The sun was rising gently, casting its orange rays through a panoramic window of the luxurious room.
Seated elegantly in his armchair, Zeref dipped his lips into a glass of wine, savoring each sip with delight.
He was lost in his thoughts, relishing this new life and the future prospects that lay before him.
But as he indulged in his contemplation, a young man approached him, pulling him out of his reverie. Klein, his eyes shining, bowed slightly before Zeref.
"Excuse me for interrupting, master, but the one you were expecting has just arrived. She's waiting in the guest room," he announced.
Zeref smiled gently and placed his glass on the coffee table before gracefully rising to his feet.
He then followed Klein, walking to the guest room.
The guest room was magnificent, adorned with red velvet curtains and glittering chandeliers.
The walls were adorned with a soft neutral hue.
The floor was covered with a cream-colored carpet.
In the center of the room, an elegant solid wood table was set up.
The table lamp placed on it emitted a soft light.
Comfortable armchairs were harmoniously arranged around small coffee tables. The plush cushions were covered with fabrics with subtle patterns.
Wooden or glass coffee tables were placed near the armchairs, providing convenient space for drinks or small personal items.
A young woman was sitting on one of the armchairs in the room.
Klein stepped back slightly, giving the two protagonists the opportunity to meet.
Zeref gracefully approached the armchair, gallantly bowing to the woman while maintaining a charming smile.
"I'm delighted to see that you could join me this morning. I hope your day has started well," he warmly greeted the young woman, who, with a cold glance, seemed to refuse to respond.
Unperturbed, Zeref maintained his warm demeanor.
"May I know what brings you here?" he asked politely.
The young woman stared at him coldly.
"It wasn't by chance that you approached me, was it? From the beginning, you intended to use me to achieve your goals. I don't know if I should congratulate you for your audacity or make you pay here and now," she suddenly exclaimed.
The air grew heavy as the woman's hair began to float slightly despite the absence of wind.
A mischievous smile spread across Zeref's face.
"My dear, you need not blame yourself. I would have always found a way to achieve my goals. You simply facilitated the process by avoiding unnecessary conflicts. You should rather be proud of it," he replied calmly.
Although anger was boiling within her, the woman managed to calm herself.
She sighed, calming down.
"A council of high dignitaries was held last night, and a decision was made," she announced.
"So tell me, what is the decision?" Zeref asked eagerly.
The woman observed the man for a brief moment, then sighed again. She stood up.
"If you want to know, you'll have to follow me," she said as she headed for the exit.
At the woman's command, Zeref prepared to follow her without hesitation.
However, as he was about to step forward, Klein stepped forward as well, determined to accompany the couple.
Before the boy could even speak, Zeref raised his hand to stop him in his tracks.
An expression of both sorrow and protectiveness appeared on his face.
"It's not possible."
His words were full of tenderness.
Klein, somewhat disappointed, bit his lower lip.
He took a step back, but his gaze remained on Zeref and the woman who were walking away determinedly.
Feeling his guilt growing, Zeref briefly turned to Klein.
"Listen. This lady came to me unaccompanied. I must do the same. Or do you think I am incapable of taking care of myself?" he said.
Overwhelmed by Zeref's persuasive tone, Klein nodded understandingly.
"Sorry, master. Please forgive my lack of decorum. I will patiently await your return, master," he replied, bowing respectfully.
A warm smile spread across Zeref's face.
"So be it," he said, then turned on his heels and joined the woman, who was patiently waiting outside.
They left the building, heading towards a black vehicle waiting a few steps away.
The engine purred softly as the designated driver gracefully opened the door, inviting the two guests to get in.
On board, they were transported through the bustling streets of the city.
Pedestrians seemed to float around them, while buildings stood majestically on either side of the road.
Finally, the vehicle stopped in front of a spacious square.
The driver, being a good employee, opened the door for the two individuals.
Zeref took the initiative and headed towards an imposing building in front of them, but before he could take a single step, the woman lightly placed a hand on his arm and pointed out a modest restaurant nearby.
"Where were you planning to go like that? This is our destination," she said.
A conspiratorial smile formed on Zeref's lips before he followed the woman to the restaurant.
The interior of the restaurant had the appearance of a warm and friendly place.
The walls were adorned with framed photos, and checkered tablecloths added a cozy touch to the atmosphere.
The manager, a friendly-looking man with graying hair, welcomed them kindly.
"A special red menu for two," the woman suddenly declared.
The manager's expression changed discreetly.
"What level of doneness would you like?" he asked.
"Medium-rare," the woman replied.
The manager nodded in acknowledgment.
Without another word, he signaled to a young man in a nearby white shirt and nodded for him to take his place, to monitor the premises for a while.
The manager then approached the two companions.
"Follow me," he urged them in a warm voice.
With that, he escorted them to a small door hidden in a dark corner of the restaurant.
They entered the door, revealing an old but well-maintained elevator in front of them.
With one last benevolent smile, the manager nodded to them and took his leave.
Left to their own devices, the woman took the lead, opened the elevator, and stepped inside.
Zeref calmly followed her steps as the doors closed behind him.
In the elevator, Zeref, impatient, turned to the woman.
"So, are you going to leave me in suspense until the end?" he inquired with a mischievous smile.
"Stop playing dumb. You know exactly where we're going and why. It's annoying," the woman replied, unfazed, in a cold tone.
A slight sigh escaped the man's lips.
"You're not as amusing as you used to be, tell me," Zeref retorted, amused.
"Whose fault is that?" the woman retorted sharply.
Finally, the elevator came to a stop with a slight metallic creak.
The doors opened to a scene worthy of a bunker.
Dozens of guards in uniform stood there, ready to escort them.
The woman advanced without hesitation, and Zeref followed closely behind.
The guards flanked them as they moved towards a massive door at the end of the hallway.
The woman opened its doors, and Zeref followed her inside, leaving the guard troop behind them.
The room opened up before them, revealing a vast chamber where an immense table sat at the center.
The seats surrounding it were occupied by individuals, all wearing masks hiding their faces.
A mysterious and tense atmosphere hung in the air.
With confident steps, Zeref entered the meeting room.
"Hello, everyone!" he greeted the assembly warmly.
The woman, on the other hand, took her seat in silence, displaying a serious expression.
"Welcome, Mr. Grimwald, glad to see you agreed to come, and alone at that," said the member wearing the lion mask, responding to Zeref's greeting, but his tone was drier and more distant.
"It's the least I could do, given the invitation extended to me. I must admit I'm extremely curious to hear your decision," Zeref replied kindly.
Without further ado, he took his seat at the opposite end of the table, facing the member with the lion mask.
A smile spread across his face, showing that he was ready to listen attentively to what was about to be said.
Silence filled the room, amplifying the tension that prevailed.
Finally, the member with the lion mask broke the silence.
"We have studied your proposal in detail, analyzed every detail meticulously," he declared in a dry tone.
Then, taking a moment, scrutinizing Zeref's gaze, the member spoke again, saying, "Today, we are here to inform you of our decision, Mr. Grimwald."