Just like that, a year passed...
To the suprise of Igneel and disgruntlement of Grace, even after so long she had not completely recovered. And because of that Igneel wouldn't let her leave since he promised to take care of her until she was completely fine.
But something even more surprising happened during the time period, the two fell in love. Igneel fell first but didn't notice it, Grace eventually noticed it and also started falling. But being a lady she's didn't want to be the first to confess.
At first, some of the elders weren't too pleased when they discovered the feelings the two shared. But after interacting with Grace for so long, it was impossible for them to not like her in the end.
.....
"Mistress, I think you should confess first, he seems like the dense type so I doubt he will do it". Mary who was accompanying Grace as they bathed in a lake somewhere in the forest suddenly said.
"Sigh, how many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me mistress, we're not together ye...I mean, me and him are not like that. And if he doesn't say anything, hmph let him be like that". Grace replied as she rebuked Mary for calling her mistress but the pleased glint in her eyes didn't escape Mary's notice.
"Are you sure, what of some other woman shows up and steals him away, like maybe Caroline likes him that way, they have been together the longest after all." Mary wasn't giving up as she wanted her friend to be happy.
"What, really?. Do you think she could... You know what, I'm getting out, I have something to do, see you later!." Grace was visibly shacken by the possibility. So she got out of the lake, wore her robe and disappeared. She had used her space element.
"Hehehe, She's so easy, if I had known it before, I would have said it sooner. And everybody knows Caroline only cares about getting stronger, I doubt she can even comprehend romantic feelings. People in love are really blind aren't they.... Well whatever, I should get out too, I'm sure that little girl Iliana is looking for me by now...why do I have to the babysitter". With that little monologue, Mary also got out, wore her clothes and disappeared.
....
In front of Igneel's cabin...
He and Caroline were facing each other standing two meters apart.
"Yes sir, also I have something to tell you. I think I...."
"Nooo...He's mine!!"
Caroline who was speaking to Igneel was suddenly interrupted by a scream.
Before either her or Igneel could make sense of what was going on, Grace lunges at him, burying herself in his arms. He subconsciously hugs her without knowing why.
"What are you doing Gra..."
When he was asking her what she was doing, she's interrupted by a pair of soft lips making contact with his. His mind blanks out for a bit, and even Caroline's eyes widen not expecting the usually meek Grace could be so daring.
"Mmm mmm, as I was saying, I sensed the higher realm and should be able to breakthrough in the next two decades, now it you'll excuse me". Caroline quickly said her part a flew away.
"Oh...OH!". Grace realised that she had gotten the situation wrong and Caroline wasn't about to confess. With that embarrassment she disappeared from Igneel's arms, appeared in the cabin and closed the door.
"Ahhhh so embarrassing, how am I going to face him now?!"
Igneel who was still frozen, his heart racing, was finally roused by Grace's embarrassed shouting. And suddenly everything became clear to him, he touched his lips, remembering the feeling from a few moments back.
"I see, so that's what I've been feeling. To think I loved her all this time... I'm such a fool". Igneel spoke to himself as a smile broke out on his face. Looking at the cabin and remembering Grace's shout and how she had said he's her's, the smile got even bigger.
"She's so cute!!"
...
After that, Igneel had to coax her for the rest of the day before she agreed to open the door. Their relationship picked up from then and for the next few months they were inseparable.
.....
Five months later....
"I have fully recovered, I think I should return to the kingdom no..." Grace who was in the arms of Igneel spoke, before she was interrupted.
"You want to abandon me after stealing my heart?!". Igneel's grip on her tightened a bit, though not enough to hurt her but enough to keep her from getting away.
"No, never, you're my life now, I'll never leave you behind, I just want to go visit them and make sure everything is alright. And the nun at the church who took care of me must be worried sick not knowing my whereabouts". Grace hurriedly explained seeing how she had almost hurt his feelings. At the same time she couldn't help but wonder how the scary senior from before turned into a cry baby who always wanted to have her in his sights. Though at the same time she felt happy because of how much he loved her and wasn't afraid to show it.
"Oh, that's good then....I'm going with you though". Igneel let out a sigh of relief but still his grip didn't loosen.
"Are you sure, you don't like humans that much after your study after all". Grace worriedly looked into his eyes.
"That doesn't matter, for you I'll do anything after all". Igneel looked back at her with a serious expression.
"Oh". Seeing and feeling how he meant every word, she didn't know what to say, just said one word, smiled, kissed him and sank back into his embrace.
"So when do we leave?". He softly asked her.
"Hmmm, in a week maybe, I want to enjoy this peace a bit longer". She replied with a blissful expression as she hugged him tighter.
"Well, we'll continue it after the visit but okay, anything you want..oh". Igneel replied, then noticed that she had drifted off to sleep.
"Sleep well, my love, I hope we forever stay together"
....
{Argh, they are so lovely dovey, if I knew they were going to feed us sour grapes everyday then maybe I would have thought twice before setting them up. But I have to admit, I do envy their love, I wonder when I'm gonna find mine, the bastard is taking too long} Mary who was observing them from a distance thought, while conveniently cursing her none existent lover.
Who ever the unlu...cough, lucky fellow will be. He will certainly have quite an interesting time with her.