Cursed Gift

'10, She arrives, latticed with Black and Red

CURSED GIFT

Based on the German fairy tale Swan Lake

by Kangacorn-Studios 

Admin: Jake

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IGNEEL dropped his baton, a shocked look coming onto his face. The queen, who was only the tinniest bit closer to the entryway, popped her jaw with both confusion, and surprise. She turned her head when she saw Natsu step forward with a smile. Did he know....?

There, standing at the doors, stood Princess Lucy. She wore a long black dress, outlined in red, contrary to her usual lighthearted fashion decisions. Nevertheless, she was still the beauty Natsu was looking forward to seeing all night. 

As Lucy stepped inside, she sent a wink to Happy, confusing him even further. Just what was going on? Lucy, was dead....Right? But then, who was that girl before him? It couldn't be.....Could it? "Well it's, not the milkman..." Happy uttered in despair. Just imagine what queen Grandine will do to him now! 

Lucy began her descent down the stairs, full well knowing that she was the center of everyone attention. She couldn't help but smirk the tinniest bit. Just what she wanted. While she made her way to the bottom of the stair case, Grandine followed behind her, trying to figure out what was going on. When she got a close up of the princess, she paused and gasped quietly. "Oh no, it can't be," she grabbed her cheeks in astonishment. 

She continued to follow her, weaving through the crowd. She tried to keep as close as possible without making it known to the maiden herself. No one protested, they were too entranced to even mutter a word. It was like a spell had been cast on the castle the moment she arrived. 

Grandine stealthily crawled through the area and found Igneel. She clawed at his sleeve in desperation. "Igneel! Igneel! Who is it? Do you know her?" He took a few precautionary steps backwards from her aggressive actions, and coughed slightly. "I-I don't know," 

Grandine curled her fingers around his neck, shaking his head like a maraca. Igneel did nothing to protest, knowing better than to resist her when she was like this. She was always a bit on the crazy side, but this was crossing the line she usually drew when it came to times like these. He ignored the burning in his throat, as Grandine spoke once more. "Come now Igneel! I know he confides in you! Who is it?" she demanded. 

"I promise I've never seen her before," he gestured weakly towards the now approaching princess in black. His eyes widened and he tipped his head back, at a thought. "Although.....she does, look a great deal like-" he stopped himself. 

"It couldn't be..." Grandine ushered out. "Could it?" she asked after moments of silence. 

Lucy walked up to Natsu with a soft, coy smile. He visibly relaxed once she was near and he sighed with delight. "Ah, I was so worried. I almost thought-" 

"Nothing could keep me away," she said, her voice sounding a lot more dulcet than he recalled. Yes, her voice was sweet music to his ears, but she'd always spoken with strength. This version of her, was honestly, kind of weird to him. Had the whole kidnapping thing changed her? Just what went on in the fortress?