The dragon who stole a star from the night sky (nalu)

Chapter 10- in your stead

"Ughhhh, what a day". Lucy says flopping onto her bed. "Leo didn't hold back one bit. He crushed me! I mean I know the whole point was for me to get better but still! I also think I shouldn't be fighting against my own celestial spirits in the first place! I should be fighting to get stronger with them". Lucy says.

It was nighttime. Lucy was just getting back to her bedroom after a long day of lessons. It was 8:30 and she had just had dinner and was now getting ready to crash for the night.

"The expedition is in a week right? I still don't understand. Why do I have to go?" Lucy asked Virgo who was setting up the nightly tea and cookies.

"Because it gives you a chance to not only learn more about your country but to practice on deepening your divine powers your highness. So far you've only ever used just regular celestial magic but never your divine magic. He wants to see where you are at". Virgo replied back.

"I see. I guess that makes sense. But still! I can learn a lot about my country from books too. I don't have to go out. Besides, my memories are slowly starting to come back to me little by little". Lucy says taking a sip of her tea.

"Yea well, you're the only one of the royal family that can restore our country princess. Just as your mother could". Virgo says.

"Yeah, I know".

"Finish up your tea princess. You have another long day tomorrow".

"Mkay!" Lucy says chugging her tea then cozying up in her blankets and falling fast asleep.
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Once she's asleep Virgo walks out to the gardens. There, 9 figures wait in the shadows.
As Virgo approaches the figures come out and the moon shines upon them making it so she can see who they are.

"What are you guys doing in the human world?" Virgo asks.

"You think we could just stand idly by watching that brat, watching Lucy slowly lose who she truly is?" A women with long blue hair and a mermaid tail says.

"She's right, baby! How could we watch these fools manipulate her mind!" A guy with scissors and crab like arms says.

"We know there's nothing we can do because of that damn spell that's preventing us from interfering but we can at least try". A goat man says.

"They are right Virgo, we need to find a way to save Lucy. Aquarius, cancer, and Capricorn know what it was like for Layla to go through the horrors of being the celestial wizard with divine pure blood. Fortunately Layla was able to escape her fate by running away. But they found Lucy. Lucy will be dealt that same fate as her mother would have if we don't try to stop this". Leo says.

"Right now they are manipulating Layla's memories as if they were Lucy's own memories. The tea they have her drink is preventing her from remembering who she really is. We need to find a way to get her to stop drinking it". Aquarius says.

"I second that". A horse dude says.

The rest of the spirits nod in union.

"I can't...." Virgo mumbles. "I can't do that. Not yet. Unlike you guys I was able to get to Lucy in the human world but I was to late. They put a spell on me. I can't disobey the priest. For now I'm following his orders. You guys can't disobey Lucy's orders either. Yes you may be helping her but right now interfering will bring more harm than good. We need to be patient". Virgo lowers her head.

The others look at her.

"I feel useless. That fact that they can control us spirits even though we are contracted to another, is horrible. That's why I'm choosing to stay by her side. Even if right now it's too dangerous to help her. At least I'll be by her side".

"But staying in the human world too long will hurt you!" Leo shouts.

"WHAT OTHER CHOICE DO WE HAVE?!" Virgo shouts back. "I won't let them have their way with her. I shall protect her even if it hurts me... I need to be there since he can't be".

All of them look at her then picture the loud trouble making pink haired dragon slayer that has protected their master through so much.

"Okay... fine. We'll give it time. But eventually we need to come up with a plan to save her. If we wait too long Lucy may never be who she was again". Leo says before disappearing.

The rest of the spirts disappear back to the celestial world.
Virgo stays in the garden. She looks up to the starry sky.

*don't worry. I'll protect her. Until you guys meet again, until the time is right, I'll protect her for you, Natsu*

-few days later-

Lucy pov

Man it's been a busy 5 days. And now we have two days until I set off with the second order of knights to see the evil that's destroying our country.

They think I can destroy it and bring back the forest to life but I'm not so sure.

It's already been almost a month since my accident. Less than a month since I woke up though. I'm pretty much back to normal but my magic is lacking and messed up.

I was in my room packing for the week long expedition I was about to go on.

"Your highness, may I enter?" Kyro asks from behind the door.

"Yes! Come in".

"You packing for the expedition? Is there anything you need?" He asks.

"Nope! I think I'm good. The other maids are working on getting everything ready for me".

"Got it. But, there is something you have yet to practice princess".

"And what's that?"

"Riding a horse".

"A horse?"

"Yes, although you will mostly be in a carriage some parts of the terrain are not suitable for carriages. Our other mages need to conserve their magic so horses are our best bet"

"Oh. I see. Then is there a trainer that is-"

"No your highness. I'll be the one to teach you how to properly ride a horse".

"Oh, I see okay".

"We will begin in 15 minutes so get ready". Kyro says bowing then heading out.

"Wait!- annnnd he's gone. Welp. Let's get ready then".

-stables-

I made my way to the stables where Sir Kyro was waiting with a horse.

"This is Nala, she's a beautiful brown and white pinto. She's calm and friendly and patient. I'm sure your highness will take a liking to her". Kyro says patting the horse.

"She's beautiful. Nala huh? Nala.... That's a beautiful name". I smile. Nala, for some odd reason her name makes me feel warm.

"Now, is your highness ready?" He says holding a weird looking brush in his hand.

"Yes but, why do you have that brush?"

"Oh this? Did your highness think that I was going to let you just get up on a horse and ride? Haha no. First you need to get to know the horse. That's your first step".

"Oh I see, okay".

After getting to know Nala, I learned how to saddle her up and only then did Sir Kyro let me get on.

And Let me say. It was a disaster.

Two days later, it was time for the expedition.

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