Pretend Princess | A NaLu Fan Fiction

Ezereans

In the weeks following the festival and my conversation with Natsu we began to repair our relationship. We worked together on tasks given to us by his father, and my comfort within the castle began to increase. Before long I found myself having thoughts about how much I would miss the castle once I had to leave, as I had come to treasure it and its inhabitants. I was caught up in such thoughts when I was startled by one of my retainers entering the library with a flourish.

"Princess Lucy, it is time to study your work in diplomacy up-close, we have a Royal entourage arriving in a day's time," she informs me.

I turn in my seat to face her. "Who is it that will be arriving?" I inquire. I had been lead to believe that there would be no more diplomatic meetings for the time being.

"Queen Erza has requested an audience with our King. He wishes you be present for the meeting."

I pause, struggling to remember the kingdom she ruled but her name was unfamiliar to me.

Bracing myself, I ask my retainer which kingdom she rules over.

"The Ezearean Kingdom," my retainer sighs, "relations with them have deteriorated over the years. The royal family was ursurped from the throne a few years ago and since then they ceased contact with our diplomats and would refuse them entry. Trade in and out vanished almost entirely. It is a wonder the kingdom survived such harsh conditions on its own as long as it did."

"How shall I prepare?"

"You cannot. We simply have no idea what the situation truly is. The King is placing his faith in you to help with such a situation. You are more than capable, and even if you aren't you must act like you are. Prince Natsu's reputation and the King's trust are on the line." With that, she turns and leaves. The breath I had been holding seeps from my chest and I do not find the energy to move again for a few minutes. Then, with the fury of a thousand suns I search for every possible document on the Ezerean Kingdom and pour over them. I fail to notice the hours passing and suddenly it dawns on me that my firelight has dimmed immensely.

As I work to stoke my fire, opting to do it myself rather than call for a worker, the door to the library opens. Lifting my gaze from the fire I see Natsu aproaching and I stand, brushing my hands off of the soot that has accumulated. Once he reaches me he looks at me with some concern.

"You are still awake," he says as more of a statement than a question. I nod.

"Queen Erza," I start.

"Is not something you need to spend this much energy on." he reaches up and brushes what I imagine to be soot off my cheek with his thumb. Surpressing the urge to lean my face into the palm of his hand, I shake my head.

"My retainer says otherwise. Your reputation is at stake, and as fun as that would be to mess with I canot afford the loss of trust that your father has in me that would accompany it." My voice is full of teasing and Natsu rolls his eyes.

"Ha, very funny of you Lucy." he remarks dryly, before stopping. "You need to rest."

"There are only a few more books to sift through, it shouldn't take much longer," I shrug.

Natsu raises an eyebrow. "It is past midnight, and we have an early morning. I am taking you to bed." He reaches for my arm but I step back.

"Lucy," his tone is dark.

I purse my lips, huffing that I hardly even feel tired. Natsu approaches again and slowly he grabs a hold of my face with both hands. I am entirely caught off gaurd and conffused as to what he is doing before he gently closes my eyes with his fingers. The irriatation of tiredness washes over me like a wave and when I reopen my eyes Natsu looks at me expectantly.