From Rags to Royalty [Jellal x Erza]

Sparkling Red

A/N: Sorry for not updating in a while. Been focusing on tests and exams. Finishing the school year strong! 💪🏽

. . .

"My favor is . . would you do me the honor of being my date to the upcoming party, Erza?"

Did I hear him right just now? A prince just asked me to a party? That's going to be full of other princes and princesses? God, help me!

"U-Um, P-Prince Jellal, I'm sure there's someone else who would be better suited to be your date." I stutter. "Perhaps, someone of higher standings than myself."

I avoid looking at him by staring intently at the table's surface. But I can feel him looking at me and it makes me feel rather unsettling.

"Your social status means nothing." He says. "If that's your concern, don't worry. I'll protect you."

"W-Well . . um," I can feel him staring at me and I can't help but squirm in my seat. "Okay." I mumble.

"So you will be my date?" He asks.

"Y-Yes."

"Excellent!"

Prince Jellal stands from his chair before looking down at me. "Do you mind if I pick out a dress for you?"

Huh? A dress? "N-No, not at all." I mumble in response. He's going to buy me a dress!?! "B-But Prince Jellal, I couldn't let you do such a thing."

He looks at me, surprised at first but then his expression softens. "Don't worry about that either." He smiles. "I want to do it."

"O-Okay." I look down at my lap, unable to look at him.

I can't believe that I'm going to be going to an actual Ball with an actual Prince. This kind of stuff only happens in fairy tales, and it usually ends in a 'Happy Ever After'.

But that's only in fairy tales.

👑👑👑👑

Four Days Later; Friday Evening

Third Person P.O.V.

Jellal stares at the dress, his eyes narrowed. In order to determine if he bought the right dress, he would have to picture Erza wearing the dress.

So he does.

Scarlet hair. Brown eyes. Pink lips. And a red dress to compliment her hair.

It was perfect.

This dress was perfect.

Tonight was going to be perfect.

A knock on the door interrupts Jellal's thoughts. "Come in." He calls.

The door slowly opens and a maid pops her head inside. "E-Excuse me, Sir, but you called?" She asks.

"Ah, yes." Jellal nods, picking up the dress. "Will you take this to Erza's room, please?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Thank you."

The door closes once again, the maid having left with the dress.

Jellal walks into his walk-in closet and immediately finds his tux.

A tux that goes with the dress Erza would be wearing tonight.

He grabs the tux by the hanger and places it on his bed before going to take a shower.

ERZA'S ROOM

Erza stood in the center of her room, her jaw dropped at the sight of the dress in her hands.

The dress was beautiful. And expensive.

Too expensive for something Erza could afford.

The dress was a strapless, sparkling red ball gown.

Jellal had sent some red heels to her room earlier in the day.

All of this is too much. Erza thinks, biting the inside of her lip. I shouldn't have agreed to this.

Sighing, Erza moves towards her bed and places the dress on it. She removes her current clothing, a simple shirt and a skirt, and lets them fall to the floor (except the bra and panties, of course).

I need a strapless bra. She thinks, searching through her bedside drawer. Finding what she was looking for, Erza changes out of her bra and puts on a strapless one.

Then comes the dress.

Once she has the dress on, she uses the full body mirror to examine herself.

Do I really have to wear this? Erza pouts slightly. I'll stand out in this dress. She sighs. I guess I'm not use to wearing stuff like this.

"I still feel a bit out of place." She mumbles.

And now for the finishing touch: the shoes.

The heels aren't that long, much to Erza's delight. And she can manage to walk in them, which is good.

But she feels as though she doesn't belong in that dress, or those shoes.

This is an outfit for a princess. It doesn't suit me.

"I suppose I should do my hair."

Not one for being fancy, Erza simply ties the top half of her scarlet hair into a ponytail, and lets the rest flow free.

Now she's ready. At least, she looks ready appearance wise.

She's a bundle of nerves on the inside. She's not emotionally ready either, and she has the urge to tell Jellal that she changes her mind; that she doesn't want to go to the party anymore.

And suddenly there's a knock at her door.

She walks, her heels being heard against the floor, and opens the door.

"Good evening." It was Jellal. He was wearing a tux that matched Erza's dress. The Prince scans Erza's appearance with his eyes, looking her up and down. "You look beautiful."

Erza stiffens at his compliment. "A-Are you sure?" She stutters. "This doesn't look . . strange on me?"

Jellal shakes his head. "Not at all." He smiles. "I knew that dress was perfect."

"U-Um . . . I'm not s-so sure about this . . anymore." Erza stares down at her feet, avoiding Jellal's eyes.

Jellal frowns. "Don't worry, Erza. Everything will be fine."

He held out his hand for her to take. "Let's go to this party and show off our sparkling red together."