From Rags to Royalty [Jellal x Erza]

Scandal

Newspaper Headline:
Natsu Dragneel Cheating on Princess Lucy Heartfilia with Mysterious Redhead??

KNOCK. KNOCK.

"Erza?"

"Yes?"

"Have you seen the newspaper?"

"No." Erza shakes her head. "Why?"

Jellal sighs and holds up the newspaper, "Because you're in it."

The front page of the newspaper contains a large photo of Natsu and Erza at the beach.

That happened about a week ago.

"Tha-That's me!" Erza stutters in disbelief.

"This is bad." Jellal mumbles, turning his back to the redhead.

"P-Prince Jellal, I . . . I'm so sorry."

"No . ." He took a pause before continuing, ". . no, this isn't that bad yet. No one knows who you are yet, so you're safe."

"Your Highness!" A maid shouts frantically.

"What is it?" Jellal glances at the maid.

"The TV." She says, "You must see the TV."

Jellal and Erza follow the maid into another room. A room that has a large flat screen TV. "The local news?" Erza mumbles while the maid turns the TV's volume up.

"So who is this mysterious redhead?" The female news anchor says as the photo of Natsu and Erza popped up. "An anonymous tipster has told us that the girl in this photo is Erza Scarlet. Apparently, Miss Scarlet works for and lives with Prince Jellal. Jealous, ladies?"

Jellal quickly grabs the remote and turns the TV off. "Now this is really bad." He turns and faces Erza, "You can't leave the mansion."

"Why not!"

"The media knows who you are, what you look like, and where you live! You're not safe outside of the mansion!"

"R-Right." Erza looks down at the floor. Makes sense. "I'll be in my room then." With that said, she leaves the room.

Meanwhile . . .

"Alright, that's a wrap! Nice job everyone!"

The news anchor sighs and stands up from her chair, then proceeds to her makeup area.

"Thanks for the tip." She says to the person waiting for her, "But how did you get the info?"

"I have my ways."

The newswoman is about to speak, but is interrupted when five hundred dollars in cash is placed in her hands. She looks at the person, stunned.

"I was never here, understand?"

The news anchor silently watches the figure leave.

Back at the Mansion . . .

"They have the entrance surrounded." The King notes after glancing out of the window. "There are cameras everywhere."

"What are we going to do?" Mr. Scarlet asks.

"Well, the paparazzi won't back off until they get what they want." The Queen says. "And they want your daughter."

"Your Majesty, are you suggesting that we send our daughter out there so that she can be harassed by those photo-taking animals?"

"No." The Queen replies, "I am simply stating the facts. The moment Erza walks out of the front door, she will be hounded with questions and cameras will be flashing in her eyes every two seconds. I imagine she will be very uncomfortable."

"Yes, indeed, she would." Mr. Scarlet nods.

"All of you will have to remain inside until this matter is sorted out." The King says.

"Yes, sir. We understand."

The King stands and exits his office. He walks swiftly down the hallway towards the entrance of the mansion. Without hesitation, he opens the door, walks through the threshold, and slams the door shut which gains the attention of the paparazzi.

Immediately, the King is surrounded.

"King Fernandes, who is Miss Erza Scarlet?"

"Is she in a relationship with Natsu Dragneel?"

"Does she plan to steal Natsu away from Princess Lucy Heartfilia?"

"Do you plan on firing her because of this scandal?"

"I am terribly sorry," The King interrupts the mountain of questions that are being asked, "but I'm afraid that I am going to have to ask you all to leave the property." However, the paparazzi stayed. It was like they were frozen. "Immediately." The King adds, his voice becoming dangerously deep.

The paparazzi scatter as they all try to leave the mansion without ruining their cameras.

The King sighs and enters his house. When he is inside, his son and wife, the Scarlets, and the entire staff are right there. Waiting for him.

"They are gone." The King informs, "For now."

"Wh-What does that mean?" Mr. Scarlet stutters.

"It means that the paparazzi will be back." The King answers, "They might try to come back to the mansion, but if they were smart, they wouldn't. It still isn't safe for your family to leave the mansion though."

"The paparazzi will be watching the mansion now." The Queen continues, "They will be waiting for Erza, or someone who looks like Erza, to leave the mansion. That is when they will get her!"

Erza takes a deep breath and releases it.

"It's going to be okay." Jellal says, trying to comfort her. "We will find the person responsible for this."

Erza shakes her head. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have went out with Natsu. It was a mistake."

"Um," Jellal clears his throat, "why did you go out with him?"

"He . . . he said he wanted to hang out. To become friends."

"Friends?" Jellal repeats. He stares at nothing in particular, lost in thought. After a moment, he becomes serious. "I have to make a call." Then he leaves the area.

Jellal's Office

"Hello?"

"Natsu."

"Oh, hey, Jellal. What's up?"

"Have you seen the news? Or read the paper?"

"Uh, yeah . . . Pretty crazy, right? The media's got this all wrong. I've been trying to explain to Lucy that I'm not cheating on her."

"I see. But I heard that you asked her out. I assume you two went to the beach."

"Yeah. Why?"

"How did you know about Erza? At the party, I never introduced you two and you never spoke to her that night. So, how'd you find out about her?"

". . . ."

"Someone told you about her, didn't they?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Talk to me, Natsu."

"Look, man . . . I-I gotta go."

Natsu hangs up the phone.

Jellal's a smart guy and he's close to finding out who is behind the scandal. Can he do it?