The two took in a deep breath as they entered the Alvarez castle hand-in-hand. Happy rested on Lucy's shoulder, nervous but keeping quiet.
In the entrance room, Lucy took the time to take in her surroundings. This castle was much different from the others she'd been in, there wasn't more than two guards that welcomed them upon arrival. The entrance room was silent, and Lucy could make out the sound of footsteps growing near.
"Hello, Natsu."
Natsu released her hand to approach the man that greeted him, and Lucy found herself shrinking back where she stood. The man had a dark aura around him, and his face was oddly blank. As she looked around, she realized that this was the same man in one of the murals that hung up in the center of the wall.
"This is Natsu's brother? This is… Zeref?"
As angel kin, being in the same room as the infamous Zeref Dragneel was terrifying, and Lucy didn't know if she should be glad that he didn't acknowledge her or not.
"It's good to see you, though I wish it could've been under different circumstances." Zeref's expression flashed a half smile for a second as he spoke, but Natsu caught it and returned the gesture.
"Yea, thanks for watching after Lucy… I'm really dreading this."
Zeref nodded as he led them further into the castle, stopping once they reached a seating room.
Lucy flinched when a guard attached a bracelet to her wrist, and she realized it was a magic-sealing device. It was a little annoying, but much more tolerable than a collar around her neck. The guard locked eyes with her, and Lucy couldn't shake the feeling that the green haired woman was familiar.
"How do you plan on getting rid of the invading angels?" Zeref said in a voice that Lucy found was uncomfortably monotone.
"I'm gonna try and talk to 'em first. If they don't leave peacefully then we'll have to force them out, but I'll give them a day before attacking. I really don't feel like starting some war over something stupid.
Zeref simply nodded, mumbling about how Natsu's approach was uncharacteristically pacifist, but the room's attention was drawn elsewhere when a woman knocked on the ajar door.
"Hey, I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" The petite blonde smiled brightly at everyone in the room, walking in to join Zeref when he gestured for her to sit.
"Hey, Mavis! Long time no see!" Natsu grinned brightly at her, and Lucy's eyes widened when she registered who this was. This was not how she imagined queen Mavis would look, Natsu wasn't kidding when he said she and Zeref were opposites. When she glanced down at Mavis' swollen belly, Lucy couldn't help her flush. Mavis was so tiny, and her stomach was so big- she looked like she'd pop any second! Lucy found herself imagining her stomach being as big as Mavis' in a few months, and she idly ran a hand over her abdomen.
"So, I hear you're trying to take a peaceful approach?" Mavis asked her brother-in-law before looking over to Lucy, giving her a kind smile.
"Yeah, I really don't feel like dealing with all the drama…" Natsu quirked his brow at the way Mavis looked at Lucy, but said nothing as he nodded to Happy and stood.
"We should probably get going now. Please keep Lucy safe, she's got a bug and has been throwing up a lot lately. See you guys." They all exchanged farewells, and Lucy hugged Natsu and Happy, giving her king a soft kiss before he was on his way.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Lucy!" The blonde jolted when the queen approached her, and she quickly bowed. "It's an honour, your highness."
"No need for the formalities. Y'know, you're a lot prettier than I expected! I knew all we needed to do was to let Natsu pick his concubine himself!" Lucy flushed at the compliment, fidgeting in her spot before she caught sight of Zeref silently leaving the room, not addressing her at all.
Mavis looked back at Zeref's retreating form before flashing Lucy an apologetic smile. She asked the green haired guard to escort Lucy to her room before exiting in the same direction as her husband.
"Follow me." The guards said as she guided Lucy through the halls.
"Can I have your name?" Lucy asked in a soft voice, a little weary of crossing any lines. She never really spoken to the guards in Tartaros, and seeing as this was also Zeref's kingdom, she wasn't sure how similar things would be here in Alvarez.
"Brandish." The woman simply said. She couldn't shake the feeling that Brandish was familiar, but the blonde wasn't sure if this was just her personality or if this was how servants were usually spoken to. Speaking, of which, Lucy found it very odd that she'd hardly seen any servants at all as they made their way through the halls.
"Queen Mavis doesn't like having servants, she likes to take care of herself on her own. To compromise, king Spriggan limited the amount of staff here. There's only a few maids and the royal court." Brandish suddenly said, as if she'd been reading Lucy's mind.
Lucy assumed "Spriggan" was a more formal name for Zeref, just as Natsu is referred to as "END". She snickered to herself when she remembered her demon's first name is technically "Etherious" and that Zeref had been the one to give it to him. She wondered if she'd ever get to talk to the mysterious king, but a part of her wouldn't mind at all if he carried on ignoring her.
"This is where you'll be staying." Lucy took in the large room as Brandish opened the door for her, the blonde having to hold in a gasp. The room was even larger than the one in Tartaros, and there was even a grand piano in the corner.
"But… I'm only a servant… why such a large chamber?" She wasn't complaining, but it was definitely odd.
"...You're a concubine, no? Your room is the same room Sir END would stay." The guard gave her a confused look. "You… didn't know that?"
"Oh, right, of course! I'm sorry… I'm still a bit new to being a concubine…"
Brandish nodded, "I see. You must be pretty special. We were given strict orders to make sure nothing happened to you." Before Lucy could respond, Brandish had already left the room, closing the door behind her.
Lucy sighed as she walked over to the piano, playing a short tune to ease her nerves. Natsu would always ask Lucy to play for him whenever he was stressed, and it was something she was glad she could share him with. The short tune turned into the first song she'd taught him, and she immediately began missing Natsu and Happy.
She decided to stop playing, it was only making things worse. All she could do is hope that her boys would be back soon, and that she'd get alone time to talk to Natsu about her possibly being pregnant.
Lucy decided to read something, skimming through the bookshelf in the corner of the room. There was a book that she'd read when she was little, and Lucy smiled brightly as she picked it up.
It reminded her of her mother, this book being one of the first novels she learned to read. It was written in an ancient dialect of the gods, and a part of her was curious as to why they'd have a book like this here.
"Lucy? How're you feeling?" The blonde shrieked at the unexpected comment, quickly apologizing and bowing her head when she realized it was Mavis entering her room.
"I told you not to worry about formalities here, dear. I just wanted to see how you were doing, Natsu said you've been sick lately?"
"Oh… yes, just nausea… it could just be from all the recent stress, though…" Lucy tried her best not to be suspicious, she did not want anyone knowing about her pregnancy before she got a chance to speak to Natsu about it.
"I see… I couldn't help but overhear the piano…" Mavis was really trying to help the poor girl relax, she'd seemed tense since she got here.
"Yes, I learned to play when I was young…" Lucy tried not to get too comfortable. Mavis told her not to worry about formalities, but she truly wasn't sure just how far she was allowed to go.
"...And you can read? That's very interesting- most servants are uneducated…"
As she caught Mavis' gaze on the book she was holding, Lucy inwardly panicked. It was very odd for servants to read, let alone a book written in a language of the gods. What if Mavis was suspicious?
"Ah, yes… my mother taught me how… also when I was young…"
"That's awesome! Y'know, before I was a queen, I was a servant myself! I'd sneak away and read, write, research, all of the good stuff! I wanted to become educated enough to be more than a servant my whole life, and look at me now! Though I admit I had some help along the way, I think it's very admirable that you can read! Does Natsu know?"
Slowly, Lucy found herself easing up with Mavis. She had no idea the queen used to be a servant! That would explain her dislike of having any in her castle.
"Yes, he likes for me to read to him sometimes, it soothes him. Same for my music, he likes for me to play for him whenever he's stressed."
The queen gave Lucy a knowing smile before grasping her wrist, slowly leading her out of the room and down the hall.
"I was wondering if you'd like to join us for dinner?"
"Yes, of course…" It wasn't like she could just say no to dinner with the queen, but Lucy found herself dreading being at a table with Zeref.
When they entered the dining hall, everyone- Zeref and those of the royal court- were already seated, and they all had their full plates in front of them. Mavis sat next to her husband, and Lucy found it strange that they didn't eat at the head of the table. She sat at the very end, slightly separated from everyone, and a maid placed a small plate of food in front of her.
Everyone begins eating, but Lucy waited for permission to eat, just as a servant is supposed to. She sat for a little while, and she overheard Zeref ask Mavis if she was feeling okay.
"I'm fine, the baby's just really active right now." The petite blonde smiled, guiding one of her husband's hands to rub along her stomach. Lucy couldn't help but think the moment was incredibly sweet, and the soft expression on Zeref's face was very… adorable. When he wasn't sporting an emotionless expression, she could kind of see the resemblance between him and Natsu.
When thinking of Natsu, Lucy couldn't help but long for a moment like that with him. She glanced down at her belly, smoothing a hand over it. Although it wouldn't be the best time, she couldn't help but be excited to be pregnant. Hopefully, Natsu could be as optimistic, but she'd find out soon enough.
"Lucy?"
She jolted out of her thoughts at the sound of her name, her heart dropping when she realized it was the king who had called out to her.
"Y-yes?" She struggled to keep from shaking, Zeref's dark eyes boring into her own.
"Are you not hungry?" He glanced at her untouched plate and then back up at her, his expression back to being emotionless.
"I was… just waiting for permission to eat…" Zeref and Mavis shared a look upon hearing Lucy's words, their faces laced with confusion. Lucy didn't understand what she'd said that seemed odd to them, no one else at the table seemed to think anything of it.
"You may eat." It was then that Lucy realized she actually wasn't hungry, but it'd be awkward if she didn't eat, so she began nibbling at the rice on her plate.
"How has Natsu been?"
She glanced back up, swallowing her mouthful of food, and tried to not look visibly afraid at Zeref's question.
"Why is he talking to me so casually all of a sudden? And why am I so scared of him right now?"
"Uh… Natsu has been fine…" Lucy knew better than to take another bite of food in case he asked something else.
Just as she expected, Zeref started again. "Are you pregnant?"
She was glad she hadn't taken a bite of anything, because she surely would've choked upon hearing him ask her that. Everyone at the table seemed to be interested in her answer, and this was the most embarrassed she'd ever been when asked such question.
"I don't know…" It was true, she really didn't know. She crosses her fingers under the table, praying he accepted that answer.
"Oh come on, honey. You can't just ask a girl something like that on the spot!" Mavis lightly scolded before giving Lucy an apologetic smile.
"The whole point of Natsu having a concubine was so that he could have an heir."
"Well, you know how Natsu is. He may just like having Lucy around. I think they've really become friends, is that right?"
Lucy looked back and forth between the couple, settling to look at Mavis' kind smile rather than Zeref's almost-scowl. "Yes, Natsu and I are very close…"
Mavis nodded at her as she continued to eat, Zeref doing the same. Lucy sighed, she really shouldn't be so nervous around them. If things worked out, she wanted to be with Natsu forever, and she could even be having a baby with him soon. The last thing she needed was to be freezing up whenever she was with her in-laws.
"Say, if you were to get pregnant, would you want a boy or a girl first?"
Suddenly, the table went quiet, everyone raising a brow at Mavis' question. Lucy would've, too, if it weren't for her already noticing how friendly Mavis was at least trying to be.
"It doesn't matter to me. As long as it's healthy." She had to stop herself from looking down and rubbing at her belly.
"I agree! Zeref and I wanted to be surprised, so we still haven't found out the gender yet. I think it's a boy, though. I just get the feeling that I'll have a son."
Lucy smiled at that. Despite Zeref being unreasonably intimidating, she knew they'd make an adorable family. She hoped that her baby would get to be close with their cousin, too.
"Do you even want to be a concubine?" The table was filled with quiet gasps, and Lucy gaped at Mavis. Even she knew that was something you don't ask a servant.
She stayed silent for a moment, trying to see if this was a trick or not. Mavis' smile seemed sincere, but there was a look in Zeref's eyes that led Lucy to play it safe.
"I'm happy with my position. It's an honour to be wanted by my king." Lucy tried to look indifferent, but she couldn't help but raise a brow at Mavis' suspiciously large smile.
"I see...well, I think it could be pretty taxing. Being a servant in general is less than ideal. I'm not sure how he is with you, but Natsu can be a little… brash. I just hope you're not mistreated when you're with him." Mavis stared at Lucy for a moment, noting how she chose to stay quiet.
"Anywho, I think you and Natsu would make beautiful babies someday!" Lucy nodded, thanking her for the compliment but keeping her voice meek as she was growing nervous with all the stares she was getting now.
"What do you think you'd name your first? Zeref and I came up with a few names, but we wanted to keep them a surprise." Lucy was afraid that if she kept quiet, Mavis would think she was being rude, so she simply gave safe responses. "Whatever name my king comes up with is fine."
Mavis seemed to dislike the way Lucy spoke, but the angel was honestly just trying not to be punished. Zeref's eyes seemed to be getting impossibly darker, and she found herself breaking out into a sweat. The people at the table seemed flabbergasted that the queen was making such conversation with a servant, but Lucy couldn't tell if this was a good thing or not.
"You are dismissed, concubine." Zeref finally spoke up, and the calm tone of his voice scared Lucy more than it should've. She immediately stood and left the dining hall, not wanting to piss him off any further.
"Yep. That was definitely a test. Was Zeref reading my mind? He was totally reading my mind. They're gonna find out about my secret… well, if they haven't already known."
She sat in the middle of her bed and hid her head in her knees. She hadn't even realized her heart had been beating so rapidly, it was abnormal how anxious she was right now. Her biggest fear was that she'd be punished for talking so casually with the queen, and if their punishment was anything like the ones in Tartaros, she was screwed. If they made her bleed, they'll find out about her race, and there's no telling what would happen to her if things turned out that way.
"Hey, Lucy, I'm so sorry for that back there. My husband has a superiority complex, you'll have to excuse him." Lucy tried to sit up tall when Mavis entered the room and sat next to her on the bed.
"Oh my… why're you crying, dear? I'm sorry if he upset you, I really want you to be comfortable here."
Lucy wiped at her eyes, she hadn't even realized she started crying. Her emotions have been all over the place lately, and it was starting to get frustrating.
"It's okay… I just miss Natsu and Happy." She half-lied. There was no way she was going to confess her symptoms. As a pregnant woman, Mavis would probably catch on.
The queen gave her a sad smile as she rubbed a soothing hand down her back, thinking for a moment.
"...How would you like to stay at the fairy kingdom instead of here?"
Lucy blinked at her, half of her not understanding why she'd suggest that and the other half thinking this was just a joke. Mavis giggled at her expression, knowing it was an oddly sudden question.
"I was supposed to be at the fairy kingdom, but Zeref and I came to Alvarez to meet you and Natsu since he wanted to take you here. We could go there instead, though. It's about a 6 hour flight, but I know a shortcut." Mavis gave Lucy a wink, and she stared owlishly at the queen.
"I'd… I'd love to go, if you're seriously asking…"
Mavis smiled as she struggled to shimmy off the bed, Lucy helping her to her feet when she realized the queen was struggling.
"Yep! We can leave tomorrow. I'll pack you some clothes, so just get some rest, okay? I was planning on giving birth in my home kingdom anyway, so this'll make things easier for me. Nighty night!" Lucy watched the petite queen waddle out of the room, smiling brightly as she shut the door behind her.
Mavis and Zeref were definitely an odd couple. One was suspiciously sweet and the other was suspiciously... empty. Lucy kind of wished Natsu would've told her more about them, she may have been able to ease up more.
She laid down on the bed, deciding to take Mavis up on her offer. It was a little exciting, Natsu had been hyping up the fairy kingdom since they met. Hopefully it lived up to her expectations.