"speaking"

"thinking"

On with the story

Night time, the moon was up in the stars filled sky

The CMC was over as Belserion High is the winner of the competition

Everyone in the CMC was invited to the Mercurius Royal Palace where the award ceremony will be held


Everyone was gathered in the Palace Banquet hall where everyone from each school gathered around but not Sabertooth who had left after their defeat

"wow!" Lucy who wore a pink dress exclaimed as she marveled to the beautiful chandler above the ceiling "this place is amazing!"

"it's called a ball for a reason, you know" Mira who wore a purple dress said while eating some cake served near a buffet table

"do we really have to wear dress?" Kagura asked blushing as she wore a violet dress and had her hair tied in a pony tail "this feels very embarrassing for me to wear"

"it's regulation from the king" Erza said while wearing a scarlet dress on "bear with it for tonight"

"I should've brought my own dress" Lucy said before twirling around a bit in her dress "but it was a good thing that the King had many dresses for us to borrow"

"yeah" Mira said before noticing that two of their team members weren't with them "where's Natsu and Minerva?"

"I haven't seen them after we got in to the palace" Kagura said while looking around with the others

"right here" Natsu's voice spoke out as the man wore a black suit and Minerva who wore a blue dress was behind him

"took you long enough" Erza said "trouble?"

"just taking her to check her hand" Natsu said as he looks to Minerva whose right hand was bandaged up "and she has some things to say to you"

"to us?" Kagura asked with a raised eyebrow

Minerva walks towards the four as Erza and the others looks to her

"if it's something about you being cocky, I swear that i." Mira spoke out before Minerva cut her off

"I'm sorry" Minerva said with a sincere apology look "for everything"

"eh?" Mira said in pure confusion and shock as so were the others

"w-wait! Why are you apologizing to us!?" Lucy exclaimed in pure surprise

"yeah! wait a minute!" Mira exclaimed, not able to understand the situation "what are you talking about!?"

"you all know how I was disowned by my father, and expelled from his own school because I couldn't attack my own friend there…..i wanted to earn his respect again, I wanted to have power….but in reality..i just wanted a friend.." Minerva spoke out as she was speaking from her heart "I'm sorry that I acted so pridefully towards you all, I'm sorry that I went with my own action and ignored you al, I hope you…..all can forgive me"

Minerva bowed to them as Lucy and Mira had a frantic look to what she was doing

"I know that I'm asking too much….but it's just want I wanted to say. that's all" Minerva said before feeling a hand on her shoulder

She looked up and sees Erza smiling to her

"we know already" Erza said as Minerva's eyes widen a bit

"b-but how…." Minerva asked

"how? We're friends in the first place" Erza said "the moment you enrolled to our school, everyone in the school and us with it. Are already your friends. Minerva"

"even….after all I did?" Minerva asked as Erza nodded

"you were misguided by your judgement, but your heart still wants to help you find your way" Erza said as Minerva teared up a bit

"t-thank you…thank you!" Minerva soon cried before Erza pulled her in for a hug

Kagura sighs with a smile before looking to Natsu who was standing by while holding a glass of wine

"you have one strange power, Natsu" Kagura thought with a smile before looking to Erza and Minerva who had their hug joined by Mira and Lucy and soon herself


The party soon went on as it was filled with a positive and lively atmosphere

Natsu leans against the wall as he drinks his glass of wine before looking at Erza and the others

He sees Minerva bowing to Milliana who looks to be panicking

"wow, I never thought that a prideful girl like her would change" Demonic Natsu appeared beside the man as he stands near him "your doing, perhaps?"

"I merely told her some words" Natsu said as he sips his wine before sighing "and that's all there is to it"

"if you say so" Demonic Natsu said while yawning "I'm going for a nap"

The astral spirit soon disappears as he left Natsu alone

"not talkative these days, huh?" Natsu thought before looking to the side and sees Éclair who wore a yellow golden dress walking towards him

Natsu smiled seeing her in the dress as Éclair smiled back "you made it"

"sorry, it was a bit hectic when we got invited here by the king." Éclair said "Levy nearly passed out"

"I see" Natsu said before he looks around and sees Ultear and the others chatting with Gray and other school team members "with the Competition's Title and victory ours. I managed to save you guys"

"you didn't have to" Eclair said as she holds his hand "even if we were expelled, we would always see each other"

"true" Natsu said before pecking her lips and smiled "but being with you guys at school is much nicer"

Éclair smiled back before she kisses his cheeks


Natsu and the others chatted around with everyone as they were having such a nice time

Soon Arcadios came and slammed the sheath of his sword to the floor a few times, grabbing everyone's attention

"To all of the mages who fought valiantly throughout this year's Grand Magic Games, his majesty; Toma.E. Fiore! will now give his thanks and salutations! Listen well and heed his words!" Arcadios exclaimed as the horns started to play in tribute to the king who appeared with Hisui beside him above some stairs

"everyone! I truly thank you all for the amazing year for the CMC that you all had given!" Toma exclaimed with a smile "it brings me so much joy to witness such a spectacular year with these eyes of mine. I truly thank you all!"

Everyone soon clapped their hands as they were cheering for his short speech

"Natsu Dragneel!" Toma called out as everyone looks to Natsu who looks at the King "I can never truly thank you for your actions the previous day. You have apprehended a dangerous man who could've been a threat to my kingdom and my people. And for that I would like to award you with this"

Arcadios clapped his hands as a soldier came and presented Natsu a robe that had the insignia of a dragon on the back

"this robe has been passed down from generation and generation of legendary heroes who wielded the power of the fire" Toma explained with a smile before he bowed a bit "I hereby bestow upon you the title 'Flamme Chevalier" the Flaming Knight!"

Everyone soon clapped their hands as Natsu wore the robe as it glows red to him

"first Dragon Emperor, Salamander, and now Flaming Knight" Mira said grinning "you're getting some Hot Titles there!"

"now! Without further ado! Let us begin the awarding ceremony!" Toma exclaimed as six guards came and bestowed each school, medallions for their participating members "I truly thank you for your valiant fight in the competition"

Everyone clapped their hands for them before it was time for the awarding trophy for Belserion High

Hisui walks down the stairs as she holds a golden trophy in her hand

Natsu stepped forward as Hisui holds the trophy to him

"congratulations, Flamme Chevalier Natsu Dragneel" Hisui said as Natsu nodded before taking the trophy and lifts it up high

Everyone soon cheered for him as they showered him with compliments

After the awarding ceremony was done, it was time to start the ball dance

"let us begin the annual ball!" Toma exclaimed as he clapped his hands and music started to play from the orchestrator

Natsu was dancing with Éclair as they spun around slowly before they turn to see Hisui

"excuse me" Hisui said with a smile as she politely reached a hand out to Natsu "may I take the next dance?"

Natsu looks to her before to Éclair who nodded with a smile

"very well" Natsu said as he holds Hisui hand before leading her to the center floor of the ball

The two bowed to each other before Natsu holds her hand and waist, slowly starting their dance together

"you are well fine in dancing" Hisui said as Natsu spins her around before they spin together

"I am a member of my school's dancing club" Natsu replied as they spin around the floor before Natsu dips Hisui down before continuing

"I see" Hisui replied with a smile as Natsu spins her around again "you are very talented in many aspects"

"is that so?" Natsu asked as he spins Hisui before pulling her in "some people always said that I'm too talented"

"that's a good thing" Hisui said as Natsu holds her waist and lifts her up before setting her down gently "tell me, have you ever thought of becoming something greater than who you are before?"

"sometimes" Natsu replied as they spin around in a circle before standing in the middle "why you ask?"

"simple, really" Hisui said before the two separate from their dance and bowed to each other "thank you for the dance"

Hisui soon turns to walk away while leaving Natsu who looks at her confused and curious at the same time


The ball soon came to an end as the time had turned midnight

"thank you all for coming" Toma said as he did a small bow and smiled "I look forward in seeing next Year's CMC and perhaps an even greater performance than ever"

Everyone clapped their hands as Toma bowed again before Hisui stepped forward

"before you all go home to your quarters, I would like to make a special announcement," Hisui said smiling

"Hisui?" Toma looks to his daughter as he blinked a few times in confusion "what special announcement?"

"father, I have decided," Hisui said to her father who blinked again before walking down the stairs and faces towards Natsu "I, Hisui. E. Fiore, daughter of Toma. E. Fiore announced my engagement to Natsu Dragneel. My future husband and king"

Immediately, as Hisui spoke out her special announcement. All hell broke Loose

"WHAT!?" Erza and the others exclaimed in shock as so were the other teams

"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING-KABO!?" Mato exclaimed, saying the line of a certain Mascot

"PRINCESS!?" Arcadios exclaimed in shock

Hisui smiled to Natsu who blinked a few times before parting his lips to speak

"huh?"


That's a wrap!

Bye bye