At such a moment, Rhode naturally wouldn't say anything inappropriate and smiled, saying, "Of course not, it's an honor that the princess graced us with her presence."
Mira followed up, "Thank you for making the trip here.".
Princess Jade smiled and handed over a delicate gift box, "Wishing you a happy wedding and a lifetime of happiness."
"Thank you." Mira accepted the gift box and politely thanked, "If you don't mind its simplicity, would you like to come in and sit?"
"Then I'll intrude." Princess Jade nodded, "Arcadios, take everyone to rest; pick me up later."
"Yes, Your Highness." Arcadios thought that with three of the Ten Wizard Saints present, there was no worry about the princess's safety.
Besides, he felt that entering in his full armor was a bit out of place, and there were too many soldiers to squeeze in.
—This was because of the lack of understanding of Fairy Tail. Just being in full armor or a group of soldiers was no issue; staying to have fun was completely fine.
However, Rhode thought it might be a royal protocol or something, so he didn't say much.
He clapped his hands and shouted to the distracted people, "Don't just stand there, it's cold outside, come in and continue. Keep playing music and dancing!"
"So the ball has already started?" Princess Jade followed Mira inside, removing her cloak to reveal a light green gown.
The old gentlemen's eyes lit up; this princess was hiding her capabilities. From the looks of it, her competencies were no less than Lucy's.
Mira said, "It was originally planned for the evening, but everyone was having fun, so we moved it up."
"What a pity, I should have set out earlier, but there was a New Year celebration at the royal palace in the morning, and I missed the ceremony." Princess Jade said regretfully, "I wanted to try catching the bouquet."
Lucy heard from behind and couldn't help but softly dispute, "No, no, no. If you saw it with your own eyes, you definitely wouldn't want to participate."
Natsu asked, "Lucy, do you know her?"
Lucy looked at the back of Princess Jade, thought for a moment, and said, "Today is the first time I've seen her. Why?"
Natsu replied, "But she kept secretly looking at you just now."
"Oh? Really?" Lucy hadn't noticed and remarked a bit vainly, "Maybe she feels threatened by my beauty and figure?"
Hapi interjected at the right moment, "No way, Lucy looks chubbier than her."
Lucy immediately squeezed Hapi's face with her hands, "Stupid cat, try saying that again!"
Hapi mumbled, "Ai~ Lucy looks ch…"
Lucy covered his mouth, "I didn't actually want you to say it!"
Princess Jade seemed to hear the commotion behind and glanced back, smiling softly when meeting Lucy's eyes.
Lucy didn't understand the goodwill from the other side and could only return a smile.
Realizing her appearance was a bit ungraceful at the moment, Lucy casually tossed Hapi aside and tidied her clothes.
Warm, who was busy with food and drink, got hit by Hapi without feeling any pain, turned around to give Hapi a lick full of saliva, and started sharing some goodies with him.
Princess Jade had turned back and started asking about some news she read in magazines as if she were just an ordinary guest, especially those about the Celestial Wolf Group.
Mira answered each inquiry while Rhode simply accompanied quietly, only speaking when the princess asked directly or when Mira asked him to chime in.
The ball had started again, and some obliviously bold folks soon ignored the princess, occasionally casting curious glances her way.
Makarov quietly listened for a while and couldn't help but ask, "Why did Her Highness the Princess make a special trip today?"
"It's somewhat embarrassing to say." Princess Jade apologized, "Actually, for the Fairy Tail's contributions to Fiore Kingdom, I should have visited sooner.
"But due to various reasons, I couldn't make it until today, taking the opportunity of Mr. Rhode and Miss Mirajane's wedding to come. I apologize for not being able to provide enough help to Fairy Tail over the past six years; the King asked me to express his apologies on his behalf."
Makarov said, "Those things are long in the past. From what the kids said, the Kingdom's medals helped us a lot; for that, I have to thank you."
They had already settled at the table, with refreshments ready.
Princess Jade took a polite sip of tea and hesitated before starting, "In addition to congratulating you on the wedding and expressing apologies, there's one more thing I'd like to consult."
The three, along with the invisible Mebius, exchanged a glance with Princess Jade, "Please feel free to speak."
"It's about the Black Dragon Acronologia and the Black Mage Zeref." Princess Jade realized this might be a grave matter for Fairy Tail, so she paused for a moment.
Makarov asked, "What would Her Highness the Princess like to know?"
Princess Jade inquired, "Firstly, are Acronologia and Zeref...still alive?"
Makarov nodded heavy-heartedly, "Of course, we do not have the ability to defeat them. Six years ago, although they suffered some minor injuries, none threatened their lives, so they should still be alive."
"I see." Princess Jade nodded, thinking that the Eclipse plan still needed to proceed.
She further asked, "Can I ask what level of power they have reached? Are they really as terrifying as described in the Revelation?"
"The Black Dragon's power is indeed as formidable as depicted in the Revelation," Makarov recollected the terrifying figure, "perhaps even more daunting."
To emphasize the Black Dragon's prowess, Makarov used himself as an example, "All the magic I've mastered is ineffective against him, barely even scratching a scale. Conversely, he could defeat me just by playing around."
"Really..." Princess Jade was startled, realizing that the Black Dragon not only surpassed the Ten Wizard Saints, but even they didn't qualify to stand before it?
After managing to digest this news, she continued asking, "What about Zeref?"
Makarov looked at Rhode.
Rhode said, "It's quite peculiar, he can take away life around him at any time, but seems uncontrollable..."
He suddenly stopped, as Mebius at that moment said, "That is the curse of the Ankseram God."
Mira was puzzled, "God?"
Makarov said, "That kind of curse really exists?"
He previously heard it as a legend, believing it was a story spread to impart respect for life.
Before, when Rhode was seeking a way to 'revive Lisana,' Makarov had used this story to advise him.
He didn't expect it was true, and Zeref turned out to be the protagonist of the story.
Princess Jade, unable to see Mebius or hear her, asked puzzled, "What? What curse?"