From Rags to Royalty [Jellal x Erza]

Fiore Court Part 1

FERNANDES MANSION
TIME: 12 O'CLOCK, NOON

"All rise! The judge Makarov Dreyar will be presiding in the case of Fernandes versus Lucy Heartfilia."

Judge Dreyar enters the courtroom and takes his seat. "You may be seated." He says. "Okay, so, the Fernandes' are suing Miss Lucy Heartfilia at an amount of $250,000 for emotional distress pertaining to a resident of the Fernandes mansion named Erza Scarlet. Am I correct?"

"Yes, Your Honor." Jellal nods his head as he answers the judge.

"And Miss Lucy," Judge Dreyar addresses, "you are claiming that you did nothing wrong and feel that you should receive a compensation of the $250,000 that was stated earlier. Am I right?"

"Yes, sir." Lucy answers.

"Well then," The judge sighs, "let's get to business. Now Jellal, tell me how Miss Lucy caused 'Erza Scarlet' emotional distress."

"Your Honor, Lucy Heartfilia is responsible for creating a public scandal about Erza Scarlet, causing Erza to be hounded by the paparazzi and the general public." Jellal states.

"And how did Miss Lucy create this scandal?"

"She tricked her fiancé, Natsu Dragneel, into going out with Erza. Lucy told Natsu that he should take her out because Erza was new to the area."

"Like a friendly gesture?"

"Yes, Your Honor. Natsu did as he was told and took Erza out to the beach, but what Lucy did not tell her fiancé was that she would be following them with a camera man."

"So that's where this photo," The picture of Natsu and Erza at the beach was displayed on the screen. "came from?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"And how do you know all of this, Prince Jellal?"

"Natsu told me, Your Honor. And he's here as a witness."

"Yes, well, Mr. Natsu, would you please step forward?"

Natsu stands up from his seat and walks to the plaintiff stand, standing next to Jellal.

"So, you're Natsu Dragneel who is currently engaged to the defendant, Miss Lucy Heartfilia, correct?" Judge Dreyar asks.

"Yeah." Natsu nods.

"So, tell me how you were tricked by your fiancé."

"Well, it all started at a party." Natsu began, "Lucy and I went together, and Jellal went with Erza. I didn't talk to them at the party, but Lucy did. After the party, I dropped Lucy off at her place, but before she got out of the car, she mentioned that Jellal brought a girl she had never seen before to the party. She said that Erza was 'the new girl in town' and that I should get to know her; to welcome her and be her friend."

"And then what happened?"

"I called the Fernandes Mansion and asked to speak to Erza. I asked her if she wanted to hang out, ya know. She said yes and I took her to the beach. I figured most girls like going to the beach. Anyways, Erza and I were getting along great, we were having a good time, and I had no idea that we were being watched."

"You had no idea?"

"Not at the time. Lucy told me the next morning that she had us followed."

"Is that true, Miss Lucy?"

"No, it isn't, Sir!" Lucy states. "I did no such thing."

"Well, tell me your side of the story then."

"I met Erza at a party.-"

"The same party that your fiancé spoke of?"

"-Yes, sir. I had never seen her before so after the party, I did a little digging. I asked around, trying to find out if anybody knew her or had seen her before."

"And why did you feel the need to do that? Why not just talk to Erza yourself?"

"Well, being a person of my status, I wanted to be safe than sorry. There's a lot of crazy and weird people out there. I'm sure you know that, Sir."

"Indeed, I do."

"So, I found out who Erza was and figured that she must be lonely since she had only recently moved here. I was just trying to be a nice person. My schedule has been quite busy with meetings, so I sent my fiance since he loves making friends."

"Do you have any proof of those meetings that you were so busy with?"

"Unfortunately, no paper proof, Sir. But I do have witnesses."

"And who would that be?"

"My top maid and butler, Sir." Lucy gestures behind her where the two witnesses were.

"Hmm . . ." Makarov hums, thinking to himself.

"Your Honor," Jellal speaks up, "I have a witness as well."

"Oh," Makarov looks at the Prince, "you do?"

"Yes, Sir." Jellal nods.

Who could be his witness? Lucy asks herself.

"Will the witnesses from both parties come forward?" The Judge announces.

Lucy's maid and butler step forward, and on the other side of the court, Jellal's witness steps forward.

Wha-. No, it can't be! Lucy's eyes widen and her jaw drops slightly.

"Would the three of you mind telling me your names?" Makarov asks.

"My name is Juvia Lockser, Madame Lucy's maid."

"My name is Gray Fullbuster, Princess Lucy's butler."

"And you, ma'am?" Makarov asks Jellal's witness. "What's your name and business?"

"Your Honor, my name is Cana Alberona." The witness introduces, "And I am the news anchor who reported the scandal."