From Rags to Royalty [Jellal x Erza]

A Princess?

After the brief chat with Lucy, Jellal and Erza were alone again.

"Would you like to dance?" Jellal's asks.

"D-Dance?" Erza stutters, jumping a bit. "Y-You want to dance with me?"

"Well, you are my date."

"U-Um . . ."

Instead of waiting for an answer, Jellal gently pulls Erza to the dance floor. As the music continues to play, Jellal takes the lead and waltzes with the redhead. The dance is slow, yet elegant. It captivates those around the couple.

Especially, a blonde.

"Did anyone teach you how to waltz?"

Unable to answer due to a mouth full of food, Natsu simply shakes his head.

"I didn't think so." Lucy sighs, folding her arms over her chest. She takes her eyes off of the dancing couple and looks at her own date. "What do you think of the redhead?"

"What to you mean?" Natsu asks after swallowing his food.

"I mean, is she pretty? Ugly? Pretty ugly?"

"Well," Natsu glances at Erza, "I guess she's decent looking." He shrugs his shoulders, "Doesn't really fit in here though."

"You're not wrong," Lucy sighs, "but if she's going to be hanging around Jellal then I want to know more about her."

"Stalker, much?"

"Don't be ridiculous, I'm not going to stalk her! I don't have the time. I'm a Princess though; I can have someone look her up."

"Well, I can tell you one thing. She is prettier than you."

"Prettier?" Lucy steps closer to Natsu, her eyebrows knitted in irritation.

"Well, yeah." Natsu nods and swallows. "You, uh, you worry a lot so, um, so you've got wrinkles on your . . forehead. The redhead looks younger and, you know, more attractive."

"She and I are the same age!"

"Then worry less so you don't get anymore wrinkles." The pink haired boy turns to walk away. "This is probably why you've never been in a relationship." He mumbles before walking off.

Lucy turns her body around so she can watch the dance floor. She watches Jellal and Erza dance together. She sees the nervousness in Erza's eyes.

She doesn't want to be here. "I can tell." The blonde murmurs aloud.

Two Hours Later . . .

People walk down the stairs and head to their respective limousines while chit chatting. Jellal begins to open the car door for Erza when a voice calls from behind.

"Excuse me!" Jellal and Erza turn around to see Lucy standing there, waiting patiently. "Um, . . . . Erza, was it?" Lucy asks, looking at the redhead.

"Y-Yes." Erza nods.

"Oh, well, can I speak to you for a moment?"

"Uh, sure . ." Erza drifts off, sounding unsure. She glances at Jellal. "If that's okay with you . . sir."

"Of course." Jellal smiles. "I'll wait here."

Erza nods and ushers for Lucy to lead the way. The girls do not go far, but they are far enough away where there is nobody around.

A forest.

"I noticed that there seems to be something bothering you." Lucy says.

"About?"

"You tell me. I got the feeling that you didn't want to be at the party tonight. Jellal didn't make you come, did he?"

"N-No, he didn't. I just- . . . . I felt like, well you could probably tell . ."

"Tell what?"

"That I didn't belong there. At the party. I didn't fit in."

"Well, tha- . . that's true, bu-"

"So you noticed?" Erza blurts out.

"I did," Lucy nods, "but only because you weren't confident in yourself. You gave off this . . . this aura of doubt and shame."

"I did?" The redhead hangs her head and stares at her feet.

"Where are you from?" Lucy asks.

"Magnolia."

"In Fiore, I presume?"

"Yes."

"How did you and Jellal meet?"

"Huh? He, uh, . . . Well, my dad was asked to make a sword for the King and, um-"

"Can I give you some advice?"

"Advice? Uh, sure."

"If you're going to be a Prince's date, then act like a Princess. Carry the confidence of a Princess. Or else, you'll embarrass the Prince."

With those words, Lucy walks away. And after arriving back at the mansion, Erza lies in bed with Lucy's words replaying themselves in her head.

"If you're going to be a Prince's date, then act like a Princess."

How do I act like a Princess? Erza thinks to herself. Wait, why do I want to be a Princess? I don't. I hate the royal life! They're all spoiled! I'm only here because of my father. Only for him.

A little reminder: Prince Jellal still seeks a Princess.

A/N: Sorry about this chapter being short, but I've got some drama planned ahead.