Illustrious Lights (Sting x OC)

~39~ The Celebratory Ball

— Recap —

"D-Did we do it? Did we finally manage to defeat them all?" Sorella used her arm to cover her face and slowly lowered it in awe as their enemies started to disappear one by one.
"I think it would be more accurate to say that we were fortunate enough to hold them off for as long as we could," Erza said as she also watched them disperse into light and vanish away, and in the distance, there was more sparkles of light that rose up into the night sky from all over the battlefield.
"Yes... It would seem that the Eclipse Gate was finally destroyed," Jellal commented as he looked towards the general direction of the castle.
"I'm betting Natsu had something to do with that," Erza smiled proudly at her comrade's achievement before she suddenly dropped to her knees.
"Erza!" Both Sorella and Jellal exclaimed and Sorella rushed to help her up.
"It's okay, I'm just tired, that's all," she smiled at them and Sorella let out a sigh in relief.
"When I get enough magic back, I'll heal you," she promised and Erza lifted a hand to pat her head.
"Thanks," she smiled with her eyes closed.

~ ~ ~

A few days had passed since the dragon invasion had happened, and after all the wizards who fought valiantly to protect the kingdom recovered, the King himself invited all the guild wizards to celebrate with a ball in the royal palace. And so Sorella found herself in a changing room alone.
I wish Yukino was here. Sorella sighed as she slipped on a dark blue ball gown with golden embellishments weaved into the skirt.
Since this ball was rather spur of the moment, Princess Husui had kindly lent racks of dresses to chose from for all the women in each guild due to the fact that no one had packed formal attire. It was a miracle that Sorella found something she liked upon the endless options.
There was also a lot of jewelry and makeup to choose from so she picked out a pair rose gold diamond studs with a white choker and a pair of dark blue heels to match her dress. She also twisted the top layer of her hair into a bun and then curled the rest of her layers and let it fall past her back. And for her bangs, she also curled them and let it frame her face on either side.
For her makeup, she used a pink lip gloss, a glittery eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara to accentuate her facial features. It was the last final touches before she was ready to step out into the ballroom.
She inhaled deeply.
She opened the door and stepped out of the room before walking down the long hallway with a bunch of other wizards and she was amazed at the grand spectacle in front of her when she entered the grand ball room.

Everywhere she looked there was gold and marble in the room, she could smell all the banquet food wafting into her nose, there were also live musicians playing classical waltz, and everyone was dressed beautifully.
"Wow..." She gasped under her breath before walking towards her guild mates she spotted in the distance, all talking in a circle.

"I think this has been the fanciest party I've ever been invited to," she said, joining the conversation and they all looked at her in shock.
"What? Is there something in my face?" Sorella voiced her confusion when she took notice of their expressions and Sting blushed, quick to look away.
"Wow, Sorella, almost didn't recognize you in that get up. Didn't think you could look so nice," Orga blurted out and Sorella scoffed.
"Yes, I don't believe any of us can recall you dressing this formally," Rufus praised(?) her.
"Were those supposed to be compliments?" She furrowed her brows as she looked from Rufus to Orga in disbelief and Sting immediately smacked Orga's side.
"W-What this big idiot meant to say was that you do look nice, gorgeous even," he stammered and Sorella stifled a laugh.
"In that case, thank you. You all clean up well too. Especially you, Sting," she smiled brightly and he only become more flustered.
"I uh well - thanks," he scratched the back of his neck and Rogue smirked at him.
"Oh? Well this is a first, I never thought you of all people wouldn't be able to take a simple compliment," she teased him and he sputtered.
"Yes, I've never recalled a time where I've seen Sting sheepish when it comes to praise, but I'm sure that with you, it'll be a reoccurring theme. I'll be happy to remember this moment," Rufus jested and Sorella made a huh sound.
"Yeah, since you both seem to be dating and all," Orga pitched in much to her utter shock.
"What?" She gaped.
"M'lady called him out for it the night before the final battle in front of the others," Rogue explained casually and she blushed.
"Well, uh... I guess there's no more use hiding it anymore," she laughed with a flustered expression on her face.
"What?! Sorella and Sting are dating?! No one told me!" Apparently, this was common knowledge to everyone except for Lector and Frosch.
"They are?!" Frosch added, but a usual carefree smile was still plastered on his face.
"Oh... Sting, you never told him??" Sorella turned to face him and he was taken aback.
"There wasn't really an opportunity to do so you know," he defended himself with a shrug and Sorella scrunched her nose before she looked down to the exceeds.
"It's okay, it wasn't supposed to be common knowledge and we only recently got together, so we hadn't hid it for long, Lector," she reassured him and he perked up.
"Really?" He looked hopeful.
"Really," Sting said with a grin.
"Yep, so don't worry. You're not going to be the last person we tell," she replied with a smile and he let out a sigh of relief.
"Well... Good."