Pretend Princess | A NaLu Fan Fiction

Lonely

Dark rain clouds had made themselves comfortable over the kingdom, not long after Lisanna had been taken by the psychotic prince. I had spoken to the Knights with Natsu, and I clutched onto every fiber of hope I could muster up. He had taken out a few knights upon her kidnapping, using vile poisons to sweep her protection and make her disappear into the night. No one had anticipated him returning after his escape, which made Lisanna's disappearance all the more shocking. 

As time passed however, everyone began to further doubt that we would find her alive.

"Mother..." I spoke aloud, barely a whisper above the rain that came down around the gazebo in which I stood. The same one I had first come to know Lisanna at. "Please, bring her home."

I looked out into the falling rain, over the rolling hills and vast tree lines. Part of me wondered if she was just over those hills, waiting anxiously to be saved. I audibly sighed, leaning myself against one of the gazebo posts. It was absolute agony, waiting. It left me far too distracted to focus on any work, no matter how much effort I gave.

It conversely left me with too much time to think about her, and where she could be. What state she was in. The emptiness gave me too much time to contemplate if she was even still alive. My heart clenched at the thought, every time.

This was also an opportunity to ponder the conversation I had with Natsu, about how he felt. Thinking about it sent different swirls of emotions rushing through me, torrents beating on the walls of my chest. Though a small part of me wished I could deny it, I had begun to care for him during my time here as well. Despite our rocky beginnings, I was catching glimpses into his life, clues that showed me just why he made the choices he had. The choice he made when he brought me here, a choice that laid the groundwork to my friendship with Lis.

Tears began sliding down my cheeks as the torrents of emotions overwhelmed me. I was unsure about how to handle them, and I was even more unsure of how to express them.

"I can never tell him that I care for him," my voice cracks slightly, looking out again over the hills. "Oh Lis, I wish you were here to talk to. I miss you so much that it hurts." I began to cry harder. I hadn't allowed myself to cry recently, but now the tears flowed as if they would never cease. She hadn't done anything to deserve such a twisted fate and my heart ached for her. Part of me wished for Levy, and her comforting presence, and though I knew if I asked for her Natsu would bring her I didn't want to burden her with this sadness as well. I'd feel guilty about giving any of my problems to her.

Okay, I can not let myself get too emotional. As I tried to calm myself down, I dried my face and did my best to compose myself. I knew I'd have to get back to studying, and it would be a good distraction for me once I regained focus. After finally regaining my composure, I took a few deep and calming breaths before turning to make my way back up to the castle.

I made a run for it in the rain, and even though I had moved as quickly as I could I was still soaked when I reached the door, so I quickly opened it and nearly leaped inside. Natsu passed the corridor in which I stood and though he was engaged in conversation with one of his father's advisors, he caught sight of me and excused himself. Quickly I made my way towards the other end of the hall, but Natsu easily caught up to me.

"Lucy," he greeted me as he gently grabbed my arm by my elbow. I slowed but did not stop, my wet clothes were doing me no favors when it came to warmth.

"Natsu, I really can't talk now, if you hadn't noticed I need a change of clothes," I tell him, glancing at him momentarily. In that glance, I had seen him looking me over, and blood rushed to my cheeks when I realized that my corset was showing through the fabric of my dress. "If you could keep your eyes elsewhere that would be greatly appreciated," I comment in a quiet voice.