Chapter-26

One Last Time

Lucy stood at the window in the room that had been provided for her in the Royal Wing. There was an absent smile on her face and a light flush on her cheeks as she thought about her future.

Her future. With Natsu.

A few months ago, if anyone had told Lucy that she would be engaged to Prince Natsu, she would have laughed and told them that they were delusional. How things had changed.

A knock at the door startled her. Lucy swung around. "Come in!"

A maid entered and curtseyed before presenting a letter to her. "This arrived for you, Lady Lucy."

"Thank you," Lucy said with a smile. The maid curtseyed again and went away, shutting the door behind her.

Lucy picked up the letter and opened it up. She smiled when she recognized the familiar script and eagerly began to read it. It was quite long.

Various emotions flickered about Lucy's face as she read it through. Once she was done, she laid it down and glanced at the open window.

"Well, this changes things."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Lord Jude Heartfilia stood in the balcony connected to his chambers as he observed the wide grounds attached to the castle. He nodded in satisfaction. His daughter would do well here.

Confusion marred his features when Lucy came into view, with Prince Natsu at her side. Both of them were looking at something Lucy held in her hands. The prince seemed serious and said something. Lucy frowned and argued back. This went on for some time, until Prince Natsu sighed and seemed to relent. Lucy smiled brilliantly and thanked him. The prince grumbled and then said something that made Lucy burst into laughter.

Lord Jude blinked and thought of Lucy's behavior with her previous suitors. Most of the time, she had been cool and dignified and sometimes, when those particular men had been incompetent, she had mocked them. But…Jude had never seen his daughter smile like this before. Or remain in such close contact to a man.

And this was the first time in years that he had seen Lucy laughed like that.

Turning, Jude made to go back into his room.

Perhaps his daughter would find happiness, after all.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Zeref twirled a dagger idly in his hand as he looked around the armory. His thoughts drifted to Natsu and Lucy. A small smile appeared on his face when he thought of their smiles and laughter. Their happiness.

Perhaps thinking about it wasn't a good thing. Jealousy slowly but surely started to creep over his heart as he thought about the two of them. Why couldn't it be like that for him and Mavis?

It was painful to even think about her. To think about her sparkling smile, her childlike innocence, her ability to walk as if she danced, her musical laughter, her intelligence…..everything.

Before Zeref had met Mavis, his future had been laid out in front of him. There were no bends in the road. It was all very clear, he was one day to inherit the kingdom, marry someone of noble standing, rule the country and make sure it was at peace. The future had been blank and colorless. There was no excitement. Absolutely nothing.

But when they met, his life seemed to change. Mavis lit it up with her beautiful smile and every day spent with her was golden. Nothing was ever the same with her; she was always so full of life and unpredictable. He found himself thinking about her all the time, and before he knew it, he had fallen in love.

It happened so quietly and quickly that he barely knew it until he forced himself to face facts. Zeref had been in turmoil for some time about it, but the minute Mavis told him that she loved him, all of that was forgotten. All he knew was Mavis, her love and the gentle feeling of her lips against his.

And of course, there was that heart breaking moment when they realized that they couldn't see each other anymore. It killed Zeref slowly and painfully on the inside. He wanted to say no, to ask to stay with her, a little longer; but he knew it would be selfish. Zeref knew quite well that Mavis was hurting as much as he did. And so, with that last kiss, he left her forever, without a second glance.

Because he knew that if he looked back, he would never be able to part from her again. It was now or never.

Zeref tossed the dagger back to its place and made his way out of the armory.

He wished more than anything, that he could see Mavis one last time.

(A/N): A little angst here and there~ *ducks as pitchforks and knives are thrown at her* Oi! Thos things could kill someone! *ducks as rotten tomatoes are thrown her way* Ew, that stinks. Um, anyway, don't worry, because…Zervis is coming back? Soon? Hopefully?

0FairyTail0: Yay, a fellow fan!

Guardian of Light Lightus: *laughs nervously* Erm, okay?

StellaHeartfila: He sure did~

Destiny246: Because that's what sisters do. Annoy their older brothers. Believe me, I would know.

BlackHeart-FallenAngel: So am I! Please continue to review!

AIRbooks: Thank you! And welcome, fellow Wendy-Zeref brotp fan!

Laxusdrayar2324: Yes, somewhat~

SingingAngel327: Thank you! And that would be a good idea, but Mavis still wouldn't have royal blood in her veins…and that's what really mattered in those times.

Thalsassa Bara: *blushes* Aw, thank you! I'm happy you nearly cried over my story! That's so flattering! Thank you for reviewing and please continue! And yes, it is a sort of mix.

Jazmin-Sempai: Yep~