Solitary Princess - Nalu ✔️

Chapter 14

Lucy made it to the clinic inside the castle right as the doors were closing behind Natsu and the announcer. She quickened her pace and barely noticed her trembling fingers as she pushed open the doors.

Natsu was laying on a white bed already with nurses crowding around him, checking for injuries. Lucy watched, hoping none of them would find anything too serious.

Then they started to strip him.

As worried and curious as Lucy found herself, she knew now wasn't the time to try to see Natsu's body.

So, with a quite prominent blush, Lucy excused herself outside of the hospital and waited about 5 minutes until the announcer finally left.

When Lucy could no longer hear the loud man's footsteps, she came out from behind the corner she hid around.

She listened to her own heartbeat as she slightly pushed open one of the double doors and peeked inside.

Natsu was already clothed in a button-up hospital shirt and the Nurses had already wrapped most of his serious wounds.

Lucy approached the injured pinkette slowly, waiting for the chaos the nurses made to settle. The nurses didn't even notice her as they gave Natsu some water and an herb to chew on to relieve pain.

When only one busy woman remained to tend to Natsu's smaller wounds, Lucy stepped forward and reached for Natsu's hand. He had his eyes closed, appearing to be asleep, but he grabbed Lucy's hand before she could touch him. Natsu cracked open an eye.

He grinned softly and croaked out, "She finally decides to show herself."

Lucy smiled, "I didn't want to overwhelm you more than you already are," she glanced at the only remaining nurse who was quite obviously trying to appear like she was minding her own business, "How are you feeling."

Natsu closed his eyes again, "Like hell.  But... kinda good. Just happy it's over."

Lucy found herself smiling softly, "You've done amazing Natsu. You deserve to be proud and rest."

Natsu gripped Lucy's hand slightly harder as he replied, "I will after I see my friends."

Lucy sighed and nodded, "I'll try my best to find them for you," She glared at Natsu, "But don't you dare think about getting out of bed. I'll bring them here."

Natsu chuckled nervously, "Wouldn't dream of it princess."

Lucy nodded, satisfied and squeezed Natsu's warm hand before letting go, "See you in a bit."

Natsu grunted, eyes closed, and Lucy left the hospital to try to get his friends inside.

...

The task Natsu gave Lucy was harder than she thought it would be. She had just about no way to try and escape the castle without the cover of dark, and even as princess, she didn't know who she could trust to find Natsu's friends.

Lucy hadn't even begun to consider trying to sneak four powerful fighters past the castle guards and into the infirmary. Her father's security was a little insane during the games and there was little to no exceptions on who was let in.

Lucy sighed, wandering down one of the outer halls as she thought.

Just as she was about to turn a corner, she heard a groan. Her ears perked and she peeked around the castle wall and saw the quite welcome sight of Erza standing over a beaten up Gray and Gageel. Laxus stood to the side, boredly staring out a window. Lucy fought back a smile as she rounded the corner.

Erza was quietly hissing, "This is the last time I will tell you two to be quiet. We are not supposed to be here and if we get caught, I'll bring hell to you." The redhead finally noticed Lucy, and her dark aura disappeared, "Oh, princess- nice to see you here. My apologies for the noise, but these two bickering can get pretty loud and I know we have to be sneaky in this castle, but we had to check up on Natsu. Do you know where we could find him?"

Lucy smiled, "Yes, of course. I was just trying to find you guys. How did you get in?"

Gray sat up slightly, still on top of a growling Gageel, "Getting in here is easy as pie when you're a member of Fairy Tail!"

Erza smacked the almost recovered Gray, "Quiet! Besides, cake is better than pie..."

Lucy tried to keep confusion out of her expression as she smiled, "Follow me then and I'll take you to Natsu."

The sooner she got them out of here, the better. They might end up burning the whole castle down. Or worse, they might get the attention of her father.

They followed quietly behind her. Lucy was suprised that, besides the soft grumbling from Gageel, the group was completely silent. She would've thought they weren't there if she hadn't kept looking back and checking to see that they were still following. Lucy felt like an elephant around the group.

They made it to the hospital safely and Lucy peeked inside to see Natsu was still laying on the cot, alone in the big room. Lucy went inside, followed by the odd group.

"Hey flamebrain," "Natsu," "Oy pipsqueak," "Idiot," Lucy listened to all their endearing greetings. She smiled softly, they really were like a family.

Sadness tugged in her chest as Lucy felt once again like nobody would ever love her again. She stood apart from the group as they laughed and yelled at each other. She didn't want to interrupt, so she left without a word.

Only Natsu noticed when she left, a sad smile on his face as he tried his best not to jump out of bed and follow her. He didn't know why, but he didn't want the others to see her in weak moments like he did.