"I have to fight Father," Jellal whispered. "He knows I'm not Riko."

"So?" I asked. "You're stronger than him. I know that. So beat him."

"I can't," Jellal told me. "He's my Father. The king. I'll humiliate him. He may have been good in the past, but he's getting old now."

I stared at him thoughtfully. "I don't know. Sorry."

The prince sighed. "I shouldn't have entered this tournament."

~ ~ ~

Juvia versus Sting was a bloody fight. I didn't want Juvia to die at the hands of Sting, who was wanted revenge for Rogue. At the same time, I didn't want to Sting to die at the hands of magic. So I decided to interfere by using my own magic.

Jellal was standing beside me, so I couldn't move my lips while casting the spell. So I closed my eyes and concentrated really hard.

The prince gasped and I quickly opened my eyes. Juvia's knife had gotten stuck in the mud. I smiled with satisfaction.

Serves you right..

Juvia looked straight at me, tears forming in her eyes.

"Why?" she mouthed. "Why?"

I shook my head and turned away.

Sting got up from the ground and kneed Juvia in the stomach. She collapsed to the ground.

Sting held his twin swords up, ready to strike.

Magic isn't meant to be used for killing.

I turned around and muttered, "Farashatan."

A blue butterfly flew down and landed on Sting's blond hair.

"What did you say?" Jellal asked.

"Nothing."

He looked at me strangely, but it was worth it. Juvia's eyes widened as she saw the butterfly. She leaped up from the ground and punched Sting in the jaw. He fell to the ground, unconscious. Juvia left the ring.

The crowd protested. "KILL HIM! KILL HIM!"

Minerva looked at the announcer. "What now?"

The announcer scratched his head. "Jonathan, you either kill him or you both are out of the tournament."

She looked at me straight in the eye and said loud and proud, "Juvia's no killer."

~ ~ ~

"Erza," Juvia said "Erza!" 

I got up from my bed and walked over to the blue-haired woman.

"Yes?"

"Juvia's sorry."

I smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Everyone makes mistakes. I'm glad you made the right decision."

"It's so hard," Juvia whispered. "People like us..living like shadows.."

"You're right," I said softly. "But one day..we'll be free..When Prince Jellal becomes king..Everything will change! I promise."

Juvia stared at the ground. "I believe you, Erza."

She shifted uncomfortably. "Is that why you protect him?"

I bit my lip. "It's my destiny."

"That's why Juvia thought..She should give this to you," Juvia said, sliding the magic ring off her finger. "Juvia's father never used it, and when he died, Juvia took it and used it. Now Juvia understands. Juvia's father wasn't a fool. Juvia was."

I took the ring from her and put it on my hand.

"Use it," Juvia told me. "Juvia knows your magic is stronger then the rings, but Juvia wants to help. Use the ring to protect the prince!"

"I will."

~ ~ ~

"Ready?"

Jellal stood up. "I guess."

"Do you know what you're going to do?"

"Yes."

Jellal walked to the middle of the arena. I looked up at the high table where Lady Minerva and the announcer were sitting. 

Minerva had planned this..

She locked eyes with me and smirked.

It broke my heart to see the once innocent and naive king's ward like this.

"Riko Scarlet against the mighty king! Who will win?" the announcer shouted.

King Faust smiled at his opponent. "Jellal, I know it's you. I'm not going to go easy on you."

"Nor I, Father," Jellal whispered back.

"Shall we begin?" the king asked.

Jellal raised his sword.

The fight between father and son had begun.