Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Fairy Tail. All original characters and concepts belong to me. Cover art is property of Kwesi Abbensetts.

Gajeel had learned a long time ago that if his father wanted to give him bad news, he always tried to lead with something good.

When Laxus had come back from his several year long journey and moved back into the castle, Metalicana had gifted Gajeel with a new sword (which had quickly been taken away when said sword had been hurled at Laxus's head and had embedded itself in a six-hundred-year-old tapestry).

When his hunting dog, Bane, was killed by a boar, Gajeel had received new leather armor.

When his mother was declared missing when Gajeel was thirteen, they spent a day together flying through the canyons in the western region of their kingdom.

So when Metalicana walked in with that warm smile of his, holding a package in his hands, the prince just sighed.

"What bribe do you bring me this time?" Gajeel asked, watching as his father came into the room and set the package on the table. Gajeel had been studying different maps, trying to track the Pergrande army's movements and work out their next stage of attack, but he had a feeling that his strategy session would have to be put on hold.

"You make it sound like I only bring you nice things when I have bad news," the king said with a small smirk, looking over Gajeel's shoulder and moving one of the pieces on the map ever so slightly.

"When's the last time you gave me a gift without a catch?" Metalicana opened his mouth, but Gajeel leveled a look at him. "Holidays and birthdays don't count," he added.

"I can take it back you know."

"Oi, I didn't say I didn't want the bribe."

Metalicana chuckled, pushing the box towards his son. "Open it up," he urged, and Gajeel couldn't help but grin, cutting the string that bound the paper box closed with a quick swipe of the knife he pulled from his belt. He couldn't entirely ignore the growing feeling of dread, but he sure as hell could try.

He reached into the box carefully, and he didn't even need to pull out the contents before he knew what it was. The dread was back full force now, because there was only one reason why his father would be giving him a new crown.

"No."

"Now, Gajeel-"

"Father," Gajeel groaned, falling back into his chair. "Send one of the others. I can't be distracted by political stuff right now. Pergrande is getting closer everyday-"

"Gajeel," Metalicana said with a weary sigh, sitting across from his son. "It has to be you," he said, and Gajeel looked at him warily.

"This… isn't the normal political trip, is it?" he asked, and the older man wouldn't meet his eyes. Gajeel sat upright, eyebrows furrowed. They were in the middle of a war, and with Gajeel helping direct their resources and troops amongst their vast kingdom, his father wouldn't send him away for something trivial. And if he couldn't send one of the other Heirs, that meant it had to be something only a Blood Prince could do. Plus the crown…

The prince's eyes widened.

"No."

"Gajeel, hear me out," Metalicana placated, holding his hands out towards his son, but Gajeel was already out of his chair, pacing the floor.

"No, you can't possibly-"

"It's not set in stone-"

"Are you fuckin' serious-"

"You just need to meet her-"

"A MARRIAGE!?" Gajeel yelled, spinning on his heel to face his father. "Right now, of all times!?"

"Gajeel, you know we can't counter Pergrande's army by ourselves for much longer; not with some of the strongest mages in the world at their front lines," the king said calmly, but there was a slump to his shoulders. The war was taking its toll on everyone, and the warmth that once filled the halls of the castle was replaced by a chill that sunk into your bones and refused to leave. King Metalicana seemed to carry most of the burden on his own, and Gajeel had watched over the years as the once proud man had begun to sink into his throne. "Their numbers may be smaller, but they have stronger magic than we do. The Fae of Tenroujima-"

"You want me to marry a faery!?"

"I'm asking you to meet her," Metalicana said firmly, pinning Gajeel to the floor with a look. "As I said, nothing's set in stone, and the last thing Titania Ardelle and I want to do is force you two into this. But the way tensions are in Tenroujima right now, a treaty may not be enough to get the people's support. A marriage would not only solidify our ties, but it would help support Ardelle's daughter when she takes the throne."

Gajeel took a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair to try and stop their shaking. Objectively, Gajeel knew his father's logic was sound. But he wanted nothing more than to rage and fight and scream. An arranged marriage!? He wasn't even sure if he wanted to be married, whether he could choose his partner or not. But he also knew that his father wouldn't be asking this of him unless his hand had been forced.

"What can Tenroujima bring to this war that we can't?" he asked, trying to stay calm. He was a tactician through and through, and he wouldn't agree to anything without looking at the situation from every angle.

"They have an organized militia that they would send to us for help," Metalicana said, and Gajeel could taste magic on the back of his tongue as the king waved his hand over the map spread out on the table, three new pieces joining the ones already on the boards. Between the snarling visage of a dragon frozen in mid-roar and a man with several staffs shoved into the base of the piece, stood three identical young women with their wings wide spread, their tails trailing behind them.

"Their magic is stronger than any mage's," Metalicana continued, picking one of the pieces up and inspecting it. "Not to mention their warriors are trained practically from birth, and are skilled in both weapons and hand-to-hand combat. Igneel says that even the princess was already on her way to being an accomplished swordswoman the last time he saw her."

"Igneel hasn't been to that island in nearly five years," Gajeel said, grudgingly going back to his seat, sitting back down across from his father. He rubbed at his jaw, scratching the stubble growing there.

"I've been in conference with the Titania herself; she offered us all a place to stay so we could meet with her warriors-"

"While I meet the princess." Gajeel hung his head in his hands. After a few silent moments, a large hand rested on Gajeel's back, gently scratching between his shoulder blades.

"Son," Metalicana started softly, "I know I'm asking a lot of you." Gajeel snorted. That was an understatement. "But I wouldn't be asking if this wasn't the best chance we had. This war had been going on for nearly twenty years; the people can't take it anymore. We're losing more territory every day, and even more of our soldiers." Metalicana knelt in front of Gajeel, meeting his eyes evenly. "I'm asking you, both as my son and as the Blood Prince of Fiore, to at least try. If you and the princess absolutely can't stand each other, then we'll make due with a treaty, but this is our best chance." He moved his hands to his son's shoulders, squeezing them gently. "Please."

Gajeel was silent for a few moments before putting one of his hands over his father's. "It can't be one of the others?" he asked again, but there was no questioning the tone of defeat in his voice. "Igneel's the ambassador, why not have Natsu marry her?"

"The Fae won't view it as a proper union since he's not related to me by blood," Metalicana said with a shake of his head. "It has to be you." Gajeel sighed, pushing his hair back out of his face.

"... I'll meet her," he said, looking up at his father. "I don't promise anything, but I will agree to meet her." Metalicana sighed, squeezing Gajeel's shoulders again. It looked like a small weight had lifted from his shoulders, and when he stood back up Gajeel believed that the king was standing just a little taller

"Thank you. I'll go find someone to bring your lunch," he said, patting Gajeel on the back. "You've been in here for hours, you know!"

"You don't need to trouble yourself," Gajeel said, unable to keep a grin off his face at the sight of his father's own smile. "I'll just go get something when I'm done with this."

"By the time you're done with that, it'll be midnight," Metalicana said with a smirk. "I'll find someone." With that, Metalicana walked back out into the hall, and Gajeel was left with his maps, a crown, and his own thoughts.

Looking at the map for a few long moments, Gajeel sighed, reaching past the new models to the box his father had given him. He brought it to his lap, reaching inside and pulling out the crown that earlier he had been afraid to touch. All the Heirs had crowns, whether for special events, ceremonies, or just to show their rank; but where those crowns were typically simple, metal bands inlaid with intricate carvings, this one was closer to the king's. It was made of high-quality iron, and it warmed pleasantly against Gajeel's hands. He stared at it for a few long moments before setting it down on the table, pressing his face into his hands.

An arranged marriage. He never thought it would come to this, not ever. People like him, those with the blood and magic of dragons still running through their veins- they mated for life. If this marriage ended up working out, not only would he be giving up his chance at being with his mate - if he ever found them -, but he'd be losing his chance at his father's crown. The thing he'd be reaching for his whole life, what he'd spent years preparing for.

The next king - "or queen" Wendy's voice rang in the back of his head - would be chosen from the Heirs, seven in total this generation; but if Gajeel was married to the future Titania, his claim to the throne was null and void. The crown his father had given him felt like a mockery now, a reminder of what he may never have a chance to get.

Gajeel stood up sharply, the legs of his chair screeching against the stone floor, and he was about to scoop up the crown and throw it across the room with a roar when the large wooden doors swung open. He froze, expecting to see his father coming back to scold him, but instead was met by the bright smile of the youngest Heir.

"I brought lunch!" Wendy sang, trotting happily into the room with a tray clutched in her hands and her lynx kitten tagging behind her. Wendy gently maneuvered the tray around his maps, setting it down on one edge of the table before grabbing his hand and dragging him over. "Chef made your favorite!" she said, still smiling brightly. "Meat stew with some really delicious nut bread that Charle made this morning!" She gently shoved him into the seat, putting the spoon in his hand before propping her chin up on her fists, watching him with a smile.

Gajeel blinked owlishly at his cousin, barely registering as her lynx Aerwyn rubbed against his leg. Wendy just kept smiling, pointedly looking at the food she brought in until Gajeel mumbled a "Thank you" and started eating. He hadn't known how hungry he was until he started eating, and it didn't take long for most of the stew to disappear. He had almost forgotten Wendy was there when she nudged his shoulder gently, gesturing towards the table.

"Did Natsu make you some more figures?" she asked, picking one of the faeries up and perching herself on the arm of his chair. "Wait, no, Uncle?" she amended when she felt the smooth metal surface, unlike the clay pieces Natsu had carefully sculpted and painted for Gajeel's 24th birthday gift. Gajeel nodded, and she hummed, looking it over and carefully running the tip of her finger across the edge of the faery's wings. "And the crown?" she asked, not looking up, and her cousin groaned.

"Father tell you?" he asked flatly, covering his face with one hand.

"Erik, actually," Wendy admitted, and Gajeel looked at her through his fingers with a quirked eyebrow.

"He's back?" he asked, sitting upright. Cobra had been out trying to work out an important treaty with the demons of Galuna Island last time Gajeel had heard from him, so why had Metalicana called him back?

"He got here this morning," Wendy said, setting the figure down to pick up the crown. "Apparently Galuna Island has agreed to the treaty, so he got Uncle's message to head back when he was already halfway home." She looked the crown over with the same critical eye she had with the figure, only this time instead of setting it back down on the table when she was done, she carefully set it on his head. Regarding her work with a tilt of her head, Wendy grinned. "It fits well," she said happily, but Gajeel ignored her comment.

"Why is he calling Cobra back?" he asked, and Wendy pouted at him.

"Are you not going to say anything about the crown?"

"Wen."

"Fine, fine," she huffed. "He's calling everyone back. Natsu, Erik, even Sting and Rogue. The only one not coming back is Laxus, and that's because no one knows how to contact him. Uncle didn't say why, but it's probably because he knows that if you left to go meet this princess without them, they'd revolt in a childish and violent manner."

Gajeel groaned, sliding further down in his chair. "Just what I need," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Having to watch over them while trying to make a good impression at the same time." Wendy turned so that she was facing him, snatching a roll from his tray.

"... So he's really making you do this?" she asked in a small voice, and Gajeel's eyes snapped towards her; watching as she fiddled with the roll and refused to meet his eye. The prince sighed and tugged on a long strand of her hair until she looked at him, bumping his forehead against hers.

"Hey, nothing's happening yet," he rumbled, grinning at her weakly. "I just have to meet her, and if I make a good impression, then the real talk about marriage begins. But for now it's just an idea. It will all be fine, I promise." She wasn't fooled by his subpar speech, but she gave him a small smile for his efforts. "There you are," he said with a smile. "Now, give me back my bread," Gajeel deadpanned, holding out his hand and raising an eyebrow.

"You weren't eating it!" Wendy huffed, a playful grin stretched across her lips.

"Well, I want to eat it now! Hand it over, you little thief!" He made a grab for the roll, frowning when she held it out of his grasp, grinning cheekily at him. A playful growl started low in his throat and he went for it again, Wendy laughing as she tried to keep her balance and keep the roll away from him. She started slipping back, but Gajeel's arm was already around her, hauling her over his shoulder as he stood up. Aerwyn mraowed loudly at him as he carried a laughing Wendy around the room, bracing her legs against his chest as she hung upside down over his shoulder.

"Hmm, what should I do with the little thief, eh beastie?" Gajeel asked the lynx, grinning as Wendy tried to beat her fists against his back, her demands to be let down buried under her shrieking laughter. "I think we've an open cell in the dungeons…"

"Let me down!" Wendy said, still giggling. "You didn't even let me ask you the question I wanted to!"

"You didn't let me finish my lunch. Fair is fair," he said, shrugging and making his cousin bounce on his shoulder. It took her a few moments to prop herself upright, during which time she pulled his hair more times than he thought was necessary, but soon she was up, her silver circlet sitting crooked on her head. She had dropped the roll at some point, and Gajeel was fairly certain he had accidentally stepped on it. Oh well, he didn't care about the wasted food so much as getting a smile back on his cousin's face.

"Will you forgive me for taking your roll if I take you flying?" Wendy asked, smiling brightly. Gajeel pursed his lips, carefully setting the younger woman back down and fixing her circlet.

"I don't know, Wen," he said. "I've got to work on the-"

"You've been working all day, and you just got some upsetting news," Wendy interrupted, tugging on his arm. "Come on, please? Just a little flight?" She pouted up at him, lower lip trembling and Gajeel sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. The day Wendy learned she could talk him into just about anything with that look was the end of peace.

"... Fine, one flight!" he said, unable to keep a grin off his face when Wendy beamed up at him. "Just a short one though."

"Yay!" Wendy cheered happily, tugging him down so she could press a kiss to his cheek. He made an exaggerated expression of disgust that she smacked his stomach for, and after grabbing the last roll to snack on, he followed her out into the halls. The sconces that lined the hall had been lit while he was in his study, and Gajeel noted how the flames reflected light off the curved, stone walls. He could still remember when Natsu was just a kid and would set himself and Wendy up in one of the darker halls, making the flames dance and jump and tell complex stories with the shaky shadows. His control had gotten better over the years, but he still only told the same story that he had since he was eleven.

He was a brilliant fighter and craftsman, but his storytelling left a lot to be desired.

The castle was built into a large mountain, carved out eons ago by the first Draygn King. Gajeel knew the story behind almost every scratch and chip in the stone walls, and sometimes, if he was very quiet, he could hear the whispering voices of the Draygns that came before him. In recent years, however, the once comforting halls had become almost choked with the ghosts of the past. Gajeel could still smell his mother's perfume everywhere.

As the two Heirs made their way towards the main gates, various servants and attendants stopped and bowed to them, small smiles on their faces. Wendy smiled brightly at all of them, stopping to make conversation with a few, but Gajeel just nodded his head in greeting.

"Wen, if you keep stopping to talk, we're never going to get out of the castle before the sun sets," Gajeel said after the fifth stop, smiling wryly at his cousin.

"Okay, okay," Wendy relented, trotting back to his side. "I'm just being polite."

"I think they'll understand if you just return their 'hello's instead of asking for their life stories."

"Maybe if it were you."

"Oi-"

"Charle, we're going flying!" Wendy yelled over her cousin's protests, waving at her handmaiden as they passed the kitchens. Jerking her head up with a sharp movement, Charle regarded the two critically. Gajeel had to resist the urge to laugh at the sight the young woman made in her flour-covered clothes and with her arms elbow deep in dough. Her kinky white hair was pulled back into a messy bun on the very top of her head, a few stray curls standing out brightly against her dark skin.

"Don't forget to wear your coat, Princess!" she called, giving Wendy a stern look. Charle was only 5 years older than Wendy, but she acted like a mother to all the Heirs. Gajeel had been cowed by her multiple times before, and he was always a little more grateful for the fact that he had outgrown the need for a nanny after their encounters.

"I will!" Wendy reassured, blowing a kiss at her handmaiden before continuing on. It only took them a few more minutes to reach the large front gates, and after pulling on their fur-lined coats - and hand-knit mittens in Wendy's case - they pressed on into the cool, fall afternoon. The temperatures were dropping quickly, and Gajeel distantly wondered what the weather would be like on Tenroujima. He knew from his lessons that the island was known for its constant warm temperatures, so it would probably never get colder than Fiore was now, even in the thick of winter.

It was ridiculous that Gajeel could feel homesick before he even left, but the thought of never enjoying the sharp cold and bright snowfall of a Fioran winter made his heart constrict.

"Gajeel, we're almost to the cliffs." The Blood Prince snapped out of his thoughts, looking down at his cousin and smiling. It felt stiff and wooden on his face, but Wendy didn't seem to notice, and that was what was most important.

"Race ya'," he challenged, and the two Heirs raced for the cliff with loud whoops. Gajeel's legs were longer, but Wendy was a fast little thing, so they both jumped off the cliff at the same time. The wind tugged on his coat and hair roughly as he dropped towards the ocean in a freefall, and Gajeel let the sharp air fill his lungs before roaring happily. He loved this part, feeling gravity tugging on him and bringing him towards the freezing water at terrifying speeds.

He let the magic gathering at the base of his spine loose, and a familiar feeling of all his limbs falling asleep and waking back up with a moderately uncomfortable stretch rolled over him like water. A few moments later his wings caught the wind, and the now-dragon twisted up, leaving gravity and his responsibilities behind as he and Wendy climbed above the clouds.

The ship first arrived on the horizon just after lunch, slowly making its way closer to the island. Uncle Makarov predicted that the ship would reach the shore by midday, and Levy was curled up in her window seat, watching it get closer and closer. The sails were a dark, rust red, the Fioran flag waving proudly from the tallest mast, and Levy wondered how close the ship would have to be before she could manipulate a gust of wind strong enough to rip the damn thing off.

"Levy, please," Lucy asked, hands on her hips as she stared at the princess's back. "Your mother is going to be up here soon, and I'm going to have to be the one to explain why you aren't ready."

"She already knows," Levy said flatly, not looking away from the boat that was now so close she could see the crew scrambling about the deck. Occasionally there was a glimmer that caught her eye, and she'd watch one of the crowned Fiorans run around the deck, wondering if they were the Blood Prince or just one of the other Heirs. So far she'd counted four out of seven, and one of the ones Levy had found had been female, so she was out. The other three had been trying to shove each other over the prow for the past ten minutes, and Levy's already low expectations sunk even further.

She took a deep breath, reminding herself for the thousandth time that if she was rude to King Metalicana or the Heirs, she could potentially cut all ties between their countries, and then they'd all be in trouble.

'I must not offend the visiting royalty. I must not offend the visiting royalty.'

Lucy sighed, her wings ruffling against her back before she joined Levy at the window. "So, have you spotted him yet?" she asked, looking down at the boat curiously.

"I'm not sure," the princess admitted, sighing. "I've only been able to pick out four of them, and one was a little girl, and the other three…"

The two fae heard a splash and loud cheering from the boat, and Levy sighed, rubbing her temple. Lucy winced sympathetically. "I'm sure it's not as bad as it seems," she offered, and Levy gave her an incredulous look.

"Lu, I am practically being offered on a silver platter to some man I've never met," Levy started, tugging nervously on her tail as she spoke. The blue hairs at the end started to frizz and tangle the more she carded her fingers through the strands. "I mean, my mother had to find a suitor from another country. What does that say about me?" What would happen if it didn't work?

"That Fae don't like princesses with frizzy tails?" Lucy joked weakly, sighing when Levy turned and frowned at her. "Levy, nothing's wrong with you," she said softly. She gently took Levy's tail in her hands, carefully smoothing out the ruffled fur and the longer hair at the tip.

"We both know that's a lie," Levy said quietly, watching as her handmaiden/best friend continued to pet her tail; the soft, repetitive motion helping to calm her nerves. Once Lucy was satisfied, she brought over Levy's jewelry box, opening it up and digging around for the cuff that went around her tail. She worked in silence for a while before looking up at Levy with an encouraging smile.

"Well if people can't see what an amazing person you are, it's their loss, Levy," she said, tugging playfully on Levy's tail and startling a laugh out of her friend. "I can't imagine how scary this must all be, but you've always been good at making the best out of a bad situation. Who knows? Maybe the Blood Prince will turn out to be the man of your dreams," she cooed, gracefully draping herself against Levy's shoulder and pressing the back of her hand daintily to her forehead. She fluttered her long eyelashes before winking and Levy's laughter bubbled out of her, the sound easy and light. She hadn't felt this at ease all week, and she was determined to enjoy it while she could.

"Love? Are you ready?"

Well, that hadn't lasted very long at all.

Lucy shot up as Titania Ardelle stepped into the room, the blonde faery kneeling and keeping her head low both out of respect and to hide the embarrassed blush across her cheeks. Levy didn't move, simply watching her mother as she started making her way towards the window.

"Levy, why aren't you ready?" Ardelle asked, the exasperation in her voice making it clear that she already knew what Levy's answer would be.

"I'm hoping that if I pretend this is not happening, it will actually be true!" Levy said with mock-enthusiasm, looking back out the window in time to watch the large ship arrive at the dock. A shudder went down her back as thick magic flooded her senses, the island alerting her towards the newcomers' arrival. If nothing else, Levy could take solace knowing that Tenroujima would never let any harm come to her.

She heard her mother gently dismiss Lucy before delicate fingers ran through Levy's long hair, gently working the tangles out of the blue curls. "Love-" Ardelle started, but Levy groaned.

"Matim, we have been over this already," Levy said, feeling tears pressing against the back of her throat. "I'll go through with it, it is my duty. It does not mean I have to like it. I just..." She hugged herself, tangling her fingers into the fabric of her blouse. "I don't want to talk about it anymore," Levy murmured.

Ardelle was silent for a few moments before gently nudging the princess over, sitting down before pulling Levy into her arms. She didn't fight it, just let herself get tucked into her mother's protective embrace as some of the first tears began to fall.

"I'm right here," Ardelle whispered, and Levy was too close to miss the way the Titania's voice caught on her own tears. "I'm right here for you, love. I know this is hard."

"This won't work," Levy whispered. "I don't know if I can do this."

Ardelle inhaled deeply, hugging Levy closer. "All you can do is try, love. But one failed marriage will not ruin Tenroujima," she promised, but the words felt empty. The unrest and distrust amongst the fae was the greatest it had been in ages, and the Titania and princess couldn't do anything to fix it, not when they were what the others were so torn about. Having the might of a great nation like Fiore at Levy's back when she took the throne would prove as both a reassurance to those who that sided with the royal family and a warning to those who wanted to see that the crown never sat on Levy's head.

After all, who wanted a half-fae with gimpy wings and an unknown parentage on the throne?

"Would you like me to braid your hair?" Ardelle asked, and Levy just nodded, not trusting her voice. Her mother shifted so that she was sitting behind Levy, pulling her long, blue curls back as the Titania started to work her way through the thick strands, leaving Levy's bangs to hang in front of her eyes. Levy couldn't help but giggle as several wispy strands of hair brushed against her wings, the small appendages fluttering at the stimulation.

Where most faery's wings brushed the floor when relaxed - more than large enough to support their own weight and be able to lift the fae into the air in graceful arcs - Levy's upper wings were barely longer than her forearm, the tiny lower wings unable to even curl around her hips. At this point in her life, Levy was just grateful that her deformities had stopped above her hips, and that her tail was still as long and soft as her mother's.

Ardelle hummed as she worked, making several smaller braids before starting to plait her daughter's hair into a complex lattice, working in strands of beads and colorful ribbons. Levy was observing the Fioran ship, watching as the small figure she recognized as her Uncle Makarov approached the group on the dock. It wasn't hard to recognize King Metalicana, with his large frame and the distinctive, yet simple, crown on his head. She leaned over to get a better look, but her mother gently steered her back upright.

"Stay still, love, or I'll mess up and have to start all over," she chastised gently, a smile curling across her dark lips.

"Yes, Matim," Levy said with a pout, trying to catch a glimpse of her potential betrothed. She could make out another large figure with the king's build and a similar crown, but she couldn't make out any distinct features from her window.

"Have you ever met the Blood Prince?" she asked her mother curiously, refocusing on the wall in front of her.

"Prince Gajeel?" Levy hummed an affirmative. "Once, when he was younger," Ardelle said, focusing on the repetitive motion of braiding. "Quiet little thing, barely up to my hip. Sweet though, very respectful."

"And how long ago was this?"

"He was about twelve-years-old, I believe."

"And he is how old now?"

"... Twenty-six."

Levy sighed, tugging nervously on her ear. "Let us hope his personality hasn't changed too much," she said softly. They sat in silence for several more moments as Ardelle finished the braid, tying it off with a silk band. She reached for her daughter's jewelry box, but Levy quickly laid her hand on the lid.

"May I go for a walk before I finish getting ready?" she asked, tucking her bangs behind her ear as she turned to face her mother. Ardelle frowned, opening her mouth to say something more, but Levy smiled wryly. "I'll stay away from the palace, I just want to go clear my head. I'll be ready before dinner."

"Love, their traditions are different than ours," Ardelle said. "They may want to meet you early-"

"They came to our island, they will play by our rules," Levy said with a shrug. "Please, Matim. I… I need this," she said quietly. Ardelle watched her for a few moments before sighing, brushing her thumb over her daughter's cheek, smiling softly.

"Do not take too long," she said, bumping her forehead against Levy's and making the younger faery giggle. "... Love?"

"Yes?"

"Do not go into this determined to hate him," the Titania said. "I know this is not ideal, and if I could have prevented this-"

"I know," Levy said, taking a deep breath. "It is fine. I'll do what I have to for my people."

Ardelle just pressed her lips together, tilting Levy's head down so she could press a kiss to her forehead. "I'll go greet them all and show them around," she said, smoothing some stray strands of hair down. "Be ready by dinner, or I will call you to the dining hall myself," she threatened, and Levy shuddered. "Call you myself" was her mother's way of saying "Drag you there with magic"; an experience that Levy wasn't keen to repeat.

"Yes, Matim," she said, nodding her head and giving her mother one last kiss on the cheek before heading out of the room, slipping on her long jacket as she went. Her wings were pressed flat against her back, and though she hated the feeling of her wings being constricted, it was better than the stares she got whenever she left the palace without her jacket. The princess didn't bother to close the door after her, knowing that her mother would be leaving soon to greet the visiting royalty, and Levy wrapped her arms around herself.

She just knew this wasn't going to work. No one wanted a broken faery.

*vibrates nervously* So this is a thing. Actually, this is a thing that I've been working on, plotting, and editing for months now, and also the main reason why Aladdin au hasn't updated in nearly a year.

Welcome to the Draygn au! I've been plotting this au for nearly a year now, and I'm so excited to finally have the first chapter up and on the web. I have a lot of plans for this au (Right now, it's a series of three fics!), so I hope you guys are ready for a long ride.

I'd like to thank a few people who have been vital to this fic's journey to being. Firstly, a huge thank you to Lionus, who has helped me plot, replot, cry, and headcanon about this fic since the very beginning. Without her help, this fic wouldn't have made it as far as it has, and I am so grateful for all of her help. Also a big shout out to feari teiru, who has also been a huge supporter and has often quieted my nerves about this fic. You're both the best! vermilioun actually read this chapter over for me before posting, and is just such a huge source of inspiration, thank you Emmie! And of course, laya550 for being just the best ever. You're super supportive and wonderful and I'm grateful that you take time out of your busy schedule to listen to me ramble lol.

Updates on this are going to be a little slow going for now, but I'm aiming for once a month. I've got a good chunk of the next chapter written, but I also have all my other fics I need to try and work on, so we'll see what happens. Thank you in advance for reading, and remember that reviewing helps me update faster *winkwonk*.