Okay, again what was I thinking? Erza practically yelled at herself as she stood in the most abominable dress given to all woman kind-it's pink, and has frills-oh dear Mavis!
"What is this?" She grabbed the satin material.
"An under skirt," Juvia replied timidly, I also get along with her, she's more relaxed I also enjoy watching her reject the heavily dressed Gray.
Man that guy needs to take some clothes off.
Suddenly Erza felt her rib caged being crushed.
"Oww what on Mavis given earth are you doing!" Knightwalker yelped moving to slice the hands off the intruder.
"Wait! It's a corset, don't kill me!" Erza stopped mid punch.
"Why is it crushing me?"
"It's not, it's tightening on your feminine curves...men like that."
Huh? "I have to be attractive and in pain for a man's benefit?"
Juvia stopped tightening the ties, "You do want to be the kings wife right?"
Erza shook her head without hesitation, "no, I want to prove him wrong."
"You have to be joking?"
"No, he thinks that nobody, including him will never see me as a woman without brutality."
Juvia shook her head hoping this is the beginning of love, "well in order to do that you have to look good...for him."
"So it does have to come to that," she tightened the rest of the ties then began to pull over the dress.
"Okay walk gracefully over there," Erza walked normally hoping to add sway in her step, but she has as much grace as a knife does in the hands of a child cutting their birthday cake.
"Well aside from the fact Elfman could walk with more grace than you," he can walk with more grace than anyone in the guild, "okay bad example but you're not so hard on the eyes when you stay still."
Erza cracked a smile, "hopefully that King locks the doors tomorrow evening."
That evening Mystogan opened the doors wide to his kingdom the grin on his face unable to disappear.
He felt a tap on his shoulders he turned to see the elegant face of Cocoa his deputy General until he can find a replacement.
"Your highness guests are beginning to arrive, we will be serving champagne I've got the first challenge ready."
"That's great Cocoa make sure the guards are prepared..."
Suddenly Cocoa's expression showed her uneasiness.
"About that your highness, the guards aren't being as heavily disciplined as they were when Erza Knightwalker was in charge but now..." Mystogan sighed, he knew this would happen, after Erza left it felt as if all the power and authority had gone from the palace.
Now Mystogan doesn't want to admit it, but he does need Erza to be this kingdom's General he knows there is no way she'll ever be his wife because of her lack of femininity and royal grace but maybe if she were to see what the guards have become she'll feel it as her prideful obligation to put the guards back into order.
So with that Mystogan adjusted his cloak still unable to relinquish his hold on his life in the Fairy Tail guild they were his family...even if he knocked them out so he could come and go as he pleased.
Strolling into the large ballroom Mystogan was addressed on announcement.
Everyone was staring at him, and he held his head high...like a king should.
But in the distance somebody held their head higher, but the king hasn't noticed her yet.
"This is a fantastic party your highness."
Princess Ultear smiled, her dark eyes matching her porcelain skin, all he could see was her blank sense of greed, there was strength but hatred manifests there also.
"I do hope it is to your standards," he tried to grin.
"Yes, very much...I hope I do get to enjoy it for a much longer time period."
"As do I," he carried himself off quickly a dark aura forming around that woman, the strolled around the room introducing himself to all the Noblewomen selected to participate in the choosing. At the back of Mystogan's head he was actually where Knightwalker was, maybe she had seen how nonchalant the guards have become...
Erza stood at the banquet table feasting on the cake.
Delicious, she moaned her approval.
"At least try to look decent while eating..." She brought Lucy, Levy and Juvia along. So that means Natsu unwillingly had to come unless he doesn't want to feel his spleen inside his stomach and Gray because he didn't want to miss Juvia in a dress. He is practically fawning over her.
Levy looked kinda cute with her long dress, Lucy looked nicer without the skulls but she did opt for a black dress that has the impression of a gothic freak.
Juvia, well if Gray wouldn't stop trying to block her from everyone's view Knightwalker would tell you she looks the nicest.
"And who might you lovely women be?" Erza looked over her shoulder, surprised to see _.
When he looked around the group and caught eyes with Knightwalker he double takes.
"Erza, is that you?"
She nodded.
"Wow, you look different..." Erza look down, it's just a dress!
"Is there something bad about that?"
"No, he just mistook you for a woman," Juvia replied mischievously.
Erza smiled a bit she likes the relationship they share, "how awful should I remind him."
"Maybe not," a voice came from over their shoulder.
They turned to look at their king, and upon her turn the breath had been knocked from Mystogan's lungs.
He thought he had seen all beauty, but Knightwalker in that hip hugging dress and styled bob of red hair certainly sent his brain into befuddlement, that for just point zero of a second he actually wondered if it was all that bad to see her win.
Quiet Mystogan you need your damn General back!
Don't get Mystogan wrong, he doesn't at all want to settle down with a woman he doesn't love but he is reminded that a queen has a certain aura about her that others need, and right now without magic maybe a step towards-not complete harmony-but with a complete royal family, peace can be upheld.
He approached them they all took turns curtsying while the two accompanying men took up bows.
"Fairy Tail wizards huh?" He recognised their faces immediately, Gray was a little more difficult to figure out, with so much layers on.
"Yes, Erza joined us."
Erza decided it was best to embrace her guild, its easier to swallow because she has the guild mark on her shoulder, no point in hiding it.
Mystogan stared at her, he did hear the rumours but he never actually believed it happened.
Clearly he was wrong, and he might be wrong about Lady Knightwalker too.
Mystogan lingered by their party extremely happy to see a gang of entertaining faces, he was still trying not to look awestruck by Erza's new appearance, while said Erza was intently her cake trying not to devour it as she so wanted, the king was definitely seeing a new side of her, rather than the beast striking down this castles enemies.
When the clock struck twelve the King was pulled to the front of the stage, he stood in front his eyes lingering more over to the previous party he had been in, longer than usual.
"Okay, ladies if you would please make your way to the doors residing on the left of the room you will be issued with your first task," on the same night! Erza thought crossly.
She stumbled over to the closest door a black haired aristocrat was there also.
She looked down on Erza, even if Knightwalker was taller.
"Don't get in my way," she hissed.
This only caused Knightwalker's grin to widen no wonder this woman was the only one waiting at this particular door.
"Good to know I might not be the only monster tonight."