This morning, Erza sat atop a mountain, leaning against a tree as she penned her thoughts in her diary about her incredible adventure. When she awoke in the early hours, she noticed the wind was gentle, and a sense of calm enveloped her. It was the perfect opportunity for something exhilarating—climbing one of the many mountains in the empire to witness the sunrise from its peak.

After dressing and grabbing her diary, she approached the mountain, searching for notches in the rock to secure her hands and feet. With determination, she pulled herself up, hand over hand, occasionally stumbling as loose rocks crumbled beneath her, but she never lost her grip.

As Erza ascended, the entire empire unfolded below her—the emperor's palace, the village, even the great wall. Upon reaching the summit, she was greeted by a sight that felt almost magical: the sun rising over the mountains, casting a golden hue on everything it touched. A calm, refreshing breeze danced through her long, scarlet hair, accompanied by the sweet melody of cuckoos singing their morning tune. It was magnificent—beyond anything she could capture in mere words. Yet, she endeavored to try in her diary.

She wrote of the breathtaking beauty before her, the thrill of the experience, and her desire to remain in this serene moment forever, gazing over the glorious world below. She also wished she could share this view with her friends and loved ones, knowing they would appreciate it just as deeply as she did.

"Oh, I wish Mirajane could see this," she thought, along with Laxus, the emperor, and Mother.

Suddenly, a realization struck her.

"Oh no! Mother! The interview! I forgot!"

Erza sprang upright, tucked her diary into her kimono, and hurried down the mountain as quickly and safely as she could.

"She's going to kill me for this!"

Upon reaching the ground, she dashed to the stables, leaping onto a horse and galloping into the village at breakneck speed. The first thing she saw upon arrival was her mother, Irene, with an impatient glare.

"Mother, I'm so sorry—"

"You're late," Irene interrupted.

"I know! I forgot. You see, Mother, I—"

"None of your excuses, young lady. We have only one hour to prepare you."

"Yes, ma'am."

Irene ushered Erza into the private chambers where the emperor's handmaids would bathe, anoint, and beautify her for the interview. This was a rare and honorable privilege for someone who was merely the daughter of a scholar. Typically, only an empress, a princess, a concubine, or the close female relative of an ambassador would be allowed access to these chambers. However, the emperor's fondness for Erza had granted her this opportunity to impress the headmistress.

"Just look at you," Irene said disapprovingly. "Your hair is a mess, and your clothes are ill-fitting. If the headmistress saw you like this, it would mean instant rejection."

Before Erza could react, she was stripped of her clothes and plunged into a tub of soapy water. Her hair was shampooed, and her body scrubbed clean. Once she was dry, she was dressed in a silken daxiushan, adorned with sashes and scarves at her waist. Her hair was styled into an elegant bun, and makeup was applied meticulously: her face was painted white, her eyelids shaded in violet and black, and her lips and cheeks brushed with red. Finally, jewelry was added—jade beads hung from her neck, and obsidian rings adorned her ears.

"You look beautiful," Irene remarked bittersweetly, seeing her daughter transformed into a young woman for the first time. "Magnificent. The headmistress could not possibly reject you now."

As Erza gazed at her reflection in the mirror, she had to admit her mother was right. She looked stunning—like a geisha or a lady of high status. But she didn't look like herself.

"Thank you, Mother," Erza said. "But this feels like too much. I barely recognize myself. Did we really have to go so heavy on the makeup?"

"I'm afraid so, dear. The headmistress believes that if you're not of royal or noble birth, you must lack talent or worth. She only agreed to this interview because the emperor insisted. She expects you to be a dirty commoner, but we're going to prove her wrong."

"I understand, but this doesn't feel right. I don't feel like me in all this."

"I see," Irene replied. "Perhaps this will help."

She presented Erza with a silver chest, lifting the lid to reveal a golden lotus comb nestled inside.

"It's from the emperor. He's wanted you to have it for a long time, and when I saw it, I thought it represented everything you are."

Erza smiled, accepting the gift with joy as her mother pinned the comb into her hair.

"There, you're ready," Irene declared.

"Not yet!" Goldmine interjected. "You just need one more thing."

He placed a phoenix feather into Erza's hand. "For luck," he said.

"Thank you," she replied.

"Now remember what you're supposed to do," Irene instructed. "Be graceful, poised, and refined. Let your intelligence and wit shine through your beauty and manners. Show her that a woman of great honor can come from humble beginnings."

"I'll do my best, Mother."

"I know you will."

Irene embraced her daughter, kissing her forehead for good luck. Goldmine then escorted Erza to a litter that would take her to meet the headmistress. Accompanying them was Goldmine's niece, the lovely and elegant Mirajane—Erza's childhood friend and the fiancée of the emperor's grandson. She embodied perfect femininity: a paragon of beauty, grace, and modesty. Always composed, she spoke in a melodious tone and never lost her temper. It seemed destined that she would one day become a princess. Yet, behind her charming exterior lay a kind heart and a humble spirit. Despite her elevated status, she treated everyone with respect and never made Erza feel inferior.

"You'll do just fine," Mirajane assured her friend, noticing the tremor in Erza's hands during the journey. "You are the smartest woman in the entire empire; she has to accept you."

"I may be smart, but I'm no lady. It's obvious I come from humble beginnings."

"That means nothing to the emperor, so it shouldn't matter to the headmistress."

"That's not what Mother thinks."

"Laxus assured me that his father instructed the headmistress to give you a fair chance. Just be yourself—appropriately, of course."

"Easy for you to say. She'll accept you the moment she sees you."

"Only because I'm engaged to the future emperor, not because of any talent I may or may not have. At least you'll have rightfully earned your position, which is far more honorable than anything I could achieve."

"You don't give yourself enough credit, Mirajane."

"Neither do you. I was just fortunate to be born pretty enough to be on Laxus's arm. That's how I got where I am. But you and your mother worked hard to earn the emperor's favor. You have real talent, and you should be proud. Sometimes I wonder why I was chosen to be Laxus's betrothed when you are clearly more qualified."

"Oh, come now, Mirajane. I don't feel that way about Laxus. You're the one who's always loved him."

"Yes, but do you..." Insecurity flickered in her turquoise eyes. "Do you think he loves me?"

"What are you talking about? Of course he loves you! Don't you know that?"

"No, I don't. Not really. Oh, Erza, I love Laxus with every fiber of my being. Even as a child, I wanted no one but him to hold my heart. But what if he's only marrying me because it's been arranged? I don't want to force him into matrimony."

"Well, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. That's just how marriages are done around here. Honestly, I'm surprised Mother hasn't tried to set me up with someone yet. Perhaps it's because her marriage to my father was arranged, and we all know how that turned out."

"Exactly. Marriage shouldn't be a forced union. It's meant to be a mutual bond based on trust, honor, and love. I want to marry someone I love, who loves me in return. But for as long as I can remember, Laxus has never said he loves me."

"Never?"

"Never. So I can't help but wonder if he truly does. I know he cares for me, but you don't marry someone just because they care."

"If that's how you feel, why not talk to him about it?"

"Oh, Erza, I could never do that! Questioning my betrothed's devotion to his face? Especially when he's the heir to the empire? Can you imagine how angry Laxus would be?"

"You have a point. I still remember what happened when that concubine screamed at him in public for choosing you as his future bride instead of her."

"A decade in a dudgeon. But that's mild compared to what he could do to his future wife if she ever displeased him."

"Maybe he wouldn't be that harsh. From what I've heard, his grandfather practically worshiped his grandmother."

"But his father practically enslaved his mother and later executed her for defying him." Mirajane shuddered. "It's so complicated. In my heart, I know he'd never be that cruel, but then I hear what people say about his fragile ego and pride. I just don't want to displease him. I only want to make him happy."

"Oh, Mirajane." Erza took her hand. "I had no idea you were facing such struggles."

"It's okay." Mirajane smiled warmly. "As my uncle always says, life is full of struggles for everyone, but it's easier to face them with friends."

Erza nodded in agreement. When the litter came to a stop, the two ladies stepped out hand in hand, ready to see what fate had in store for them.