How I Became the Strongest Sovereign

-Zeref's POV-

The music played, slow and warm as the rhythm ran up my spine. I watched one by one as girls walked down the pathway with flowers around their wrist.

Jace and I really went out with our outfit choice, wearing matching black suits. I curled my hair making it more wavy and Jace kept his the same. We both wore expensive cologne and even mum said we looked good.

Mike wore a pink suit and rolled his eyes at our lack of effort. Apparently he was going to the dance with Leilani and he wouldn't stop talking about how she looked so impressed with his dance and chocolates to ask her out.

Sara's name was called out as she walked down the path, holding onto the skirt of her dress. Her hair was straightened and trimmed to just below her jaw. She wore long lashes and thick eyeliner along with black lipstick. Her dress was a black corset gown which flowed down to her ankles. She wore an expensive looking necklace around her neck and diamond earrings. 

"Danggg…" Jace said as we smiled at her. She smiled back, waving before taking the hand of a small dude with wolf ears.

"Naz Hosterwell." the host called out and the doors opened.

Jace gasped as I looked up.

She looked like cinderella; wearing a blue dress with flowers all over the skirt and her hair tied up in a beautiful fancy looking bun. She wore glitter heels and a gold swirly bracelet around her wrist along with a diamond ring. She had a blue butterfly hair clip at the centre of her bun and her two strands of hair were curled into small springs at the side of her face.

She smiled happily walking towards us in a graceful manner. Jace held her hand, lowering his lips to her hand and kissing it gently. 

"I would bring down the upper realm for the opportunity to dance with you." he whispered against her hand, trailing his lip down to her ring before looking up for her approval.

Naz blushed into a bright red, taking in her bottom lip between her teeth and nodding.

Dangggggggg who possessed him?! Jace winked at me before leaving with her to the dance floor. 

"Malia Stronghold..."

I lifted my head and the whole crowd went silent. Malia was quite popular so practically everyone was watching her entrance and god she looked beautiful.

My heart stopped and everything felt as if it had stilled.

Malia walked down, holding her gown while holding eye contact with me through her eyelashes. Her glinting brown orbs looked straight into mine as she gave the most gentle smile. Her whole aura was enchanting, from her eyes to her soft smile. A glow surrounded her and I knew everyone was as enchanted as I was.

She wore a silverish grey A-line gown with intricate lace at the torso. It had one slit at her right leg and the skirt wasn't as poofy as everyone else's. She looked stunning. Her hair was straightened and silky, falling down to just above her waist and she wore the necklace I gave her along with a silver bracelet swirling around her wrist twinning with Naz.

"There is more beauty in the touch of your hand than in every other girl in the world." I whispered poetically, taking her head and bowing. She giggled as everyone still had their eyes on us.

I thought for a second.

"I would raise hell for a dance with you." I smirked, matching Jace's line.

Malia nodded but before I could pull her to the dance floor, she stopped, turning around.

"Leilani Ithirae…"

Everyone's attention turned to her just like it did for Malia. 

Leilani scanned the room before walking through doors. She had a light green gown on with the biggest extravagant skirt. She smiled at Malia as she looked up at me with a sad look in her eyes. Her hair was put into a loose ponytail and she wore a rose choker. She held eye contact with me for a second before looking away with a sad and disappointed smile on her face. 

She took the hand of Mike and he smiled genuinely at her but she seemed not into him. Taking his hand and dragging him to the dance floor, she glanced at me one last time before finding Rakeria in the crowd.

Rakeria wore a cream suit with a white lace fitted bra top underneath her blazer and her hair was up in the same high ponytail only neater. She danced with Leilani, crazily jumping to the slow song.

"You smell nice." Malia smirked, flattening my blazer pocket and brushing a piece of hair off the shoulder of my blazer.

I held her nape, tilting her head to the side before placing a kiss on her neck.

"You too." I whispered, resting my arm around her waist. She smiled up at me, a blush rising in her cheeks.

She was acting like herself again.

"Do you want to dance Mochi?" I smiled as she slapped my arm at the old nickname. Taking her hand, we walked to a less crowded place and swayed to the melody of the slow song. She placed both of my hands around my neck before resting both of her hands on my shoulders.

"Zeref…" she called as I looked into the glint in her eyes. Oh my God…

"Yes?"

"You're dancing very awkwardly…"

I looked down at our feet placement, realising I was accidentally brushing our legs. Truth is… I Was never good at dancing unlike Nina, she always used to take the lead. I chuckled nervously, watching as realisation flashed across Malia's face. She raised her eyebrows before giving me a half smirk half smile.

"I-" Before I could finish, she took my hand, gliding us into the middle of the dancefloor.

"Relax and let me lead." she whispered as I stopped my body from tensing.

We swayed effortlessly, catching gazes and I didn't even realise but the attention was slowly turning towards us.

"Oh my god. Look at those two…" I could hear a couple whispers from the sidelines and it was making me feel uncomfortable.

"Just ignore them. You're doing fine." Malia smiled reassuring me. I spun her around before firming my hands around her waist.

The music was slow and melodic. The musicians played their magic instruments controlling the pace of the dance and the whole atmosphere. 

When was the last time I had danced with anyone? 

**

Nina spun me, keeping my hands tight to her right. She always led the dances because I was clueless.

"How are you so good?" I grunted.

"Mother used to dance with me when I was young." she smiled, spinning me with an extraordinary strength which surprised me.

"You look dashing, James…" she complimented, making me blush.

"Shh.. people are watching." I hushed her, smirking.

"James-"

.

"Zeref," Malia furrowed her eyebrows. I smiled at her, slowly finding my lost feet and moving to the rhythm.

My eyes travelled along her jaw and down to her collarbone. Her cavicles were shown in the most innocent but seductive way. I wanted to bury my face in her shoulder line.

'Stop you're killing me with these thoughts!' Voadhailis retorted.

"How have you been?" I said, trying to make small talk.

"Recently, I've been struggling but I am okay now that I am with you." her voice was succulent and soothing like honey and there was a soft touch of seduction hidden deep inside every note of sound she made.

"Struggling?" I raised my eyebrows for her to elaborate.

"There has been a lot going on in my mind," she shook her head before resting her forehead on my chest. 

She stopped dancing, letting go of my shoulders and hugging my waist. I froze, looking down at her head. I could tell people were looking; we were in the middle of the dance floor. I placed one of my hands gently at the back of her head and embraced her in my arms.

We slowly started to sway, staying in that position for so long to the point I felt as if it were only us in the room.

Just me and her.

Her scent was strong as I was so close to her. She smelt of the sweetest flowers and a hint of light perfume.

"Do you remember the first time we met?" I whispered, resting my chin on her head.

I felt her giggle into my chest, as she nodded. I smiled.

"You were so cute," I recalled the memory, replaying it in my head.

Malia shuffled her face out of my chest, finally looking up at my jaw. I peered down at her to see her big doe eyes looking up at me. She scoffed, releasing one of her hands from my waist and flicking my head.

"Ow." I smirked as she giggled.

"Look, Jace and Naz are at the juice bar. Let's go!" Malia swerved her skirt, dodging couples as she ran towards Naz. I shook my head, walking after her.

Naz squealed, hugging Malia as they both scanned each other up and down, showering each other in compliments.

"Dang Zeref. I saw you out there. You got game!" Jace teased, nudging me playfully. I laughed, shaking my head.

"Ugh I'm so glad the music has changed to more upbeat music. Jace kept stepping on my feet." Naz pouted, making Malia laugh.

I whacked Jace's head, earning my head to be whacked by Malia.

"What? He deserved it." I rubbed my head.

"Argh, protect me Malia." Jace jumped behind Malia's small figure, holding her shoulders and peeking behind her head.

"It's not his fault he can't dance." Malia justified.

"My poor feet." Naz whined.

Jace took protection behind Malia whilst I stood behind Naz, not wanting another whack.

"He should've learnt!" Naz rolled her eyes, taking off her heels.

"Hey guys!" Sara came towards us.

"I hate you! I was practicing all night with my pillow!" Jace yelled at Naz, pouting like a baby.

Sara looked at us awkwardly. "Nevermind… Bye guys!" she scrambled away as her poofy skirt bounced up and down. Dang that was a big skirt.

Naz furrowed her eyebrows, crossing her arms. Malia slightly nudged Jace as he sighed in defeat.

"I'm sorry-" he was about to finish apologizing but Naz threw her heel at him and stormed away.

"Ah- Ow! Naz come back!" Jace pouted, running after her with her heels in his hands.

Malia looked at me as we both burst out laughing.

"Idiots…" I scoffed as she nodded.

I looked at the dancing crowd and accidentally made eye contact with Leilani. She jumped around with Rakeria as they both giggled. As soon as she saw me, she smiled. I returned her smile before she turned around, going back to Mike.

"Attention students! It's time to announce the Valentine's King and  Queen!" Xanxus spoke with his voice on blast. Everyone fell silent, looking to the front.

"So… with 798 votes. The Valentine couple is…"

Everyone started to pat tables and laps, imitating a drumroll.

"Jace Stinky and Naz Hosterwell!!!" he boomed.

Everyone gasped, turning to look at Malia and I. My face was shocked but Malia smiled, clapping really loudly and cheering. Seeing as Malia clapped, the crowd followed, cheering for Jace and Naz.

I peered down at Malia as she had that mischievous glint in her eyes. She looked at me from the side of her eyes, still smiling.

"I pulled a few strings." she whispered, winking at me.

I expelled a laugh, shaking my head. "You really are full of surprises."

Naz gasped as Jace offered his hand to her. I guess she was still mad because she completely ignored him, rushing onto stage and wearing her glowing tiara. Jace followed her before they both faced the crowd of most of the school.

They were supposed to do a speech. I'm kind of glad it wasn't Malia and I up there.

"Ummm. First of all, it is Stinkend not stinky-"

The crowd giggled as Jace glared at Xanxus, rolling his eyes.

"Naz Hosterwell, you are the most beautiful and kind hearted cave troll I have ever seen-"

Everyone laughed, making Naz roll her eyes. She tried to hide her smile but it was starting to rise to the surface.

"-and I can't think of a better time to ask you this big question." 

The crowd was silent as Jace searched the crowd. He looked directly at Malia with nervous eyes. Something about their communication was unreadable to me. Malia nodded at him, smiling for him to continue. I think he looked at her for comfort.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" he turned to Naz as everyone cheered, screaming their lungs off and throwing roses in the air.

"Hey! Those are the roses from my garden!" Xanxus yelled as everyone silenced again, holding in their laughter.

We all waited on Naz for her answer. Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to him.

"Yes!" she half sighed, half yelled, nodding while latching onto him like a koala.