From Rags to Royalty [Jellal x Erza]

I Do

"Marry me."

It was Erza's turn to go speechless. Her brain is trying to register the previous question, but is having no success. It's as if it went through one ear and straight out the other.

"What . . did you . . . just say?" She asks, not bothering to sit up.

"I love you a-and you love me - I mean, you just admitted it - so wouldn't getting married be the logical thing to do? To make our love official?"

Erza finally sits up after hearing this. She looks at Jellal, still in shock.

"Are you insane!?" She barks, "Why would I put myself in a vulnerable situation where I could get my heart broken when you decide to run off with Lucy?"

"Erza," Jellal sighs, moving toward the bed and kneeling. "I don't possess any romantic feelings for Lucy. I found her taking shelter in England and went to make a deal with her. Lucy and I grew up together, but I don't like her that way."

Erza bites her lip, mulling over what Jellal said.  Then she scowles, "But I heard Lucy say something about going to bed. What was that about?"

"It was our deal. I fulfill a request of hers and she confesses to the scandal. And she wanted a back massage."

She simply mumbles an 'okay' and nods her head once.

"S-So, is that a yes? Will you marry me?"

Erza's cheeks slowly turn pink and then red. The answer is on the tip of her tongue, but she's scared and too nervous to say it.

"Say yes." A voice whisper-shouts from the other side of the door.

Is that-?

"Natsu, ever heard of privacy?" Jellal grumbles.

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

"Leave, Natsu."

"Not until Erza says yes."

"Nat-"

"Yes." Erza mutters shyly, cutting off Jellal.

The Prince's eyes go wide and he stares at Erza in awe. Did she just-He thinks to himself. "What?" The word left his mouth before he knew it.

"I-I said yes." She squeaks.

"Hooray!" Natsu shouts, pushing the door open. Standing with him is the King, Queen, Frederick, Sebastian, and Erza's parents.

"Y-You guys!" Jellal stands to his feet, baffled. Did they hear everything? His cheeks turn red.

"CONGRATS!" The King's voice booms as he grins from ear-to-ear.

"Oh, I'm so proud of you, Jellal." The Queen smiles in a very motherly way.

"WE'RE GOING TO BE GRANDPARENTS!" Erza's parents exclaims, making the girl go red.

Two and a Half Years Later . . .

"We are gathered here today," the Minister begins, "to wed our very own Prince Jellal and the soon-to-be Princess Erza."

Tons of cameras were flashing and citizens of the kingdom who happened to be invited by the Scarlets were at the royal mansion.

Since, at the time of the proposal, Erza was a minor (Jellal's a year older), the King decided it would be best to wait until she was 18 years old - a legal adult.

During the long two years, Jellal and Erza spent the time getting to know each other and slowly planning the wedding.

But it wasn't all a walk in the park.

There were several critics who verbally attacked Erza after (1) Lucy publicly confessed to the Natsu and Erza scandal two years ago, and (2) the news about Prince Jellal's engagement was released a week after Lucy's confession.

'Are you sure you want to marry a poor woman, Prince Jellal? Wouldn't you be happier with a woman who understands the royal, or the rich, lifestyle?'

'I think Prince Jellal should marry that successful businesswoman, Ultear! She may not be a Princess, but she'll definitely bring this place some money.'

'Princess Lucy is still available since her engagement to Natsu Dragneel ended.'

The critics were silenced by a reply from the King.

'Citizens of Fiore, there seems to be some issues with the way that my soon-to-be daughter-in-law is viewed. For decades, it has been normalized for a person of rich or royal status to be with someone of the same status. But I find that those with less, have kinder hearts. And as a parent, all I wish for is for my son to be happy. I would never want a selfish and spoiled woman as the Queen of Fiore. The ruler of a land must rule for its people; they must care for their people. So, I would kindly like to ask the citizens of Fiore to remember a fundamental rule: If you do not have anything nice to say, then please do not say anything at all.'

After that, things calmed down and it was once again peaceful in Fiore.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The Minister announces, "You may kiss the bride."

As Jellal presses his lips against Erza's, the audience cheers and whistles, congratulating the couple.

And thus, the journey of Jellal and Erza Fernandes began!

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A/N: This story's almost over you, guys. Maybe, one or two more chapters to go. 😢 But on the bright side (for any Natsu fans), I've recently published a Natsu x Reader x Gray story called 'Countdown'. If you're interested, check it out!