Disclaimer: I am not the owner of Fairy Tail

Note: My author's note contains a question for readers about a potential future story of mine. I'd really appreciate it if you'd look at it and respond after reading the chapter!

Things calmed down massively after hatching Dragneel from her egg. Their team split back up, with Natsu and Nab returning to the guild. Loke returned to the celestial spirit world, in case Lucy needed assistance on her next job. Zeref wished he'd gotten the chance to speak to him some more, but Levy had helpfully pointed out that the spirit would likely run into him again, just not right away.

Levy and Zeref had returned to Vistarion, while Igneel was taking care of Dragneel elsewhere. That was another person Zeref wished to speak with some more. Time had dulled some of his anger towards the dragon, and an understanding had come to him when he found that egg. Perhaps he wouldn't say he was Igneel's close friend anymore, but he wished to at least have his former companion to speak with again. Igneel was skilled at giving wise advice, regardless of who was asking for help. Zeref needed that, sometimes, when deciding what to do next.

With the calm, Zeref finally managed to get caught up on paperwork and legislative work from his time away. He was glad that the Twelve were able to put forth temporary measures without his approval, but this extended vacation of his had him considering giving at least one of them the authority to make alterations under specific conditions. Zeref enjoyed his absences and breaks from this sort of work, and he knew Levy would wish for the ability to do the same if she decided to stay.

It had also given him some time to think back on the risks to the lives he created, with his magic. Bringing Igneel back had reminded him quite clearly of the reliance of Natsu's life on his own existence. So, he'd taken some of that spare time to investigate alterations to the spell, and distribute that tether much like he had done with Igneel's. With agreement from Levy and the rest of the team they'd been with, he'd met up with them and expanded that tether to them all. So, if something were to happen to him…Natsu and Igneel would both be able to live on.

Walking towards the dining room, Zeref sighed. It was only lunch, and he was done with work for a change. Invel had gone directly back to tutoring Levy, which meant that unlike him, she likely had plans for the day. So, speaking with her further about…what was different between them, likely wouldn't be an option. Regardless, she was there when he walked into the room. She smiled when she saw him, and he immediately moved to sit next to her. "Good afternoon, Levy. I hope Invel has not been too upset with you due to our latest adventure."

She snorted. "Yeah, he definitely had a few things to say about that. Apparently, it is careless for me to abandon such important work to go on some 'frivolous adventure with my past companions'." Zeref watched her, seeing her shake her head. "I mean, I get why he wants me to focus so much on this, but doesn't he realize that taking breaks helps the information actually stick better? I just don't understand where his focus comes from."

"You are attempting to learn a lot right now." Zeref leaned back, glancing at the table. "All things considered, attempting to learn about the government of a country that is typically quite secretive about such things…it isn't the simplest of tasks set before you. Then, you go and seek out further education on magic as well…I suspect it has taken away quite a bit of your free time." He paused, glancing at her. "Do you wish for me to help in some form? If you are uncomfortable, I am still willing to—"

"Stop offering to yell at your general for me, Zeref." She shook her head, smiling faintly. Her gaze focused on her plate, and her cheeks looked slightly pink. "I just feel like this is important to learn, with everything going on. Not that, I mean…" She sighed, shaking her head and closing her eyes. After a moment, she turned towards him, a faint frown on her face. "I just don't know what future I'm moving towards, and I like being prepared, for whatever may come. So, this is important. I need to understand this."

He reached over, resting his hand on top of her own on the table. She smiled weakly at him, taking in a deep breath. "I've told you before, Levy. Whatever future you choose…I will not hold it against you. As for me personally…all things considered, I do not believe I'd be capable of…creating a place comfortable enough to call home in Ishgar." She turned towards him, her eyes widening. He held out his other hand, gesturing for her to wait until he finished. "If you choose Fairy Tail, I'd wish to follow you. That is why I've considered such a thing on occasion. However…my reputation has never been the greatest there. It was in that continent that I created my demons, where they caused so much destruction and where my curse…well, you are quite aware of what that caused." He sighed, shaking his head. "In Ishgar, I am surrounded by fear, suspicion, and hate. That atmosphere…I fear it would only worsen my own opinion of myself, as there are some of those fears and angers that I can understand, and perhaps even justify myself."

Levy shook her head. "I know your reputation isn't the greatest. I mean, I was you for a while; I saw how they treated you." He nodded, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. Her skin was soft and smooth, which was not typical for a wizard's hand. Fighting often created calluses and scars, though he supposed violent jobs were not the type to suit Levy's preferences well. "But reputations can change, if you work hard enough. I'm not saying you have to come with me or something, but if it is something you really want, you can start small and try to improve how others see you." She paused, before turning towards him with a smile. "I mean, just look at Jellal. You remember him, right?" Zeref nodded. "A few years ago, he'd kidnapped one of our guild members. While I wasn't hugely involved, I did know that it freaked out Natsu and his team pretty badly."

"The R-System…he'd taken one of your comrades as the sacrifice?"

She grimaced, lowering her gaze. "Maybe. Like I said, I wasn't hugely involved, and when they got back, Erza wouldn't say much about it, and it isn't like Natsu would pay attention to the details. Lucy and Gray didn't actually see the man behind it to hear about the purpose either." He nodded, and she turned towards him. "But he changed, after that. All of the things he did with the R-System gave him that reputation as a dark wizard: he sacrificed lives, harmed others, and tormented one of our friends. Yet now…now he's doing everything in his power to fight against dark magic, and to stop people who are going down the path he once was on. He's changed, and at this point, he's probably one of Fairy Tail's closest allies, even if we can't contact him easily with his entire guild being filled with reformed dark wizards."

"Is that why you were…against my deception with him?" She nodded.

"Yeah. It doesn't sit right with me, tricking my friends like that. But at the same time…" She sighed, shaking her head. "I also couldn't see a way out of those negotiations easily, from what I was hearing." She paused, glancing towards him and biting her lower lip. "You're not upset, right? For me refusing the arranged marriage suggestion?"

"Not at all." Zeref smiled at her. "While you may have been living here for some time, it isn't as if we've truly spent much time together. Perhaps you are interested in a romantic relationship…but marriage is not something to be taken lightly." He turned away, staring at the far wall. "As I stated to them, it would not be a matter to discuss publicly, and I would not expect you to voice reasons for your rejection, or acceptance had you considered otherwise, in such a place."

"Good." She inhaled deeply, shaking her head. "I can see why Kagura would suggest that, but really, the other guild masters know better. It…" She paused, glancing towards Zeref. "I'm not just starting a relationship for nothing, okay Zeref? I mean, the whole point is to find someone who I love and want to be with for my life. So, it isn't like it isn't a possibility eventually. Just, like you said, we don't—"

"You don't need to reassure me." He smiled, squeezing her hand. "You were upset with the suggestion, and there were other things on your mind. I did not think your rejection was meant against me personally, and given the timing…I imagine such a plan would put more tension between us than I would have liked." He turned towards her. "Regardless, I think things turned out in an acceptable way. Jellal even offered to assist me, should I need help in…reforming from my former ways, if you can believe such a thing."

Levy blinked at him, before laughing. "He offered to help you? That is surprising." He raised his eyebrows at her. "Sorry, just—he has a bit of a grudge against you. The whole R-System thing—well, you know what he was planning to do with it, right?" He remembered the man mentioning a plan to resurrect himself. He nodded, realizing where such an anger would come from. "Yeah, so, he sorta blamed you, even though you had nothing to do with it. I think he's pretty much realized his bias by now, but it is sorta hard to let go of those things."

"Regardless, I do believe we've strayed from our initial topic." She blinked, and Zeref sighed. "We were discussing what our next plans were for…future events." He pulled his hand away, taking a drink and leaning back in his seat. "With your explanation, perhaps I did not consider the potential of having patience and showing Ishgar that I am not the black wizard I once was. So, that may change things…however, there would still be the issue of Alvarez, if that were my choice." He paused, glancing around the room. "Always…this place was…like a reprieve, of sorts, for me. It wasn't quite a home…no, there was no one here I valued personally, and I could not claim anyone was more than a pawn in the past. It…it was simply a place where I could relax my own personal restraints. That mindset put the curse on hold, and the people…the hatred for me was gone. It made it easy to forget…so when considering which location would be simpler to transform into a home, Alvarez was the one that seemed more plausible." He glanced over at Levy. "I…I may have started this empire as little beyond a way to waste time…but I've come to understand that this nation does rely on me, as their emperor. I've ruled over Alvarez for a long time now, and they value my presence. Now…I am starting to think that perhaps I do care, for what may happen if I leave. I've built this place, and given myself an obligation to this nation. Perhaps I neglected my tasks in the past, but now? Now I think it would be easy, to live my life with this as my…career, of sorts."

"Yeah, I definitely can understand that." She paused, staring at the table with a frown. "Plus, you have the Spriggan Twelve, too…"

"Actually, there are likely only nine now." Zeref tilted his head. "Two of them were demons, which were destroyed as per the treaty. As for the other…God Serena's…admission into the Twelve was to serve as a distraction for a third party to the war. However, it seemed as if that individual never arrived to participate, so he was unnecessary."

"Third party?" She frowned at him.

Zeref nodded. "Acnologia. I haven't seen him since…Tenrou Island, I believe." He paused, frowning for a moment. "Perhaps something happened while I was focused on planning out the war. Regardless, he has vanished quite completely, and I cannot say I will complain about such an event."

"I don't think he's just gone." She frowned. "When Fairy Tail fought against Tartaros a year ago, he was there. I didn't see much, but whatever Natsu saw upset him pretty badly. Igneel and Acnologia fought, and I guess Igneel lost."

"Did he manage to injure Acnologia, perhaps?" Zeref saw her frown.

"Maybe? It isn't impossible."

"Perhaps he was injured…and in that situation, there are few willing to treat a dragon these days." Zeref paused, tilting his head. "No…after all this time, Acnologia can likely take on a human form as well. But even then…blood loss becomes a greater problem, as healing is slower in human form than it is as a dragon…" He trailed off, seeing Levy watching him with a small frown. "My apologies. My contemplations on the matter likely won't provide answers. Yet, my theory is that he was injured, and perished from whatever injury Igneel managed to inflict. Few dragons could escape from the king of the fire dragons unharmed, and even Acnologia would have suffered a great price from such an encounter."

"Well…I guess that's one less problem to worry about, I guess." Levy shrugged. "Either way, the nine generals you have seem like people you could become friends with." Zeref nodded. "Plus, you now have two empty spots to fill. I mean, those demons still served a purpose in the government, right?"

"Bloodman dealt with law enforcement…though Neinhart was also assisting in those matters, so it isn't completely a loss in terms of him. As for Larcade…" Zeref sighed, shaking his head. "He was a bit…difficult to deal with. Often times, he forced himself into a position as August's assistant, claiming he had such an authority as—"

"Your son." Levy chuckled at that, shaking her head. "I forgot, August mentioned that detail to me a while ago. He sounded so irritated about it too…"

Zeref nodded. "Indeed, and in retrospect, their inability to get along as August does with the rest…it is far more understandable." He shrugged. "While I will likely still find a way to fill in their positions with others as a precaution, with me actually being present in Alvarez, it is not quite such an urgent matter."

The door opened, interrupting the conversation. Brandish walked in, looking over at the two of them with her perpetual bland expression. "Oh. You're still here." Levy blinked, and Brandish walked over and took a seat across from them, starting to eat. When the silence persisted, she glanced at them with a scowl. "Don't stop just because I'm here. You're his majesty's guest; it's not like I'll hurt you or anything."

Levy blinked at her, before glancing towards Zeref. "Right." She took a deep breath, glancing over at the girl instead. "I don't think I really introduced myself when we met last time, considering everything that happened." She held out her hand. "I'm Levy."

The general stared at her hand, glancing towards Zeref for a moment. Then, she shrugged, and shook it. "Brandish." She focused on Levy again, frowning. "Has his majesty been keeping you captive here? Your clothes are horrendous."

Levy's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

The green haired girl nodded, sipping her drink casually. Zeref narrowed his eyes at her. "Brandish." There was a warning note in his tone, yet Brandish just shook her head.

"Well, if you aren't his captive, and you want to actually get out of this boring place for a change, come find me. Shopping is one of my favorite hobbies." Brandish seemed to pause at that, before shrugging. "Well, so long as I don't have to walk around for too long. Looking at ugly clothes can be boring, which is why I'd be joining you to ensure you only look at the best." She paused, glancing over at Zeref. "Mari can come too. I haven't had a girls day out in so long; his Majesty seems to keep the generals filled with males. I mean, there's Irene, but she never lets me take her shopping."

"Because Irene knows she has work to take care of."

"I take care of my work just fine." Brandish folded her arms over her chest. "People love me, so when I love something, everyone wants to go find it and buy it. Have you not seen the increase in travel to Crawca Island? They have this one-of-a-kind star-mango smoothie. Now that I've sampled it and informed Alvarez of my love for it, everyone needs to go try it."

Sighing, Zeref ran a hand through his hair. By his side, Levy was smiling faintly. She glanced over at him, patting his arm and laughing slightly. "Well, if you can manage to talk Invel into giving me a break, maybe we can go out sometime." Zeref glanced at her, taking in a slow breath. She wanted to go out with Brandish? It…seemed strange. Perhaps Levy was trying to make friends here herself. If she did…Zeref closed his eyes. It was too easy to see Levy as a more permanent addition to Alvarez than she was.

"That workaholic? Leave him to me." Brandish smiled faintly, rising to her feet. "I'm going to go talk to Mari, so expect her to stop in soon. She'll be delighted to hear that we have a new doll to play dress up with."

That seemed to make Levy's smile fade, her eyes widening. "Doll? I'm not—"

"Oh, hush now. You're adorable enough, but really, you need more input if you want to be presentable enough to stay by his Majesty's side. Playing doll for us is really a small thing to do in return for the favor we're doing for you." Levy glanced over at Zeref, her mouth open.

With a sigh, he shook his head. "Brandish, Levy is not a new plaything of yours. Perhaps you do have servants loyal enough to play these games with you, but Levy is—"

"Oh, I can see clearly what she is, your Majesty." Brandish shook her head. "Grandpa told me all about it. However, I don't see anything interesting about her. Until that changes, this doll is going to have to prove her worth."

With that, Brandish walked out of the room, waving towards them. The room was quiet for a moment, before Zeref spoke. "Brandish won't do anything…harmful to you. However, she is difficult to get along with. You don't have to attempt to get to know all of my generals, Levy."

She nodded, staring at the door. It was quiet for a moment, before she took a deep breath and glanced towards him. "Maybe I don't." She paused again. "But she doesn't seem that bad, and I can't say I've had time to go out with a group of girls like this in a long time. Plus, I might as well get used to them, since I'm probably going to be here fairly often." Zeref blinked at her, his chest feeling warm. Levy planned on being near him, often. Even if she didn't remain in Alvarez permanently, she'd still return to see him. The thought made him smile. Even as a wizard of Fairy Tail, she'd still have a place here, whenever she wished for it.

This is probably my first time giving Brandish any emphasis in a story, so if she feels a little OOC, please let me know so in what way so I can work towards improving how I write her! Admittedly, the last arc of this story will focus heavily on Levy/Zeref, so there won't be much of Loke and Nab at the end, in case you were looking forward to more from them.

Also, a question for you guys with the latest project I'm working on, for those of you that like to read multiple of my Fairy Tail stories and were interested in it. I was curious to know your opinions on endings, as I've hit a bit of a block in drafting the idea, so I don't want to start posting it yet to start asking questions there, but I don't want to abandon it either. So, would you guys prefer a story that started out serious and gradually shifted into a humorous/crack-ish ending? Or would you prefer a story that had some light-hearted themes, but ultimately ended as a tragedy or in a more bittersweet manner? I was originally trying something a little different to take a break from all the angst I usually write in my stories, but I seem to have gotten stuck and the two ideas I have for moving forward would bring it towards doing one of those two things. Answering this would help me decide which direction to start taking that draft in, so I'd really appreciate it if you could respond, either in a review to this story or through a PM to me if you'd prefer!