From Rags to Royalty [Jellal x Erza]

Press Conference

"Your grandson informed me that Miss Lucy Heartfilia is no longer in the country."

"WHAT!?" Makarov shouts, his eyes practically popping out of his head. Then his shock turns to anger. "I want her found immediately! Bring her back this instant! Court is postponed until Miss Heartfilia is found!"

The room suddenly filled with chatter as Jellal sighs.

"W-What do we do?" Natsu asks.

"There's nothing we can do." Jellal says. "I should have seen this coming."

"Seen what?"

"I think . . . I think Lucy fled the country for the time being because she knew she was guilty. She's probably not going to come back until she's devised a full-proof plan to clear her name."

"W-What about me then?"

Jellal turns his head to look at Natsu, raising an eyebrow. "You'll stay with me." He says as if the answer was, or should have been, obvious.

"And what about Erza?" Natsu asks, wiggling his eyebrows.

Jellal's cheeks turn red and he abruptly does a 180 and walks out of the courtroom. Just as he reached the exit, Natsu poked his head out from behind.

"Want me to be there when you confess?" The pink haired boy smirks.

"Wha-!" Jellal's cheeks turn a deeper shade of red as his body tenses up. "Who said I was going to confess anything!?"

"I did." Natsu states with a serious expression on his face. "Just now. And I know exactly how you can do it!"

Two Hours Later . . .

"Are you sure about this Natsu?" Jellal asks, both worried and nervous.

"I'm sure, I'm sure." Natsu grins, "We can spread the truth about Lucy and you can announce your candidate for marriage this way. It'll kill two birds with one stone!"

"When did you learn how to use a metaphor?"

"H-Hey, I go to school, you know!"

Jellal smirks, adjusting his tie. He can hear the countless voices that are outside of his mansion. Most of them are asking why they've been asked to come here.

"You ready?" Natsu speaks up, grinning.

As ready as I'll ever be. The Prince thinks. "Let's just get this over with." He mumbles.

As the front door opens, the crowd immediately turns their attention to the Prince who just walked outside.

Everyone gasps and stares before rushing toward Jellal with a mountain of questions.

"Prince Jellal, what is the verdict on Princess Lucy Heartfilia?"

"Is it true that Lucy Heartfilia is to blame for the scandal against Erza Scarlet?"

"Have you decided who you want to marry? Which princess is it?"

"It's not Lucy, is it?"

"Does Natsu Dragneel still plan on marrying Princess Lucy?"

Jellal sighs at the behavior of the press, but he quickly gathers his voice and courage. "I will be sure to answer all of your questions." He says, clearing his throat.

"First of all, there is no verdict on Lucy as of right now because she has fled the country. I believe she has done this so that she wouldn't be found guilty and is now in the process of trying to clear her name.

     Secondly, I believe wholeheartedly that Lucy is responsible for the scandal. Numerous witnesses have come forth against Miss Heartfilia. I believe she acted in this manner because she still harbors a childhood crush on me.

     With that being said, I, nor does Natsu Dragneel, plan on marrying Princess Lucy Heartfilia. However, I have someone in mind who I would love to marry, if she accepts my offer. I, Prince Jellal Fernandes, hereby announce that my choice for marriage is not of royal bloodline.

     I have fallen for her beauty, her brains, her kindness, and her courage. She is a flower that blooms in a field of buds. If she would have me, I wish to marry my father's weaponry crafter's daughter: Erza Scarlet."

As soon as the name was spoken, the press erupts with multiple more questions. Jellal ignores the questions, having said everything that he was going to say, and bows respectively to the crowd.

"That is all." He states before turning around and walking inside the mansion. Once inside, he releases a huge sigh of relief, only to notice two people standing before him.

One was Natsu.

And the other was Erza.

She stares at the Prince with wide eyes and a faint red blush across her face. By the look on her face, one could tell that she had heard everything Jellal had said.

"That was great, Jellal!" Natsu exclaims, grinning from ear to ear. "Right, Erza?" He nudges the redhead who stumbles on her feet.

"R-Right!" She stutters, her face turning a deeper shade of red.

"S-Since I'm here," Jellal speaks up, walking towards the redhead. He looks down at her. "Erza, how do you feel . . . about me?"

She gasps lightly at his question, not expecting it. But this question could change everything.