Hey, everyone! I'm sorry for the delay, but I hope that this chapter makes up for that :). I don't have much to say, except that I appreciate all of your reviews and follows and favourites very, very much and I hope that you all will continue supporting me.

Anyways, enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 3: First impressions

Erza looked out of her carriage, at the land that was flashing before her eyes. She had been traveling for days now and in all honesty, it had started to bore her, however beautiful the scenery before may be. She sighed, a habit that she had formed over the past few days. Erza didn't like to admit it, but she was scared. Scared of the new country, scared of her new husband-to-be, scared of the changes in general. She had wondered if she would like it there, if she would like the people, if they would like her. But, like every time she thought about the subject, Erza quickly forced it to the back of her mind. She reminded herself that it didn't matter if she would or wouldn't like them; this was for the good of her people and country. And if it was in service of something so important, she would sacrifice her own happiness and she would it with a smile.

That was the kind of person Erza Scarlet, Princess of Hargeon, was. Since she was a child, she would always try to put others before herself. That's why it pained her so to see all of those soldiers march out to war, because Erza knew that not all of them would return. She knew that they would have to part with their loved ones and that they, too, would know that there was a chance that they would never again lay eyes on one another. The thought broke something inside of her, and yet she couldn't do anything about it. She was a royal, the sole heir to a throne no less, and still there was nothing she could do about such matters. From the moment that Erza had come to this conclusion, she had promised herself that once she was Queen and she would have the power of a country at her disposal, she would do something, anything to keep her subjects safe. At the time, she didn't know, however, that she would have have such an opportunity in the very near future. She did know now.

Ever since Erza was six years old, the Kingdom of Hargeon and the Kingdom of Magnolia had been at war with one another. She didn't know why it had started, but she did know the horrors that it had brought. How could she not. War spares no one, not even those who live in a castle behind strong stone walls. Almost daily, people – wounded people, broken people, hungry people – would come to the castle in search of shelter, a way of getting revenge or foot to feed their starving families. Her father would try to help them as much as he could, but even kings run out of resources eventually. One day, he had to sent the first beggars away, unable to satisfy their needs. Others would soon follow. Erza had found her father in his study that day, tears in his eyes.

She still remembers the day that a ceasefire had been announced, she was seventeen at the time. Everyone had been so happy. She had walked around the castle and she hadn't seen anyone without a genuine smile. Except her father's counselor perhaps, but then again, Erza couldn't recall a time when she had seen him smile. For five days straight, there had been feasts all over the country, exploiting the last of their resources, but that hadn't mattered. It was one of Erza's fondest memories.

Now, two years later, she was traveling to Magnolia in order to secure an alliance so that all the bloodshed from those years would never continue. But the way Erza saw things, she was marrying the son of the man who was responsible for it all, and she couldn't help to feel disgust. And yet, some small part of her told her that the son was not the father and that she at least owed him a chance, even if it was just because it was the right thing to do. Or maybe that was just her trying to convince herself that the man she was to marry would be someone she could love.

"Hey, Erza, are you dreaming again?" The voice, belonging to Mira, dragged her out of her thoughts. And Erza was grateful for it.

"Yes, sorry. I am a bit sleepy, I think."

"I just can't believe that we will arrive today," Lucy piped in.

"Yes, I know. I can't help to feel excited," Levy added.

"Mmm...," Mira said. "I don't know if 'excited' is the word I would have used, but I know how you feel."

"What about you, Erza?" Lucy asked. Three pairs of curious eyes drifted her way, and Erza couldn't help to feel slightly uncomfortable.

"..I don't know. I mean: I guess I'm a little exited, but I'm scared to and I don't know which of those emotions it the stronger one." Her three friends nodded sympathetically.

"Yes, I suppose it's different for you." Lucy said. "You are, after all, meeting your future husband."

Erza rolled her eyes. "Yes, thanks for reminding me, when I was just about to forget it."

"Oh, come on, Erz," Mira said, slightly poking her in her arm. "It isn't as bad as you make it out to be. At least he's our age. I heard that the Princess of Clover had to marry a man almost three times her age..."

"When you put it like that, I suppose I am kind of lucky," Erza replied smiling slightly. "Still , though, I always thought I would marry someone I loved, or a least liked. To some extend, I knew it was just wishful thinking, but I couldn't help but hold on to that dream. And now I'm here to marry someone I've never met, in some faraway country, away from everything familiar."

Her three friends smiled back at her, because they knew that Erza only talked about her insecurities with them. For everyone else she would just put on a brave face, and smile as though nothing was amiss. Because, after all, royalty wasn't allowed to show weakness.

"It will be all right, Erza," Levy said. "He will love you and, who knows, maybe you will fall for him too, in time."

"How can you know that?"

Levy smiled. "Erza, look at yourself. I have never met anyone who didn't like you."

"Thank you, Levy," Erza replied, gratefully. She looked at her friends, one after another. "You don't know how grateful I am for all of you. I am. Truly."

"We know, Erza. Don't worry; we know," Mira said.

The blaring of the trumpets was the first thing she heard. The sound was indicating the arrival of a royal. How fitting, she thought. Erza couldn't believe that the moment was finally there; she was about to meet her future husband. She still didn't know if the thought excited her or scared her. Erza quickly dismissed the upcoming topic, she didn't have time for that know, she had to focus on looking as regally as possible. First impressions were important, after all. And if they were to be her family-in-law, she needed them to know that she, too, was someone with power.

The carriage suddenly came to an halt. Erza took a deep breath and she felt Mira squeezing her hand reassuringly. A servant opened the door and Erza knew there was no way out. She let go of Mira's hand, smiled at her friends one more time and stepped outside.

The first thing she noticed was how beautiful the castle before her looked in the morning light. The bricks it was made of were almost red and the sunlight gave it some sort of glow, only adding to its beauty. Well, she thought, a bit bitter maybe, at the very least, I will like the place. Then she looked at all of the people gathered here to greet her. It was as though all of the castle had come to see her, maybe there was nothing 'as though' about it. Everyone, from kitchen boy, to highly placed noble, seemed to be present.

Erza heard the sound of trumpets again, this time for the royals of Magnolia. She couldn't help but try to look over the heads of the people gathered here, to catch a glimpse of her husband-to-be. It was futile.

"His Majesty, King Firas of Magnolia and her Majesty, Queen Grandeeney of Magnolia," a page called out, announcing the rulers of Magnolia.

Simultaneously, all of the people present, except Erza herself, bowed before the king and queen. King Firas stood proudly admits all of his subjects, ever the king. His crown was seated firmly upon his dark hair and his eyes looked directly into her's, although she couldn't be too certain with the distance between them. Still, though, his gaze frightened her. It was as though he was weighting his options, asking himself if she was or wasn't worth it. She felt as though he looked at her like he would at a wagon full of grain, inspecting his newly bought property.

The blue-haired queen wasn't much better. Grandeeney wore a smile, and yet, to Erza it seemed completely out of place, seeing that the rest of her demeanor only radiated dislike and – dare she say – hate. So much for good first impressions...

Another person arrived besides the king. He was tall and very muscular with short blond hair. Erza couldn't help but wonder if this was perhaps Prince Jellal.

"Mira," she asked her friend behind her. "Is that him?"

"No, I don't think so," came the reply. "My guess it that he's the king's nephew, Laxus, the dethroned prince."

Erza was about to ask what she had meant by dethroned, but Lucy was faster: "Erza, look! There he is!"

Erza immediately turned her head towards where her friend was pointing. He was walking towards them. The first thing she noticed was the strange, red tattoo adorning the right side of his face. The second was his spiky blue hair. She gasped. He seemed familiar, almost as though she had met him before. A young boy with the exact same hair and tattoo came to mind. Where did that come from? Have I met him somewhere before? When? Why does he seem so familiar? Why don't I remember? Erza didn't know the answer to any of her questions, and she was very confused. But she didn't let anything of it show and instead smiled at her fiance. He smiled back and bowed before her. She did the same. I must be mistaken. It must be something my conflicted mind made up. I have never met him before.

"Princes Erza," he said, his face still bearing a slight smile. Erza didn't know if it was genuine or not. It didn't matter, she decided.

"Just Erza is fine. After all, we are to be married, so we might as well act familiar with one another."

"I see. Of course. Call me Jellal, then." He offered her his hand. "Welcome to the Kingdom of Magnolia, Erza."

She smiled and placed her hand in his. She noticed how warm his hand felt in hers. Was he nervous? "Thank you, Jellal."

With that said, the two turned around and began to walk towards the castle. Erza could feel the eyes of everyone present following her every move. Despite having dealt with being stared at all her life, it made her uncomfortable, because this was new territory. No one knew her here, and she knew no one. These moments were the ones that would determine their opinion of her, before they had a chance to get to know the real her.

Jellal seemed to notice her discomfort and slightly squeezed her hand. Surprised at the gesture, she looked upon his face, but he kept his gaze forward, the smile still plastered to his face. Erza returned her gaze to the castle and straightened her back. She was a princess, a future queen, and she would make sure that everyone would damn well know it. All her previous insecurities seemed to drift away and it was now her turn to smile. Yes, she could do this. This was what she was trained to be, what she was meant to be. Erza would show Magnolian court what she was made off and that she wasn't just another simple-minded princess. Oh, no. She would show them.

Soooo... How'd you like it? I'm sorry if the whole 'jerza-meeting' was a bit dissapointing, I know how excited some of you have been for it... Just remeber the situation that they're in and I think that it's a pretty realisic meeting (though maybe not the one you guys wanted).

Please tell me your thoughts by leaving a review, because they make me happy :). Oh and one more thing: the chapters are all around 2000 words, do you think that's too short, or is it good as it is?

I appreciate (I don't know if that's spelled right..) every single one of you and I hope you'll continue to read this story!

~t.s.w.w