Fairy Tail: I Don't Want to Be the Guild Master

Traditionally, weddings included an evening ball, a champagne tower, and the cutting of the cake. But Fairy Tail, of course, couldn't wait until nightfall. The moment they returned to the guild, the crowd erupted, urging Rhodes and Mirajane to dance and kick off the celebration immediately.

Neither Rhodes nor Mira were the type to be bound by formality, so starting early was fine with them.

Under the watchful eyes of their guildmates, the two performed a playful dance followed by a romantic one, their steps elegant and perfectly matched. But before long, the crowd booed them off the floor with grins and laughter.

The bride and groom had fulfilled their ceremonial duties, now it was everyone else's turn to take over.

Far from upset, Rhodes and Mira found a quiet spot, still dressed in their wedding attire, and began eating.

Rhodes popped a few bites into his mouth to line his stomach, then noticed Mira devouring her food with unusual gusto. Smiling, he poured a drink and slid it across to her. "Wife, you're not looking very ladylike right now."

Mira swallowed, wiped her lips with deliberate grace, and sighed. "I haven't eaten a thing since morning. I'm starving."

Rhodes blinked. "Didn't I have Happy bring you some snacks this morning?"

"Don't even mention it. By the time it got to me, half the box was gone, and Happy's whiskers were covered in crumbs! He still insisted he hadn't touched them." Mira scowled. "And besides, I'd just put on lipstick, so I ended up giving the rest away."

That sounded exactly like something Happy would do. Rhodes quietly vowed revenge on the blue Exceed, then pushed more food in Mira's direction.

Mira happily continued eating, but after a few bites, she suddenly froze and looked at Rhodes nervously. "Does this… ruin my image?"

"Just be yourself." Rhodes shrugged, pretending to look put-upon. "After all, I've already been tricked by you, so it's too late for me to care."

"That's right. I've already got you!" Mira smirked mischievously, pointing a half-eaten chicken leg at him. "Accept your fate!"

Rhodes leaned forward, intending to take a bite of the chicken leg she offered, but Mira suddenly burst into laughter before he could.

While the newlyweds teased each other, chaos naturally broke out elsewhere.

According to custom, the next step was for bridesmaids and groomsmen to pair off for a dance.

Juvia immediately stood in front of Gray, her eyes shining, clearly waiting for him to extend his hand.

Gray, however, looked thoroughly annoyed.

Before Juvia could feel disheartened, Lyon gallantly shoved Gray aside and held out his hand. "Since this fool refuses, Miss Juvia, please dance with me instead."

Before she could respond, Gray booted Lyon across the room and grabbed Juvia's wrist, pulling her along. "Don't go harassing the girls in our guild!"

Whatever his true intentions, Juvia only saw Gray-sama defending her honor. Her heart melted on the spot, and she resolved to repay him with even more love.

Meanwhile, Jet and Droy were bickering loudly over who had the right to invite Levy. But Levy's gaze lingered only on Gajeel.

The Iron Dragon Slayer, however, was lazily propping his chin in one hand and chewing on a screw like it was candy. He had no interest in dancing whatsoever.

Seeing Levy at risk of being embarrassed, Lily stepped in with gentlemanly precision. He transformed into his larger form, bowed politely, and asked her to dance instead. Levy sighed quietly, both grateful and disappointed.

Elfman, for once, managed to rise to the occasion. After some hesitation, and with Lisanna's encouragement, he invited Evergreen to dance.

Evergreen was quick to cover her feelings, snapping halfway through their steps, "Don't get the wrong idea. I only said yes because I didn't want you to look pathetic if you got rejected, not because I wanted to dance with you."

Elfman nodded sincerely. "I understand."

Evergreen nearly tripped over her own feet. (▼皿▼#) "What do you understand?!"

The other pairs were thrown together more casually, some awkward, some amusing. But the biggest surprise was Laxus. Seeing Erza standing alone, no one daring to ask her, he stepped forward and offered his hand.

And so, Natsu and Lucy, who had trailed in last, naturally ended up dancing together.

Other guests quickly joined the floor, laughter and music filling the guild. For a time, the atmosphere was harmonious and merry, the celebration of Rhodes and Mira's wedding in full swing.

But the joy didn't last.

"B–bad news!" a twenty-year-old guild youth, Tono, suddenly cried out in panic. "An army! There's an army surrounding the guild!"

"What?!" Makarov's face darkened, his first thought leaping to disaster. "Where did this army come from?"

Had Fairy Tail stirred up trouble again? Had the Magic Council finally sent troops to arrest them?

The music cut off mid-note, dancers froze in place. Some hadn't caught the warning and looked around in confusion, while those who had heard stared at the doors in alarm.

Rhodes frowned.

An army? All they had done was demolish part of a church, partially, and they'd even offered compensation. That shouldn't be enough to warrant sending soldiers. Besides, Council members like Lahar and Mest were already here. Who else could it be?

Wiping his mouth, Rhodes rose. Whatever the case, as groom and guild mage, he had to meet them.

Mira calmly set down her utensils, dabbed her lips with a cloth, touched up her makeup with a small hand mirror, and slipped her arm through his. The two stepped out together, Makarov joining them, with guildmates crowding close behind. Even Lahar and Mest leaned forward curiously.

All eyes turned to the west end of the street.

A knight in shining white armor rode at the head of the procession, reins in hand, posture commanding. Behind him marched several armored guards, followed by a magnificent carriage gleaming under the sun. Behind the carriage trailed an entire squad of soldiers, their armor polished, their boots striking the cobblestones in perfect rhythm.

Jura's eyes narrowed. "Such formality… this is royal. And if it is, then they likely come with no hostile intent."

Just one glance at their gear was enough, this wasn't an ordinary military unit. No noble would arrive this way unless they were royalty. Carriage, airship transport, and ceremonial retinue, this was a king's daughter.

His calm assessment eased some of the tension, but also made many guild members shift nervously. Few ever laid eyes on royalty. If they made a wrong move, would it be considered a crime?

The knight at the front dismounted with precision, lifted a hand, and the entire procession stopped as one. The carriage rolled to a halt, and the coachman hurried to place a stepstool beneath the door.

Drawing his sword and lowering it respectfully, the knight raised his voice: "Her Highness the Princess has arrived! Sheathe your weapons and show respect!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"The Princess?!"

"Could it be… Fiore's Princess?"

"Why would she come here of all places?!"

Makarov glanced at Rhodes and Mira, but both bride and groom were just as stunned. They hadn't invited any royalty.

The carriage curtain swept back, and a young woman descended with practiced grace.

She was beautiful, with long green hair that shimmered like emerald silk, a golden circlet crowned with rubies on her brow, a jade necklace at her throat, and a white fur mantle draped over her shoulders. Her smile was gentle, her presence radiant.

The Emerald Princess stepped lightly onto the stool, then onto the cobblestones, her eyes sweeping toward Fairy Tail.

And when she spotted Rhodes and Mira, her expression brightened.

In her younger years, she had admired Mirajane's photographs, captivated by the Demon Queen's ethereal beauty. She had never expected that, six years later, Mira would look unchanged, no, even more dazzling, adorned in her wedding gown, radiant as a bride.

After secretly admiring the bride and groom, the princess's gaze shifted. She picked out Jura, Ichiya, Jenny, and other familiar figures, and only with effort did she finally notice Makarov standing next to Rhodes.

With a graceful bow of her head, she said softly, "Forgive my sudden arrival. I came only to congratulate Mr. Rhodes and Miss Mirajane. Please treat me as nothing more than an ordinary guest."

The princess looked at the stunned faces surrounding her, then turned her eyes back to the bride and groom. Her smile remained warm as she asked gently, "Would the two of you mind?"