Keeping Promise

XX

Natsu wore ebony dress pants and matching shoes. His dress shirt was tucked into his pants and halfway buttoned down; sleeves folded up just past his elbows to show off his muscular forearm, his hands in the pockets of the pants as he stared bored out the window. His white scarf just hung around his neck.
He watched the heavy rain hit the window, it's was dark yet it was only late afternoon.
He paused, hearing the door to the bedroom he saw Lucy enter creak open. He stood up, hazing towards the door to see Lucy. His eyes widened slightly, looking at her up and down.
She had grown into a beautiful- gorgeous even, young woman.
He looked away, feeling heat on his cheeks from staring at her.
"That's a new look for you," Lucy's voice rung into his ear.
"When you go on a lot of jobs that require you to attend to formal parties or something of that sort... You get used to wearing more formal stuff," Natsu replied, looking over at her, "It's still uncomfortable though."
"Shall we?" Lavoska spoke.
"Yes, of course," Lucy turned towards her, ready to follow. Natsu walked close behind her.
Lavoska lead them down the hallway to the first door, opening it to a second, shorter hallway. She didn't walk too far down the hallway, she stopped in the middle of the hallway to a set of double doors, pushing them open to the raining out doors.
"Marco," Lavoska called.
Lucy lifted her head, looking into the room to see a wooden flooring extending out, but it didn't cover the grass fully. Two small, crimson sofas faced each other. Protecting the sofas and wooden floor from the rain was a large wooden pieces held up by elaborate wooden columns.
A man stood to the side of one sofa, facing the door. He had the same build as Natsu, tan skin and dark blue sapphires for eyes. His hair was a short, dark brunette. He wore black dress pants and shoes with a light lavender dress shirt buttoned halfway down as his dark royal purple jacket was halfway on, hanging down just above his elbows. His jacket had an elaborate design with gold buttons.
He looked up, gazing to Lucy, "It's been a long time Lucy," he greeted, smiling lightly at her, "As I thought, that dress does suit you."
"It has been two years since we last saw each other, though it's was a short time," Lucy replied.
"And who's that with you?" Marco nodded towards Natsu.
"This is Natsu, my knight," Lucy introduced, "Natsu, this is Marco Trelavako the fourth leader of the Bronze Fist."
"It's a pleasure," Natsu bowed his head, the corner of his lip raised slightly, feeling a bit proud to be called Lucy's knight.
"Please, the pleasure is mine. First time I've ever met a knight of any kind. After Konzern fell most of the knights were slaughtered by Silver Serpent, very few were able to escape but they either were killed by the injuries or went into hiding," Marco spoke.
"It's been a grim time for many people since Konzern fell. I wish to restore Fiore and bring the monarchy back," Lucy stated.
"I know what you wish to do. I will do everything in my power to help. But we'd have to take care of the Silver Serpent before anything," Marco stated, "Bronze Fist has been having trouble with them for awhile, so we're all in for taking them down and we have alliances with a few other smaller gangs as well that'll join the fight."
"Looks like you've planned this all out," Lucy commented.
"I only have three smaller gangs I made alliances with, it's won't be enough. And stretegy will be an issue too, I'm no good in that area."
Lucy put her hand up to her chin in thought, "I have thought of some strategies of how to take on the Silver Serpent, but I didn't think too much of the plan yet. I wanted to get all the allied gangs together before coming up with a strategy."
"Probably for the best," Marco nodded, "We still have much to speak about. But I believe we should end our discussion for today."
"Sleep would do us both good," Lucy nodded in agreement.
"Tomorrow Afternoon should be a good time to speak more. You are welcome to spend the duration of your stay here if you'd like."
"Thank you for the offer, but I must decline. I have others waiting for me."
Marco nodded, "I will see you tomorrow then."
Lucy bowed her head, "Until tomorrow, I wish you a good night."
Lavoska was already holding the door to the inside open once Lucy and Natsu turned around.
"That went quicker than I thought," Natsu scratched the back of his neck once they were inside, the door closing behind them as they walked down the hallway.
"Of course, the first day would be quick. We'd go more in depth tomorrow," Lucy stated, turning her head to look up at him, "What do you make of Marco?"
Natsu shrugged, "He seems genuine, and share the same ideal as you."
"He wishes to get revenge upon the Silver Serpent for killing his brother, who was one of the higher ranking soldier in Konzern's military. Reba Trelavako."
"Reba?" Natsu looked up to the ceiling, "Been a long time since I thought of that guy. I didn't know he had a brother."
"Reba left his homeland of Kasagi to become a soldier of Konzern. Mean while, Marco stayed behind since he was too young."
"I see. You seem to know a lot about Marco."
Lucy let out a small hum, "I knew Reba had a brother, I knew almost every soldier, maid, cook, butler, tutors, all the servants who worked at the castle way back. My memory of them fades throughout the years and I think of them less and less. But I do treasure them all. They were all good people who didn't deserve to meet their end the way that they did. Reba agrees with me, and if he is to be my ally I have to know of his background. And I have my resources in finding out anything there is to know about a person, even the deepest darkest secrets," Lucy explained, glancing over at him.
"Even me?" Natsu let a small grin crawl on his lips as he looked back at her.
Lucy looked away and shook her head, "I haven't had anyone search into your back ground. But, I trust you more than anyone. It's only been a short reunion between us, but I feel like we haven't been apart for as long as we have."
"I feel the same way, and I'm happy about it. It's be a pain to get to know you all over again. You're already confusing as it is."
"I'm not that confusing," Lucy crossed her arms.
"Do I need to remind you when you're in the kitchen?"
"That was one time!"
"You put garlic cloves on a cake for decorations."
"Yet my baking is... Decent."
"You can't even make a sandwich properly."
Lucy rolled her eyes, she couldn't help but smile as they reached the room from before. Lavoska turned around towards Lucy, "Marco has gift for these upcoming winter days," she stated, smiling brightly, "I picked out the color and fabric and the ladies here maid it just for you. We really hope you like it."
"How can I refuse a gift like that? I cannot wait to see and put it on," Lucy smiled back.
"As for your companion," Lavoska looked up at Natsu, "We noticed your coat and pants had some patchwork and tears in the fabric. We replaced your pants and fixed up your coat."
"I appreciate it a lot," Natsu nodded in thanks, "You ladies are quick, we didn't even talk to Marco that long and you already fixed a large coat like mine."
"There's multiple women working on a piece to get it done quicker and they're expert seamstress'. And we all just love making things and giving them to the guests that come, we all love to put a smile on the people's faces," Lavoska explained.
"I almost had forgotten. You ladies made winter clothes for the low income families in the town and have sent clothing to some other poor shelters and orphanages," Lucy spoke, bowing to her, "I thank you all so much for your hard work in helping this kingdom in the state it's in."
"Having the princess of our country bow and thank us, it seems so unreal," Lavoska felt tears come to her eyes.
"If you wouldn't mind, tomorrow while I'm hear I would like to thank the rest of the ladies," Lucy said.
"Only if you bring you're whole party in for measurements to be taken and New winter clothing to be made," Lavoska beamed, "We all love to get our hands on people and making clothing, it's more than just a hobby."
"I will bring them all. They will appreciate it just as much as I do," Lucy nodded.
"Alright, It's time for you to get changed and to go get some sleep, it'll be a big day tomorrow."
"A very big day by the sounds of it," Natsu stated.