms. Pulling me into a hug.

"Gajeel and Laxus were afraid of this. But I think that they gave you the strength that you need. You just need to find it in yourself," Mira tells me.

"How am I supposed to find it?" I ask her.

"You have to figure that out for yourself," Mira answers.

"Well I'm about to go to sleep so I'll talk to you the next time I see you Mira," I say to kick her out.

"Okay, you know where to find me if something is urgent," Mira responds.

She leaves my room, not before bowing. I hear her and Daryl talking on the other side of the door. Most of it was about me.

When I'm welcomed with silence my mind starts to overthink. What am I supposed to do to find that strength? Laxus and Gajeel gave it to me? How does she know that? I wonder what my mother thinks in all this?
I'm distracted by hearing my mother's voice asking Daryl if I've arrived yet.

"Yes. She's in there. Most likely sleeping," Daryl answers her.

"I'll check," she says.

I see the door open and she walks in. Noticing that I'm not asleep yet.

"Hey Lucy... can we chat for a quick second?" She asks me.

"Sure," I reply.

As soon as I say yes she quickly sits down next to me. I answer her questions yes and no. They aren't important now. I'll tell you at another time. But then she tells me that I need to see Dad urgently.

I rush down the halls. I run past Mira.

"Lucy what's-"

"My Dad!" I yell.

I think that's a good enough answer. I continue to run down the hall until finally I reach my parents room. I knock on the door lightly and then I go in.

What I see isn't how bad I thought it would be. He's sitting up. He's fine. But the way he's looking at me is telling me otherwise. The news can't be good.

"Hey Lucy... I'm sorry but my condition has gotten worse," my father tells me truthfully.

End of Chapter 12