From Rags to Royalty [Jellal x Erza]

Fiore Court Part 2

"The news anchor?" Makarov was astonished. "Is that so? Very good witness, Prince Jellal."

"Thank you, Your Honor."

"So," Makarov turns his attention to the news anchor, "Miss Alberona, what role do you play in all of this?"

"Well, I was given a lead by an anonymous source." Cana informs, "Someone contacted me and told me to send a camera man to the beach where Natsu and Erza were."

"Is that so?" Makarov raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, sir." She nods. "It wasn't until sometime after that I found out that Lucy Heartfilia was the anonomyous source."

The courtroom erupts in whispers and murmurs.

"Woah, did you hear that?"

"That Heartfilia girl has some issues."

"Yeah, seriously. Why would you put your fiancé through a scandal?"

"For money?"

"For whatever reason, either way, it's still messed up."

"Ok, ok." Makarov shouts over the chatter. "Quiet down, everyone! Cana, how did you find out that Miss Heartfilia was the anonoymous source?"

"She came to me. To my job, and paid me cash to keep quiet."

"Hmmm . . ." Makarov hums in deep thought. "Any comments, Miss Heartfilia?"

The focus in the room is turned to Lucy, who has her head down. She's quiet and Judge Dreyar was about to demand that she speak when a light sniffle was heard.

"No way." Voices murmured.

"Is she crying?"

"Did the guilt finally get to her?"

"Maybe she didn't do it after all."

"So, you think she's innocent?"

"Well, I mean, what motive could she have?"

"Miss Heartfilia." Makarov calls gently. He gestures the baliff to grab Lucy some tissues.

"I . . . I'm sorry . . ." Lucy apologises in between sobs.

"It's quite alright." He watches her for a few more moments before coming to a conclusion. "Why don't you take some time to gather your thoughts and calm down."

"Hmm?" Lucy looks up at the judge with swollen, red eyes.

"I'll give you one day to get yourself together." Makarov states, "But one day only."

"Thank you, sir!" Lucy gasps and smiled, wiping away residue tears.

"Y-Your Honor," Jellal stutters, "you can't be serious!"

"You saw her." The judge points to Lucy. "She was crying her eyes out."

"But still-!"

"It's only one day, Prince Jellal. It'll be fine. Dismissed!"

That's what you say, Jellal bit his lip in frustration, but I have a bad feeling.

"What now, Jellal!?" Natsu panicked. "I-I can't go back to Lucy! She'll kill me!"

"It's okay, Natsu." Jellal reassures, "You can stay at my place until this case is over."

"Really?" Natsu's eyes lit up. "Thanks, man!"

"No problem."

"C'mon, Lady Lucy," Juvia says, walking up to her Master. "let's get you out of here."

"I'll go get the car." Gray says before leaving the room.

"Juvia," Lucy calls, "I think I'm going to do exactly what the judge instructed me to do."

"Well, what do you mean, Lady Lucy?"

"I need you to purchase me a plane ticket . . ."

FERNANDES MANSION

KNOCK. KNOCK.

"Come in."

The door creeks open, and a head peaks in.

"We're back." Jellal says.

"Was it successful?" The redhead asks.

"Not so far." He shakes his head. "But we'll nail her, I promise."

"You didn't have to do this." Erza remindes him. "I'm perfectly fine, you know."

"I want to do this." Jellal says boldly. "I can't let Lucy get away with publically embarrassing and shaming you. The world sees you as 'the other woman' because of her, and it's not true."

"But as long as I know the truth, it doesn't matter."

"That's easier said than done, isn't it?"

"I guess so."

"But . . . . that's one of the things I like about you."

"Wha-" Erza gasps and her cheeks flare up.

"You're different than most girls." Jellal states, "You stand up for your morals and values. You're strong. That's what I like about you."

"U-Uh . . ." She stutters, lowering her face to hide her blush. "Thanks." She mumbled.

The next thing Erza knew, a pair of arms were wrapped around her. Her eyes widened as she silently gasped.

"I swear I'll make things right!" Jellal vows boldly. "I'll get your title back! You won't ever be known as 'The Other Woman' again. You'll always be Erza Scarlet."

Why is he . . . Erza felt her eyes sting with tears. Her heart swelled with emotion. Why is he doing all of this for me?

And when this is all over, Jellal thought, I'll tell you the truth. I can't hide it any longer.