Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL- IT BELONGS TO HIRO MASHIMA!

His body movement guided her around the ballroom ever so gently; it had to be a dream. Erza had allowed the prince to dance with her, and there they were; waltzing gracefully around the room. She had never dreamed of dancing to be this relaxing.

"You said that you were bad at dancing as I recall, yes?"

Erza looked at his searching gaze, particularly his eyes. "What of it?"

The prince chuckled and turned themselves to the right, and avoided a collision with another couple.

"Sorry, but I must disagree with you. I would say the exact opposite."

The red-haired knight blushed as he complimented her, and she looked away, avoiding eye contact.

They continued to dance in silence for awhile, and Jellal led Erza out into the garden, still waltzing until they reached an arched bridge that hovered over the pond that flowed beneath it.

The 'couple' stopped dancing for a moment to gaze the magnificent view that the moon enhanced that night.

"The view is amazing," she mumbled, still disappointed that they had stopped, and was amazed at how well she had danced with him. "Thanks for the dance by the way," she quickly added.

The prince laughed and caught a glimpse of the knight's face gradually turn pinker and pinker. He most definitely never saw this side of her before; not to mention how tough Erza acted as she defended him from his father's actions and words that have abused him. The sudden change in her behavioral pattern was interesting indeed.

"I would like to know something; if you don't mind me questioning you, Prince Fernandes." Erza moved closer to Jellal with an intent sparkle in her eyes. Damn; she was so cute that it was almost irresistible to decline her.

"Anything at all."

"Royal families usually host balls and other ceremonies for certain special occasions. What is it this time? Last time I checked, tonight is just... normal. There's no holiday or anything as such-"

"Now that you mention it," the prince began, cutting her off completely. "I'm a bit thirsty. Care to join me?"

The red knight can only do nothing but stare at the prince after he cut her off so suddenly. Surely he was more of a gentleman before; his actions seemed more different somehow. Her eyes narrowed as she watched him take a sip of punch at one of the refreshment tables. Something didn't seem right, and she, Erza Scarlet, knew that it was a concerning matter. She pushed her way towards him, hoping that she could get a better overall understanding than she had then. Perhaps he would answer her if she assuaged some pressure off of him...

But the prince saw this coming. As if he read her mind, he said: "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Surely it must be spoken about. You've been acting strangely after I brought up the topic-"

Jellal slammed the glass back onto the table; maybe it made it seem harsh. It made him regret for acting so angry in front of her, but she didn't flinch or act scared much to his admiration.

"Forgive me. Let's just say that this matter doesn't concern you at all. I don't want to speak or hear of it... ever."

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Prince Fernandes himself," said a voice not too distant from them.

Erza turned to see a short, old man wearing red robes lined with white fur, embroidered with gold straps. He wore navy blue dress pants with a shirt with white strips running vertically. His thick eyebrows and white hair really caught her eye. Next to him stood a girl who was much taller; her green hair was tied into a bun with hairs dangling from either side of her head. She wore a relatively flowy dress with fur around her neck and white roses around her chest area. Judging by the tiara and gems on the girl's head, she was a princess, Erza concluded. Much to her contempt, King Faust was only a few paces behind the short man, and he wore his usual frown to bear his malice.

"Fernandes. I believe you have someone to meet." Faust's eyes crossed back and forth from the prince to the girl and the man.

The man bowed as the girl curtsied to him.

"Good evening, Prince Fernandes. I am King Toma E. Fiore of the Fiore Kingdom. Allow me to introduce you to my daughter.

"His royal highness, prince of the royal capital of Edolas," said the princess. "I am Hisui E. Fiore of the Fiore Kingdom. It is an honor to meet you."

Their backs straightened as they lifted themselves from their greeting gestures. Princess Hisui smiled warmly at King Faust and Prince Jellal, whom were standing across from the Fiore 'family'. Erza stood silently behind Jellal; she didn't want to interfere with them until...

"Oh? I see you have company, Prince Fernandes," exclaimed King Fiore as he peered over Jellal's shoulder, noticing Erza at last.

"I almost forgot. Sorry your majesty; this is Erza of the Fairy Tail Knight Conglomerate. She's an exceptional swordswoman, as I have heard..."

Erza performed a small bow with her neck, almost nodding at King Fiore while finding it difficult to hide her confusion from the royals. She remained silent for the time being.

"I've heard of you before! It's nice to meet you, Erza." The king laughed, somehow amused by the knight.

"King Fiore, I believe we have an important matter to discuss," King Faust said in his usual serious tone.

"I believe we do... Prince Fernandes? Would you mind escorting my daughter around the castle premises? We'll be back in a few."

"Yes sir."

King Faust and King Fiore walked away from them, appearing to have a very deep conversation as they entered through a door and out of sight.

"I'm sorry about my father. He's very... conservative," said Jellal to the princess.

Princess Hisui giggled. "Well, it isn't very surprising. After all, we live in very diverse kingdoms..."

"You could say that. How about we all take a stroll in the garden?"

The princess nodded in agreement. The trio moved out, once again, into the garden with the arched bridge and the moonlight.

"This is so beautiful...", the princess murmured as she watched the water flow beneath them.

Erza's heart and stomach churned as she watched the prince and princess out of pure jealousy. It wasn't surprising; they were both deprived of royalty. How could she, a knight, possibly end up with someone on the higher end of the social spectrum?

"...and this is Erza. I actually just met her about a week ago; she's been a great help."

Erza's attention snapped back at Jellal's admiring gaze; the way his olive-green eyes sparkled in the moonlight whenever he looked at her. The twisted feeling in her internal organs had vanished completely and she was staring back at him with her chocolate orbs.

"I'm sorry?"

"I'm praising you," the prince laughed, evidently with great amusement; the princess joined in.

Erza forced a fake smile to the royals, who were still laughing.

"Mind if I leave you both here for a moment? You seem to get along well without me."

"Erza, it's fine, really. We enjoy your company-"

"It isn't that. I... need to go fetch some punch for myself."

She turned on her heel without hesitation, ignoring the prince and the princess's protests, and re-entered the ballroom. Of course she didn't want to 'fetch punch'. She just wanted to get as far away from Prince Fernandes as possible.

"I already told you, King Faust; I'm against it by all means!"

Erza stopped shortly in her tracks upon hearing King Fiore's voice.

"You have no choice. Without their engagement, and future joined kingdoms, we will never be able to defeat the Alvarez Empire."

"I have no choice?! You just want our kingdom's riches; no... You want power! Defeating the Alvarez Empire isn't your top priority!", King Fiore's voice rose with every word he ejected from his mouth.

"It isn't if we don't join forces," King Faust spat. "An ordinary alliance will not work. Our armies don't stand a chance when it comes to getting along; especially when we went to war with each other several times."

There was silence for a brief moment.

"So you're telling me," King Fiore said with an ominous tone. "That we have to give up our children's happiness for the sake of our country?"

"I don't give a damn about Fernandes's wellbeing. As long as we defeat Emperor Spriggan and his army, we can live in peace."

Erza could hear scuffling of feet coming towards the closed door. She found herself crouched behind a tall, gold vase which was big enough to cover herself from the guards standing at the room's entrance.

"Ridiculous! I will not allow it!" King Fiore said as he stormed out of King Faust's sight.

Erza managed to slip through a crowd of guests and pushed through towards the garden for the third time in hopes of running into the prince, only to find a silent, breathtaking scenery that remained there laid out before her.

A/N: To be continued... XD