Chapter-21

To Say Goodbye

Mavis stood at her window as she thought about the day's events. The meeting between Zeref and her (heat still rushed to her cheeks when she thought of it) and Lucy's…adventure in the forest.

The young woman sighed. She hoped that Lucy would recover soon. And that someone would come with news about her. And that that someone would be Zeref.

Mavis unconsciously raised a hand to her lips. Zeref's kiss still burned upon them. She felt a burning bolt of pain as she thought of what she had to do.

Mavis however, raised her head stubbornly. Tears shimmered in her eyes at the thought of what she had to do. But she set her lips firmly. She had to do it. She couldn't risk hurting Zeref. She wouldn't.

Still, as she gazed at the dark night sky, Mavis felt as if she would rather face the stake than what was before her.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Mavis waited on Star Hill the next day, not for very long, for Zeref came quickly at daybreak. She was pale and tired from lack of sleep the night before.

"Zeref!" She called as soon as the Crown Prince came into sight. "How is Lucy? Will she recover soon? Has anyone figured out her secret? Is she even awake yet? Wh-"

Zeref chuckled. "Slow down, Mavis," he interrupted her.

Mavis was about to speak again when Zeref suddenly pulled her into a kiss that left her dizzy. "Uh….."

"Lucy is fine," Zeref said, pushing a stray strand of golden hair behind Mavis' ear. "She was able to sit up last night and talk but was somewhat weary and pained. She will recover in a few weeks, I suppose. It will take time, however."

"I see," Mavis said quietly, calming down somewhat.

"Don't worry yourself to death, dearest," Zeref said gently. "Lucy wouldn't want that."

Mavis bit her lip. "A-about that…..we need to talk."

Zeref looked genuinely surprised. "What of?"

"About us," Mavis gestured to the two of them. "I- I think we should stop-all of these-these…gestures of affections, Zeref."

Zeref's black eyes clouded over. "Why?"

"If anyone finds out about this-about us," Mavis began haltingly. "It-it would tarnish your reputation, Zeref. I don't want to hurt you. I-I love you too much for that."

"Mavis, I-"

"It's impossible for us to be together, anyway," Mavis continued. Tears were threatening to escape her eyes. "Your parents-the court itself would never allow it. They would want you, the Crown Prince to marry a lady of your status. Not-not someone like me. I'm only a peasant."

"Don't speak of yourself in that way," Zeref pleaded.

"It's true and you know it!" Mavis cried. "If we continue this, both of us will get hurt. Don't you see?"

Tears started to run down her cheeks. "I don't want this! It's hurting me terribly to even say this! But….I don't want you to be hurt. I want you to be happy. That's all."

Zeref stepped forward and embraced her. Mavis seemed to quiet down somehow as she rested her head against his shoulder.

"I-I agree, Mavis," Zeref said slowly. "I don't want to say this-I just want to be with you forever-but….I don't want to hurt you either."

He pulled away slightly and looked into her emerald eyes. "We can't meet anymore, Mavis," he whispered. "It wouldn't be right. You understand."

Mavis nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

Silence reigned for a few minutes. Eventually, Zeref released her.

"Let's go, Mavis," he said hollowly. "I'll give you a ride home."

Mavis went with him silently. They reached her house soon. Mavis jumped down from the horse. Zeref mimicked her actions.

"Goodbye," Zeref murmured. He cupped her cheeks and slowly drew her in for a lingering kiss. Mavis impulsively clasped her slender hands around his neck as she responded in kind. The burning pain in her chest seemed to disappear in that instant. All she could feel was happiness, even for a short while.

It wasn't a kiss of passion or love. It was a kiss of goodbye, of sorrow…

Of regret.

After what seemed like an eternity, they pulled away. Zeref forced himself to look away from Mavis' beautiful eyes and resolutely got back onto his horse.

He rode back to the castle. His home.

But in that one minute, Zeref hated it for what it represented.

(A/N): *ducks* Please don't hurt me! That had to be done.

Review Responses:

0FairyTail0: Thank you for reviewing! Here's the next chapter!

Laxusdrayar2324: Thank you for the review!

Destiny246: Hope you liked this chapter! Review!

Si-chanwantdragon: That's fine and yup, they would get into trouble because they didn't inform anyone like they should've since they wanted to protect Lucy. And thank you, you really made me blush with your review!

Gekko no Kasumi: Thank you!